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March 9, 2004
HOTFORCE Request:
Required Changes to the Hemlock Overlook General Management Plan and Operations Plan
- We have laid out our current concerns in a paper dated December 8, 2003 and provided to NVRPA.
- HOTFORCE would like NVRPA to acknowledge the issues outlined in that paper and agree to resolve them.
Actions that HOTFORCE would like to see:
- The General Management Plan (GMP) and Operations Plan (OP) to explicitly recognize that the Hemlock Overlook Park (HOP) is an integral part of the neighboring communities and they will work hand-in-hand with the community in all planning and operation of the park.
- The mission and purpose of HOP to be explicitly stated as providing “outdoor experiential learning opportunities principally for the youth of Northern Virginia.”
- The GMP and OP to explicitly recognize the limitations on development in the Occoquon Watershed, including the downzoning and the Resource Protection Areas. There are legal restrictions on the use of this land and those restrictions apply to NVRPA, George Mason University (GMU), as well as residents of the area.
- Recognition in the GMP and OP that Fairfax County has recently established a new R-C District zoning “Residential Distgrict regulations, Part C 3-C00 R-C Residential-Conservation District.” (see below for the exact wording of this new regulation).
- The NVRPA to agree that any future growth or development of Hemlock will adhere to the principal of “Proportionate Impact” on the community. The programs at the park should not have a more adverse impact on the environment in the community than the residences permitted to be built here.
- The NVRPA to agree to coordinate any future growth or development plans with the community in advance of any actions to implement same.
- The NVRPA to establish a ceiling of utilization of the park, both on a daily and annual basis (with reasonable exceptions on a limited number of days a year for special events).
- The NVRPA to exercise increased supervision of the programs that GMU conducts either on-site or off-site under the umbrella of HOP Outdoor Education Center or similar names.
- NVRFPA and GMU to coordinate with the community any changes in the programs at Hemlock that would change the impacts on the community.
- NVRPA and GMU to continue to restrict use of large buses (tour or school) in excess of 40 passengers on the roads approaching HOP.
- Any and all plans for significant development, construction, enlargement, of programs, facilities, or structures on HOP should be preceded by appropriate impact studies and assessments on the community and on the park itself.
- An outside organization to make an immediate impact study of HOP to make sure the “fragile nature” (NVRPA characterization) of the park is not being damaged or destroyed by over utilization.
- NVRPA to create a relationship with appropriate historical groups or activities to identify and protect Civil War relics or remains at HOP.
HOTFORCE will continue to work closely with NVRPA and GMU in support of the programs currently being conducted at HOP, and will work constructively with both organizations on any future change in programs, plans for any construction or development.
“Residential District Regulations, Part C 300 R-C Residential-Conservation District”
3-C01 Purpose and Intent