There is no room for special treatment for developers

Dear Editor:

I am once again compelled to address Mayor Stan Milan’s recent statements regarding the Vineyard Square project. It seems Mayor Milan may have conveniently forgotten his own involvement as a member of the Town Council in crucial discussions surrounding this matter.

During a Town Council meeting with Mayor Milan, then Council Member Milan present, Casey Chapman explicitly stated to me and the Town Council that it was not our business to be informed about the project plan for Vineyard Square. 

Additionally, then Council Member Milan was present during a meeting with the same developer representative. The developer representative not only arrived an hour late, but also refused to scale back the Vineyard Square development to better align with the character and charm of our beloved Town.

Over the past eight years Purcellville refused to surrender its cherished small-town charm to the dictates of a developer unwilling to embrace our community’s vision. The allure of our town, both for residents and tourists, cannot be enhanced by succumbing to the imposition of a sprawling commercial and residential development in our downtown core. We unequivocally reject the notion that yielding to the demands of an unreasonable developer is ever an acceptable solution.

Over the past eight years, numerous businesses including Bia Kitchen, Nichols Hardware, Southern States, Tree of Life Ministry, Catoctin Creek Distillery, American Legion, and Another Turn Tac Shop have collectively invested over $8 million to establish and expand their presence along 21^st Street in Old Town Purcellville. These endeavors were undertaken in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and proper processes, without seeking out deals with the Town Council.

Furthermore, over the last 14 years substantial road and water infrastructure upgrades have been carried out along 21st Street, funded by hard-earned taxpayer money. To suggest that there was no effort to engage the principals of Vineyard Square to realign their project with the Comprehensive Plan is not only inaccurate but also disingenuous.

For businesses to thrive, they require three fundamental things from their government: honesty, predictability, and fairness. There should be no room for special treatment or clandestine dealings behind closed doors, if that’s what Mayor Milan is pursuing.

It is imperative that Mayor Milan and our local government uphold these principles and ensure transparency and accountability in all dealings related to development projects. If you meet with a developer disclose to the people what you discussed and explain how it’s in alignment with their Comprehensive Plan. Better yet, meet developers in a public forum – such as a town council meeting.

Kwasi Fraser, former Purcellville Mayor