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BOCS rejects Hellwig Access Road appeal
The Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously against allowing a second access road to George Hellwig Memorial Park in southwestern Manassas on Tuesday night, also opting to direct the Park Authority to come up with a better transportation solution for the park.During the two-hour discussion that concluded at 10:01 p.m., county citizens, staffers and board members spoke about several items related to the road, ranging from public safety to cost. Members of the public speaking for and against the project were divided between baseball coaches and parents, that largely supported the second road, and local residents that were mostly opposed.
Both groups argued in favor of safety. Baseball folks stressed the importance of not having children running in an over-congested parking lot. They also warned that if something traumatic happened at the park and vehicles were backed up at the entrance, it would make it more difficult for an ambulance to enter the grounds.
Residents said cars go too fast down Aden Road for a left-turn lane to exist there, especially without a stoplight.
Such a light would cost $240,000 to install, according to Rick Canizales from the county transportation department. Also with cost, other questions arose about environmental wetlands being potentially damaged or destroyed by construction of the road through the 10 acre lot.
Supervisor Wally Covington (R-Brentsville), whose district includes the park that is centered just north of the western part of the Quantico Marine Corps Base, provided the voice that guided the board's 8-0 vote after Chairman Corey Stewart (R) allotted him time to speak toward the end of the debate.
While Covington said he liked the idea of enhancing the park, he said he wanted officials from the transportation department and Park Authority to collaborate on the best way to fix up the existing entrance to the park. He said he hoped to hear back from the Park Authority, which was one of the leading sponsors of the land deal, in 90 days.
"For me, the real issue is Aden Road," said Covington. He explained that the windy, two-lane road "is just not adequate."
A single-entrance park is not unique in Prince William as Long Park in Haymarket also only has one entry and exit. However, U.S. 15, which runs along the park's west side, has been recently widened and a light is installed at the entrance. That is not the case for Hellwig, which commuters enter by turning off of Bristow Road.
What the board technically voted on was to deny the appeal made by the Park Authority to the board after the Planning Commission also turned down access road plan. The commission stated that the road did not fit within the comprehensive plan while the county planning office argued differently earlier.
Regarding funding, Supervisor Mike May (R-Occoquan) asked whether a bond voted on by Prince William citizens in 2006 could be used for this project given that it focuses on the construction of an access road rather than space preservation.
County executive Melissa Peacor said the bond "did have some money in it to acquire open space, including for Hellwig." Peacor also informed Supervisor Marty Nohe (R-Coles) that the project is part of a "proffer package."
Park Authority executive director Jay Ellington said he did not know the cost of the road and did not know whether it would be a street maintained by VDOT or a driveway that the owner is responsible for building.
"We're developing for the future," said Supervisor Maureen Caddigan (R-Dumfries).
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