Supervisors Look to Boost Support for Underfunded Public Defender’s Office
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
A student accused of a felony for which he was later acquitted after being misidentified, nearly lost his chance at a wrestling scholarship. He didn’t because of the swift actions taken by attorneys at the Loudoun County Public Defender’s Office.
This case is merely one of many like it handled by Public Defender Lorie O’Donnell’s team on a dayto-day basis. But the office and its state-employed staff are woefully underfunded, a report by the county’s finance department shows.
Funding for the state’s public defenders is set each year by the General Assembly.
Without supplemental support from the county government an attorney working as a public defender I would earn $84,870 a year, while a commonwealth’s attorney I earns $93,650. To even that out, the county provides a 25% salary supplement to the Public Defender’s Office employees. That brings the comparison to $106,087 for a public defender I and $93,650 for the commonwealth’s attorney I. But the disparity grows for more experienced attorneys.
PUBLIC DEFENDERS continues on page 38
‘Keep Going’
WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org
Community members gathered in Leesburg Monday morning to join the county’s 34th annual march from the courthouse to the Douglass Community
Center to celebrate of the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
The post march celebration was held in the Historic Douglass High School’s gymnasium. The theme of this year’s event, “Open the Possibilities,” focused on reading, writing and empowerment through
MLK Celebrated in Annual March
education in pursuit of achieving racial equity and harmony and was marked by speeches from County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Leesburg
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity take part in the county's 34th annual Martin Luther King Jr. march Jan. 20.
Invest in the Future
Sponsor a Table
the School Business Partnership Awards Recognition Breakfast
Are you a business that strives to support schools and empower students to develop real-world skills?
Sponsor a table at the School Business Partnership Awards Recognition Breakfast and hear firsthand the inspiring stories of collaboration that showcase how partnerships support the whole child, open doors to meaningful career pathways and shape brighter futures for students.
LEA Plans to Battle Union ‘Misinformation’ Ahead of Negotiations
BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org
As the Loudoun Education Association prepares for its upcoming collective bargaining negotiations with Loudoun County Public Schools, President Kris Countryman has a goal of creating a better understanding about unions and their role in collective bargaining.
With a teaching background, including nine years in Loudoun, she is familiar with the issues facing educators in the county.
LEA won the exclusive collective bargaining rights for school division employees after an election in December in which they got 96% of the vote from certified, or
licensed, personnel and 91% of the vote among classified personnel, which include support personnel and those that do not require licensing. Of the school system's more than 13,000 employees, 4,795 voted in the election. Non-school based administrative staff are not permitted to vote for a collective bargaining representative.
Collective bargaining is the process of employers and employees, represented by a union, negotiating on employee rights issues, wages, working conditions and any other concerns of employees. The School Board approved a collective bargaining resolution last August after almost three years of deliberations following Virginia passing its collective bargaining laws
in 2020.
According to the LCPS resolution, the bargaining representative must give notice of intent to negotiate to the superintendent by March 1. Countryman said in a Jan. 17 interview that the association has legal counsel helping to craft the statement to ensure everything is in line with the resolution and the law. Negotiations are set to begin April 15 and end no later than Dec. 1 for the 2026-2027 school year, according to the timeline in the resolution.
LEA will represent both the certified and classified employees during negotiations. Countryman said that there is a misconception in the county that the
union only represents teachers.
“I think that was driven because that is the majority of our membership. But we have two units, bargaining units, so it will be two contracts that we negotiate, and one is for certified staff, which includes teachers and nurses and counselors, anyone that requires a [Virginia Department of Education] or health license for their job. And then all of the ESPs, educational support professionals, so that everybody else that doesn’t have a license. So, it is the custodians, the security workers, the bus drivers, the [teaching assistants],
continues on page 36
Loudoun Shares in Inauguration Support, Celebration
For President Donald J. Trump and many of his supporters, the path to the second inauguration crossed Loudoun County.
Trump and his family flew from Mar-alago in Palm Beach, FL, to Dulles Airport on Saturday night and received a reception with a late-night fireworks display at Trump National Golf Club in Lowes Island.
The transition to a new administration in Washington, DC, is an especially busy time for one Loudoun company.
For three decades, JK Moving and Storage has handled the moves for the incoming and outgoing presidents and vice presidents.
Four years after moving Donald J. Trump’s property from the White House to his Florida headquarters at Mar-a-largo, JK’s team is bringing it back this week.
The company also is conducting the moves for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamla Harris, as well as Vice President-elect JD Vance.
Founded by Chuck Kuhn in 1982, JK Moving Services is the largest independent moving company in North America and specializes in serving diplomats, ambassadors, military members, government employees, and their families.
The company is not permitted to comment on its involvement with the presidential transition moves.
Usually, Leesburg Executive Airport is closed during the presidential inauguration as part of enhanced airspace security around the
On Monday, a Round Hill-area resident joined with area businesses to deliver 1,600 boxed lunches to law enforcement officers serving in Washington, DC, during the presidential inauguration.
Ronie Nosner, whose husband has been an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department for nearly 25 years, has been working since November to gather donations for the project. The officers will work a 16-hour day, with many not even having a chance to stop for lunch, she said.
“They don’t have the ability to stick something in their coat. They can’t bring a lunch with them. They can’t even go into the nearby restaurant because they are literally on a post,” she said.
Nosner said it’s a way to show appreciation for the officers, making sure they eat at least one meal during the day.
Nation’s Capital. This year, however, it was busier than ever.
With support from town leaders, the FAA and other federal agencies, fixedbased operator Kuhn Jet Center was successful in keeping the airport open this year, providing a convenient travel option for the roster of politicians, corporate bigwigs, and celebrities gathering for Monday’s events.
From Friday to Wednesday, the airport ran special operations to accommodate inauguration traffic. Typically, the airport would see about 15 corporate aircraft
during that period. This week, there were reservations for more than 100. That number dropped to about 75 after the swearing-in ceremony was moved indoors because of the extreme cold weather.
The operation required long hours— and a lot of de-icing—to keep the VIPs on schedule.
“It’s been a lot of fun, but also challenging. We’ve got a good team with us so we’re pretty fortunate,” owner Scott Kuhn said. “Everyone was very helpful and cooperative and I think it represented the town very well.”
“Why should we feed the police officers? Why is it our responsibility? It’s not. I think the thing is, is that these officers are working so hard,” she said.
Nosner partnered with Purcellville Eats owners Keving and Jennifer Bednarz to fulfill the meals order, complete with a single vegan meal for one officer with dietary restrictions.
Companies sponsoring the project include Purcellville Eats, The Pub, Norbo Dental, Double X Archery, Burnett & Williams, A Wink and a Smile Dental Care, Shamrock Music Shoppe, Hogback Mountain Paintball, Aktivate Podcast, A Path Forward, Enhanced Wellness, The Don’t Unfriend Me Show and Detail Authority. n
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Round Hill-area resident Ronie Nosner joined with area businesses to deliver 1,600 sandwiches to law enforcement officers working in Washington, DC during the presidential inauguration.
Loudoun County Supervisors Poised to Consider ‘Unprecedented’ Attainable Housing Loan
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
An additional 137 attainable housing units could be coming to Loudoun County after the Board of Supervisors’ finance committee recommended approval of a $15 million loan to True Ground Housing Partners last week.
The application stipulates that the units would be available to residents earning 30 to 60% of the Area Median Income and includes one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment options. That means families of four making between $46,200 and $92,850 a year could be eligible.
The loan request is the largest the county has received, Housing Finance and Development Administrator Travis Perlman told the committee Jan. 14.
“The $15 million request is unprecedented for this county,” he said.
That equates to a subsidy of $109,489 per unit. The next largest request, at $6 million, was for phase one of the same project, known as AvonLea Apartments near South Riding.
ON THE agenda
Childcare Fee Reduction Program Launches
The county has launched a new childcare fee reduction program intended to extend childcare assistance to more Loudoun families.
The American Rescue Plan Act provided nearly $1.7 million to fund the program, which will providing up to 50% of the cost for children up through the age of 12 for qualifying families. Payments will be made directly to the care providers according to their payment schedule. Funds will available through October 2026, or until they are expended.
To be eligible families must live in Loudoun, have a child younger than 13 who needs care and meet income guidelines. A family of two cannot make more than $99,050 a year. That amount increases with each additional family member up to eight, which has an income limit of $163,540.
The request is higher than the current guideline limits adopted by the county board, but Perlman said his team recommended approving the loan anyway. The guidelines stipulate a leverage ratio of
1:5 or higher, while this application has a leverage ratio of 1:3.8.
ATTAINABLE HOUSING continues on page 6
Dominion Energy Prepares for Next Stage of Eastern Loudoun Power Line Loop
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Dominion Energy is gearing up to submit an application for the next phase of its eastern Loudoun transmission line loop that will connect new 230 kilovolt and 500 kV lines with new substations, providing additional power infrastructure to the county.
The company has an application pending a decision by the State Corporation Commission for another 9.4-mile stretch of the project, connecting the Aspen substation south of Leesburg, traveling along part of Rt. 7 and connecting to the Golden substation near the intersection of Rt. 28 and the W&OD Trail.
This new line would connect the Golden substation to a new Mars substation east of Dulles Airport.
The company is working to identify the exact route between the two stations, considering five alternatives. A key consideration is the location of existing
infrastructure.
“Our goal of routing is always first and foremost to co-locate an existing infrastructure, and barring that, roadways other major kind of linear facilities or features throughout the area,” Dominion Representative Jake Rosenberg said.
Dominion representatives told community members during a public meeting Jan. 15 that because of the line’s proximity to the airport, their routing options are limited.
The FAA flight approach at the airport limit structure heights, Rosenberg said.
As a result, five options have been developed for consideration. All of those travel along the same direction heading southwest from the Golden substation until they intersect with the Dulles Greenway just west of the airport. From there three options continue southwest, while routes one and two divert more directly west to travel along Loudoun County Parkway.
The project is on track to be submitted to the SCC by April.
Rosenberg said the company is still having discussion with the county government to identify additional routes that would avoid all public land.
The company had originally considered placing the lines underground in some, but told community members Wednesday it would not be feasible.
“The first hurdle that is there’s not a lot of examples of these underground routes. There’s one in Pacino Hills, CA, that’s three and a half miles long. Most of our underground routes are that length or more, and they require more cables per phase, bigger rights of way, and are bigger projects in general,” electric transmission communications consultant Rob Richardson said.
In that case, the electric utility owned the land where the power lines were built.
“In this case, we’re at a disadvantage because we don’t have those available
POWER LOOP
on page 6
The county has allocated $286,500 of ARPA funding to assist care providers in improving their program quality or for staff retention. Eligible providers may receive a $750 grant annually, through December 2026, which may be used for staff bonuses, staff training, environmental quality enhancements or curriculum purchases. To qualify, providers must be based in Loudoun County and licensed to operate in Virginia.
For more information and to apply, go to loudoun.gov/ChildCareAssistance.
County's Tree Canopy Assessment Finalized
A comprehensive assessment of the existing and potential tree canopy in Loudoun County has been finalized.
The assessment, conducted using 2023 aerial imagery, analyzed the county’s tree canopy, which is the collective layer of leaves, branches and stems of trees that cover the ground when viewed from above. The analysis method can account for individual trees over 10-15 feet. The report revealed that tree canopy covers nearly half of Loudoun County at 45%, with the remaining land divided between permeable surfaces such as grass and soil at 44% and impervious surfaces such as roads and buildings at 11%.
Loudoun County
An architectural rendering shows a view of the planned AvonLea Apartment Complex from Tall Cedars Parkway.
Board Committee Advances Eastern Loudoun Art Center Plan
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
County supervisors this week will be asked to ratify the recommendation of the Finance and Government Services Committee to advance plans to develop an eastern Loudoun arts center with a $500,000 allocation.
The county staff members and representatives of the consultant group Page on Jan. 14 presented their final report following a two-year study of options to provide more space for the performing and visual arts.
The study team developed three options of different scales, ranging from an arts campus that would include a concert hall, two theater spaces, arts workshops and galleries with an outdoor plaza to a community arts center that would have a multi-purpose performance hall along with arts workshops and gallery spaces. The projects came with a price tag of between $219 million and $158 million, with annual operating costs ranging from $5.2 million to $4.8 million.
After a failed vote to endorse the larger campus model, the committee backed the middle option, a “scaled performance and visual arts facility” that would include an 800-900 seat multi-purpose performance hall, a 300-350-seat black box theater, art gallery space, and art making space at a projected construction cost of $181.3 million and $4.7 million annually.
Only Supervisors Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) and Committee Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) supported the campus option.
“I’ve always leaned to more going with the higher number and the bigger venue for various reasons,” Saines said. “You know we’re not talking about building this next year, or the year after that, or in three or four years. This is going to be further out and as we get further out, we know our population growth is going to continue to most likely increase. If we were to go smaller, it would already be outsized in some aspects.”
A larger project also could provide more cost-sharing opportunities to partner with other organizations, he said. Briskman said building a dedicated
On The Agenda
continued from page 4
The assessment also analyzed tree canopy changes in Loudoun from 2012 to 2023 and found that the canopy increased by 3% in that time.
concert hall was important.
“One of the main reasons is Loudoun Symphony and meeting Loudoun Symphony’s needs because they are a driver for tourism and other businesses,” Briskman said. “I also think that we can always scale down, but once something kind of gets in the [capital improvements plan] and gets planned, it’s really hard to make it bigger.”
Supervisor Matthew F. Letouneau (R-Dulles) said he was concerned about diverting resources from other critical needs without knowing more about the design and how best to position the project to leverage outside partnerships.
“When we get down to the brass tacks of the CIP, it will be very difficult for me to put $200 million into this instead of a high school or $200 million into this instead of several of these interchange projects that I believe are life safety issues that we aren’t funding currently,” he said.
Supervisor Kristen C. Umstattd (D-Leesburg) agreed, and also raised concerns that such a project would be duplicative of other arts spaces including school auditoriums or the 5,000-seat Ion Arena in Leesburg.
“For me, it’s always going to tend to be the less expensive option is the better option,” she said, offering support for the smallest option. “If I were going to support this at this time, that is probably what I would be interested in.”
County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said she that a greater investment in the arts is needed and that she supported the scaled performance and visual arts facility option as the right approach.
“I also want us to remember that we’re just starting down this path of having art in Loudoun. We are further behind almost everyone else,” Randall said. “This is the beginning of art centers or art places. This is is not the end. It’s the beginning. We have time. We will do things that are larger, but I also wouldn’t want to try to get something larger right now and delay what we can get because of the cost.”
