Friday, December 29, 2023 |
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Fun Fact About Loudoun County |
Loudoun County maintains a strong commitment to preserving open space and agricultural land, as well as protecting forested areas, historic sites, and natural resources. As of October, 2023, of Loudoun’s 333,558 acres of land, more than 75,000 acres (22%+) are protected by conservation easements. Landowners who want to enjoy their property while ensuring its long-term preservation can voluntarily enter into a legal agreement with a qualified land trust, to retain ownership, use, and enjoyment of the land while conveying certain rights to protect its resources. Learn more about conservation easements in Loudoun County.
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Featured in the Ashburn District Flyer
Proposed Transmission Line Projects
- Proposed Transmission Line Project: Aspen to Golden
(Scroll down for more information)
Transportation & County Facilities Update
Loudoun County News
Upcoming Opportunities & Community Engagement
Legislative Applications for Development in the Ashburn District
(Scroll down for more information)
Significant By-Right Developments in the Ashburn District
(Scroll down for more information)
* This application is coming to the January 10th, Board of Supervisors Public Hearing. Learn more about providing public input here.
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Greetings Ashburn/Lansdowne!
As this is my first Flyer since being re-elected, let me start this issue by expressing my heartfelt gratitude to all of my constituents who, collectively, have made this the best job I’ve ever had. To those who voted, please accept my humble thanks for being thoughtful and engaged Ashburn/Lansdowne citizens. To all of my constituents and their families, I value your inputs beyond measure. I am just an email or phone call away, so please never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff should you need assistance.
The big news since the election is that the Board of Supervisors completed the long-awaited Zoning Ordinance Rewrite and adopted the new Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance on December 13th by a vote of 8-0-1 (one Supervisor was absent). Adoption of this new ordinance was the culmination of four years of extraordinarily hard work by county staff, the Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors and hundreds of stakeholders who offered thousands of inputs into the draft ordinance. The consensus from the overwhelming majority of the stakeholder groups is that this new ordinance is a significant improvement over its predecessor.
This immense process was critically important as it finally brought the zoning ordinance into alignment with the 2019 Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, the new ordinance provides a foundation to begin tackling some major remaining issues. These are:
- A combined Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Ordinance modification to strategically address management of data center growth and the accompanying proliferation of overhead transmission lines in Loudoun County. Aggressively addressing the power line issue will be my top priority in the new term;
- A combined Comprehensive Plan/Zoning Ordinance modification to finally clarify and provide strategic direction for the preservation of rural western Loudoun given the three competing trends; farm preservation, environmental and heritage protection, as well as our robust rural economic industries (breweries, wineries, agri-tourism);
- An independent audit and developing recommendations to significantly improve the land application process;
- Capturing and implementing fixes that will inevitably arise as developers and landowners begin operating under the new ordinance.
Suffice it to say, we cannot rest on our laurels…there is simply too much to do. But the challenges, while complex and sometimes daunting, are also a reflection of how vibrant and exciting it is to call Loudoun County home.
I wish each of you a joyous, safe and fulfilling holiday season, and I look forward to continuing my service to you in the coming term!
All my very best to you and yours!
Mike Turner
Ashburn District Supervisor
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Proposed Transmission Line Projects |
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Proposed Transmission Line Project: Aspen to Golden |
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We will continue to provide updates about this proposal as we become aware of new information. Here are the latest details:
Dominion Energy has developed proposals for a project named “Aspen to Golden,” a potential transmission route that calls for the construction of new Transmission Lines along Route 7, between Belmont Ridge Road and Route 28. Potential routing options for the new transmission lines includes a route running along the north of Route 7, or a route running along the south side of Route 7, or a potential combination thereof.
Dominion Energy continues to host virtual and in-person meetings for residents who live near the proposed transmission routes. These meetings are like the meetings that they held in 2023, with the purpose of providing updates to the proposal and gathering feedback from the affected community.
Dominion Energy announced details for two public meetings they are hosting in January. The information for these meetings are:
Virtual Open House
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
12pm – 1pm
In-Person Meeting
Thursday, January 11, 2024
5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Riverside High School
- 19019 Upper Belmont Place, Leesburg, VA 20176
Next Steps:
Dominion Energy is required by law to provide electricity to its customers and is responsible for submitting potential transmission routes to the SCC, as well as engaging with the community for feedback on their proposals. The State Corporation Commission (SCC) is the legal authority in Virginia that makes the final routing decisions for all transmission routes. In addition, the SCC will hold public hearings for those proposals, during which county officials, local organizations and members of the public will be able to offer comments.
While the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has no formal role in the approval process, the county will serve as a “referral agency” for any proposals within the county. This includes a review by Loudoun County to evaluate proposals for conformance with the land use, environmental and heritage resources policies of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
Supervisor Turner continues to encourage his constituents to speak out against powerlines on Route 7 at public input sessions during BOS Business Meetings. For BOS meeting schedules and information about signing up to speak at BOS Business Meetings, please click here. Additionally, Supervisor Turner encourages residents who are opposed to this project to consider signing this petition from the Lansdowne Conservancy to oppose towers on Route 7.
Stay Informed
We understand that our community is going to have a lot of questions, especially as this process moves forward. We encourage you to stay informed about the progress of this project.
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“GeoVoice,” an interactive mapping tool that gives members of the public the ability to review and provide feedback on Dominion’s proposed project routes:
- geovoice.com/dominion/LoudounCounty
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“NOVA Virtual Open House,” an interactive website that includes information about all of Dominion’s transmission route plans for Loudoun County:
- engage.com/novareliability
Contact Dominion Energy:
Dominion Energy has provided the following contact information for questions and to provide feedback about this project:
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The Loudoun Board of Supervisors and county staff are closely monitoring the process conducted by the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) PJM Interconnection, which has included consideration of proposals to improve a portion of the nation’s power grid to prepare for growing demand in Virginia and Maryland. PJM is the RTO charged by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with coordinating the sale and movement of electricity in designated states, including Virginia.
Following a review of 72 proposals for addressing electricity needs over the past ten months, the Board of Managers for PJM selected a number of proposals during its December 11, 2023, meeting. The proposals are intended to resolve electric transmission reliability constraints in the PJM region, which includes all or parts of 13 states and the District of Columbia. PJM will designate developers to site the facilities, determine routes and construct the projects.
Several entities won approval to construct improvements to existing facilities or the addition of new high-voltage transmission lines as ways to improve the reliability of the regional power grid. At least one of the chosen proposals calls for new transmission lines that are proposed to traverse portions of western Loudoun.
In Virginia, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) must approve any proposed high-voltage transmission lines prior to construction. While the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has no formal role in the approval process, the county will serve as a “referral agency” for any proposals within the county. In addition, the SCC will hold public hearings for those proposals, during which county officials, local organizations and members of the public will be able to offer comments.
No final decisions have been made regarding the future location of the high-voltage transmission line corridor proposed in western Loudoun. The multistep process includes a review by Loudoun County during which the county will evaluate proposals for conformance with the land use, environmental and heritage resources policies of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan.
