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?
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