The motion to support the scaled option and allocation of $500,000 for design work passed 3-2 with Saines and Umstattd opposed. The full board was scheduled to review the recommendation at its Jan. 22 meeting. n
The results are illustrated online through the TreePlotter Canopy, an interactive mapping tool that shows how tree canopy coverage is distributed across Loudoun County. More information about the tree canopy assessment, including a link to the TreePlotter Canopy, is online at loudoun.gov/TreeCanopy. n
Attainable Housing
continued from page 4
He cited a study by the National Council of State Housing Agencies released in 2022 that looked at a variety of trends between 2019 and 2022, most notably the increased construction and total development costs associated with low-income tax credit development.
“That report identified an anecdotal 30% increase in total development costs between that period on average. In addition to that, interest rates have climbed significantly since the middle of 2022,” he said.
Perlman said typically these loans are provided through the county’s Housing Trust Fund, which currently has a balance of $17.6 million. That fund is replenished through the sale of affordable dwelling units and the repayment of loans previously awarded.
However, he recommended that the new application be funded through the county’s Housing Fund, of which the Trust Fund is subset. The Housing Fund is replenished through local tax revenue allocated with each adopted budget.
“Funding [in the Trust Fund] is restricted,” Perlman said. “The local tax funding that is transferred to the Hous-
ing Fund, not in the Housing Trust, is unrestricted.”
Perlman said he recommended using the money from the Housing Fund because the board has indicated that it will designate a full penny of real property tax revenue to it each year, which was valued at $14.8 million in fiscal year 2025. The Trust typically only accrues $1 million to $2 million each year, he said.
Committee Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) asked if approving the large loan would set a precedent. Perlman said it would.
Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said it was not surprising that the current guidelines might need to be adjusted since the topic is relatively new to the board.
“We have put this money here to try to utilize to get units built and we have projects, this project in particular that is ready to go and needs help, but not necessarily within the constraints that we have,” he said, adding that finding projects that fit the program constraints has proved difficult.
“I think this is a way to get the money into the projects that we want,” Letourneau said.
The motion to recommend approving the application passed unanimously and will now be considered by the full board. n
Power Loop
continued from page 4
rights of way,” he said.
Transition sites are needed at junctions where buried lines return to poles. Dominion says seven to nine acres are needed for each site.
Rosenberg said they had looked for suitable sites but were not able to find any.
“It’s that lack of existing right of way, existing utilities, the geology is prohibitive, as well as the crossings of VDOT roads and some of the special construction techniques that take to build these routes,” he said.
However, Sen. Kannan Srinivasan (D-32) said he is still hoping for an underground option.
“Although Dominion Energy has cited challenges such as land access, zoning, cost, and time constraints, I have expressed since summer that I believe these hurdles can and should be addressed, especially given the longterm benefits of undergrounding. As the data center capital of the world, Loudoun County is uniquely positioned to lead in adopting innovative solutions like underground high-voltage transmission lines, setting a precedent for sustainable infrastructure development. I am fully committed to advocating for the undergrounding of Dominion Energy’s Golden to Mars transmission line,” he stated.
Srinivasan has introduced legislation to accomplish that goal to be considered by the General Assembly.
SB1358 is a pilot project that would require the SCC to approve applications for a newly proposed 500 kV transmission line filed between 2025 and December 2026 as a qualifying project
to be constructed entirely or partially underground.
The bill specifies the project must be in an area where the proposed towers would pass through scenic easements, a viewshed easement, historically designated areas, or areas with conservation easements.
If adopted, the bill would also require each county the lines pass through to pay 20% of the cost that is not recoverable. The remaining cost would be assigned to the utility’s data center customers.
General Counsel for the Lansdowne Conservancy Bryan Turner said he was disappointed to learn that Dominion had decided not to attempt undergrounding. The conservancy has been working with Loudoun County to have a portion of the Aspen to Golden line undergrounded. A final decision by the SCC is still pending.
“It is unfortunate that once again Dominion has failed to step up with innovative leadership to address its requirement to support data center growth in eastern Loudoun County by investing in environmental and neighborhood-focused solutions,” he stated. “The rapid industrialization and degradation of residential, commercial and agricultural areas in Loudoun and other areas of Virginia has now become a crisis for affected property owners along Dominion’s proposed above-ground routes.”
Turner said all feasible options need to be considered.
Dominion Energy is planning to begin construction on the lines in the second half of 2026 and complete the project by June 2028. n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Community members fill the seats at The Lodge at Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park Jan. 15 to hear from Dominion Energy Representatives about its plans for new 230 and 500 kilovolt transmission lines.
Leesburg
New Authentic Sushi and Thai Restaurant Opens Downtown
BY WILLIAM TIMMIE wtimme@loudounnow.org
A new authentic Thai and Sushi restaurant opened in Leesburg on Jan. 23 with the chefs expressing excitement to bring their home culture to the town.
Ebisu Sushi and Thai sits on the corner of Loudoun and King streets, in the former Delirium Café space. Delirium’s elephant taps remain, with owner John Puglise noting that the animals are important in Thai culture. Co-founder and Chef Matta Metzger and Puglise both said the decorations aid their effort to create a cozy atmosphere at the restaurant.
“Here, it’s like a family,” Metzger said. “We know each other, we know everybody, you know, we try to help each other. … When everybody comes to the restaurant, we will treat them like a family. We want them to feel like, you walk to your house and you have a big kitchen, and you have like your sister, your mom, or your aunt, and your uncle is cooking for you. That’s why we have a good feeling with the customers.”
Puglise said he wanted the restaurant to feel like “a New York style hole in the wall.” Authenticity is a key aspect of achieving that, he said.
Metzger grew up in North Eastern Thailand, where her mother worked at a street food stall. She first immigrated to the United States some 20 years ago, and has worked in the restaurant industry for around ten years. Metzger and her close friend from Thailand who she calls sister, Naiyana Penprachum, have previously opened restaurants in Loudoun County, including Best Thai Kitchen in Middleburg and Red Bar Sushi in Leesburg.
“A lot of their old customers have been waiting,” Puglise said.
Metzger and Puglise indicated they wanted to try new things with Ebisu–meaning eventually introducing authentic Thai street foods to the menu, bringing a piece of Metzger’s mother’s food stall to Leesburg.
Including a street food item called, khao man gai, a chicken and rice dish.
“They boil a chicken with ginger and
AROUND town
Town Seeks Police Handwarmer Donations
In advance of even colder weather moving into the area this week, Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk on Jan. 16 placed a donation bin at the front entrance to Town Hall to collect hand warmers and feet warmers.
The donations will be used to support police officers serving in the cold weather conditions, she said.
The campaign was launched while the nation prepared for the polar vortex that brought low temperatures this week.
Residents may drop off donations through Jan. 26.
Village of Leesburg Annual Ice Festival
The Village of Leesburg’s annual Ice Festival featuring ice carving competitions, skating, s’mores, and more will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25.
The event goes from noon to 4 p.m. The best time to see the ice carvers is from noon to 2 p.m., and the public will be allowed to vote on their favorite carvings.
There will be free ice skating and photo opportunities alongside a s’mores station and a face painter. Residents can grab a drink to go through the Village at Leesburg’s Drink in the Good Life program and enjoy exclusive deals throughout the Village.
For more information on Village at Leesburg, visit villageatleesburg.com.
Thomas Balch Presents Interactive History Map
some other items, then they take some of that water and they make the rice with it and then the sauce, the khao man gai sauce,” Puglise said. He added that the sauce was made from lime, cilantro, garlic, ginger and “a bunch of other items.” The chicken gets sliced, added to the cucumber with cilantro while the rice is cooked, he said.
Matta said the restaurant has “a million ideas,” mentioning a traditional Thai fermented fish with papaya salad recipe. She added that they were considering doing tastings for customers because of how unique the food items will be.
Being part of the name, Sushi is also on the menu. Metzger and Puglise spoke highly of their sushi chefs, mentioning Mr. Kahang, who studied in Japan. An-
other drip of authenticity they hope to introduce to the restaurant.
The menu will also include toro belly salmon, which Puglise said “melts in your mouth.”
Puglise said that most American’s perception of Thai food is shaped by a singular dish: pad thai, Americanized with “two tablespoons of sugar and lots of salt.”
“That’s what most people equate with Thai food,” Puglise said. “We need to change that, because there’s so many other great dishes.”
“I love my country’s food,” Metzger said. “I want everybody to come here and have an experience, because everything in this restaurant, we put our hand on, me and my sister. We work hard.” n
Gibran Parvez, who works in the GIS field in Northern Virginia will showcase Heritage Dulles, an interactive map that highlights the history of the Dulles Airport area across different time periods on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 10 a.m. in the Thomas Balch Library.
Participants can use an online interactive map-based museum, which is the culmination of research from a litany of sources, focused on hamlets and historical sites that stood in and around today’s Dulles airport. The presentation will be held in-person and virtually. Pre-registration is required, which can be done by calling 703-737-7195, emailing balchlib@leesburgva.gov, or registering online at leesburgva.gov. n
William Timme/Loudoun Now
Matta Metzger and Naiyana Penprachum, co-founders and chefs of Ebisu Sushi and Thai stand in front of the newly opened restaurant at the corner of King and Loudoun streets in downtown Leesburg.
Town Council Approves Crescent District Master Plan Update
BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org
The Town Council last week approved updates to the Crescent District Master Plan that will guide redevelopment opportunities outside the downtown historic district.
The 30-year plan has gone through multiple phases of development since it was first adopted in 2006. The council intends for the Crescent District, covering land south and east of the historic district, to evolve into a more walkable mix of residential uses, businesses, and open spaces to serve as an economic engine for the town.
How to best mesh taller housing within activity spaces and create a robust commercial corridor with open spaces, amenities like parks and existing
residential neighborhoods encapsulated the back and forth between council members and staff. A key component of the revised plan is to target areas for the development of two activity centers, envisioned as medium density, walkable, mixed-use developments with a range of new developments including retail, residential options, office, and civic uses.
During the council’s Jan. 14 meeting, Land Use Manager Richard Klusek returned with amendments to the plan and analysis to address ideas raised by the council in November.
The new plan presents additional language to provide bonus density for developments that include affordable housing, green building techniques, community amenities and pedestrian connections. Klusek said offering additional height to developers could help the town meet its affordability and sus-
tainability goals.
“Way more energy efficient buildings means less greenhouse gas emissions,” Klusek said. “It means more sustainable infrastructure. So, it’s a community benefit.”
Klusek also said that the town staff did not recommend expanding the mixed-residential boundaries of targeted areas, an idea that was raised at the last meeting. He added that open spaces remain a priority within the plan.
“There’s now specific language to mention things like sidewalks, street trees, street furniture, shade trees, bike racks, lighting, cross walks, etc.,” Klusek said. “You really focus on those smaller elements that you would expect to see in a more compact, urban form.”
Klusek said that staff doesn’t recommend expanding the commercial corridor, as the focus of new commercial
developments is intended to be within the activity centers. The plans policies encourage incremental growth in the district.
Mayor Kelly Burk said she appreciated the plan’s emphasis on incremental growth but had some concerns.
“I don’t want to see Catoctin Circle become just a whole row of seven-story buildings,” Mayor Kelly Burk said. “I think that incremental change is extremely important. This is not something that’s going to happen overnight, and it shouldn’t happen overnight.”
She added that she found open spaces desirable and important to residents.
The updated plan passed 4-2-1. Council members Nicholas Krukowski, Kari Nacy, Neil Steinberg, and Burk voted in favor, while Zach Cummings and Patrick Wilt voted against. Vice Mayor Todd Cimino-Johnson abstained. n
This designated fund supports Women Giving Back’s mission and operations through annual grant distributions, helping to build sustainability for their organization in perpetuity. This fund was established in recognition of Women Giving Back and their 2024
Roots & Legacies Nonprofit Achievement Award.
General Assembly Martinez’s Plastic Bag Tax Sharing Bill Clears Committee Review
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
A bill by Del. Marty Martinez (D-29) that would give town’s a portion of revenue collected from the plastic bag tax has been approved by a General Assembly committee.
In 2022, the Board of Supervisors imposed a five-cent tax on disposable plastic bags. They also set restrictions on what that revenue could be used for, limiting it to programs that assist in environmental cleanup, provide education programs designed to reduce environmental waste, mitigate pollution and litter or provide reusable bags to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program or Women, Infants and Children program benefits. This fiscal year, the tax is estimated to generate $500,000, however in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 the tax garnered approximately $768,000 and $774,000.
Martinez successfully passed the bill through both the House and the Senate last year, but the legislation was vetoed by the governor.
“Plastic bag taxes fail to achieve their intended goals and burden Virginians amid escalating inflation. Redirecting tax revenues to towns may further encourage governmental reliance on these taxes, exacerbating the issue,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin stated in his veto justification document.
But Martinez told the House Counties,
Perry’s Road Abandonment Bill Advances Out of Committee
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
A bill by Sen. Russet Perry (D31) which would add a step in the process of abandoning a road has made it out of a General Assembly committee.
The bill’s goal is to see if there are other ways to use a road before having it revert to the private property of nearby landowners. It is particularly aimed at preserving gravel and dirt roads, Perry said. Loudoun has approximately 250 miles of unpaved roads.
Cities and Towns Committee on Friday morning that there had been misunderstandings about the bill and that the towns could use the funding for environmental programs and education.
“Many towns provide these services that will qualify for this tax revenue funding,” he said. “For example, Leesburg has a robust recycle program for residents and downtown businesses, many litter prevention programs and active environment education programs.”
The amount awarded to each town would be based on the local sales tax distribution formula.
“Based on the 2023 calendar year bag tax revenue in Loudoun County, the Town of Leesburg would have benefited from $48,271 in additional tax revenue to support recycling and litter collection efforts,” Martinez said.
The bill received support from Del. Geary Higgins (R-30), who sits on the committee. While he opposes the bag tax in general, Higgins said if a county is going to implement one, the towns should be able to benefit from it as well.
The bill was reported out by the committee on a 13-9 vote and will now advance to the full House. n
Reaser’s Assisted Living Affordable Housing Bill Advances
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
A bill that would allow localities to negotiate for affordable rental units during the review of special exception applications for assisted living facilities is advancing through the House of Delegates, receiving an endorsement from the Counties, Cities and Towns Committee on Jan. 17.
The bill only applies to localities with
affordable housing programs, of which Virginia currently has seven, including Loudoun.
The legislation is introduced by Del. Atoosa Reaser (D-27) and is a “rebrand” of a bill from last year that received bi-partisan support but did not earn Gov. Glenn Younkin’s approval, she told the committee.
“I’ve changed some language to make it a little more friendly to being a free-market bill,” she said, adding that previously the bill authorized localities
to require rental units, while this year’s bill only authorizes them to negotiate for the units.
“One of the big differences in the ability to negotiate is the developer could, for example, ask for more density, and that would not impact the supply chain, which was one of the concerns with the previous bill,” she said.
The bill was endorsed by the committee on a 20-2 vote. It now advances to the full House. n
“As part of the effort to preserve this extensive network of roads that have significant cultural, historical and environmental value, my constituents raised concerns with the process of road abandonment,” Perry told the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday.