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Transportation & County Facilities Update |
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Loudoun County residents and businesses who wish to offer comment on the Dulles Greenway’s proposed rate hike may do so during a State Corporation Commission (SCC) public hearing, Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Freedom High School, 25450 Riding Center Drive in South Riding.
Toll Road Investors Partnership II, LP (“TRIP II”), the company that owns the Greenway, is asking the SCC to approve a request (Case # PUR-2023-00089) to increase the maximum tolls for most drivers to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80; and to $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25.
In July, Loudoun County announced its opposition to the proposed rate hike. In September, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to file a “notice of participation” with the SCC in the case. The notice of participation ensures that Loudoun’s Board will have access to all information provided to the SCC as it considers the application for a 40% increase in the maximum toll for passenger vehicles on the Greenway. It also allows the Board to provide the SCC with testimony and analysis independent of that offered by the owner of the toll road.
Opportunities for Public Comment
The SCC asks that any member of the public who wishes to provide comment at the January 9 hearing in South Riding arrive at 5:45 p.m. and register to speak. Additional details are published online by the SCC:
In addition to the January 9 hearing in South Riding, the SCC is holding a telephonic hearing to receive testimony from members of the public on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at 1300 East Main Street in Richmond. Members of the public who wish to provide testimony by telephone must pre-register by 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 24, 2024, in one of three ways:
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Complete a public witness form for case number PUR-2023-00089 on the SCC’s website.
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E-mail the SCC a PDF version of the form.
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Call the SCC at 804-371-9141 during normal business hours (8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) and provide your name and a phone number where you can be reached during the hearing.
The SCC allots each witness five minutes to provide testimony.
A separate public evidentiary hearing will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 31, 2024, to receive testimony and evidence from the company, any respondents and the SCC staff. Although testimony from members of the public will not be accepted on January 31, 2024, the hearing will be open to the public.
Written Comments
Members of the public may submit written comments at any time through January 24, 2024. Written comments regarding the Greenway’s request for increased toll rates can be provided through the SCC’s online form.
Written comments can also be submitted by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All comments must refer to case number PUR-2023-00089.
More information about the proposed rate hike, including links to documents associated with the case, may be found on the SCC’s website.
Background
Loudoun County has opposed toll rate increases requested by the operators of the Dulles Greenway, Toll Road Investors Partnership II (TRIP II), which filed its application for the authorization for an increase in the maximum level of tolls last month. The SCC is the entity that considers such requests.
TRIP II has requested a toll increase of 22% during off-peak hours (from $5.25 to $6.40) and a 40% increase during peak morning and afternoon hours (from $5.80 to $8.10). TRIP II claims the increases are necessary to meet its debt obligation; however, data shows that use of the Greenway is down because of its already high toll rate. Traffic on the Greenway decreased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not returned to pre-COVID levels.
To promote use of the Greenway by more motorists, Loudoun County has consistently supported changing the Greenway’s toll structure to distance-based tolling while also lowering toll rates. The Greenway operator has the lawful ability to implement both changes now.
Virginia law enacted in 2021 provides objective criteria for evaluating toll increase proposals, including a requirement that proposed Greenway toll rates are “reasonable” to users in relation to the benefit they are deriving from using the road so that the rates do not “materially discourage” use of the road. Loudoun County believes TRIP II’s proposed rates will further discourage the use of the Greenway. The SCC uses the objective criteria to evaluate toll rate increase proposals and Loudoun County supports the SCC review process.
In addition, Loudoun County has opposed any legislation that would potentially permit automatic toll rate increases each year of an unknown amount and an extension of the Greenway’s operator’s license for an unlimited period of time, which is not good for Loudoun residents. The county’s opposition to automatic toll rate increase legislation and continued support of the SCC review process is intended to protect Loudoun residents who may choose to use the Greenway from arbitrary toll rate increases. Legislation supported by TRIP II pertaining to this matter was previously defeated by the Virginia State Senate twice on bipartisan votes.
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Loudoun County is adjusting bus schedules and relocating one bus stop to improve service for riders going to Silver Line Metrorail stations. All routes are evaluated for timeliness and efficiency on a quarterly basis throughout the year to better serve all Loudoun Transit riders.
Schedule Changes
Beginning Tuesday, January 2, 2024, Loudoun County Transit will be adjusting schedules on 20 of the 21 local bus routes serving the Silver Line Metrorail stations in Loudoun and Fairfax counties to reduce wait times and better serve riders who need to make connections at the Metrorail stations. Route 333 serving Quantum Park and Pacific Boulevard with stops at the Loudoun Gateway Metrorail Station remains unchanged.
Riders are encouraged to review the new bus schedules closely as the changes in departure times are significant, ranging from a five-to-20-minute difference, depending on the route. All of the current updates to bus schedules with operating times are posted at loudoun.gov/buschanges.
Bus Stop Location Change on Route 351
Loudoun County Transit will also relocate one bus stop on Route 351 from the Leesburg II Park and Ride Lot – Segra Field to the Leesburg I Park and Ride Lot located at 41951 Gourley Transit Drive in Leesburg. With this adjustment, commuter bus riders will have added flexibility with a midday connection to the Leesburg I Park and Ride Lot from the Ashburn Metrorail Station.
Local Bus Service Connecting to the Silver Line Metrorail Stations
Loudoun County’s local bus service to the Loudoun and Fairfax Counties Silver Line Metrorail stations provides weekday service to and from convenient local stops, including connections to the Ashburn and Loudoun Gateway Metrorail Stations in Loudoun County and to the Innovation and Reston Town Center Metrorail Stations in Fairfax County. Additionally, some of the routes connect to the county’s park and rides lots, which are mapped at loudoun.gov/parkandridelots.
All Loudoun County Transit buses are equipped with electronic fare boxes that accept SmarTrip® cards for simple transition to Metrorail service. Everything commuters need to know about riding Metrorail is posted at loudoun.gov/silverline.
Stay Informed
Loudoun County encourages bus riders to stay informed about any changes to the county’s bus services by visiting loudoun.gov/buschanges for current service changes, including holidays and inclement weather. Bus riders may also subscribe to bus rider alerts at loudoun.gov/busbiz to receive email alerts.
In addition, Loudoun County Transit riders may download the Transit app for free on Google Play or the Apple Store. After downloading the app, set your favorite routes to begin receiving notifications for the buses you ride. For more information about the app, visit loudoun.gov/transitapp.
Transit riders can sign up to receive news via email and text from Loudoun County by subscribing to the Transit category listed under the News Flash section at loudoun.gov/notifyme.
More Transit Information
Loudoun County Transit offers bus service to the Silver Line Metrorail stations, and commuter and paratransit bus services, as well as a broad range of rider and commuter services, including information about ridesharing. For more information about the full range of Loudoun County’s transit and commuter services, visit loudoun.gov/transit.
