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APRIL 22, 2021
Supervisors Head Toward Employee Unions BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
the job done. As thousands of people roll up their sleeves at the county’s point of dispensing (POD) at Dulles Town Center each day, these front-liners handle reactions from tears of joy to extreme anxiety with
Loudoun supervisors have voted to see an ordinance that would bring collective bargaining to the county government’s employees. A new state law going into effect on May 1 allows local governments to recognize public employee unions. The law will allow employees to petition the local government for a vote, but does not let them force collective bargaining—the local governing body would then hold a vote to decide whether to recognize unions, and if so, what sort of discussions to have with them. Doing so also requires the board to adopt a local ordinance. Loudoun County administrators have said they expect to see the first petition filed on or shortly after May 1. Supervisors plan to have an ordinance ready in May, anticipating that petition from their employees, and have already approved eight new positions in the county budget to support collective bargaining. With a vote April 20 to write an ordinance enabling collective bargaining, a majority on the Board of Supervisors sought to take off the table a non-binding version, meet-and-confer, or an option to deny collective bargaining. The debate now moves to how Loudoun’s collective bargaining ordinance will be written, which will govern what is open for union negotiations. An example ordinance provided to the Board of Supervisors by the county attor-
HOT SHOTS continues on page 35
UNIONS continues on page 24
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Jeremy Mader gives a person a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at the Dulles Town Center Point of Distribution.
Loudoun’s Hot Shots
Meet Those on the Front Lines of the Vaccination Effort BY JAN MERCKER jmercker@loudounnow.com
Throughout the pandemic year, superheroes have emerged in all walks of life. In 2021, some of the most visible heroes are Loudoun’s super vaccinators—on a
mission to get shots in arms and restore a sense of normalcy. These jab kings and queens include volunteer and career personnel from Loudoun’s Combined Fire and Rescue Services and volunteers from Loudoun’s Medical Reserve Corps, working together to get
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PAGE 3
Elected Leaders Favor In-person Meetings, But Hybrid Model Here to Stay BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
Fourteen months ago, county supervisors and Town Council members left their day jobs in the afternoon and headed to the county board room or their respective council chambers for hours of discussion and votes. But since then, most of them have headed home after work, if they even went into the office at all, and logged into public meetings from their home computers. Today, every governing body in the county continues to use at least a hybrid— part virtual, part in-person—model when conducting public meetings, with some town councils still holding their meetings entirely online. The Hillsboro, Lovettsville, Purcellville and Round Hill Town Councils still meet entirely virtually. The Board of Supervisors, county School Board and the Hamilton and Middleburg Town Councils meet using a hybrid model, in which a few members call into their meetings with video. Meanwhile, the Leesburg Town Council is meeting entirely in person with the option for council members to call in. Under the Freedom of Information Act, a member of a public body who is unable to attend a meeting because of a personal matter may call into a meeting up to only two times in a calendar year. But the law does allow for entirely virtual meetings if the governor declares a state of emergency, which Gov. Ralph Northam did on March 12, 2020, if it’s impracticable or unsafe to assemble a quorum and if governing bodies address the emergency. The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council last March advised that governing bodies could meet virtually if the topics they discussed focused on the language of the emergency declaration. But Northam will repeal the state of emergency at some point. When that happens, governing bodies will still have the chance to continue holding partially virtual meetings. That’s because the Virginia General Assembly in February passed legislation allowing elected leaders to call or video into up to 25% of the public meetings they hold during a calendar year. The General Assembly also passed legislation that will allow public bodies to hold electronic meetings during local states of emergencies rather than states of emergencies declared by the governor.
