Silver Lake in the News
Board of County Supervisors list agenda for June 2
Gainesville Times; June 1 2009
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, June 2, at 2 p.m. in the Board Chamber of the James J. McCoart Administration Building.At the 2 p.m. meeting, the board will consider Silver Lake…
County board opts for $1.21 tax rate
Gainesville Times; April 22 2009
They also considered putting in $100,000 for additional security at the Silver Lake park site in Haymarket. “There are still issues with the land out there that are associated with vandalism and security,” said Brentsville Supervisor Wally Covington (R). “It's kept Public Works hopping and jumping.” However, the board is going to take up the Silver Lake issue in general on May 19 so a decision about security and funding has been postponed until then.
PW slashes building plans
Gainesville Times; December 19 2008
Silver Lake Park in Haymarket will get a little more money, but not much. Gerhart has recommended using $350,000 in proffer funds for security at the park. “It's far too important an asset to leave it just at the hands of those who might wander in from time to time,” he said.
BRMC pulls Silver Lake proposal
Gainesville Times; Otober 21 2008
After years of wrangling with the Board of County Supervisors and the Prince William Park Authority, the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy has officially pulled its proposal to take control of Silver Lake in Haymarket.
No settlement likely over Silver Lake
Gainesville Times; September 30 2008
For just one day, Park Authority and Bull Run Mountains Conservancy members and volunteers put aside their differences over which group should gain control over Silver Lake in Haymarket. Last Saturday, the two groups joined forces to clean up the area.
Partnership proposed for Silver Lake Park; obstacles remain
Washington Examiner; April 12 2008
A prized new public park has been dormant for nearly two years as Prince William County leaders Gainesville. A meeting this week set to answer the nearly two-year debate over how to best manage Silver Lake Park instead further complicated things when supervisors remained deadlocked over the best solution.
Board rejects Park Authority, BRMC on Silver Lake
Gainesville Times; April 9 2008
On Tuesday night, the Board of County Supervisors rejected competing proposals from both the Park Authority and the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy that would have allowed one of them to acquire the pristine 233-acre Silver Lake property in Haymarket.
Prince William supervisors struggle to manage their ‘jewel,’ Silver Lake Park
Washington Examiner; April 8 2008
Ever since the Dominion Valley developers gave the county the land for the park in Gainesville nearly two years ago as part of a deal to build new homes, park leaders and politicians have been debating how best to manage the property.
Silver Lake hearing is Tuesday
Gainesville Times; April 4 2008
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors will meet on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at 2 p.m. in the Board Chambers of the James J. McCoart Administration Building. … The Board will also hold a public hearing regarding the conveyance of County-owned property known as the Silver Lake Property, located in the Gainesville Magisterial District.
Board of County Supervisors to hold joint meeting with Park Authority Board
Gainesville Times; February 21 2008
The Board of County Supervisors will hold a joint meeting with the Park Authority Board on Monday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the James J. McCoart Administration Center at the Development Services Building, Room 107A, 5 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, Virginia.The agenda for the meeting includes … Silver Lake Regional Park…
Clarification
Gainesville Times; November 1 2008
In the Oct. 19 issue of "The Gainesville Times," an article on Silver Lake indicated that Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart wants the property to be given to the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy. Stewart clarified this week that while he is supportive of the BRMC and is not discounting the group because it is a private entity, he has not yet made a final decision.
Stewart, Pandak differ on Silver Lake park
Gainesville Times; October 17 2007
There wasn't a whole lot of difference between the two candidates on Monday when Republican Corey Stewart and Democrat Sharon Pandak faced off on environmental issues as they race for the chairman's seat on the Prince William Board of County Supervisors . … When asked whether the county should engage in partnerships with groups like the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, Stewart said he wants the conservancy to take over the park, while Pandak said she wants the county Park Authority to manage the park using the conservancy's plan.
Board puts off Silver Lake decision
Gainesville Times; September 19 2007
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors has decided to delay a vote on which park organization will get Silver Lake in Haymarket. Supervisors had been planning to make a decision on Tuesday, and a staff report had recommended that the Prince William Park Authority be given the Haymarket site, which includes more than 230 acres of pristine lake property surrounded by trees and mountains. However, a last-minute public outcry, coupled with the fact that some supervisors were unsure of their position, led the board to delay a vote until mid-November, allowing time for more citizen input and for the organizations to answer key questions. Based on supervisors' reactions, however, it appears as though the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is out of the running and that the Silver Lake park will be given either to the Prince William Park Authority or to the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy.
Silver Lake ownership still open
Potomac News; September 20 2007
… If the county deeded the recreation area to the conservancy, the conservancy could get the place up and running without any county money … According to the study, the county would have to pay the regional authority about $1.66 million annually to be a member. In exchange the regional authority would leverage the contribution to borrow $7 to $10 million over the next 10 to 15 years to buy land and develop parks in Prince William County . If the Prince William Park authority gets control of the recreation area, it would cost the county $215,000 annually from the county's general fund and $1.6 million worth of proffered money to get the place running.
