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Habitat, neighbors at odds over Sterling Court
Habitat, neighbors at odds over Sterling Court
By Bill Walsh
Times-Democrat Staff Writer
Some members of the Edgemont community grew edgy when bulldozers arrived to begin clearing the heavily wooded lot for Fauquier Habitat for Humanity's Sterling Court project. The resultant clear-cutting of the neighboring hillside plot has pushed many of the 58 Warrenton homeowners over the edge.
They accuse the Christian housing ministry of duplicity, insisting that Habitat officials presented one plan to surrounding homeowners at a meeting in a local Presbyterian church when the project was first being proposed, then pushing a greatly modified plan through the Town of Warrenton's approval process.
The half-dozen Edgemont subdivision homeowners who met with the Times-Democrat last week insist that their unhappiness with the way the project is proceeding has nothing whatever to do with low- and moderate-income families moving into proximity.
"I've done Habitat work before, I believe in its mission, and I thought that they would do a great job," Edgemont resident Betsy Ussery said. "But when I saw the devastation to the environment...I got upset."
A contractor started excavating the hillside site where Habitat is planning seven duplexes adjacent to Edgemont and Breezewood, just off Walker Drive, late last month.
Removing trees right to the edge of the property is a particular sore spot.
"At no point were we ever told that the mature trees would come down," Amy Boyle insisted. "I walked through here with a Habitat representative, and he kept saying, 'Well, this tree would stay and this tree would stay.' There was never any discussion of that they were going to take down everything, then plant new trees."
What homeowners saw in that Presbyterian church presentation several years ago, town Planning Director Chris Mothershead said, was a concept plan, and, indeed, Habitat submitted site plans to the town planning department closely based on the concept the organization had originally developed.
But aspects of that plan would not work on a steep hillside that, all sides agree, presents significant construction challenges.
And Mothershead said that while homeowners were assured of a tree-lined buffer between Edgemont and Sterling Court — as is required by town ordinance — they were never told that the buffer would be comprised of existing trees.
"We had no way of promising them that the trees would be saved," he said. "We said that, ultimately, there would be a retained and protected 25-foot buffer to screen their property. There will be a direct, positive screening all across the back."
See the Sept. 17 Times-Democrat for the complete story.
Upset Edgemont owners should stop for a minute to think about what their own subdivision looked like before their developer came in to build their half-million dollar plus homes. The pot is really calling the kettle black here when you step back to look at what is going on. I’m sure the Edgemont Subdivision had beautiful mature hardwoods all over the hillside before construction started based on what the surrounding areas look like.
It is really too bad that the Edgemont homeowners feel they were mislead. Site Plans and Subdivision Plans in the Town of Warrenton and Fauquier County are all public record during the entire approval process. At any time, concerned Edgemont residents could have driven less than a mile to the Town Offices to check in on the plans. It is too bad these people feel they have the right to be upset when it was their own ignorance that got them into this situation. It is easy enough to see that the Habitat for Humanity property was there long before the Edgemont Subdivision was started. Due diligence and common sense would have made it clear to the potential Edgemont homeowners what was going to happen on that property long before they purchased their properties. In today’s world the only person who has your back is you, not your realtor, not the developer, not the Town, not Habitat for Humanity but you.
Did anyone make a fuss when the Town of Warrenton clear-cut the trees on the property next to the Habitat site and also behind the Edgemont Subdivision for a ball field? Probably not.
I have a hard time believing that this whole thing isn’t about the new neighbors moving in. Consider this, Edgemont homeowners are concerned that they don’t have a 25’ existing mature tree buffer between their large backyards and the Habitat subdivision. On the flip side, they did not seem to have any issues buying a house that is sandwiched so closely between two houses that they can clearly look into their neighbors' windows. Hmm.
Dear Habitat families, you have great neighbors that believe in the Habitat mission and have even helped build houses in the past…oh, but one small thing, they just don't want your house in their own backyard. Welcome home Habitat families, welcome home.
Dear Edgemont families, on the bright side, you should be happy that you aren’t getting a day-glow Harris Teeter shopping center in your backyards. They knocked down big trees over there too and View Circle doesn’t have such a nice view anymore. At least Edgemont homes will be next to great looking Habitat homes with great families living in them.
Posted by WrtnRes
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Agreed, WrtnRes.
How many of the Edgemont people, I wonder, are on an "environmental" crusade elsewhere?
Sure, seeing trees get torn down out your back door must be upsetting, but Habitat owned this property before Edgemont was a glimmer in anyone's eye. This is the way the world works people. If we are going to tear down trees, let's do it to provide homes for families in need. Perhaps we can leave more standing instead of putting up more million dollar, Monopoly board neighborhoods.
These families have been waiting upwards of 3 or 4 years to get these homes.
Trees grow, so let's let these families grow too. A sense of stability and safe roof over your head...that cannot be replaced.
Chill out Edgemont, the construction will be over before you know it. Go get a cup of Starbucks and leave Habitat alone.
Posted by CajunRose
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Edgemont is a good group of families who love their neighborhood and enjoy the surroundings The comments implying that they are ignorant, are absurd. The feeble attempts at characterizing them as yuppie Starbucks drinking elitists is another wild, unconscious rambling. It says a great deal about the true agendas.
I hope that these families have a new beginning and find nothing but happiness in these homes. I hope they have great pride in their home, just as the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s an incredible opportunity for those who have experienced hard times and need a hand. Are they accountable for their property?
You see, I believe in goodwill and love thy neighbor, but I also believe in responsibility and accountability – and yes, I am worried about more than trees. I do care about my home’s value. I represent a majority of folks out there who work hard to give their families a great place to live and be proud of. While some have their difficulties understanding the concept of pride – tough. It’s my right to want things looking nice, my pursuit of happiness. If unmanaged, HFH housing becomes a problem vs. a good solution for those in need. Neighboring homes suffer extreme home depreciation. We have a right to be very concerned.
‘They should have known better’ is a bizarre thought. What is implied by this remark is a symbol of all things wrong and deceitful with people today. The idea is basically saying we should approach all relationships with immediate mistrust. One would think that HFH, such a giving, honest organization, would have been above board with the surrounding neighborhoods.
I don't believe that folks should have to hire lawyers, read the legal docs to figure things out after you have talked with them already - honesty. Shouldn’t HFH want to do what is right for everyone. The impression is that HFH is “playing a game” on Edgemont homeowners.
It is easy to take shot at the “half million dollar homeowners”. Demonizing Edgemont and taking the high road, makes folks feel really good – like they have done some sort of weird act of goodness. I see more hate in the thoughts above vs. kindness or legitimacy. The true agendas are evident of those who are critics of the Edgemont's outcry. If it was your backyard, the tone would change magically.
The empty attempts to make HFH in this case, some sort of angelic organization, immune from responsibility demonstrates a true lack of situational understanding. Worse, the mindless spouting of PC rhetoric / spin is transparent, as are the motives from above. Spare us the weak shots at folks living in Edgemont – you don’t know one of them.
Posted by Falcon23
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