Health Leaders Urge More Residents to Get in Vaccine Line LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
meetings virtually, since tuning into meetings virtually is more convenient for some. County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) said she feels “there should always be quorum on the dais,” noting that there should be supervisors ready to welcome people as they walk into the county board room, even if it’s just one person. To some of the county’s elected leaders, meeting in person is more productive. Supervisor Sylvia Glass (D-Broad Run) said being in the county board room and interacting with her colleagues in person helps her to think about the business at hand, rather than being at home where, she said, people “can get lazy.” Umstattd said the shift to a virtual world has adversely impacted corporate efficiency and creativity. Round Hill Mayor Scott Ramsey said he also prefers to meet in person, but would opt for a virtual format if it meant more residents would be willing to serve in the town government. “We have a historical problem getting enough volunteers to run our government, so if virtual makes it easier for our council members to participate, it helps Round Hill,” Ramsey said, noting that he’s hopeful the virtual technology can improve to compensate for the loss of social interaction over the web. He said that if virtual
Loudoun County’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts hit another milestone this week, surpassing 250,000 shots. According to the state Department of Public Health tally, as of Monday 171,000 county residents had received at least one shot and nearly 90,000 were fully vaccinated. About 21% of Loudoun’s population is fully vaccinated, trailing behind the statewide rate of 25.4%. Since April 1, more than 100,000 shots have been administered to Loudoun residents as supply has ramped up, feeding the large vaccination site at the Dulles Town Center mall as well as neighborhood pharmacies. Also this week, Loudoun’s COVID-related hospitalizations surpassed 1,000 since the arrival of the virus last March. During the past 13 months, nearly 27,000 cases have been reported with 274 deaths attributed to COVID-19, the majority of which, 229 involved patients age 70 and older. Loudoun County Health Department Director Dr. David Goodfriend told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that he expects the supply of vaccine to soon outstrip demand, a long-sought turning point, and is looking ahead toward slowing vaccination work at the Dulles Town Center site as vaccine becomes easily available at doctor’s offices and pharmacies. Goodfriend said Loudoun will likely finish scheduling vaccination appointments for the residents remaining on the county’s waiting list this week. That list includes all residents age 16 and older after the eligibility parameters were expanded last week. He said that about 55% of all eligible residents have been vaccinated so far. With those trends, the Dulles Town Center site may begin scaling back vaccinations and hours of operation in June, he said. But with a return to normal life in sight, he cautioned, there are also warning signs—such as variants of the COVID-19 virus arriving in the region that are spread more easily, and a variant from Brazil that
IN-PERSON MEETINGS continues on page 33
VACCINE LINE continues on page 24
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Lovettsville Utilities Director Stephen Gates shows Mayor Nate Fontaine how to use the Town Council’s new electronic meeting system, which will allow people to call into the meetings from home and be displayed on monitors in the council chamber.
In-person Meetings Preferred Most of Loudoun’s elected leaders prefer to meet in person, but are open to continuing with the hybrid model. Supervisor Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg) said, “there are no pros to meeting virtually,” unless a board member is too sick to make it through an entire meeting or citizens prefer the virtual format.” “For me, in-person meetings are always better than virtual meetings,” she said. Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance said he also prefers to meet in person and, like Umstattd, understands the virtual format allows council members the ability to participate in meetings if they can’t make it in. Some elected leaders feel the need to meet in person is crucial when considering their representation of voters and management of taxpayer money. “We are public servants and council meetings are the one time the public gets to hold us accountable, and they should be able to do that in person,” said Middleburg Mayor Bridge Littleton. “It doesn’t work very well when you can’t even see [the citizens participating in meetings]—it makes the relationship between the public officials and the citizens even less connected, and it’s already too less connected than we need for a healthy democracy.” Lovettsville Mayor Nate Fontaine agreed, adding that he would also favor an option to allow residents to participate in
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 4
APRIL 22, 2021
Loudoun
Surprise: Data Center Tax Revenue Forecast Drops BY RENSS GREENE rgreene@loudounnow.com
Smaller than expected data center revenues have set county staff members trying to figure out what happened to an expected COVID-era tax revenue windfall, and trimmed some of the safety margin from the county budget. Data centers were expected to be a rare bright spot for the Loudoun government’s finances in 2020, as most commercial property values slumped. Loudoun’s data center industry charted a 50% increase in square footage during 2019, adding an estimated 6.4 million square feet of space. And in 2020, with tele-work, streaming and other internet services become more important than ever before, data center companies were buying up even more land and expected to continue expanding their operations. In August 2020, the county budget staff estimated data center tax revenues, which were expected to bring in nearly $395 million in the 2021 county budget, could grow in the next year by another $130 million to $200 million. Already, data center revenues offset the entire county government operating budget, not including schools.
Renss Greene/Loudoun Now
Assistant Director of Management and Budget Caleb Weitz briefs the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in November 2020.
