As Stafford County prepares its fiscal plan for 2026, officials are bracing for both financial opportunities and challenges. Expected increases in education funding and mounting concerns over the rising costs of tax exemptions for disabled veterans are heating up budget discussions among county leaders.
At the latest Board of Supervisors meeting, many residents expressed frustration over rising property taxes, urging officials to find alternative funding sources instead of raising taxes again.
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This combination of musicians is called "Big Fat Doug Belford Experience," they rocked out a healthy list of covers for the appreciative crowd. The band was a combo of three members of a band called “Big Fat Daddy,” featuring Meri Schaefer, Brian Curtiss, John David Coppola on bass, and three others from Doug Belford Experience, which featured Doug Belford, Meri Schaefer, and Brian Curtiss. Meri Schaefer and Brian Curtiss play in both bands.
Sure, some of the songs are well-known covers from the heyday of rock and roll, but people dig those songs anyway. A beer or two feeds that love the staples in their rock list, including “Maneater” from Hall and Oates, “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads, and “Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young. The tempo of the night stretched far and wide.
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The City of Fredericksburg Planning Commission invites residents to participate in a Comprehensive Plan Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Walker-Grant Center at 210 Ferdinand Street.
This meeting provides an essential opportunity for the community to review and offer feedback on the draft Comprehensive Plan. The plan outlines the city’s long-term guiding policies and vision for the future, focusing on key areas such as housing, transportation, environmental stewardship, and quality-of-life issues that will shape the built environment over the next two decades.
Residents can engage directly with Planning Commission members, City staff, and consultants working on the update. This meeting aims to ensure that community input is central to guiding Fredericksburg’s development.
A recent survey conducted for the Fredericksburg Forward Comprehensive Plan gathered input from over 580 residents and revealed several key insights that will shape the city’s future. Among the most prominent concerns expressed were traffic congestion, the cost of housing, and the city’s ability to manage growth. Many respondents emphasized preserving Fredericksburg’s historic charm while addressing modern needs, including improving public transportation and infrastructure.
Many respondents rated the quality of life in the city favorably, with nearly half rating it four out of five. However, respondents pointed out that walkability, mobility, and traffic management improvements are crucial for the city’s continued growth. The survey revealed a strong desire for more pedestrian-friendly streets, bike lanes, and improved public transit to reduce car dependency.
Additionally, Fredericksburg residents desired more sustainable practices, such as increased green spaces, enhanced stormwater management, and initiatives to reduce energy consumption. There was also significant support for making the city more accessible to the Rappahannock River, with recommendations for better trails and recreational facilities near the water.
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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.”
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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
