Fairfax Boulevard Archives

‘Ready for a New Era:’ New planning vision, zoning, Comprehensive Plan become law

April 23, 2012July 2, 2016 Administrator

At their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 17, Ranson City Council members unanimously approved proposals some two years in the making, enacting a new zoning code and Comprehensive Plan designed to guide growth and redevelopment for decades to come.

“There was never any doubt these measures would pass into law,” said Ranson Mayor A. David Hamill. “That’s because, from the beginning, we involved everybody – property owners, business people, developers and elected officials from both Ranson and Charles Town. We all had a hand in turning our ideas into plans and ordinances. By making them law, we’re signaling to our partners in the federal agencies that funded the planning and to those considering investment in our region that we’re ready for a new era…” [cont.]

Initial Designs Emerge for Fairfax Blvd: Join us for the presentation

April 16, 2012July 2, 2016 Administrator

Emerging plans for Fairfax Boulevard will be presented to the Planning Commission on Wednesday, April 18, 2012, immediately following their scheduled 7:30pm meeting. Ranson residents are invited to attend as project team consultants detail Ranson’s first thoroughfare design in conformance with the newly adopted Comprehensive Plan and SmartCode.

These new designs, paid for with Sustainability Grant funding, cover Fairfax Boulevard from Washington Street to Fairfax Crossing… [cont.]

Next Steps for New Plans? Public discussions, Jan. 30, 31 & Feb. 1

January 16, 2012July 2, 2016 Administrator

Almost there.

That’s how we’d describe the work in progress towards new Ranson zoning options, an update of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Fairfax Boulevard plan, and the brownfield redevelopment plans addressed during fall, 2011 public meetings.

Here’s what happens next… [cont.]

Ranson and Charles Town’s Future? Sustainable, connected, in character

September 15, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

On Wednesday, September 14, Ranson and Charles Town citizens and leaders sloshed into Charles Town’s Old Opera House from a dusk downpour to celebrate the conclusion of an intensive week of planning with their consulting team.

“Unless you were on the third floor of city hall this week to watch these people work,” said Ranson Mayor A. David Hamill, “it would be hard to imagine how hard they went at it…” [cont.]

Workshop Wraps Wednesday Night
at the Old Opera House, 7 p.m.

September 13, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

The weeklong Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected workshop concludes at 7pm Wednesday evening, September 14, at the Charles Town Opera House with a presentation by the teams working in collaboration with the community on plans and ideas to shape future growth for the region.

Here’s what attendees will see… [cont.]

A New “Green Corridor” Merges, Symbolizes Project Goals

September 12, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

If there’s a signature project among those the workshop teams are tackling this week, it’s the North-South Fairfax Boulevard/George Street thoroughfare.

The goal: To create a true boulevard that enables walkable, neighborhood-appropriate mixed uses. It’s intended to be a “green” corridor because it’s designed to make the most of state-of-the-art storm water management systems and other environmentally friendly techniques… [cont.]

Lead-Off by Listening: Community, consultants explore transportation topics

September 10, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

Four meetings, designed to drill down more deeply into hopes and concerns surrounding issues at the heart of the weeklong Ranson Renewed/Charles Town Connected workshop, took up most of the day on Friday, September 9.

Members of the consulting team led discussions about the transformation of Fairfax Boulevard-George Street into a more vibrant gateway into Ranson; about the conversion of historic Charles Washington Hall into a commuter center; about the regional economy; and about real estate development in keeping with a new zoning approach… [cont.]

Off and Running:
Workshop launches with flourish

September 8, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

More than 80 folks turned out on a rainy Thursday night, September 8, for the kick-off of a weeklong workshop to shape the future of the Ranson/Charles Town region.

The evening was part celebration of what’s already taken place, the coming-together of the two towns in an historic planning effort, and part introduction to an intensive week of collaboration… [cont.]

Ready to Plan Together? Here’s how to get the most from our workshop, September 8-14

September 1, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

Look who’s coming to the party:

The staffs and elected officials of two historic West Virginia towns; a consulting team of more than 30 specialists in design and planning across a half-dozen disciplines; officials from three federal agencies; and property owners, business people and citizens from throughout the region.

All will be participants in the weeklong collaborative workshop that kicks off at 7 p.m. on September 8 at Washington High School… [cont.]

Former Md. Gov. Glendening,
EPA’s Stanislaus and Others to
Help Kick-Off Sep. 8 Event

August 30, 2011July 2, 2016 Administrator

The introduction to our week-long planning workshop in Ranson and Charles Town will feature national officials who back exactly the sort of comprehensive, collaborative effort the towns are undertaking.

The evening program begins at 7 p.m. on September 8 at Washington High School. For a complete schedule of the week, go here. And to get an overview of the workshop and its goals, check out the column to the immediate right… [cont.]