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On Thursday, November 16, 2023, officials from the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System, Loudoun County Government, the Loudoun County Department of Transportation and Capitol Infrastructure (DTCI) and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors broke ground on a new fire and rescue station that will serve the residents of Aldie and the Route 50 corridor.
The new 23,000 square foot facility will replace the existing Aldie Fire and Rescue Station and provide an updated, accessible facility for Loudoun County Fire and Rescue personnel that staff the station along with the Aldie Volunteer Fire Department. The facility will include apparatus bays, bunkroom facilities, a training room, a break room, restrooms and showers, food preparation and dining areas, laundry and decontamination areas, supply storage, a gear and hose drying area, a breathing apparatus air compressor room, a fitness room, offices, and a repair shop. Additionally, the updated technology and design of the building will provide for much needed occupational cancer protections.
When someone calls 911 for a fire or a cardiac arrest, we have only minutes to ensure enough fire and rescue personnel and equipment arrive at the scene to get water on the fire or reach the patient to provide lifesaving emergency care, said System Chief Keith Johnson. “In addition to being a modern and safe facility for our firefighters, the location of the new fire station will facilitate the quick response times needed to protect Aldie and the surrounding community.”
To follow along with the progress and learn more about the Aldie Fire and Rescue Station project, please visit the DTCI project webpage. For information on the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System, please visit loudoun.gov/fire.
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The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has adopted a new zoning ordinance, completing a nearly four-year process that included extensive public engagement with a broad range of stakeholders. The new Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, adopted by the Board following a public hearing December 13, 2023, is effective immediately and replaces the previous ordinance known as the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance.
“This new ordinance is modern, streamlined, and provides much-needed updates to regulations on land use in the Loudoun County of today,” said Chair Phyllis J. Randall. “The Board’s unanimous vote illustrates our endorsement of an ordinance that is both good for Loudoun and recognizes this significant milestone in the Board’s history that could only have been achieved through the collaboration of countless critical partners. Those critical partners include the county’s zoning experts, business leaders, developers, environmental protection advocates, property owners, interested citizens, and many more. This effort could be a blueprint for future efforts, ensuring that in addition to being heard, stakeholders feel heard.”
The text of the newly adopted Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, which includes revisions to the county’s noise study regulations, is online at loudoun.gov/zoningordinance.
In addition to adopting the new ordinance, the Board of Supervisors established grandfathering rules (PDF) to allow certain types of pending development applications (accepted for processing but not yet approved) to continue being reviewed and approved under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance.
The Board also approved an interim process (PDF) for implementing the Loudoun County Facilities Standards Manual technical standards and Loudoun County Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance regulations until updates are made to these documents. The county also will now update the Loudoun County Codified Ordinances to update references to the new Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance.
Notable highlights of the Board’s updates to the ordinance are summarized for each chapter of the ordinance and posted online at loudoun.gov/ZORsummaries.
The Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance regulates land use throughout the county and is the primary implementation tool of the land use policies described in the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan, a policy document that provides guidance for governmental decision-makers regarding where and how the community will grow over many years.
Future Amendments
Following adoption of the new ordinance, the county will continue to update the ordinance and Comprehensive Plan through future amendments that will address a number of needs that were identified during the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite project. Future updates include additional considerations for data centers, land use in western Loudoun, and the prioritization and preservation of prime agricultural soils to support the long-term viability of farming. More information about planned efforts in the future are available in the November 9, 2023, staff report, Department of Planning and Zoning Work Plan (PDF).
About the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Project
The Board of Supervisors’ adoption of the new Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance is the culmination of four years of work, which began in 2020 with an audit of the previous ordinance. The Board appointed a Zoning Ordinance Committee that conducted thorough reviews, engaged the public and provided initial recommendations for updating the ordinance. Beginning in 2022, the Loudoun County Planning Commission subsequently reviewed and revised the ordinance, held public hearings, and forwarded a draft ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for review in the summer of 2023. The Board held another public hearing and further revised the draft ordinance with additional stakeholder input. Detailed information about the multiyear Zoning Ordinance Rewrite project is available on the county’s website at loudoun.gov/zoningordinancerewrite.
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Members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors who were elected in 2019 closed out their four-year term with the Board’s final meeting December 19, 2023, and a long list of accomplishments. From taking on constituent concerns and changing countywide zoning policies to opening Metrorail service and responding to a global pandemic, the Board served an eventful term.
Eight of the nine members of the Board will return for another four-year term. Blue Ridge District Supervisor Tony Buffington, who did not seek reelection, leaves the Board after serving two terms in office.
“It's been an absolute honor and privilege to serve the residents and business owners of the Blue Ridge District for the past eight years,” said Supervisor Buffington. “Stepping down was not an easy decision, but I do so with a tremendous sense of pride in what we’ve been able to accomplish and I wish the next Board much success in ensuring that Loudoun remains a great place to live, work, learn and play!”
Laura TeKrony was elected as the first supervisor to represent the newly formed Little River District, created when the county’s magisterial district lines were redrawn during the redistricting process stemming out of the 2020 census and the Board’s decision to retire the Blue Ridge District name.
Highlights of the 2020-2023 Board of Supervisors
Many of the Board of Supervisors’ accomplishments during its term were driven by the Board’s adopted strategic initiatives that were established at the start of the term, which focused on five areas: open spaces and environment, connecting Loudoun, collective bargaining, equitable communities and economic development. The Board received an end-of-term update on its strategic initiatives (PDF) during the December 19, 2023, business meeting.
Open Spaces and Environment
In the focus area of open spaces and environment, the Board established the Environmental Commission, held the county’s first environment and energy summit, approved an Energy Strategy (PDF), and established a tax intended to dissuade the use of plastic bags. The Board also amended Loudoun’s ordinance on the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program to expand eligible properties and projects to align with the full extent of Virginia’s Clean Energy Financing law. More information about the county’s ongoing work in the areas of environment and energy is online at loudoun.gov/environment.
In addition, the Board’s commitment to ensuring open public spaces continued in this term. Examples include the opening of Lovettsville District Park, making improvements to Bles Park in Sterling and purchasing the Westpark property in Leesburg for a future park. Also, the county opened the award-winning Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park, which straddles Evergreen Mills Road. In addition, the county’s new Ashburn Recreation and Community Center is currently under construction and expected to be complete in 2025.
Connecting Loudoun
In the strategic focus area of connecting Loudoun, the Board celebrated the completion of numerous improvements to the county’s transportation network. Road improvements continued to address the county’s “missing links,” providing new lanes and improvements to existing roads, such as Crosstrail Boulevard, Braddock Road, Belmont Ridge Road and Riverside Parkway. The opening of Northstar Boulevard from Route 50 to Tall Cedars Parkway provided an alternative north/south connection to Route 50. In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation, the George Washington Boulevard Extension and Route 7 Overpass opened in Ashburn. In addition, many sidewalks and shared-use paths were added throughout the county. The county is also addressing traffic safety through roadway intersection improvement projects. More information about these projects and the county’s ongoing road and facility projects, as well as links to sign up for email and text updates on projects, is posted at loudoun.gov/capitalprojects.
