Zoning Changes For Stadium Approved
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Office and Retail Included in Project
Originally published at 6:44 p.m., July 21, 2009
Updated at 12:00 a.m., July 23, 2009
Loudoun County supervisors approved zoning changes Tuesday that would allow a 5,500-seat minor league baseball stadium and a mixed-use office and retail complex to be built at routes 28 and 7. But the board’s approval came with at least 50 conditions, addressing, among other things, environmental impact, open space requirements and road improvements.
“I say we get this done, bring baseball and move on, because the decision point is now,” Supervisor Lori L. Waters (R-Broad Run) said before the Board of Supervisors’ 6 to 2 vote to permit the zoning changes, clearing the way for much of the planned Kincora Village.
The Kincora application, which asked the county to reclassify 314 acres zoned for high-end office space, has been “fully vetted,” Waters said.
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Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles) abstained, and supervisors Andrea McGimsey (D-Potomac) and James Burton (I-Blue Ridge) cast the dissenting votes.
VIP Baseball, a group operated by Waterford businessman Robert Farren, reached a deal last month with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball x Clubs to bring a team to Loudoun. Since then, the Kincora project has received wide support from the baseball community, including former professional athletes and Little League teams. The stadium is slated to be completed by May 2011.
Groups such as the Piedmont Environmental Council have opposed the Kincora project, however, citing concerns about its impact on traffic and the environment, including streams and wildlife.
Kincora’s owner, NA Dulles Real Estate Investor, agreed to provide transportation upgrades, including the construction of a four-lane divided section of Pacific Boulevard. The project would preserve a minimum of six acres of open space, conserve trees and build pedestrian walkways. Games would start no earlier than 7 p.m. on weekdays, excluding federal holidays. The stadium also would be available for use by schools and organizations when it was not being used by its owners for games or other events.
Burton said the 50 conditions linked to the proposal’s approval showed that the application had gone through many changes since its first public hearing last month. “The application that is before us for a vote today is not the application that went before us in a public hearing,” he said.
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Burton tried unsuccessfully to postpone the vote on Kincora and asked the board to hold another public hearing.
But John C. McGranahan Jr., an attorney representing Kincora’s owner, opposed that idea.
“The whole point of this was to get the decision by the summer so we could begin work on this stadium,” McGranahan said. “We had submitted conditions back in April. These conditions didn’t just appear on Friday.”
Board Chairman Scott K. York (I) noted that the public has had adequate opportunity to comment on the plan.
“We did have the public hearing and since the public hearing, we’ve had three input sessions before this board,” he said.
But McGimsey, whose district is closest to the Kincora site, said the project would create more traffic along Route 28.
“The road infrastructure is inadequate in the Kincora area,” she said. “This stadium will cause backups on Route 28.”
McGimsey said constituents have sent her numerous e-mails expressing concerns about Kincora’s impact on roads.
The majority of the board might support the proposal, she said. “However, I am not convinced that you have gained the support of citizens in my district who will be directly impacted.”
The board will decide in October on a special exception request to reclassify the rest of the Kincora proposal. That includes 1,400 apartments and condominium units, a YMCA, a performing arts center, hotels, a nature preserve and a fire and rescue station.
Tagged: Ashburn, baseball, Board of Supervisors, Kincora Stadium, minor league
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"Still, groups such as the Piedmont Environmental Council have opposed the Kincora project, citing concerns about its impact on traffic and the environment, including local streams and wildlife."
The PEC would oppose the construction of outhouses and, well, pretty much anything else. Who cares what the extremists think?
Posted by dingus5 (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hopefully the provisions include a bike path along Pacific Blvd connecting the WOD trail to the new ballpark.
Posted by mitch (anonymous) on July 21, 2009 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great idea Mitch .. perhaps a bike approach from the Sterling/Rte 7/Dulles Town Center side as well.
Posted by mitlen (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 4:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great News!!! I can't wait to buy season tickets.
Posted by AlbyVA (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 6:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As long as the developers don't expect the taxpayers to pay for their little play-pretty. There have been too many of these stadia built at the expense of the taxpayers (like the new Nationals stadium).
Posted by RogParish (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This will be built without taxpayer money.
PLAY BALL!!
Posted by momof2 (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Please stop referring to this assocaiation as Minor League Baseball. This league is generally a bunch of hacks who'll never make the big leagues.
I would support actual Minor League (A, AA, AAA) expansion but don't feel like loudoun needs a bunch of has beens and never will bes.
Posted by edvanrensyahoocom (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Minor League Baseball is 100x better than Major League Baseball. Tickets are cheap so you can actually take your family to a game and not spend a fortune.
See you at the ballpark.
Posted by AlbyVA (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My brother played in an indy league. I wont call out his name but the quality of play is decent(unlike what an earlier respondant said), uuuummmm he went on the play 15yrs in the big leagues and me, my sis, my parents and him have nice homes, nice cars,kids been to college,own apt buildings,beach front rental homes,etc. So, a league like this can produce ML pros.
Posted by urbannlegend (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They should build a minor-league hockey stadium instead.
Posted by macraebr (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is great, but when one window opens another one closes. The Redskins will be moving to Va Beach with in 2 years. Oh well.
Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This should be a great asset to the community. I would propose to the stadium owners, the best way to get community buy in is to become part of the community. To that end:
Host the Dulles District baseball tournament and other Virginia High School games.
Figure out a way to convert to a softball field and host Dulles District and other major softball events. After all, this is the home of softball.
