CARD Presents the following alert in conjunction with the Prince William Coalition for Smarter Growth (703) 670-7450:

On 4 March 1998, the Planning Commission will be considering a rezoning for the Braemar development, a 3130 residential unit development already under way near the intersection of Linton Hall and Vint Hall roads. The rezoning is an effort to include additional land for commercial uses in the plan for the development as well as amending a variety of the proffered conditions associated with this development.

As the proffered conditions for schools are among the items to be revised, it is worth having citizens attend this public hearing and speak out adamantly about the inadequacy of the school proffers associated with this development. We are speaking out for two reasons

1. If we raise enough concern about the school proffers we may encourage the Planning Commission and staff to seek additional proffers for schools.

2. If we raise enough concern about the inadequate school proffers associated with this and other developments, we can add support for increased proffers in the future as well as for the inclusion of level of service standards in the plan to address the impact of residential development on our school system.

Taxpayer Cost Data for this Project is as follows:

Proffers for Braemar:

A Graded School Site = $3,025,000
-55 acres at $50,000/acre plus $275,000 for grading)

Taxpayer Liability for Braemar:

Capital costs for schools associated with Braemar = $46,892,963
-Elementary school students - 1142 students times $15,289.00/student
-Middle school students - 720 students times $15,935/student
-High school students - 905 students times $19,845/student.

Numbers don´t lie folks; this is a return of $1 for a cost of $15...

Please attend if possible on March 4th. Tell the Planning Commission:
-WE CAN´T PROVIDE SCHOOLS FOR THE STUDENTS ALREADY IN THE COUNTY!! OUR TAX DOLLARS NEED TO BE SPENT ON SCHOOLS FOR EXISTING RESIDENTS BEFORE WE PAY FOR SCHOOLS FOR NEW RESIDENTS!!!!! NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED UNLESS AND UNTIL THE COUNTY IS ABLE TO PROVIDE THE SCHOOLS AND OTHER SERVICES NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THEM!!!!

That´s not all, it gets better--The transportation impacts of this rezoning on Linton Hall Road are equally dismal. Mitigation offered by the development will do little. So, if schools aren´t enough of a reason to voice concern about this development, roads are.

This rezoning is numbered 98-0017. If you wish additional information about this rezoning, please contact the planning office at 792-6830. We hope to see you on 4 March. Only through citizen involvement will these issues be addressed.

GREENHILL FARMS:
Capital Cost: $24,038,215
- 610 elementary students, 384 middle and 433 high school students.
Proffers for schools: $850,000
- 17 acre site for an elementary school at $50,000 per acre
Proffer return on taxpayer capital investment: $1 for $28

Note: Taxpayer Capital Costs for school construction are computed using the firgures Dr Kelly briefed in September.
-$15,289.00 for each elementary student
-$15,935.00 for each middle school student
-$19,845.00 for each high school student

CARTERWOOD: 375 townhouses.
Capital Cost: $3,728,250.
Proffers for schools: $322,500
Proffer return on taxpayer capital investment: $1 for $11.50

HERITAGE FARMS: 450 single family units.
Capital Cost: $6,741,000.
Proffers for schools: $558,000
Proffer return on taxpayer capital investment: $1 for $12

WAVERLY: 2800 residential units!
Capital Cost: $37,913,600
- Estimate based on 2800 students
Proffers for schools: $4,900,0000
- Estimated 98 acres at $50K each
Proffer return on taxpayer capital investment: $1 for $7.70

Clearly what the taxpayer is "getting" from the development is the privilege of paying so the new students associated with development have a school to go to. What does this do for the existing students??????

Remember, all proffered sites are meant to partially offset the impact of the development with which they are proffered. Therefore, the site is frequently not available to the school system until after a significant portion of the development is completed.

Return to the CARD home page.