The bill would only affect Virginia’s Planning District 8 which includes all of Loudoun, Fairfax and Prince William counties as well as the cities of Fairfax, Manassas and Manassas Park, Alexandria and Arlington.
“This bill does not require anyone to do anything, but just to make a consideration of other things that that road could be used for prior to abandoning it. Specifically, whether it could be used for hiking, or bicycle trails and paths, or other non-vehicular transportation or recreation, greenway corridors for resource protection or biodiversity, enhancement with or without public ingress and egress, and access to historical trail and education sites,” Perry said.
Kelly Foltman who serves on the county’s Parks, Recreation and Open Space Board said it could help preserve open spaces in Loudoun. If a road is deemed unsafe for vehicular traffic, it could still have use as a bike, walking or horse trail.
“It just keeps the possibilities open and doesn’t force anything to happen,” she said.
The bill was reported out of the Transportation Committee by a unanimous vote Jan. 16. It will now be considered by the full Senate. n
Last fiscal year, Loudoun County’s tax on plastic bags generated $774,000. A bill under review in the General Assembly would give incorporated towns a portion of that take.
Recovery School Approved to Open in August
BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org
The Loudoun County School Board on Jan. 14 approved plans to establish a recovery school for students diagnosed with a substance use disorder. The school is planned to open in August and will be located at the North Star School campus in Leesburg.
According to Assistant Superintendent Tedra Richardson, the only enrollment requirements for the program will be some form of substance abuse treatment and a willingness to change.
The recovery school was first proposed to serve students returning to classes from a substance abuse treatment facility. According to Director of Student Health Services Jennifer Evans, 8.5% of youth between the ages of 12 and 17 have been diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder. In Loudoun County, that equals approximately 4,000 students who could potentially need this service, she said.
She also stressed that drug and substance abuse violation data doesn’t show everyone who needs help, just those that have been caught with substances. And she said substance abuse disorders are medical issues.
The overall purpose of the program is to give students continuing educational
services and support during or after treatment and help them with the transition back to their home school, should they choose to return. Evans shared her experience working with students who had anxiety about returning to their home school after treatment. She also said that going back could put them back into the position they were in when they first started having the problem.
“They are so vulnerable. And they have so many risk factors when returning to their home school. They have just figured out what their new norm is without substances, and navigating emotions when maybe you’ve been self-medicating, going back to your home school where you might get questions from your peers, you
RECOVERY SCHOOL continues on page 13
Spence Plans $7.9M Security Enhancements
BY AMBER LUCAS alucas@loudounnow.org
Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Aaron Spence’s proposed budget includes $7.9 million for safety and security enhancements, including panic buttons, security personnel and new security software. These upgrades are part of the new enterprise resource planning system the county in implementing next school year.
The new system is being rolled out in advance of the planned termination of the current ERP in 2028. It will handle payroll, calendars, employee onboarding and other systems. It will also be more streamlined and leave less gaps than the previous system, which was shared with the county government, according to a staff briefing to the School Board.
Part of this updated ERP are the new safety and security measures, according to a presentation by Chief Technology Officer Aaron Smith and Spence. The new security software will connect to the system and help to enhance the safety of the schools, including panic buttons and camera analytics. Eight new school support officers will be hired, along with contracting security personnel for elementary schools.
Implementation should be fully finished by 2027, giving a buffer in case unexpected issues arise.
The panic buttons will be worn by staff members the same way their current badges are worn. The total cost of this software is $2.2 million. Should an incident that requires support from school resource officers arise, employees can press the buttons to alert administrative staff
LCPS
Hosts United for Wellness Conference
Loudoun County Public Schools is hosting its United for Wellness Conference and Resource Fair at Watson Mountain Middle School in Leesburg on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The conference’s purpose is to provide families with resources to support their student’s mental, social and overall wellness. Over 40 speakers will attend including educators, wellness and fitness coaches and mental health professionals.
More than 90 local nonprofits and businesses will also be in attendance to provide parents with information and resources for supporting student wellness. There will be complimentary snacks from LCPS as well as food trucks on site.
For more information, go to lcps.org/wellness.
CTE School Counseling Recognized
that they need help. The number of times the button is pressed will communicate the severity of the situation.
The buttons work by sending an alert, including location data, to administrators, SROs and security officers. Wearable panic buttons like these were used at the Georgia school where a mass shooting happened last September and were credited with getting help to the school faster, saving lives, according to Smith.
Del. Geary Higgins (R-30) has introduced a bill that would require school systems to have panic buttons in every room that students are present by July of 2026 if passed.
Other security software connected to the ERP will be artificial intelligence
SCHOOL SECURITY continues on page 12
The School Board proclaimed February as Career and Technical Education Month and Feb. 3-7 as National School Counseling Week. CTE Month recognizes Loudoun’s heavy school-business partnership and many CTE programs such as the Academies of Loudoun. According to the proclamation on Jan. 14, “Career and Technical Education is the foundation of a strong, well-educated workforce, which fosters productivity in industry and contributes to Virginia’s leadership in the international marketplace.”
National School Counseling Week recognizes the essential role that school counselors play in the wellbeing of students. The proclamation read on Jan. 14 emphasized their roles in helping students reach their full potential and exploring strengths and interests.
“Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school,” according to the proclamation. n
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now The North Star School in Leesburg.
Attorney General’s Office Ends Prosecution of Former Loudoun Schools Superintendent
Attorney General Jason Miyares last week filed a motion to terminate the final criminal case pending against former Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler.
The action came during a Jan. 16 status hearing scheduled in advance of a planned five-day trial in February on a misdemeanor violation of a state conflict of interest statute.
Ziegler was convicted on the charge in 2023, but the verdict was overturned last year, setting the stage for a retrial.
Ziegler was accused of retaliating against a special education teacher, Erin Brooks, after she testified before a special grand jury convened in 2022 by the AG’s office to investigate the school division’s handling of two on-campus sexual assaults that were committed by the same student.
Brooks filed a civil wrongful termination lawsuit that ended in a settlement in November. The terms were
not disclosed.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am to the office of and the Attorney General himself, for the unwavering support and dedication to this case. Their thorough investigation and research, including their dedication to truth and justice, are what led to the initial conviction,” Brooks said in a statement following the hearing.
“Sometimes it takes the courage of one person to stand firm to create change,” Attorney General Jason Miyares stated. “Today, the entire national narrative has changed thanks to Erin’s resilience. Erin’s demand to be respected was upheld by a jury of her own peers. Public school administrators are now on notice knowing that this attorney general will defend and protect the rights of teachers and parents without hesitation.”
In September 2022, the special grand jury indicted Ziegler for the retaliatory firing of teacher Erin Brooks, a class 1
In September 2023, a jury convicted Ziegler of the retaliatory firing, but that verdict was set aside last year on a motion by defense attorneys that claimed an incorrect instruction of law had been provided to the jury from the one that had been agreed to by both parties and approved by the court.
With the dismissal of the retaliation charge and February 2024 decision to drop another charge alleging a violation of the commonwealth’s false publication statute, the three years of legal proceedings against Ziegler resulted in no criminal convictions.
misdemeanor. Ziegler was fired by the School Board after the panel released its investigative report in December 2022.
School Security
continued from page 11
camera analytics that will identify and alert personnel about security risks. These include weapons, unidentified visitors, and even students or staff members who have fallen or are having a medical episode. It will cost $3 million.
Along with alerting administrators and officers, the system also will have the ability to send alerts directly to 911 dispatchers, Spence said.
The remaining $2.7 million would go to the hiring of eight SSOs and contracted security personnel for elementary schools. Each SSO would serve multiple elementary schools.
“They would have about eight elementary schools each that they would be responsible for, and they would be checking in with those schools on a regular basis, performing all of the typical security functions, helping with threat assessment, teams, drills, security training, administrative investigations, door checks, but most
The AG’s office also charged the school division’s then public information officer Wayde Byard with felony perjury resulting from his testimony before the special grand jury. A Circuit Court jury in 2023 handed down a not guilty verdict in that case. n
importantly, they would serve as trusted adults, role models, positive influences in kids’ lives at the elementary level, and that’s really what we focus on in terms of helping prevent violence in our schools,” Director of Safety and Security John Clark said.
Unlike SROs in middle and high school, SSOs will not be armed. They also will be briefed on special education tactics during training according to Clark.
Contracted security personnel will be placed at the elementary school level. Their core responsibility will be to handle all visitors in and out of the building. The contract is with the security company Allied Universal and is on a yearly basis, up for renewal each spring.
Other security measures planned for future Capital Improvement Program budgets include glazing or wrapping school windows so that no one can see inside on a case-bycase basis. The school division also is procuring portable metal detectors to use before sports games. n
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Then-Loudoun County Public Schools Superintendent Scott Ziegler speaks outside Freedom High School Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.
Recovery School
continued from page 11
might be exposed to people you used to use with. The people, places and things are still there,” Evans said.
Evans and Richardson said research shows recovery school attendees had higher graduation rates, lower absenteeism, higher abstinence, and lower relapse rates than diagnosed students that did not attend recovery schools.
The recovery school will feature a supportive environment that is much smaller than the regular high school experience. During its first year, the program will have 15 spots for students with five more becoming available the second year. The program will have 30 spots when it is fully implemented.
The teacher to student ratio will be six teachers to 20 to 25 students. The planned staff include general education teachers, a special education teacher, a student assistance specialist, a school social worker, a school counselor, a behavior assistant, a clinical coordinator and a program administrator. The general education teachers will be able to teach multiple subjects.
Community partners also will have a role in helping students succeed, providing prevention and intervention specialists, peer recovery specialists and mentors. The Family One Mentoring, Serenity House and the Williams Center for Recovery and Wellness are included in the list of community partners involved in the school.
Programs within the recovery school will be education-based. Every student enrolled will be eligible to receive a high school standard or advanced studies diploma. The school will also have individual and group counseling, mentoring programs, parent workshops and chances
to talk to peer recovery specialists who have experienced the recovery process firsthand.
The school offers resources for academic and career planning as well as instructional support. Like many substance abuse recovery programs, there will be random drug testing and use of breathalyzers.
Entrance into the recovery school will be voluntary, with a requirement that the student have a treatment provider, outpatient or inpatient. Exit from the program will also be at the student’s discretion. Should the student choose to return to their regular school, support will be provided even after that transition. Students may choose to graduate from the recovery school.
Costs for the recovery school have been included in Superintendent Aaron Spence’s fiscal year 2026 budget, with estimates that startup and first year costs will total $6.5 million, and $2 million the second year. This includes building renovation, staffing, nutrition and transportation for the center.
The Virginia Department of Education has provided a grant money for the recovery school for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 through a bill passed last year.
Most of the School Board members showed their full support for the program. Linda Deans (Broad Run) shared her experience working as an administrator in these situations and recommended that students be assigned a different home school after the program to help with the stigma of addiction.
Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) and Arben Istrefi (Sterling) supported for the program and noted that this program would help remove barriers to students seeking treatment.
The program was approved on an 8-1 vote with Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) opposed. n
Public Safety Fire-Rescue Chief Johnson Announces Retirement Plans
Loudoun County Combined Fire-Rescue System Chief Keith Johnson on Friday announced plans to retire in April from the position he has held since 2018.
Johnson has spent 10 years serving with county’s first responder system and prior to that spent 31 years with Fairfax’s Fire and Rescue Department.
During his tenure in Loudoun, Johnson led the department through a transition of more than 700 career firefighters from different working schedules to consistent 24-hour shifts; developed its first Operational Service Plan and three separate strategic plans, implemented a collective bargaining ordinance and agreement with IAFF Local 3756, established a Uniformed Fire Officer program within the emergency communications center, created a 24hour Operational Shift Commander program, formed a behavioral health section, expanded the firefighting workforce from 587 to a proposed 867 employees next fiscal year and oversaw construction of six new fire and rescue facilities and 10 future capital projects.
Johnson will continue to serve as chair of the Virginia Fire Services Board and as a member of state’s Housing and Community Development Board.
Mall Thief Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
BY WILLIAM TIMME wtimme@loudounnow.org
A Maryland woman was sentenced to two years in prison in connection with a series of thefts at the Leesburg Premium Outlet mall during a hearing Jan. 16.
Loredana Sardaru pled guilty to grand larceny and conspiracy to commit grand larceny. She was charged with an additional six crimes originally, but the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office dropped the charges in exchange for her waiving her right to preliminary hearing in the General District Court.
Officers responded to a report of thefts Oct. 15 at approximately 6:10 p.m. at the mall. They located Loredana Sardaru, 39, and Romina Anisoara Ilie, 31, and recovered stolen merchandise from Nike, The Children’s Place and Williams-Sonoma. The two are also suspected to be involved in a Sept. 20 theft at Ulta Beauty in Leesburg.
He has also worked with state lawmakers to improve benefits and protections for first responders to include increased behavioral health benefits and increased cancer protections for firefighters.
“As my time here in Loudoun comes to a close, I urge my staff to continue moving forward and striving for excellence,” John-
son stated in the announcement. “Continue educating the community about critical fire and life safety initiatives. Continue your training, every day, for the known and unknown emergencies that await you. Lastly, and most importantly, always take care of yourselves and take care of each other.” n
3 Charged in Organized Thefts at Leesburg Stores
The Leesburg Police Department has charged three Suffolk women with committing organized retail theft from at least two stores in town.
On Jan. 15, at approximately 7:48 p.m., officers were called to the Polo Ralph Lauren store at the outlet mall for a report that three people removed merchandise without paying. While investigating this incident, the department received a call from an employee at the Dick’s Sporting Goods reporting that three individuals there were concealing items.
The three suspects were arrested at that location. Investigators found more than $8,000 worth of merchandise in their vehicle and additional charges are expected.
Arrested were Natesha L. Cheeks, 29, Tanajah S. Harrell, 26, and Shakira V. Mizzelle, 23. All were charged with two felony counts of larceny, two counts of felony possession of burglarious tools, conspiracy to commit larceny, and larceny with the intent to sell/ distribute. Additionally, Harrell was charged with two counts of providing
false identity to law enforcement and two counts of identity theft. Anyone with additional information related to these cases or any other retail theft cases is urged to contact the Police Department at 703-771-4500. Anonymous tips made be made by calling 703-443-TIPS or texting 274637 (CRIMES) and beginning your message with LPDTIPS or by emailing PoliceInvestigations@ Leesburgva.gov. n
The court read that mitigating factors in Sardaru’s case included her having eight children and taking accountability for her actions. Sardaru said she was embarrassed by what she had done, promised to never repeat it, and said that she and her family have suffered for her actions.
Circuit Court Judge Douglas L. Fleming Jr. found that the mitigating factors weren’t enough to lighten Sardaru’s sentence, referencing her grand larceny convictions in Anne Arundel County, MD and pending grand larceny charges in Dayton, Ohio.
