Stafford County's Board of Supervisors and School Board will hold their respective meetings on Tuesday, February 25. Both meetings will be streamed live, with agendas available online.
Board of Supervisors Meeting – 5 p.m.
The Board of Supervisors will review the transportation biannual update, focusing on the Transportation Master Plan and various state and federal grant programs.
Transportation Master Plan Overview
- Phase 1 ($225 million):
- Four projects under construction: Berea Church Road, Route 1 at Telegraph/Woodstock, Staffordboro Boulevard sidewalk, and Route 1 at Courthouse Road ($57 million total).
- The Courthouse Road project has a $3.2 million shortfall. However, Berea Church Road and Telegraph Road projects are under budget, with surplus funds moving into contingency.
- Eight projects in the engineering phase totaling $168 million.
- Phase 2 ($600 million+):
- Includes four projects in engineering and 12 roadway and 33 bike/pedestrian projects in planning.
- Major areas of focus include Kings Highway, Chatham Heights, Mine Road, and Greenspring Drive.
- Phase 3 ($1 billion+):
- Proposed projects include a new north-south corridor west of I-95, running parallel to Route 1, and widening Courthouse, Mountain View, and Shelton Shop roads.
State Funding: almost $292 million, an increase of $10.5 million from last year
Departmental Savings: $890,000 in savings from departmental budgets
New School Staffing: $914,000 to staff new schools being built in the county
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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.
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 Appointments
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 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
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The Stafford County Board of Supervisors will vote on significant changes to its bylaws governing appointments to local and regional boards and commissions during its meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
The proposed changes come in response to the controversy surrounding the removal of a Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) Board of Trustees member and the subsequent censure of Supervisor Monica Gary.
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On Feb. 5, the Board formally met for the first time to discuss the intent, purpose and goals of the committee. The first mention of the committee in the new Board term was at the Jan. 28 meeting by Board member Sara Brescia.
Many of the other Board members expressed interest in forming such a committee but wanted to move quickly due to President Donald Trump's swift actions on immigration.
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A two-story home on Waterford Drive in Manassas was engulfed in flames Friday evening, prompting a multi-agency response from area fire and rescue teams.
The Manassas Fire and Rescue Department reported that units were dispatched to the 10200 block of Waterford Drive around 5 p.m. on February 14, 2025, after multiple 911 callers reported a house fire. Upon arrival, crews found heavy flames shooting through the roof of the single-family home.
Firefighters deployed multiple hose lines to battle the blaze while conducting thorough searches of the home. No occupants were inside the home at the time of the fire.
One firefighter sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the City of Manassas Fire Marshal’s Office. The Manassas Fire and Rescue Department was assisted at the scene by the Prince William County Fire & Rescue System and Manassas Park Fire Rescue.
Authorities have not yet released an estimated damage assessment or information on whether the home was occupied at the time of the fire.
On Wednesday night, the Fredericksburg Planning Commission voted 4-3 to reject a proposed Technology Overlay District (TOD) that would have allowed data centers and technology-focused development in Celebrate Virginia South, near the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium. The motion to approve the district failed by a 4-3 vote, and a second motion recommending that the City Council require Special Use Permits (SUPs) for data centers instead passed by the same margin.
The vote came after a lengthy public hearing in which residents, environmental advocates, and commissioners raised concerns about transparency, environmental impact, and infrastructure readiness.
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McDade proposed an operating budget of $1.9 billion, a 6.2% increase — or $111.3 million — from what PWCS received in fiscal year 2025 at $1.8 billion. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of January, the national inflation rate is 3%.
“Each year, our budget is driven by the strategic priorities set forth in our long-term plan,” McDade said in a press release about the budget. “We are focused on investing in people, programs and initiatives that directly enhance student achievement and well-being.”
