In the early hours of January 20th 2021 the Prince William County Board of Supervisors approved the development of the Preserve at Long Branch, rezoning a portion of the Rural Crescent.
The Democrat majority all voted in favor of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan that would remove 146 acres out of the Rural Crescent to build 100 homes, without replacing a single acre. Over objections from the three Republicans who represent the western part of the county that includes Rural Crescent and the rezoned parcel, the board voted 5-3 to amend the Comprehensive Plan and allow developer Mark Granville-Smith to build with increased density at this site which is part of the Occoquan Watershed.
There are so many questions raised. Is this development in the best interest of Prince William County? Is there adequate water supply for the future? Will this development impact the quality and quantity of water in the Occoquan Reservoir? We are dangerously ignorant of the limits of our water supply and the answers to those questions. Prince William County is doubling down on the past. The County is driving into the darkness without headlights and picking up speed.
This project was approved without data and without public support. At last night’s meeting the majority of comments were in objection to this development. When the Planning Office and Planning Commission rejected this proposal, County staff reported that they received comments from:
The County Board of Supervisors was unmoved by the objections of the community.
This project was approved without data and without public support. At last night’s meeting the majority of comments were in objection to this development. When the Planning Office and Planning Commission rejected this proposal, County staff reported that they received comments from:
- 228 individuals in opposition
- 55 individuals in support
No analysis was done as to the potential impact of this development to the hydrology of the Occoquan Watershed. There is no understanding what the impact might be to the quality and sustainability of the drinking water supply of adjacent property owners and the 2,100-acre Fairfax Water Authority Occoquan Reservoir.
Prince William land accounts for 40% of the Occoquan watershed. The portions of the Lower Occoquan watershed in Fairfax County is part of the Watershed Protection Overlay District created in 1982 to protect the Occoquan Reservoir, and the streams draining to the reservoir from contaminated runoff, nutrient and sediment pollution.
The Occoquan Reservoir is an important part of our drinking water supply. The Occoquan supplies about 40% of the clean drinking water for 1.7 million people and, in an emergency, can supply all for a short period of time. The reservoir’s current storage capacity is estimated by ICPRB to be 7.85 billion gallons. Water from the Occoquan Reservoir is treated at Fairfax Water’s Griffith treatment plant and then distributed to customers in Fairfax Water’s and to Prince William County. This water is essential. 
Homes in the development will start at $750,000. This vote will increase the number of homes that can be built by Mr. Granville-Smith on the land with no consideration of the impact to water quality and sustainability for us.
The Occoquan Reservoir is an important part of our drinking water supply. The Occoquan supplies about 40% of the clean drinking water for 1.7 million people and, in an emergency, can supply all for a short period of time. The reservoir’s current storage capacity is estimated by ICPRB to be 7.85 billion gallons. Water from the Occoquan Reservoir is treated at Fairfax Water’s Griffith treatment plant and then distributed to customers in Fairfax Water’s and to Prince William County. This water is essential.
Homes in the development will start at $750,000. This vote will increase the number of homes that can be built by Mr. Granville-Smith on the land with no consideration of the impact to water quality and sustainability for us.
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