THE PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING FOR THIS PROPOSAL HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 12 AT THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST.
Warren County is considering a rezoning request at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, an area surrounded by gorgeous and productive farmland known as the Rockland agricultural district.
If approved, about 104 acres would be rezoned from agriculture to suburban residential for an age-restricted planned residential development with 286 new single-family homes.
An additional 12 acres would be rezoned from agriculture to commercial for a sit-down restaurant in the clubhouse which would be open to the public, up to four lodging units and associated uses.
The existing golf course would be sized down to a 9-hole course (download the full application).
This proposal clearly does not meet these goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan:
The area is zoned for agriculture, not dense residential development.
The comp plan includes the goal ‘to direct future development into an efficient and serviceable form that will preserve the County’s predominately rural character’. Rezoning from ag to suburban residential and commercial does not meet this goal.
On May 4, 2023 more than 100 citizens attended a community meeting to voice their concerns. You can read their takeaways here.
Take Action
Attend the Community Meeting
Thursday, May 4. 6-8pm
North Warren Fire Department
266 Rockland Court
Front Royal, VA 22630
(directions)
Attend the Public Hearing
POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 12
Wednesday, March 8 at 7:00 pm
220 N. Commerce Avenue
Front Royal, VA 22630
(directions)
Write Commissioners
Email comments to vdiamond@warrencountyva.gov
In fact, the future land use map intends for the Rockland area to remain in agriculture.
The area is not served by municipal water and sewer.
The comp plan states ‘direct County development to areas contiguous with Front Royal or villages that are served or will be served with adequate public facilities such as roads, sewer, and water’ and ‘limit future suburban sprawl in rural or agricultural areas where adequate public facilities do not exist or where their provision would not be cost-efficient’. The proposed 286 homes would not be served by municipal water and sewer.
Rockland is a special area bordered by the Shenandoah River and accessed from the south by crossing the Morgan’s Ford bridge. There are many existing commitments to agricultural use including about 10,000 acres in an ag-forestal district, and protection of numerous conservation easements. In addition, the area is further noted for its special value with the designation as a rural historic district, an honor bestowed by the Virginia Department of Historic Places.
The planning commission is holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 8 at 7:00pm POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 12 (220 N. Commerce Avenue, Front Royal, VA 22630) on this permit application. Please plan to attend and let the planning commissioners know that you do not support this proposal.
You can also reach out to commissioners by emailing comments to vdiamond@warrencountyva.gov. These communications will then go to the planning commissioners in their agenda packets.