Prince William County (Map, News) - Toll Brothers has plans to donate more than 280 acres of open space to Prince William County in return for approval of some 400 new homes in a 2,800-home community.

County supervisors delayed a vote last month on the Toll Brothers application to expand its Dominion Valley gated community off Route 15 due to environmental and traffic concerns.

In response to the community’s concerns, the developers said they would donate 282 acres surrounding Silver Lake to the county for a school, nature conservancy and a therapeutic horseback riding facility, according to a letter from Michael Lubeley, a Toll Brothers attorney.

Toll Brothers will build the trails for horses and hiking and will turn the property over to the Bull Run Conservancy.

The dozen homes slated for the south side of Silver Lake have been removed from the plan, said Steve Griffin, the county’s planning chief.

The county is still reviewing environmental reports regarding fuel tanks at the quarry north of Silver Lake, he said.

“This has the potential to create an over 500-acre park and natural open space area for the public to be able to enjoy,” said Sean Connaughton, Prince William County Board of Supervisors chair.

The developer’s proposal includes fast-tracking the Route 15 widening project from Interstate 66 to just beyond the community’s boundary. No building permits would be applied for until the Route 15 project is completed.

Toll Brothers will contribute $50,000 toward affordable housing in the county, according to Lubeley’s letter, addressing a concern raised by Woodbridge Supervisor Hilda Barg.

“I think they tried to address each and every concern they heard at that meeting [last month], both by the citizens and by the board,” Griffin said.

The proposal in still in the process of being completed. The final proposal will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at Tuesday night’s meeting. A public hearing will follow.

cgoodman@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

10:17 AM MST on Mon., May. 12, 2008 re: "Community funds to bridge economic gaps in SoMa"

Examiner Reader said:
""SoMa resident Jim Mekko said that eight to 10 years ago the downtown neighborhood was �ground zero� of the dot-com boom and bust and the funds would bring needed relief to the community."" Not exactly sure what dot-com bust has to do with the topic at hand? The people that live in my area are working class people and lots of Philipino families with kids. I talk with them lots and what they want more than anything and what nobody including our supervisor has delivered is crime free streets. We dont care anymore about much of anything else. ""Daly praised the committee�s work, saying it would put the money �into the hands of the community folks that can do good to mitigate some of the negative impacts from very large development that is happening in the South of Market.�" Well we are community folk. We do not need the money we want safety. There are kids right down the block that cannot go outside because of the drug users. All the other trash we can live with we want safety.

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7:42 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 26, 2008 re: "Elkridge in the midst of a residential and commercial development boom"

Examiner Reader said:
In reference to Elkridge and it's designation for affordable housing and high density, I would be most interested in an update from DPZ and the State Highway Administration on how the traffic will be handled at an acceptable level of "C" or better, particularly as one heads north into Baltimore County. A plan to handle traffic going to UMBC, Catonsville Community College, the Arbutus train station and BWI airport and commercialdistrict needs to be designed & implemented before the density is completed. Mass transit by light rail or bus line needs to be in place to support the existing and limited Route 1 right-of-way through Elkridge and into Arbutus. For once, can we not put the infrastructure in place BEFORE the density?

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2:08 PM MST on Fri., Apr. 18, 2008 re: "Corridor ready to sprout"

Examiner Reader said:
Well yes of course it makes perfect sense to build 400 foot residential towers along South Van Ness from Mission to Market cause nobody in the Hayes Valley area of the Market and Octavia Neighborhood Plan area would have tolerated those monsters. Oh yes, the towers will provide limited to no off street parking, they will cast shadows into residential enclaves where over 400 people now live less than 20 yards to the east in the Western SOMA, create street level winds to rival Fox Plaza. So much for the San Francisco urban fabric which will be torn in this part of The City. No where else has such a disruption been allowed by placing 400 feet towers 20 yards from two story residential. Oh wait, I seem to recall this type of land use proximity in Bangkok. The watch word in San Francisco circles is...dump it in SOMA they wont care. Goes for pot clubs, regional serving night clubs and so called "light industrial use" what a laugh. Now you Supervisors show some backbone and speakup!

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3:39 PM MST on Wed., Apr. 2, 2008 re: "Home Depot axes warehouse plans"

Examiner Reader said:
I remember a friend of mine who used live on the same block as Mr. Ammiano referred to Mr. Ammiano as a "Man of the People." I guess the "people" in this case doesn't include the "people" in Sophie Maxwell's district who could benefit from an employer and business like home depot instead of the scores of liquor stores in that district.

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8:43 AM MST on Tue., Apr. 1, 2008 re: "Home Depot axes warehouse plans"

Examiner Reader said:
Only a San Francisco progressive politician like Tom Ammiano would gloat over denied jobs and urban blight. Glad he is terming out.

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9:35 AM MST on Sun., Mar. 23, 2008 re: "Eldersburg mall gets new chance at life"

carroll towne shopper said:
i also am very dissapointed that even if you are a shopper at the mall and try to sit down for a few minutes in peace that the mall security has to come up and try and kick you out hell its empty enough just let the kids skate and do what they want they arent hurting anyone and if they are its only themselves

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1:54 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Fee possible fix for housing crunch"

Examiner Reader said:
"Local Government" was never intended to interfere in the private marketplace like they continue to try and do. They don't need a "fee" ... because the term "fee" is always used to disguise a TAX.

