Spotsy approves office buildings
Spotsylvania's Board of Supervisors gave a thumbs up to office buildings planned for Mine Road
CORRECTION: Supervisor Gary Jackson did not vote in support of Frank Sealy's Mine Road office park project Tuesday night; Supervisor Gary Skinner did.
BY DAN TELVOCK
Date published: 6/11/2008
BY DAN TELVOCK
It was not three strikes and you're out last night for developer Frank Sealy, who hopes to have his Mine Road office park built in 2010.
Supervisors approved his rezoning last night on a 5-2 vote.
This was the third time the rezoning came to Spotsylvania supervisors, and it was the second public hearing after supervisors tabled the project for 30 days. The project is the first controversial rezoning application supervisors have faced in more than a year.
Neighbors say the office park causes "spot zoning" because it splits residential properties. Residents also are concerned about traffic and having an office park on a busy two-lane road that has no available funds for widening. Sealy's land was zoned residential.
Eight people opposed the road, and two supported the project. Mine Road resident Jay Mason said approving this rezoning will set a precedent and make it difficult for supervisors to deny rezoning they consider to be spot zoning.
Sealy originally planned to build a two-story building and a four-story building, but he agreed to keep them both at two-stories. The total space will still be 123,000 square feet on about 8 acres just east of the intersection of Spotsylvania Avenue and Falcon Drive, the WaWa and Mason's home. Homes line Mine Road toward its intersection with Lansdowne Road. To the north is a strip of empty offices.
Supervisor Gary Skinner said the project means more tax revenue. "We need to look at the big picture and see what the county will gain from this rezoning. If you want lower taxes, we need to develop more commercial."
Supervisors Emmitt Marshall, Hap Connors, Jerry Logan and T.C. Waddy supported the rezoning; Supervisors Gary Skinner and Benjamin Pitts did not.
"If Mr. Sealy owned property by the new hospital, that is where this project should go," Pitts said.
Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Email: dtelvock@freelancestar.com
Date published: 6/11/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Reality check
(posted by
thatslife
, June 11, 2008 4:11 pm)
If you buy into Gary Skinner's arguement that that the rezone will help create new tax revenue then you need to ask, Where is the plan. Sure we need revenue, but this just fell into their lap and they approved it. The sensible thing to do was have a plan that includes fixing the road before we let residential property become commercial property.
Do Not Trust Skinner
(posted by
wiseman
, June 11, 2008 1:00 pm)
The county now has Cosner Coner, Harrison Crossing, the Mall expansion and many other new commercial taxes. But is that enough for Tax and Spend Skinner? Nope He voted to raise your taxes and if he had his way they would have increased even more.
Get the Vote Straight
(posted by
Pirate
, June 11, 2008 9:44 am)
Supervisor Skinner did not vote to deny this case. This was incorrectly reported in the news article. He voted in favor of it. Supervisors Pitts and Jackson voted to deny. I hope the residents of Lee Hill District that live on and utilize Mine Road keep this in mind next election!
More offices?
(posted by
lanier
, June 11, 2008 8:29 am)
I guess whatever Frank wants he gets. Forget the inpact it has on the residents. I guess if you are friends with the supervisors and have some status (money) you can do whatever you want. Just keep taxing the working class taxpayers to death. Pretty sone every inch of the county is going to have houses or offices buildings covering it. Lets look at how many are not occupied now. And we need more? For what? I think the people of the county also need to look closely at the actions of the supervisors
How did you get elected?
(posted by
southwest
, June 11, 2008 7:39 am)
Mr. Skinner you need to learn the basics about the purpose of zoning. The next time a super Wal-Mart wants to come to Spotsylvania County I'll be waiting to see if you ask them to put it in your backyard "because we need the taxes." Supervisors Benjamin Pitts and Gary Skinner, thanks for looking out for the people who live along Mine Road. Shame on the five superviosors who supported this poorly thought out project. Supervisor Pitts you have been correct from the beginning, "good project, wrong location.
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