DUMFRIES, Va. – In the 1984 movie Footloose, a small town famously banned dancing, sparking pushback from teens who just wanted to have fun. This week in Dumfries, a similar debate surfaced over whether the small town is going too far with proposed new rules for music festivals.
During its May 6, 2025, meeting, the Dumfries Town Council held a public hearing on a proposal to revise the town’s Musical and Entertainment Festivals Ordinance. Among the proposed changes is a requirement that anyone under 18 be accompanied by an adult at outdoor concerts and festivals.
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HAYMARKET, Va. – The Haymarket Town Council voted unanimously on May 5, 2025, to approve a special use permit (SUP) allowing a religious group to use leased space at the QBE Building on Washington Street for public assembly, adding several conditions—including an annual review of the permit.
The decision comes after nearly eight months of review by the town’s planning staff, Planning Commission, and Town Council, marking what staff described as a “normal review procedural timeline” for a special use request of this type.
Religious Use Triggers Special Permit
The applicant initially inquired in September 2024 about holding religious services in two locations, ultimately submitting an application for 14600 Washington Street—known locally as the QBE Building—on November 4. Because the property is zoned B-1, and public assembly uses are not permitted by-right in that zone, the proposal required Town Council approval through a special use permit.
Haymarket’s zoning ordinance defines “public assembly” as including uses such as religious facilities, auditoriums, sports stadiums, and other venues for entertainment or community gatherings. Public assembly uses are only permitted by-right in a small portion of the town known as the Transition Commercial Zone.
Staff: Conditions Met, Applicant Responsive
Town staff praised the applicant’s diligence in complying with town requirements. Planning staff noted the applicant provided detailed information on worship attendance patterns—including peak times such as Ramadan—as well as traffic expectations and parking plans. A new wayfinding plan was submitted on the morning of the meeting, detailing signage for one-way entry and exit points on the property.
The site contains 191 striped parking spaces, and the applicant’s projected use—including worshippers, volunteers, and staff—would require only 168 spaces. That leaves a surplus of 23 spaces, which town staff said is adequate to serve both the religious use and other tenants on the property.
Traffic and Safety Concerns Addressed
Council members debated whether a formal traffic impact analysis (TIA) should be required, noting that the information provided—including a five-year projection of attendance—gave a clear picture of the site’s usage.
One councilmember suggested the applicant’s data could substitute for a full TIA and proposed revisiting the permit annually, similar to a previous case involving a daycare at St. Paul’s Church.
Still, other members argued for a more comprehensive traffic evaluation to establish a baseline for the entire site, not just the proposed religious use.
Town staff confirmed that the site plan process will require a traffic study. The site currently lacks a formal site plan, and the approved SUP includes a condition requiring a complete site plan to be submitted within one year.
Permit Conditions and Annual Review
In approving the permit, the Town Council attached the following conditions:
- The applicant must submit a site plan within one year of SUP approval.
- The applicant must provide an occupancy card and permit from Prince William County.
- A traffic study must be completed as part of the site plan, prepared by an engineer or surveyor approved by the town’s zoning administrator.
- The applicant must implement any traffic mitigation measures identified during the site plan review process.
- The use may not commence until site plan approval is obtained and all improvements are completed.
- The SUP is subject to an annual review each May by the Town Council.
Staff emphasized that many safety and traffic concerns would be further addressed when outside agencies, including the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Prince William County Fire Marshal, review the site plan. That process will evaluate fire lanes, ingress/egress, and other public safety elements.
Council members and staff praised the applicant for improving the property and for their cooperative approach throughout the review process.
The Haymarket Town Council will once again take up the topic of a proposed Islamic center at its meeting on Monday, April 28, 2025.
We previously reported incorrect information that the council would discuss the expansion of the Chick-fil-A drive-through at this meeting. However, the Chick-fil-A expansion was already approved earlier this month under conditions: the restaurant must obtain sign-off from all necessary regulatory bodies, including the Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office, which currently opposes the plan.
The council’s upcoming discussion will instead focus on the Special Use Permit (SUP) application for the proposed Islamic Center at 14600 Washington Street, submitted by Mohammed Kasim Gul. The project aims to convert part of the old Pace West school building into a permanent place of worship for the local Muslim community, sharing the building with federal contractor QBE.
During a work session on March 31, the council and town staff reviewed key concerns raised at a March 3 public hearing, including parking availability, traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, and occupancy limits.
A parking plan estimates that about 198 to 201 spaces could be striped on the existing lot, although staff cautioned that some spaces may be unusable due to tight drive aisles and parked trailers. The lot has not been restriped since 2013, leading to uncertainty about its true capacity.