“Ms. Sardaru’s conduct appears to be a pattern,” Fleming said. “There were multiple stores involved, she acted with an accomplice, and by all accounts, her conduct was organized and coordinated.”
He said Sardaru committed more than Larceny, that she had “committed a heist.”
Anisoara Ilie was also scheduled to appear before a Circuit Court Judge Jan. 16, but her case was continued to Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Loudoun County Combined Fire-Rescue System Chief Keith Johnson speaks to the Board of Supervisors during a Feb. 20, 2024 meeting.
Towns
Purcellville Moves Toward Zoning Ordinance Public Hearing
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
The Purcellville Planning Commission’s effort to rewrite the town’s Zoning Ordinance moved to the final stage this month with the Town Council working to finalize the draft and hold a public hearing.
The Planning Commission approved a draft ordinance in July after years of work to update it. The document is a technical implementation of plans and policies identified in the town’s Comprehensive Plan regulating density, appearance, location, setbacks and more for existing and new structures.
Since the commission’s approval, the Town Council has been receiving section-by-section updates from Zoning Administrator Summer Wilkes. In her presentations, Wilkes has included changes that the town’s Planning Department members recommend making and elements they do not support.
During a special meeting called by newly elected mayor Christopher Bertaut on Jan. 8, the council voted to schedule a public hearing on the ordinance after a
presentation by Commission Chair Ron Rise Sr.
“Some key goals of the plan include managing the growth to ensure town services and infrastructure are not overwhelmed, preserving existing neighborhoods and enhancing the downtown area’s aesthetics and economic viability,”
Rise said.
The major changes to the ordinance recommended by the commission include the addition of seven overlay districts that include standards for building bulk and
ZONING ORDINANCE continues on page 16
Lovettsville Town Council Considers Special Events Ordinance
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
The Lovettsville Town Council is considering a new ordinance to the town that would regulate private special events within the municipal boundaries. Residents will have an opportunity to provide input on the proposal during a public hearing Feb. 20.
The document was drafted by the Planning Commission after being added to its 2024 work program. In 2023, the town learned that the county government would no longer accept applications for special events inside the town without indication that the town had approved the event. Typically, Zoning Administrator John Merrithew has signed a zoning
permit indicating that approval. But, when the Town Council voted to annex land planned for a brewery the commission recommended adopting a formal policy with specific standards.
“[The commissioners] are recommending an ordinance that that puts some limits on special events by the hours of amplified noise and activities or amplified music, the hours of the event itself, the duration of the event, the number of days and then the spacing between those events, that sort of thing,” Merrithew said.
The specific limitations include a maximum duration of nine consecutive days, allowances for amplified music only between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and only noon to 10 p.m. on Sundays, and six special events
LOVETTSVILLE
Council to Consider Overriding Plaque Veto
The Town Council is set to consider whether it should override a veto by Mayor Christopher Hornbaker during its Jan. 23 meeting.
During the Jan. 9 meeting, Hornbaker vetoed a vote by the council spend $3,600 to replace five plaques on its Veterans Memorial after concerns by the American Legion that they did not match two newly installed plaques. Hornbaker said the council needed to pursue more fiscally responsible solutions.
Lovettsville’s Town Code does not give the mayor a vote except in cases of a tie, but does allow a veto, which can be overridden by a two-thirds council majority.
MIDDLEBURG
Town Council Plans Jan. 30 Retreat
The Town Council is scheduled to hold a strategic planning retreat Jan. 30 at Town Hall.
The session is scheduled to run from 2 to 8 p.m. and will be a follow up to the two-day planning session it held last April at a hotel in Culpeper.
The agenda for the meeting has not been established.
The retreat is an official council meeting and open to the public.
PURCELLVILLE
per property per year. The ordinance also requires a notification to surrounding neighbors at least two weeks in advance of the event.
If the event includes retail sales of merchandise or food, a Lovettsville business license would be required by each vendor.
A special event is defined in the ordinance as a temporary, private, commercial or festive activity or promotion held outdoors that is open to the public or a segment of the public and may be expected to attract 200 or more people at any one time, involve fireworks, temporary structures, inflatables or tents subject to fire marshal review.
EVENTS ORDINANCE continues on page 17
Planning Commission to Remove NCR References
The town’s Planning Commission will begin work removing all references to the Northern Collector Road from the Townwide Transportation Plan after a vote by the council passed directing the interim town manager to begin the process.
The NCR is opposed by residents who live in the Mayfair community, which was built in the road’s proposed path.
Mayor Christopher Bertaut originally included a vote on removing the
AROUND TOWNS continues on page 17
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Purcellville Mayor Christopher Bertaut attends a Town Council meeting Jan. 14.
Zoning Ordinance
continued from page 15
lot standards and regulations; a Historic Properties Overlay affecting processes for approval of demolition of residential structures; modification of the Floodplain Overlay District to include stricter standards and regulations; removal of duplexes as a permitted use in the R-3 district; a base district rezoning changing building and bulk standards; consolidation of CM-1 and M-1 industrial districts into a single Industrial Business District; and classification of all Planned Development Housing districts as legacy districts to prohibit their expansion.
Rise told the council that Wilkes’ alternative recommendations were “a significant setback” for the ordinance.
“[Her proposal] is distinct from the Planning Commission’s official submitted Zoning Ordinance update recommendation from July 31, 2024,” he said. “Key planning staff proposals included changes to base districts, overlay districts, uses and development standards, revised district namings and intent statements in line with county zoning, increasing zero rise to one foot rise for any project within the town’s floodplain district.”
Rise said Wilkes’ alternatives “appeared to contravene” the commission’s resolution recommending the ordinance.
“Resolving this issue by the Town Council is essential to ensure legal compliance and prevent further delays in the final adoption process of the Zoning Ordinance update,” he said.
Rise said there are still glossaries, charts and maps to update in the draft ordinance before the package can go to a public hearing.
Bertaut said he had planned to schedule a public hearing during the Jan. 8 meeting.
“However, in light of the report presented tonight, it is clear that the Zoning Ordinance is not in a form that can be reviewed before the public in a public hearing. It’s not in published form,” he said.
Instead, a motion by Vice Mayor Ben Nett to direct interim Town Manager Kwasi Fraser to deliver a finalized draft by Jan. 28 passed with 4-0 vote.
Council Members Erin Rayner, Caleb Stought and Kevin Wright voted “present” on the motion, a vote cast when members do not wish to participate.
They opposed the motion saying it was too soon to schedule a public hearing since they have not finished reviewing the document.
“We still need to hear a complete story from our Planning Director Summer who delayed her final comments to us because of the impending new council and the change that was happening,” Rayner said. “And so, I don’t think it’s appropriate for us
to vote on anything coming as a final draft until we as a whole council, especially our new members, hear from Summer and her thoughts as the expert urban planner and our town’s planner.”
Council Member Susan Khalil said she thought “the will of the people is clear.”
“So, why do we have to entertain changes subsequent to what was already decided?” she asked.
Wright said, with that philosophy the council might as well get rid of public comment altogether, adding that he had received several emails from residents with concerns about the draft ordinance.
“I don’t know why we would not want to hear from the expert that we pay money for to find out what exactly those issues are and try to resolve them,” he said.
But Bertaut said the past six months was “whether willful or not, an attempt to evade the required process set forth in VA State Code” and when asked by Stought who he was saying is responsible for evading the law, said it was a shared responsibility of the prior Town Council and certain members of staff.
“I will not participate in a vote wherein staff have been accused of evading the law,” Stought said.
Two residents spoke at the most recent council meeting Jan. 14 expressing their concerns about proposals in the draft ordinance.
Justin Norbo, who owns Norbo Dental on Main Street, said he has been working with the town on a project proposal for two years to meet the existing ordinance requirements.
“We are aware of a new set of zoning ordinances proposed to be implanted on Jan. 28 of this month. Will our project be subject to these new ordinances or still be considered for approval under the existing rules?” he asked, adding that his company has spent over $200,000 on the project already.
“We have been through several changes in government officials during the submission process and have stayed the course,” Norbo said.
Having to restructure based on new regulations would likely result in the project no longer begin financially viable, costing the town “substantial tax revenue,” he said.
Jason Brownell, who is working with Norbo on the project’s plan and construction, said he was concerned as well.
“We have great concerns about what happens to the application if not approved by Jan. 28 when the new zoning ordinances will be adopted,” he said.
The Jan. 28 meeting agenda has not yet been announced, but the council will need to hold a public hearing on the item before a vote on whether to adopt the draft ordinance can be held. n
Dufek Retires as Purcellville Police Chief
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Purcellville Police Chief Barry Dufek announced Thursday that he is retiring from the position effective Feb. 3.
The decision comes only two weeks after a change in Town Council leadership and only one week after the council voted to fire Town Manager Rick Bremseth.
Dufek called the move “a difficult decision” citing his 25-year law enforcement career.
“I stand firm in my belief that leadership should always reflect the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Unfortunately, in my experience as your Chief these principles aren’t shared by all. Our community deserves a collaborative culture that relentlessly pursues the betterment for all residents and employees. It is my hope that your voices help influence positive change for this town,” he stated.
Dufek said he has worked “tirelessly” to build relationships during his time with the town and urged residents to remain actively engaged in their community.
“Protecting the community has always been my highest priority, and I
am proud of our accomplishments. It is my hope that the mission forward remains grounded in the core values that guide our agency,” according to the announcement. “…I will retire knowing that I’ve accomplished a safer, stronger community for all.”
Dufek was hired for the position last June by Bremseth replacing Chief Cindy McAlister, who held the title for nine years, after she retired.
He had worked in the department for 12 years prior to the promotion.
Dufek began working in public service in 2000 when he was hired as a dispatcher in Loudoun County’s Emergency Communications Center. He later was sworn in as a deputy in the Sheriff’s Office. During his time with LCSO, Dufek served as patrol deputy, a motor deputy, and as part of the Community Policing Unit. Upon his promotion to sergeant, he served as the supervisor overseeing recruitment and hiring.
The department’s next highest in command is Deputy Chief Sara Lombraña who was hired in August. She came to Purcellville from the Colonial Beach Police Department after serving in the U.S. Army, stationed in Hungary and Korea and assisting as a transportation management coordinator after the Bosnia-Herzegovina civil war. n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Purcellville Police Chief Barry Dufek speaks with council members at a meeting July 9, 2024.
Around Towns
continued from page 15
references on the council’s Jan. 8 special meeting agenda. However, on Jan. 14 he said he had been advised by the town attorney that the best path forward would be through a Comprehensive Plan amendment, which includes public hearings on the proposed change.
Council Member Kevin Wright objected to the language of the directive, saying directing those references to be eliminated would neglect any feedback from residents who might want it to stay.
“It doesn’t say ‘take steps to determine;’ it says, ‘take steps to eliminate it.’ So, therefore we’re directing them to ignore any public comments,” he said.
Council members Erin Rayner and Caleb Stought, who live in the Mayfair neighborhood, said the road would not connect to Mayfair Crown Drive, but that removing references to it without a staff report or input from the town’s planning director is “premature.”
Propoal for Utility Payment Grace Period Fails
A proposal by Mayor Christopher Bertaut and Council Member Carol
Events Ordinance
continued from page 15
Council members questioned the ordinance’s focus on outside events, but Merrithew said typically indoor events are already limited by fire marshal requirements. Additionally, the most frequent complaints that the town has received stem from outdoor events, he said.
Mayor Christopher Hornbaker said he anticipated concerns from residents about limiting outdoor entertainment during Oktoberfest weekend, specifically amplified music.
Luke to institute a 10-day grace period for utility payments failed after not receiving support from the council during a Jan. 14 meeting.
The motion failed unanimously following discussion.
Council Member Kevin Wright said he wanted to see more information about the proposal before voting on it.
Assistant Director of Finance Connie LeMarr said during the town’s last billing cycle 356 people received delinquent notices.
“The bill that you get on the first of each even month, you get 30 days to pay, at least 30 days before the delinquent balance, the 10% is applied,” she said.
Residents with a good history of paying on time also have a one-time fee waiver if they miss a month, LeMarr said. In addition, she said the department would need to see how the additional 10 days would affect the normal billing, operational and collection processes.
Council Member Susan Khalil said didn’t adding an extra 10 days is necessary.
“Even if we didn’t have to go through the laborious process of changing codes, the fact is we get our bill 30 days in advance of it being due. There are so many ways to pay now,” she said. n
“I wouldn’t think during Oktoberfest Saturday, when we’re blaring [music] over at the Town Green and everybody else is everywhere else trying to celebrate Oktoberfest or anything else, if we’re going to 11 p.m., they should also be able to go to 11 p.m.,” he said.
Hornbaker also said he did not want the ordinance to become “overly cumbersome” for planned events that the occur each year such as the carnival that sets up on the Lovettsville Game Club property each summer.
Merrithew said he could adjust the timeframe to 11 p.m. prior to the February public hearing and look at adding indoor event applications as well. n
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of Virginia’s policy for achieving equal housing opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. We encourage and support advertising and marketing programs in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap. All real estate advertised herein is subject to Virginia’s fair housing law which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status or handicap or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.”
This newspaper will not knowingly accept advertising for real estate that violates the fair housing law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. For more information or to file a housing complaint call the Virginia Fair Housing Office at (804) 367-9753. fairhousing@dpor.virginia.gov www.fairhousing.vipnet.org
TEJAS SINGH
6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
RYAN JEWEL
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
MATT DAVIS
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. lakebrewingco.com
NATHANIEL DAVIS
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com
JASON MASI
5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com
ACOUSTIC SOUL
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com
SUMMER & ERIC
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 Solace Brewing Company, 42615 Trade West Drive, Sterling. solacebrewing.com
Selby Gets Nashville Funky with ‘Staring to Sync In’
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org
Since the pandemic, Eric Selby has been stepping out from behind his drum kit to put out CDs of his solo music, with his third recording, 2023’s “Dang Fool,” still garnering national airplay.
This week, the Sterling resident releases his fourth, “Staring to Sync In” with five tracks including songs recorded with the backing of some of Nashville’s top session players and the final mastering completed at famed Abbey Road Studios in London.
Selby is a veteran of the DMV music scene. On any given day, he could be keeping the blues band beats for Billy Thompson or Jay Summerour, doing the singer/songwriter thing in a tasting room of a Loudoun winery, or catching a midweek gig at an area retirement community.
He’s been playing music for five decades. Selby grew up in the Gaithersburg, MD, as the youngest of five boys—all musicians. His siblings played keyboard, bass and guitar. “They didn’t have a drummer. So, when I came along, I became the drummer,” Selby said.
His 20 years of playing for guitar master Thompson has provided opportunities to open for the Doobie Brothers and record with Little Feat’s Bill Payne and Kenny Gradney.
But it is only a year ago, with his daughters off to college, that he fully committed to music. At age 58, he felt a last chance to fully jump in.
