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County staff to draft updates to PDR code to make purchase‑of‑development‑rights program operational
Summary
The Board authorized staff to initiate amendments to the county code to implement the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program, clarifying outdated references and expanding the advisory committee’s role; staff said current funding is limited and that the county is coordinating with Marine Corps Base Quantico on joint preservation options.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Oct. 7 to allow county staff to initiate amendments to the county code to make the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program operational.
Public Works Director Katab Shamut told the board the code changes will correct references to land‑use terms that no longer exist in the comprehensive plan and expand the role of the PDR advisory committee. "We're looking at this to really expand onto the role of that committee when we finalize our work," Shamut said, explaining the committee would do more than outreach and advertising and instead help refine selection criteria and implementation details.
Shamut said staff also is meeting with Marine Corps Base Quantico about combining the county’s PDR resources with the base’s REPI (readiness and environmental protection initiative)‑like funds to leverage a larger pool for land‑protection purchases. The base, staff indicated, has substantially greater funding and legal tools aimed at protecting buffers around the installation.
Funding and next steps County staff said the county’s current PDR appropriation is modest—on the order of about $1 million in FY 2024—and that any program also requires an appraisal process and clearly defined criteria to prioritize large, contiguous parcels that offer conservation value. Supervisors expressed interest in pursuing eventual dedicated or recurring funding to build a functional PDR program.
The board’s initiation gives staff direction to prepare code amendments and a scope for the advisory committee’s expanded role; staff will return to the board with proposed language and implementation options.
Ending If the board approves the code changes after staff returns with drafts, the county would have authority to begin using PDR as a tool to preserve agricultural and environmentally sensitive lands, subject to available funding and appraisal by qualified professionals.
