Manassas Journal Messenger | Shopping center OK’d for Hoadly

Hoadly Road Retail Center will be one of the first neighborhood shopping centers in the Prince William County to have “natural surface” paths snaking through its parking lot instead of painted pedestrian walkways.

The design team for Regency Centers and J. Donegan, the development partners, considered the effects of impervious surfaces on surrounding properties as they drew plans for more than 100,000-square-feet of retail space.

Taylor Chess, vice president of investment for Regency Centers, said the retail tenants will likely mimic existing Regency shopping centers in the county, such as Cheshire Station at Dale Boulevard and Minnieville Road.

The architecture and tenants will look like those at Somerset Crossing in Gainesville on Va. 29, he said.

To reduce the amount of storm water runoff from the center’s parking lot, Pete Dolan, the developer’s attorney, said the pedestrian trails would not be asphalt.

Designers haven’t decided whether to use bark or other materials, but the trails, which will connect to neighboring subdivisions, reflect low-impact development themes that are slowly surfacing throughout the county, said Dolan.

Some neighbors to the project, which was approved 7-1 by the Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday, said the developer used resident suggestions in their plans.

And for that, the Lost Creek Court residents submitted a letter of support for Hoadly Road Retail Center.

Supervisor Corey A. Stewart, R-Occoquan, voted against the project, criticizing the transportation design.

“Another location should be evaluated further away from the [Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road] intersection,” Stewart said.

Michael High, who lives down Hoadly Road, suggested the supervisors should turn down the proposal, which would add to an established list of traffic lights on Hoadly.

“Hoadly Road is my only savior from the concrete metropolis of my commute,” High said. “Today I can put my cruise control on. Tomorrow, forget it. We’re going to have another Prince William Parkway.”

He said approval of this and other plans on Hoadly will add 10 minutes to his drive no matter where he goes.

Supervisor Marty E. Nohe, R-Coles, voted for the project.

He said the shopping center in his district would serve Hoadly Road and Dale City residents, who wouldn’t have to drive on the parkway to go grocery shopping any more.