Public Service for Private Gain?971026

The recent announcements by Prince William County Supervisor Ed Wilbourn that he intends to develop property within the county while retaining his seat on the board has caused quite a stir.

Local papers have explored the issue, and even the Washington Post has had many stories on the subject. Commonwealth´s Attorney Ebert has stated that this does not constitute a breach of the law if Wilbourn does not vote on matters pertaining to the properties he is developing.

CARD does not tell citizens what to think. Instead, we offer facts for responsible citizens to inspect and draw their own conclusions.

To that end, we have examined some of Supervisor Wilbourn´s record over the past year and offer it for your inspection.

CARD believes that in America, public officals serve the electorate which they represent. Regardless of the letter of the law as interpreted by one Commwealth´s Attorney, there is a basic principal that "Governments ... derive their just powers from the consent of the goverened." If a public office were used for personal profit at the expense of the citizens, it could be argued that a breach of the public trust had taken place.

Has Supervisor Wilbourn used his office to promote his career as a developer? Has he promoted developer interests over the best interest of the citizens? Has he worked to keep the costs to the developer down (and thus the profits up) by transferring the costs of additional infrastructure required for development to the citizens that already live here (and have thus already paid for the existing infrastructure as well?) Has he appointed representatives to the County planning and zoning commissions that persue this agenda?

The key question CARD asks here is this--has Supervisor Wilbourn been promoting the Western Transporation Corridor through the Gainsville District to further his career as a local developer? It has already been shown that there is no need for this road to nowhere now, nor will there be into the foreseeable future.

You decide.


From the Public Record

7 January 1997:

--- Notice of Intent to Appoint - Fredrick M. Penar to the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee - Supervisor Wilbourn

ORD 97-6 APPROVED WITH AMENDMENTS TO PROFFER - Rezoning #97-03, Shelter Construction Corporation 30.2 acs. from A-1, Agricultural (1 dwelling/10 acs.) to RR-5, Rural Residential (1 dwelling/5 acs.), located on the W side of Jackson Hollow Rd., approx. 0.10 mi. NW of Waterfall Rd. The site is designated Rural Residential (1 dwelling/5 acs.) in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Bob Bainbridge - Office of Planning [ Wilbourn, Cn-Unan]

ORD 97-7 APPROVED WITH CONDITION THAT APPLICANT SEEK CLARIFICATION RELATING TO SIGN - Special Use Permit #97-08, Storage USA To allow an 850-unit self-storage facility with a watchman's office and apartment, and a truck rental business (up to 6 trucks), located on the E side of Sudley Rd. (Rt. 234), approx. 0.1 mi. N of Lomond Dr. The site is designated Community Commercial in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Terry Rixse - Office of Planning [Wilbourn, Bg-Unan]

21 January 1997:

ORD 97-13 APPROVED: Special Use Permit #96-43, Reines RV Center To allow a motor vehicle sales (limited and recreational) facility consisting of the sale, rental, service and repair of recreational vehicles, located on the N side of Balls Ford Rd., approx. 0.2 mi. W of its intersection with Sudley Rd. (Rt. 234). The site is designated Regional Employment Center in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District -Lisa Fink - Planning Office [Wilbourn, J-Unan]

4 February 1997:

ORD 97-16 APPROVED SUBJECT TO PLANNING COMMISSION CONDITIONS: Special Use Permit #97-11, Security Bank - Sudley To allow the construction of a financial institution with four drive-thru lanes, and one additional freestanding sign at 7801 Sudley Rd., approx. 250 ft. S of the intersection with Sudley Manor Dr. The site is designated Community Commercial in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Debrarae Karnes - Planning Office [Wilbourn, Bg-Unan]

18 February 1997:

ORD 97-22 APPROVED : Special Use Permit #97-14, Exxon at Gainesville - To allow redevelopment and expansion of an existing retail motor vehicle fuel station site to include a quick-service food store and limited service restaurant, located at Lee Hwy. The site is designated Regional Commercial Center in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Lisa M. Fink - Planning Office [Wilbourn, McQ-Unan; Absent From Vote-Bg]

4 March 1997:

DIR 97-31 Wb Evaluate Speed Limit

Supervisor Wilbourn requested staff to work with VDOT to evaluate appropriate speed limits on Route 234, North of Route 29 to Route 15.

DIR 97-33 Wb Use By Right

Supervisor Wilbourn requested staff to review some of the special uses and re-uses "By Right" that are contiguous to residential areas, while currently reviewing the Comp Plan.

