County's proposed Centers of Commerce/Community concept presented to citizens group as "Smart Growth" plan; Delegate Marshall criticizes potential conflicts of interest for some of plan's authors, "lack of communication with the public"; citizen criticisms focus on current housing glut, preservationist issues
("Prince William County construction plan addressed," PW Pulse, 9 October 2008, p. A7

Does the county need & can taxpayers afford another 75,000 houses, in addition to the tens of thousands already approved but not built and the thousands foreclosed or vacant?
(Speech by PWCBG's Ralph Stephenson at 8 Oct 2008 Prince William County Planning Commission hearing on the Centers of Commerce/Community plan.)

County's "huge"Centers of Commerce/Community proposal assumes future mass transit throughout western county, advocates "TDR" program "to trade building rights" between developers
("Smart Growth schematic makes inroads into county," by Cheryl Chumley, PW Pulse, 2 October 2008, pp. A12, A16)

County Summary of Intent of Centers of Community Concept  |  Map
County Summary of Intent of Centers of Commerce Concept  |  Map

Apr 2008 Land Use Advisory Commission (LUAC) draft plan proposes "high-density" development for all 6 Centers of Community and 19 Centers of Commerce (denoted in maps immediately above)

Commentary:  Supervisor Covington criticized for being too close to big landowners, big developers, and for playing leading role in Brentswood I (2005-06); may try to revive Brentswood when his 2007 freeze on rezonings expires after November elections

Board votes 5-3 against proffer reform that would require residential developers to bear full cost to county of residential development; Supervisor Nohe explains "no" vote in terms of new Virginia General Assembly rules on impact fees; Supervisor Caddigan "in favor of proffer increases," but "the timing was wrong"
("Proposed Increase in County Proffer Fees Is Defeated 5-3" by Rose Murphy, Bull Run Observer, 19 October 2007, p. 16)
     PWCBG's 9 Oct news conference supports increased proffers; Chairman Candidate Pandak reverses earlier lack of
     support for proffer reform; Democratic Party official repeatedly tries to interrupt, heckle speakers who support increased
     proffers
        ("New Group Pushes Proffer Hikes" by Tara Slate Donaldson, Gainesville Times, 10 October 2007 and "Pending
        Supervisors' Votes Rile Public: Protest, News Conference Address Proposals on Illegal Immigration, Proffers" by Christy
        Goodman, Washington Post, 11 October 2007, p. PW01)
     "Why would the Board of County Supervisors want to increase the glut of residential housing in Prince William County by
     subsidizing residential development at taxpayers' expense?"
        (Speech by PWCBG's Ralph Stephenson at 9 Oct PWCBG news conference supporting increased proffers)

[BOCS Chairman Stewart] supports impact fees, proffers that pay for government infrastructure burdens imposed on county taxpayers by residential development; residential developers cast proposal as anti-business, even though commercial development specifically exempted by 5 June BOCS vote
("No New Housing in County Without Payment of Impact Fees, Says Stewart" by Rose Murphy, Bull Run Observer, 7 September 2007, pp. 7, 10)

[BOCS Chairman Stewart] notes "cooling off of the housing market is allowing us to catch up with roads and schools"; also says proffer "hike a win-win for residents because development will slow down" and the resulting decrease in supply in the glutted housing market "will mean that existing homes will be valued higher"
("Proffer Increase Vote Set for Next Month," by Tara Slate Donaldson, Gainesville Times, 5 September 2007)

[BOCS Chairman Stewart] supports Planning Commission recommendation to require higher proffers from residential developers
("Stewart Seeks To Raise Residential Proffers," by Keith Walker, Manassas Journal Messenger, 31 August 2007)

[BOCS Chairman Candidate Pandak] believes residential development should "cover its cost so that current residents don't have to pay for it," but fails to support Planning Commission recommendation to require higher proffers from residential developers
("Stewart Seeks To Raise Residential Proffers," by Keith Walker, Manassas Journal Messenger, 31 August 2007)

Status of road projects in western county: Linton Hall Rd. complete Aug 2009; Rte. 28; US 15; Old Carolina Rd. ("Road Upgrading on County Books" by Gretchen L.H. O'Brien, Bull Run Observer, 10 August 2007, pp. 1, 10)

2007 Citizen Survey:  PW citizens "generally dissatisfied with the coordination of development and roads, growth in the county, and planning and land use"
("Supervisors Get Survey Results" by Keith Walker, Potomac News, 9 Aug 2007)