And grow they have, but not by as much as expected. The largest source of local tax revenue from data centers, the tax on computer equipment, is now forecast to come in $24 million less than predicted. That caused concern among budget and economic staff members and supervisors on the board’s finance committee. The tax is self-reported by the data center companies, and Economic Development Execu-
tive Director Buddy Rizer said during the April 14 finance committee meeting that his department has been working to figure out what happened. Some of it, he said, may have been that data centers have delayed replacing their older equipment over the past year. “One of the things that we have heard is that a lot of the refresh that we are expecting was put on hold because of COVID,”
Rizer said. “They only have essential personnel into the data center, so some of that was put on hold.” That would allow the value of the older equipment still in place to drop. The Board of Supervisors’ vote to reduce the real estate tax rate to $0.98 per $100 of assessed value also trimmed away at the expected Fiscal Year 2021 revenues. The fiscal year ends June 30, and supervisors’ vote on the calendar year 2021 tax rate impacts the second biannual real estate tax collection of the fiscal year. Loudoun is required by law to balance its budget, and the budget is still expected to balance, albeit with a lower year-end balance than usual. Current forecasts predict a $17 million year-end budget surplus; in years past, that figure has approached $100 million. The county finance staff also prepares revenue projections conservatively, and actual tax revenues tend to improve over early forecasts. The latest projections also show the wisdom of keeping $50 million frozen in the county budget in Fiscal Year 2021—without that money, the county budget would be in the red. n
County Board to Award $1.8M in Nonprofit Grants BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
The Board of Supervisors was scheduled to vote Tuesday night on distributing $1.8 million to Loudoun nonprofits with missions ranging from preventing teen suicide, to feeding the hungry, to spreading English literacy. Loudoun County’s annual nonprofit grants have grown in the last several years, as efforts to make funding decisions more based more on quantifiable need and less on image and politics have been coupled with increases in the amount of funding available. This year’s grant cycle, with $1.8 million in play, is the largest ever—even before considering the six vital safety-net nonprofits that now receive direct funding, rather than competing in the grants process. The county has also been holding training sessions and offering assistance to applicants to help improve the quality of their applications, and over the past several
This year’s nonprofit grant recommendations are: • The Chris Atwood Foundation, $106,506 • Ryan Bartel Foundation, $45,909 • Women Giving Back, $108,861 • Dulles South Food Pantry, $28,539 • Legal Services of Northern Virginia, $76,660 • INMED Partnerships for Children, $103,216 • SCAN of Northern Virginia, $105,090 • Catholic Charities of the Diocese of
years has reported an increase in the number and quality of applications. This year, the county received 48 applications, with 25 qualifying for funding, but only enough funding for 24. The county also offers $5,000 mini-grants, with 10 of 16 organizations qualifying for those. No organization may request more than 30 percent of its operating revenue, and
Arlington, $104,525 Loudoun Hunger Relief, $104,525 Mobile Hope, $104,525 PRS, $66,817 Loudoun Literacy Council, $93,287 Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, $54,600 • Northern Virginia Family Service, $30,606 • The Arc of Loudoun, $101,700 • Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, • • • • •
awards are capped at $113,000. Awards are based on the application score and requested amount. Insight Memory Care Center qualified for funding, but ranked last among qualifying applications and there was not enough money available, according to a county staff report. Additionally, Just Neighbors Ministry
$36,031 • A Place To Be, $80,100 • Loudoun ENDependence (LEND), $100,570 • Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, $44,837 • Friends of Loudoun Mental Health, $26,762 • Loudoun Cares, $57,090 • A Farm Less Ordinary, $69,888 • Brain Injury Services, $42,000 • Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources (OAR), $89,835
Inc.; All Ages Read Together; The Piedmont Environmental Council; The Fenwick Foundation; Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation Inc.; Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy; Love, KK; YMCA Loudoun County; and Help for Others, Inc. qualified for $5,000 grants. The Loudoun Commission on Women and Girls requested and was recommended for a $3,977 grant. n
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APRIL 22, 2021
PAGE 5
Supervisors Get New Proposal for Aldie Tavern BY RENSS GREENE
rgreene@loudounnow.com
With a new proposal in hand to purchase the Aldie Tavern, county supervisors have stepped back from a previous plan meant to save both that historic structure and protect the village of St. Louis from a planned development, but which saw increasing opposition. In exchange for the 16-acre St. Louis property, where developer MOJAX LLC had planned a 30-home subdivision, supervisors proposed handing over the county-owned Aldie Tavern property, $1.5 million, and $600,000 in escrow for matching funds to work on the tavern building and install an access road to a private park behind it. That park is also owned by one of the developers behind MOJAX, Jack Andrews. That deal was meant to forestall the development near St. Louis and provide a path to restoring the Aldie Tavern and surrounding buildings, county-owned properties also known as the Aldie Assemblage. But that proposal faced mounting opposition from conservation organizations, people living in Aldie, and from the county supervisor who first pushed it, Supervisor Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge). Meanwhile, the Aldie property sat empty, deteriorating with the passing seasons, while the asking price for the St. Louis land continued to balloon—as of a county staff report April 20, at least $2.7 million and possibly more. Instead, a new proposal from Aldie resident Guy Gerachis, a member of the Aldie Heritage Association, has won support from conservation organizations, some supervisors and the Coalition of Loudoun Towns, a group of the county’s seven town mayors. “We feel this offer proposes a use and community vision for the property which the Board should accept,” reads an April
