In this Issue
Community Events
Early Voting Begins for March Presidential Primary
Meeting with LCPS Superintendent Spence
Dominion High School Basketball
School Board Updates
Land Use Applications
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February 2024
Board of Supervisors Meeting Dates
Business Meeting
2/6/2024 at 4 pm
2/13/2024 at 6 pm
Public Hearing
2/14/2024 at 6 pm
Business Meeting
2/20/2024 at 4 pm
Transportation and Land Use Committee (TLUC)
2/21/2024 at 5 pm
Want to speak?
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Dear Neighbors,
I hope you have had a chance to read the annual mailer that went out recently to all Algonkian homes with updates about our work. Many residents have reached out about items discussed in the mailer, and I am so heartened by the high interest in learning about what's going on in the Algonkian District.
Don't forget, early voting has begun in Loudoun for the March Presidential Primary. Further information is provided below.
This month, I had the honor of conducting the ceremonial tip off at Dominion High School basketball games, including the girls' varsity game last night. It was great to connect with school faculty and community members.
Our childcare initiative took one more step forward at the last board business meeting where my colleagues and I approved the utilization of $1 million of surplus American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for a childcare fee reduction program to be operated by Northern Virginia Family Services. I am excited to get a report on the results. A vendor has been chosen for the Childcare Needs Assessment (CNA) and it will get underway soon. The Board has allocated $1 million to use in response needs identified by the CNA.
Next week, I am heading to Richmond for Local Government Day with the General Assembly and the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) where we will advocate for and oppose bills based on the interests of Loudoun County residents. I will be paying particular attention to legislation that would add to county costs, burden administration or subvert local authority on land use or funding decisions. While in Richmond, I will also attend the VACo Chairperson's Institute. The following week, I am attending the National Association of Counties (NACo) Federal Legislative Conference where I sit on the County Economic and Workforce Development Committee. The conference focuses on strategies to access and allocate federal dollars. At this meeting, it is my plan to further advocate for childcare dollars from the federal government so that we can get more parents and caregivers participating in the workforce.
- Juli
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LOUDOUN COUNTY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
- Sunday, February 4 at Claude Moore Recreation Center
- 12 PM to 5 PM
The Loudoun County International Festival is a county-wide Parks, Recreation & Community Services event organized and brought to our community by our collective centers – the Recreation, Community, and Senior Centers of Loudoun County. Our goal is to celebrate the diversity in our County and connect the people in our community by creating a beautiful cultural experience. Come explore with us! Let's come together to celebrate our diverse cultural communities!
This event is free to attend and is your passport to experience international-themed entertainment, activities and games, food (for purchase), and more! Additional information about activities, entertainment and a listing of vendors can be found at: https://www.loudoun.gov/internationalfestival
LOUDOUN COUNTY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Loudoun Symphony Orchestra Presents: Truth & Transcendence
- 7:30 PM, February 10 at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Ashburn
- 3:00 PM, February 11 at Independence High School, Ashburn
Join the LSO for an unforgettable musical journey where the essence of history intertwines with nature, and each note captures the power and resilience of the human spirit. Concert includes Respighi's Pines of Rome, Coldplay's Viva La Vida, Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, and the world premiere of Traveler in the Mist, which is inspired by David Grann’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Click here to buy tickets: $35 for Adults, $30 Seniors and FREE for children 12 and under.
PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (PRCS)
PRCS has events and activities to make the season cheery and bright for all ages. From winter-lighted walks, nature handcrafting, and an Elf Scramble 5K - check out all the winter events!
CASCADES LIBRARY
Embrace the cold from the warm indoors with a snowflake ball, teen escape room, and Antarctic photography. Other events include retirement planning, dementia, drones, and housing assistance programs. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
CASCADES SENIOR CENTER
The Loudoun County Senior Center provides an active gathering spot for the thriving, diverse community of adults 55 and older and offers a variety of classes, groups and programs that provide learning, growth and social opportunities. Find activities and read their newsletter here.
Cascades Senior Center Open House
Cascades Senior Center is hosting an open house this Friday, January 26th from 9 am to 2 pm. Come and learn about fitness, social and educational program offerings, view class demonstrations, tour the center to see where activities, fitness classes, and lunch are held, and meet senior center staff, Advisory Board members and Volunteers!
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Early Voting Begins
for March Presidential Primary
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With the March presidential primary just weeks away, I am pleased to share that the Loudoun County Electoral Board has reversed a decision which would have cut weekday in-person early voting in Eastern Loudoun County.
Early voting for the March presidential primary has begun in Leesburg at the Office of Elections (750 Miller Dr. SE, Suite 150, Leesburg, VA). Satellite locations, including Claude Moore and Dulles South recreation centers, will open for early voting on February 24th. Additional information about how to vote in the March primary can be found at loudoun.gov/vote.
