Stafford supervisors resumed their discussion of the county's Comprehensive Plan last night. This time, Planning Commission members were sitting alongside supervisors as they listened to comments from the public in a joint public hearing.
Officials met to make further recommendations to the plan and to potentially accept it with a vote. Discussion was ongoing as of press time, and no decision had been made by the board.
Planning Director Jeff Harvey introduced the document as designed to "guide coordinated and harmonious development of the county."
The Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint for future growth in Stafford. It does not change or dictate the existing zoning of property, but it does suggest desired future uses. This particular rewrite of the Comprehensive Plan has been in the works for 3 years.
Despite multiple hearings, work sessions and meetings, residents still had a number of concerns about the proposed plan.
Transportation issues were raised, as some residents expressed concern that new roads were not considered in the plan. Harvey admitted that the plan addressed transportation in general terms.
Patricia Kurpeil, who was involved with developing the proposed plan, asked the board to deny it.
"The plan is not feasible because the transportation item has not been addressed," she said.
Her concern was a financial one--she questioned how the county would ever pay for the roads needed to serve expected growth.
Some landowners questioned the location of the urban services area boundary--the line that determines where public water and sewer will be available.
The Blaisdell family wanted to know why their family farm, which they are in the process of trying to sell, was left out of the urban services area.
A few Widewater peninsula residents also spoke up at the meeting, questioning why their property was designated as parkland. Indeed, the entire peninsula was shaded green to represent a desire for parks.
Some of those Widewater residents were motivated to attend the public hearing when they received a flier suggesting Stafford would buy or use eminent domain to take their property. Planning Commissioner Cecilia Kirkman explained that this was not the case, but that reassurance was not enough for some people.
"I have no idea what it is going to mean when you change my land to park on the Comprehensive Plan," said Alicia Reebel. "I ask that the board and Planning Commission demonstrate a clear understanding of what the park designation means in Widewater."
The most tense moment of the evening came when resident Bill Hoyt addressed the board.
"I am opposed to this Comprehensive Plan in its entirety," he began, before launching into an attack on Kirkman. He referred to the commissioner as a "cancer." He managed to state that Kirkman threatened and intimidated staff before he was cut off by board chairman George Schwartz.
After reprimanding both Hoyt and Supervisor Paul Milde, Schwartz allowed Hoyt to continue, provided he refrain from attacking individual commissioners. Hoyt cut his prepared speech short, ending it by saying "Vote 'yes' for mandatory drug testing for the Planning Commission."
Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com