Principi Holds Third Tele-Town Hall

In his third tele-town hall, Woodbridge Magisterial District supervisor Frank Principi spoke to constituents about the implementation of the “New Woodbridge” vision.

Between polling questions, Principi’s tele-town hall ­ – which dialed out to nearly 10,000 residents – addressed questions of budgets, redevelopment and neighborhood services.

Principi spoke of mixed-use development and vision of “New Woodbridge” seen in Potomac Town Center, as a first step in redeveloping the North Woodbridge area.

“Potomac Town Center is a first pillar of the vision of New Woodbridge, office residential and retail all in close proximity to one another,” said Principi.

Principi touched on the new medical building on Optiz Boulevard and Neabsco Mills Road for new health care in the area.

In response to a question regarding overcrowding in single family homes in Woodbridge, Principi explained that Virginia is one about 15 states across the U.S. that’s a Dillon Rule state.

“We can’t take action on some of these things not because we don’t want to, but because the state government hasn’t given us the authority to act on some things,” said Principi of removing parked cars on lawns and overcrowding in single-family homes.

Principi said he is “zealous” in applying local resources for community members to understand community ordinances. The supervisor said that they are doing “targeted sweeps” of neighborhoods that he knows of with broken windows, graffiti or too many people living in a home.

Principi said that if there are issues like this in neighborhoods call his office anonymously and he will forward a call to neighborhood services. “Let me know, that’s the best way to get things addressed,” he said.

Congressman Gerry Connolly will be joining the Metro Rail Summit will be held the last week of September in Woodbridge, said Principi.

Principi announced that a Walgreens drive-thru might replace the Five Guys location off of Route 1, but that the property owners will have to go to the Board of County Supervisors for a Special Use Permit, details of which are forthcoming.