April 2026

Welcome to the April 2026 edition of the Dulles Direct newsletter. I hope everyone is having an enjoyable spring. I will be holding open “office hours” this Saturday, May 2 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at a booth as part of the South Riding Mosaic Festival (43080 Center Street). Please stop by to say hello, and feel free to ask questions. We’ll also have copies of some of our most recent materials. 

FY27 Budget Report

Speaking of, earlier this week, I sent my comprehensive budget report on the FY27 budget, which was approved on April 7. You can read that here. The report includes a comparison of the tax bills and tax rates between nearby jurisdictions. The most striking statistic for me is that the average tax bill in Loudoun County is nearly $4,000 less than in Fairfax County, largely as a result of data center revenue. 

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

It is unfortunate that we need to have a Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, but we do, and April is designated as such around the country. The County has resources for victims and survivors, and can help educate residents on how to be involved in prevention. We recognized several of our great nonprofits for victims, such as the Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS), Women Giving Back, Silence No More, as well as the work of the Sheriff’s Office and Commonwealth's Attorney’s Office, both of which have dedicated personnel to handle these situations. If you are suffering from ongoing domestic violence or sexual assault, please do not hesitate to reach out for help.  

Of note, the Board of Supervisors approved a grant of $4 million to LAWS to help build their new facility that serves as shelter space for individuals who are victims of sexual assault.  

Arab American Heritage Month

April was also Arab American Heritage Month, which we recognized at our April 21 Business Meeting. The County has a large population of Arab American residents who contribute to our workplaces, schools, nonprofits, sports, business sector, and more. This year’s Proclamation recognized several Arab American educators in our community. 

DULLES UPDATES

Route 50/Loudoun County Parkway Interchange Concept Endorsement

Concept Plan Endorsed

Route 50/Loudoun County Parkway is the highest volume and most delayed intersection in the Dulles District. It consistently is in the top three for accident volume in the entire County, and upgrading it to an interchange remains one of my highest priorities, as it has been for years. To that end, we reached an important milestone this month as the Board of Supervisors endorsed the concept plan for a Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) at the intersection of Route 50 and Loudoun County Parkway. While the official Interchange Access Report is still under review by VDOT, we expect that this design is more consistent with what they are likely to approve and should improve our chances of getting VDOT endorsement of an interchange in this location.  

An SPUI is designed to move large volumes of traffic with a small footprint, which is perfect for this spot, and handles more left-turning traffic than most other designs. It features consolidation of all movements into one single intersection controlled by one set of traffic signals. A SPUI is one of our most cost-effective options, and it reduces impacts to adjacent properties and better aligns with current and future land use in the immediate vicinity of the intersection. Importantly, MWAA (Dulles Airport) staff is on board with the proposal, which is important since much of the right of way we need is under their ownership.

Project Details

The newly approved six-year CIP provides funding for the full $300 million project with land acquisition and utility relocation funding provided in FY28 and FY29, and construction funding allocated in FY30 and FY31. We have already received $32 million in NVTA funding and $1 million in federal budget earmarks that will help fund full design.

I will keep you updated in the future as we expect final approval from VDOT soon and the full design process to begin.

Conklin Park Stream Restoration & Wetlands Project

Project Details

The projects consist of a stormwater pond retrofit, a constructed wetland, and the restoration of 2,200 linear feet of eroded stream. These are expected to reduce the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, and sediment flowing into Elk Lick Run, which is part of the Bull Run Watershed by increasing habitat, improving local water quality, restoring floodplain function, and reducing pollutants and sediments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

We will also be reintroducing native species with  the planting of more than 2,300 trees, over 2,700 live stakes (stem cuttings inserted directly into the stream bank which help reduce soil loss), and nearly 12,000 sedges, perennials, aquatic plant plugs, Riparian and upland seeding will also be planted within the constructed wetland and along the stream and pond banks. 

Construction is anticipated to begin in late summer/fall of 2026 and take approximately 18 months to complete. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Stormwater Local Assistance Fund has given the County a $1.4 million matching grant for the project.

VDOT 2026 Paving Program

The Virginia Department of Transportation paves several roads in the County each summer. This year, they will be paving Route 50 between Gum Spring Road and the Fairfax County line. I will provide updates once the contractor schedule has been established as that project has the potential to cause some disruption. You can access the paving program map and see the status of various projects here.   

Belmont Ridge Road Detour Continues

As a reminder, a detour is in place on Belmont Ridge Road between Arcola Mills Drive and Evergreen Mills Road through Monday, June 30, 2026. The detour is necessary to allow for roadway improvements and utility infrastructure upgrades. During this time, the detour route will be clearly marked to assist drivers in navigating around the construction area.