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1:48 PM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Fee possible fix for housing crunch"

Examiner Reader said:
Bureaucrats don't do anything unless it benefits THEM. We don't need a "fee" and we don't need them interfering in the private sector. The job "projection" is only a guess and they're going to use that as an excuse to steal money from the public. IF the jobs develop, fine. If not, fine. The private community always figures out a way without lame bureaucrats interfering.

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9:06 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Fee possible fix for housing crunch"

Examiner Reader said:
I work for San Mateo County in a department of over 350 staff. Less than 20% live in San Mateo County. 95% of those who live outside of the county say it is because they can't afford to live in the same they work in. Most of the support staff make so little that they qualify for some sort of housing or food subsidy program. The need is NOW not in 2025.

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9:15 AM MST on Sat., Feb. 16, 2008 re: "Fee possible fix for housing crunch"

Alarm Dude said:
Let me figure this out. Business will increase jobs by 40%. In order to provide *Socialist, Government* housing for these employees, we impose a tax on businesses. Businesses take their expansion plans elsewhere because of the taxes. No new employees. In fact, businesses leave rather than expand. Employment drops. PROBLEM SOLVED!

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10:12 AM MST on Tue., Jan. 22, 2008 re: "Methadone clinic slated for converted Dundalk home"

white sluts black said:
A higher energy price is a sacrifice we have to make for cleaner fuels

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8:46 PM MST on Sun., Jan. 13, 2008 re: "Divisadero Street overhaul planned"

Examiner Reader said:
Sinister elements and a no man's land? This part of the Divisadero Corridor hardly resembles life outside the Internation Green Zone in Baghdad?

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12:06 PM MST on Sun., Jan. 13, 2008 re: "Divisadero Street overhaul planned"

Observation said:
It never fails; when the city comes up with a plan to make changes to a neglected area of the city, and one that is indisputably a busy conduit, naysayers grab their milk crates and plop down in front of their computers and trash every feature of the plan. How many of you attended the planning board meeting and presented alternate plans? How many of you actually participated in the planning process? The best way to reclaim a neighborhood from sinister elements is to make it a magnet for pedestrians and commerce - not by letting it become a no-man's-land.

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7:07 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 12, 2008 re: "Divisadero Street overhaul planned"

Examiner Reader said:
Just what San Francisco needs, one more trendy, upscale neighborhood in which to live and shop.

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6:00 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 7, 2008 re: "Divisadero Street overhaul planned"

Examiner Reader said:
Boutique business means overpriced shopping for rich Caucasian snobs. Wonder how many minority low income residents...what's left of them... can afford the "new" Divisadero now?

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3:28 PM MST on Mon., Jan. 7, 2008 re: "Divisadero Street overhaul planned"

EXAMNER READER said:
I see they are making it easier for drive by shooters to escape even faster than they do....what a few new trees for homeless people to live under...this city's prorities are in the toilet along with its adultress mayor

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10:12 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 17, 2007 re: "Home Depot, Wal-Mart mark recent Liberty Road upgrades"

Examiner Reader said:
Great move!

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6:19 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 17, 2007 re: "Home Depot, Wal-Mart mark recent Liberty Road upgrades"

Person from Randallstown Maryland said:
Hi,so there is going to be a Giant SuperMarket in the Liberty Plaza? Wow, that's nice. BlockBuster has been there for a long time. I think most of the shopping center where Dollar General was located should be knocked down, it would lose alot of business but make a better area. Marshall should be TJMaxx because they have better stuff. It would be crowded because of Wal-Mart, I know the Owings Mills Wal-Mart on Reistertown Road near Valley Centre is crowded all the time. I don't really like the Owings Mills one. If I was the examiner I would close Blockbuster's down and make it as a place called AppleBee's. I can't wait until Ruby Tuesday come to Brenbrook Plaza. Or, it can be a place called FYE (For Your Entertainment) which is a CD store. It's awesome. I heard that they would be building a convention center for seniors or whatever it was on Resource Drive by the Resource Center. I see that they are doing construction.

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5:48 PM MST on Mon., Dec. 17, 2007 re: "Home Depot, Wal-Mart mark recent Liberty Road upgrades"

Examiner Reader said:
Hello, I'm from Baltimore County in Randallstown and I just want to know when is the Wal-Mart coming to Randallstown? I wonder if it is going to be a supercenter. Yes I've seen the Home Depot and it looks very nice. I was wondering when the Wal-Mart is coming. I'm thinking its coming in March or something I don't know. Well, someday it'll come.

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8:56 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "Parties reach agreement on land proposal"

teen for cash xxx said:
There are too many, not enough handicapped parking spaces in our city

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8:56 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "Warehouse now in Sykesville�s hands"

teen for cash young said:
The quality of education is, is not lower than 15 years ago

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8:50 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "Turf Valley developers want land included in public water, sewer"

teen forcash said:
Pretty much nothing notable happening. My mind is like a complete blank. I've just been hanging out waiting for something to happen. Not much on my mind to speak of. I just don't have anything to say. That's how it is.

