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COMMERCIAL SPRAWL IS ON THE WAY TO CHANCELLORSVILLE

CAN UNSIGHTLY SPRAWL BE PREVENTED?

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Chancellorsville is zoned RU

Spotsylvania County, VA Code of Ordinances

 DIVISION 24. - RURAL (Ru) DISTRICT

Sec. 23-6.24.1. - Purpose and intent.

The purpose of the rural (Ru) district is to protect and maintain the rural character of the county and to protect and enhance the agricultural economy of the county, while providing for low density residential development in a rural setting. (Ord. No. 23-72, 4-22-97; Ord. No. 23-99, 2-12-02; Ord. No. 23-106, 11-25-03; Ord. No. 23-160, 1-13-15)

Sec. 23-6.24.2. - Permitted uses.

The following uses may be established as permitted uses in the rural (Ru) district:

  1. Accessory uses as permitted by article 5, division 3 of this chapter;

  2. Agriculture;

  3. Antique shop, limited to parcels fronting and/or whose chief point of ingress/egress is upon state maintained roads limited to State Route number 1 through State Route number 712;

  4. Art and craft studio, limited to parcels fronting and/or whose chief point of ingress/egress is upon state maintained roads limited to State Route number 1 through State Route number 712;

  5. Bed and breakfast I;

  6. Dwelling, single-family detached;

  7. Equestrian facility;

  8. Expansion of a place of worship, but not expansion of the seating capacity in the sanctuary of such place of worship;

  9. Expansion of a public school;

  10. Game preserves, wildlife sanctuaries and fish hatchery;

  11. Golf driving range;

  12. Home enterprise in accordance with division 23-5.4A;

  13. Home occupation in accordance with division 23-5.4;

  14. Miniature golf;

  15. Public facility/use;

  16. Quasi-public park, playground, athletic field and related facility; 2

  Repair service establishment limited to parcels fronting and/or whose chief point of ingress/egress is upon state maintained roads limited to State Route number 1 through State Route number 712. (Ord. No. 23-72, 4-22-97; Ord. No. 23-101, 6-25-02; Ord. No. 23-114, 8-9-05; Ord. No. 23-152, 1-8-13; Ord. No. 23-153, 2-12-13; Ord. No. 23-155, 3-11-14; Ord. No. 23-160, 1-13-15; Ord. No. 23-178, § 1, 10-29-19)

HOW CAN CHANCELLORSVILLE BE SAVED?

The Pruitt Family has six parcels along Route 3 and River Road zoned Ru. They want to put something other than a Jiffy Lube or Tattoo Parlor there.

CHANCELLOR TAVERN is proposed to help preserve and enhance the Chancellorsville area.

The Pruitt Family Trust has proposed:  Architectural style of

 

A tavern and store from pre-Civil War days.

 

Dowdall Tavern from Civil War era photo and sketch

Located about 4 miles west on Plank Road

Hospital for wounded troops two battles

Alrich Store from pre-Civil War sketch

1.8 miles south on Old Plank Road

Hospital for wounded troops

Scene of skirmish between 23re US Colored Infantry and Confederate cavalry on May 15, 1864

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Chancellorsville Tavern Features and Benefits

  • Set architectural tone for Route 3 development as it encroaches Battlefield

  • Helps tourism

    • Public toilets

    • Delicatessen

    • Refreshments (none available for 5 miles)

    • Fuel stop for gas and EV recharging

    • Interpretive signs

    • Parking for walking trails

    • Place for artifacts and tourist information

  • Provide local accessibility and convenience  

    • Increased fuel availability for 70 square miles north of Route 3

  • Replicates historic architecturally of past area

  • Safeguard/set tone for battlefield neighborhood long term

  • Set architectural tone for Route 3 development as it encroaches Battlefield

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A Tradition of Preservation and Protection of values

Background:  For the last seventy years the Pruitt family has been in close coordination with the Park Superintendents to preserve the Chancellorsville Battlefield area. 

 

Over the years the Park asked the Pruitt family to rebuild the old Chancellor House which was an Esso gas station for years.  If not at Chancellorsville than on nearby Elys Ford Road or Plank Road (Route 3).

Over the last seventy years the Pruitt family has set aside miles of Civil War earthworks and conveyed areas where actual combat occurred to the Park Service (Jacksons Flank attack near Bullick Road)

 

 

Pruitt goal is to preserve and protect future of the battlefield area.

