Big Residential Project Is Threat To Stephenson's Depot Winchester Site
By Deborah Fitts
October 2003

WINCHESTER, Va. - Preservationists successfully warded off an industrial park on 447 acres at the Stephenson's Depot battlefield that figured in all three Winchester battles in 2001; however, a rezoning application by the Shockey Companies now before Frederick County officials calls for 2,800 homes to be built.

In a statement issued in August, the Civil War Preservation Trust declared that "a majority of the core of the battlefield will be destroyed if the Shockey plan proceeds." Trust spokesman Jim Campi said a decision on the rezoning was not likely before November.

The Winchester Star newspaper reported on Sept. 9 that Shockey announced it would cut 335 houses, in an effort to allay concerns about density of its Stephenson Village development. The new figure does not include affordable elderly apartments. The company also said it would raise age-restricted housing from 19 to 30 percent in order to reduce the number of households with school children. According to the newspaper, this would mean 358 to 557 fewer students.

The Board of Supervisors discussion of rezoning required for the development was moved from Sept. 10 to Sept. 24 at Shockey's request.

The county Planning Commission has recommended approval of the rezoning.

Campi noted that the Trust is talking to Shockey, county officials and the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation in hopes of a compromise. He said he doubted that, given the rural nature of the area, the huge development would pass muster with local officials and
neighbors.

According to the Trust statement, "The Stephenson's Village proposal will transform a historic and rural community into a 2,800-unit artificial city that will overwhelm the local transportation network. Further, the Shockey plan will serve as a magnet for additional sprawl in the county, sprawl that will destroy more battlefield land and require millions of taxpayer dollars for new roads, new schools, and police and fire protection."

The statement called on the county supervisors to reject the rezoning request, concluding, "Otherwise, a unique and irreplaceable part of Frederick County's heritage will be lost forever."

The Stephenson's Depot battlefield saw action during the First, Second and Third Battles of Winchester in 1862, 1863 and 1864. The second battle, June 14 and 15, 1863, is considered part of the Gettysburg Campaign. The Union victory at Third Winchester was followed a month later by the battle at Cedar Creek, which historians say contributed to Abraham Lincoln's re-election.

Shockey Companies are based in Winchester. Their Web site describes them as "pre-eminent regional leaders in the construction industry. Specialists in general contracting, design-build, ready-mixed concrete and precast, prestressed concrete products and services."