Strategic Plan - Smart Growth

PWC Works projects reflect our commitment of striving for exceptional customer service, maximizing operational efficiencies, increasing modernization, providing excellent service delivery, and collaborating with the community for a coordinated response that achieves the best possible outcomes for our residents and the overall wellbeing of the county.

What is the Strategic Plan Smart Growth Goal?

The Strategic Plan Smart Growth Goal is to advance strategic and intentional community-oriented growth that strengthens and enhances the diversity and sustainability of the local economy and the county.

Key Objectives of the Strategic Plan Smart Growth Goal

Objective 1: Promote high-quality architectural design, thoughtful placemaking, and appealing public spaces to create vibrant and attractive environments for living, working, and recreation.

Strategies to meet Objective 1

Provide design guidance in the Comprehensive Plan, small area plans, and regulatory tools to promote and facilitate high-quality design of development and public spaces.
Incorporate public art into public spaces to enhance beauty and uniqueness.

Current Projects, Initiatives, and/or Activities that support Objective 1

Public Art in Prince William County
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update
Update of 2040 Comprehensive Plan - Community Design chapter
Vint Hill, Yorkshire, and Fettler Park Small Area Plans

Objective 2: Ensure the county's growth holistically addresses the impact on natural resources and infrastructure and enhances community and economic resilience.

Strategies to meet Objective 2

Develop clear guidelines to mitigate development impeding natural resources.
Redevelop and increase density on underutilized infill sites for housing, services, and other needed uses.
Identify future economic development and growth areas by gaining community perspective and expectations for future development.

Current Projects, Initiatives, and/or Activities that support Objective 2

Affordable Dwelling Unit Ordinance implementation
Vint Hill Corridor Small Area Plan
Fettler Park Small Area Plan
Yorkshire Small Area Plan
Sustainability and Resilience Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Update

Objective 3: Preserve natural areas, parks, and cultural heritage sites while promoting sustainable development.

Strategies to meet Objective 3

Establish minimum Natural Open Space (NOS) guidelines to encourage the appropriate preservation of NOS in new developments.
Preserve natural areas in the rezoning process.
Promote reforestation projects to preserve and expand green spaces for the future.
Promote the awareness and use of sustainable materials and practices in all development through land use planning, regulatory tools, and collaboration with the development industry.

Current Projects, Initiatives, and/or Activities that support Objective 3

Update Zoning Ordinance related to NOS and buffers
Rural Reforestation Program
Design & Construction Standards Manual (DCSM) updates to increase NOS
Expansion of reforestation program
Update and implement Section 900 of the DCSM
Conduct NOS assessments and establish minimum targets
Sustainability & Resilience Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA)

Objective 4: Identify strategic emerging sectors to diversify the commercial tax base, lessen reliance on any single industry, and create and retain quality jobs for residents.

Strategies to meet Objective 4

Conduct a new emerging technology analysis to identify sectors that align with the County's strengths and expand the targeted industry list.
Establish a redevelopment incentive fund and toolkit to encourage land assemblage and revitalization to diversify jobs and industry or market sectors.
Target industry sectors and businesses that provide high-quality jobs with competitive compensation.

Current Projects, Initiatives, and/or Activities that support Objective 4

Science Accelerator and wet lab space
Redevelopment Fund
Innovative District coordination
Target Industry Study (Spring 2027)

Objective 5: Support the expansion and preservation of agribusiness, agritourism, and maritime industries.

Strategies to meet Objective 5

Identify the key industry sectors within the rural and maritime economies that align with the County's strengths and have the potential to drive job growth, capital investment, and economic development.
Implement the arts and agritourism overlay district and develop an incentive program to encourage new business development and expansion.
Develop a strategy that leverages the County's waterways, activates waterfronts, and uses this strength to encourage recreation and tourism.

Current Projects, Initiatives, and/or Activities that support Objective 5

Agribusiness and Agritourism Study
Maritime Industry and Waterfront Placemaking Market Study
Updated Countywide Trail Master Plan to include blueways (water trails)
Arts and Agritourism Overlay District implementation

Objective 6: Enhance small business support networks to strengthen local entrepreneurial ecosystems and empower underrepresented business owners.

Strategies to meet Objective 6

Collaborate with partners in developing education, mentor programs, and services to support local entrepreneurs.
Identify and remove barriers to business success to attract business owners and investors to the local economy.
Develop opportunities for local entrepreneurs to network and engage with other entrepreneurs to learn about the County's support services for small businesses.

Current Projects, Initiatives, and/or Activities that support Objective 6

Calibrate at Chinn Small Business Resource Center
GMU Accelerate
Leadership Prince William for Small Businesses/Entrepreneurs
Calibrate conference

Success Criteria (Key Performance Indicators) for the Strategic Plan Smart Growth Goal

Increased percent of Capital Improvement Projects aligned with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Increased private & public investment in redevelopment corridors, small area plans, and activity centers ($)
Increase in commercial tax base (%)
Increased number of net new business license accounts annually in Prince William County (10-year average)
Increased percentage of residents who rate ‘very satisfied’ or ‘somewhat satisfied’ to “new developments providing attractive and high-quality places to live, work, shop, and play” (Biennial Community Survey)