Among the key accomplishments during the Board’s term was the opening of the Silver Line Metrorail stations, linking Loudoun to Washington, D.C. and the region, as well as providing Loudoun residents with a new transportation option for accessing employment, entertainment and northern Virginia’s two major airports. The Silver Line extension also helps create successful new development opportunities for Loudoun, such as Rivana at Innovation Station (PDF), a mixed-use community approved during the Board’s term. More information about the Metro is posted at loudoun.gov/silverline.
The county’s work on the linear parks and trails system was initiated during the Board’s term and will continue in the coming years. The Board-approved plan will, in part, result in new trails that connect to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail.
Collective Bargaining
In December 2021, the majority of the Board of Supervisors approved a labor relations ordinance, which established three bargaining units for employees and enabled collective bargaining with labor unions that are established as a bargaining agent for eligible county employees. The Board established an independent, contracted Labor Relations Administrator to serve as a neutral decision maker and who is responsible for implementing the ordinance and ruling on compliance issues. A change in Virginia law gave local jurisdictions the authority to engage with labor unions.
Equitable Communities
The Board passed a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors Regarding Social and Racial Equity as Fundamental Values, which identifies social and racial equity as fundamental values. The Board previously established the Office of Equity and Inclusion, which is working to apply the resolution to the county’s routine business. More information about these ongoing efforts is posted at loudoun.gov/equity.
The Board also renamed roads and facilities that were previously named after and in honor of Confederate or segregationist figures, symbols and slogans in Loudoun County. This effort, with support from the Commonwealth of Virginia, resulted in the new names for Route 50 and Route 7. The Board also renamed a number of other local roads and facilities in the county. More information regarding the Board’s renaming efforts is posted at loudoun.gov/roadrenaming.
The Board also approved an Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan, which provides a framework for addressing attainable housing needs in the county, including a dedicated funding source. The Board’s accomplishments during this term also have addressed the needs of Loudoun’s veterans, established specialty dockets that provide supports to individuals within the judicial and courts system who have experienced substance abuse or mental and behavioral health challenges, brought water infrastructure and resources to residents in historic Howardsville, continued and improved homeless and youth services, supported rural economic development, education and business needs, and more.
Economic Development
In the strategic focus area of economic development during this Board’s term, the county announced more than 400 economic investments amounting to more than $21 billion and more than 16,000 jobs. Loudoun’s economy also has continued to diversify. The Board has supported entrepreneurship and minority-owned businesses through targeted programing. In addition, the Board initiated the strategic redevelopment of areas in eastern and southern Loudoun and identified zones for revitalization opportunities. Learn more about the ongoing economic development efforts at biz.loudoun.gov.
Additional Accomplishments
The Board of Supervisors’ accomplishments over the past four years also include a number of other impactful initiatives. Examples include the adoption of a new Airport Noise Overlay District, a new ordinance prohibiting firearms on county property, transitioning the county’s health department from state to local administration, and improving public safety through a broad range of programs, such as funding the body-worn camera program in the Sheriff’s Office and the enhanced fire and rescue staff that has improved service delivery. The Board also established the county’s updated electoral district boundaries following the 2020 census, and lowered real and personal property tax rates while maintaining a AAA bond rating.
Among the Board’s heftiest tasks during the term was updating the county’s Zoning Ordinance. The Board completed a nearly four-year process that included extensive efforts by the Board-appointed Zoning Ordinance Committee and Planning Commission, and included significant public engagement with a broad range of stakeholders. The Board adopted a new zoning ordinance (PDF) in December 2023, replacing a 20-year-old ordinance.
Finally, the Board of Supervisors provided leadership during the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges experienced during the pandemic, the county remained open, providing services in new and innovative ways, and the Board of Supervisors continued to meet and conduct business during a state of emergency. The Board appropriated funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act. The county also provided COVID-19 testing and vaccine to thousands of residents.
About the 2024-2027 Board of Supervisors
The newly elected and reelected members of the Board of Supervisors will begin their four-year term on January 1, 2024. The new Board’s first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. More information about the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is posted at loudoun.gov/bos.
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Anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of Loudoun County government programs and services is encouraged to read Loudoun County’s Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) Program Review, which is online at loudoun.gov/ProgramReview.
The FY 2024 Program Review is a comprehensive inventory and description of Loudoun County government programs, activities and services with supporting performance measures. It serves as a companion to the county government’s annual budget document. While the adopted budget document features a streamlined and concise format that focuses on key budgetary issues and themes for the given fiscal year, the program review describes county services in greater detail.
The program review is updated and published every four years in conjunction with the term of the Board of Supervisors. It is intended to educate and inform the Board and the public about Loudoun County government operations and the levels at which services are delivered to the community.
In addition to being a point-in-time inventory, this iteration of the program review describes longer-term plans to meet the needs of an evolving community, including the projected stabilization of the county’s population growth and shift in demographics.
Also in the program review, the county government uses the concept of service levels to describe what it is doing and how well it is doing it. “Service levels are a description of the commitment the county government makes to the community to deliver services and programs at a certain level and a certain quality,” said Loudoun County Administrator Tim Hemstreet. “Something new for the FY 2024 Program Review is that the long-term planning concept of recommended service level is defined for each government program and service. Recommended service levels are the desired service levels the county government will provide to the community that are responsible, sustainable and equitable and will be used in future budget planning.”
More information about the FY 2024 Program Review, including a link to the complete document and links to each section, can be found at loudoun.gov/ProgramReview.
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The report is specifically designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to members of the general public who do not have a background in public finance.
The report is intended as a companion document to the award-winning Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, presenting the highlights of the county’s complex financial activities in a concise and accessible format.
Loudoun’s Popular Annual Financial Report has been recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award in Popular Annual Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for the past six years.
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The Loudoun County Environmental Commission is calling for nominations for the second annual Environmental Excellence Awards, honoring individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations and educators for their leadership on environmental issues.
Nominations
The nominations should include a brief overview of the project or person being nominated, information on how the project or person contributed to the preservation and/or protection of Loudoun County’s environment, what specific results have been achieved, whether the project is sustainable and what best practices can be learned from the initiative.
Award Categories
Nominations are being accepted in six categories:
- Business
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Citizen or Community Group (Examples: Nonprofit organization, club, faith-based group, etc.)
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Educator – Teacher or School employee
- Government Employee or Program/Team
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Lifetime Achievement (Individual)
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Student – Individual or Group (For a student-initiated project)
People and projects should be nominated for activities that took place between January 2023 and February 2024, with the exception of the Lifetime Achievement award.
Nominations can be submitted through this online form. The deadline for nominations is March 1, 2024. Winners will be notified in March with presentation of the awards scheduled for April.