2007 County Citizen Satisfaction Survey

[Supervisor] Caddigan says "people are satisfied" and "trust us a little bit more," although 2007 survey shows citizens "generally dissatisfied with the coordination of development and roads, growth in the county, and planning and land use"
("Supervisors Get Survey Results" by Keith Walker, Potomac News, 9 Aug 2007)

Improvement in housing market partly dependent on "whether builders will slash production, which would reduce the glut of homes"
("Number of Unsold Homes Increases -- Listings Rise 2.5% in 18 Metro Areas; Pending Sales Fall" by James R. Hagerty, Wall Street Journal, 5 July 2007, p. B8)

Housing downturn largely due to "glut of homes for sale"; housing glut and "surge in mortgage defaults", in turn, largely due to builder "speculation," residential overbuilding, and targeting of uncreditworthy "sub-prime" borrowers as homebuyers
("Ripple Effect -- Economists See Housing Slump Enduring Longer:  Downturn is Expected To Keep Growth Tepid; Retailers Feel the Pinch" by James R. Hagerty, Jonathan Karp, and Mark Whitehouse, Wall Street Journal, 9 June 2007, p. A1)

May 2007:  VDOT engineer on Rte 29-I66 interchange progress; planned completion of Aug 2010
(by Gretchen L.H. O'Brien, Bull Run Observer, 4 May 2007, p. 4)

[Supervisor May] discusses Fiscal Year 2008 county budget, transportation issues
(Prince William County Government's "Infocus" newsletter, Spring 2007, p. 5)

"Vacant homes for sale cloud economic hopes":  "Data pointing to glut are worst in decades; impact of speculators"
(by Michael Corkery, Wall Street Journal, 5 Feb 2007, p. A1)

[Supervisor May] wins Occoquan seat on Board; likely to be "strong ally" to Stewart; wants to "control growth"
(by Timothy Dwyer, Washington Post, 31 January 2007, p B5)

Prince William, Loudoun likely to oppose Richmond plan to transfer responsibility for road-building to Northern Virginia  regional authority

("A Potential Pothole in Va. Roads Deal - Loudoun, Pr. William Balk at Raising Taxes," by Eric M. Weiss and Michael D. Shear, Washington Post, 20 January 2007, p. A1)

("Stewart Touts Economic Prowess in 'State of County' Talk to Chamber" by Rose Murphy, Bull Run Observer, 19 January 2007, p. 43)

("Transportation" section of the county's "FY2007-12 Capital Improvement Plan")

("Developer Sues Over Rejection of Housing Proposal," by Amy Gardner, Washington Post, 15 December 2006, p. B9)

Supervisors unanimously support freeze on rezonings Jan-Dec 2007
(by Timothy Dwyer, Washington Post, 6 December 2006, page B1)
     Commentary:  Supervisor Covington explains reasons for sponsoring Freeze
        (Letter to Editor by Supervisor Wally Covington, Bull Run Observer, 15 December 2006, page 19)
     Commentary:  Freeze a "gimmick" that contradicts recent Covington statements, actions
        (Letter to Editor by PWCBG's Bob Pugh, Potomac News, 8 December 2006 )

Prince William, Loudoun, Montgomery counties move to restrict development, as traffic congestion becomes "among the country's worst"

Two 2006-07 "Pandak for Supervisor" campaigns raise $528,000 total, including $103,500 (20%) from developers and $180,000 (34%) from Democratic Party
(Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), Virginia's authoritative source on the role of money in state politics.)

Note:  On the evening of 2 November 2006, a public debate between Board of County Supervisors [BOCS] chairman candidates Corey Stewart and Sharon Pandak was held at the Braemar Clubhouse in Bristow.  Among those attending the debate were current members of Prince William Citizens for Balanced Growth, members of other civic organizations, and Braemar residents. 

Ms. Pandak, who was county attorney and legal adviser to the BOCS when it decided to divert voter-approved bond funds from widening Linton Hall Rd. to other purposes, was asked toward the end of the debate whether this BOCS decision was legal.  She said she believed it was.  When asked whether the BOCS decision was "ethical" and the right thing to do, she declined to answer, citing attorney-client privilege.

On three separate occasions during the course of the debate, various audience members also asked Ms. Pandak how much money her campaign was receiving from developers.  These questions gave her an opportunity to refute rumors that large sums from developers were being donated to her campaign both directly and using the Virginia State Democratic Party as a conduit.  She did not respond to any of these questions.

