"SAVE CROW'S NEST" HISTORY
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With the most recent items first, this page provides a chronology of selected events since the January 2004 creation of Save Crow's Nest (SCN). Some items have links to more detailed information and photos. (Click here for a broader Crow's Nest timeline dating back to the 1970s.) |
January
3, 2006.
At the first meeting of the newly constituted Board of Supervisors,
“Save Crow’s Nest” unveils its new Crow’s Nest “Report
Card” to keep citizens informed by summarizing the status of pending
legislation and recording the votes of the Supervisors.
2005
December 14, 2005. An attorney, supported by the Crow’s Nest Defense Fund LLC, files an appeal on behalf of local residents challenging the Planning Director’s certification of the proposed Crow’s Nest plan as complying with all the County’s zoning codes. The plan is put on hold until the legal issues are resolved.
December 7, 2005. In a Crow’s Nest “double header,” “Save Crow’s Nest” members spoke out at a public transportation hearing against proposed new roads being built to Crow’s Nest that could facilitate development there. Then they opposed the preliminary development plan for Crow’s Nest at a Planning Commission meeting, which recessed without hearing the plan.
November 8, 2005. Local elections send a rumble of change throughout the county as all four incumbent Supervisors running for re-election are defeated. Crow’s Nest proves to be one of the top issues of the campaign. “Save Crow’s Nest,” a non-partisan organization, had given the opportunity for all candidates to clarify their position on Crow’s Nest by responding to specific questions on the issues.
October 18, 2005. “Save Crow’s Nest” delivers letters supporting the preservation of Crow’s Nest to the Board of Supervisors. Supervisors up for re-election are told that the number of letters in each of their districts exceeds their margin of victory in the previous election.
Fall 2005. “Save Crow’s Nest” made a special effort to reach out to community groups this Fall, making presentations at a variety of church groups, civic associations, and the clubs of outdoor enthusiasts, as well as taking part in a number of festivals such as Salute to Stafford Day, Hartwood Days, and the Rotary Club’s “Wings, Wheels and Ducks.” The video, “Crow’s Nest: Stafford’s Last Refuge” is often shown as part of these presentations.
September 20, 2005. Some Supervisors had claimed their hands were tied when addressing Crow’s Nest because it is a “by right” development. “Save Crow’s Nest” shows that there are many things County Government can do to protect Crow’s Nest by publishing an op-ed outlining “Ten Things Stafford County Supervisors Can Do to Save Crow’s Nest.”
September 20, 2005. “Save Crow’s Nest” joins numerous local and state groups united under the banner of the “Coalition to Preserve Crow’s Nest” for a rally before the Board of Supervisors’ meeting. Participants attend the BOS meeting and many speak out on behalf of preserving the peninsula. The video, “Stafford County’s Last Refuge” is shown in the Board chambers.
August 30, 2005. A new short video, “Crow’s Nest: Stafford’s Last Refuge,” directed by Archer DiPeppe and produced by Ken and Julie Jordan, debuts to an overflow crowd of nearly 200. The film is used as an outreach tool in many meetings and public events.
August 22, 2005. To encourage County officials to make sure that all rules and regulations are followed in reviewing the plan to develop Crow's Nest, "Save Crow's Nest" submits another letter to the Planning Department.
June 14, 2005. Concerned that fundamental flaws in the plan to develop Crow's Nest have not been adequately addressed, "Save Crow's Nest" meets with Planning Department staff and the County's stormwater management consultant.
May 4, 2005. "Save Crow's Nest" attend the Technical Review Committee to ensure that concerns raised about the plan to develop Crow's Nest are addressed. (Newspaper story can be read here.)
May 3, 2005. "Save Crow's Nest" submits a letter to the Planning Department's Technical Review Committee, outlining the concerns raised by the independent consultant. (The letter is available in a PDF file, which may take a moment to load.)
March 1, 2005. "Save Crow's Nest" speaks to the Board of Supervisors, which is going into closed session about Crow's Nest. (View the statement.)
February 2005. “Save Crow’s Nest” hires an independent environmental consultant to review the plan to develop Crow's Nest. He identifies numerous potentially serious problems that could pose a threat to the health, safety, and well-being of local residents. The plan also could have a significant negative impact on the environment, creating soil erosion and the pollution of nearby waterways. The consultant's findings are sent in writing to the Planning Department's Technical Review Committee, which provides the County's and other agencies' review of the plan.
January 18, 2005. “Save Crow’s Nest” marks its first anniversary with an appeal to the Board of Supervisors both in-person at the Board's meeting and through an op-ed piece.
