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Board approves voluntary settlement agreement that would move Arrington property into Warrenton; vote 4–1 amid requests for delay
Summary
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on Dec. 12 to execute a voluntary settlement agreement (VSA) with the Town of Warrenton and developer Van Meter to adjust boundary lines for the Arrington property; incoming town council members asked the board to postpone consideration but the board approved the agreement after discussion of sewer, proffers and environmental trade-offs.
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12 approved an ordinance authorizing execution of a voluntary settlement agreement (VSA) that would transfer the Arrington property from county to town jurisdiction and authorize the county attorney to petition the circuit court for judicial affirmation. The board approved the measure 4–1 after a public hearing that included comments from incoming Warrenton town council members asking for more time to review the agreement.
Staff explained the VSA is the final local step before submission to a three-judge panel appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court; the Commission on Local Governments previously found the agreement to be in the best interest of the Commonwealth. Planning staff distributed an updated PowerPoint and explained trade-offs associated with the property’s future development: whether it connects to town sewer (and becomes a town development) or remains on private wastewater systems under county jurisdiction.
Incoming town council members, introduced during the public hearing, requested postponement to allow the newly elected council (taking office Jan. 3) to review and work with the county on outstanding concerns. The developer’s counsel, John Foote, told the board that lengthy negotiations produced the current agreement, that the developer would not re‑negotiate terms if the board deferred the vote and warned that further delay could end the current negotiation. Van Meter’s counsel said the developer had already invested substantial time and would not remain engaged indefinitely if the board postponed.
Board members debated the merits and risks. Supporters pointed to negotiated proffers (including funds to support infrastructure such as a pump station), environmental protections agreed in the VSA, and the benefits of extending public sewer rather than relying on private wastewater for a development of this scale. Those favoring a delay cited the importance of maintaining a collaborative working relationship with the incoming town council and the nuance of allowing the new council to weigh in on the deal.
After deliberation the board approved the ordinance authorizing execution of the VSA and authorization to petition the circuit court; the motion carried 4–1 with Supervisor 19 recorded as the sole nay.
