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Planning commissioners unanimously vote against 510-home development near Ladysmith. Date published: 6/16/2005
By JEFF BRANSCOME Caroline supervisors will have to consider a mixed-use development proposed near Ladysmith without the Planning Commission's seal of approval. The five-member commission voted 4-0 last night to urge the supervisors to reject the 510-home, 186-acre Airlee subdivision off U.S. 1. Commissioner William Smith was absent. Developer Charles Collins, a Spotsylvania County resident who owns a contracting business in Fredericksburg, is asking Caroline County to rezone the tract. He scaled down his original 701-home proposal after holding a number of meetings with a committee of residents in Lake Caroline, which sits west of U.S. 1 across from Collins' property. But last night, after a public hearing at which Collins and one county resident testified, commissioners expressed concern about the added pressure the development could put on roads and water and sewer utilities. "We're looking at a project of this magnitude with no recommendation and no further comment from Public Works," Chairwoman Virginia Scher said. Collins said county officials had assured him adequate water and sewer facilities would be in place for the development. If the project were approved now, he noted, construction on Airlee wouldn't begin until fall. "We're over a year from any sewer connection," Collins said. Planning Administrator Gary Mitchell said Caroline's water and sewer plans are both under review. That answer didn't satisfy Scher or her colleagues. "I'm disappointed or astounded that we're here tonight with no comment from Public Works," Scher said. Commissioner Raymond Piland called Airlee a fine development in the wrong location, noting its proximity to Lake Caroline, as well as Pendleton and Ladysmith Village, two new subdivisions where more than 6,000 homes are to be built. Mike Brown, who testified on behalf of the committee of Lake Caroline residents at the hearing, later said he was pleased with the commission's decision. "It's 500 homes going in an area that's undergoing development shock," Brown said of the proposal. But like most of the commissioners, Brown offered kind words for Collins. "You have to give Mr. Collins credit," he said. "He's done a major job improving the development." Collins declined to comment on the panel's decision. To reach JEFF BRANSCOME:
Read more stories about Caroline Date published: 6/16/2005
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