Cannon Ridge Park and Right of way
23 bullet points sent to the Planning Commission for their 6:00 pm meeting tonight.
If you can't make the meeting tonight please email the Planning Commission.
Below is the email list to the Planning Commission.
Thanks for your support,
kbarnes@staffordcountyva.gov,
kvcaudill@staffordcountyva.gov,
cbratton@staffordcountyva.gov,
nhamblin@staffordcountyva.gov,
moats@staffordcountyva.gov,
wshelton@staffordcountyva.gov,
msiegmund@staffordcountyva.gov
The object is to get the land into the Comp Plan to make it eligible for grant funding and for negotiations.
The news of intent to save the land could spark National Interest with Historic and Civil War groups. It could go viral with donations and political support that could save the Historic Land.
The Park designation doesn't stop the landowner from using it or building any of the current by-right uses, but it does discourage it from being rezoned.
The Park designation doesn't cost any taxpayer money.
Below are bullet points on why the Park Designation is Justified.
1. The Union Balloon Corp observed three battles that were almost simultaneous on the second deadliest day of the Civil War.
Those battles included Chancellorsville, The Second Battle of Fredericksburg and the Battle of Salem Church.
2. The Pontoon Bridges at Banks Ford (Cannon Ridge) saved Union General Sedgwick's Army Corp of 18,000 men from certain annihilation.
3. Nearly 100 Historic Sites at Cannon Ridge and the Rappahannock River would be lined up and could be marketed as America's Most Historic Trail. The fable of George Washingto cutting down his father's cherry tree is epic and fits right into "America's Most Historic Trail"
4. The designation would save the needed right of way for the River crossing Bridge and Trail.
5. The Bridge Trail would showcase with a bird's eye view of the Prehistoric Native American Fish Trap in the river that can't be seen from ground level. Scott's Mill might be seen from the bridge as well.
6. Stafford would be a destination location for Heritage tourism with visitors spending an average of $1,000 per trip that would jumpstart the Restaurant industry on Route 17.
7. A Fairgrounds could host Civil War reenactments, Civil War Balloon Corp demonstration, the Stafford County Agricultural Fair, Wagon rides,
Kite Festivals, Pow Wows, Easter egg hunts, Rubber tire train rides, Horse shows, Christmas light Festivals, Equestrian Trail rides, Cross Country races, Mountain Bike Races and other events that could be held all year long.
8. Over the last 20 years the number 1 requested Park amenity is Trails. The 7 miles of paved trails at Cannon Ridge checks off that request.
9. Over 7,500 people have signed a Petition in support of the Historic Events Park at Cannon Ridge.
10. The Stafford citizens demand more entertainment choices and the Historic Events Park would keep them in Stafford spending their money.
11. Stafford Historic sites would be showcased to the world and recognized for their historic significance.
12. Stafford citizens would finally have access to England Run Falls, which is Stafford's Hidden Treasure.
13. Government Island Boardwalk is the most visited Park in Stafford. The 7 miles of Paved trails at Cannon Ridge would relieve the overcrowding in the parking lot and on the trail. It might relieve the overcrowding at Aquia Landing also.
14. The Clubhouse could be used for the Stafford Museum and could serve as headquarters for 50 years of Archeological digs that could be showcased in the museum.
15. The 7 miles of trail, clubhouse, small lake, 150 parking spaces and large maintenance shop would be an instant Park.
Volunteers are ready willing an eager to donate time, money and resource to get it fixed up.
16. Grant Opportunities are available that could secure the land at little to no cost.
17. Development right could be shifted to other parcels in the RBC district that could reduce the cost.
18. Conservation easement can be put on portion of the land to generate tax credit funding.
19. In 2021 the Stafford Planning Commission Unanimously voted for Cannon Ridge to be designated as a Park.
20. In 2009 Stafford voters approved a Parks referendum that included seed money for the Cannon Ridge to Belmont Riverwalk Trail.
21. During the 1999 Recreational Business Campus Rezoning the Silver Company promised to build 5 golf courses and other public recreational amenities on the 1,170 acres of RBC zoned land. After 27 years there is not one public recreational amenity.
22. In 2001 the Silver Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with the Army Corp. of Engineers. and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to build a Historic Educational Interpretive Park with electronic signage and Trails leading to the historic sites. Silver did build golf cart trails and put up some signs but never complete his commitment before he closed the golf course in 2018 to seek a residential rezoning.
23. The RBC district required 55% of the land to be open space. The golf course has been the designated open space parcel until it was changed out of recently, out of the public eye. The open space designation reduced the taxes on the land considerably.
Those are my 23 bullet points, please let me know if you have any questions.
I will see you at the meeting.
Good Luck tonight,
Joe Brito