Transforming

the Eleanor

Park Site Preliminary Ideas & Planning

Colonial Beach Department of Planning & Community Development

History of the Site Utilized as a campground in the early 20th

century

Developed into a Town-owned mobile home park at some point around the 1960s

As the homes fell into a general state of disrepair and disuse, the Town discontinued the property’s use as a mobile home park

Clean-up efforts ensued and were completed in 2009

In 2012 the Council requested that the Planning Commission develop a plan to best utilize the now-vacant site

Existing Conditions

Existing Conditions

Existing Conditions

Existing Conditions

The Site: Zoned R-2 Residential General

Available public water & sewer

Approximately 82,000 ft2 (1.89 acres)

Frontage along Irving Avenue, Lossing Avenue

& Dandridge Lane

Approximately 760 linear feet of valuable

water-front property

Several property-enhancing mature trees

Surrounding neighborhood is predominately

single-family residential

Guidance from the 2009

Comprehensive Plan: Identified as “an area to improve”

Future land use: Neighborhood

Preservation

Public visioning workshops indicate a high

level of importance placed upon

neighborhood character and small-town

feel

Guidance from the 2009

Comprehensive Plan: Quality Natural & Physical Environment

Goal: Overall pattern of development that

reflects the vision of the community by preserving

its historic resort small town character…

Strategies:

“…encourage compatible infill development”

“Identify redevelopment opportunities and

provide public/private initiative”

“Improve the aesthetics of town owned land”

Guidance from the 2009

Comprehensive Plan: Stable Neighborhoods

Goal: Livable neighborhoods that promote a high

quality of life and provide a range of affordable

homes…

Strategies:

“Promote infill housing on vacant lots [compatible]”

“Encourage green development practices…”

“Provide opportunities for a variety of housing styles,

types and densities…”

Guidance from the 2009

Comprehensive Plan: Cultural & Recreational Opportunities

Goal: Provide adequate recreational

opportunities, which provide physical and social

enjoyment for all….

Strategies:

“Improve existing parks, playgrounds, and open

spaces through increased maintenance and

additional plantings.”

“Ensure that private development proposals include

adequate open space and improvements to serve

the recreational demands…”

Possible solutions: Preserve as public open space

Possible solutions: Subdivide into individual lots and sell

Possible solutions: Develop a pre-zoned area plan and market to the

development community

Possible solutions: Dedicate as a regional stormwater management

facility with an integrated park

Possible solutions: Maintain as a Town-owned RV “park”

Other Possibilities:

Community center and Town pier

Rezone and market as a commercial

recreational use (e.g. putt-putt course)

Multi-family housing utilizing newly-

developed design guidelines

A “boutique inn”

Others?

Conclusion: A “blank canvas” is ideal to shape

development

The use should be contextually sensitive

and driven by the Comprehensive Plan

Development should be mindful of the

Chesapeake Bay Act

Thoughts, comments, questions?