2004
December
22, 2004.
“Save Crow’s Nest” thanks it supporters and issues its first
holiday greeting.
December 13, 2004. A plan to build 646 houses on 2,536 acres of the Crow’s Nest peninsula is submitted by Stafford Lakes LLC (a.k.a. K&M Properties).
December 2, 2004. The State Water Control Board unanimously approves a loan of 30 million to Stafford County for the purchase of Crow’s Nest.
November 19, 2004. SCN members make a presentation about saving Crow's Nest at a "town hall" meeting in the Falmouth District hosted by Supervisor Mark Osborn.
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October 15, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” members deliver 42 letters to the State Water Control Board urging loan approval for the purchase of Crow’s Nest.
September 18, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” takes part in Stafford Days, sharing information on the effort to save the peninsula.
August 31, 2004. The Virginia Water Quality Control Board tentatively approves Stafford County’s application for a low-interest loan in the amount of $30 million for the purchase of properties on the Crows Nest peninsula. The County proposed to purchase the properties in order to create a natural area park with public access for low-impact educational and recreational activities.
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Stafford County Supervisor Bob Gibbons (in yellow) joins the crew of the "Save Crow's Nest" boat, "The Great Blue Heron," at Stafford's first annual cardboard boat race. |
August 17, 2004. With the support of “Save Crow’s Nest,” the Board of Supervisors tables a resolution to hold a bond referendum for Crow’s Nest during the November general election.
July 22, 2004. The public learns that luxury home builder, Toll Brothers, has withdrawn from contract to purchase Crow’s Nest from K&M builders.
July 16, 2004. Stafford County applies to Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for a $30 million loan to purchase Crow’s Nest, with favorable terms of 3% interest per annum and a 20-year repayment period. “Save Crow’s Nest” supports the application with a strongly worded letter.
July, 2004. Defenders of Wildlife, a national organization that specializes in the protection of habitat for endangered species, threatens to sue if development of Crow’s Nest proceeds. (More.)
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May, 2004. Stafford Lakes LP (K&M Properties) files appeal of the April 27 BZA ruling. The case will go to Circuit Court.
May 18, 2004. The Board of Supervisors passes a resolution authorizing County staff to prepare for a possible bond referendum during the November general election. (SCN opposes a November referendum, fearing that the hotly contested national election and partisan bickering will overshadow this important local issue.)
May 4, 2004. Save Crow’s Nest calls on Board of Supervisors to pass a resolution reaffirming their commitment to permanently protect the entire Crow’s Nest peninsula from development. None of the Board members act.
April 27, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” members appear at Board of Zoning Appeals hearing where the landowner, K&M Properties, claims it is entitled to build 8,000 residential units, rather than “just” the 4,000 units, which is the by-right development density. BZA rules against landowner.
April 24, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” members staff a booth at the Earth Day celebration at Alum Spring Park in Fredericksburg.
April
20, 2004. Just a day after announcing her support for a bond referendum, Supervisor Hilliard announces
the Board has instead identified another possible funding source.
Also, “Save Crow’s Nest” members appear at
BOS hearing on school funding and explain how residential development is
contributing to the explosion of the budget, the increase in property taxes,
and the shortage of adequate school funding.
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April 9, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” learns that Stafford Lakes LP (a.k.a. K&M Properties) has signed a contract to sell Crow’s Nest to luxury home builders, Toll Brothers (www.tollbrothers.com), developers of the Mullins property in nearby Chancellorsville.
March 24, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” members support County’s Agricultural Performance Standards during Planning Commission hearings held at Brooke Point High School and on 3/31/204 at the Government Center.
March 2, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” members--including local high school students--urge the Board of Supervisors to hold a special election, as soon as possible, for voters to approve a bond for the purchase of Crow's Nest properties. (Photos/read more.)
February 28, 2004. SCN holds community meeting with over 150 citizens at Brooke Fire Station in the Aquia District (above photo) where the peninsula is located. (More photos.)
January 26, 2004. The “Save Crow’s Nest” web site (savecrowsnest.org) is launched. Hundreds of citizens use the site to sign up as SCN members.
January 20, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” (SCN) calls for its first rally of citizens at Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting. More than 60 people attend; 20 speakers ask BOS to reach agreement with K&M to purchase the entire peninsula. Board members say they favor the preservation of Crow’s Nest; some wear SCN signs at the meeting. (Photos/read more.)
January 18, 2004. “Save Crow’s Nest” is formed as a result of discussions amongst concerned citizens.
January 9, 2004. The public learns about the failed negotiations between K&M and the State to purchase and preserve Crow’s Nest.
