Bacon's Rebellion

Democracy Thrives in Sunlight

The Journey Just Got a Little More Hallowed

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by

James A. Bacon
in

Sixty-six miles of U.S. Route 15, stretching from the Potomac River in Loudoun County to the town of Orange, have been designated an official Virginia Byway by the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The byway is part of the four-state, 175-mile “Journey Through Hallowed Ground” corridor that runs from Gettysburg, Pa., to Monticello.

A Virginia Byway is a particularly scenic route or one with high cultural value that gives travelers access to areas of scenic, historic, recreational, cultural, natural or archaeological significance, according to the Governor’s office. There are nearly 3,000 miles of Virginia Byways in the Commonwealth. A Virginia Byway designation can limit placement of outdoor advertising signs to help preserve and protect the route’s scenic integrity, but it does not affect land-use controls or road improvements or maintenance.

Said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine: “This road, with its beautiful scenic vistas and incredible historic sites, is a treasure.” He’s absolutely right. It is. For more information about Virginia Byways, click here.

(Photo credit of Indian burial mound off Rt. 15 in Loudoun County: “History of Loudoun County, Va.”)

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One response to “The Journey Just Got a Little More Hallowed”

  1. Ray Hyde Avatar
    Ray Hyde

    Most zoning controversies involve suburban restrictions on undeveloped land. Central cities havefewere restrictions because most land is already developed. and redevelopment invovles more intensive use of the land.

    This might involve uses that are outside of the norm for the area,

    Whithin urban areas, thers is one candidate that might have a successful argument for a taking. This is the owner of a property that has been designated a historic treasure.

    Why is this so?

    Usually, he is a small political player on a larger scene. He cannot move the capital he has invested to another jurisdiction.. Without copmpensation he may be subjected to substantial use restricitons.

    “A Virginia Byway designation can limit placement of outdoor advertising signs to help preserve and protect the route’s scenic integrity, but it does not affect land-use controls or road improvements or maintenance.”

    So far.

    Sixty or so acres of my wife’s ancestral farm was taken, about half of which is now an Virginia Byway.

    Her father was paid the princely sum of $200 per acre, something like 35 years ago.

    Given that the Virginia Byway designation is (now) so valuable, should not her father have been paid more?

    Historic designations of individual properties apply larger than normal standards. This is a case of forcing particular individuals to provide benefits, rather than preventing general harms.

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    “it does not affect land-use controls or road improvements or maintenance.”

    I’m sorry to say so, but that is total and un-abrgated nonsense. This kind of designation is a classic case of what we call in the defense and security industry (and I’m sure other industriwes as well)

    CREEPING REQUIREMENTS.

    The camel’s nose under the tent. First it is a scenic byway. Next you are a historic site, complete with outhouse. Then you have to hire historic re-enactors to throw lime down the pit.

    B. S.

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