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Beaverdam Reservoir

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by Oli, Jun 13, 2009.

  1. Oli

    Oli New Member

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    I heard that Mount Hope Road may become closed in the near future so that Mount Hope Church can expand on both sides of the road. Does anyone else have any more information? I aleays thought that it was a public road. Too bad, the kids and their friends use that road to go fishing and kayaking.

    Oli
     
  2. mwb2218

    mwb2218 New Member

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    Have not heard about that. I know there is some proffer for Brambleton to build some sort of boat dock so I think that would reuire an access road. Don' know when/where though. I wish they would open the reservoir up to swimming myself.
     
  3. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    I know that the church is expanding, but I didn't think they would close the road to the water.
     
  4. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

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    Does anyone know where all of the public access is for Beaverdam Reservoir and Goose Creek? I'm looking for ways to utilize my VA Fishing License and get the kids out of mom's hair every now and then.

    The only one I know of is by Mount Hope Church (for the Reservoir), but don't any for Goose Creek.
     
  5. Oli

    Oli New Member

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    I was talking with my neighbor last week who works for Loudoun County and she said that Mount Hope Church is working with the County and VDOT to close off the road so they could combine the land that they bought from Broadlands LLC located on the north side of the road. The road would be closed and would only provide a restricted access to Fairfax County. I hope it they find a way to allow use for the kids. Mine daughter and her friends use that road to kayak.
     
  6. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    You can access the Reservoir going down Mount Hope Rd. That is unless or until this rumor is confirmed. You can also access the Reservoir from the other side. I am not sure of the name of the road, but it is off of Evergreen Mill Rd. It's the other end of the sunken Mount Hope Rd. You can pull or shove a small john boat into the water, but there isn't a boat ramp anywhere that I know of. No gas powered motors only electric. Canoes are cool.

    Also, I am not sure I'd want to go swimming in there. Last I was there it was a snake haven.
     
  7. Oli

    Oli New Member

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    There also is access to the reservoir from Alford road (located off of Belmont Ridge road), but it' a much further hike and too long to carry a kayak!
     
  8. ColesMug

    ColesMug New Member

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    It is called Reservoir Rd. off of Evergreen. There is limited parking (similar setup to Mt. Hope) and there is also a utility access road that runs parallel to the water that is good for an easy hike that goes all the way to the end of the reservoir.
     
  9. Dawne

    Dawne HOA Sec/Treas, Tech Comm

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    It's not so big, but very convenient...and we've got a few big fish...

    Stop by the Bull Frog Fishing Pond right here in Broadlands. There's a dock you can fish from and lots of shoreline. You can catch a blue gill with a hook and piece of cheese, every time, so it's fun for kids. More serious anglers will go after the good sized bass swimming around.

    And... you can see Gizmo - this year's duckling addition to the water fowl collection. (see photo with Marsha, the mom-duck). Though Gizmo's getting pretty big now, and sprouting white feathers.
     

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  10. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    The access to the reservoir from Belmont Ridge will not be cut off. In fact, there is language in their Special Exception application that requires access to remain open.
     
  11. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    where is that Bullfrog pond? Is it the one over by Clydes off Broadlands BLVD?
     
  12. mamatothree

    mamatothree New Member

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    It in between Small Branch Place and Hidden Pond Place. Access to the fishing dock is from the cul d'sac on Small Branch.
     
  13. Oli

    Oli New Member

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    Here's the scoop.

    The Church wants to close off the road off so they can combine their two lots. Apparently if the lots are combined, they can receive additional rights from the County (like grandfathering, but different).

    The term they use is "Road Abandonment" and it is being pursued in parallel to their request for the Special Exception (and it is vaguely referred as part of the conditions for Special Exception - item #2). It too will have to go before the County and Board of Supervisors for approval.

    Oli
     
  14. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    The road is actually owned by Fairfax. They are planning to abandon it. The county wants to see the road kept there, but of course they don't want to pay for it.
    Mt. Hope has, as part of their Special Exception, a requirement to keep the road and access to the Reservoir in place.
    That's how it has all been explained to me by the church.
     
  15. Oli

    Oli New Member

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    Hmmm....Here's what my neighbor forwarded to me (from a publicly released internal Loudoun County report) so I think this is something that is being pursued by the Church. I really hope that they keep the road open for “public access” because for people who live on this side of the reservoir, it provides really close access.

    "The Applicant (Mount Hope Church) Statement of Justification indicates that the Church is pursuing a "lot consolidation", which requires them to seek abandonment of Mount Hope Road since it bisects the property. The road is currently owned by VDOT and is a prescriptive right-of-way for Fairfax County that extends from Belmont Ridge Road to the Beaverdam Reservoir. The Applicant is working with the County Attorney’s office to abandon Mount Hope Road. The abandonment procedure is an administrative process permitted by Virginia statute and subject to Loudoun County Board of Supervisors approval.

    The Applicant is also currently negotiating with the City of Fairfax for a non-exclusive perpetual easement (private access easement) that would allow the City access across the church property to the Beaverdam Reservoir for maintenance upon the abandonment of Mount Hope Road.

    Staff has requested comments from the City of Fairfax, but has received no response. The applicant advises Staff that the City currently accesses the reservoir for maintenance from the west via Reservoir Road. Alford Road to the south also provides access to the reservoir"
     
  16. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Do you have the rest of the application? Or just the part about the abandonment?
    I know there are some "neighbors" opposed to the church plans,and they might not be presenting all of the information.
     
  17. mdcrim

    mdcrim Member

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    I think they'd have to at least leave the road open for Fairfax County (to allow them access to the reservoir). BUT-they could close it off to public use of VDOT abandons it.
     
  18. Oli

    Oli New Member

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    Yes...that’s exactly what I've been told.

    If the road is abandoned, then the City of Fairfax (who actually owns the land and rights to the reservoir) may then decide to not keep that particular area open for public access...(but if they did, it complicates things further for the Church because it likely exposes them to direct liability should any accidents occur).

    Loudoun County planning staff are looking further into the matter. If you want to keep access to reservoir open on the east side, best to send an e-mail directly to the planning commission (loudounpc@loudoun.gov) as soon as possible before the Mount Hope public hearing (now scheduled for July 16th) so that they can recommend to the BOS to not close the road off permanently.
     
  19. ElmGrove

    ElmGrove New Member

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    I spoke to the church pastor today and he explained that they are abandoning the road but are not closing off public access. Abandonment is necessary due to their construction plans. Access to the road will continue to be just as it is today. They absolutely do not want to close it off but even if they wanted to, they could not close off the road to the public.
     
  20. jen

    jen New Member

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    There is a sign on Belmont Ridge Road saying Mount Hope road is closed from 8/27 to 12/1. Anyone know if there is still access to those docks?
     

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