Dale City Small Area Plan Charrette Sessions
Prince William County Planning Department staff conducted the charrette type planning sessions for Dale City Small Area Plan on March 11th and 14th. The three hour sessions were both open to the public at large and were well attended. The attendees divided themselves into four working groups, and the groups were seated at separate work tables. Each table was managed by two members of the Planning Department.
The groups reviewed strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that affect the Small Area Plan area. The groups then discussed different ways to utilize strengths and opportunities to address or overcome weaknesses and threats. Edges, landmarks, development nodes, transportation, land use, environment and parks, open space, mixed use development, amenities, cultural attractions, hiker/biker trails, pedestrian connectivity, public transit, technology, demographics, economic development, activity centers and housing options were also discussed by each group.
Each group then generated goals, suggestions and ideas for the area and incorporated them onto maps of the overall Small Area Plan area. Near the end of the second session each group gave an overview of their discussion and a brief explanation of the suggested planning maps they had prepared. There seemed to be a lot of general consensus on locations for development nodes and that the Quartz District property is a viable location for new mixed use development. There also seemed to be general consensus on the need for:
- transportation/transit system improvements,
- improved pedestrian and trail options and connectivity,
- new and redeveloped mixed use development nodes with employment opportunities and new/varied housing options to be attractive to different age groups,
- parks, recreation and open space amenities
- providing transportation, transit, technology and other infrastructure to create economic development opportunities and attract/retain employers and workforce of the future
The next step is for the Planning Department to digest all the information and input gathered in the focus meetings, the stakeholder meetings and the charrette sessions and prepared a draft Small Area Plan document. This document will then go through a series of work sessions and public hearings with the Planning Commission and the County Board of Supervisors.
For more updates on the Dale City Small Area you can click the link at the bottom of our home page or use link below.
http://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/planning/Pages/sap_DaleCity.aspx
