Proposed Subdivision Gets New Name, Traffic Study

After reviewing new site plans, the Fredericksburg Planning Commission delayed a vote on Fredericksburg Park LLC's proposal to construct a 79 unit residential subdivision to study how the updated site plans mesh with the city's long term plans for the Lafayette Boulevard corridor. Also, Hunter Greenlaw, one of the developers behind the project, said the planned subdivision will have a new name: Telegraph Hill. Greenlaw said the new name was inspired by an old name for Lafayette Boulevard in the vicinity of Route 1. Fredericksburg Park LLC is still the official registered business name under which the project is being developed; if built, it will be marketed under the new name.

 Back in December, the project's preliminary plat called for a mixed use, clustered development of 88 homes built on 6,000 square foot lots on 28 acres near the intersection of Lafayette Boulevard and Lee Drive, as well as Alum Springs Road. However, that was rejected by the Planning Commission by a vote of 4-2. During that meeting, commissioners raised concerns about traffic near the entrances to the subdivision, and criticized what was seen as loose adherence to the city's clustered development laws. 

 Despite expressing confusion over that ruling, the developers of Fredericksburg Park went back to the drawing board and returned with Telegraph Hill, a more typical "by-right" subdivision which would see 79 homes built on lots no smaller than 8,400 square feet. The plan calls for entrances to the subdivision to be placed on Alum Springs Road and and the intersection of lafayette Blvd and Lee Drive. 

 Discussion at last night's Planning Commission meeting largely focused on traffic issues, particularly the impact to traffic on Lafayette Blvd. An analysis conducted by Kimley Horn and Associates for the City of Fredericksburg found that the development would generate peak hour vehicle trips, but would have a limited impact on Lafayette Blvd during rush hour, but delays for drivers on Lee Drive would increase. 

The Kimley-Horn analysis also recommended that the access to the development be consistent with the city's 2009 Lafayette Boulevard Corridor Study prepared by FAMPO. The study also said that a traffic light at the intersection of Lafayette and Lee Drive would not immediately be necessary.

Russ Smith, superintendent of the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Battlefield, was also present at the meeting to raise concerns about future commercial development at the site and how it could impact traffic. His comments spoke to future development plans, which call for a commercial development adjacent to the subdivision and leaves open the possibility of a traffic light installed at Lafayette and Lee. 

 "We're still not happy with it," said Smith. "The problem is we are in the forever business and we are worried about what could happen next."

Planning Commission Chairman Roy McAfee did not entertain any motions to recommend the plans, essentially tabling it. The revised subdivision plans now go back to city staff to compare against the 2009 Lafayette Boulevard Corridor Study.