11 March 1997:

--- Notice of Intent to Appoint - Members to the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee - Supervisor Wilbourn

Jay du Von-Legal Representative,

David J. Bomgardner-Legal Representative,

Vernon E. Torney-Engineer Representative,

Kenneth Thompson-Builder/Developer Representative

1 April 1997:

RES 97-252 APPROVED: Initiate Rezoning - Heritage Hunt Right-of-Way - Gainesville Magisterial District - Sherman Patrick - Planning Office [Wilbourn, Bg-Unan: Absent From Meeting-Th]

ORD 97-30 APPROVED: Special Use Permit #97-19, Safety-Kleen Corp. - To permit bulk storage of petroleum products (HAZMAT) on a 4.3-ac. parcel, located on the N side of Balls Ford Rd., approx. 600 ft. W of Compton Rd. The subject site is designated Heavy Industrial in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Thomas W. Eitler - Planning Office [Wilbourn, Cn-Unan: Absent From Meeting-Th]

15 April 1997:

RES 97-305 APPROVED: Appointment of Lillian Drury to Ben Lomond Manor House Commission - Supervisor Wilbourn [Wilbourn, Cn-Unan]

6 May 1997:

RES 97-360 APPROVED: Accept Resignation - Linda A. Meyer from the Ben Lomond Manor House Commission - Supervisor Wilbourn

DIR 97-68 Wilbourn Financial Report - Ben Lomond Manor House

Supervisor Wilbourn requested staff to reconcile certain financial documents, submitted to Supervisor Wilbourn by the Park Authority, regarding the Ben Lomond Manor House. It was also suggested that the name Ben Lomond Manor House should be copyrighted.

20 May 1997:

ORD 97-46 APPROVED AS MODIFIED: Special Use Permit #97-17, Greenhill Exxon To allow a 2,600 s.f. retail motor vehicle fuel station (12 fueling positions) with quick-service food store and an 800 s.f. self-service car wash, and an additional 80 s.f. freestanding sign for the shopping center, located on Rt. 55, at the southwest corner of its intersection with Gillis Dr. The site is designated Community Employment Center in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Terry Rixse - Planning Office [ Wilbourn, Bg-Unan]

ORD 97-49 APPROVED: Rezoning #96-05, Route 234 Bypass Highway Corridor Overlay District (HCOD) To establish a Highway Corridor Overlay District (HCOD) along Rt. 234 Bypass from I-66 to Dumfries Rd. (Rt. 234). The overlay district will apply to property having a boundary located within 500 ft. of the bypass right-of-way, and will be established in accordance with Part 503 of the Zoning Ordinance and Section 1000 of the Design and Construction Standards Manual. Brentsville and Gainesville Magisterial Districts - Robert Bainbridge - Planning Office [Th, J: Ayes-Bg, Cn, Hl, J, McQ, Se, Th ; Nays- Wilbourn]

ORD 97-50 APPROVED: Rezoning #96-11, Nokesville Road Highway Corridor Overlay District (HCOD) To establish a Highway Corridor Overlay District (HCOD) along Nokesville Road (Rt. 28) from Rt. 234 Bypass to realigned Vint Hill Rd. The overlay district will apply to property having a boundary located within 500 ft. of the Rt. 28 right-of-way, and will be established in accordance with Part 503 of the Zoning Ordinance and Section 1000 of the Design and Construction Standards Manual. Brentsville Magisterial District - Robert Bainbridge - Planning Office [Th, Cn: Ayes-Bg, Cn, Hl, J, McQ, Se, Th; Nays- Wilbourn]

ORD 97-51 APPROVED: Rezoning #97-21, Dale Boulevard Extended HCOD To establish a Highway Corridor Overlay District (HCOD) along "Dale Boulevard Extended" from I 95 to the area 500 ft. east of the Rt. 1 right-of-way. The overlay district will apply to property having a boundary located within 500 ft. of the Dale Boulevard Extended right-of-way, and within 500 ft. of the eastern edge of the right-of-way for the Rt. 1/Dale Blvd. intersection, and will be established in accordance with Part 503 of the Zoning Ordinance and Section 1000 of the Design and Construction Standards Manual. Neabsco and Woodbridge Magisterial Districts - Thomas W. Eitler - Planning Office [J, Bg: Ayes-Bg, Cn, Hl, J, McQ, Se, Th ; Nays- Wilbourn]

Note: A highway corridor overlay district places some restrictions and expenses on local businesses to attempt to keep roadways from looking like the "234 strip."

3 June 1997:

ORD 97-55 APPROVED AS PROFFERRED: Rezoning #97-04, Southview at Prince William - 64 acs. from M-2, Light Industrial (0.50 Floor Area Ratio) to B-1, General Business (0.40 Floor Area Ratio); and to amend the proffers of Rezoning #91-03 for approx. 40 acs., located at the northwest quadrant of the intersection of I-66 and Rt. 29 between Catharpin Rd. and Rt. 55. The subject site is designated Regional Commercial Center (0.40 - 0.45 Floor Area Ratio) in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - ThomasÊW. Eitler - Planning Office [Wilbourn, Bg-Unan]

