Stafford County officials clarified that there will be no hearing during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 7, regarding the proposed Buc-ee’s gas station.
This clarification comes after inaccuracies reported by WUSA-TV, which the county has asked to correct.
The proposed development includes plans for a 74,000-square-foot travel center off Exit 140 on Interstate 95, featuring 120 fuel pumps and additional amenities. The mega gas station would abut the Embrey Mill neighborhood.
Residents have expressed concerns about potential impacts on local traffic and noise levels.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors faces a looming decision on the Clift Farm proposal by Jarrell Properties, Inc., which seeks to rezone 57 acres from Agricultural to Urban Residential - Medium Density. The development area, located on Clift Farm Road, just off Leland Road in the Falmouth District, plans for 141 age-restricted homes.
The site, mostly undeveloped, houses a single-family dwelling and includes areas of open farm fields and woods. Surrounding lands comprise rural residential properties and undeveloped parcels. The proposed development has sparked concerns due to its intensity and potential impacts on local infrastructure.
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âWhat we found was really disturbing,â said Acting Director Kevin D. Walsh in a December 2023 news conference releasing the final report. The investigation found the training sessions, organized by the New Jersey-based company Street Cop, not only promoted unconstitutional policing tactics, like extending police stops to develop probable cause but also fostered an environment where police officers glorified violence against civilians, discriminated against women and minorities, and a disregarded citizensâ civil liberties like searching vehicles without probable cause. The findings of the investigation exposed the lack of centralized oversight of police training across law enforcement agencies nationwide, including in Virginia.
According to the New Jersey governmentâs report, the six-day training conference held by Street Cop in Atlantic City in October 2021 drew nearly 1,000 police officers. The investigation highlighted several deficiencies in the training, including discriminatory and harassing comments, advocacy for unconstitutional policing tactics such as stopping motorists without reason or prolonging police stops illegally, and the promotion of a "warrior" approach to policing that dehumanized civilians. Such practices directly contradicted nearly a decade of police reforms aimed at curbing bias and excessive force in policing, undermining community trust.
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On Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 10:41 a.m., the Prince William Fire and Rescue Department responded to reports of a house fire in the 13000 block of Dominique Estates Lane, located in Haymarket. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy flames engulfing a single-family home. Fortunately, none of the occupants were present at the time of the incident.
The intensity of the blaze necessitated extensive firefighting efforts, compounded by the absence of nearby fire hydrants. As a result, the home suffered significant damage, rendering it unsafe for habitation. Two adults and three children have been displaced as a consequence.
Regrettably, one firefighter sustained a non-life-threatening injury during the operation and was subsequently transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Following investigations by the Fire Marshal’s Office, the incident has been deemed accidental in nature. The fire started in the rear of the house.
“My Board colleagues and I unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, raising the âData Center Taxâ rate from $2.15 to $3.70 (the current maximum allowable threshold) and lowering the real property tax rate from $0.966 to $0.920. This shifts more of the tax burden onto some of the worldâs wealthiest corporations while advancing community priorities through investments in key areas such as public safety, social services, sustainability, parks, and multi-modal transportation.
— Prince William County Occoquan District Supervisor Kenny Boddye in an email to constituents.
More Specialty Courts?
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will discuss the enhancement and expansion of specialty courts at the Safe and Secure Communities briefing scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 2 p.m. Specialty courts focus on cases involving substance abuse, mental health issues, and provide tailored interventions to address the root causes of criminal behavior. The briefing will also touch on other public safety initiatives and the implementation of pretrial services aimed at improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system. The event is open to the public and will take place at the county government building, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. Watch live.
The Stafford County Board of Supervisors is set to revamp its meeting agenda structure to streamline operations and improve efficiency. This new structure, dubbed “Option 4,” was crafted after a thorough review of practices across over 25 Virginia jurisdictions and aims to alleviate board members’ logistical challenges.
The newly proposed system eliminates traditional standing committees and introduces a thematic meeting schedule organized as A-Day, B-Day, and C-Day. These meetings are strategically scheduled to enhance focus and efficiency:
- “A” Day meetings are slated for the 1st Tuesday of each month, focusing on main board activities such as consent agenda approvals and public presentations, starting at 3 p.m.
- “B” Day will occur on the third Tuesday of each month. It will be centered around departmental presentations and work sessions, beginning at 5 p.m.
- “C” Day meetings, intended for additional work sessions, will start at 4 p.m. and are scheduled as needed on the 4th Tuesday of the month.
This initiative is a result of collaborative efforts involving board members and the administration, reflecting a commitment to transformative leadership and excellence in governance. According to the county documents, The Board of Supervisors believes these changes will not only facilitate better decision-making but also enhance public participation.
The proposed agenda structure was initially presented during the February 2024 advance meeting and is expected to be further discussed at the upcoming board meeting on May 7, 2024 (watch live), before referral to the By-laws committee for final recommendations.
Under the current structure, Stafford County Board of Supervisors meetings typically begin at 3 p.m. and follow a comprehensive agenda that includes a full suite of standing committees, such as Finance, Audit, and Budget, Infrastructure, Community and Economic Development, and Public Safety. The agenda also encompasses various presentations and reports from board members, the County Attorney, and the County Administrator.
This is followed by the approval of the consent agenda, discussions on unfinished and new business, and a session closed to the public. Additionally, there is allotted time for board comments and other miscellaneous items, although these may be streamlined or eliminated under the proposed new meeting structure.
A rezoning application has been submitted for the construction of a Taco Bell restaurant near Stafford Hospital. The proposed site, spanning 1.24 acres within the Falmouth Election District, is located south of Hospital Center Boulevard and west of Route 1.
The intended establishment is planned to feature a drive-thru facility.
Adjacent to the proposed Taco Bell site, several fast food establishments dot the area at nearby Burns Corner and Embrey Mill. Among these are McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and Chick-fil-A.