 

In view of the Route 3 commercialization from east and west

  • to preserve and protect future battlefield area

  • setting architectural standard for development

  • on a property that saw no combat or fighting.

 

The Pruitt family has saved and preserved more historical ambience of the Chancellorsville area than any government or organization

         

Preserved miles of earthworks

          Placed many interpretive signs, monuments, and markers in area

          Placed miles of historic period crisscross fencing

          Placed restrictive historic covenants on thousands of acres

          Conveyed acres of actual combat areas to the Park

Resisted selling to real estate speculators

Worked with US Park Service against relic hunters

Worked with US Park Service access easements

          Funded Spotsylvania Museum and payroll at times

          Set aside Indian burial grounds

          Set aside historic ancient Indian sacred areas

Restored old Forest Hall the Union Headquarters and hospital and the direct Union telegraph station from General Hooker to President Lincoln

Some of the monuments, and historic markers Pruitt has placed around Chancellorsville

Pruitts have never received cash, funds, salary, or reimbursement.  Has never asked for a donation or contribution from anyone

 

Park Service revolving superintends and has used park area for housing unemployed and has sold acres of park to public. Pruitt feels the community must support local efforts to preserve the ambiance of old Chancellorsville.

Chancellorsville Over the Ages

Chancellor House before 1863

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Nearby Dowdall Tavern

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Dowdall Tavern from Civil War era photo and sketch

Located about 4 miles west on Plank Road

Hospital for wounded troops two battles

Nearby Alrich Store

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Alrich Store from pre-Civil War sketch

1.8 miles south on Old Plank Road

Hospital for wounded troops

Scene of skirmish between 23re US Colored Infantry and Confederate cavalry on May 15, 1864

After the battle

Chancellor house Esso Station

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The Federal Government used Chancellorsville Battlefield as camp for displaced and unemployed persons

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Intersection of Elys Ford Road and Hooker Drive

The CCC opened Camp MP-3 on the Chancellorsville Battlefield in October 1933. The selected site stood along Ely’s Ford at its intersection with the future park road Hooker Drive.

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 Pruitts have resisted selling Route 3 properties to real estate speculators and business who could establish business by-right under RU zoning (like repair shops)

US Government  and Park Service has changed course over the years and can be expected to do so again.

  • As “American history” becomes more unpopular

    • Promotes national heritage in an era of attacks on historic monuments and US government properties like (removal of Reconciliation Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery) and names associated with US military (Fort Pickett, Fort Bragg, Fort Benning,)

 

  • US government develops land for its political projects like CCC camps for unemployed camps on Elys Ford Road from 1936 to 1944.

  • In 1980’s Department of Interior sold off Park lands in Chancellorsville

  • Some of today’s advocates want US Government sell off park assets to pay off national debt.

  • Currently many political candidates promoting putting new housing/cities on existing federal land.

Some states Massachusetts promoting making housing a public enterprise by taxing exiting house sales for funding housing and living communities on public lands

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  • In 1980’s Department of Interior sold off Park lands in Chancellorsville

  • Some of today’s advocates want US Government sell off park assets to pay off national debt.

  • Currently many political candidates promoting putting new housing/cities on existing federal land.

Some states like Massachusetts are promoting making housing a public enterprise by taxing exiting house sales for funding housing and living communities on public lands

Pruitt’s goal is to preserve and protect the future of the battlefield area.

In view of the Route 3 commercialization from east and west

  • to preserve and protect future battlefield area

  • setting the architectural standard for development

  • on a property that saw no combat or fighting.

  • Tourism

  • Outdoor pavilion rest and restore

  • Fuel availability

  • Gas availability

  • Badly needed.  There are about 80 square miles where it is 40 mile round trip to get a tank of gas.

THE TAVERN HELPS TOURISM

Chancellorsville Tavern Features and Benefits

  • Helps tourism

    • Fuel stop for gas and EV recharging

    • Interpretive signs

    • Parking for walking trails

    • Place for artifacts and tourist information

  • Provide local accessibility and convenience

    • Increased fuel availability for 70 square miles north of Route 3

  • Replicates historic architecturally of past area

It also helps traffic for Route 3 and Elys Ford Road intersection

Set aside for A future intersection

Chancellor Tavern will set aside land for future access to Route 3 from Elys Ford Road.

