Fishersville development tabled

VERONA — The Augusta County Supervisors tabled zoning changes for a large Fishersville development Wednesday because of concerns about the amount of reimbursement the developer would get for building an access road for the project.
The Myers Corner project, a 420-unit project of townhouses, duplexes, single-family units and apartments, would be located directly across from the U.S. 250 entrance to the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center and the Augusta County Schools offices and schools in Fishersville.
At issue is the half-mile portion of Route 636 that developer Crescent Development, of Charlottesville, would build to provide access through the project.
Supervisors Tracy Pyles and Larry Howdyshell said they and Augusta County citizens needed more time to digest a plan that would offer Crescent Development more than $3.7 million in tax-increment financing for building Route 636.
Also, Augusta County would pay more than $500,000 to improve conditions on U.S. 250 leading to the development.
The revenues to reimburse Crescent would come from county real estate taxes and business license taxes.
Myers Corner would also include 27 acres of general business development that will include office, retail and specialty retail.
Plans for the mixed used development also include walking trails and sidewalks to make the development pedestrian friendly, said Scott Williams, Crescent’s co-owner.
“The point of the project is to connect the business uses with residential and encourage more people to ride a bike and walk then to ride [in] a car,’’ Williams said.
Pyles said previous tax-increment financing deals Augusta County has made have been for revenue-producing industries such as Target and Hershey Chocolate, not a housing development.
“Everybody needs to pay their way. It’s not up to the taxpayer,’’ Pyles said.
Pyles also took issue with the length of the TIF agreement. Crescent Development would be reimbursed for the costs of constructing just over 2,000-square feet of 636 over a 12-year period.
Williams said it is not clear when the units will be built because of the current housing market, which has a larger than usual available inventory. But he is confident about the project’s eventual development.
“I have no doubt,’’ Williams said. “Fishersville is a fantastic place for projects.” He said the current housing inventory in the area is higher than it needs to be.
Wayne District Supervisor Wendell Coleman said Myers Corner is consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan, which calls for 80 percent of the future development to happen in urban service areas like Fishersville and Stuarts Draft.
Williams told supervisors Myers Corner “is the best use of the land” and meets the goals of the county’s comp plan.
Coleman also said while a relocated Route 636 has been in the county’s six-year road plan, the costs and revenue cuts by VDOT have postponed the project that, when completed, would take the road all the way to Augusta Medical Center.
He said Myers Corner would offer a chance to start the road through a public/private partnership as well as locate development where it is supposed to be, in an urban service area.
Pyles said it makes sense to wait 30 days to get more information and to give the public a chance to weigh in.
A lone speaker showed up for Wednesday night’s public hearing.
Stephanie Haskins, of Staunton, expressed concern about the size of the development.
She described the 139-acre tract as one of beauty, with rolling farmland.
Haskins asked if Augusta County is ready for the 420 units of growth, and wondered if the county schools could handle the expected influx of students.
Williams said Myers Corner would attract a variety of residents, ranging from families to single people and empty nest couples.