Environmental Commission
The Loudoun County Environmental Commission was created by the Board of Supervisors in 2021 to advise the Board and make recommendations on policies and practices related to the environment, sustainability and energy strategies. Members of the commission include representation from the community, industry and higher education.
Stay Informed
Anyone interested in environmental- and energy-related news from the Loudoun County government may subscribe to the Environment & Energy category available from the Notify Me/New Flash section of the Loudoun County website.
More information about Loudoun County’s efforts to increase environmental sustainability and resilience for the health, safety and welfare of Loudoun residents and businesses is available at loudoun.gov/environment.
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Loudoun County has expanded the Loudoun GeoHub to include a resource dedicated to Environment & Energy, providing the community with easy access to location-based data related to information about natural resources and energy in Loudoun County.
The Environment & Energy GeoHub provides a central location for members of the public to access interactive maps with information about specific environmental and energy topics, including the county’s waterways that have been designated as scenic rivers, what crops are suitable to grow in specific areas of the county, conservation easements and the geology of the county.
New resources include those focused on energy use by the county government, including county facilities using renewable energy and county-owned electric vehicle charging stations that are available for public use. As the county implements its 2023 Energy Strategy, the number of locations on these maps are expected to increase.
The Loudoun GeoHub is a geographic information system website and open data platform that features interactive mapping applications, informative dashboards and topical story maps.
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Loudoun County has successfully completed a post-election audit, which confirmed that the county’s electronic voting system accurately reported the correct outcome of the November 7, 2023, general election.
The Virginia State Board of Elections approved a request from the Loudoun Electoral Board to conduct a “risk-limiting audit” of ballots cast in the House of Delegates District 27, using what is called the “batch comparison” method. A batch is typically all ballots from one precinct.
During this type of audit, a bi-partisan team hand counts a batch of ballots and compares the results to the reported outcome. The ballots that were reviewed included those cast in person during the early voting period, by mail and in person at a large number of polling locations on Election Day.
Loudoun conducted a similar audit in June 2023 following the June 2023 Democratic primary for the House of Delegates District 26.
“Post-election audits are one more way that we can illustrate to voters that our voting equipment and procedures used to count votes is working properly,” said Loudoun County General Registrar Judy Brown. “The main issue we continue to see is that some voters do not completely fill in the bubble next to the name of their chosen candidate, which can lead to errors.”
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Loudoun County is asking for feedback from members of the public about the accessibility of county services for people with disabilities, including county-sponsored programs, activities, facilities and website. The survey is part of an update to the county’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.
Loudoun County encourages members of the community to participate in the online survey, especially people with disabilities, their family members and caregivers, organizations and agencies that support people with disabilities as well as individuals with experience in accessibility needs and best practices.
The survey, which is one part of the county’s self-evaluation, will help the county identify any barriers impeding the participation in the county’s programs, services and activities by people with disabilities. This includes, but is not limited: to obtaining a permit, paying a fee, participating in a recreational program and attending a public meeting. The responses to the survey will also help inform the county’s Transition Plan that addresses any barriers to improving access for individuals with disabilities.
The survey will be open through January 2, 2024. Anyone who requires the survey in an alternative format may call 703-777-0113 or send an email.
The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as people without disabilities.
The ADA, which became law in 1990, mandates an ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for all state and local government agencies employing 50 or more individuals. The U.S. Department of Justice recommends that localities review their transition plans every 10 years.
More information about the county’s ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan as well as links to the survey and to sign up for email and text updates on the project, can be found at loudoun.gov/adastudy.
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Loudoun County has begun a one-year pilot program for accepting food waste at its new Food Waste Composting Drop-Off Center located at the Loudoun County landfill. The program is intended for residents who are interested in composting their household food scraps such as fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy products, pasta, eggshells and coffee grounds. Quantities accepted are limited to one 5-gallon container or an equivalent amount, per customer, per week.
Under the pilot program, Key Compost will collect the material for processing at its composting facility in Frederick, Maryland.
The program was recently initiated by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in an effort to create local composting opportunities for the community. Results of the pilot program, including the level of public interest, will be evaluated for possible program expansion to additional locations.
Diverting food waste from disposal for composting benefits the environment in several ways, including providing nutrient-rich material to improve soil health, reducing waste and reducing methane emissions from landfills.
The Loudoun County Energy Strategy, approved by the Board in February 2023, calls for the county to expand the yard waste composting and recycling program to divert solid waste from the landfill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In September 2023, the landfill began offering free compost to residents made from yard waste, such as grass clippings, hedge clippings and leaves.
The food waste composting drop-off center is located at the Landfill Recycling Center at the Loudoun County Solid Waste Management Facility, 21101 Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. More information about the services available at the landfill may be found at loudoun.gov/landfill.
Visit loudoun.gov/recycle for more information about the food waste composting program or call 703-771-5500.
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During its December 5, 2023, meeting, the Loudoun Board of Supervisors approved a travel policy for Board members and their aides (PDF). The updates to the policy were informed by discussion among members of the Board and a review of the policies of other regional jurisdictions.
The Board of Supervisors and Board Staff Aide Travel Policy follows the county’s preexisting administrative Business Travel Policy with some exceptions. The changes clarify when and for what purpose Supervisors may travel, and whether approval of the full Board is required in advance of the trip. Prior to its adoption, the Board generally followed the county’s administrative Business Travel Policy.
Supervisors requested a review of the Board’s business travel policies earlier this year and a comparison to regional jurisdictions’ policies. The review found that the county’s business travel policies are comparable to other jurisdictions in the region.
The Board’s revisions and its adoption of a separate travel policy for members and their aides improves transparency by publishing a specific policy for the elected body. That policy follows the county’s administrative policy with the following four exceptions:
- For international travel, lodging arrangements will be consistent with the travel policy unless recommendations are made by the United States State Department or similar federal agency in which case lodging will follow the federal recommendations.
- For the Chair-at-Large and their chief of staff, international travel for Economic Development and Sister City trips is authorized by the policy when paid for by the Economic Development Authority. The Chair will notify the Board a minimum of 45 days in advance of any international travel paid for by the Economic Development Authority.
- All Board members are authorized to travel for business purposes to all states and territories of the United States utilizing their respective district office budgets.
- International travel for Board members and their chiefs of staff, other than the Chair-at-Large and the Chair’s chief of staff, is permitted when authorized by a vote of the Board of Supervisors.
The policy is effective immediately. More information about the Board of Supervisors is published on the county’s website at loudoun.gov/bos.
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The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS) is honored to announce the appointment of Deputy Chief Todd E. Lupton to the position of Division 7 Vice President of the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association (VFCA).
The mission of the VFCA is to serve the communities of Virginia through its fire service leaders and advance the Fire and Rescue service through leadership, education, and advocacy. The VFCA brings Virginia fire service leaders from across the Commonwealth together to:
- Exchange ideas, information, knowledge, and experiences affecting the safety of life and property from fires.
- Develop and deliver public education programs focusing on fire prevention and life safety.