In 2014 the Citizens of Spotsylvania voted for a $3 Million bond issue for relocating Elys Ford Road away from the Park Service property

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2014 Bond Referendum

The potential road realignments cross over 4 parcels if developed for commercial use.  Separate commercial development would be an obstacle to the realignment of Elys Ford Road and Route 3.

 

Chancellorsville Tavern will set aside commercial development for potential road connections from Elys Ford Road to Route 3.

FUEL AND EV
RECHARGING AVAILABILITY

About 70 square miles north of Chancellorsville Tavern, 22 square miles in Spotsylvania, and 48 square miles in Culpeper County does not have access to fuel

One way to get gas is from 5.3 miles to 20.4 miles down Ford Road north of Chancellorsville.  A round trip is 10 to 40 miles to get fuel for a lawn mower,

There are approximately six thousand residents without nearby access to fuel.

In addition to the families there several public facilities, recreational areas, churches, private schools and many small businesses.  Between three to five thousand residents in Spotsylvania.  Approximately 1,400 existing residential lots and 250 planned lots need access to gas.

Elys Ford Road into Culpeper County has approximately 500 residential homes

To fill a lawn mower in some areas of Spotsylvania and Culpeper County a resident must travel Ely’s from 30 miles to 40 miles round trip.

“I live near Elys Ford about 5 miles from Chancellorsville.  If I need gas for my lawn mower it is a 20 mile round trip.  I fully support the Chancellorsville Tavern because it is badly needed near here.”

-Pat Mysliwski

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Gas availability is badly needed

Q:  Why Gas pumps?

 

A: May 2021 Virginia had a server gas shortage. Over half of gas stations had any gas at all.  

But it was gravely serious for families and business north of route on Elys Ford Road there are thousands of families with 40 mile round trip to get a tank of gas.  

Can be life of death for some people.  Same for farm animals and livestock

 

The Super Snow storm of 1993 Same thing.

 2016 30 inches of snow

2010  32 inches of snow

2009  23 inches of snow

 

Gas generators. Vehicles. Snow plows. No heat for family and farm animals.

Unable to feed live stock.  Farm equipment. Feed livestock.  Fuel for small business going.

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MK:  Major vehicle/truck traffic.

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Grady Vaughan, PE, PTOE, PTP

Traffic Engineering Lead C: 302 233 2935 

Ramey Kemp Associates

4343 Cox Road

Glen Allen Virginia 23060

 

Response:  Traffic engineers say a convenience store is an “in and out” event.  It is not a destination that generates traffic. 

No increase in traffic volume: all “pass-by” traffic.

No impact on traffic signal or other intersections.

A Convenience store is an amenity to the road and will help distribute traffic volume the top travel times; giving them a place to break up their trip.

Contact Us

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BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Chancellor District

Gerald Childress

GChildress@spotsylvania.va.us (540) 734-9974

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Courtland District:

Andrew Jackson “Drew” Mullins

DMullins@spotsylvania.va.us (540) 734-9630

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Battlefield District:     Chris Yakabouski

Salem District:             Dr. Deborah Frazier

Lee Hill District:           Lori Hayes

Berkely District:          Keven Marshall

Livingston District:      Jacob Lane

 

PLANNING COMMISSION:

Chancellor District:  Gerald Childress

Courtland District:  Richard Thompson  (electrical contractor)

                                      9019 Old Battlefield Blvd

                                      Spotsylvania, VA 22553

571-594-0814

 

Battlefield District:   C. Travis Bullock            

                                      405 Lorraine Ave

                                      Fredericksburg, VA 22408

                                      540-845-6666

tbullock@spotsylvania.va.us

 

Salem District:  Dr Raymond Bell

                                      540-834-7444   

                                      11312 Stonewall Jackson Dr

                                      Spotsylvania, VA 22551

                                      sphelps@spotsylvania.va.us

 

Lee Hill District:   Scott Phelps

                             2812 Angela Court

                             Fredericksburg, VA 22408

                             540-369-3673

sphelps@spotsylvania.va.us

 

Berkely District:   Jennifer Maddox

                             5203 Stanfield Road

                             Spotsylvania, VA 22551

                             540-834-3268

jmaddox@spotsylvania.va.us

 

Livingston District:      Debbie Fregoso

                                      9414 Quail Meadows Drive

                                      Spotsylvania, VA 22551

                                      540-846-1667

                                      debbie.fregoso@yahoo.com

No combat on the
six parcel 11 acre tract.