15 letter from the coalition to the county board. “It uniquely offers a path to revitalize the area in a way that protects and honors the history of Aldie. It also creates an open and welcoming environment for visitors to enjoy the small village in the way it was meant to be, and which Loudoun is known for.” “His offer is a community-driven offer that evolved in response to calls for the Aldie community provide a solution for the best, appropriate use of the Aldie Assemblage properties,” said Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Chairman Dulany Morrison. “Mr. Gerachis’ offer provides the county with a straightforward cash exchange that would swiftly rid the county of any further drain on county resources related to these parcels. The Virginia Piedmont Heritage area and the Aldie community have full confidence that his plan would bring appropriate, new life to Aldie at a scale that would be consistent with the historic fabric of the village.” According to his proposal to the county, Gerachis’ work has been seen in Loudoun before. After leaving a job as vice president of construction for Van Metre Companies, he founded Gerachis Construction Group in 2003 and has finished projects including the pavilion at the Pink Box in Middleburg and the barrel room at Hillsboro’s Breaux Vineyards. At the Aldie Assemblage, Gerachis wrote he would restore the Aldie Tavern and nearby Satterfield Cottage as homes, and refurbish the 19th century “Cellar House.” Other buildings in the assemblage would be renovated for retail space and possibly another residence. There are no new buildings proposed. His offering price has not been disclosed. Supervisors voted 9-0 to put the Aldie property up for sale, and to consider Gerachis’ offer and any that may be submitted during a closed session in June, following
state-designated processes for selling publicly-owned land. But with the old swap off the table, MOJAX still holds the land near St. Louis and the people in the village are still worried about the impacts of the planned development, including the construction of new wells. That includes people like Sharon Peterson, whose family, she said, has been in St. Louis for centuries. Today, she said, she is a retired widow on a budget, who can’t afford to drill a new well if too many houses are built nearby and hers well runs dry. “The water smells now, and I don’t want the day to come when I turn on the faucet and nothing comes out,” Peterson told supervisors at their April 20 meeting. “St. Louis has had to fight, and we have gotten where I am asking that you do for us what we have done for the rest of the county: protect us from the development. Protect us from MOJAX. We thought everything was going to be taken care of, and now that is not so.” Sean Clancy called for immediate, “emergency” zoning changes near St. Louis. “This is simply to right a wrong, to follow the 2019 Comprehensive Plan,” Clancy said. “This village cannot handle this type of development.” Supervisors hinted they have plans in mind for St. Louis, but have not said what those are. Loudoun County acquired the Aldie Tavern when it was the third property supervisors purchased as a site for the new Aldie fire station. It was also the third site where, after negotiating a property purchase behind closed doors, the county was chased off of those plans for a fire station by community opposition. The new Aldie fire station finally found a home on a fourth site at Gilbert’s Corner, the intersection of Rt. 15 and Rt. 50. n
Northam Signs Greenway Bill Gov. Ralph Northam has signed into law legislation designed to curb toll increases on the Dulles Greenway. The bill, introduced by Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D-87) and Sen. John J. Bell (D-13), has many elements of bills introduced and killed every year since 2015 by then-Del. David I. Ramadan, Subramanyam’s predecessor. It gives the State Corporation Commission more clearly defined parameters for ruling on the Greenway’s requests for higher tolls. Under the law governing the Greenway, toll increases should not discourage use of the highway. The new law seeks to create measurable standards for evaluating whether proposed toll increases would discourage motorist from taking the road. It also would allow debt refinancing only if it when necessary to operate, maintain, or expand the road and would not increase toll rates—a measure seeking to close a loophole that allowed the Greenway to amass around a billion dollars in outstanding debt and count that against its profitability. If the Greenway seeks to stay privately owned beyond 2056, it must make financial disclosures and have at least a BBB- bond rating from a major credit ratings agency, the lowest investment-grade rating. Currently none of the three major bond ratings agencies rate the Greenway that highly. And the bill would also limit the Greenway to apply for toll increases one year at a time. The SCC is currently deliberating a request from the Greenway, filed before the law, that would see five years of toll increases. n
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APRIL 22, 2021
Leesburg
Town Council Mulls Affordable Housing Fixes BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ
krodriguez@loudounnow.com