Occupancy regulations were also discussed. Under Prince William County guidelines, assembly use for more than 49 people would trigger requirements for additional exits and potentially the installation of a fire alarm or sprinkler system. Final occupancy will depend on a detailed review of the building’s layout.
Another major concern was the absence of an updated site plan. The previous plan for improvements expired without being bonded, and council members expressed hesitation about approving the SUP without a current and accurate plan showing marked parking spaces and loading zones.
The proposal also calls for a police presence during peak traffic periods, such as Friday prayers and Ramadan, similar to arrangements made for other religious institutions along Washington Street.
The Islamic Center proposal has received strong community support, with more than 70 emails submitted in favor and numerous residents speaking positively at the March 3 public hearing. Still, concerns remain regarding potential traffic congestion on Route 55 and the impact on neighboring businesses.
The proposed center would serve residents who currently travel 20 to 30 minutes to the nearest mosque, providing a local space for daily and Friday prayers.
OCCOQUAN, Va. — A series of notable developments unfolded at the April 15, 2025, Occoquan Town Council meeting, including a leadership change and updates to the town’s ongoing budget planning.
Councilwoman Nancy Freeborn Britain, who was elected to the Town Council in 2022, formally announced her resignation, citing a new career opportunity that will take her to Staunton during the workweek. Britain was recently hired as the Program Director for a master’s degree program at Mary Baldwin University, where she will oversee 120 students and serve as a department chair.
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HAYMARKET, Va. — The Haymarket Town Council is set to revisit a controversial Chick-fil-A drive-through expansion proposal during its upcoming work session on Monday, April 28, 2025, as questions remain about the project's approval from key regulatory agencies.
Earlier this month, the council narrowly approved Special Use Permit (SUP) #2024-001 in a 4-0 vote, allowing the Chick-fil-A at 15186 Washington Street to proceed with a revised site plan known as “Exhibit 6.” The updated plan proposes extending the restaurant’s rightmost drive-through lane onto an adjacent property owned by Virginia National Bank, creating a bypass lane and adding a mobile order pickup point aimed at improving traffic flow and reducing wait times.
However, the approval was conditional: the restaurant must obtain sign-off from all necessary regulatory bodies — including the Prince William County Fire Marshal’s Office, which currently opposes the plan. Fire Marshal Matt Smolsky flagged the design as “unacceptable,” citing narrowed drive aisles and restricted emergency access to the bank’s entrance.
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DUMFRIES, Va. — The Town of Dumfries took a significant step toward shaping its economic future on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, by voting to establish a new Economic Development Authority (EDA).
The council passed an ordinance to formally establish the authority after holding a public hearing, during which no residents spoke. The EDA is intended to act as a dedicated body focused on attracting businesses, revitalizing community spaces, and investing in local development—tools the town hopes will spur growth in key areas such as Main Street and the waterfront.
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The Town of Dumfries is considering forming its own Economic Development Authority (EDA), a move that town leaders say would give them more flexibility and control over how to attract, retain, and grow businesses within the town's borders.
At its April 1, 2025 meeting, the Town Council received a detailed presentation outlining the authority and potential benefits of creating an EDA under the Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, passed by the state legislature in 1966. The act allows localities to establish Economic or Industrial Development Authorities (EDAs or IDAs) as separate legal entities to facilitate economic development.
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The Haymarket Town Council revisited the proposed Islamic Center at 14600 Washington Street during a work session on March 31, continuing its review of a special use permit (SUP) application submitted by Mohammed Kasim Gul. The application seeks approval to establish a permanent place of worship in the old Pace West school building for the local Muslim community.
It would share the space with federal contractor QBE.
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Dumfries Town Manager Tangela Innis has presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget for the town. The budget outlines strategic investments in infrastructure, public safety, and community programs while maintaining the town’s real estate tax rate.
The first reading of the budget is scheduled for March 18, with a public hearing on April 1. If approved, the Town Council may adopt the budget the same evening.
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The Haymarket Town Council has deferred a decision on a special use permit (SUP) application for the proposed Islamic Center at 14600 Washington Street, opting to continue discussions at a March 31 work session at 7 p.m.
The application, submitted by Mohammed Kasim Gul, seeks approval to establish a permanent place of worship for the local Muslim community in the old Pace West school building at 14600 Washington Street, now home to QBE, a federal contracting firm in the old school building. The nearest Islamic center is about 13 miles away, requiring residents to travel 20-30 minutes for daily and Friday prayers.