Here are some ongoing stories that should gather more attention in 2005:
Route 50 Task Force
A pet project of Supervisor Stephen Snow (R-Dulles), the Route 50 task force's main objective is to keep the corridor from turning into another Route 7. Comprehensive planning, landscaping, cooperation from businesses, residents and officials will be necessary to make Snow's vision of a George Washington Parkway-like entrance to the county from the east. The task force got off to a rocky start last year when Snow appointed developers as group leaders, but the supervisors tried to assure everyone that all interests would be represented.
2005 Budget
On April 6, 2004, the Board of Supervisors approved a $998 million budget, reducing the real estate property tax rate from $1.11 to $1.1075 per $100 in assessed value. But residents still felt a pinch when real estate assessments rose an average of about 12 percent. Next year, assessments are rumored to be at an average of 20 percent or more — meaning some residents could face a 30 percent or more house assessment hike.
Zoning Review
The board appointed an ad hoc zoning ordinance review committee comprised of citizens to aid staff in the annual Zoning Ordnance review. The appointments were promptly criticized for containing developer interests. The committee held its first meeting on Dec. 13, 2004.
Aldie Mill
After 23 years of restoration under the watch of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the 195-year-old Aldie Mill was considered done. Since the foundation generally acts as an agent to acquire land and put it under easement — not run a museum — the Aldie Mill needed a new landlord. The foundation approached the county to transfer ownership, but Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) decried the mill as "a financial black hole." Since then, it's not known whether the county or a private group will take over mill operations.