Battlefield Trust is using the Chancellor Tavern for donors and contributions

2022 Salaries

President     $314,203 salary

Next officer $229,100

Next officer $219,175

Office expenses in 2022 almost $2 million

          Office 15th Street downtown DC

 

Battlefield Trust life blood is donor lists and fundraising campaigns to raise money to bankroll those salaries and downtown DC lifestyle. 

 

Many acres of land have been preserved but the unsaid benefit is for salaries officers and staff in a 15th Stret downtown DC corporate HQ.  President ABT salary was $314,000 in 2022.  Next two earned $229,110 and $219,175 per year.    $2 million per year office expenses.   Average salary for the 9 employees is $178,722.89.  Office expenses are almost $2 million per year.

 

American Battlefield Trust published a website misleadingly describing the proposed Chancellor Tavern 11 acre tract:

 

“ . . .  combat on the 11 acre property . . .  Fighting raged across the tract on May 3, 1863 . . . .”

 

The 10 acre parcel is at risk stands within 1,500 feet of the intersection that lent it name to one of the Civil War’s most bloody and significant engagements, where the interpretive plaza positioned near the ruins of the Chancellor House constitute a must-see element for ever battlefield visitor.  This vicinity is at the heart of the battlefield—occupied by Federal troops starting on the morning of May 1 and gradually becoming the more central to the action until it was directly assaulted by elements of Confederate Gen. Lafayette McLaw’s division on the morning of May 3 during the massive push that dislodged Gen Joseph Hooker’s Army of the Potomac from Chancellorsville.

 

The Trust’s published a depiction of Confederates assaulting Federals across the “11 acre” property

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The Trusts website shows McLaws Corps attacking Hannock’s Corps from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM May 3, 1863

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Noted Civil War scholars show NO combat at the 11- acre proposed Chancellor Tavern property

The combat took place west of Chancellorsville.  The 10 acre Chancellor Tavern tract is east of Chancellorsville:

The Park Service cannon at Chancellorsville face west not east.

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The leading historical authorities show no combat on the proposed Chancellor Tavern site:

The Campaign of Chancellorsville by John Bigelow, Jr., Yale University Press 1910, shows at 9:00 am Confederate and Union units a mile west on “11-acre” Route 3 property with Union troops withdrawing.  Bigelow’s Battle Maps show Hancock Corps (Union) north of “11-acre” property.  At 10 am Hancock had orders to withdraw (page 370).  Bigelow shows McLaw’s Corps (Confederate) at 2 pm 7 miles east at Salem Church. Bigelow Maps at 9:00 am and 12 pm show no action at or near “11 acre” Route 3 property.

 

 

Bigelow’s map for 9:00 AM May 3, 1863 the combat action is to the west of Chancellorsville

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Bigelow’s map for 12:00 PM May 3, 1863. No action at the proposed Chancellor Tavern site.

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Bigelow shows McLaw’s Corps at Salem Church 2:00 PM on May 3, 1863.

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Chancellorsville by Stephen W. Sears, Houghton Mifflin Company Boston New York 1996 shows at 9:30 am all engaged troops west of Chancellorsville.  Sear’s shows Hancock’s Corps north of Route 3 site.  In contrast to the Trusts rendering and map, Sear’s Map has Anderson Corps (Confederate) at 9:30 am almost a mile to the south.  Sear’s battle maps do not show any “combat” or “raged fighting” occurring at or near “11 acre” Route 3 property.

 

Sears Map show at 9:30 AM May 3, 1863 No action or activity on or near 11 acre proposed Chancellor Tavern.

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Chancellorsville Lee’s Greatest Battle  by Edward J. Stackpole, Stackpole Books Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 1958   Stackpole does not show “combat” or “raged fighting” occurring anywhere near or at “11 acre” Chancellor Tavern  parcel. Stackpole describes  at page 103:

 

By ten o’clock the field surrounding the Chancellor House had been vacated by the Federals, all of whom had retired in good order to the north. . ..  Confederates moved in . . .  but no attempt was made to effect the capture of enemy guns or men.

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Satackplole shows McLaw’s Corps 5 miles to the east on May 3, 1863

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