Posted by Jogger (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"a bunch of hacks who'll never make the big leagues"??? Try telling that to Clay Zavada--relief pitcher for the AZ Diamondbacks! Last year, he was pitching for an independent league team in Illinois. There are many such success stories. Not all MLB players are first round draft picks--heck, Albert Pujols was passed over by every MLB team 12 times before he was taken as the 402nd pick in the 13th round.
Posted by rph9 (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
GREAT - Virginia Baseball, Inc., finally gets ITS team. Nationals fans (from DC, PG, Arl, FFX and Mont.) certainly celebrate Loudon's minor-league "expansion". Hopefully now - they will tailor the roster towards a more "URBAN" fanbase.
Posted by DerekSTH (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
edvanrens said "...don't feel like loudoun needs a bunch of has beens and never will bes."
Jeez. Team hasn't even formed and you're already busting on them. I guess this is what comes of watching the Nationals too long.
Posted by Jogger (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fantastic! no tax-payer funds!! I can now spend my money here in VA as opposed to going up to Frederick, MD. Hacks? I saw the Somerset Patriots (members of this league) last summer while visiting NJ. Guess the managers, Sparky Liles and Tommy John. By boys got their autographs, one son got a batting glove from one of the players.... It's fantastic!! What a way to sit with the family and spend quality time together. Environmental Impact? Come on....
Posted by drpeej (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow! I never thought this would pass. Kudos to the Board of Supervisors for having open minds. I really like the idea that the stadium will be used by local high schools and can envision state tournaments being held there, as well. I think it will provide much needed employment for a wide variety of residents including students looking for summer work (if you have teenagers, you already know what the job situation has been this summer!).
Posted by mccowatkandg (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmmm. Two minor league teams just 25 miles apart? This will put pressure on PW County to build the Nationals a better stadium.
Posted by mwcob (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Minor league teams in Prince William, Loudoun, Prince Georges, and Frederick, we might as well place teams in Montgomery, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Stafford, Howard, Charles and every other community in the region and have a DC area minor league. The way things are going maybe the Nats can join this league as well.
Posted by rontaylor68 (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Professional" and "semi-professional" sports are a joke! If all "professional sports" disappeared tomorrow it wouldn't matter a bit to the average working person who no long can afford their outrageous ticket prices to support the owner's and player's lifestyles. Public funding of all sports should be outlawed. Watching a bunch of steriod laden primadonnas is not entertaining. If so many are concerned about diversity why does no on complain about the failure of the NBA and NFL to provide the appropriate racial balance on these teams. The whole sports thing is a joke. I will never pay a penny to watch this nonsense.
Posted by OhBrother67 (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
edvanrens said "...don't feel like loudoun needs a bunch of has beens and never will bes." - how about JUST playing for the love of the sport rather than to be the very best?
wow, whenever i read these comments i realize how ignorant a lot of loudoun residents actually are.
anyway, as a former richmond resident it was sad to see the braves leave. it was a great affordable outing for families, high schoolers, and college kids, VCU baseball also used (and still uses) the stadium to host games, and the braves did an awesome baseball game/firework combo every 4th of july. loudoun hosts the babe ruth world series and this would be a great place to hold that series. there are a lot of possibilities for the stadium that reach beyond just the minor league team itself.
Posted by Sunbrst22 (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm happy. Something else to do. Especially when it's nice out!! I only hope they have enough transportation options (NOT just cars) so everyone is not stuck in traffic jams getting in, out & around. And I'll be able to go during the week unlike DC & Baltimore sports b/c it takes too long to return to the sticks.
Posted by ms1234 (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm happy as can be, and with a new baby coming, hopefully this will provide a great outing for us over the years to come.
Posted by urallimbeciles (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rontaylor68 wrote "Minor league teams in Prince William, Loudoun, Prince Georges, and Frederick, we might as well place teams in Montgomery, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Stafford, Howard, Charles and every other community in the region..."
Charles County already has a team in the Atlantic League: the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
Posted by pemilligan (anonymous) on July 22, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks Lori!
Posted by minima (anonymous) on July 23, 2009 at 1:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Have fun when the parking lot on Route 7 continues on into the night. The traffic improvements these Kincora folks are proposing only raise the projected level of service to "C". The minimum level to be be accepted. Thank the BoS next time your local road improvements result in no change in traffic because they don't require true long-term solutions from these developers. Just wait until they approve the whole Kincora development to go along with it, its basically a lock now as they can justify the apartments and homes as "new urbanism" style development associated with the ball park.
Glad to see a bunch of little league players and coaches have more sway with the BoS than traffic planners, urban planners, and environmental professionals. I'll see all of you in traffic.
Posted by BurtReynolds (anonymous) on July 23, 2009 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great just what we need, another thing to take up land, add to the boarded up buildings in the area. We will witness increased traffic. This will use our precious water and detract from any nature that may be left in the area.
I can already tell you it will add indirectly to your tax bill.
This is not a good deal for the local economy or ecology.
The zoning commission and the board of supervisors only have personal interests here.
Posted by cozzmo (anonymous) on July 23, 2009 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
cozzmo- I'd love it if that site stayed undeveloped forever but that's never going to happen. The owners of that land already have the rights to build office buildings there- it'll get built up no matter what; it's just a matter of whether is is by-right construction or something more of a mixed use nature that requires zoning approval.
Posted by mitch (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live nearby and do not look forward to the lights and noise, totally sucks for me :(. Not to mention that now there is no way in hell Broad Run Creek will ever be alive again.
Posted by datdamwuf2 (anonymous) on July 26, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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