Coles District Newsletter | |
|
Dear Neighbor,
As the warm sun shines upon us and the flowers bloom, we are blessed to witness the beauty of spring in all its glory. It’s a time when our community emerges from the cold winter months, full of energy and vitality.
On April 23rd, the Board of County Supervisors voted unanimously for the adoption of the 2025 budget. Over the past four years, you’ve been burdened with higher and higher taxes. It was a welcomed change to vote for lowering the real estate tax rate from $0.966 to $0.920.
I also voted to raise the tax rate on data centers to $3.70, a commitment to fairness and fiscal responsibility. Thank you to all who participated in the budget adoption process.
With the budget now adopted, I am eager to focus on the essential work ahead and to continue to work diligently on your behalf.
Just as the trees burst forth with new leaves and the birds sing with joy, we too can embrace this season as a time to reflect on the values that make Prince William County great.
For Coles,
Yesli Vega
| |
Not seeing the full email? | |
Note: The email should end with a section titled "Other Resources & Information". If you don't see this at the bottom of the message, your email provider may not be showing the entire newsletter. | |
Supervisor Vega brought your responses, including all of your emails, with her during budget markup. She would like to thank all who participated in the data center survey where nearly 90% of the responses asked the Board to increase taxes on data centers. | |
Board of County Supervisors Adopts
Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
| |
Coles District Easter Egg Hunt | | |
|
|
On Saturday, March 30, we hosted our annual Coles District Easter Egg Hunt, located at Bennett Elementary School. We would like to give special thanks to the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office for issuing child IDs and to the Prince William County Police Department where Officer Booker was there to save the day as the Easter bunny was caught snatching eggs, silly bunny! Thank you to all who attended our event and we look forward to seeing you next year!
| |
Child Abuse Prevention Month | |
|
April was Child Abuse Prevention Month. On April 4, Supervisor Vega attended the planting of a pinwheel garden at the Sean T. Connaughton Community Plaza at the Prince William County Government Center as part of the The Pinwheels for Prevention Project.
This project encourages individuals and organizations to join together and raise public awareness of the importance of preventing child abuse.
Pinwheels symbolize a healthy and happy childhood, something every child deserves.
I want thank our Department of Social Services for all the work they do.
| |
Supervisor Vega Appropriates $435,000 to Friends of Horticultural Therapy | |
|
Supervisor Vega green lit The Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism to enter into an agreement with The Friends of Horticultural Therapy (FOHT).
As part of this agreement, Supervisor Vega appropriated $435, 000 of Coles District Funds for construction, operation and maintenance of the therapeutic horticultural gardens on county owned land.
FOHT was formed in 2009 to provide additional support for the Prince William County Community Services Horticultural Therapy (HT) Program. The HT program serves adults with mental illness and/or intellectual disabilities in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park by providing opportunities through horticultural therapy to improve the quality of their lives and increase their independence in the community.
| |
|
On behalf of the Board of County Supervisors, it was my honor to address the graduates of Session 56. Let’s welcome these honorable men and women to our Prince William County family. We thank them and their families for their selfless service and pray for their protection.
"Congratulations to the Officers & Deputies of Session 56!" - Supervisor Vega
| |
The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 56th Session graduated on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in a ceremony at Grace Life Community Church in Bristow. This class was composed of 17 Prince William County Police officers and two Prince William County Sheriff’s deputies. | |
-By PWC Police Department | |
|
Supervisor Vega attended Vaisakhi Day and presented a proclamation recognizing April 13, 2024, as Vaisakhi Day in Prince William County.
"It was an honor to attend Vaisakhi Day with friends at the Sikh Center of Virginia."
- Supervisor Vega
| |
|
Parson’s Business Park is located along Dumfries Road in the mid-county area near the county landfill and is within the county’s existing data center overlay district. On March 16, 2024, the board voted to approve Proffer Amendment #REZ2023-00028.
Although data centers are already an allowable use for this property, the Board DID NOT vote to approve a data center on this site.
At this time, no end user has been designated by the applicant nor has a design been put forth by the applicant.
| |
Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance | |
|
On April 3, 2024, Prince William County held a public meeting on a proposed Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance. Prince William County officials are taking the first steps towards drafting the ordinance, aiming to address housing needs in the area.
Tanya Washington, the director of the Prince William County Planning Office, highlighted the purpose of the meeting. "This is an opportunity for you to learn about housing needs in the county, as well as to help draft ordinances for us to provide answers to your questions about the draft ordinance," Washington explained.
However, concerns have been raised about potential drawbacks of the proposed ordinance. One major concern is the issue of overcrowding within developments. Some residents worry that allowing developers to increase housing density could lead to overcrowded neighborhoods and strain on existing infrastructure.
Additionally, environmental impacts such as deforestation and water drainage concerns have been raised. Critics fear that increased development could lead to loss of green spaces and exacerbate issues related to storm-water management.
While interested to seek ways to reduce housing costs for county residents, Coles District Supervisor Yesli Vega expressed skepticism about the proposed ordinance, suggesting that there are alternative methods to reduce housing prices without resorting to cramming more houses into smaller subdivisions. "We need to explore other means to cut housing prices without allowing developers to put more houses into already smaller subdivisions by simply making a few of the units affordable," Vega stated.
The draft ordinance, if adopted, would offer density bonuses to developers who voluntarily dedicate a percentage of units as affordable housing. However, it remains to be seen how the county will address the concerns raised by residents and officials alike.