DULLES LAND USE UPDATES

NOVEC-Deimos Substation

LEGI-2024-0059 

Application Details

At the Board’s April 21 Business Meeting, we forwarded a Commission Permit application by NOVEC to construct a utility substation on the northwest corner of the Arcola Mills Drive Belmont Ridge Road intersection to our May 19 Business Meeting. While this property is in the Little River District, it is located just at the border with Dulles. The Deimos Substation, as it is being called, would serve a planned by-right data center across Belmont Ridge Road on the south side of Evergreen Mills Road. The substation would be served by an existing 230 kV transmission line and not require new lines to be constructed. The applicant proffered buffering and screening along Arcola Mills Drive and Belmont Ridge Road – vegetative plantings and a 16 ft. tall screening wall between the facade and the road.

During discussion of the motion to forward the application, I shared my frustration with NOVEC’s lack of responsiveness to the concerns of Loudoun residents and Board members with the design and location of their substations. In this case, they are proposing a large open-air substation in a visible location within close proximity to homes and a childcare. If a substation were to even be considered in this location, it should at least be a Gas Insulated Substation (GIS), which allows for a smaller footprint and for the equipment to be located inside of a structure. The smaller footprint would permit deeper landscaped buffer areas along the roadway frontage. At the public hearing on this substation, I indicated that the only scenario in which I would even consider this is if it is a GIS, and even then, the location concerns me. 

Background  

This substation application was filed just before changes to our Zoning Ordinance requiring Special Exception approval for all utility substations. So this particular application only requires what is referred to as a “Commission Permit” from the Planning Commission. If the Board of Supervisors takes no action, the permit is issued, but the Board of Supervisors can override the Planning Commission and only has 60 days to do so. The Commission Permit process limits what we can and can’t require of an applicant, but we are able to evaluate whether the location of the proposal is consistent with our Comprehensive Plan.

South Riding Intergenerational Community

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Application Details

At their April 28 Public Hearing, the Planning Commission discussed an application to develop 120 independent living and 80 adult assisted living units, memory care, nursing units, and 250 multifamily units inclusive of affordable dwellings. They forwarded the application to a future work session, which has not yet been scheduled. I’ll provide an update once that session takes place.

This application proposes additions to the previously approved Waltonwood South Riding, which as you’ll recall was already approved for a continuing care facility by the Board. That approval featured 147 independent living units, 62 adult assisted units, 22 memory care units, and 2 accessory units – so as you can see, the 250 multifamily units are new. The applicant has stated that following the COVID-19 pandemic, the continuing care model has changed and families now prioritize living closer to their aging family members.

Next Steps

This is a substantial application and features a lot more units than many were expecting in this location. While I welcome additional senior living units, I am concerned about the overall scope and scale of the project in this location.  I will be paying particularly close attention to the buffering around the boundaries of the project and associated traffic impacts.  

Dulles South Community Park

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The Planning Commission held a public hearing this month on the Dulles South Community Park, a proposed 34-acre park adjacent to Lightridge High School. The park would include a cricket pitch, large rectangular athletic fields (including lighting), restrooms and concessions, a playground, a street hockey rink, and more, while the western portion of the property would remain wooded with nature trails, streams, and picnic pavilions. Design is roughly 95% complete. Money has been set aside in the CIP for several years, but the legislative process is still required for land use approval.

The Board will be discussing the park at a Public Hearing in June or July, with a contract award expected by next summer with construction to commence shortly after – should it be approved. The need for additional cricket and athletic facilities has been well document, and I personally insisted that this land be acquired and kept by the County during the purchase of the Lightridge High School site specifically for this purpose. 

Completion is currently planned for the fall of 2028, should the application be approved, and I’ll be providing updates throughout the process. I am looking forward to this great amenity for southern Loudoun residents. 

LOUDOUN UPDATES

Reduced Senior Fares for Metro and Commuter Bus

The Senior Smart Trip card is now available.  It is a free and reloadable fare card that provides residents age 65 and older with a 50% discount on fares for Metro Rail, Metro Bus, Loudoun County Transit commuter bus, and other regional transit services that accept Smart Trip. The program was conceived when I was on the Metro Board of Directors as part of our overall efforts to improve fare collection and enforcement, while providing assistance for those that need it. 

The card works like a standard Smart Trip card but automatically applies the senior discount when used for travel. Loudoun County is the first jurisdiction in the region expanding access to the cards by having them available at many convenient locations throughout the County.

