Too many questions remain unanswered about the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s (HRHA) proposed HRHA Bluestone Town Center for it to move forward. Plans for the project were first revealed not even three months ago, on March 25. HRHA and tax-credit specialists EquityPlus propose an 870+ unit mixed-use housing complex off Garber’s Church Road and Erickson Avenue that will connect to South Dogwood Drive. The first public input opportunity was June 7, with the developers already speaking of the project as something that will happen and planning a rezoning request in August 2022. This is entirely too soon for a project with so great an impact and many unanswered questions.

This petition was created to prevent the development of an 800+ unit medium-density development called “The Bluestone Town Center” in Harrisonburg, VA. 

We, the undersigned, Harrisonburg, and surrounding residents and/or property owners, respectfully petition that Harrisonburg City does not approve the joint venture proposal between the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority and EquityPlus to construct an 873-unit mix-use town center located off Garber’s Church Road and Erickson Avenue, Harrisonburg for the following reasons: 

1. The current proposal does not consider the increased number of residents, many will be K-12 students, which will require more schools and more educational resources (i.e., faculty, supplies, administration). This outcome leads to a lack of data and transparency to support the potential for tax increases (example: as of July 2022, real estate taxes will have increased by $0.31 since 2005, the main reason for this increase was the development of 5 new schools not including relocation of Harrisonburg High School and the current development of Rocktown High School). 

2. The current proposal does not consider the strain that so many more homes and vehicles will place on expensive city resources, especially emergency services.

3. The current proposal does not consider the increased street traffic, traffic patterns, and traffic resources that this complex would cause. Additionally, the proposed complex is in very close proximity to Bluestone Elementary and Harrisonburg High Schools.  As such the increased traffic on Garber's Church Road will create hazardous conditions for pedestrians and decrease the walkability for families and students.   

4. The current proposal does not consider Harrisonburg’s infrastructure. There was no data presented that showed that Harrisonburg can handle this amount of rapid growth in the affordable housing sector, nor Harrisonburg’s economy that can attract and create the jobs needed to make this fiscally viable. This includes the aforementioned points.  

5. The 84 acres proposed for the complex sustains acres of mature trees (which disturbed would take several decades to mitigate), a Cook Creek Church of the Brethren cemetery (which will be fenced around), and will be built next to one of the only confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) in Harrisonburg.

6. The current proposal as understood, does not consider the proximity to the CAFO. CAFOs have a direct impact on the human health and welfare of communities close to these operations. Human health can suffer because of contaminated air and degraded water quality, or from diseases spread from farms. 

Friendly city residents and surrounding communities you have a voice. With your help, we can protect our beautiful landscape from “big city-like” complexes that threaten our roadways, schools, health, and taxes. Due to the lack of supporting data, please consider signing this petition in support and contacting Council members to ask them for their support. 

Mayor Deanna Reed, Deanna.Reed@harrisonburgva.gov 

Vice Mayor Sal Romero, Sal.Romero@harrisonburgva.gov 

Laura Dent, Laura.Dent@HarrisonburgVA.gov 

Chris Jones, Christopher.Jones@harrisonburgva.gov 

Richard Baugh, Richard.Baugh@harrisonburgva.gov 

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