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| 11/08/2006 |
| Culpeper is 'a gem on this journey' |
| By: Jason Peck |
| One hundred and seventy-five miles of history generally stretches along Route 15 from Gettysburg in Pennsylvania to Monticello in Albemarle County. Travelers pass by innumerable battlefields, historic sites and Main Street communities. Culpeper falls somewhere toward the end. Legislation pending in Congress may bring more attention to the area. If passed, the Journey Through Hallowed Grounds bill would create a management entity that uses federal money to help preserve and promote the area's historic value. Separately, Culpeper brags of its own extensive Civil war history. Together, it could bring in more people. The possibilities have local officials optimistic at the possibilities. "It could have a very big impact on the local economy," said Diane Logan, Executive Director of Culpeper Renaissance. "That gives us a broader base to be able to promote ourselves. It's package deal, and that always helps smaller communities. "As we bring new people, new visitors, that will translate to new jobs. I foresee developing maybe packages for bed and breakfasts as tourism grows and we have more people coming into Culpeper. And then as the restaurants become busier, they'll need more staff." If established, a management entity would create an inventory of sites in the area in need of preservation. From there, they would work with local government in ensuring a degree of protection for them. The Partnership could bring an annual budget of $1 million toward raising awareness. The Public Broadcasting System has already filmed a segment in Culpeper, and National Geographic has written on the corridor. Members of the partnership have even written a book on the Partnership, that outlines historic sites such as A.P. Hill's boyhood home and attractions such as Baby Jim's Snack Bar. The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors gave its backing to the organization when spokesperson Cate Wyatt attended its April 4 meeting. Supervisors voted to request that VDOT give Route 15 in Culpeper Scenic Byway status. "As communities we're growing," Wyatt said. "It's important we work together so that the growth will be mindful. In no way is this an anti-development effort. It's a mindful effort, mindful that as we grow, the pieces fit together. "Culpeper," she said, "is a gem on this journey." Wyatt claimed that the designations were honorific and would leave property rights unaffected. Nearly every county in the region has signed on board the effort. National Scenic Byway designation, according to County Planner John Egertson, would only change law by prohibiting signs along Route 15, which county law does anyway. And National Historic Site Designation would not violate any codes already in place. A similar vote came from Culpeper Town Council, who saw nothing in the Partnership that interfered with their master plan. Culpeper Renaissance, a non-profit program organized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to revitalize the downtown, likewise signed resolutions in support. The Smart Growth Alliance issued a statement of support as well. But the composition of the Partnership worries some land rights advocates. Some fear that bill merely gives the Department of the Interior a federal mandate to purchase land. The language of the bill gives the partnership a mandate to acquire land. Section 5 of the bill calls for land acquisition using "donated or appropriated funds." The same section later calls for an inventory of land that ought to be acquired. But Section 5 also specifies that federal money cannot purchase land. "Read the bill," said Peyton Knight, of the he National Center for Public Policy Research. "The bill is quite clear on what they're doing." Knight maintained that the Partnership would sidestep their restrictions by giving money to the localities to buy land for them. But first, they would bully local government into putting restrictions on the land to drive down the property values. Doing so would make the property easier for the Partnership to buy. In response, Ms. Wyatt claimed the passage on acquiring land was a typo. She added that the Partnership would acquire land, but that it wouldn't be their focus. Nevertheless, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md) has called for changes in the bill to accommodate such an outcome. Bartlett recommended that property owners be insured for any decline in their property values. Bartlett also recommended that the management team have representatives from every local government involved. The bill currently restricts membership to members of the Partnership before the bill's enactment. "There has to be recognition of the potential that protecting historic integrity of the Journey Through Hallowed Grounds might affect property values," said Lisa Wright, press secretary for Bartlett. "If it does, there has to be that commitment." But Culpeper representatives say the measure is not about preservation as much as it's about enhancing Culpeper's status as a major historic area for tourism. Participation alone would attract further notoriety to Culpeper's historic sites. "We have two battlefields," Logan said. "We have a historic downtown, we have a lot of history here. We are a very significant piece of the puzzle in linking Orange County and Monticello." Local advocate Perry Cabot of Culpeper Concerned Citizens said that many concerns were not so extreme, and maintained that the Partnership was actually weaker than existing laws on historic preservation. He also pointed out escape clauses spread throughout the bill. "The only regulatory effect comes from local county ordinance and zoning law," Cabot said, "all of which must go through the public process." You may contact Jason Peck at 825-9882 or e-mail jpeck@culpepercitizen.com. |