The County will host in-person events at senior centers, community centers, libraries and other sites throughout the County to provide these cards to seniors. If you attend one, bring a valid government-issued ID with proof of age and get a reduced fare card! No fee is required for the initial Senior Smart Trip card. Cards are reloaded with value as needed and should be kept and reused for future trips. Visit loudoun.gov/SmartTrip for details about the Senior Smart Trip program, including eligibility, how the discount works, and the most updated list of Loudoun County distribution event dates and locations. Residents can also obtain a card at the Loudoun County Transit and Commuter Services office located at 209 Gibson St. NW, Suite 100, in Leesburg, VA, from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Runway 30 Noise Mitigation Project Update

Background

You may recall the efforts of the working group on Dulles Airport Runway 30 noise mitigation, comprised of community representatives and the County’s airport expert contractor group Vianair. Late last year, we endorsed project recommendations for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consider: a new NADP-1 departure procedure where planes climb steeper earlier in their ascent to be higher in the air when they cross residential areas, a new nighttime heading rule which would require aircraft to maintain a straight runway heading until reaching 3,000 ft. between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. to mitigate noise while folks are sleeping, and a consolidation of northern flight paths into a single path to make noise less severe and more predictable. These recommendations were submitted to the FAA for their consideration.

Update

No member jurisdictions of the regional project group have objected to our recommendations so far. However, at the Board’s April 21 Business Meeting, we heard an update from County staff on the status of the FAA process. The office of the Eastern Region Administrator with the FAA will coordinate with MWAA (Dulles Airport) staff to discuss the recommendations of the working group. Since MWAA has not yet explicitly supported the plans, this step is necessary to ensure they are on board. If no fatal flaws in the proposal are identified by the airport, the FAA will continue coordinating with major airlines to vet the project recommendations. Pending those steps, they will begin assigning necessary resources for implementation.

According to staff, should these proposals more forward, they may take at least 5 years to implement as the FAA is prioritizing safety related airspace changes. The County has asked if certain specific features could be accelerated, but no commitments have been made.   

Greenway Toll Increase Hearings

Like a bad habit, Greenway toll increases are back on the table. The County successfully defeated the last attempt, but now the Greenway is asking for it again. Specifically, the Greenway is requesting a $.95 increase for peak hour tolls and a $.35 increase for off-peak. Should that be denied by the SCC, they have a secondary proposal of a $.70 increase for peak hour tolls and $.40 for off-peak.

I will absolutely be opposing this proposed increase, and have recommended that the County do so as well (the Board will be discussing it soon). 

There will once again be a chance for the public to be heard, and I hope you will. The public hearing will be on on June 29, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Rock Ridge High School, 43460 Loudoun Reserve Drive, Ashburn, Virginia 20148. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness at this hearing should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled hearing and register to testify with the State Corporation Commission’s bailiff. Each witness will be allotted approximately five minutes to provide testimony.

There will also be a telephonic hearing beginning at 10:00 a.m. on July 1, 2026. Any person desiring to testify as a public witness at this hearing would have to provide the Commission staff notice on or before June 30, 2026. Members of the public will need to provide their name and the telephone number they want the hearing examiner to call on the day of the hearing. The information can be provided to the Commission (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/caseinformation/submit-public-comments; or (ii) by calling (804)371-9141.

For the telephonic hearing, the hearing examiner will call each telephone number sequentially. Testimony will be limited to five minutes per witness. If the person is not available at the number provided when the examiner calls the examiner simply moves on to the next witness, so it is important to be available when the examiner calls. 

As a reminder, the State Corporation Commission must approve any toll increase requests by Trip II, the operator of the Greenway. I am hoping to see this toll increase rejected according to the criteria the County has advocate for that such increases “materially discourage” use of the road, and public input is an important part of the SCC’s decision-making process. 

Ordinance Revisions to Align with State Cannabis Legislation

At the Board’s April 21 Business Meeting, we directed staff to prepare draft amendments to the County’s Zoning Ordinance and Codified Ordinances to reflect new state guidance authorizing the cultivation and sale of cannabis products in Virginia. This will be controlled under limited license issuance by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority,  and they are limited to 200 licenses statewide through the end of 2028. As of January 2029, there will be authority to expand that licensure.

The amendments to our County documents are necessary to mitigate land use impacts and other impacts on public health. We will want to include language surrounding prohibiting these establishments near schools for example, use of tax revenue from the cannabis industry, enforcement capabilities by the Sheriff’s Office for offending establishments, permissible zoning districts for cannabis establishments, and more.

I will provide an update once we add new sections to our Zoning Ordinance and Codified Ordinances. Legal cultivation and sale of cannabis in Virginia is expected to go into effect with the new fiscal year on July 1. 

