Protect private property rights and keep housing costs from getting even more expensive.
In November of 2024, the King George County Board of Supervisors put forth a draft amendment to greatly increase the minimum lot size requirement for rural property. Specifically, the proposed amendment suggested increasing the minimum lot size in A1-zoned areas from 10 to 50 acres, in A2-zoned areas from 2 to 20 acres, and in A3-zoned areas from 1 to 10 acres.
Due to citizen feedback about the drastic downzoning that would have been imposed by the draft amendment, the Board halted consideration and appointed a subcommittee to review growth strategies. That subcommittee DID NOT endorse the dramatic downzoning and now this discussion moves along to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
If you’re concerned about potential impacts to your private property rights with discussions on controlling growth, consider reaching out to your elected officials and tell them you oppose any drastic increases in minimum lot sizes that could cause significant financial and economic impacts to all residents in the County.
The initial proposal from the Board of Supervisors looked to restrict property rights in our county by drastically increasing minimum lot sizes in all agriculturally zoned land. Over 90% of land in King George is zoned either A-1 or A-2 so if anything like this proposal passes, it could put taxpayers in the county on the hook for all the devalued agricultural land.
Recent growth estimates show that King George has the lowest growth rate in the region at just 1.4% per year. The Board’s goal seems to be no new houses at all. No growth will put the financial burden of funding school improvements, county services, and infrastructure solely on existing county taxpayers.
Economic
Impacts
- The number of lots allowed per parcel will diminish return on investment.
- Land will be devalued across the county, forcing the need for higher taxes on all county residents.
Housing
Affordability
- Taking away the number of buildable lots will do nothing to increase our housing supply.
- As a result of less available land for building homes, the cost of homeownership will only increase.
Destroying
Property Rights
- Property owners will no longer be able to use their land as they see fit.
- Limiting the number of lots per parcel takes away the owner’s right to maximize the value of a major financial asset – their property.
Let your voice be heard!