Everybody wants a piece of the Silver Lake land
Potomac News; July 28 2007
…The Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, the Prince William Park Authority and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority each want to put some kind of park there. … Of the 318 acres, 45 will be set aside for the Rainbow Equestrian Center , which provides therapeutic riding to people with special needs. A middle school will occupy another 40 acres. The remaining 233 acres will be for public use.
Silver Lake park review gets under way
Gainesville Times; June 23 2007
Staffers in Prince William are preparing to hear three competing proposals from groups that want to take over and manage the Silver Lake property in Haymarket.
Silver Lake park review gets under way
Gainesville Times; June 13 2007
Staffers in Prince William are preparing to hear three competing proposals from groups that want to take over and manage the Silver Lake property in Haymarket.
According to Assistant County Executive Susan Roltsch, the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and Prince William County Park Authority are all seeking rights to the 233-acre park site. Over the next few months, county staffers and officials will decide which, if any, of the groups will manage the park.
Silver Lake property transfer brings hosts of issues for PW residents
Gainesville Times; January 3 2007
One mile down a gravel dirt road to the east of Antioch Road in Haymarket, Prince William County's past, present and future came to life last Thursday as scores of area residents gathered at Silver Lake to be a part of something more than just a land dedication.
Silver Lake site proffered to county
Keith Walker, Potomac News; December 22, 2006
Toll Brothers deeded the Silver Lake property to the county in a short ceremony Thursday at the 318-acre site off Antioch Road. The developer, which originally planned to build 31 houses around the lake, bowed to public pressure in July and proffered the lake and surrounding land to the county in exchange for an additional 420 homes in Dominion Valley off U.S. 15 north of Interstate 66.
Silver Lake property transfer brings hosts of issues for PW residents
Gainesville Times; December 26 2006
One mile down a gravel dirt road to the east of Antioch Road in Haymarket, Prince William County 's past, present and future came to life last Thursday as scores of area residents gathered at Silver Lake to be a part of something more than just a land dedication. While representatives from Toll Brothers and the county government were on hand to commemorate the developer's transfer of 318 acres to the county, concerned citizens and groups had something else on their collective mind: Dominion Power's proposed power line.
Silver Lake site proffered to county
Potomac News; December 22 2006
Toll Brothers deeded the Silver Lake property to the county in a short ceremony Thursday at the 318-acre site off Antioch Road. The developer, which originally planned to build 31 houses around the lake, bowed to public pressure in July and proffered the lake and surrounding land to the county in exchange for an additional 420 homes in Dominion Valley off U.S. 15 north of Interstate 66.
Bull Run Mountains Conservancy tries to ease qualms about Silver Lake acquisition
Gainesville Times; September 8 2006
As officials with the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy work to acquire the Silver Lake property in Haymarket, allaying public concerns is at the top of their agenda.
The Plains: Better late than never ...
Gainesville Times; August 30 2006
The Bull Run Mountain Conservancy is holding a public meeting at Alvey Elementary School in Prince William County from 7:30-10 p.m. Aug. 24.
Board OKs Silver Lake development
Gainesville Times; July 21 2006
The Silver Lake development proposal at Dominion Valley was approved unanimously on Tuesday, after a lengthy public hearing in which residents lined up to praise developer Toll Brothers. Gainesville Times
New park in western Prince William could be 500 acres
Washington Examiner; July 13 2006
The Prince William County Board of Supervisors approved adding some 400 homes to the Dominion Valley development in return for getting more than 300 acres surrounding Silver Lake from the developers, Toll Brothers. Supervisors unanimously approved the Toll Brothers proposal late Tuesday night. The developers had previously offered about 174 acres but the offer was changed days before the meeting to 300 acres with the possibility of handing the majority of that 300 acres to a nonprofit. Toll Brothers had named both the Nokesville Horse Association and Bull Run Mountain Conservancy as possible nonprofits to run the land.
Deal With Developer Yields a Preserve; 233 Acres Part of Offer Approved by Board
Washington Post; July 13 2006
...The board voted unanimously to approve the request by Toll Brothers Inc., one of the country's largest builders, to rezone a parcel from agricultural to planned residential, which would allow 420 single-family houses to be built in the Dominion Valley Country Club development in Haymarket. ... As part of the rezoning request, Toll Brothers made a number of offers to the county, including donating 233 acres of green and rolling land adjacent to Dominion Valley. The county could turn the land over to a nonprofit group -- possibly the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy or the Nokesville Horse Society -- that would manage it.
Silver Lake to become conservatory
Washington Examiner; July 10 2006
Toll Brothers has plans to donate more than 280 acres of open space to Prince William County in return for approval of some 400 new homes in a 2,800-home community. County supervisors delayed a vote last month on the Toll Brothers application to expand its Dominion Valley gated community off Route 15 due to environmental and traffic concerns. In response to the community's concerns, the developers said they would donate 282 acres surrounding Silver Lake to the county for a school, nature conservancy and a therapeutic horseback riding facility, according to a letter from Michael Lubeley, a Toll Brothers attorney.