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8:43 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "Mall proposal would add living space"

cash teen said:
I haven't gotten much done recently. I don't care. My life's been basically boring these days. Whatever. More or less nothing exciting going on lately, but pfft.

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8:32 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

teensforcash said:
My life's been basically boring recently. I've basically been doing nothing to speak of. That's how it is. I just don't have much to say recently. Oh well.

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8:32 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "Lockheed Martin announces Pr. George�s expansion plans"

teen for cash young said:
My mind is like a fog, not that it matters. I just don't have much to say these days. That's how it is. I haven't been up to anything recently.

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8:24 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "Urban planners to map development in Tysons"

teenforcash said:
There are too many, not enough handicapped parking spaces in our city

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8:14 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 5, 2007 re: "Midtown Springfield may get new look"

teenforcash said:
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. I just don't have much to say right now, but so it goes. I've basically been doing nothing to speak of, but shrug. Today was a loss. I don't care. That's how it is.

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4:01 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 29, 2007 re: "Franklin School to continue as homeless shelter for another year"

Patsy Kensit said:
I haven't been up to much today. Such is life. My life's been basically dull today, but that's how it is.

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4:39 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Baltimore Development Corp. opens �superblock� parcel for development"

Jaime Pressly said:
Today was a loss. I just don't have anything to say. Not that it matters.

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4:38 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Official seeks ordinance amendment for Inner Harbor developers"

Courtney Cox said:
I haven't been up to much today. Such is life. My life's been basically dull today, but that's how it is.

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4:38 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Building can soon begin again in Westminster"

Rachel Stevens said:
Today was a loss. I just don't have anything to say. Not that it matters.

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4:33 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Critics: Shopping center could hurt downtown"

Susan Ward said:
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. I've just been letting everything wash over me. I can't be bothered with anything recently.

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4:33 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Mall proposal would add living space"

Geena Davis said:
I've just been staying at home waiting for something to happen. I've just been letting everything wash over me. I can't be bothered with anything recently.

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4:29 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Methadone clinic slated for converted Dundalk home"

Jennifer Connelly said:
I haven't gotten anything done. Whatever. I just don't have anything to say.

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4:26 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "County, state officials break ground on new Easter Seals center"

Mimi MacPherson said:
I haven't gotten anything done. Whatever. I just don't have anything to say.

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4:24 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Residents say sewer lines needed in historic Clarksburg"

Virginie Ledoyen said:
Pretty much nothing seems worth doing. I've just been letting everything happen without me these days. I've just been sitting around waiting for something to happen, but whatever.

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4:22 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Fate of 500-room National Harbor expansion might be determined today"

Carmen Electra said:
Today was a loss. I just don't have anything to say. Not that it matters.

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4:21 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Prince William could approve new high rises on the Potomac"

Jaime Pressly said:
I haven't gotten anything done. Whatever. I just don't have anything to say.

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4:18 AM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007 re: "Mayor calls large Aberdeen annexation ideal"

Pamela Anderson said:
I haven't been up to much today. Such is life. My life's been basically dull today, but that's how it is.

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10:33 PM MST on Sat., Oct. 27, 2007 re: "Catonsville residents take development concerns to court"

Rosario Dawson said:
I haven't gotten anything done. Whatever. I just don't have anything to say.

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10:32 PM MST on Sat., Oct. 27, 2007 re: "Wegmans to open second Md. store in Crofton"

Gwen Stefani said:
Today was a loss. I just don't have anything to say. Not that it matters.

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8:08 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

Lee said:
I've just been letting everything wash over me. I've pretty much been doing nothing. I've just been sitting around not getting anything done.

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2:09 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 2, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

John said:
Buyers of guns must take gun-safety courses

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4:48 PM MST on Tue., Sep. 25, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

society of mechanical engineer said:
Prisons treat, don't treat prisoners too well

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7:17 AM MST on Sat., Sep. 22, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

live chat girls on video said:
We are killing the rainforest

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3:00 PM MST on Fri., Sep. 14, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

accentclassreduction said:
I haven't been up to much lately. Eh. I just don't have anything to say right now. I've pretty much been doing nothing worth mentioning. That's how it is. I haven't gotten anything done.

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8:30 AM MST on Thu., Sep. 6, 2007 re: "Village centers feel push of development"

Examiner Reader said:
I moved to Columbia after researching a lot for a way of life such as the villages in Columbia. Stores like this belong in a mall. Not in the villages. There will be too much traffic.....

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12:27 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 28, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

air airline canada discount in travel said:
The government should be persuaded to pay for all healthcare

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10:31 AM MST on Mon., Aug. 27, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

best feeling condom said:
Nothing notable going on. My life's been generally dull today. So it goes. Not much on my mind to speak of.

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12:14 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "County officials will appeal ruling on methadone clinic"

casino gambling guide said:
Children in ... fill in the nation of your choice ... are living better

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