“So, I quit my job, and I’m doing it full time. Retirement communities during the week, doing studio sessions around the DMV, and playing whatever nights they’ll have me. I’m taking all the gigs I can and supporting this, which is kind of cool,” he said.
He released his first CD, “Do, Baby,” during the pandemic lockdown in 2020 “just for fun.”
With the music industry shut down, friends advised him not to. “Don’t send it to radio stations because no one’s releasing music right now,” they told him.
The opposite happened. With fewer choices for new tunes, DJs were searching for material and soon his songs were appearing in the alternative music charts. “I’m just some dumb drummer. What do I know,” he said of that early success.
For “Staring to Sync In,” the project started with recording a couple of songs at Recording Arts in Arlington.
Then he was invited by fellow Loudoun music scene veteran Dave Mininberg to join him on a trip to Nashville. It was Selby’s first trip to Music City.
Along the way a recording cancelation at David Taylor’s The Facility Nashville studio opened an unexpected opportunity.
“They said somebody canceled on Thursday. All these killer studio guys are there. Do you have any song you want to record?” Selby said.
During the October session, Selby’s songs were brought to life by musicians who typically play for Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Womack or Luke Bryan.
“I’m not really a Nashville guy. Actually, it was just serendipity,” he said.
The result was not your typical country recording; the tracks shift from funky to
psychedelic to Beatle-esque.
“I think what stands out for me is that, lyrically and musically, it’s starting to go in a different direction. And I don’t even know what that is,” Selby said.
With the recordings laid down, Selby turned to the final mix.
On a bit of a whim, he reached out to Abbey Road Studios as a bucket list wish. Instead of being turned down, they asked which producer he’d like to work with.
Andy Walter, the twice Grammy-nominated engineering veteran who worked on projects for David Bowie, Jimmy Page, U2, The Who and more, assembled the final master. “He said, ‘Hey, I really love your music. What do you think?’ I’m like, dude that sounds great,” Selby
Crystle Chrispen Photography
Eric Selby
ERIC SELBY continues on page
DANNY KNICELY’S WINTER CONCERT
Saturday, Jan. 25, 8 p.m. Franklin Park Arts Center franklinparkartscenter.org
Knicely returns with OUROS for the 14th annual concert featuring performances in Spanish and English and to celebrate his 50th birthday.
GET OUT
LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 18
DAVE MININBERG
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com
CLARK PEKLO
1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbiolicellars.com
“The first song on the on the record is called ‘Issues.’ That song, I think, is going to be the song that goes to this radio stations. I think that song stands out because it’s got these dudes from Nashville on it, and it just has a cool vibe.”
”What was cool about working with these guys was that it was a great palate cleanser for them. They go from session to session and this wasn’t the same old twang. There wasn’t a pedal steel. There wasn’t a violin,” Selby said.
With the release scheduled for Jan. 24, Selby is looking forward to promoting the new material and entertaining audiences around the region and especially in Loudoun. And he continues to revel in the rewards of performing music and helping to grow the local music scene.
“You know, I was a vice president of a media company, and I thought I worked my ass off. Now being a fulltime musician, I work twice as hard for twice less. But when you go home you feel more fulfilled,” Shelby said.
“I’m so blessed to be here at this time in Loudoun County because it has evolved so much.” n
GET OUT HAPPENINGS
continued from page 19
ICE FESTIVAL
12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25
Village at Leesburg, 1602 Village Market Blvd., Leesburg.
villageatleesburg.com
BOOK LAUNCH W/YVETTE GAGNON
2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25
Solace Brewing Company, 42615 Trade W. Drive, Sterling. solacebrewing.com
Lark Brewing Co., 24205 James Monroe Highway, Aldie.
larkbrewingco.com
Cabin Fever Festival Features 5 Films
The eighth annual Purcellville Cabin Fever Film Festival will put the spotlight on six local filmmakers this weekend.
This year’s theme is The Sky’s the Limit.
The festival will be held Jan. 24-25, with showings on Friday night starting at 7 p.m. and again Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the Franklin Park Arts Center.
The selected films are:
“The Buzz on Native Plants” by Tara Roberts Zabriskie
“Cherry Waves” by Evan Jackson
“Save a Buck” by Drew Broadhurst and Rikki
Elizabeth Stinnette
“The Body at the Lake” by Phil Erickson
“Stellafane and Beyond” by Tara Roberts Zabriskie
Prizes are sponsored by the Friends of Franklin Park Arts Center, the Purcellville Arts Council, and Franklin Park Arts Center and will be awarded for winners in the categories of Best in Theme, Festival Favorite, and Most Likely to Break Cabin Fever.
Some of the films have mature content and may not be appropriate for young viewers. Tickets are $8 for Friday and $5 for Saturday and may be purchased in advance online at franklinparkartscenter.org/calendar/
Franklin Park Visual and Performing Arts Center is located at 36441 Blueridge View Lane west of Purcellville. n
Eric Selby’s fourth record, “Starting To Sync In,” was tracked at Recording Arts in Arlington and The Facility Nashville, and mastered by Andy Walter at Abbey Road Studios in London. Starting To Sync In will be available Jan. 24 on streaming services and online music platforms, with CDs also available at his shows. Learn more about Eric Selby at ericselby.com.
An still from “The Buzz on Native Plants” by Tara Roberts Zabriskie.
Parent Life
Extracurricular Activities For Kids
Children are the greatest resource – and they should have the greatest resources. Whether its sports, music or art, kids in Loudoun can do whatever their hearts desire.
SPORTS
There are many options for kids to get out and move their bodies – whether they make the school team or not.
Parks, Recreation & Community Services:
Loudoun County PRCS hosts many sports throughout the year for kids, from wrestling to lacrosse. Registration for the spring is Feb. 6, summer is May 8 and fall is Aug. 7.
To register, go to loudouncounty.gov/ prcsconnect and either log in or create an account.
Jun Lee Taekwondo:
Located in Leesburg, Jun Lee offers after school programs and classes for the whole family. They also offer summer camps, clean facilities and life-long lessons.
To learn more, go to junleetkd.com
Farmwell Station Basketball League:
This is the first basketball league in Ashburn and is known as “Loudoun County’s finest.” However, they acknowledge that every sport deserves its day and feature many other youth leagues on their website.
Go to fbsl.org to learn more.
MUSIC
Playing music engages every part of a child’s brain. Learning an instrument is also a great way to broaden horizons. Loudoun offers many opportunities to learn and play music.
Catoctin School of Music:
Close to the heart of Leesburg, this school offers private lessons, camps, and opportunities to practice and perform with other young musicians. They had over 350 performances in 2023.
For more information, go to thecatoctinschoolofmusic.com.
A mommy-and-me music class based in Loudoun. It offers classes for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children as well as providing a way to bond with parents or caregivers. Curriculum is research based early childhood music and movement.
For more information, go to littletotsmusictogether.com.
School of Rock Ashburn:
School of Rock kids’ classes include Rock 101 for ages 8-13, Performance for ages 8-18, Songwriting for 12 and over
and House Band and Allstars, both for children 17 and under.
For more information, go to schoolofrock.com.
ART
Art is a great creative outlet for children. Luckily, there are lots of great options for art classes in Loudoun.
Kidcreate Studios:
This Ashburn-based studio offers private, homeschool and weekly classes as well as camps and workshops. They also feature a mobile art studio that can visit daycares, schools and more.
For more information go to kidcreate.com.
Young Rembrandts:
Young Rembrandts offer morning and afternoon classes ranging from 8 to 10 sessions. They are held at a variety of locations through Loudoun and Fairfax counties and offer a variety of drawing classes.
For more information go to youngrembrandts.com.
Round Hill Arts Center:
This western Loudoun center offers classes for the whole family. Kids can enjoy classes in drawing, clay, or painting. It also features options for birthday parties and events.
For more information go to roundhillartscenter.org. n
Little Tots Music Together:
File Photo
A replica of the three-position traffic signal patented in 1923 by Garrett Morgan, the first Black resident in Cleveland, OH, to own a car, highlights the contributions of Black Americans at the Douglass Community Center playground.
Homeschooling: Resources, Tips and Community Groups
Loudoun has long been a hub for families looking to educate their children at home since the Homeschool Legal Defense Association opened over 40 years ago in Purcellville.
Since then, the resources available to families have grown exponentially with community groups, sports teams, music groups, debate leagues and more now available for students to be part of.
For parents just starting to homeschool their children, HSLDA offers a variety of services and resources including grants, webinars, community groups and legal advice. The organization’s website includes a search feature allowing families to find resources by ZIP code, grade, topic, language or religious preference. A search for the Purcellville ZIP code yields 169 options alone, with 173 near Leesburg and 173 near Ashburn.
Catherine Gillanshah, who has homeschooled all five of her children for nearly 20 years, provides three tips for
parents looking to get started.
1) Talk to experienced parents
“Get some advice on how to proceed,” she said adding that the educating children at home can look different for each family.
“There isn’t a one-size-fits-all model and so I think it depends on work schedule and mom’s capacity or dad’s capacity to be there. And talk to multiple people and try to understand the resources that are available to figure out a model that works for you,” she said.
2) Join a parents’ group like Mom’s Night Out
This group, geared specifically for mothers, meets monthly to share advice and hear from speakers, Gillanshah said.
“That’s a great resource to just connected with other homeschool families,” she said.
HOMESCHOOLING continues on page 23
75% of young people who claim to be Christian fall away from the Church after high school.
Homeschooling
continued from page 22
3) Join a forum for quick and easy Q&A
“The Loudoun Home Educators and Ashburn Home Educators Google groups are moms and some dads who provide advice, or answer questions or give encouragement or advertise field trips,” Gillanshah said.
For families looking to expand their child’s extracurricular activities, she rec-
ommends trying out one of the county’s sport, debate, music or theater groups.
The Loudoun County Patriots basketball teams are based at Patrick Henry College and Purcellville Baptist Church and offer both girls and boys teams for varsity, junior varsity and middle school. Seasons run from mid-October to March with multiple practices a week. Learn more at loudouncopatriots.org.
Loudoun Homeschool Soccer offers weekly practices throughout the school year for children beginning at age four. Practices are held at Woodgrove Park in Round Hill. Learn more at loudounho-
Hidden Gems: The Best Parks and Playgrounds in Loudoun
Whether it’s little-known trails, a tree that’s been to the moon, teen centers, or beehives, Loudoun’s parks and recreation facilities are full of hidden gems for families to enjoy.
TRAILS
Families looking to stretch their legs without the strain of an intense hike will find plenty of trail options throughout the county’s parks.
Heron Overlook Park – Ashburn
This park opened to the public in October and includes a 1.5-mile trail loop through tributaries and wetlands. The trails are dog, bike and equestrian friendly.
Goose Creek Pointe Park – Ashburn
Outdoor enthusiasts interested in aquatic wildlife will enjoy the trails at this park which include a 1.3-mile trail loop. It is accessed through nearby Edgar Tillett Memorial Park, located off Belmont Ridge Road which includes an out-and-back 3.25-mile trail.
Phillips Farm – Waterford
The 144-acre farm, preserved by the Waterford Foundation through a conservation easement, includes a 1.5mile round trip trail that begins at the village’s Old Mill on Main Street. The trail crosses the south fork of Catoctin Creek and Tannery Creek. During their appropriate seasons, walkers can expect to catch glimpses of monarch butterflies, bluebirds, herons, woodpeckers and the occasional beaver.
meschoolsoccer.com.
More musically inclined children may apply to join Maranatha Youth Music Academy, established in 2007 and available to high school and middle school students. The academy includes choir and orchestra with multiple performances scheduled each year. Learn more at maranathayma.org.
Stoa Christian Homeschool Speech and Debate, which organizes competitions nationally, also has active clubs in Loudoun with groups in Sterling and Purcellville. On the debate side, students learn and practice the funda-
PARKS
Also sprinkled throughout the county’s parks are unexpected features for parents looking to try something new.
e Moon Tree
From Scott Jenkins Memorial Park in Hamilton, families can see a sweetgum tree that was part of a 1971 NASA mission. The seedling was aboard Apollo 14 as it orbited the moon. After returning to earth, the seed was germinated and planted by Leesburg resident and Chief of the United States Forest Service R. Max Peterson.
A Live Beehive
At Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve near Leesburg, children can see an active beehive. They can watch the bees enter a special tube from outside and observe the interworking of the colony as it works to produce honey.
PLAYGROUNDS
Douglass Community Center
While Douglass Community Center playground might not be hidden, it certainly is hailed as a gem as its focus on the impact of African Americans on the world, teaches children about history as they play. It includes oneof-a-kind custom-made structures and replicas that depict that history and culture including a Hall of Heroes, which sets the tone for the themed playground. n
mentals of preparing and delivering arguments for the year’s theme, while on the speech side, they learn skills for indepth, impromptu and extemporaneous public speaking. Find a club near you at stoausa.org.
Jupiter Theater Company provides theater lessons for students eight to 18 in Leesburg and Purcellville. Performances are held throughout the year. The group was first established in 2019 as an adult-only group and expanded to include youth in 2021. Learn more at jupitertheatercompany.com. n
come together, spend time in our cozy lounge, drink coffee, and get the chance to meet our amazing rescue cats. With the option of even being able to adopt and give them their forever home.
The Howard Gardner School
Legal Notices
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: JJ048910-03-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Andrea Isabel Benitez
Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.
Wasnat Mojamet, putative father and Unknown Father
The object of this suit is to hold a permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Andrea Isabel Benitez
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Wasnat Mojamet, putative father, and Unknown Father, appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 25, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
1/16, 1/23, 1/30 & 2/6/25
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: JJ048304-04-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Gustavo Adolfo Constante Anaya
Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.
Jose Ricardo Portillo Mejia, putative father, and Unknown Father
The object of this suit is hold a second permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Gustavo Adolfo Constante Anaya.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Jose Ricardo Portillo Mejia, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
1/2, 1/9, 1/16 & 1/23/25
PUBLIC NOTICE
The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.
PLAT-2024-0365
Tillett’s View Phase 2
Mr. Christopher Spahr, of Pulte Home Company LLC, of Fairfax, VA is requesting Preliminary Plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately 18.60 Acres, into one hundred fifty (150) single family attached lots with accompanying right-of-way, civic space, and associated easements. The property is located north of Waxpool Road (Route 900), west of Claiborne Parkway (Route 901), south of Truro Parish Drive (Route 2119), and east of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659). The property is zoned R-16 Townhouse and Multifamily Residential, under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as MCPI #156-26-4485-000 and MCPI #156-36-3643-000 in the Broad Run Election District.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http:// www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0365. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Vaughn Bynoe at vaughn.bynoe@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 13, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, & 2/13/25
Biryani House LLC, trading as Tava Fry, 44054 Pipeline Plaza, 104, Ashburn, VA 20147. The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Restaurant or Caterer ApplicationRestauraunt, Wine, Beer, Consumed On and Off Premises.
Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices.
Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.
1/23 & 1/30/25
LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR:
AGGREGATE PRODUCTS - REISSUE (FORMERLY: SAND, STONE AND GRAVEL PRODUCTS), IFB No. 668835 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, February 24, 2025.
Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www.loudoun. gov/procurement . If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT 1/23/25
PLAT-2024-0350 Arcola FarmsPhase 1
Ms. Angela Rassas of Toll Mid-Atlantic LP Company, Inc. of Reston, VA is requesting preliminary/ record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately fifty-five (55.07) acres into forty-six (46) residential lots, three (3) open space lots, and accompanying right-of-way dedication and easement creation. The property is bounded by Ryan Road (Route 772) to the north, east of the intersection of Ryan Road (Route 772) and Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621). The properties are zoned Residential – 4 (R4) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The properties are more particularly described as Parcel Identification Numbers 199-25-1135-000, 199-25-3525-000, 119-25-6408-000, 119-15-7187-000, 119-15-5059-000, 242-10-8536-000, and 242-10-2937-000 in the Ashburn and Little River Election Districts.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http:// www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0350. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Eric Blankenship at Eric.Blankenship@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to the Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 13, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6 & 2/13/25
LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLE
This notice is to inform the owner and any person having a security interest in their right to reclaim the motor vehicle herein described within 15 days after the date of storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and the failure of the owner or persons having security interests to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.
This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.
YEAR MAKE MODEL VIN STORAGE PHONE NUMBER
2006 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 1J4GS48K56C178462 ROADRUNNER 703-450-7555
2013 HONDA ACCORD IHGCR2F56DA218642 LCSO IMPOUND LOT 571-367-8400
LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES
Notice is hereby given that the bicycles described below were found and delivered to the Office of the Sheriff of Loudoun County; if the owners of the listed bicycles are not identified within sixty (60) days following the final publication of this notice, the individuals who found said bicycles shall be entitled to them if he/she desires. All unclaimed bicycles will be handled according to Chapter 228.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County.
1/16 & 1/23/25
Legal Notices
PUBLIC HEARING
The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:
LEGI-2023-0074, BELMONT COVE REZONING: ZMAP-2023-0006, ZMOD2023-0032, ZMOD-2023-0056, ZMOD-2023-0057, & ZMOD-2024-0008 AND BELMONT COVE APPENDAGE: ZCPA-2024-0004 (Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Modifications, and Zoning Concept Plan Amendment)
Rooney Properties, LLC has submitted applications for a Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Modifications, and a Zoning Concept Plan Amendment for 8.19 acres of land located west of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061), east of Belmont Manor Lane, and South of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject property is more particularly described as:
083-36-3675-000 N/A
083-36-5250-000 N/A
083-36-5928-000 N/A
/62AB/1/////D/
/62AB/1/////C/
/62AB/1/////B/
For ZMAP-2023-0006, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the Planned Development – Office Park (“PD-OP”) zoning district to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/ Multifamily Affordable Dwelling Unit) Zoning District to permit 78 single family attached dwelling units. For ZMOD-2023-0032, ZMOD-2023-0056, ZMOD-2023-0057, and ZMOD2024-0008, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including reducing building setbacks and landscape buffers along Russell Branch Parkway, allow residential units to front onto open space, modification to the landscape buffer, and to modify tree canopy requirements. ZMAP-2023-0006, ZMOD2023-0032, ZMOD-2023-0056, ZMOD-2023-0057, and ZMOD-2024-0008 are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the ZOR Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023. For ZCPA-2024-0004, the applicant seeks to reduce the required building setback and eliminate the required parking setback on a portion of the Subject Property. ZCPA-2024-0004 is being processed under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance
LEGI-2024-0011, COMMONWEALTH CENTER COMMERCIAL:
ZCPA-2024-0005 (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment)
CWC Shops, LC has submitted an application for a zoning concept plan amendment for approximately 3.382 acres of land located at the southeast intersection of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061) and Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607) along Heron Overlook Plaza in the Broad Run Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:
For ZCPA-2024-0005, the applicant seeks the removal of nonconforming status of setbacks in the Commercial Center – Small Regional Center (CC-SC) Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance
LEGI-2023-0114, FRANKLIN PARK WEST:
ZMAP-2023-0016, CMPT-2023-0017, & SPEX-2023-0049 (Zoning Map Amendment, Commission Permit, and Special Exception)
The County of Loudoun, Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure, has submitted an application for a zoning map amendment, commission permit, and special exception for approximately 130.02 acres of land located south of Leesburg Pike (Route 7), east of Tedler Circle (Route 2859), and west of Tranquility Road (Route 782) in the Catoctin Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 17749 Lakefield Rd Round Hill, Virginia; PIN’s 556-37-6024-001 and 556-27-6937-000; and Tax Map #’s /34//////65-1/ and /43////////59B. For ZMAP-2023-0016, the applicant seeks to rezone portions of the Subject Property from the Planned Development – Housing 3 (PD-
H3) and Joint Land Management Area – 3 (JLMA-3) Zoning Districts to the Agricultural Rural – 1 (AR-1) Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. For CMPT2023-0017, the applicant seeks a commission permit to establish a County park. For SPEX2023-0049, the applicant seeks to permit a Park, Regional Use in the AR-1 Zoning District.
The Loudoun County School Board has submitted an application for a commission permit to establish a public school student welcome center, categorized as an “Office,” on an approximately 1.347 acre property, located northwest and southeast of Enterprise Street (Route 1484) and northeast of Commerce Street (Route 1523) in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 101 Enterprise Street, Sterling, Virginia, PIN: 022-16-5897-000 and Tax Map # /81/F10////16/ and is zoned Planned Development-Housing 3 (PD-H3) administered as Commercial Center-Community Center (CC-CC) under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance
Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun. gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-7770246 (option 5).
Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40 and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings.
Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-7770246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing; however, speakers may also sign-up at the public hearing. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.
Regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month.
Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.
BY ORDER OF: MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
1/9, 1/16 & 1/23/25
Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, February 12, 2025, in order to consider:
CPAM-2024-0004, RURAL HISTORIC VILLAGES (Comprehensive Plan Amendment)
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2225 and 15.2-2229, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on April 2, 2024, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice its intent to consider a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) to amend the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) and the Loudoun County 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan (2019 CTP), in order to establish new policies and criteria regarding the identification, designation, and preservation of Rural Historic Villages (RHVs) and other smaller rural historic communities in accordance with existing 2019 GP RHV Policy 1, Strategy 1.1, Action A. The CPAM proposes revisions to Chapters 1 and 2, the Glossary, and certain 2019 GP and 2019 CTP Maps, and such other Chapters, policies, and provisions of the 2019 GP as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section(s) of the 2019 GP. The RHVs and rural historic communities to which the CPAM would apply generally are located within the Little River Election District and the Catoctin Election District in the Rural Policy Area (RPA). The proposed CPAM includes, without limitation, the following:
Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 1- Introduction:
• Amend Chapter 1 – Rural Policy Area – to update the number and designation of recognized RHVs and add a reference to rural historic communities.
Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 2 – Land Use:
• Amend Chapter 2 - Rural Historic Village - to establish new policies regarding the identification and designation of, update the list of, and revise Action A to address the preservation of, RHVs and rural historic communities.
Amendments to the 2019 GP Glossary:
• Establish a new definition for “Rural Historic Village”.
• Establish a new definition for “Rural Historic Community”.
• Establish a new definition for “Legacy Village”.
Amendments to 2019 GP Maps:
• Revise the RPA Place Types Map to reflect the updated list of designated RHVs and Planning Areas.
• Establish a new Map showing rural historic communities.
• Establish a new Map showing all documented historic settlements, whether still existing or not.
Amendments to 2019 CTP Maps:
• Revise 2019 CTP maps to reflect the boundaries and locations of newly designated RHVs.
(continued on next page)
Legal Notices
CPAM-2024-0001, DATA CENTER STANDARDS AND LOCATIONS, PHASE 1 (Comprehensive Plan Amendment)
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204 and 15.2-2229 the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of its intent to consider a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) to amend the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (2019 GP) (adopted June 20, 2019, as amended) in order to establish new, clarify existing, revise, and/or delete certain existing policies and guidelines in regard to Data Center use. The amendment also corrects inconsistencies in the Place Type designations that are unrelated to Data Center use. The amendment proposes revisions to Chapter 2 – Land Use of the 2019 GP to establish Data Center as a conditional use in all Place Types where Data Centers are currently identified as a core use or as a complementary use. The amendment also proposes revisions to the Urban Policy Area Place Types map, Suburban Policy Area Place Types map, and Joint Land Use Management Area (JLMA) Place Types map of the 2019 GP, as well as revisions to such other Chapters, policies, and provisions of the 2019 GP as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with all of the foregoing amendments or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the policies of, the above-mentioned sections of the 2019 GP. The proposed CPAM would apply Countywide. The proposed text and map amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following:
Amendments to 2019 GP Chapter 2 - Land Use:
• Establish new, and clarify, revise, and/or delete certain existing terminology pertaining to Data Centers.
• Revise Data Centers to be a conditional use in the following Place Types where they are currently a core use:
o Suburban Industrial/Mineral Extraction;
o Transitional Light Industrial;
o Transitional Industrial/Mineral Extraction; and
o Leesburg JLMA Industrial Mineral Extraction.
• Revise the Leesburg Employment Place Type to make Data Center a conditional use where it is currently identified as a complementary use.
Amendments to 2019 GP Urban Policy Area Place Type Map:
• Amend the Urban Policy Area Place Types map to replace Urban Employment Place Type with Urban Transit Center Place Type.
Amendments to 2019 GP Suburban Policy Area Place Type Map:
• Amend the Suburban Policy Area Place Types map to change the Place Type designation for the communities of Southfork, Winsbury West, Winsbury, Arcola, and the parcels subject to the Old Arcola Residential application (LEGI-2023-0033) from Suburban Employment to Suburban Neighborhood Place Type.
Amendments to 2019 GP JLMA Place Type Map:
• Amend the JLMA Place Types map to change the Place Type designation for the Goose Creek Club community from Leesburg JLMA Employment to Leesburg JLMA Residential Neighborhood.
(continued on next page)
Legal Notices
ZOAM-2024-0001, DATA CENTER STANDARDS AND LOCATIONS, PHASE 1 (Zoning Ordinance Amendment)
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 2, 2024, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of its intent to consider proposed amendments to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance) in order to establish Data Centers as a special exception (SPEX) use in all zoning districts where Data Center use is currently permitted by-right. The amendment proposes revisions to Chapter 3: Uses, Table 3.02.051 of the Zoning Ordinance, and such other chapters, sections, subsections, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as necessary to implement and maintain consistency with the foregoing amendment or as otherwise necessary to correct typographical errors, section and subsection numbering, and formatting within, update cross-references to, and further clarify the requirements of, the above-mentioned section of the Zoning Ordinance. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following:
Amendments to Zoning Ordinance Table 3.02.05-1:
• Designate Data Centers as a SPEX use in the following zoning districts where Data Center use is currently permitted by-right:
o Industrial Park;
o General Industry; and o Mineral Resource – Heavy Industry.
The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes of zoning as set forth in Virginia Code §§15.2-2200 and 15.2-2283, including, without limitation, furtherance of the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice and facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive, and harmonious community.
Copies of the full text of the ordinance amendment are on file at the Office of the County Administrator, Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.
ZOAM-2024-0003, MANUFACTURED HOME REGULATIONS (Zoning Ordinance Amendment)
Pursuant to Virginia Code §§15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286, and a Resolution of Intent to Amend adopted by the Board of Supervisors on November 7, 2024, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance) in order to establish new, and clarify and revise, regulations and definitions to correct an ambiguity regarding Manufactured Home use that was unintentionally created in the text with the adoption of the Zoning Ordinance on December 13, 2023, that could allow for Manufactured Home use to be considered as a different principal use from Dwelling, Single-Family Detached, or Dwelling, Single-Family Attached principal uses and thereby not be subject to the one per lot limitation for such uses. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following:
Amendments to Zoning Ordinance Chapter 3: Uses, Chapter 4: Use-Specific Standards, and Chapter 12: Definitions:
• Establish new, and clarify and revise, existing, regulations to clarify that only one Manufactured Home may be developed as a principal use per lot; that any such Manufactured Home shall be in lieu of any, Dwelling, Single-Family Detached, or Dwelling, Single -Family Attached, principal use that may be permitted or permissible on such lot under the Zoning Ordinance; and that any additional proposed Manufactured Home use on such lot must be considered a Caretaker or Guard Residence, Dwelling, Accessory, or Dwelling, Tenant.
Amend such other chapters, sections, tables, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as otherwise necessary:
• Establish new, and clarify and revise, existing, regulations to fully implement the objective of this amendment; to maintain consistency with the foregoing amendments; to incorporate input received during the public hearing process; to correct typographical errors, section and table numbering, and formatting; to update cross references; and to further clarify the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance consistent with the intent of amendment.
The public purposes of these amendments are to achieve the purposes of zoning as set forth in Virginia Code §§15.2-2200 and 15.2-2283, including, without limitation, furtherance of the public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice and facilitating the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community.
Copies of the full text of the ordinance amendment are on file at the Office of the County Administrator, Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.
Chick-Fil-A has submitted an application for a special exception for approximately 0.2 acres of a 22.01-acre shopping center located just south of Leesburg Pike (Route 7), west of Draineville Road (Route 228), and east of North Sterling Boulevard (Route 846) in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 47100 Community Plaza #175, Sterling, Virginia, PIN: 01-438-2990-000, and Tax Map # /81///5/////1/. The applicant seeks a special exception to reduce the Road Corridor Structure Setback from 50 feet to 30 feet in Table 7.04.02-1 in the Commercial Center (Small Regional Center) Zoning District, pursuant to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance
(continued on next page)
LEGI-2023-0090, RACEFIELD SUBSTATION:
SPEX-2024-0008, & SPEX-2024-0018
(Special Exception, Minor Special Exception)
Legal Notices
Northern Viginia Electric Cooperative has submitted applications for: a special exception and a minor special exception for approximately 39.24 acres of land located along the north side of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), south of Racefield Lane (Route 877), and west of Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 2625) in the Dulles Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 42139 Reeds Farm Lane Aldie, Virginia, PIN: 203-17-0856-000 and Tax Map # 100AC/1///A2B/. For SPEX-2024-0008, the applicant seeks to permit a Utility Substation in the Industrial Park Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. For SPEX-2024-0018, the applicant seeks to remove a six-foot, 95 percent opaque fence on the southern Type C Buffer of the Subject Property.
