According to an article written by Dan Roem of the Gainesville Times on November 28, 2007
On January 22nd The Board of County Supervisors will vote on whether or not two residential developments, hoping to build 210 new homes in the Southern part of Haymarket, will get their way.
The Town Council is hoping that the Board of Supervisors will vote in the Town Council's favor and not accept the proposal for the new homes.
Council Members have an ally in Gary Friedman (At-Large Planning Commissioner). He is also opposed to the development because the county has already approved close to 52,000 new homes to be built across the county. However, Ron Burgess, Planning Commissioner of the Brentsville District supports the development.
Some of the concerns raised by Council members include:
- The distance from some of the homes being built and the nearest fire department. The recommended response time is 4-5 minutes and some of the new homes would be outside of that time frame for the Gainesville Fire Department, who by the way, is always looking for volunteers. Check them out
- The other cause for concern is the overcrowding of the public schools in the area. Many of the schools are already overcrowded and building another 210 units in the area will only make matters worse. There are plans in the works to build another High School near Vint Hill that should alleviate some of the overcrowding at both Battlefield High School and Brentsville High School.
We will have to wait and see what is decided.
This decision will impact the entire community of Haymarket as well as the Gainesville community. Growth and Change always brings with it Good and Bad. Trying to decide which there more is of is always the difficult task for those left to make the decisions because all bring to the table their own ideals and perspectives. Trying to find a happy medium is not always possible. Luckily, we have people fighting for what they believe in and what they think will benefit the community as a whole. You too can have a voice by getting involved in your community.
It feels good to speak your mind. Get involved.
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