Spotsylvania County Overwhelmingly Opposes Development of Mullins Farm; Poll Reveals Two-Thirds of Voters Oppose Dogwood Development

8/29/2002

From: Jim Campi of the Civil War Preservation Trust, 202-367-1861, ext. 205; or Hap Connors of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 202-588-6324

CHANCELLORSVILLE, Va., Aug. 29 -- A public opinion poll commissioned by the Coalition to Save Chancellorsville Battlefield reveals that Spotsylvania County voters overwhelmingly oppose the Dogwood Development Group's plans to build a "town center" on the Mullins Farm property. According to the poll, two-thirds of those surveyed indicated they oppose the project.

"This survey is a wake up call for Spotsylvania County officials," remarked Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) President James Lighthizer. "Clearly, Spotsylvania County voters are well aware of the inappropriateness of intense development on Chancellorsville battlefield."

Robert Nieweg, Southern Field Office Director for the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) agreed, stating: "The voters of Spotsylvania are saying they've had enough of the haphazard-hyper-growth that's turning their community into one big strip mall choked with traffic. They want what our Coalition wants -- to engage in a dialogue that creates a plan for sensible growth that preserves their historical treasures and their quality of life."

In the telephone survey, county voters were asked several questions related to Dogwood's development plans. In every case, a majority expressed strong concern about the rezoning of the historic Mullins Farm and its probable impact on rural Spotsylvania County.

The survey began by asking county voters their opinion of Dogwood's development plans for the Mullins Farm property. An overwhelming 66 percent of those surveyed indicated they oppose the project. Only 19 percent indicated that they supported the proposal.

Respondents expressed a very positive view about the battlefields in their midst. According to the survey, 81 percent expressed interest in the historic events that occurred in Spotsylvania County. Three-quarters of those queried said they believe Chancellorsville and other Civil War sites in the county are valuable economic resources. 90 percent indicated that the county has a responsibility to protect Chancellorsville and other historic resources in Spotsylvania County.

In addition, the impact of Dogwood's plans on county taxes was probed in the survey. When asked about the public services the new development will require, 80 percent indicated that the cost of these services would put a strain on county finances.

Both traffic and the drought were also addressed in the countywide survey. A nearly unanimous 96 percent of those surveyed indicated that Dogwood's plans will further increase congestion on Route 3. 68 percent were very concerned that the development would further strain already limited water supplies.

The survey also asked voters about the rate of growth in Spotsylvania County. Nearly two-thirds -- 63 percent -- indicated that the county was growing much too fast. Another 23 percent stated that the county was growing a little too fast.

Finally, the survey noted the Chancellorsville Coalition's willingness to work with county officials to promote growth in the county while still preserving the area's historic resources. Of those surveyed, 86 percent stated that the county should work with the coalition to protect Chancellorsville and other county historic sites.

"The numbers speak for themselves," noted Caroline Hayden, spokesperson for the Spotsylvania Preservation Foundation, Inc. "County voters realize that Dogwood's plans will erode and further diminish our way of life."

Dogwood's proposed development is planned for the heart of the May 1st battlefield. According to the congressionally authorized Civil War Sites Advisory Commission, the entire 790-acre Mullins Farm is located within the identified limits of the battlefield. Approximately 40 percent of the site is considered "core" battlefield land.

The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Research, Inc. from August 22-23, 2002. A total of 407 registered voters were interviewed countywide by telephone. For verification or questions concerning methodology, contact Brad Coker at 410-995-0929. Margin of error is plus/minus 5 percentage points.

The Coalition to Save Chancellorsville Battlefield is an informal group of national and local preservation, conservation and civic groups representing more than 600,000 members nationwide. The coalition is dedicated to preserving and protecting Chancellorsville battlefield. Its website is located at http://www.chancellorsville.org.

For the survey and results, visit the coalition online at http://www.chancellorsville.org

Coalition to Save Chancellorsville Battlefield: -- Central Virginia Battlefields Trust -- Civil War Preservation Trust -- Friends of Fredericksburg Area Battlefields -- Friends of the Wilderness Battlefield -- National Parks Conservation Association -- National Trust for Historic Preservation -- Spotsylvania Battlefield Education Association -- Spotsylvania Preservation Foundation, Inc.