- Cooperate with all organizations in the promotion of goals and objectives of the fire service to include statewide legislation.
- Support and encourage the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical services by the fire service.
Deputy Chief Todd Lupton has over 25 years of Fire and Rescue experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fire Service Administration from Waldorf College and an Associate’s Degree in EMS Technology from Northern Virginia Community College. Chief Lupton has achieved the designation of Chief Fire Officer and Chief EMS Officer through The Commission on Professional Credentialing. He is currently certified as a Fire Officer IV and a National Registered Paramedic. He is also an Adjunct Instructor with the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.
Chief Lupton currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Volunteer Administration for LC-CFRS. Chief Lupton started in the Fire Service as a volunteer in Warren County at the age of 14. He has worked in Warren County, the City of Manassas Park, and the City of Manassas. During his career, he has served at every rank, including serving several times as an Interim Fire Chief. Chief Lupton has also served as the President of the Northern Virginia EMS Council from 2015-2016. Todd has been married for 19 years to his wife Heather and together, they have a 13-year-old son, Brady.
As a Division Vice President, some of Chief Lupton’s duties will include attending and participating in VFCA Board of Directors meetings and meeting with Division 7 Fire and EMS stakeholders to discuss key issues concerning their areas. For more information about the VFCA, visit their website.
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On December 5, 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized the use of unassigned General Fund balance from the Loudoun County Adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget. The $172,168,860 fund balance includes revenue collected during the fiscal year that was not anticipated and therefore not assigned to budgetary items and expenditure savings.
The largest portion of the balance was set aside for one-time needs of the county’s capital budget. The Board allocated $55 million to the FY 2025 Capital Improvement Program, Capital Asset Presentation Program and to the Debt Service Fund.
Other funding decisions for FY 2024 include:
- $7.4 million for general government uses, including the 2024 presidential election.
- $6.6 million for Loudoun County Public Schools’ Operating Fund.
- $4 million in Capital Improvement Program funds for the planned Children’s Science Center at Kincora.
- $1 million for the Douglass High School Documentary Project.
- $250,000 to help identify strategy and action plan for addressing the issues of invasive species in the county through collaboration with stakeholders.
- $20 million for the county fiscal reserve, which the Board funds as part of its prudent fiscal planning.
- $15 million contribution to the Revenue Stabilization Fund.
More information about the adopted FY 2024 budget is available on the county’s website at loudoun.gov/budget.
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Loudoun County is currently seeking nominations for its recently launched Heritage Register Program.
The program, developed by the Loudoun County Heritage Commission and administered by the Department of Planning and Zoning, will recognize heritage resources that are significant to Loudoun County but may be ineligible for recognition at the state and national level through the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places.
The Loudoun County Heritage Register program (LCHR) is designed to highlight significant and diverse heritage resources in the county to encourage a higher level of community awareness, stewardship and preservation of those resources. Potential sites include historic structures, public and private residences, farms, churches, schools, archaeological sites, outstanding geological formations, heritage corridors, significant trees, cultural landscapes, battlefields, cemeteries and historic districts.
The register will serve as an educational tool to inform the community about the importance of Loudoun County’s history and the resources that are distinctive to the area and that can support economic development through heritage tourism.
To be considered for listing in the LCHR, a property must be at least 50 years old and meet specific criteria that demonstrate the site’s importance to Loudoun County and its natural, historical, architectural, archeological and cultural features.
Listing in the register is strictly voluntary; it is an honorary designation that would not restrict land use, impact property owner rights or require property owners to provide access to the public.
Nominations through this program can be submitted on a rolling basis; they will be reviewed by the Department of Planning and Zoning before being presented to the Heritage Commission for review and approval.
For more information about the register, including the program guidelines and a link to the nomination form, visit loudoun.gov/heritageregister.
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Upcoming Opportunities &
Community Engagement
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The public is invited to attend the joint ceremonial swearing-in of members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and School Board, Saturday, January 6, 2024, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn, 45425 Holiday Drive in Sterling. The majority of the newly elected and reelected members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board are scheduled to attend. Members of the public are also invited to attend a gala celebration event January 6 at the same location, 6:30 – 10:00 p.m.
Members of the Board of Supervisors and School Board officially begin their 2024-2027 terms on January 1, 2024, with the first meetings of both Boards scheduled for January 2.
More information about the Loudoun County School Board is online at www.lcps.org. More information about the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is online at loudoun.gov/bos.
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Loudoun County is offering five locations for residents to recycle their Christmas trees through January 21, 2024. Only natural cut trees and wreaths will be accepted: no artificial trees or artificial wreaths. The trees will be converted into mulch, which is available free of charge to Loudoun County residents year-round at the Loudoun County landfill.
Residents who receive curbside recycling service may contact their homeowners association, town office or recycling service provider for Christmas tree collection schedules.
Whether dropping off at one of the county’s Christmas tree collection sites or at the curb, remember to remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, wire, stand and tree bag. If the tree is in a tree bag, remove and dispose of the bag with your regular trash. To recycle a natural wreath, remove and dispose of all wire, bows, twine, lights and ornaments before recycling. If removal of these items is not possible, then dispose of the tree or wreath with your regular garbage.
The Christmas Tree Recycling Program is a public service for Loudoun County residents only. Tree vendors operating in Loudoun County with leftover trees may recycle them at the Loudoun County landfill for $71 a ton. Netting, rope, wire, tags and other items must be removed and disposed prior to recycling. Visit loudoun.gov/landfill or call 703-771-5500 for more information.
For residents, Christmas trees will be accepted for recycling free of charge at the following locations through January 21, 2024:
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Leesburg: Loudoun County Landfill Recycling Center, 21101 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, 20175. Open Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Lovettsville: Game Protective Association, 16 South Berlin Pike, Lovettsville, 20180. Open daily.
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Purcellville: Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville, 20132, Open daily, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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South Riding: Meadows Pool Parking Lot, 42920 Center Street, South Riding, 20152. Open daily.
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Sterling: Claude Moore Park, 46150 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, 20164, Park (Use Loudoun Park Lane entrance, follow Loudoun Park Lane to end). Open daily, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More information about the Christmas Tree Recycling Program and other Loudoun County recycling programs is available at loudoun.gov/recycle.
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The Loudoun County Hypothermia Prevention Shelter will open Wednesday, November 15, 2023, for single adults aged 18 and older in the community who are experiencing a housing crisis resulting in homelessness. This temporary shelter, which provides a warm indoor sleeping environment and meals, will be open from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 a.m., seven nights a week through March 31, 2024.
The Hypothermia Prevention Shelter is located at 16450 Meadowview Court in Leesburg, just past the Loudoun Homeless Services Center. The shelter had been previously co-located within the Loudoun Homeless Services Center, which had a limited capacity. This new temporary location allows for additional capacity, while remaining in close proximity to daytime services, if needed.
