We are pleased to announce Supervisor Boddye’s Housing Fast Track Resolution passed with bipartisan support on Tuesday, Dec. 16, during the regular meeting of the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS).
“This is about moving from talk to action on housing by directing staff to prioritize the most housing-relevant parts of our Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update and bring the reforms back on an accelerated timeline,” Boddye said.
What the resolution accomplishes:
- Focusing staff time on the housing pieces that matter most
- Speeding up the policy work so the Board can make decisions sooner
- Keeping changes locally tailored to Prince William County and consistent with its Comprehensive Plan
“This resolution mirrors the approach we took with the Climate Mitigation and Resilience Fast-Track Measures. It does not create new policy on its own, nor does it bypass our normal legislative process. Instead, it directs staff to prioritize a defined subset of an already-adopted scope of work; in this case, housing-related elements of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update,” Boddye said. “This is not intended to reopen or expand the scope of the Zoning Ordinance Update beyond housing-related components already contemplated.”
Defining Fast Track
Boddye defines “fast-tracked” as:
- 1-2 months to identify and sequence the steps needed to expedite housing-related reforms, and
- 6-8 months for staff to complete the work and bring proposed policy changes back to the Board for consideration and adoption.
“Fast-tracking housing does not mean skipping impact reviews or rubber-stamping bad projects,” said Boddye. It means:
- Focusing county staff time on the projects that already align with County plans
- Reducing delays caused by outdated or duplicative processes
- Making sure infrastructure, transportation, and schools are part of the conversation earlier, not later
“Right now, the slowest projects aren’t always the ones that don’t fit our community’s needs or vision. They’re often from developers trying to do the right thing within rules that no longer match today’s reality, or even our own Comprehensive Plan” said Boddye.
The Housing Fast Track Resolution is also about smarter sequencing:
- Housing near existing or planned roads, transit, amenities, and employment centers
- Housing that addresses gaps in our market, from missing middle and accessory dwelling to deeply affordable units
- Housing that uses land more efficiently, encouraging walkability and reducing sprawl
“Visionary planning is how we better protect green space and water quality, reduce long commutes, and support neighborhoods that meet the people of Prince William where we are today, while building for our future,” Boddye said.