Dispute Over Stream Delays Development
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Dispute Over Stream Delays Development

A proposal by Winchester Homes to rezone eight parcels in McLean has garnered the approval of the McLean Citizens Association (MCA), despite contention over a perennial spring on the land. MCA decided to support the project after eight issues were resolved by the company.

"We weren’t very happy with Winchester’s proposal when it first came in, but we’ve found they’ve been really delightful to work with," said MCA’s Sue Turner.

MCA support comes with "significant conditions," according to Turner. Chief among these are preservation of the historic resources on the site. "We had quite an argument with the developers and the county over whether it’s a perennial spring or not," Turner said.

A perennial spring is defined as one that runs throughout the year and not sporadically. Recently, perennial streams have taken on renewed importance because Fairfax County is a part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and the waters that run in this county eventually run into the Chesapeake.

The Burke's Spring stream, on the land being developed by Winchester Homes, was initially determined not to be perennial by county authorities. Some members of the community and the MCA found that determination flawed, especially since there is a historic springhouse foundation on the property that probably dates back to the 19th century, when the property was owned by the Burke family.

"The Board of Supervisors adopted a map that showed the spring is not perennial. Until we can convince the county it is, we can’t convince Winchester Homes," said MCA’s Adrienne Whyte.

Winchester Homes requested a deferral from the County Planning Commission on its planned hearing date so that the issue of the spring can be resolved. Nancy Hopkins, Dranesville District planning commissioner, requested the developer ask for the deferral because of the controversy over the spring.

Frank Crandall of MCA has spearheaded the charge to reclassify the spring and says he has collected evidence to prove it is perennial. "The county screwed up, and they screwed up big time. They are about to be nailed on it," said Crandall.

Conditions imposed by the MCA for approval include having the site marked and preserved as a historical resource and having the springhouse preserved. "We think it will be a feature of their development," said Turner. Winchester might have to lose a road or some development to achieve that goal but has been receptive to the idea.

"If they work through some of these problems reasonably, I think the outcome will be good," said Crandall.

The 21-acre parcel being discussed is on Great Falls Street between Kirby Road and Haycock Road. The development plan includes a mix of townhouses and detached dwellings ringing a village green area, with single-family homes providing a transition between the townhouses and the McLean Greens subdivision.