Residential Proposal To Replace Junkyard In Woodbridge Heads To PWC Supervisors

WOODBRIDGE, VA — When the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors returns from its summer recess, one of the items on the Sept. 3 agenda will be a rezoning for a mixed residential community in Woodbridge.

Homebuilder Toll Brothers' Ashford Glen proposal calls for up to 238 townhouses and up to 99 multifamily triplexes on land west of Telegraph Road, east of Minnieville Road and northeast of the Sturbridge Road and Minnieville Road intersection. The location is close to several park and ride commuter lots in the Occoquan District as well as homes, undeveloped land, a warehouse and vehicle/equipment storage.

The property itself has been used as a junkyard, vehicle graveyard, and auto parts shop for many years, according to a county staff report. Inside Nova reported that Penny’s Used Auto Parts is on the site.

The proposal would require board approval to rezone the land from general business and agricultural to planned mixed residential. The maximum of 337 dwelling units would put the community at a density of 12 dwelling units per acre. The county's comprehensive plan for the neighborhood calls for 8 to 24 dwelling units per acre. The maximum heights proposed are 45 feet for townhouses and 60 feet for the triplexes.

The county staff report on the proposal calls for several proffers from the developer. The affordable housing proffer calls for a minimum of 33 units to be affordable units for households with up to 120 percent of the area median income. Seventeen of these units would be for households making up to 80 percent of the area median income, and the remainder would be for households with up to 120 percent of the area median income. For example, the current 80 percent limit is $68,500 for a one-person household, $78,250 for two, $88,050 for three and $97,800 for four. The median household income in the DC metropolitan region is $154,700.

Resident amenities requested in the proffer include a pool, bathhouse, triplex park, linear park, grilling area, community gardens, play area and trails. A homeowners association would be created to maintain common areas. The applicant is also exploring a Planning Commission recommendation to include a multipurpose recreational court in the plans.

On the transportation side, proffers sought by the county are a flashing beacon pedestrian signal and turn lane improvements to Minnieville Road and Telegraph Road. The county is asking the applicant to obtain state and local approval to install a flashing beacon near the Minnieville Road and Sturbridge Road intersection.

The Board of County Supervisors will meet starting at 2 p.m. on Sept. 3.