Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan (GWAP)

History

In September 2013, the Board of Supervisors, Economic Development Authority, and Planning Commission created the Route 3 Strategic Visioning Initiative Steering Committee, now known as the Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan Steering Committee, and appointed two (2) of their respective members to serve as representatives on the Committee. The Committee outlined specific goals and objectives in early January 2014, and retained Spectrum Growth Solutions, LLC, of Richmond, Virginia to conduct and facilitate a planning charette. The charette engaged private sector developers, financial analysts, and engineers, in late March 2014. From June 2014 until November 2014, the Steering Committee drafted a working draft document entitled the Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan (GWAP).

The Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan is a long-term growth management plan for the next fifty (50) years that creates the atmosphere for a competitive local economy; plans for adequate and appropriate public facilities and services; promotes and protects local historic and environmental assets; and, guides public and private investments to create an attractive and livable community.

The Steering Committee initiated a public comment and review period for the working draft of the Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan (GWAP). The Plan was subdivided into eight (8) subareas, each of which represented unique characteristics in existing land uses; natural, cultural, and historic features; infrastructure; and economic development.

The written public comment period begin December 9, 2014 and concluded on January 2, 2015. The Steering Committee then reviewed and discussed the comments received and, by consensus, made modifications to the draft document based on the public input, as deemed appropriate. Upon completion of the public comment and review process, the Board of Supervisors, Economic Development Authority, and Planning Commission received the Steering Committee's recommended draft plan. The Plan was then reviewed and formally adopted as part of the Orange County Comprehensive Plan.

Learn more about the history of the Visioning Initiative and the Steering Committee.

Adoption of the Plan

On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, the Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing in order to adopt amendments to the 2013 Comprehensive Plan to incorporate the Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan. The Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan was formally adopted at that time, and was incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

Learn more about the Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan, adopted in the 2013 Comprehensive Plan, amended on July 14, 2015.

Historic and Cultural Assets Inventory

Among other recommendations related to planning and zoning, transportation, economic development, and utilities, the GWAP recommended the development and implementation of a Historic and Cultural Assets Inventory for the properties contained in the boundaries of the Germanna-Wilderness Area.

The County engaged with Zann Nelson, Owner of History Quest, to develop an inventory "matrix" of the various historic and cultural assets located in the Germanna-Wilderness Area boundaries. The work included the following phases: Phase 1: Prepare the Matrix; Phase 2: Populate the Matrix; and Phase 3: Analyze and Present the Findings. The Cultural Resource Inventory Map, dated April 2012, from the Wilderness Battlefield Gateway Study was referenced as a starting point for the work.

Zann Nelson presented the results of her work, including the final matrix, conclusions, and recommendations in a presentation to the Board of Supervisors on November 9, 2016.

For more information, view the Historic and Cultural Assets Inventory Matrix.

Economic Development Incentive Policy

View the Orange County Economic Development Incentive Policy, which was reviewed by the GWAP Steering Committee before being formally adopted by the Economic Development Authority and the Board of Supervisors.

GWAP Town Hall Meeting

The County of Orange and the Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan (GWAP) Steering Committee hosted a Town Hall Meeting presentation on Thursday, June 29, 2017 to provide an opportunity to update the community on its work to-date to advance the goals of the GWAP. Topics covered included: economic development; historic and cultural assets; overlay and planned development districts; master utility plan; and transportation.

For more information, view the content of the presenter's display boards .

Route 3 Arterial Management Plan

October 26, 2017

The Virginia Department of Transportation's consultant, Michael Baker International, conducted a Town Hall Meeting presentation on the Route 3 Arterial Management Plan on Thursday, October 26, 2017. The meeting provided a review of the work completed by Michael Baker to-date and gave an opportunity for attendees to learn more and share input regarding the future transportation plans for the Route 3 corridor.

For more information, view the content of the presenter's display boards.

September 5, 2018

Michael Baker International, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation and the County of Orange, hosted another Town Hall Meeting on the Route 3 Arterial Management Plan on Wednesday, September 5, 2018. The meeting provided a review of the proposed recommendations as a result of the study performed by the firm. Meeting attendees were given an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback on the recommendations and findings. The draft plan is currently being finalized and more information will be forthcoming.

For more information, view the content of the presenter's display boards.

Water and Wastewater Master Plan

The County partnered with Wiley|Wilson and Draper Aden Associates to develop a Water and Wastewater Master Plan for the Germanna-Wilderness Area. The purpose of the Master Plan was to examine the existing water and wastewater infrastructure that serves the Germanna-Wilderness Area and to develop a utilities roadmap that would enable County leaders to make critical decisions regarding the water and wastewater utilities to serve the development area over the short-term as well as into the future.

Vview the Water and Wastewater Master Plan.

For More Information

For more information on the Germanna-Wilderness Area Plan, please contact the County Administrator's Office at (540) 672-3313.