Some Braemar residents have expressed their concern over a potential apartment complex that could be built into their neighborhood should the county allow a proffer amendment.
Homeowners received notice from the Prince William County Planning Office Aug. 31 alerting residents that the agency has a received a request to amend proffers and re-zone approximately 10 acres along Sudley Manor Drive.
Braemar is a residential community in Bristow that includes 3,246 single-family detached and attached homes, but no apartments or condos. The proffer amendment would add 98 more home units, most-likely as part of a multi-family complex.
The request stated that the new residential zoning requested a "high density suburban" land-use designation, specifically “98 village homes at a density of 13.3 units per acre to be built on a 7.4 acre-portion of the 9.9-acre site.”
Given the 13.3 units per acre request, the new land-use designation could possibly lead to the building of stacked townhomes or luxury condos.
The letter describes the location of the request for an amendment of the proffer land as “located on the east side of Sudley Manor Drive, approximately 250 feet south of the intersection of Sudley Manor Drive and Merrimont Trace Circle.”
The site is adjacent to current commercial space, Braemar Village Plaza, in a spot that the Regency Centers has had difficulty filling with commercial retail and that is not directly next to any Braemar homes.
Members of the Braemar community are concerned about the possibility of incoming apartments and are circulating a letter of opposition to neighbors throughout their community and via the social media.
“Don’t let this happen!” the letter begins. “Our schools are already overcrowded…our trails and retention ponds need to be preserved. Ninety-eight homes and parking on 7.4 acres- NO WAY!”
The letter went on to address other concerns, including that the neighborhood would become more transient.
“This will be an apartment building that will be a revolving door of residents with not enough parking. Commercial vans, second cars...littering our already crowded streets. More traffic to 66/28/29! Our neighborhood needs to stand up and stop this!" the statement said.
Although the date for the required public hearing has not been advertised, the county notice asks residents to go to www.pwcgov.org. or contact Steve Donahoe or Mary Ann Botta of the Planning Office at (703) 792-7615 for more information.
The Planning Office was unavailable for comment over the holiday weekend.
Correction: The photos depicting the property earlier this morning were incorrect. After talking with the PWC Planning Office, we were able to locate the property in questions.
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