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Land use under discussion in Stafford County

photo by tm-tm Stafford County supervisors are poised to adopt a new comprehensive development plan in September, the first in 20 years. Officials hope to direct development to the center of the county along Interstate 95.

Of greater concern, perhaps, are the areas outside of that corridor currently zoned for agricultural use. With a minimum lot size of three acres, those properties can be seen as ripe for development, and there is some concern that suburban sprawl could be an unintended result of the zoning classification.

This is an issue that homeowners need to consider -- and on which they should weigh in. Should county officials work to maintain the county's traditional agricultural character? If so, how can that be accomplished without damaging the property rights of land owners?

FAAR: Housing market improving

The Fredericksburg area housing market is showing signs of improvement. Houses are taking less time to sell -- an average of 83 days this year, in contrast to last year when homes spent an average of 121 days on the market. There is currently a 7.4-month supply of homes waiting to be sold.

Read more at the forum for the Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS®

Posted on Friday, April 16, 2010 - 5:02pm

With good schools and low taxes on their minds, Virginia's counties and cities are balancing budgets

Schools across the commonwealth are trimming their budgets where they can, even as they plead with county and city boards to provide more funds. Local government officials are left with the difficult task of balancing the needs of the schools -- and other departments -- with the urgent call to keep taxes low during the economic downturn.

Local governments pinched by declining revenue, climbing expenses

School and county Boards of Directors are struggling to balance budgets amid declining tax revenues, cuts in state funding, and rising expenses. What they choose to do could affect homeowners for years to come.

Fredericksburg area growing, but not as quickly

The population of the Fredericksburg region is growing, but not as quicky before, according to newly released U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, which had been growing 6% to 8% per year, now both have annual growth rates below 2%. That still puts them on the list of the 100 fastest-growing counties in the nation.

The slower growth has in turn caused a drop in revenue to local governments, a concern for homeowners who may see taxes rise to make up for the missing funds.

The news isn't all bad, though: "It will allow us to catch up on planning and infrastructure," Stafford County Administrator Anthony Romanello said. "Previous growth happened at such a rapid rate that it was difficult for us to keep up with the pace."

Census shows Washington area population is growing -- mostly in Virginia

New census statistics released Tuesday show the Washington area population growing in spite of the recession -- a sign that the tough economy has impacted it less than other places. Much of the growth is here in the commonwealth, which is good news for the Virginia housing market.

Loudoun County is the fifth fastest-growing county in the nation, with 301,000 residents -- a rise of almost 78% since 2000. Four other Virginia counties rate among the top 100 for growth: King George, Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania.

Both the city of Alexandria and Arlington County grew by almost 7%, and the population in Prince William County was up 5%.

Budget woes continue as Virginia cities and counties decide how to spread the pain

Counties and cities across Virginia continue to struggle with budget issues of whether and where to cut funds in school budgets, city services, and employee benefits -- or whether it makes sense to raise taxes.

Stafford property taxes could be lower than proposed

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors may advertise a real estate tax rate two cents less than what the county administrator has proposed.

The Budget and Finance Committee has recommended a tax rate of $1.12 per $100 of assessed value, up from the current 84-cent rate. The higher rate makesup for the recent drop seen in most property values, meaning average homeowners would not see an increase in their property tax bills if the rate is adopted.

Virginia counties listed in Forbes' "richest" list

Forbes has released a list of the richest counties in the United States, and Loudoun County is at the top, with a median income of $110,643. Other Virginia counties that landed in the top 25 include Fairfax County, Arlington County, Stafford County, and Prince William County.

See the full list here...

Posted on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 4:39pm

VRE express train could bypass county stops

Prince William County, Va. - A plan to run an express commuter train from Fredericksburg to Washington, operated by Virginia Railway Express, drew criticism at this week's Prince William Board of County Supervisors meeting. At a cost of about a $500,000 already in VRE's 2011 budget, the train could begin operating in July. The express, which would get riders to Washington's Union Station 25 minutes faster than any other VRE train, would be the first train to leave Fredericksburg, at 5:05 a.m.

It would stop twice in Stafford County and then make stops at Alexandria, Crystal City, L'Enfant Plaza and Union Station, skipping the five stations in Quantico, Prince William and Fairfax counties. Passengers who board VRE trains at the Woodbridge station have long faced standing-room-only conditions.

VRE spokesman Mark Roeber said there was "not a lot of clamor from residents of Prince William County for the express train," but there is very high demand from riders who live "in the further extremities," like Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, who aim to get to work earlier.

Read the full story...

Posted on Thursday, March 4, 2010 - 12:09pm