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ral status as much as possible. . .Impact fees will not be a panacea, but an added tool to meet the demands of growth in an equitable manner,” Ms. Blakely said.
Del. Cranwell gave an indication that he was sensitive to the plight of rural counties by singling out the remarks of Rappahannock County Administrator John McCarthy as best explaining why improved growth management tools are critical. “We have no margin for error,” said Mr. McCarthy, reporting that the Blue Ridge Mountain county’s population of about 6.300 is going up by two or three percent annually while schools are near capacity, despite an expansion project at the high school finished just last year.
But the growth that Rappahannock can’t deal with will come as a result of decisions made beyond the county line, he said, pointing to job centers planned for the Gainesville area of Prince William, an easy 45minute commute away; and the proposed Washington Bypass which could put a new six-lane highway less than a half-hour’s drive distant.
Just one major subdivision will mean the county has to build a new school, Mr. McCarthy said. And when property taxes go from 69 cents to whatever is necessary to pay for the school, he’ll tell the local people whose land was taken by Shenandoah National Park and whose children and now' grandchildren go to Rappahannock County High School, “Pm sorry; it happened because we had all these new homes here.”
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