By KIPP HANLEY
The Prince William County Planning Commission unanimously deferred a recommendation on a controversial landscaping proposal in the Nokesville area on Wednesday night.
Brentsville commissioner Ronald K. Burgess cited traffic issues and an incomplete environmental constraints analysis as part of his rationale for making the motion to table the decision on Madera Farms.
Potomac commissioner Rene M. Fry seconded the motion before the commissioners bombarded county staff and applicant representative Sherman Patrick with numerous questions.
The decision to defer means that April 3 is the last chance for the commission to make a recommendation. Should the commission recommend denial in April, the applicant has the right to appeal the decision to the Board of County Supervisors.
Madera Farms applicant Jacob Klitenic had already received an exemption to clear the land for agricultural purposes on Feb. 10, 2012, according to county documents obtained by Bristow Beat. However, in order to start processing mulch on-site, which he claims is only part of his business, Klitenic had to first file a special use permit.
As part of the permit process, he submitted an environmental constraints analysis. That analysis is intended to identify potential sensitive environmental features like rare and endangered species and the possible presence of wetlands.
But on Wednesday, county planning staff admitted that the analysis was incomplete. In a visit to the property on Wednesday morning, the county’s arborist and other Public Works department staff discovered the presence of what appeared to be wetlands on both the cleared area and the forested area along the perimeter of the property.
Occoquan commissioner Kim Hosen also took a photograph Wednesday of a mulching machine in operation, which Patrick said was being used to crush trees already cleared on the property.
In a concession to the commission, Patrick said Wednesday his client would perform a wetland delineation study as soon as possible. County Environmental Wetland scientist Clay Morris said the storm water management facility promised by the applicant was grounds for the wetland delineation study to be conducted.
Morris said the study would not have been necessary if Klitenic decided not to apply for a special use permit.
More than 20 people shared their feelings Thursday night about the project. Increased truck traffic, safety concerns and possible devaluation of the homes near the site were all major themes from those objecting to the business.
There were also concerns raised by several commissioners regarding the intensity and location of what many consider an industrial use.
Ross Jones, president of Fairfax-based Remington Mulch, said there’s nothing stopping him from applying for a special use permit on an agriculturally zoned piece of land in Prince William County should Madera Farms be approved.
“Either I can emulate that plan or continue to look for further industrial zonings,” said Ross of his industrially zoned property off Lee Highway.
Not all were against the proposal, though. A few residents as well as several employees of JK Enterprise Landscape Supply, owned by Klitenic, came Wednesday to defend the project.
Patriot High School booster club secretary Lisa Thibault praised Klitenic’s support of Nokesville area schools’ booster clubs. The parent-based organizations purchase discounted mulch from his business and in turn, sell it to area residents for fundraising purposes.
Nathaniel Gheen, who recently retired from his construction business in the Nokesville area, defended Klitenic’s right to do business and said Prince William could use the commercial tax dollars.
“Personally, I would rather see 10 of these Madera Farms than 100 more houses,” Gheen said.
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