All shelter guests will be required to first check in at the Loudoun Homeless Services Center located at 19520 Meadowview Court. After checking in, guests will be served dinner and then directed to the Hypothermia Prevention Shelter.
For safety and security, all guests will be asked to store personal belongings (outside of limited essential items) in secure storage on site. The Loudoun County firearms ordinance prohibits firearms and ammunition in county facilities.
For daytime drop-in services, individuals may visit the Loudoun Homeless Services Center. The center is located at 19520 Meadowview Court in Leesburg and is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The center provides meals, laundry and shower facilities as well as information on other community resources, such as food, clothing, medical care, mental health care, public benefits, obtaining an ID and employment opportunities.
Free bus transportation to the shelter will be provided daily at the times and locations listed below:
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Sterling: Loudoun County Transit Bus Route 82 bus stop across the street from the William Watters House, 22365 Enterprise St. in Sterling. Pickup time is 5:00 p.m.
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Leesburg: The front of the Shenandoah Office Building, 102 Heritage Way NE in Leesburg. Pickup time is between 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
More information about transportation is available by calling the Loudoun Homeless Services Center at 703-771-5429.
The Hypothermia Prevention Shelter and the Loudoun Homeless Services Center are operated by Loudoun County in partnership with Shelter House, Inc. and the Loudoun County Continuum of Care (CoC). The CoC is a coalition of public, nonprofit and faith-based organizations that provide a variety of shelter and support services to those experiencing homelessness or people at risk of becoming homeless.
More information about services available to those experiencing homelessness in Loudoun County may be found at loudoun.gov/homelessservices or by calling Loudoun County Information and Referral at 703-777-0420, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For support after hours, call the Loudoun Homeless Services Center at 703-771-5429.
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LandMARC Progress Updates |
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On August 14, 2023, Loudoun County launched LandMARC (Land Management, Applications, Research, Coordination). LandMARC is the county's online land management system. More information about LandMARC can be found here.
Stay Informed
Beginning September 26, 2023 there will continue to be twice-weekly updates to share the progress in processing permits. These updates will be posted online at Loudoun.gov/bdpermits. The link to this information is also posted in the LandMARC self-service portal. Loudoun.gov/LandMARC remains the landing page for all industry to get information about the system, including system status, help and how-to guides, and read important updates on the LandMARC blog.
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Legislative Applications for Development in the Ashburn District |
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Changes to the Code of Virginia [§ 15.2-1427(F) and 15.2-2204(A)]requires that board approval of any land use application or adoption of any ordinance amendment occur no more than 14 days after a descriptive public notice has been published.
Modifications to the Rules of Order apply to the structure of BOS Public Hearing Agendas. All items appearing on the agenda of a BOS Public Hearing will be placed into one of the following sections: “Hearing of New Items,” “Hearing of Returning Items Ready for Action,” and “Adoption of the Consolidated Agenda.”
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Hearing of New Items: Unless the Board sends an item from this section to a standing committee, or votes to suspend its rules, the default “next step” for these items is to be forwarded to a future BOS Public Hearing for action.
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Hearing of Returning Items Ready for Action: Items that have appeared on the agenda of a previous BOS Public Hearing will be placed in the section of the agenda titled “Hearing of Returning Items Ready for Action.”
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Approval of Consolidated Agenda: At the beginning of the consolidated public hearing, the Chair will announce the individual items proposed for the consolidated agenda. After a call for public speakers has been made, the BOS may act on each item, without voting to suspend its rules. If there are speakers for an item on the consolidated agenda, the item will be removed from the consolidated agenda and placed on the standard public hearing agenda. To qualify for placement on the consolidated agenda, an item must have unanimous support from the BOS, as well as a recommendation of approval from county staff and the planning commission. “New” or “returning” items may be added to the consolidated agenda if the above criteria are met.
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Northstar Square
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0020
(Formerly known as "Mercer Crossing")
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Description: "Northstar Square” is a proposed application to rezone 110.86 acres to allow the construction of 1,138 dwelling units. These include 297 single-family attached units, 485 multi-family stacked units, and 356 multi-family attached units. The residents are currently zoned to Newton-Lee Elementary School, Belmont Ridge Middle School, and Riverside High School.
Update: The Northstar Square rezoning application was removed from the September 13th BOS Public Hearing agenda, by the developer. The developer has indefinitely deferred their application.
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Previous Update: At the June 8th Planning Commission Work Session, the Planning Commission voted to send the Northstar Square application to the September 13th, Board of Supervisor's Public Hearing, with a recommendation of approval.
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Previous Update After the Planning Commission voted to send the Northstar Square application to the Board of Supervisors, with a recommendation of denial, the applicant requested that the recommendation be reconsidered, the recommendation was rescinded, and was sent back to the Planning Commission’s Work Session on June 8th.
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Previous Update: At the April 13th, Planning Commission Work Session, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to the June 14th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: At the February 9th, 2023, Planning Commission Work Session, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to future work session on April 13th.
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Previous Update: This application is scheduled to come to the February 9th, 2023 Planning Commission Work Session.
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Previous Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Lansdowne Blvd Rezoning
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0026
(Also known as "Elm Street Development")
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Description: “Lansdowne Blvd Rezoning” is a proposed application to rezone 9.22 acres to allow the construction of an additional 120 dwelling units. These include 72 single-family attached units and 48 multi-family stacked units. The residents are currently zoned to Steuart W. Weller Elementary School, Belmont Ridge Middle School, and Riverside High School.
Update: The Board of Supervisors voted to approve this application at the December 13th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: At the November 15th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing, the Board voted to send this application to the December 13th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: At the September 14th, Planning Commission Public Hearing, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to the November 15th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: At the May 23rd, 2023, Planning Commission Work Session, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to a future work session. The date of this work session is September 14th, 2023.
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Previous Update: This application is scheduled to come to the May 23rd, Planning Commission Public Hearing.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Broadlands Section 104
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0024
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Description: “Broadlands Section 104” is a proposed application to rezone 10.19 acres to allow the construction of 106 dwelling units. These include 45 single-family attached units, 30 multi-family stacked units, and 31 multi-family attached units. The residents are currently zoned to Cedar Lane Elementary School, Trailside Middle School, and Stone Bridge High School.
Update: The Board of Supervisors voted to approve this application at the December 13th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: At the November 15th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing, the Board voted to send this application to the December 13th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: At the September 14th, Planning Commission Public Hearing, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to the November 15th Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: At the June 27th, 2023, Planning Commission Public Hearing, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to a future work session. The date of this work session is September 14th, 2023.
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Previous Update: This application is scheduled to come to the June 27th, Planning Commission Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Arcola Farms Residential
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0034
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Description: “Arcola Farms Residential” is a proposed application in Ashburn and Little River Districts to rezone 80.8 acres to allow the construction of three hundred and seven (307) single-family detached residential units. The residents are currently zoned to Sycolin Creek Elementary School, Brambleton Middle School, and Independence High School.
Update: At the December 18th, Planning Commission Public Hearing, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to a future Planning Commission Work Session.
