Delegate Ian Lovejoy (R-22, Bristow) updated his legislative priorities at the end of the first week of the 2024 Virginia General Assembly.

Lovejoy emphasized his focus on two key issues: limiting the siting of data centers near certain areas and addressing potential conflicts of interest among local elected officials involved in land use proceedings.

Siting of Data Centers in Residential Areas:

Lovejoy introduced an amendment to the Code of Virginia, specifically adding a new section to address the siting of data centers. According to the proposed amendment:

– Any local government land use application required to build a data center must be approved only for areas one-quarter mile or more from federal, state, or local parks, schools, and property zoned or used for residential purposes.

The amendment came after the Prince William Board of County Supervisors in  2023 approved a data center complex on 990 acres next to Manassas Battlefield National Park and another next to a densely populated neighborhood at Linton Hall and Devlin roads in Bristow.

Disclosures in Land Use Proceedings:

Lovejoy also proposed amendments focusing on disclosures in land use proceedings.

– Members of the board of supervisors, planning commission, and board of zoning appeals involved in land use proceedings must fully disclose any business or financial relationships with the applicant or title owner of the land in question.

– A disclosure includes relationships within the 12 months before the hearing, and any member with a business or financial interest or a specific relationship shall be ineligible to vote or participate in such cases.

– Penalties, as a Class 1 misdemeanor, are outlined for individuals knowingly and willfully violating these disclosure provisions.is the most severe class of misdemeanor offenses and may include up to 12 months in jail and up to a $2,500 fine.

The proposed amendments aim to enhance transparency in land use proceedings by requiring elected officials to disclose relevant relationships, thereby minimizing potential conflicts of interest.

Lovejoy is serving his first term as a House of Delegates member. He previously served on the Manassas City Council.

The 2024 General Assembly session ends on March 10, 2024.

Prince William County Fire and Rescue crews were called to a house fire today, Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 11:45 a.m.

The fire broke out at the townhome in Bristow, the 9000 block of Falcon Glen Court, just off Linton Hall Road in Bristow. Crews arrived on the scene to discover fire extending up the side of an end-row house. The fire was quickly extinguished.

A homeowner discovered the fire after hearing strange sounds emanating from where the fire had ignited; a trash can outside the house. No injuries were reported.

A total of two adults and two children have been temporarily displaced as the structure was determined unsafe to occupy by the county Building Official.

Investigators don’t know what caused the trash can to catch fire.

Several Bristow residents are joining forces to fight the controversial Devlin Technology Park data center rezoning in court, reports Cher Muzyk and Jill Palermo at Prince William Times.

Prince William Times: “Residential developer Stanley Martin is seeking the Prince William Board of County Supervisors’ approval to rezone 270 elevated acres near the intersection of Devlin and Linton Hall roads to allow for the new data center complex. The land is currently zoned for 516 new homes.”

“The project is one of two major data center rezonings the supervisors have scheduled for votes during the board’s “lame duck” session before the end of the year. A public hearing and possible vote on the Devlin Technology Park is set for Tuesday, Nov. 28. The board will take up the much larger nearly 1,800-acre Digital Gateway rezonings on Tuesday, Dec. 12.”

Prince William County Supervisors will again take up the long-debated Devlin Tech Park during its next meeting on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.

Prince William Police Department: “Rape Investigation – On November 13, detectives concluded an investigation into a sexual assault that was reported to have occurred at a residence located in the 10000 block of Orland Stone Drive in Bristow on April 22. The investigation revealed earlier that morning, the victim, a 19-year-old woman, was prevented from leaving the residence before being sexually assaulted on more than one occasion by an acquaintance, identified as the accused. The parties eventually separated, and the victim left the residence. On November 13, following the investigation, the accused, identified as Cailin Kalief Lamar ASH, was arrested. Arrested on November 13: Cailin Kalief Lamar ASH, 19, of 10013 Orland Stone Drive in Bristow. Charged with 2 counts of rape and 1 count of abduction with intent to defile. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

“Armed Robbery – On November 15 at 5:38 p.m., officers responded to the ABC Store located at 13991 Richmond Highway in Woodbridge to investigate a robbery. The investigation revealed a man concealed a bottle of liquor from the shelf before proceeding towards the exit. The suspect threatened two employees, implying he had a weapon, as he left the business and walked out of the area. No weapon was seen or brandished. The suspect was described as a tall black male with a thin build wearing a fitted cap and a black trench coat.”