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Meeting with LCPS Superintendent |
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This week I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Aaron Spence, who serves as the Superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools. Dr. Spence has been a leader in education for more than twenty-five years, and our schools are in great hands.
Topics discussed included the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025 budget, childcare, the potential elimination of fees for student activities, and strategies for enabling our students to prosper.
Dr. Spence will be hosting a public listening session at Dominion High School on February 7th. The staff portion is from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., and the community session is from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m., with a 30-minute meet-and-greet after each session. More information here: https://www.lcps.org/suptcls
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Dominion High School Basketball |
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This month, I was excited to serve the opening tip-off at Dominion High School for both the boys' and girls' varsity basketball teams. As a mother of two Titans graduates, it was especially meaningful to be back at Dominion to support our student athletes and connect with community members and school faculty. |
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April Chandler
Algonkian District School Board Member
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Read about:
- February Office Hours,
- New School Board Sworn In,
- FY 24-25 Budget Planning Update,
- Listening Sessions with Superintendent Spence,
- Fentanyl Awareness Sessions
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February Dates to Remember
Thursday, 2/1: Dual Language Immersion Kindergarten registration opens
Thursday, 2/1, 6:30 PM: FY25 Operating Budget Work Session
Tuesday, 2/6, 6:30 PM: FY25 Operating Budget Public Hearing and Adoption
Friday, 2/9: School Holiday (Lunar New Year)
Tuesday, 2/13, 4:30 PM: 2nd Tuesday School Board Meeting
Monday, 2/12: Application deadline for High School applicants to the Academies of Loudoun
Monday, 2/19: School Holiday (Presidents' Day)
Tuesday, 2/27, 4:30 PM: 4th Tuesday School Board Meeting
All meetings will be held at the LCPS Administration Building, 21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA unless otherwise noted.
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The legislative land use re-zoning process can be complicated. To make the process more understandable, my office asked county staff to create a flowchart with the steps required in a land use application process. With this chart, you can now see where each potential project is in the process.
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Cascades Marketplace
STATUS: APPROVED
The revitalization of Cascades Marketplace is now underway. The mixed-use development will include up to 755 homes and over 260,000 SF of retail space. The team at Willard Retail are meeting with prospective tenants, and just landed Taco Bamba! New tenants on the way include Shake Shack and Chiko. The Starbucks is also expected to move to a drive-through location in the future.
The application was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the December 13th Public Hearing.
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Dogwood Farm Station
STATUS: APPROVED
A multifamily development to build 425 homes and a childcare center on the 19.33-acre site currently home to Blue Mount Nursery. Based on community and BOS feedback regarding density, open space and other issues, the applicant updated the proposal to improve open space and lower overall density from the original proposal.
The application was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the November 15th Public Hearing.
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S&S Child Care Home
STATUS: STAFF REVIEW
Sunshine and Sprouts Home Daycare has applied for a Minor Special Exception to increase their capacity from 9 to 12 children. It is located in a single-family attached dwelling along Derrydale Square in Sterling. The application was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the October 11th Public Hearing.
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Route 7 Brewing Company
STATUS: APPROVED
A minor special exception to allow craft beverage use at the Lexington 7 commercial center was approved on January 11, 2023, paving the way for the Algonkian District's first brewery. The business owner is a Loudoun County resident.
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Potomac View Sign Development Plan
STATUS: APPROVED
A Sign Development Plan has been submitted to increase the amount of signage permitted for a childcare center on a property located on the west side of Potomac View Road, north of Jefferson Drive. The application was approved by the Board of Supervisors at the January 10, 2024 Public Hearing.
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The Villas at Cascades
STATUS: APPROVED
Approved in 2022, this application is allows the development of 178 multi-family stacked residential units. The developers are currently in the site plan processing stage of the project. Construction is expected to break ground next month and the first buildings expected to go up this Summer. A $160,000 school contribution has also been made with the expectation those funds will be used for the playground area at Meadowland Elementary.
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University Center Lakeview
STATUS: APPROVED
A development of 597 multifamily homes located south of George Washington Boulevard off of Presidential Drive was approved at the April 18, 2023 BOS Business Meeting. I worked closely with the applicant to discourage a proposed data center on the site. A site plan was submitted to the county. Construction is expected start by the end of 2024.
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Regal Chase
(Sterling Meadow)
STATUS: APPROVED
Approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 21, 2020, the Regal Chase community of two-over-two condos is currently being built and sold providing much-needed housing to the Algonkian district. Construction of 10 of the 13 total buildings is expected by September 2024.
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Follow us on social media! |
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Juli E. Briskman, Vice Chair & Algonkian District Supervisor
We want to hear from you! Share your concerns, questions, or events that you would like to see featured in upcoming newsletters.
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