LEGI-2023-0109, NOVEC SOUTHFORK SUBSTATION:
SPEX-2024-0033, & SPEX-2024-0034
(Special Exception, Minor Special Exception)
Northern Viginia Electric Cooperative has submitted an application for a special exception and a minor special exception (for approximately 17.67 acres of land located along the north side of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), south of Racefield Lane (Route 877), and west of Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 2625) in the Dulles Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN: 203-16-8093-000 and Tax Map # 100AH/1///A1A/. For SPEX-2024-0033, the applicant seeks to permit a Utility Substation in the Industrial Park Zoning District under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. For SPEX-2024-0034 the applicant seeks to remove a six-foot, 95 percent opaque fence on the northern and eastern Type C Buffers of the Subject Property.
Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, and amendments for each land use application listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center; Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.
Board of Supervisors public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Meetings are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40. Meetings also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings.
Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding those matters listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on January 31, 2025, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on February 12, 2025. Members of the public may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications.
Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200/TTY-711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.
BY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS J. RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
1/23 & 1/30/25
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, March 12, 2025, in order to consider:
THE ADOPTION OF THE REVISED HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN, STREAMLINED ANNUAL PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY (PHA) PLAN, AND FIVE-YEAR PHA PLAN.
Pursuant to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations at 24 CFR § 903.17, the Board of Supervisors hereby gives notice that it intends to conduct a public hearing for the purpose of considering and adopting the Streamlined PHA Annual Plan, Five Year PHA Plan, and Revised Administrative Plan (effective April 1, 2025) for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program. The Streamlined PHA Annual Plan and Five-Year PHA Plan are comprehensive guides to PHA policies, programs, operations, and strategies for meeting local housing needs and goals. The Administrative Plan establishes policies for Loudoun County to implement the HCV Program in a manner consistent with HUD requirements, local goals, and objectives contained in the Administrative Plan.
Copies of the above-referenced plans may be examined at the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, Front Desk, 1st Floor, 106 Catoctin Circle, S.E., Leesburg, VA 20175 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday excluding holidays or call (703) 737-8213 to request hard copies or electronic copies. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.
Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40 and livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings.
Members of the public desiring to speak at the public hearing may appear and present their views regarding the matters listed in this notice for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken from 8:30 a.m. on February 28, 2025, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 12, 2025. Members of the public may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members and made part of the minutes for the public hearing.
Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodation may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.
BY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
1/23/25
TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
LVRZ 2023-0001, HK&S SERVICES REQUEST TO REZONE 12745 BERLIN TURNPIKE FROM THE R-1, RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT, TO THE R-C, RETIREMENT - COMMUNITY ZONING DISTRICT
The LOVETTSVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on the above referenced application at their meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia.
The purpose of the hearing is to consider the application filed by Mohamed El-Kalla representing HK&S Services LLC, of Aldie, Virginia, to rezone the subject property from the R-1, Residential Zoning District, to the R-C, Retirement Community Zoning District, in order to construct an 80-bed assisted living facility. The subject property is a 4.38-acre parcel identified as 12745 Berlin Turnpike, and by Loudoun County Parcel Identification (PIN) Number: 370-19-5365-000.
All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting. Written comments regarding this item can be submitted to clerk@lovettsvilleva.gov by 3:00PM on the day of the meeting. Members of the public may access and participate in this meeting electronically
The rezoning application is available for review on the Town website at: www.lovettsvilleva.gov/planning You may also request a copy be sent to you via email by contacting John Merrithew, Planning Director at (540) 822-5788 between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays, holidays excepted. In the event the meeting is postponed, the public hearing will be convened on the next regularly scheduled meeting at the same time and place.
1/23 & 1/30/25
Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.
PLAT-2024-0372
Defender Drive, Phase 1
Mr. Stephens Collins, of Defenders Inc., of Washington, District of Columbia is requesting preliminary record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately twelve (12.373) acres into forty-eight (48) lots, one (1) open space parcel, private streets, street dedication and associated easements. The property is located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50) and east of the intersection of Defender Drive (Route 1278) and South Riding Boulevard (Route 2201). The property is zoned R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential 16) and PD-H4 (Planned Development-Housing 4) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as 128-48-4437-000, 128-48-1771-000, and 127-18-4380-000 in the Dulles Election District.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0372. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Hilary Russo at Hilary.Russo@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 27, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20 & 2/27/25
PUBLIC NOTICE
The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.
PLAT-2024-0373
Defender Drive, Phase 2
Mr. Stephens Collins, of Defenders Inc., of Washington, District of Columbia is requesting preliminary record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately twelve (11.924) acres into thirty-two (32) lots, one (1) open space parcel, private streets, street dedication and associated easements. The property is located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50) and east of the intersection of Defender Drive (Route 1278) and South Riding Boulevard (Route 2201). The property is zoned R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential 16) and PD-H4 (Planned Development-Housing 4) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as 128-48-4437-000 and 128-48-8353-000 in the Dulles Election District.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www.loudoun.gov/LandMARCand searching for PLAT-2024-0373. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Suzanna Brady at Suzanna.brady@loudoun.gov or you may mailthem to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 27, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20 & 2/27/25
PUBLIC NOTICE
The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.
PLAT-2024-0374
Defender Drive, Phase 3
Mr. Stephen Collins, Vice President, of Defenders, Inc. of Washington DC is requesting preliminary/ record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately four (4.03) acres into 47 (47) lots, one (1) open space parcel, and associated easements. The property is located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), west of Poland Road, east of South Riding Boulevard, and north of Tall Cedars Parkway. The property is zoned R16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential), under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as 128-48-4437 and 128-488353 in the Dulles Election District.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www. loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0374 Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Samantha Swift at Samantha.swift@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 27, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20 & 2/27/25
PUBLIC NOTICE
The LOUDOUN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT has accepted application for preliminary plat of subdivision for the following project.
PLAT-2024-0375
Defender Drive, Phase 4
Mr. Stephens Collins, of Defenders Inc., of Washington, District of Columbia is requesting preliminary record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately three (3.035) acres into thirty-three (33) lots, one (1) open space parcel, private streets, and associated easements. The property is located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50) west of the intersection of Defender Drive (Route 1278) and Helmsdale Terrace, and northwest of Valley Vista Lane. The property is zoned R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential 16) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as a portion of parcels 128-48-4437-000, 128-48-8353-000, 128-489540, and 127-48-9920-000 in the Dulles Election District.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www. loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0375. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Vaughn Bynoe at Vaughn.Bynoe@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to The Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by February 27, 2025. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20 & 2/27/25
ONLINE.
Legal Notices
TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 2026-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM
Pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2239, the Leesburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, to solicit public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).
The following table reflects potential Fiscal Year 2026 requested funding totaling $38,111,154. The requested funding amount will be included in the Town Manager’s Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget scheduled to be presented to Town Council during their regular meeting the evening of February 11, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.
CATEGORY FY 2026 AMOUNT MAJOR PROJECTS
ADMINISTRATION
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
PARKS & RECREATION
$2,230,335
$4,990,000
$375,000
STREETS & HIGHWAYS
$7,788,119
• Management costs associated with the Capital Improvements Program
• Capital Asset Replacement Program
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations at Miscellaneous Town Locations
• Police Station Expansion
• Town Hall Parking Garage Structural Repairs
• Town Shop Expansion and Refurbishment
• Miscellaneous Playground Surface and Equipment
• Old Waterford Road Trail to Morven Park
• Washington & Old Dominion Trail Lighting
• Battlefield Parkway Safety Improvements
• Davis Court Bridge Conversion and Maintenance
• East Market Street Improvements (Plaza Street to Fort Evans Road)
• Evergreen Mill Road Widening
• Liberty Lot Resurfacing, Access and Lighting Improvements
• Milling and Paving Program
• Miscellaneous Roadway, Pedestrian, and ADA Projects
• Townwide Bridge Maintenance
• Traffic Signal Replacements
• Chesapeake Bay TMDL Phase III
STORM DRAINAGE
AIRPORT
$4,881,200
$9,730,000
UTILITIES
$8,116,500
• Miscellaneous Storm Drainage System Analysis & Repair
• Tuscarora Creek Stream Restoration (Utilities Maintenance Building to Town Shop)
• Airport Air Traffic Control Tower
• Airport Hangar Row Lane Security Fence Replacement
• Airport Parallel Taxiway Relocation
• Airport Runway Pavement Rehabilitation
• Airport Terminal Parking Lot Expansion
• Townwide Lead and Copper Rule Compliance
• Townwide Sanitary Sewer Improvements and Repairs
• Townwide Water Line Improvements and Repairs
• Water Pollution Control Facility Solids Processing Improvements
• Water Pollution Control Facility Nutrient & Liquid Processing Improvements
• Utilities Repair, Replacement, and Rehabilitation Program
Copies of the proposed CIP Summary with a complete list of projects are available in the Department of Finance, Leesburg Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. by calling 703-771-2763. Questions should be directed to Owen A. Snyder, Assistant Town Manager/Chief Financial Officer at 703-771-2717.
At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of the Commission at 703-771-2434, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
1/23 & 1/30/25
PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
The Town of Leesburg will accept proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s eprocurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), until 3:00 p.m. on February 13, 2025 for the following:
RFP No. 500640-FY25-30 HVAC MECHANCIAL SERVICES FOR THE TOWN OF LEESBURG UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
The Town of Leesburg is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified firms to provide oncall, preventative maintenance and emergency services as needed for HVAC mechanical services.
For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard
1/23/25
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION Town of Leesburg
PUBLIC AUCTION OF ABANDONED AIRCRAFT
DESCRIPTION: In accordance with the Code of Virginia § 5.1-2.25. Abandoned or derelict aircraft; disposal, the Town of Leesburg is offering the following aircraft for public auction: 1973 Cessna C-172M / Serial no. 17261579 / FAA Registration Number N92417
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: CL 24-7038
Loudoun County Circuit Court 18 E. Market St. - Leesburg, VA 20176
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re
Pro Se Divorce
Terry Lynn Caban v. Jose Caban
The object of this suit is to Divorce by Publication.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Jose Caban appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 28, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6/25
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: CL25-77
Loudoun County Circuit Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lisa Gerben v. Alemayehu Mamo
The object of this suit is to divorce.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Alemayehu Mamo appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before March 7, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
1/23, 1/30, 2/6 & 2/13/25
LOCATION: Leesburg Executive Airport, 1001 Sycolin Road SE, Leesburg, Virginia. See auction site for information regarding viewing the aircraft and other questions.
PUBLIC AUCTION WEBSITE: Interested bidders may bid on the item online at http://www.publicsurplus.com.
TERMS: Bidders must accept the Terms and Conditions for Derelict Aircraft as described on the auction website.
AUCTION END DATE: The auction end date is February 15, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.. The auction may be extended at the discretion of the Town of Leesburg.
1/23/25
Legal Notices
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Loudoun County Public Schools Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget
The Loudoun County School Board will seek public comment regarding Loudoun County Public Schools’ Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget during the School Board Budget Work Session scheduled on Thursday, January 23, 2025, and Special School Board meeting scheduled on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
DATE TIME School Board Meeting
January 23, 2025 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm School Board Meeting/ Public Hearing
February 4, 2025 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm School Board Budget Adoption/ Public Hearing
The Meetings will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will be held in the Board room on the 1st floor of the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn, VA 20148). Adoption of the budget will follow the public hearing on February 4, 2025.
Details on how to access to register for virtual and in-person public comment during the public hearing will be provided at www.lcps.org/o/lcps/page/citizen-participation. For those who have not pre-registered, walk-up registration will be accepted at the front of the Administration building until 30 minutes before the start of the meeting. Those who register on-site will be added to the end of the list of pre-registered speakers.
Those who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully in School Board meetings or public hearings should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.
1/9 & 1/23/25
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ROUND HILL TOWN COUNCIL
The Round Hill Town Council will hold a public hearing on February 5, 2025 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Round Hill Town Office, 23 Main Street, Round Hill, Virginia to receive public comment and consider approval of a telecommunications company’s lease of space on the Town water tower located at 17144 Evening Star Drive, PIN:554266077000; Tax Map No: /34//30////1-A. The lease is authorized by Virginia Code Section 15.2-1800. Copies of the property description and draft lease are available for inspection and copying in the Town Clerk’s Office and at the Town website: www.roundhillva.org. All interested persons should appear and present their views at the above time and place. If a member of the public cannot attend, comments may be submitted by mail to PO Box 36, Round Hill, VA 20142; by fax to (540) 338-1680; or by email to hwest@roundhillva.gov. Comments received by Noon on the day of the hearing will be distributed to Council members and made a part of the public record. Copies of relevant documents may be viewed on the Town website at www.roundillva.gov. Anyone needing assistance or accommodations under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act should call the Town Office at (540) 338-7878. The regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will begin after the public hearing.
Scott
T. Ramsey, Mayor
1/23, 1/30/25
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF TOWN COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING
TO CONSIDER SPECIAL EXCEPTION APPLICATION TLSPEX2024-0005 POTOMAC STATION DUNKIN DONUTS DRIVE-THROUGH
Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Special Exception application TLSPEX2024-0005, Potomac Station Dunkin Donuts Drive-Through.
The subject of the application is an existing, vacant structure at 607 Potomac Station Drive NE. The property is zoned PRC, Planned Residential Community, and is further described by Loudoun County Parcel Identification Number (PIN) 148-16-4540-000.
Special Exception Application TLSPEX2024-0005 is a request by Vigario Holdings, LLC to allow an overall total 3,028 square foot fast food use with drive-through pursuant to Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance Section 8.5.2 Use Regulations
Additional information and copies of this application are available at the Department of Community Development located at 222 Catoctin Circle SE, Suite 200, Leesburg, Virginia 20175 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Debi Parry, Planner – Land Use, by telephone at 703-737-7023, or by email at dparry@leesburgva.gov.
At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations at the meeting should contact the Clerk of Council at (703) 771-2733 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
1/23 & 1/30/2025
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: JJ047156-04-00, -05, -06
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court
Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Aleszandra Bywater Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.
Anika Bywater, mother and Unknown Father
The object of this suit is to hold a second permanency planning hearing and review of foster care plan with goal of adoption, pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Aleszandra Bywater; Petition for Approval of Entrustment Agreement signed by Mother, Anika Bywater, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-277.01; and Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Aleszandra Bywater. Unknown Father is hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination
of his residual parental rights with respect to Aleszandra Bywater. Unknown Father is hereby further notified that if his residual parental rights are terminated, he will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Aleszandra Bywater; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Aleszandra Bywater; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Aleszandra Bywater. Further, Unknown Father will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Aleszandra Bywater, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Aleszandra Bywater for adoption and consent to the adoption of Aleszandra Bywater.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Anika Bywater, mother and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
1/16, 1/23, 1/30 & 2/6/25
Misc. Loco Service Providers
VEHICLE AUCTION
MD Repo Vehicles For Public Sale at ADESA Washington, DC. All Makes and Models Running Weekly Details can be found at www.adesawashingtondc.com
Terms: State and local orders will be strictly enforced at the sale, including social distancing and limits on the number of people permitted to gather in certain areas. All attendees must comply with such procedures or will be required to leave the premises. We strongly recommend that all attendees wear face coverings for the protection of themselves and our staff. Bidder agrees to register and pay a refundable $500 cash deposit plus a non-refundable $20 entry fee before the Sale starts. The balance of the purchase is due in full by 5:00pm on sale day. vehicles are AS-IS and are subject to a buy fee based on the sale price of the vehicle. Only cash or certified funds will be accepted. No vehicle will be released until Payment is made in full. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.
