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Resident voices water, traffic and safety concerns over Simply Shenandoah expansion
Summary
A resident presenter urged the Board to require updated hydrological and sewage studies, a developer bond for road repairs, and limits on burning, arguing existing data is out of date and that the project would substantially increase density and calls for emergency services.
Colonel Kowis delivered a public presentation titled "Community Opposition to the expansion of Simply Shenandoah SUP Amendment Request," summarizing neighborhood concerns about the project's scale, water use and traffic. He said he found "a lot of conflicting information available through media and news sources" and recommended updated impact studies, a developer bond to cover road damage from heavy construction traffic, and a prohibition on large-scale industrial burning on-site.
Colonel Kowis asserted that, based on his review, a 133% increase in density compared with the 2019 baseline exceeds local thresholds and that local wells could be stressed; he proposed a tier-3 hydrological study and related sewage-impact assessments. He also said the project could substantially increase calls for emergency services in the Star Tannery area. Vice Chairman Dennis Morris and Chairman Tim Taylor suggested convening interested parties (including county staff, VDOT and the developer) to discuss concerns and data sources; Morris encouraged Colonel Kowis to meet with planning staff and the developer to obtain more detailed information.
The Board thanked Colonel Kowis for the presentation and Vice Chairman Morris said he would follow up to arrange a meeting of the relevant stakeholders. The Board did not take any immediate regulatory action at the meeting; the item was presented during the Special Presentations portion of the agenda.
