As a county resident in Red Bud District, I strongly oppose the rezoning for Winchester East.
I addition to the other public comments included on this issue, I urge the Board to consider the hundreds of residents already living in the Red Bud area. We are taxpayers and voters who chose this area precisely because it is not a Fairfax or Ashburn or Leesburg. At our neighborhood meeting, the developers said that people love this area. Yes, they do, and we would prefer it not be capitalized upon to the point that the character and setting of our homes is made into NoVA West. Please consider being a good neighbor to the hundreds of residents already living in the area who have invested in their homes, neighborhoods, and communities long before multiple developers saw the value here. Please be a good neighbor to Clarke County, whose leaders seem to have serious concerns about these plans. Please be a good neighbor to the students and teachers at the schools that are already over capacity, the commuters already navigating crowded roads, and police officers and volunteer firefighters who are already having to respond to more issues and more accidents on Senseny. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I live in Redbud District and oppose this proposed rezoning.
Summary:
1) This proposal entails costs and negative changes for current community residents while failing to provide definite benefits.
2) Frederick County cannot out-build residential demand driven by NOVA/DC, and attempting to do so will ruin our desirable character.
Current residents chose to live here based on the present character of the community. Substantial changes should be taken very carefully, and only to gain a definite benefit for the community. This rezoning is a substantive impact/harm for the hundreds of residents who live near or travel past this proposed rezoning, and despite attending multiple presentations from the developers and their agents I am not aware of definite benefits for the existing community.
For the county as a whole, building residential units for the purpose of reducing housing costs is a fools errand. I am a professionally-employed economist, and in my opinion, we cannot out-build housing demand driven by communities to the east of us. Housing prices will continue to increase, therefore the only realistic choice open to us pertains to the character of our community. Those who currently live in the RedBud district, and Frederick County as a whole, chose their residence due to the current schools, environment, and overall character of the residential experience.
VDOT study
• Traffic study did not assume 300 +/- units
• Did not include impact to Valley Mill single lane bridge
• Did not include counter between Aulee Ct and Norfolk Ct
• Did not include counter between Norfolk Ct and Senseny Glen Dr
• Did not include counter between Senseny Glen Dr and Senseny Rd
• Did not include counter between Senseny Glen Dr/Canyon Road
• Did not account for traffic speeds heading east on Senseny to make the left into this neighborhood
• Did not account for heading west on Senseny Road and making right into this neighborhood – will need a turn lane
Lack of environmental impact study
• 640 acres drain into Opequon creek
• How does the development impact this
Lack of storm water containment study
• Senseny Glen neighborhood
• Impact to the lake within Twin Lakes Overlook
Lack of existing infrastructure
• School capacity numbers only account for this rezoning -does not account for other approved developments
• Only one fire station services the existing neighborhoods
o Assuming this stretches the fire station’s capacity to adequately respond in their first due
o What are the plans to expand this station for resources and equipment?
• Lack of grocery store
Types of residences
• Recommend changing duplexes to age restricted single family to reduce burden on school system
Existing neighborhood impact
• Recommend more than a 6’ privacy fence buffering existing residences from new development
Public access to trails
• Frontage on Senseny Road will not be enough
• Comprehensive plan includes public access to trails – site plan for this neighborhood does not include these
Archaeology
• Allow 2nd tier dig to be completed
Proffers
• Should NOT be towards a road credit
• The $5M will only go so far to address needed infrastructure to support this development
Access to Rt 7
• Estimated cost of extension is $54 million
• $10 million of that is assumed to be for the bridge over Opequon creek
• What is the timeline for this access?
Regarding the rezoning application #10-24 for a new development of 300 homes. While acknowledging the property’s UDA designation, we seek to ensure the development aligns with community values and addresses key issues.
Increased Traffic: The development is expected to generate 2,120 daily trips, affecting Senseny Glen, Twin Lakes, Apple Ridge, and Sovereign Village.
Infrastructure Deficiencies: Senseny Glen lacks curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and has street parking, creating safety hazards. Increased traffic will worsen these issues.
Safety on Senseny Road: Senseny Road has seen 20 accidents from March to December 2024. Increased traffic will exacerbate risks.
Route 37 Credit: The developer’s credit for the Route 37 section places the burden on taxpayers for costly road sections.
Stormwater Drainage: The proposed entrance crosses a stormwater area, raising concerns about water management.
Water Supply Capacity: The FCWA has concerns about the system’s ability to meet demand, and continued drought conditions further stress it.
School Capacity: The schools are already at or near capacity, with modular classrooms costing over $1 million, further straining resources.
Tree Preservation: The Proffer Statement lacks a tree inventory and preservation plan, risking destruction of significant trees.
Boundary Tree Protection: A plan is needed to protect trees along property lines, especially their root zones.
Grading Impact: The absence of a grading plan could damage tree roots and flood existing homes.
Light Pollution: The Proffer Statement does not address light pollution or dark sky initiatives. Measures should be implemented to prevent light infiltration.
These concerns highlight the need for further planning and revisions to the Proffer Statement. We appreciate the Board and Planning Commission’s attention to these issues.