E-Bike Safety

As discussed at my recent town hall meeting, the Sheriff’s Office is enforcing and conducting public information efforts related to e-bike and scooter safety. Now that the warm weather is here, we are seeing many of these vehicles - sometimes operating in an unsafe manner. 

The County worked with our state delegates on proposed regulations. Those weren’t successful during the General Assembly session, but the GA did pass a bill that forms a working group to better understand how these vehicles are classified and regulated. I will keep you posted as receive updates in the future. The Sheriff’s Office presentation on e-bike safety posted on their Facebook page here. My slideshow from the Town Hall is posted for your perusal here.

Please remember that due to enforcement difficulties surrounding e-bikes, safety and responsibility starts in the community with the parents of young riders. If your child has one of these vehicles, make sure they are wearing a helmet, driving responsibly, and obeying all normal rules of the road. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Loudoun Water Spring Hydrant Flushing

Background

Every spring, Loudoun Water joins utilities across the country in beginning the annual hydrant flushing process. This essential maintenance helps clean water distribution systems and ensures maintenance of the highest standards of water quality for our community. Flushing in the Loudoun Water service area began the week of March 23 and is expected to continue for approximately 12 to 15 weeks.

Details

At each stop, a Loudoun Water crew member will open a hydrant to flush water mains and take samples to measure water quality. This process offers several key benefits:

• Clearing sediment from the water lines.
• Allowing crews to monitor the system's health.
• Ensuring high standards of water quality.

For more information, including a map of scheduled flushes, please click here. 

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events

There will be a household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, June 27 at Freedom High School (25450 Riding Center Drive) from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Loudoun residents are welcome to bring HHW from their homes to the events, free of charge.

Future Loudoun County HHW Events

View the 2026 schedule of HHW events at loudoun.gov/hhw.

HHW Contact Information

For more information about the Loudoun County Household Hazardous Waste Program, call 703-771-5500 or visit loudoun.gov/hhw.

Dulles South Food Pantry Charity Golf Tournament

Registration and Sponsorships are open for the Ninth Annual DSFP Charity Golf Tournament! Mark your calendars for Friday, May 8, 2026, and join the DSFP at the South Riding Golf Club for a day of friendly competition, networking, and giving back to our community. 

The Dulles South Food Pantry is a community-driven nonprofit serving Dulles South residents and the surrounding area, providing nutritious food, personal supplies, and life-changing social services to our neighbors in need. They are proud to share that they currently provide food to 250 families each week, reaching approximately 1,000 individuals in our community. Your support plays a vital role in helping them ensure our neighbors have food on their tables. Thank you for making a meaningful difference in their lives! 

Donations to the Dulles South Food Pantry are tax-deductible.

Donations to Local Food Banks

Dulles South Food Pantry

Thank you to those that helped the Dulles South Food Pantry (DSFP) feed families this holiday season. Even with the holiday over, donations are needed more than ever and can be made in person at the pantry at 24757 Arcola Mills Drive on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or online. DSFP provides food assistance up to twice a month to any person who resides in the attendance zones for the following high schools: Freedom, John Champe, Lightridge, Independence, Rock Ridge, and Briar Woods. Call 703-507-2795 or email info@dsfp.org to schedule an appointment. See the pantry's website for information on how you can help fight local hunger. The pantry is currently looking for plastic bag donations as well. 

America’s Soup Kitchen

Donations to the kitchen can be made on their website or at their location by appointment. Call (202) 930-3775 or email to make an appointment. America’s Soup Kitchen distributes fresh and nutritious hot meals to anyone in need within Loudoun County every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the StoneSprings Hospital Center parking lot by Route 50. Registration is required on their website.

From the soup kitchen: “In the heart of Loudoun County, many mothers are carrying an invisible weight. It’s the weight of making impossible choices between paying the rent and putting a dignified meal on the table. This Mother’s Day, America's Soup Kitchen (Formerly, Dulles South Soup Kitchen) is hosting more than a dinner. We are creating The Giving Table, a moment to slow down, honor the resilient women in our lives, and ensure that no mother in our community has to struggle alone. One evening at The Giving Table turns into hundreds of meals for families in need all across Loudoun. When you join us at Shutters on King St., you are not only enjoying a world-class culinary experience, but also investing in the strength of our community. Seats are limited to 40, so get yours soon at this link!”

Blood Donation

American Red Cross

To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets with the American Red Cross, please visit redcross.org/give-blood.

Inova Blood Services

Inova Blood Services also takes donors by appointment.

Visit https://www.inovablood.org/ to schedule an appointment.

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