A new residential community proposed on 25.4 acres in Chantilly could very well end up benefiting local motorists and pedestrians, at the same time.
The applicant is Poplar Tree LLC, and attorney Greg Riegle presented details of the project at the June 15 meeting of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee.
The land was formerly known as the Lewis property, and it's along the south side of Poplar Tree Road, next to St. Timothy Catholic Church. Planned are 49 homes and, in meeting with residents of the surrounding communities, the developer learned what specific issues are important to them.
"One issue is the infamous curve on Poplar Tree Road," said Riegle. "We've worked with the county transportation staff and VDOT [Virginia Department of Transportation], and we're going to solve this." He said that doing so would especially please the nearby residents.
"The community has also asked for additional pedestrian connections to allow people to reach the sidewalk on Poplar Tree Road and to reach St. Timothy," he added. "And we'll be able to preserve a number of some decent-sized, oak trees."
The WFCCA's Judy Heisinger asked about road connections, and Riegle said a cul-de-sac would disappear because of the project, thereby enabling Autumn Glory to go straight through.
JOHN ZEIGLER, with the builder, Renaissance Homes, told of another benefit. Said Zeigler: "The neighbors wanted to be able to get their children to Rocky Run Middle School and also to St. Timothy [School] without having to cross the street, so this provides the missing link."
When Heisinger asked about recreation, Riegle said a passive-recreation area is planned, but a tot lot could go there, if the residents want one. "We'd like to program it to the demographics of the community, once we see who's living there," he explained. "And we'll make a contribution to the area park system."
"I think you will have to put in a tot lot," replied WFCCA member Chris Terpak-Malm. "And since there aren't a lot of other amenities there, it would be a perfect gathering place for families." She then asked if the funds to be donated to the county Park Authority could be targeted to E.C. Lawrence Park, less than a mile away, and Riegle said he saw no problem with that.
Resident Jared Townsend of Chantilly's Brookfield community said the intersection of Poplar Tree and Lees Corner roads is already a big problem. "Lees Corner is a very busy road, as is Poplar Tree, and there are already huge back-ups at St. Timothy, with people waiting to make left turns there," he said. "Are there plans for a traffic signal there?"
Riegle said it's currently being studied to see if there's a significant-enough traffic volume to warrant a signal. Townsend then noted that the Brookfield Citizens Association is re-forming and is "making a push toward more traffic regulation [in our area]."
This matter will return at least once more to the WFCCA before heading to the county Planning Commission in September.