Planning Board Rejects Beltway At Chancellorsville

CHANCELLORSVILLE, Va. - The Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization on Jan. 21 voted 9-1 to remove the Outer Connector beltway from its long-range transportation plan.

The Coalition to Save Chancellorsville Battlefield considered the beltway "one of the principal threats to the integrity of the battlefield" because it cut through the Mullins Farm where fighting occurred on May 1, 1863, and because of development pressures following the road and interchange.

In a statement after the beltway's defeat the Coalition, which represents 12 groups, said they "refused to be deceived by Outer Connector proponents who falsely portrayed the beltway as a 'parkway' that would attract little or no additional development."

The Coalition statement said it believes that a compromise deal can be reached "that both protects the property and assures Mr. Mullins a substantial return on his investment."