As a county resident in Red Bud District, I strongly oppose the rezoning for Winchester East.
I addition to the other public comments included on this issue, I urge the Board to consider the hundreds of residents already living in the Red Bud area. We are taxpayers and voters who chose this area precisely because it is not a Fairfax or Ashburn or Leesburg. At our neighborhood meeting, the developers said that people love this area. Yes, they do, and we would prefer it not be capitalized upon to the point that the character and setting of our homes is made into NoVA West. Please consider being a good neighbor to the hundreds of residents already living in the area who have invested in their homes, neighborhoods, and communities long before multiple developers saw the value here. Please be a good neighbor to Clarke County, whose leaders seem to have serious concerns about these plans. Please be a good neighbor to the students and teachers at the schools that are already over capacity, the commuters already navigating crowded roads, and police officers and volunteer firefighters who are already having to respond to more issues and more accidents on Senseny. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I live in Redbud District and oppose this proposed rezoning.
Summary:
1) This proposal entails costs and negative changes for current community residents while failing to provide definite benefits.
2) Frederick County cannot out-build residential demand driven by NOVA/DC, and attempting to do so will ruin our desirable character.
Current residents chose to live here based on the present character of the community. Substantial changes should be taken very carefully, and only to gain a definite benefit for the community. This rezoning is a substantive impact/harm for the hundreds of residents who live near or travel past this proposed rezoning, and despite attending multiple presentations from the developers and their agents I am not aware of definite benefits for the existing community.
For the county as a whole, building residential units for the purpose of reducing housing costs is a fools errand. I am a professionally-employed economist, and in my opinion, we cannot out-build housing demand driven by communities to the east of us. Housing prices will continue to increase, therefore the only realistic choice open to us pertains to the character of our community. Those who currently live in the RedBud district, and Frederick County as a whole, chose their residence due to the current schools, environment, and overall character of the residential experience.
VDOT study
• Traffic study did not assume 300 +/- units
• Did not include impact to Valley Mill single lane bridge
• Did not include counter between Aulee Ct and Norfolk Ct
• Did not include counter between Norfolk Ct and Senseny Glen Dr
• Did not include counter between Senseny Glen Dr and Senseny Rd
• Did not include counter between Senseny Glen Dr/Canyon Road
• Did not account for traffic speeds heading east on Senseny to make the left into this neighborhood
• Did not account for heading west on Senseny Road and making right into this neighborhood – will need a turn lane
Lack of environmental impact study
• 640 acres drain into Opequon creek
• How does the development impact this
Lack of storm water containment study
• Senseny Glen neighborhood
• Impact to the lake within Twin Lakes Overlook
Lack of existing infrastructure
• School capacity numbers only account for this rezoning -does not account for other approved developments
• Only one fire station services the existing neighborhoods
o Assuming this stretches the fire station’s capacity to adequately respond in their first due
o What are the plans to expand this station for resources and equipment?
• Lack of grocery store
Types of residences
• Recommend changing duplexes to age restricted single family to reduce burden on school system
Existing neighborhood impact
• Recommend more than a 6’ privacy fence buffering existing residences from new development
Public access to trails
• Frontage on Senseny Road will not be enough
• Comprehensive plan includes public access to trails – site plan for this neighborhood does not include these
Archaeology
• Allow 2nd tier dig to be completed
Proffers
• Should NOT be towards a road credit
• The $5M will only go so far to address needed infrastructure to support this development
Access to Rt 7
• Estimated cost of extension is $54 million
• $10 million of that is assumed to be for the bridge over Opequon creek
• What is the timeline for this access?
Regarding the rezoning application #10-24 for a new development of 300 homes. While acknowledging the property’s UDA designation, we seek to ensure the development aligns with community values and addresses key issues.
Increased Traffic: The development is expected to generate 2,120 daily trips, affecting Senseny Glen, Twin Lakes, Apple Ridge, and Sovereign Village.
Infrastructure Deficiencies: Senseny Glen lacks curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and has street parking, creating safety hazards. Increased traffic will worsen these issues.
Safety on Senseny Road: Senseny Road has seen 20 accidents from March to December 2024. Increased traffic will exacerbate risks.
Route 37 Credit: The developer’s credit for the Route 37 section places the burden on taxpayers for costly road sections.
Stormwater Drainage: The proposed entrance crosses a stormwater area, raising concerns about water management.
Water Supply Capacity: The FCWA has concerns about the system’s ability to meet demand, and continued drought conditions further stress it.
School Capacity: The schools are already at or near capacity, with modular classrooms costing over $1 million, further straining resources.
Tree Preservation: The Proffer Statement lacks a tree inventory and preservation plan, risking destruction of significant trees.
Boundary Tree Protection: A plan is needed to protect trees along property lines, especially their root zones.
Grading Impact: The absence of a grading plan could damage tree roots and flood existing homes.
Light Pollution: The Proffer Statement does not address light pollution or dark sky initiatives. Measures should be implemented to prevent light infiltration.
These concerns highlight the need for further planning and revisions to the Proffer Statement. We appreciate the Board and Planning Commission’s attention to these issues.