VEHICLE AUCTION
ADESA WASHINGTON DC 705-996-1100 44475 OLD OX ROAD DULLES, VA 20166
20+Chase repossessions will be offered to the public sale monthly on Wednesdays. Auction doors open at 8:00 a.m. Sale starts at 9:50 a.m. ET. Registered persons may preview/inspect vehicles on the day of the sale before bidding. Bids accepted only when a vehicle is presented for sale. The auctioneer will conclude the sale when bidding stops. All results will be final by 5:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or Certified Check.
Town of Leesburg Employment Opportunities
Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online. Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.
Regular Full-Time Positions
To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs. Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications. AllTownvacanciesmaybeviewedonComcastCableChannel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.
OFFICE COORDINATOR
Loudoun Now has an opening for an Office Coordinator. The part-time position includes flexible hours for general office and administrative assistant functions. We’re looking for a detailed-oriented self-starter to join our team. Proficiency in Excel
experience with Sales Force a plus.
NOW HIRING
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Loudoun Now, Loudoun County’s nonprofit, independent newspaper seeks an
Published by Loudoun Community Media
15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176 703-770-9723
KURT ASCHERMANN
Executive Director kaschermann@loudounnow.org
NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.org
EDITORIAL
AMBER LUCAS Reporter alucas@loudounnow.org
HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
WILLIAM TIMME Reporter wtimme@loudounnow.org
ADVERTISING
SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.org
daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.
Opinion
On the Bandwagon
It has been a very long time since the Washington football team’s bandwagon has been spotted out in public, but it sure is getting crowded.
Fans younger than middle age likely have no context for the resurgence of enthusiasm for the sports franchise that once dominated the market. They only know of the successes of the Nationals, the Capitals, DC United and the Mystics. They all have won championships since the football team last made a significant playoff run more than three decades ago.
As a Loudoun-based team—with many of the players, coaches and other staff members living as our neighbors—the decline and stagnation has been particularly difficult even as long-time fans sought to keep a grasp on those long-gone glory years.
Even if the season ends one win short of a Super Bowl berth on Sunday afternoon, it will have been a tremendous success—not only for the accomplishments on the field, but for the promising future. New ownership has brought in new management, with new coaches, and, critically, a new culture. And all that is bolstered by a young quarterback who has shown the ingredients for greatness.
While the team appears set on a winning path, the local opportunities to share in the success up close may be limited.
Certainly, a next step in the franchise’s rebuilding will be to abandon its antiquated training facilities in favor a new one better suited to serve the needs of elite athletes. Perhaps that could be in Loudoun County, but, as other businesses know, data centers have filled most of the available empty spaces—and, no doubt, will fill the space at Commanders Park when it becomes available, too.
But for now, it’s our hometown team and it’s on a roll. Welcome aboard the bandwagon. This used to be lots of fun.
Collective Bargaining
continued from page 3
office staff, and you name it. It’s everyone,” she said.
Countryman also said that there are many Virginia-wide misconceptions about unions that the LEA plans to address in the coming months, starting at its Jan. 22 meeting.
“Virginia is difficult. It’s almost like some people think the word union is a bad word, and a lot of it is because people don’t understand,” she said. “So, they’re just like any company or organization, it is only as good as its leaders. And so, people who oppose the union, they’re like, ‘Oh, you have to do what the union’s telling you to do once you have a bargaining contract.’ But what they’re asking for and what they’re negotiating for is making your job and life better,” she said.
The resolution states there will be five representatives from the LEA on each negotiating team. They will pick no more four main topics for bargaining purposes, not including wages and benefits, according to Countryman. She said the resolution is not perfect and needs work in the coming years, but that it provides a good starting point to begin making changes in the school system.
There is not yet information on what the LEA will bargain for in the spring because those topics are decided by the members of the union. The LEA will be
holding meetings for all LCPS employees, not just members, in late January through February to better understand the issues facing employees. Issues will be taken from meetings based on job type and region.
Two committees, a strategy and an advisory committee, will be appointed to finalize the plans and topics for collective bargaining. They will also be part of picking the representatives to send into negotiations. Countryman will not be part of the team doing the negotiations, but she will be plugged into the process. This will allow her to still run day- to-day operations during negotiations.
Countryman said that while they have not had any meetings yet, she has received feedback about a situation involving school nutrition staff.
In a meeting with school division Chief Financial Officer Sharon Willoughby, Countryman learned that because of security policies making delivery companies unable to enter the school after hours, large deliveries are often left on loading docks outside for staff members to deal with when they arrive.
“They weren’t given the pay for it. They weren’t given the extra hours for it. They weren’t given the equipment for it, and all of that was simply falling on them. So we met about it, and she has been looking into it. I believe they have made adjustments at some schools. It needs to be done at every location,” Countryman said.
Other issues Countryman talked about
are adequate planning time for teachers, holiday pay for staff members like custodians, equitable distribution of teacher stipends, and making sure that every employee can survive on just one job. Surveys like a recent one collecting information on school start times are also on her radar. She said the format of the survey makes it difficult to get a majority ruling on any one topic.
Bargaining will take place in private meetings, something that Countryman wishes to change in the coming years. She said that making the meetings public would not only provide more transparency and accountability for the school division, but also for the LEA.
Countryman does not foresee much pushback when it comes to working with the members of the School Board. She said administrative, non-student facing staff members are most likely to see changes such as adding on more work. She cites challenges with getting LEA announcements into the newsletter as an example.
“So with a union and a company, it’s always a struggle of power. Who gets to make the decision, and so while you’ll hear power used a lot, and for me, that is important, but it’s what you do with that power. Are you using the superpowers for good or personal benefit, and for me, one of the big pushbacks, is communications and acknowledging that we are trying to help, not take away,” she said. n
Loudoun Now is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county. Online, Loudoun Now provides
READERS’ poll
MLK March
continued from page 1
Mayor Kelly Burk, the presentation of scholarship awards and dance performances.
The MLK Diversity and Engagement Foundation organized the event, drawing participation from groups including the Loudoun Douglass High School Alumni Association, and fraternities like Omega Psi Phi’s Sigma Mu Mu Chapter #942 and Alpha Phi Alpha, the same fraternity King joined in 1952.
The program opened with a duo performance by the Opus Dance Movement. Following that, Burk presented a welcome speech and Rev. Harold Stinger said a prayer. Afterwards, Grace Carper sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The crowd joined her in song, and Randall took a moment of her speech later to commend Carper on the performance.
Three high school students, Nyayah Davis, Madison Lowe, and Abigail McLellan, received community service scholarships. Rory Miot and MLK Diversity and Engagement Foundation Chairperson Tammy P. Carter remarked on the three students’ commitment to their communities.
In her keynote remarks, Randall highlighted Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and its importance of today.
Randall said there is much King would be proud of today.
“I think he would be proud of how far we’ve come in some areas in the past 60 years,” she said. She noted that in 1960 only 3% of African Americans held a fouryear degree or went to college at all. Today, that number is 35%.
Although African Americans are liv-
ing longer and poverty rates among Black people are declining, there is still much that King would be dissatisfied with today, she said.
“For instance,” Randall said, “the lack of movement in home ownership.”
Randall said that home ownership going up less than 10% among African Americans would trouble King, as well as
the reality that Black Americans are still more likely to be arrested and incarcerated than white Americans for the same offenses.
She also referenced King’s belief in healthcare for all, citing his quote: “of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.”
She emphasized how his non-violent approach to social justice would clash with political moments today.
“Because his guiding principle was non-violence, he would have been appalled at the spectacle that was January 6th, 2021,” she said.
Randall said that while she believes most can agree that America is a divided country today, she fears “we are a country at peril of losing our identity.” She said that now is not the time to withdraw from politics and the answer to that urge is found in the words of leaders, past and present.
“The same suggestions used by Jackie Robinson by W.E.B. Du Bois, by Booker T. Washington, by Jesse Owens, by George Washington Carver by Barrack Hussein Obama and by so many more,” Randall said. “They have all given us the answer to what we do when faced with incompetence, with bigotry and with hate. The answer is two words, just two words: Keep going.” n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Residents march on Market Street in Leesburg on Monday as part of the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Public Defenders
continued from page 1
A deputy commonwealth’s attorney makes $183,471 while a deputy public defender makes $153,495 including the 25% supplement.
Commonwealth’s attorneys also receive regular raises, while no automatic pay increases are implemented for public defenders.
O’Donnell said even those figures do not accurately describe the disparity because of the position structure differences between the two offices.
“I disagree wholeheartedly with the comparison that was made, but I understand why the comparison was made,” she said to the board’s finance committee Jan. 14. “Because if you look at it on its face, it looks like you can compare a commonwealth’s attorney I with a public defender I, a commonwealth’s attorney with a public defender II. And if we had the steps and the grades that the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s [Office] does, you could, but we don’t. The state simply does not provide that.”
Each public defender office around the state is limited in how many positions it may have, O’Donnell said.
“You remain in those positions until either you move out to a different office, or someone above you leaves. That’s it,” she said.
As the Board of Supervisors approaches its fiscal year 2026 budget season, finance committee Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) is working with O’Donnell to get additional funding and support for her office. During a Dec. 3 meeting the board authorized a review by county staff to see how the county could provide additional resources.
But the county is limited by state laws, Assistant Budget Director Mike Franks told the committee Jan. 14.
“The board can authorize new county positions to be assigned to the Public Defender’s Office for the provision of auxiliary or augmented services beyond their core functions, such as an interpreter,” Franks said.
The county cannot assign attorneys or “core functions” to the office, Senior Assistant County Attorney Amy Markwell added.
“We were trying to get creative on how we could assist the request from the public defender in lieu of your re-
quest,” she said.
“Based on that analysis and looking at different levels of supplements, staff made the recommendation that a 30% supplement would address pay parity in the most appropriate way which would have a financial impact of $78,000,” Franks said.
Loudoun’s Public Defender’s Office has 12 attorneys. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as 25. Arlington, Fairfax and Alexandria supplement their public defenders with additional staff, Markwell said.
O’Donnell drew attention to the scale and importance of the work done by her office sharing the story of the student who was wrongly accused. The public defender on the case worked within 24 hours to have the wrongful charges dropped without the student missing a day of school, or a single wrestling match.
“That work, those contacts, the ability to get in front of that judge was because of the relationship this attorney has with the judges, with the agency, knowing who to contact, who to call and the credibility because she’s got a track record that when she says something the judge can take it to the bank,” O’Donnell said.
“Without giving names, one of my deputies has been in practice for 14 years, with the Loudoun County Public Defender’s Office for going on eight years. I hired him as a [level 2], he moved up to a senior within three years and has been, I want to say stuck, at that senior position because I can’t move him to a deputy,” she added.
Four years ago, an attorney interviewed with O’Donnell before being hired by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as an attorney I, she said.
“He is now a senior commonwealth’s attorney making $35,000 more a year than my senior who should be a deputy. And that’s true with all of my higher ranked positions. That is why I’m asking for the increase,” she said.
“If we don’t do something, we’re going to lose them, and if we lose them, the county loses. I know we’re a state agency, but every day we’re serving the county. We’re working with county agencies. We’re finding services for county citizens,” O’Donnell said.
While the services provided by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office are different, O’Donnell said her office handles
the majority of the criminal cases that pass through Leesburg’s courthouses.
“So, we’re handling 70% of the cases with 50% of the staff,” she said.
In fiscal year 2024, the total number of cases handled by the Public Defender’s Office was 2,823. That equates to 235 cases per attorney, including O’Donnell.
“It’s actually a little bit more because, I with my administrative duties and responsibilities, I can’t do [that many],”
“If we don't do something, we're going to lose them, and if we lose them, the county loses. I know we're a state agency, but every day we're serving the county. We're working with county agencies. We're finding services for county citizens.”
— Lorie O'Donnell (Loudoun County Public Defender)
she said.
Pay parity between the two offices is more than just a fairness issue for the employees, County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) said.
“It’s also fairness for the clients they serve,” she said. “Because public defenders do a lot more than just what they do in a courtroom. They do a lot of case management … because the people they are serving are Loudoun County residents who by law are supposed to have a good defense. I will be supporting adjustments.”
Supervisors also expressed frustration at the lack of appropriate funding by the state for their own positions.
“This happens, not just for this office, but all the offices where there are state offices. We supplement so many of the state offices and it’s because people in the General Assembly want to go back and say they never raised taxes. So they give the mandates to the counties to pay for it. It is a shameful practice,” Randall said.
To address the disparities, the finance committee recommended in-
creasing the public defender’s supplement from 25% to 40% and hiring four additional support staff members who would be assigned to the public defender’s office.
Those positions would be an interpreter, juvenile case manager, mitigation specialist, and discovery specialist.
“Right now, we’re reliant on the interpreters that the court uses to speak with our clients, to go over paperwork with our clients, to go over discovery with our clients, to meet with witnesses,” O’Donnell said. “So, we get to use interpreters after the courts are done, so after 3, after 3:30 p.m. The interpreters won’t work past 5 p.m., so that gives us an hour and a half each day.”
A discovery specialist would help manage the steep increase in time spent filtering through body worn camera footage.
“When it became essentially a mandate for officers to wear body-worn [cameras] it then became a mandate for criminal defense attorneys by the Supreme Court, that if you have a case involving body-worn camera footage, you are ineffective if you don’t watch every single one of those,” O’Donnell said.
A typical case involving an officer includes four to five hours of footage, she said.
“We recently had a juvenile fight at a school in the bus line. We had three different busses with cameras that we had to watch that footage, we had two different angles from the school, and then we had the school resource officers. That was six videos that we had to watch which ultimately showed that our poor juvenile who was charged was actually the victim and not the defendant,” O’Donnell said.
Having an extra staff member to separate the critical footage from the unhelpful footage, would be an immense time saver, she added.
The demands of the office for juvenile cases are also changing, O’Donnell said.
“The policy of Loudoun County Schools right now, what we’re seeing, is if a child is charged with a felony, they’re removed from the school. Those parents are coming to us looking for help, and you can’t just tell them no,” she said.
The directive by the committee will be taken into account by County Administrator Tim Hemstreet as he prepares his proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. n
A Loudoun Moment
BY DOUGLAS GRAHAM
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
The second snowstorm in the past week dumped about 6 inches of snow in the Blue Ridge Mountains creating this view of the Shenandoah Valley from the Bears Den overlook near Bluemont.