24 June 1997:

ORD 97-66 APPROVED AS PROFFERED: Rezoning #97-07, Heritage Hunt - 713.9 acs. from SRR-1, Semi-Rural Residential (1 dwelling/ac.), R-20, Suburban Residential (2 dwellings/ac.), R 10, Suburban Residential (4 dwellings/ac.), and RT-8, Suburban Residential (8 dwellings/ac.) to PMR, Planned Mixed Residential to permit a 1,950 dwelling unit age-restricted (55 yrs. or older) community; and to revise the proffers for 92.4 acs. zoned R-20 and O(L), Office Low-Rise (0.35 Floor Area Ratio), located north of the I-66/Rt. 29 interchange immediately west of the Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest. This rezoning proposes to revise Rezoning Nos. 84-29, 88-55 and 89-73, which permitted a maximum of 1,439 dwelling units. The subject site is planned for Regional Employment Center (0.50 to 1.25 Floor Area Ratio), Suburban Residential Low (10-4 dwellings/ac.), Suburban Residential Moderate (4-6 dwellings/ac.), Semi-Rural Residential (1 dwelling/1-5 acs., and Environmental Resource-Floodplain in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Also requested are waivers of Sections 32-280.14 and 32-306.21 of the zoning ordinance, and Section 610.02 of the Design and Construction Standards Manual. Gainesville Magisterial District - Richard Lawson - Planning Office [Wilbourn, J-Unan: Absent From Meeting-Cn]

ORD 97-67 APPROVED: Rezoning #97-37, Board of County Supervisors (Melbourne Right-of-Way) - 5.4 acs. from R-10, Suburban Residential (4 dwellings/ac.), RT-8, Suburban Residential (8 dwellings/ac.), and O(L), Office Low Rise (0.35 Floor Area Ratio) to PMR, Planned Mixed Residential (30 dwellings/ac.). The area to be rezoned is located approx. 0.5 mi. north of the I-66/Rt. 29 interchange. This area is dedicated, but unconstructed, road right-of-way associated with the Melbourne subdivision. The proposal will permit incorporation of the right of-way into the proposed Heritage Hunt Planned Mixed Residential (Rezoning #97-07) to permit a private road system. The site is planned Regional Employment Center (0.5 to 1.25 Floor Area Ratio), Suburban Residential-Moderate (4-8 dwellings/ac.), and Suburban Residential-Low (1-4 dwellings/ac.) in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Richard Lawson - Planning Office [Wilbourn, J-Unan: Absent From Meeting-Cn]

DIR 97-98 Wilbourn Ben Lomond Manor House Foundation - Returns

Supervisor Wilbourn requested staff to update the Board regarding the books and returns of the Ben Lomond Manor House Foundation.

8 July 1997:

RES 97-539 APPROVED: Consider Reimbursement to the Gainesville Magisterial District Fund and the Brentsville Magisterial District Fund for Costs Incurred in Producing Maps Related to the Western Transportation Corridor [Substitute Motion: J -Motion Fails; Lack of Second] - [Cn, Bg: Ayes-Cn, Bg, Hl, McQ, Se, Th, Wilbourn; Nay-J]

July 22 1997:

ORD 97-75 APPROVED: Rezoning #97-05, Bellwood - 522.5 acs. from A-1, Agricultural (1 dwelling/10 acs.) to PMR, Planned Mixed Residential (30 dwellings/ac.) to Allow 975 Dwellings and an 18-Hole Golf Course, Located on the East Side of Rt. 15 and Old Carolina Rd., Approx. 1/2 Mi. North of I-66. Also Requested are Waivers of Sections 32-250.24, 32-280.14, 32-306.21 of the Zoning Ordinance, and 600.02 of the Design and Construction Standards Manual. The Site is Designated Semi-Rural Residential (1 Dwelling/1-5 acs.), Suburban Residential - Low Density (1-4 Dwellings/ac.), Suburban Residential - High Density (8-16 Dwellings/ac.), and Environmental Resource - Floodplain in the 1990 Comprehensive Plan. Gainesville Magisterial District - Robert Bainbridge - Planning Office [Wilbourn, Th: AYES- Bg, J, McQ, Se, Th, Wb; NAYS-Cn; Absent from Vote-Hl]

DIR 97-106 Wilbourn Resolution in Support of Congressman Wolf

Supervisor Wilbourn requested staff to prepare a Resolution in support of Congressman Wolf´s efforts to obtain U.S. Park Service cooperation for Route 234/29 safety improvements.

5 August 1997:

RES 97-635 APPROVED: Support Congressional Efforts to Improve Safety Concerns at Routes 29 and 234 Intersection - Gainesville Magisterial District - Tom Blaser - Public Works [Wilbourn, J-Unan]

ORD 97-79 APPROVED AS STATED IN EXHIBIT 1: Zoning Text Amendment #98-01, Modular/Manufactured Units for Private Schools To consider amending Section 32-210.14 of the zoning ordinance to allow use of modular or manufactured units for classrooms on a temporary basis by private schools - Amy Parker - Planning Office [Wilbourn, McQ-Unan: Absent from Meeting-Bg, Cn]

9 September 1997:

RES 97-705 APPROVED: Commend Members of the Western Transportation Mitigation Committee [Wilbourn, Th-Unan]


CARD salutes those with the courage to speak out, and invites you to see what is said when citizens speak out.

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