Bull Run Mountain Conservancy Prepared to Double Size of Silver Lake
Bull Run Mountain Conservancy Press Release; July 8, 2006
Prince William County now has the opportunity to create a 500 acre natural recreation area for the citizens of the county. As part of the Toll Brothers proffer package for the Dominion Valley rezoning, 233 acres surrounding Silver Lake will become available for parks and recreation, which may be operated by the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC). The owner of an adjoining 268 acre parcel has generously offered to give that land for the natural recreation area, more than doubling its size to just over 500 acres, provided that BRMC will own and manage the combined land area. The Conservancy intends to own this land in trust for the general public—in a manner similar to that of the Nature Conservancy and the Civil War Preservation Trust. BRMC looks forward to working with Prince William County and the local community to create this exceptional 500-acre facility.
County, Toll Brothers agree
Potomac News; July 8, 2006
...The company [Toll Brothers] has agreed to forego building nine houses at Silver Lake, off Antioch Road near Haymarket. Furthermore, Toll Brothers has agreed to transfer the 28-acre lake and the land surrounding it to the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, which will then open it to the public, said Prince William Chairman Sean T. Connaughton, R-at large.
Board delays vote on Silver Lake development
Gainesville Times; June 9, 2006
... The Dominion Valley rezoning case is essentially a trade. Developer Toll Brothers wants 420 more homes in the community, plus 595 more age-restricted homes. In exchange, they're offering the county a hefty schools and recreation package. Toll Brothers has proffered an elementary school site and a middle school site, plus Silver Lake, a soccer complex at Long Park, completion of the ball fields at Sudley Park, a soccer field on one of the school sites and a football practice field for Battlefield High School.
Quarry concerns Prince William supervisors
Washington Examiner; June 8 2006
Citing environmental and transportation concerns, the Prince William County Board of Supervisors voted this week to defer the proposed Toll Brothers rezoning application to add over 400 new homes to an already 2,800-home Dominion Valley Country Club in Haymarket. Supervisors and residents said there are potential environmental issues within the Culpeper Stone Co.'s former 73-acre quarry within the Silver Lake property off Antioch Road.
New deal in the works to preserve Silver Lake
Gainesville Times; July 6, 2006
When the Board of County Supervisors votes on the Silver Lake development issue next Tuesday, they'll be looking at a proposal to give the entire lakefront property to the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy. "We might have a really cool opportunity to provide a public recreation facility without the government having to pick up the tab," said a county official, speaking Wednesday on condition of anonymity. Under the new proposal, which is still in the final stages of negotiation, the county would get the lake and almost all of about 235 acres altogether. (The official said the county would likely keep 40 acres for a proffered school site and 40 acres for the Rainbow Riding Center's equestrian trails.) The county would then donate the lakefront property to the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, which will guarantee that within a year, it will open the area to the public and will maintain the site. The deal also includes public walking, biking and equestrian trails around the park and community.
Builders' proposal includes $2.3M toward recreational areas
Washington Examiner; June 5 2006
Silver Lake will remain a natural escape for Haymarket residents. A proposal by developer Toll Brothers to add 420 new homes to the Dominion Valley Country Club includes $2.3 million toward improving the lake and other recreational areas within Prince William County. ... Original plans called for closing the land off Antioch Road that contains Silver Lake and adding many more houses than the 12 on the current plans, said Supervisor John Stirrup, R-Gainesville. “The lake was such a resource for the western part of the county, it really isn't something that should be excluded from the public,” Stirrup said
Dominion Valley may grow to 3,270 homes
Washington Examiner; June 2 2006
Dominion Valley Country Club has applied to Prince William County to expand the 2,850-home development to a maximum of 3,270 homes. ... “I'm not ecstatic about adding 400 additional homes,” said Prince William County Supervisor John Stirrup, R-Gainesville, but he noted that increasing the amount of homes for older residents cuts down on vehicle trips and overloading the school system. “I looked at it and said, ‘To try to deliver the park improvements, the recreation improvements and two school sites now in 2006 rather than leave it to our own devices … we'd be years away from providing these constituent services,' ” Stirrup said.
Board delays vote on Silver Lake development
6/16/2006; Gainesville Times
After about three hours of reports, questions and public input, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors still couldn't decide what to do about the Dominion Valley rezoning.
Board votes Tuesday on Silver Lake plan
6/08/2006; Gainesville Times
The Board of County Supervisors is preparing to consider a major rezoning at Dominion Valley. On Tuesday, June 6, the board will decide whether to approve more homes for developer Toll Brothers in exchange for proffers that include two school sites and a lake. Gainesville Times
Campground closes next week; Silver Lake's future is unclear
Gainesville Times; July 22 2005
There are only a handful of weekend days left before Mountain View Campground at Silver Lake closes for good on July 31. Toll Brothers has placed a contract on the land, and has a complex set of plans for Silver Lake, with repercussions for Dominion Valley Country Club and the rest of Haymarket. ... Toll would split up the Silver Lake land. On the 122 acres on the northwest side of the lake, they would build 12 homes. ... Toll would shave off 40 acres for a middle school site for the county. And the remaining 155 acres would be returned to the county with the intent that it would go to the Park Authority. 
