The Reserve at Long Forest won approval from the Prince William Board of County Supervisors.
The new homes in the cluster development will be built behind Signal Hill Elementary School, in the county, between the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
- The development encompasses 132 acres.
- 60 acres will remain untouched in a permanent conversation easement.
- Many praised the development for preserving open space in a semi-rural area of the county.
“No matter how you look at this, this is how it should be done, and is the model for doing business going forward,” said Kenny Boddye, of Lake Ridge.
- He’s a candidate seeking to unseat Occoquan District Supervisor Ruth Anderson in the November 5 General Election.
- He originally opposed the project, but then changed his mind the developer made significant changes.
Three years ago, the developer planned to build 104 homes on lots sized a little over an acre.
- Now that the number of new homes is reduced to 65, to be built on lots sized just over two acres.
Developers won approval from all county agencies that reviewed the proposal, as well as a recommendation from the Planning Commission, and civic associations MidCo and LOCCA-PELT.
- The developer negotiated with these organizations and offices for six years.
- “You can accomplish much if you try hard enough and long enough,” said John McBride, an attorney for the developer.
The new homes will feature open floor plans, surrounded by large open spaces that will not require much yard maintenance.
- They’ll be marketed to executives at the nearby expanding Micron Technology Park, and Innovation Park, home to the FBI Northern Virginia Regional Headquarters.
- “We think that’s what executives working at these businesses will want,” said McBride.
The developer has included more than $2 million in cash proffers to the county to offset the effects of the new residents who will live in the new neighborhood.
- $1.3 million will go to the county school division, whose elected School Board opposed the development.
- The neighborhood is expected to generate about 80 new school students.
- Signal Hill Elementary is expected to reach capacity by 2022.
Gainesville District Supervisor Peter Candland was the only supervisor to vote against the development, citing increased traffic congestion on nearby Route 28, dubbed the most congested road in Northern Virginia.
- “I assume this is not a helicopter community,” said Candland. “They’re going to be driving and taking Route 28…”
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