By MEGHANN COTTER
The clock is ticking for Crow's Nest.
K&M Properties wants to build 688 homes on a 3,230-acre section of the environmentally sensitive peninsula. And the McLean developer's subdivision plan is scheduled to come before the Planning Commission on Jan. 25.
But preservationists are using every last ounce of time to urge the Stafford Board of Supervisors to rapidly approve several ordinances that might make developing the tract more difficult.
Last night, the supervisors unanimously agreed to suspend their bylaws to hold an earlier-than-usual public hearing on an ordinance change that would require preliminary subdivision plans to include require more information about drain fields. Without that vote, a decision would have waited until March. Now, the hearing will be held Feb. 7.
The amendment first came to the board in late December. But some of its wording had to be changed, so it was sent back to the Planning Commission for another public hearing. The commission recommended approval at its Jan. 4 meeting.
Supervisors split last night on another Crow's Nest issue--the commission's request for more time to review a proposed sensitive-resource overlay ordinance that would require more buffers around creeks and slopes in areas with highly erodible soils.
Commission Chairman Bill Cook told the supervisors the panel wanted more time to have a committee of two commissioners, a developer and an environmental specialist examine the overlay plan.
"We feel that it is a good ordinance, it just needs tightening up," Cook said.
By a 5-2 vote, with Supervisors Pete Fields and George Schwartz dissenting, the board granted the commission a 90-day extension, starting after its Jan. 25 meeting.
Fields said he was concerned that giving the commission extra time would bog down the discussion and damage the ordinance's possibility of being adopted.
Activists expressed similar frustrations.
"We are really disappointed that the board chose to send it back to the Planning Commission," said Cecelia Kirkman, a member of Save Crow's Nest. "That legislation is long overdue. In the meantime, mud is sliding into the creeks."
Her group is hoping that the peninsula will be turned into a state nature preserve. Several parties, including the state and county governments, have been considering ways to buy the property or trade a less valuable parcel with the developer.
Paul Milde, the Aquia District's new supervisor, discussed his plan to work with county staff to apply for federal grant money that could be used to purchase the land.
"We need to put some skin in the game," he said.
Behind closed doors, the supervisors discussed details about acquiring the property.
Save Crow's Nest members were present at last night's public session to remind the board that all eyes are watching.
Helen Stone, a representative of the group, reminded the supervisors that Save Crow's Nest would be grading their votes this year on issues related to the property. Members who vote in a way the group believes is favorable to saving Crow's Nest will be awarded a stuffed blue-heron doll. Those who don't will receive a plastic bulldozer.
Kirkman said Fields and Schwartz will receive the first heron dolls for their votes last night not to give the Planning Commission extra time on the overlay ordinance. The other five supervisors will receive a bulldozer.
In other action last night, the Board of Supervisors discussed the Virginia Department of Transportation's six-year secondary road plan, asking VDOT for more details.
Crow's Nest activists said they were pleased the board did not rubber-stamp VDOT's proposal. They're hoping that improvements to Andrew's Chapel Road and Raven Road will be taken off the final priority list because the work would encourage development of the peninsula.
To reach MEGHANN COTTER:
Email: mcotter@freelancestar.com