Done Deal for Doughoregan?

Last night the County Council held a work session on the proposed Doughoregan Manor development program. According to this story by Larry Carson in The Sun, the Carroll family appears to have the support of every key county department.

Department of Public Works:

“County public works director James Irvin said the county's wastewater treatment plant at Savage will have enough capacity to handle sewage from Doughoregan and other nearby homes that would share the utility pipes, but that's not good enough given tightening state and federal regulations for protecting the Chesapeake Bay from nitrogen and pollution."

We don't have a margin for error," he said. "It takes away from our cushion. We don't have a lot of excess capacity to play with," he said, despite a $100 million plant expansion now underway. Still, Irvin said the homes planned would produce far less waste than the 2,000 units once proposed on the same land as an Erickson Retirement Community.”

Board of Education:

“School planner Joel Gallihue said new students from Doughoregan would be placed in schools to the west that have capacity, not Centennial Lane Elementary, and the county owns a site for a possible new middle school if one is needed. Room is available at Marriott's Ridge High School for older students, though no new homes will likely be ready until 2014.”

Fire Department:

“Fire Chief William Goddard said recent council approval of a bill requiring residential sprinklers for all new homes eased his worries about fire protection. Ambulances would have no problem getting to the homes, he said."I am very comfortable with this project," he said.”

Environment:

“Ned Tillman, the citizen chairman of the county's Sustainability Commission said clustering homes in one area is sound environmentally, and would not harm streams in the northeastern area of Doughoregan.”

Parks and Recreation:

County parks director John Byrd said more playing fields would be welcome at Kiwanis-Wallas Park…”

At this point I’d have to say that approval of the Carroll’s plans is a done deal.