Several development proposals are pending that could help build Route 659 Relocated, a road that currently does not exist.
For several years, Loudoun County and the Virginia Department of Transportation have worked together to develop a project program to widen Route 659 to a four-lane divided road between Route 7 and Route 625 North, according to the Countywide Transportation Plan.
But from Brambleton to Route 234 Bypass in Prince William County, a new road called Route 659 Relocated is called for in the Countywide Transportation Plan. It doesn't yet exist, but plays a crucial part in county planning as the proposed border between denser residential communities to its east, the Suburban Policy Area, and less dense communities to its west, the Transition Policy Area.
Kirkpatrick West, CD Smith and Braddock Crossing are three adjacent development applications that include proffered construction for Route 659 Relocated.
Their proposal, however, shifts the road slightly westward — Route 659 Re-Relocated.
Braddock Crossing would provide two lanes of the proposed four-lane road; CD Smith would provide the other two lanes as well as four lanes adjacent to its own development; Kirkpatrick West would provide two lanes.
All three applications are currently under review with the county.
THE TRICKY part is that Braddock Crossing in particular proposed moving the road 1,000 feet west. Under the developer's philosophy, the moving of the road west also moves the policy line, allowing for denser, Suburban Policy Area-type development.
Winchester Homes is asking permission to build 58 single-family homes and 142 townhouses on Braddock Crossing's 59 acres, creating an average density of 3.3 units per acre.
CD Smith is requesting 348 units at 3.5 units per acre, while Kirkpatrick West is requesting 270 units at 1.95 units per acre.
At Monday's Transportation/Land Use Committee meeting, Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) said he had no problem moving the policy line along with the road.
"Here we basically have an imaginary line," he said. "I don't see how we can say the plan language doesn't shift with the boundary."
The Braddock Crossing application was forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval. Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) voted against approval.
The Braddock Crossing application will come before the board at its June 21 meeting.
— Suzannah Evans