“Reckless Handling of a Firearm – On November 15 at 10:51 p.m., officers responded to the 16800 block of Miranda Lane in Woodbridge to investigate a shots fired call. The investigation revealed a group of males, possibly juveniles, were gathered in the above area when gunfire was exchanged. The group dispersed, some fleeing in vehicles while others fled on foot. While checking the area, officers located multiple parked vehicles that were struck by gunfire and shell casings on the ground. No injuries or
additional property damage were reported.”

“Attempted Residential Burglary – On November 14 at 5:00 p.m., officers responded to investigate an attempted burglary that was reported to have occurred at a residence located in the 3400 block of Wainscott
Place in Woodbridge during the afternoon of November 9. Surveillance footage revealed an unknown man attempted to gain entry into the home through the secured front door. Officers determined no entry was made into the home and no property was reported missing. Suspect Description:
A white male, around 20-30 years old, between 5’5-6’0, with a medium build. Last seen wearing a blue zip-up sweater.”

“Abduction | Domestic Related – On November 15 at 11:31 p.m., officers responded to a residence located in the [Redacted] Campaign Court in Manassas to investigate a domestic dispute. The investigation revealed the victim, a 30-year-old woman, and an acquaintance, identified as the accused, were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated. During the encounter, the accused pushed the victim before preventing her from leaving the room. Eventually, the victim was able to exit the room and the police were contacted. Minor injuries were reported. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Pedro Pablo NARVAEZ TOLEDO, was arrested.
Arrested on November 15: Pedro Pablo NARVAEZ TOLEDO, 38, of the [Redacted] in Manassas. Charged with abduction and domestic assault & battery. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

“Assault & Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer [LEO] – On November 15 at 11:06 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of Dorothy Lane in Woodbridge to investigate an intoxicated individual. The investigation revealed an intoxicated man, later identified as the accused, was in the parking lot area of the above location lighting items on fire. When officers attempted to detain the accused, he actively resisted and struck the officer. Fire and rescue personnel intervened, and the accused was taken into custody. While in custody, the accused attempted to kick out the window of the police cruiser and struck the officer before being re-secured. Minor injuries were reported by the officer. The Fire Marshal’s Office assisted in the investigation. Following the investigation, the accused, identified as Jose Alfonso AGUILAR-HERNANDEZ, was arrested. Arrested on November 15: [No Photo Available] Jose Alfonso AGUILAR-HERNANDEZ, 31, of no fixed address. Charged with 1 count of assault & battery on LEO, 2 counts of obstruction of justice, and 1 count of intoxicated in public. Court Date: Pending | Bond: Held WITHOUT Bond.”

The Devlin Technology Park is back on the front burner.

This article requires a paid Locals Only Membership to read. Please Sign In or Upgrade to a paid membership. Thank you.

Prince William Fire and Rescue: “[On Monday, September 18, 2023, at 5:36 p.m., units were dispatched to the 13400 block of Grouserun Lane (Bristow) for a report of a townhouse on fire. Crews arrived with fire showing from the rear of the structure and spreading to another home. The fire was quickly brought under control. Both homes sustained minor damage.”

“A total of two (2) townhomes were damaged. The Building Official declared one of the homes to be unsafe to occupy displacing two (2) adults temporarily. An adult female occupant sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported and then released from a regional medical facility. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated, and the occupant sustained the injuries while working on the propane grill.”

Prince William fire and rescue: “Last evening (Monday, September 4, 2023, 8:45 PM), units were dispatched for a house fire in the 9200 block of Rainbow Falls Drive (Bristow). Crews arrived with fire showing from the attached garage and spreading further into the home and attic. The fire was quickly brought under control. Two (2) firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Both were treated and released from a medical facility. No other injuries were reported. The home sustained significant damage and was posted unsafe to occupy, displacing two (2) adults. The Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire originated in the garage caused by accidental electrical issues.”