Public comment favors proposed Carmel Church Station By Gary Spina
Public sentiment ran strongly in favor of the proposed Carmel Church Station project at the Planning Commission’s January 20 meeting. Sandra Stevens, former chairperson of the Sub-Area Planning Commission said, “The developers asked us – they did not tell us – how we would like to use the land."
She added, "We want Caroline County to maintain its beauty and charm, but we don’t want to leave our young people out as they look for work.”
Litt and Tommy Thompson of Virginia Land Investments, Richmond, own the 1,059-acre site that stretches from Rogers Clark Boulevard at Carmel Church to the North Anna Rivers, bordering Interstate 95.
Dan Slone of McGuire Woods presented an overview showing the proposed train station and the industrial, retail, and residential areas with an elementary school and library.
Slone also said there were plans for a regional park along the North Anna River, a possible future hospital, and a possible university.
As previously reported by The Caroline Progress, both a VDOT and a Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation study indicated Carmel Church as a future site for a rail station.
Carmel Church is the only new station proposed in the statewide rail plan and its funding would come from private sources and grants. Addressing the availability of water, Slone said the project will utilize “an aggressive program of water efficiency” by recapturing rainwater and reusing waste water.
He said there will be no water capacity problems and that the only issue will be which water source is best for Caroline County. “We are within the parameters of available (water) capacity,” Slone said. William Beale, president of Union Bank and Trust, praised the project. He said it would provide homes for the 200 employees at nearby Union Bankshares Operations Center.
Presently, many live outside the county. Speaking in opposition was Cleve Robeson, and later Matthew West. Robeson spoke of the other projects that lay unfinished in the area. “Why more?” he asked.
And West told the Commission, “I haven’t heard anything that would accommodate low income people. And nothing for Section 8 (housing).” Slone assured the Commission, “We have a bottom-line commitment to affordability.”
He spoke of a “full range of housing” and stated that “five percent of our product will be at a level a school teacher or a deputy could afford.” Commissioner M. Raymond Piland, III asked, “What happens if the project gets started and you don’t get your train station?” “If we begin, and we build it,” Slone answered, “there will be a rail station.
It’s just a question of when, not if.” Commissioner Walter “Pete” Davis noted, “A number of things need to be cleared up,” citing traffic, VDOT, funding, schools, and emergency services.
“This project is going to have significant impact,” he said. “We want to make sure we dot every i and cross every t.” Further discussion was scheduled for the February work session.
