Stone Haven Reemerges with Revised Proposal

Revised Stone Haven map, derived from the Stone Have Facebook page.

Stone Haven, the residential/mixed-use development previously planned to occupy 864.2 acres in northern Bristow has been revised by its developer.

The new plan significantly reduces the developments' residential units; however, it is still large in scope. To offset the decrease in residential development, the plan will include a larger footprint for business and commercial use.

According to the Stone Haven Facebook page, the revised plan will reduce traffic, and thus eliminate the need to expand infrastructure on existing roads. Additionally, Stone Haven developers say they remain committed to proffer the site for the 13th high school, which was a big selling point for the development. 

We have revised Stone Haven to reduce the scope of the project! The site area as well as the number of residential units have been reduced. At the same time, the proposal continues to commit significant parks and open space with trails, long planned road connections, and the dedication of the 13th high school site in a time frame that would still allow for an opening in 2020.

We remain committed to Stone Haven and will continue to work with citizens, neighbors, and elected officials to make Stone Haven a community of which we will all be proud.

The Revised Plan...

• reduced residential by 644 homes
• is within the range of residential density long planned on the property
• increases employment opportunities
• reflects 38% reduction in vehicle trips
• maintains all previous commitments for schools with 39% fewer homes
• generates 43% fewer students
• maintains the commitment to dedicate the 13th high school site and generates students that will occupy less than 10% of the high school capacity
• brings Stone Haven up to the 2014 LOS standard
• provides off-site sidewalk connections on Linton Hall Road to Piney Branch Elementary School
• includes proffered commitments that total more than $71Million, which exceeds the 2014 LOS standard

Comparison between the old and new Stone Haven application. (Stone Have Facebook page.)

When Stone Haven was last proposed to the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, it was considered highly controversial. Many who opposed it felt that it would bring in too many residential units. These units would increase the population and demand for schools in an area where many schools were already operating far in excess of their capacities.

Residents also believed so many newer homes could flood the market and consequently rapidly drive down their home values.

Citizens can attend the Brentsville Town Hall meeting Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at Marsteller Middle School to discuss the Stone Haven land use proposal among others.

However, Stone Haven also had much that was great about it.  The development was praised for its generous proffers; ideal high school site, which was recommended by the School Board; and allotment of green open space, though some said it was too close to power lines. Those whose neighborhoods boarded the new development liked that they could expect their neighbors to be similar neighborhoods rather than industrial complexes.

Members of the business community also liked Stone Haven, believing that an influx of new residents, or would-be customers could help their local businesses to prosper.

The development was even planned based upon community input. Back in the summer of 2012, residents drew maps that included mixed residential and commercial, a school site and green space. These elements made it into the previous application, which was approved by the planning commission.

Brentsville Supervisor Jeanine Lawson (R) ran for office on a platform opposing Stone Haven and found ample support among citizens for her stance. She believed the cycle of approving development to receive school sites, only to have those schools becoming almost immediately overcrowded needed to end.

After Lawson's election in late December 2014, the developer deferred the public hearing on the development application.

Now, the community has the option to consider Stone Haven in a new scaled-back form.

However, another difference is that when Stone Haven was first announced it seemed to be the site for the 13th high school. Currently, a land swap with the county has been proposed to allow the 13th high school to be built at Rollins Ford Park. Other proposals have also proffered a high school site. 

As of yesterday, Supervisor Lawson said she is still studying the revised Stone Haven approval and has not come to a decision on it.

Citizens opinions on Stone Haven in its new form are crucial, so residents are invited to attend the Brentsville Town Hall to get the facts and have their opinions heard.