|
David Brickley holds the rights to a 16-mile railroad bed. He plans to turn it into an invitation-only hiking and biking trail.
SUZANNE CARR ROSSI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR
|
K.G. won't take sides on trails
Supervisors decide not to mail letter on the issue because they want to remain impartial.
By COREY BYERS
Date published: 12/14/2006
A letter to the state from King George County supervisors addressing a rails-to-trails project won't be dropped in the mail.
Last week, supervisors directed the county administrator to draft a letter to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation stating that the county's comprehensive plan doesn't include the trail project.
The trail is to be included in new version of a statewide outdoors plan to be released next spring. The document serves as a guide for planning and land-use in the state.
The draft letter said supervisors believe a controversy over the trail needs to be resolved between property owners.
But at a work session on Tuesday evening, supervisors agreed that any correspondence to the DCR could be seen as taking sides in a contentious ongoing debate.
"A truly neutral letter can be used by both sides," board Chairman Stephen Wolfe said.
Some residents who own land along the 15.7-mile trail fear the trail will bring in crime, litter and noise to the area. A group called Citizens for Trail Truth & Property Rights presented supervisors last week with a petition listing 600 signatures urging them to write DCR officials and request the project be taken off the outdoors plan.
Ultimately, the group wants the federal government to return property to original land owners. The land was taken by eminent domain to build a rail line to the Dahlgren naval base during World War II.
The easement is owned by former Planning Commissioner Joe Williams, but is being leased to former state legislator David Brickley of Woodbridge. Brickley and his supporters cleared the trail earlier this year for hiking and biking on an invitation-only basis.
He hopes to eventually turn it over to the state and open it to the entire public.
Supporters of Brickley's plan have formed a group called Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail. The group hosted a dedication of the trail in June.
Supervisors said they were remaining neutral when they agreed last week to draft a letter to the DCR restating the county's actions on the issue.
"It really is a personal property-rights issue," Supervisor Joseph Grzeika said at the time. Grzeika represents the Madison District where a part of the trail lies.
Date published: 12/14/2006
Most recent reader comments:
Rails and Trails,
(posted by
steuerl
, Sep. 25, 2007 2:41 pm)
I feel King George is missing the boat on this ideal money making venture. Wherever these rails and trails start they continue to grow and bring money into the cities and counties throughout the country. I hope in time that King George sees the error in there ways and that they get support this venture.
|
Star Directory
