Two big changes have been made in plans for Hero’s Bridge Village, which was pitched last year as a “pocket community” of affordable housing for 44 military veterans, aged 65 and older.
The changes: The development will be scaled down, and future residents will not have to be military veterans.
The changes were announced by John Foote, an attorney for the project, at a public hearing Sept. 17 on the plans to build 22 duplexes on a vacant lot at Church Street and Moser Road that’s owned by Warrenton United Methodist Church.
However, the town planning commission postponed a vote on the proposal until Oct. 15.
“We’ve determined to abandon application Phase 2,” Foote told the Warrenton Planning Commission. “We don’t know when, and if, Phase 2 might be included in the project — it’s aspirational.”
The second change involves who could live in Hero’s Bridge Village. The original proposal included a requirement that all future residents be military veterans.
But town attorney Martin Crim believes that might run afoul of federal housing protections against discrimination. Foote said he disagreed, but pulled the language in deference to Crim.
“This will not, however, change the policy and practice of Hero’s Bridge,” Foote said. The change would insulate the town from the legal risk of enforcing what might be a discriminatory requirement, he said, and “if there is any risk, it is assumed by Hero’s Bridge.”
Those changes rattled planning commissioners and prompted them to postpone a vote on Hero’s Bridge.
“We have not been given 100% certainty that we can mandate this is for veterans,” commission member James Lawrence said. “We still have some outstanding legal questions.”
Commission Chair Ryan Stewart and Vice Chair Terry Lasher agreed.
“We do need more information in order to make decisions that are appropriate for this community,” Lasher said. “We just need a little more time and a little bit more details. I appreciate everyone’s patience.”
Hero’s Bridge wants to rezone the property for residential planned unit development. It’s now zoned for single-family homes and residential offices.
Molly Brooks, director of Hero’s Bridge, told the commission there’s already a waiting list for the proposed housing, and “there are 26 veterans on that list. Two have died waiting for the village. Half of them have no family or friends within 50 miles to help them with things. 73% of them live in the five-county health district. 75% of them are below the poverty line.”
“Do not let this delay any longer,” said Terri Church, who said there is a two-year waiting list for any retirement housing in Fauquier County. She lives on Stuyvesant Street, on the boundary line of the proposed development. “I’m here to say, ‘Yes, in my backyard.’”
There were no empty seats in the room, as many local residents wanted to comment on the proposed development. Thirty-two people spoke, 26 in favor and six against. Most of the speakers, both pro and con, were veterans.
That’s not surprising, considering that Virginia has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the United States, according to Chase Hedges, who attended the meeting. Hedges is the veteran’s services coordinator for Encompass Community Supports and served in the Marines.
He said housing for veterans is sorely needed within Fauquier County.
“Just in this county, there are thousands,” Hedges said, adding that half the veterans he works with struggle with housing security.
But some opponents, such as Richard Fisher, called the project a “special interest” that should not be treated differently because it has charitable ends.
“This project would negatively affect my home value,” said Fisher, who is also a veteran. “So, while we are supporting veterans, you are hurting veterans.”
Fisher asked the town to look for a more suitable location for the project, one that won’t increase density in a residential neighborhood.
“Are there no other locations?” asked Laurie Karnay, another veteran who lives around the corner from the proposed development.
Brandon Shipe, who is not a veteran but is a third-generation resident of Moser Road, was concerned about traffic increases on the residential street.
“There is no infrastructure for 44 homes,” Shipe said.
The planning commission agreed unanimously to resume the public hearing Oct. 15, consult legal counsel and hear from the public a second time, and vote on the plan on that date. If approved, the plan would continue to the town council for consideration.
Staff writer Tate Hewitt can be reached at thewitt@fauquier.com.
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