Schools across the region will be closed on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, as a winter storm moves through the area, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions.
King George County Schools will be closed and have designated the day as an Asynchronous Learning Day. 12-month employees are expected to report to work on time.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Shorter proposed the real estate tax remain at 92 cents per $100 of assessed value, but the average residential tax bill would increase by $276. According to the budget presentation, the average residential tax bill would then total $5,165, which is up from the average $4,881 tax bill in fiscal year 2025.
A majority — 57% to be exact or $2,956 — of the average tax bill will go to fund Prince William County Schools (PWCS) due to the revenue-sharing agreement between the county and PWCS. This has been a major point of contention for some of the county supervisors and became a topic of discussion at Tuesday's meeting.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
The Dumfries Town Council designated a Waterfront District off Possum Point Road, marking a significant step in the town’s broader economic development strategy.
During the February 4th, 2025, meeting, Councilman Shaun Peet emphasized the vision for the district on Quantico Creek, stating:
“Having this vision of a mini National Harbor down here with the boardwalk and some waterfront amenities that we can enjoy right here in the town, which we actually just named as a council of the town of Dumfries Waterfront District.”
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Mackintosh outlined the city’s long-term planning efforts, which date back to 2018 when Fredericksburg began setting tax rates and policies to align with neighboring jurisdictions. With Northern Virginia running out of space, developers have turned their attention south, making Fredericksburg a prime target for new data center development.
Officials have proposed a Technology Overlay District—a designated 250-acre area in Celebrate Virginia South, near Wegmans and the Fredericksburg Nationals stadium to ensure that data centers fit within the city's framework. This district will allow data centers by right if they meet strict environmental and design regulations.
“We didn’t want to be reactive to data center proposals,” Mackintosh said. “We wanted to set the terms ahead of time—where it makes sense and under what conditions.”
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Stafford County’s Board of Supervisors will hold its next meeting today, Tuesday, February 18, at 5 p.m. The meeting will be streamed live, and the agenda will be posted online.
Here’s a sample of what’s on the agenda today:
Bylaws Change for Board AppointmentsÂ
The board will review proposed changes to the bylaws to formalize the appointment and removal process of members on Boards, Authorities, Committees, and Commissions (BACC). The proposed changes follow the recent controversial removal of a library board member and the board’s subsequent censure of Supervisor Monica Gary.
Data Centers
There are currently several data center rezoning applications for centers throughout Stafford. A few are listed below:
- Potomac Creek Campus: Falmouth District, near Potomac Creek Drive, south of Eskimo Hill Road
- Accocreek Center: Falmouth District, near Richmond Highway and Eskimo Hill Road
- GWV Data Center: Hartwood District, Ramoth Church Road across from Centreport Parkway
- Austin Ridge Logistics: Hartwood District, Cedar Lane near Courthouse Road
- Enon Road Tech: Hartwood District, Enon Road near Wyatt Lane
- Cranes Corner: Falmouth District, Richmond Highway near Centreport Parkway
In 2023, the Board amended the Zoning Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan to define data centers, establish development standards, and specify permitted zoning districts. Data centers were allowed by-right in the M-2 zoning district and the ICTP overlay district.
Now, the Board is considering a new amendment requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for data centers in the M-2 district instead of allowing them by-right. CUPs allow for case-by-case review to assess factors such as traffic, environmental impact, noise, and infrastructure needs.
A new ordinance amendment (O25-08) has been proposed, and the Board has referred it to the Planning Commission. A joint public hearing is scheduled for March 18, 2025, to discuss the changes. Data centers would still be permitted by-right in the ICTP district, though no parcels currently have this designation.
Fredericksburg recently gathered attention for an aggressive timeline in pursuing data center development in the city.
Wetlands Board
Resolution R25-49 proposes restructuring the Wetlands Board/Coastal Primary Sand Dunes Board and Chesapeake Bay Board to include seven members with election district designations and up to three alternates. The resolution also establishes staggered initial terms, with subsequent terms set at five years. This change aligns with state law, which requires the county to maintain these boards for regulatory oversight. The Wetlands Board also serves as the Coastal Primary Sand Dunes Board, and its members make up the Chesapeake Bay Board. The modifications aim to ensure compliance with state membership and term-staggering requirements.
Lake Carroll Dam Update
Due to lack of maintenance over the last 20 years, the Kennedy Dam at Lake Carroll is in need of maintenance before regulatory improvements can be done. Legislation was passed 10 years ago that required modification to many dams throughout the state. The board previously approved a loan that was designated towards regulatory improvements and did not include the maintenance needs.
The project also faces constraints on when trees can be cleared due to regulations around an endangered long-eared bat which resides in the area. Trees can only be cleared between November and April, which will create additional hurdles with construction bids and the duration of the work. There is also concern that the project will exceed the funds available if there are any delays or unexpected developments.
Campgrounds
Currently, campgrounds are permitted by-right in the A-1, Agricultural zoning district on at least 10 acres, with no special county regulations. However, state regulations govern campgrounds through the Virginia Department of Health, covering permits, density, utilities, and construction standards.
Staff reviewed campground regulations in other localities and found that most require a special exception or use permit. Only Fauquier County has adopted specific campground regulations. A regional analysis was conducted to assess campground facilities, amenities, and potential impacts.
Based on this analysis, staff recommends requiring a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for campgrounds in the A-1 district, updating campground-related definitions in the Zoning Ordinance, and considering whether to allow campgrounds as a CUP use in other zoning districts. A draft ordinance amendment (O25-07) has been prepared for review.
The proposed Belle Plains Campground generated significant opposition from neighbors, but was allowed by right.
The Occoquan Town Council is set to hold its first FY2026 budget work session on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The meeting will review the town’s Strategic Framework and discuss proposed budgets for the eSummons Fund and the Mamie Davis Fund.
Key Topics for Discussion
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
The Prince William County Department of Transportation (PWDOT) has released its FY2024 Annual Report, outlining major infrastructure improvements, safety initiatives, and upcoming projects that aim to enhance the county’s multi-modal transportation network.
Department Director Rick Canizales emphasized the department’s commitment to constructing and maintaining a transportation system that supports local and regional mobility with a focus on safety, equity, and accessibility.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
The Northern Virginia real estate market is experiencing an increase in home listings, with notable pricing and inventory level changes across Fairfax, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania counties. This shift comes amid large-scale federal job cuts, prompting some government employees to list their homes out of economic uncertainty.
Federal Job Cuts and Housing Market Impact
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you.
Thousands of residents in Prince William and Stafford counties are without power as Dominion Energy and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) report widespread outages amid a high wind warning.
As of Sunday evening, Dominion Energy has reported 7,496 outages in Prince William County and 8,363 outages in Stafford County. NOVEC has also reported power disruptions, with 3,322 customers affected in Prince William County and 1,031 in Stafford County.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the region, which will remain effective until 1 a.m. Monday. Forecasters expect sustained west winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph, posing risks of falling trees, downed power lines, and travel disruptions.
Authorities warn that damaging winds could bring down trees and power lines, leading to additional outages. Motorists, especially those operating high-profile vehicles, should exercise caution as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Emergency officials advise residents to stay indoors, secure outdoor objects, and avoid downed power lines. Those experiencing outages should report them to their respective power providers and prepare for potential extended disruptions.
Dominion Energy and NOVEC crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible, but strong winds may delay efforts. Residents must check their utility providers’ outage maps and updates for estimated restoration times.