[BOCS Chairman Candidate Pandak] emphasizes experience as county adviser in 1990s, while critics see her as "cozy with developers" and tied to 1990s legacy of "runaway development" that caused current "traffic and crowding problems"
("Pr. William Lawyer Plays Catch-Up - Democrat Seeks To Lead Supervisors" by Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 26 October 2006, page B1)

Leading developer tells colleagues he is "doing anything" to elect Pandak, defeat Stewart
(By Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 25 October 2006, page B1)

[Supervisor Jenkins] says Corey Stewart has burned bridges to others on Board and must make "significant concessions to get them back on his side"

Developers "worried" at prospect of Stewart victory; some controlled-growth advocates see Pandak as "developers' candidate," question her vagueness on development issues
(Report of 27 September 2006 Pandak-Stewart Debate; "Candidates Differ on Approach To Growth: Preserve's Fate a Focus In Race for Board Chief" by Fredrick Kunkle, Washington Post, 8 October 2006)

Supervisor Stirrup-sponsored town hall meeting discusses completion of I-66, Sudley Manor Road work, Nov 2006 bond referenda on roads, libraries, parks
(by Rose Murphy, Bull Run Observer, 6 October 2006, pp. 1, 60)
      Current county road bond projects  |  2006 bond referendum information

[BOCS Chairman Candidate Pandak] notes limits on county ability to obtain developer proffers; wants state help on local transportation, citing I-95 corridor; supports referendum on tax increase to buy "open space"
(Report of 27 September 2006 Pandak-Stewart Debate; "Pandak, Stewart Battle at Forum" by Keith Walker, Potomac News, 28 September 2006)

[BOCS Chairman Candidate Stewart] stresses need to slow residential growth, improve transportation; seeks more developer proffers; notes 30-40,000 homes already approved but not yet built; opposes development of Rural Crescent
(See second article below under Sharon Pandak; report of 27 September 2006 Stewart-Pandak Debate; "Pandak, Stewart Battle at Forum" by Keith Walker, Potomac News, 28 September 2006)

Congressman Tom Davis (7 Sep 2006) Says "Gainesville traffic is worst in the state"
("Davis Acknowledges Gainesville Traffic Is Worst in the State," by Catherine Hubbard, Bull Run Observer, 22 September 2006, pp. 1, 3)

"Board is wrong to defer developers"
("Letter": "Board is Wrong To Defer Developers" by Michael Ragland, Gainesville Times, 15 Sep 2006, p A4)

"Typical supervisor is beholden more to developers than ... constituents"
("Letter": "Board is Wrong To Defer Developers" by Michael Ragland, Gainesville Times, 15 Sep 2006, p A4)

Sep 2006:  Rte 29-I66 interchange right-of-way work to begin Nov 2007, construction completed 2012 "earliest"
(by Christy Goodman, Washington Examiner, 1 Sep 2006)

[Supervisor Stirrup] praises Corey Stewart's limited government principles, argues against county Republican Party moving "to the left"
(by Dan Roem and Tara Slate Donaldson, Gainesville Times, 25 August 2006, pp A1, A17)

[Supervisor Covington] hopes to bring cluster housing, sewer lines to rural areas
(by Catherine Hubbard, Bull Run Observer, 11 August 2006, page 5)

[Supervisor Stewart] discusses role in defeating Brentswood; says county "spending too freely on non-core functions"
(by Rose Murphy, Bull Run Observer, 11 August 2006, page 8)

[Supervisor Stirrup] discusses balanced growth, town hall meetings, county "taxpayers' bill of rights"
(by Gretchen L.H. O'Brien, Bull Run Observer, 11 August 2006, page 7)

2006 "Citizen Survey: PW residents still happy with libraries, tired of traffic"
(by Tara Slate Donaldson, Gainesville Times, 10 Aug 2006

2006 County Citizen Satisfaction Survey

2006 County "Popular Annual Financial Report"

[Supervisor Barg] says new "Potomac Communities" development along I-95 will "revitalize" community
(Prince William County Government's "Infocus" newsletter, Summer 2006, Vol 5, Issue 2, p. 8)

[Supervisor Caddigan] reports on Dumfries-area road-building, "Potomac Communities Revitalization Plan"
(Prince William County Government's "Infocus" newsletter, Summer 2006, Vol 5, Issue 2, p. 6)

[Supervisor Covington] stresses large "Virginia property owners' vested right to develop properties" without local government restriction
(Prince William County Government's "Infocus" newsletter, Summer 2006, Vol 5, Issue 2, p. 5)

