MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Va. – Update:
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors approved a request from Forthingay LLC for a proposed amendment to the 2025 Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan to change the policy map designation of approximately 633.72 acres of property by a 5-2 vote.
“The comprehensive plan just gives us an opportunity to map out where we ant expansion for the future,” Montgomery Board Vice Chair Steve Fijalkowski said.
This meeting stems from a decision made back in March, which saw the Montgomery County Planning Commission voting to recommend the change and bring it to the Board of Supervisors.
The amendment would rezone approximately 633.72 acres of land. 307.72 acres of land would be designated as “Open Space,” while the remaining 326 acres would be designated as “Medium-Density Residential.”
These designations would allow new homes to be built in the area, however, residents have pushed back against the plan, expressing concerns about increased traffic, environmental impacts and a strain on local resources.
Fijalkowski says it is crucial that such a divisive plan needs to have everything addressed, and compromises need to be found.
“I have to try and walk that fine line and compromise, and I’m hoping that’s what we did tonight, Fijalkowski said.
A zoning hearing scheduled for May has been delayed - architects for the development say they need more time.
“The next step would be a zoning hearing, and that has been put on hold. I think you’ve heard the planning director say that. So we really don’t know when that’s going to happen next.”
However, residents plan to continue fighting the development and have their voices heard.
I want you to know that we are now meeting regularly,” Paige Williams said. We are meeting because we have concerns that are not being addressed and we are committed to doing research and reading into this so you hear us and what we are asking."
Original:
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will be hearing a request from Fotheringay LLC for an amendment to the 2025 Montgomery County Comprehensive Plan to change the policy map designation of approximately 633.72 acres of property.
This stems from a decision made back in March which saw the Montgomery County Planning Commission voting to recommend the change and bring it towards the Board of Supervisors.
The amendment would rezone approximately 633.72 acres of land. 307.72 acres of land would be designated as “Open Space” while the remaining 326 acres would be designated as “Medium-Density Residential.”
These designations would allow new homes to be built in the area, however residents have pushed back against the plan, expressing concerns about increased traffic, environmental impacts and a strain on local resources. ,
The Board of Supervisors will be meeting at 7:00 PM.