Supervisors approve 600 houses on Route 50
By Anne Keisman
02/21/2006

The Board of Supervisors gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a high-density development touted as the first in a series of projects designed to make the Route 50 corridor an attractive gateway to Loudoun.

“It was complete visceral buy-in by the people,” said Steve Snow (R-Dulles). “The citizens got to be in on the development – how it would look and how it would impact on them.”

Snow formed the Route 50 Task Force in 2004 to get public input on the future of the corridor -- including road widening and beautification.

The supervisors eventually adopted the group's findings as guidelines for future development on Route 50 between the Fairfax County line and Lenah Road.

The project, known as Eastgate, is being developed by Equinox Investments of Chantilly.

The rezonings approved Tuesday will put more than 600 residences and a large commercial space on 79 acres south of Route 50. Last year, Equinox got approval from the board for 324 homes on 59 acres in the same area.

The entire project refocused debate over the Route 50 area that the county calls "Dulles South" – and supervisors praised Equinox for its plan for public facilities.

The developer will build a third westbound lane on Route 50 from the Fairfax boundary to Poland Road before any residents move into their homes – a victory for supervisors, who have long pushed for upfront road improvements from developers.

Other roads and $2 million in capital facilities contributions, including a 16-acre school site, will be donated by the developer.

Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) said the developer's upfront proposals were “one of the better proffer packages we've seen in a long time,” but readdressed his concerns with the makeup of the Route 50 task force that paved the way for such developments.

In many instances, representatives of major developers were the leaders of the subgroups within the task force. Packie Crown, an executive of the developer Greenvest, who has many land holdings and development proposals pending in the Route 50 corridor, led one subgroup.

This, said Burton, represents a conflict of interest and he wonders whether the group's recommendations are for the good of the community or for the good of the developers.

Supervisor Jim Clem (R-Leesburg) said developers on the task force brought needed expertise to the process and were balanced by the ordinary citizens and environmentalists on the task force.

“What finer group to come together and analyze our zoning documents?" asked Clem.