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Previous Update: This application is scheduled to come to the December 18th, Planning Commission Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Goose Creek Village West
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0038
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Description: “Goose Creek Village West” is a proposed application to rezone 20 acres (revised from 25 acres) to allow for the construction of an additional 222 residential units. These include 104 single-family attached units, and 46 multi-family stacked units, and 72 multi-family attached units. The residents are currently zoned to Belmont Station Elementary School, Trailside Middle School, and Stone Bridge High School.
Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Belmont Innovation Campus
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0048
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Description: “Belmont Innovation Campus” is an application to rezone 84.52 acres to allow for the construction of a data center.
Update: This application could be voted on by the BOS at this meeting.
At the September 26th, Planning Commission Public Hearing, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to the January 10th (2024) Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: The application for the Belmont Innovation Campus (LEGI-2023-0048) is scheduled to come to the September 26th, Planning Commission Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Luck Stone Leesburg Plant
Application Number LEGI-2023-0084
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Description: Luck Stone Leesburg Plant is a Zoning Concept Plan Amendment (ZCPA) Application to amend proffers and development conditions to allow for expansion of mining operation in quarry B, on the east side of Goose Creek, underneath the current processing plant, resulting in the processing plant and point of sale to move to the west side of the property. On the west side of Goose Creek, the application is amending the development conditions to allow for Stonewater Lane to be used for shipping mined materials off-site and to rezone a portion of Luck Stone’s property to allow for data center uses. According to Luck Stone, if this application is approved, the timing of the relocation of the point of sale to Stonewater Lane and the expansion of mining operations in quarry B is subject to several variables but is not currently anticipated for approximately 25 years.
Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Goose Creek Retail LLC
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0067
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Description: “Goose Creek Retail LLC” is a Special Exception application to permit a restaurant with a drive-thru use on approximately 0.51 acres of the property.
Update: At the December 14th, 2023 Planning Commission Work Session, the Planning Commission voted to send this to the February 2024 Board of Supervisors Public Hearing.
Previous Update: At the October 24th, Planning Commission Public Hearing, the Planning Commission voted to send this application to a future Planning Commission Work Session. The date of this work session is December 14th, 2023.
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Previous Update: This application is scheduled to come to the October 24th Planning Commission Public Hearing.
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Previous Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Belmont Cove Rezoning
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0074
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Description: “Belmont Cove” is a Zoning Map Amendment application to rezone 8 acres to allow for the construction of 80 multifamily residential units. The residents are currently zoned to Newton-Lee Elementary School, Belmont Ridge Middle School, and Riverside High School.
Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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Milestone Trailside Park
Application Number: LEGI-2023-0083
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Description: “Milestone Trailside Park” is an application to construct a 150-foot-tall monopole (“tower”) telecommunications facility. The current application calls for the tower and a related equipment compound that will accommodate AT&T antennas and up to four other future telecommunication providers at this location. The tower will be located within a 36-foot by 55-foot fenced compound space, in the southwestern corner of Trailside Park.
Update: County staff from multiple departments are reviewing this application with the applicant.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab. To leave a comment click here.
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(Potential Application from Belmont Greene Commercial LLC)
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Disclaimer: The information about this potential application comes from a pre-application conference, which is a standard meeting between applicants and staff from multiple county departments for an initial review of development concepts. Due to the nature of this initial review, it is common for applicants to modify details of a proposed development before submitting an official application. To eliminate confusion, our office prefers to share application details only once an official application has been submitted. However, many constituents have contacted our office to inquire about this potential development and have asked us to keep them informed. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Description: Belmont Greene Commercial LLC has proposed submitting an application for a Zoning Concept Plan Amendment (ZCPA) to allow for development of approximately 360 residential units and 11,000 square feet of commercial floor space on approximately 26 acres of land.
Update: A “formal application” for this proposed development concept does not currently exist. The details in the description are subject to change.
For more information, click here.
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Significant By-Right Developments in the Ashburn District |
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By-right: A "by-right" development is an application that does not require approval from the Board of Supervisors. The approval/denial of applications for by-right developments are managed administratively by county staff and must conform to the current zoning ordinance.
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Description: “Vantage VA 3” is a by-right application which plans to build four data center buildings on 89 acres. The underlying zoning is Planned-Development Office Park (PDOP) and Planned-Development Industrial Park (PD-IP). Data Centers are allowed by-right on PD-OP and PD-IP zoned land.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab.
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Description: “CyrusOne Broadlands Data Center” is a by-right application which plans to build a 41,000sf data center on 58 acres. The underlying zoning in Planned-Development Industrial Park (PD-OP). Data Centers are allowed by-right on PD-OP zoned land.
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab.
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Description: “Baker-Beam DC Yard-Luck Property” is a Site Plan application (STPL-2022-0021) to build a two story “shop” building for contractor services, a three story office building, underground utility infrastructure that is associated with the two buildings and a parking lot. This parcel is 11.1 acres and is zoned MRHI (Mineral Resources/Heavy Industry).
For more information on this application, click here. To review the application documents, scroll down to the middle of the page and click the “Attachments” tab.
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21819 Ashburn Road Property
Application Number: BLDR-2023-001655
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Description: "21819 Ashburn Road" is a building residential demolition application (BLDR-2023-001655) which plans to demolish the Single Family Home on the property. The house at this address was built in the 1920's and has been vacant for some time. The owner wishes to demolish the home as quickly as possible due to safety concerns.
For more information on this application, click here.
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VDOT 511
511 provides users with real-time, accurate traffic information from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) about road conditions, traffic congestion, and highway construction anywhere you are, anytime you need it.
More information on VDOT 511 can be found here.
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Online Process for Building Permits, Land Development Applications
Homeowners and residential contractors can submit their completed application form and supporting documentation, including drawings and plats, in PDF format for most residential construction projects to the Department of Building and Development online. More information about the online submission process and requirements is available here.
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Residential Traffic Calming Guide
Loudoun County’s Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure (DTCI) manages an eight-phase process to address traffic calming, which considers residents’ concerns regarding speeding, safety and overall quality of life on publicly-maintained residential streets.
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Who Maintains my Street?
To identify which entity responsible for maintaining your road/street, Loudoun County made an online color coded mapping system which helps residents determine who to contact when work needs to be done.
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Report a road problem
VDOT created an easy to use online form to report unsafe and hazardous road conditions. Similarly, work requests for state-maintained roads can also be made here.
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Paving Schedule
VDOT reports what roads will be paved during the fiscal year and updates their website with progress updates.
Find VDOT's Paving Schedule here.
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As your representative on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, my top priority has been to serve your needs and work towards the betterment of our community. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly or my staff with any input and ideas you may have for the Ashburn District. The best way to reach me is by email, which I monitor on a regular basis.
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Mike Turner
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Supervisor
703-777-0205
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Rachael Mai
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Chief of Staff
703-737-8180
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Joel Gicker
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Legislative Aide
571-440-1947
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