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When I moved to Prince William County in 1967 with my wife and newborn, Pageland Lane was a gravel road. I could not imagine the change the next 54 years would bring. I thought it was wonderful and hoped it would never change!
In the mid-1980s, I was an elected member of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. I did my best to help Prince William retain its rural/farming character. The pressure to develop was enormous. The Washington, D.C. area was growing jobs, but not all could afford to live in Fairfax; cheaper land was in great demand. That pressure increases today.
Areas I never thought would sustain high-density housing are now fully developed. The pressure on the rural areas has not let up.
The suggested data center initiative makes the most sense for this area. Prince William County is not going to stop its residential growth. Pageland Lane has been ripe for such development for many years. It is a matter of when, not “if” it will be developed.
Prince William citizens are being given a gift. The county has an alternative to residential development. This is the opportunity to create a positive net revenue generator while retaining some of the rural character.
I recommend that the board of county supervisors and planning commission approve the proposed PW Digital Gateway.
Tony Guiffré
Haymarket
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