[Supervisor Jenkins] reports on Neabsco-area road-building, other improvements
(Prince William County Government's "Infocus" newsletter, Summer 2006, Vol 5, Issue 2, p. 7)

[BOCS Chairman Candidate Stewart] notes negative effects of county's real estate glut on homeowners
(Prince William County Government's "Infocus" newsletter, Summer 2006, Vol 5, Issue 2, p. 7)

Chairman Connaughton chided for disingenuousness on Brentswood
("Opinion" by Ralph Stephenson, Gainesville Times, 26 May 2006, p A4)

"Brentswood plan hearing delayed [16 May 2006]; changes in works"
(by Rose Murphy, Bull Run Observer, 19 May 2006, p. 1)

Note:  In a 15 March 2005 vote on Brentswood, the PW Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) voted 5-3 to allow the proposal to be sent through the county's rezoning process.  This made it necessary for the proposal to be formally studied by the county Planning Staff and formally voted on by both the county Planning Commission and the BOCS.  The following supervisors voted in March 2005 to keep the proposal alive and send it through the formal rezoning process:  Chairman Sean Connaughton, Wally Covington, Hilda Barg, Martin Nohe, and John Jenkins.  Voting against further consideration:  Corey Stewart, John Stirrup, and Maureen Caddigan.

County Planning Staff Report, Planning Commission Recommend Denial of Brentswood (10 May 2006)

After receiving $863K From developers, Chairman Connaughton should recuse himself from Brentswood vote
(Letter to Editor by Ralph & Kathy Stephenson, Potomac News, 4 May 2006)

Negative effects of Prince William, Loudoun housing glut viewed

PWCBG flier opposing Brentswood: front side
(distributed April-May 2006 to Brentsville & Gainesville residents)

PWCBG flier opposing Brentswood: back side
(distributed April-May 2006 to Brentsville & Gainesville residents)

County Democratic Party Committee resolution opposing Brentswood (27 April 2006)

Experts:  Brentswood proffers, promises do not withstand scrutiny; project would impose "huge financial burden" on county

[Supervisor Covington] emphasizes developer rights, Dillon Rule
(15 April 2006 e-mail message to Prince William County Republican Committee in response to growing Republican opposition to the Brentswood development/rezoning request)

Conservative blogger views Supervisor Covington's support for Brentswood, pros & cons of plan

Brookfield Homes' claims of road improvements to accompany Brentswood
(map from Brookfield website Oct 2005 and Brookfield-sponsored public open houses early 2006 to promote Brentswood)

"2005 Survey:  County roads, growth need work"
(by Tara Slate Donaldson, Gainesville Times, 19 Aug 2005)

2005 County Citizen Satisfaction Survey

Northern Virginians get back "only about 25 cents of every dollar" in taxes sent to Richmond
("Kilgore, Kaine Tax Cut Plans Alarm Locals" by Nicholas F. Benton, Falls Church Press [Online Issue], 24 Mar 2005)

Supervisors vote 5-3 to keep Brentswood plan alive; activists debate county Comprehensive Plan requirement that Rural Crescent be preserved through sparse development, no sewer lines
("Brentsville, Woodbridge Developments to Proceed" by Nikita Stewart, Washington Post, 17 March 2005, page T1)

(Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), Virginia's authoritative source on the role of money in state politics.)

Bond funds approved by voters in 1998 for widening Linton Hall Rd in Brentsville District diverted by Board of County Supervisors in 2004 to Spriggs Rd in Coles District  [Supervisor Covington]
(from the Prince William County Government's "FY2004 Capital Improvement Program," "Transportation Strategic Goal" section)

Bond funds approved by voters in 1998 for widening Linton Hall Rd in Brentsville District diverted by Board of County Supervisors in 2004 to Spriggs Rd in Coles District  [Supervisor Nohe]
(from the Prince William County Government's "FY2004 Capital Improvement Program," "Transportation Strategic Goal" section)

[Supervisor Barg] described as "normally a consistently pro-development member of the board"
("As Elections Near, Actions on Growth Scrutinized" by Steven Ginsberg, Washington Post, 6 July 2003, p. T12)

2003 "Jenkins for Supervisor" campaign raises $100,000 total, $25,000 (25%) from developers
(Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP), Virginia's authoritative source on the role of money in state politics.)

Supervisors vote 5-3 for rezoning to allow Cherry Hill development, despite environmental sensitivity of area, possible lack of financing, and suggestions that project won't be built as planned
("Pr. William Approves $3 Billion Development Along Potomac" by Steven Ginsberg, Washington Post, 18 January 2001, p.  B5)