Stafford “Eyesore” Ripe for Commercial Development

Two vacant residential properties in North Stafford have recently gained attention as eyesores in the community.

With broken windows, graffiti and overgrowth, these homes may soon make way for further commercial development in the area.

The properties, located on US-1 across from Coachman Circle, near the Garrisonville Road / Interstate 95 exit, are surrounded by other commercial buildings. The just over an acre plot of land is being sold as a commercial property, despite currently being zoned as residential land. The current asking price is $1.2 million, according to Mo Wilson, a realtor listing the property for sale.

Windows are shattered, holes busted in drywall, empty beer boxes on the floor, with overgrown brush in the front and back yards. It appears squatters have been staying in the house while it has sat vacant despite a cable that has been haphazardly strung across the front yard to try to keep people out.

The run-down house has also drawn its fair share of complaints.

“My plans are to demo it. I’ve already got the permit, I just need to go and pick it up. And, as soon as I can make arrangements, it’s coming down,” said Ron Edwards, who owns the land.

Stafford County officials have fielded complaints about properties along US-1.

“Our process is that we will visit the property to determine if they are unsafe – we use the County Code, Chapter 6, Section 1, to make these determinations. We then send a Letter of Correction to the owner and ask them to correct the unsafe issues,” said Stafford County spokeswoman Cathy Vollbrecht. “The length of time in which they are able to do that depends on the severity of the property’s condition. If the issues are not corrected, we then send a Notice of Violation. We work with the owner to help them understand the safety issues and provide information on the options provided in the Code to fix those issues, which include putting a fence around the property, boarding it up or tearing it down.”

While there is no clear buyer for the property, Edwards is confident that it will be an asset as a commercial site. “I’m the least expensive property between 610 / Garrisonville Road and the Quantico exit… It could be a hotel, it could be a restaurant – who knows?” Edwards said.

Before anything is built there, the property needs to be re-zoned by the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. That process could take up to a year.

Stafford Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde is hopeful that the land will be rezoned and lead to further commercial development in the district.

“If it’s not zoned [for commercial], it will be. It is a prime candidate for rezoning. It is literally surrounded on all sides by commercial zoning, and it’s in our COMP Plan for commercial,” Milde said, referring to the County’s plan for future development.

Several new businesses have cropped up in this area of US-1 in recent years, including a brewery, new hotels and a car dealership.