PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY — The first Sonic restaurant in Prince William County is on track to be built near Interstate 66.
The county Planning Commission is slated to hear the case for the new drive-in that specializes in everything from hamburgers, hotdogs, tater tots, and frozen non-alcoholic drinks. The hearing, originally set for Wednesday but postponed due to snow, is rescheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6.
The restaurant will be located at 10850 Promenade Lane, on the Corner of Sudley Road (Route 234) and Balls Ford Road, on just over an acre of land. It will replace the old Burger King that was built in 1994. It moved across the street last year into a newly built, free-standing restaurant.
The restaurant will feature a drive-through window and six ordering stations that will allow drivers to get curbside food service. Sonic needs approval from the county for a special-use permit for the drive-through window, something that is common for new fast-food restaurants.
Since the old Burger King drive-through was built before a change in county zoning code in 2000, Sonic needs to obtain new approval from the county, according to Planning Commission documents.
Zoning officials have outlined problems with the planned Sonic drive-through, which they say can’t be fixed. Zoning requirements call for what’s called a bypass lane for the drive-throughs, for cases when the driver changes their mind, doesn’t want the food, and wants to pull their car out of the line.
Sonic told the county that a slope along the right side of the drive-through land bordering Balls Ford Road would make it impossible to add the bypass lane without taking away open space for outdoor seating, “which is a desired component of community design by the [Prince William County] Planning Office.”
The old Burger King didn’t have one, either. So, planning officials have called for issuing a waiver.
Not only would the Sonic be the first in the county — Stafford County already has one — Prince William Planning officials also say the restaurant supports the county’s goal of a “robust economy.”
But adds the hamburger joint doesn’t conform with the long-range land use map designation of Regional Employment Center. Under it, the plan calls for mid-rise and high-rise office, research and development facilities. Drive-throughs are also discouraged in Regional Employment Center areas.
But, the restaurant would conform with the “existing character of the area” inside a big-box retail center that houses a Home Depot, a large furniture store, and once housed a Walmart.
Once the Planning Commission weighs in, the project will advance to the Board of County Supervisors for approval.
Also postponed from Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting was a work session on the Marine Corps Base Quantico Joint Land Use Study. It has been rescheduled for March 20.
Underway since 2013, the study has looked at existing land uses around the Marine Corps Base and how they could impact the future of the base.
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Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), the second-largest school division in Virginia, announced the closure of all schools and offices for Monday, January 6, 2025, due to a Winter Storm Warning. The announcement, posted on the division’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, “Due to Winter Storm Warning, all Prince William County Public Schools and Offices will be closed Code Red on Monday, January 6, 2025 (exception: Inclement Weather Employees). Weather conditions will be monitored throughout Monday and an update will be provided as needed.”
The closure affects more than 90,000 students enrolled across the division’s 100 schools, including elementary, middle, high schools, and specialty programs. PWCS serves a diverse and growing population, providing a range of academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities for students in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Under the Code Red designation, only designated inclement weather employees are required to report to work. The school division emphasized that it will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the day on Monday and provide further updates if necessary.
Manassas Park City Schools (MPCS) announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, citing snowy conditions as the reason for the closure. The announcement on the division’s website stated, “All Manassas Park City Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 6th, due to snowy conditions. Code RED for employees.”
The closure affected more than 3,000 students enrolled in the city’s four schools, which include Cougar Elementary, Manassas Park Elementary, Manassas Park Middle School, and Manassas Park High School. MPCS serves the small, tight-knit community of Manassas Park and provides a range of academic and extracurricular programs designed to meet the needs of its students.
A Code RED designation means that all school employees, except those specifically designated for inclement weather duties, are not required to report to work.
Manassas City Public Schools (MCPS) announced that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to forecasted inclement weather. The announcement, shared on the district’s official account on X, formerly known as Twitter, noted, “Manassas City Public Schools will be closed Jan. 6, 2025, due to forecasted inclement weather. Code BLUE for employees.”
The closure affects approximately 7,000 students across the city’s nine schools, including five elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and one high school. MCPS serves the city of Manassas with a variety of academic programs designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population.
The Code Blue designation means that employees are not required to report to work unless specifically notified by their supervisors. Further updates regarding school operations will be provided through the district’s official communication channels, including its website and social media accounts.
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), the largest community college in Virginia and one of the largest in the nation, has declared a “Code Purple” for Monday, January 6, 2025. All classes and services will be conducted online, with no in-person operations at any of the college’s six campuses or satellite centers.
The announcement, made on X, formerly known as Twitter, stated, “All #NOVA campuses are operating virtually. Classes and services are online only.” The move impacts more than 70,000 students enrolled across the college’s campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge.
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