The Comprehensive Plan for New Baltimore was approved by the Board of Supervisors just a few months ago. The Comprehensive Plan calls for a prohibition on big box stores in the New Baltimore service district. It is bad policy to ignore a recently generated citizen plan and sends the wrong message to the citizens who worked on that plan.

Approval Opens the County to More Special Exceptions for Big Box

It sets a dangerous precedent for big box (retail or membership) in New Baltimore and for all of Fauquier's service districts. Developers understand that if we undermine the comprehensive plan in this case, it may be impossible to reject similar requests for Marshall, Remington, Bealeton, or any of the county's other growth areas.

Fauquier isn't Like Loudoun or Prince William

It isn't by chance that Fauquier hasn't suffered the staggering traffic, tax burdens, school construction and other woes of neighboring counties. We have a very high quality of life here. A critical part of that success has been having a strong vision for the county, and sticking to the that plan. Do we really want to undermine our own vision for the county and our own legal documents with dangerous precedents?

Approving this Application Violates Law

Approval of this application is a violation of the law --Fauquier County Zoning Ordinance Section 5-006.1. Although it is generally true that comprehensive plans are merely advisory, Fauquier County Zoning Ordinance Section 5-006.1 expressly requires that an approved special exception be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the adopted Comprehensive Plan. This application is not. This application can not lawfully be approved.

Fauquier Should Negotiate with Costco

Fauquier has designated areas where large retail is appropriate. Fauquier County should work proactively to bring good employers into the county in ways that strengthen the economy, don't undermine traffic, don't undermine our good planning, and don't set dangerous precedents.