Prince William County planners are considering creating a special zoning district as the first step in transforming the county’s Triangle neighborhood into a more pedestrian-friendly village.
“What I think we are trying to do is give people viable opportunities to redevelop their property,” said Pat Thomas, the county’s lead Potomac Communities planner. “Right now, nothing has happened for years, which indicates current zoning isn’t working.”
The new zoning district — which would cover the area between Old Triangle Road, Triangle Street, Fuller Road and a block south of Bradys Hill Road — would open the door for an official rezoning of the area. The change would allow for intermingled residential and commercial developments — something similar to the town of Occoquan or the neighborhood of Del Ray.
A walkable community filled with sidewalks, street lights and curbs would have more commercial services for residents, said Thomas. It would also “be able to take advantage of hundreds of thousands of people going to the [Museum of the Marine Corps/Heritage Center].”
Not everyone agrees, however, that the museum — slated to open in November — will be enough of a catalyst for change.
“Is this going to support several restaurants and service stations? I’d be surprised. This museum isn’t going to be Disney World,” said Lee Pearson, 67, of Manassas.
Pearson owns five businesses and one residence on Jefferson Davis Highway in Triangle.
The county’s $300 million bond referendum in November includes $90 million to widen Route 1 and buy up the properties — including Pearson’s — along the highway.
The new zoning district would incorporate the planned expansion of Route 1.
But Pearson is only one of more than 100 property owners that would be effected by the rezoning, noted Planning Commissioner Vice Chair Martha Hendley.
“Unless someone came in and bought a substantial amount of those, you aren’t going to get redevelopment,” he said.
While the idea is interesting, Hendley said, “it is really going to be a mixed bag as it transitions.”
Triangle Village
» Townhouse and multi-family dwellings limited to no more than 1 acre
» Nonresidential uses limited to 8,000 square feet on no more than 1 acre
» Setbacks, lot coverage, roof lines, building heights regulated by county
» Special zoning district created to maintain and build sidewalks, storm water management, street lights and more