Upcoming Meetings for Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance:
- May 22 (tentative), 7 p.m. – Planning Commission public hearing in the Board Chambers at the McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge
- July 16 (tentative), 2 p.m. – Board of County Supervisors public hearing in the Board Chambers at the McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge
A copy of the draft ordinance is also available for review at pwcva.gov/AfDU, and those wishing to provide input can fill out the public comment form. Here is the link from April 4th meeting: Video of the Presentation
-By Coles District Staff
| |
Lake Jackson Roadway Safety and Street-lighting Project | |
|
Supervisor Vega approved transportation safety improvements which were part of The Department of Transportation’s proposed Roadway Safety and Roadway Street-lighting Project on Lake Jackson Drive.
As part of the project, a new Pole Mounted Speed Display (PMSD) has been installed south of the Hillcrest and Lake Jackson Drive intersection. The PMSD will flash when speeds are above 35mph in an effort to slow down drivers. The estimated cost for this project is $75,000 and will be funded using TRIP Funds. Other improvements of this project consist of:
- Removing a large Oak Tree that periodically drops large limbs onto Lake Jackson Drive
- Upgrading the (4) existing streetlight fixtures at the intersection of Lake Jackson Drive and PW Parkway to higher output LED fixtures
- Absorb an existing private watch light info the PWC Street-lighting system and upgrading fixture
- Installing (4) new streetlights
| |
No Parking Signs on Tayloe and Gordon Drives | |
|
On April 2, 2024, Supervisor Vega voted in favor to prohibit parking on both sides of Tayloe Drive and Gordon Drive and it was passed unanimously by the Prince William County Board of Supervisors. "It’s been a long time coming and would like to thank folks in the area for their patience throughout the process." - Supervisor Vega
A special thanks goes out to our Department of Transportation as well, for their hard work and commitment to addressing residents’ concerns.
| |
|
In a March 21st town hall meeting, meant to update residents of the Route 28 Bypass project status, Supervisor Vega expressed gratitude for Chair Jefferson's interest in addressing the community's concerns. She outlined the history of the project, highlighting its controversial nature and the environmental and human impact it poses to residents.
Chair Jefferson, while acknowledging the complexity of the issue, assured attendees of her commitment to understanding their concerns. However, she emphasized the need to consider previous commitments and funding already allocated to the project.
Residents raised questions about the project's disjointed nature, with Fairfax County widening Route 28, while Prince William County focuses on the bypass. Concerns were also raised about communication with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with Transportation officials admitting to limited updates.
Critics argued that the project primarily benefits commuters from outside Prince William County, with little consideration for local residents. There were also concerns about the impact on vulnerable communities, particularly renters who may face displacement.
Chair Jefferson emphasized the importance of proper outreach and communication, especially to non-English speaking residents and economically vulnerable individuals. She pledged to ensure that all voices are heard before any decisions are made.
Overall, the meeting highlighted the deep-seated opposition to the Route 28 bypass project among residents, underscoring the need for further dialogue and careful consideration moving forward.
| |
Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney threatens to withhold prosecution amid funding dispute
| |
|
Prince William's common wealth's attorney says she'll offload work onto police after supervisors reject her budget request | |
|
Anti-Semitic symbols found at Coles Elementary and Benton Middle Scho0l prompt investigation, outcry | |
|
Swastika, anti-Semitic graffiti found in bathroom at Colgan High School
| |
Police identify 2 women killed and the man accused of shooting them in Manassas home
| |
|
‘Street Smart’ Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Campaign April 21 – May 19 | -By PWC Police Department | |
Police Sound Alarm on Pedestrian-Related Crashes | -By PWC Police Department | |
Police Daily Incident Reports | |
Indoor soccer field house, turf fields coming to Hellwig Park presented and okayed by Supervisor Vega | -By Prince William Times | |
Prince William County Committee of 100 explores nuclear power as the potential utilization of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a viable energy source for the Northern Virginia region | |
|
Solheim Cup 2024
The biggest women’s professional golf event in the world is coming to Prince William County September 10-14, 2024. It will be hosted at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville and is expected to bring significant economic impact to the county and the surrounding Northern Virginia region.
| |
The PWC Police Department is having a Public Safety Career Fair | |
|
School Supply Donations Needed for Coles District!
Donations will be accepted at the Coles District Office until July 12
| |
Please join Supervisor Vega for a Back to School Event. We are partnering this year with PWCCF. There will be school supplies, food, and more! | |
Richmond 2024 Legislative Session | |
|
Upcoming Meetings:
May 7 - 2:00 PM
Work Session (Quadrant: Safe and Secure Community)
May 14 - 2:00 & 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
June 4 - 2:00 & 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
June 7 - 2:00 PM
Work Session (Strategic Planning)
| |
|
Upcoming Meetings:
May 8 - 7:00 PM
Public Hearing
May 12 - 7:00 PM
Public Hearing
June 12 - 7:00 PM
Public Hearing
June 26 - 7:00 PM
Public Hearing
| |
|
May 1 - 7:00 PM
May 15 - 7:00 PM
June 5 - 7:00 PM
June 20 - TBD (Special School Board Meeting for Superintendent’s Evaluation)
| | |
Other Resources & Information | |
Access to online services and contact information for elected officials | | | | |