Attracting affordable housing opportunities to the town was again a point of discussion at a recent Leesburg Town Council meeting, and it looks to be a continuing conversation this year. Council members plan future work session discussions on the subject, in concert with their upcoming review of the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan update. But there was a general sense of frustration during the council’s April 13 work session that, despite a desire called out by many for years, affordable housing continues to elude the county seat. “I think the consensus is affordable housing is certainly a priority, yet somehow we never seem to get there. We keep having committees and studies and yet somehow we just never quite achieve the goals we’re looking for,” Councilman Neil Steinberg said. “That becomes the real question— how do we get to a point where we have a
strong ordinance that says this is what you must do, this is what our expectations are?” As recently as November, the council discussed its Affordable Dwelling Unit Memorandum of Agreement with the county government, which both parties agreed to in 2009. The ADU program offers newly constructed, affordable rental and for-sale housing units for income-eligible residents, defined as those who make within 30% to 70% of the area median income. But it’s not produced the results some have hoped for in Leesburg—to date the town with 16,000-plus households only has 44 such units either constructed or approved. The town’s program was limited for years because the original MOA capped the number of ADUs the county would administer within the corporate limits to 30. As the town approached the 30-limit mark, the application of the ADU ordinance in town was temporarily suspended, according to a November staff report. A March 2018 update to the town-county MOA increased the in-town ADU cap to 120. Residential
projects that have proffered ADUs include PMW Farms, the Church and Market project in the downtown, and the White Oak subdivision on the Rogers Farm property. Last week, council members also heard what their neighbors to the west have done, in providing opportunities for accessory dwelling units in Round Hill. Town Administrator Melissa Hynes said the regulations, based on a similar program in Arlington, are “not the silver bullet to affordable housing but an alternative to help with the problem in a small town.” Hynes noted that Round Hill has many seniors who want to stay in the community, which does not offer senior housing and has limited opportunities to downsize. With the regulations, residents can either build an accessory dwelling on their property to house an aging parent or relative, or construct an addition to their homes or renovate a garage or basement to create living quarters. The accessory dwelling unit regulations also allow residents an opportunity to create a stream of revenue on their properties
by offering opportunities for rentals, even by non-relatives. Property owners must reside on the property for which they are providing an accessory dwelling unit. “The town wanted to do its little part to help with affordable housing and workforce creation in western Loudoun County,” she said. While not outrightly endorsing a similar program in Leesburg, several council members said that approach may provide a good alternative. “It is a market fix with a little bit of government help to the affordability problem,” Councilman Zach Cummings said. “There’s a lot of noise for something that is really helpful. Really all communities should be looking at accessory dwellings to help fight back against market supply and demand.” Planning and Zoning Department Director Susan Berry-Hill provided the council with a brief update on the draft Town AFFORDABLE HOUSING continues on page 7
One Resident’s Mission: Bringing Books Back Downtown BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com
Like many parents both locally and globally, Leesburg resident Leah Fallon quit her job last spring when COVID-19 arrived, closed classrooms and made working parents don their homeschooling hats. And, like many, she used the downtime provided by quarantine and social isolation to put her energy into a new hobby. But Fallon’s passion is decidedly different from many others, as she has set her eyes on opening a brick-and-mortar bookstore—Birch Tree Books is its working name—in downtown Leesburg. She recalled a trip to visit a friend in upstate New York, and their stop at a local bookstore. Fallon said she loves checking out local bookshops when she is traveling, as it gives individuality to each area. Merchants are eager to talk to new customers and share tips on local authors, or stories about the local area. “When we got back to her house with all of our new books, I said ‘This is just something Leesburg doesn’t have.’ We have so many shops, it’s really becoming a destination. It’s just too bad Leesburg doesn’t have a bookstore,” she said. She put those thoughts into action last spring, using her downtime to reach out to
Kara C. Rodriguez/Loudoun Now
Leesburg resident Leah Fallon is hoping to bring her Birch Tree Books concept to life, with a brickand-mortar bookshop in her desired location of downtown Leesburg.
business coaches and others in the community to make connections. She’s already talked to Loudoun Literacy Council about how she can collaborate with the nonprofit in her campaign to bring a bookstore to the downtown area. “The feeling that you get flipping through books, the feeling you get of just being around books, is something I really cherish,” she said. “I look at my competition or the challenges ahead of me, and I see Amazon as one of the biggest. Barnes and Noble, Books a Million … all those markets
are different. An independent bookstore is not just about buying the book, it’s about the experience a bookstore brings to people.” Many consumers go to Amazon or another internet site to buy a specific book or item, she said. But a visit to an independent bookstore can turn on customers to local authors or books about local history—things an internet competitor may not know to suggest. She has already found several online resources that can help to support her and other independent bookstores, and has set up accounts with both libro.fm and bookshop.org, where purchases of audiobooks or books can support Birch Tree Books. While she is still in the early stages of securing financing and finetuning her business plan, Fallon has set her sights on downtown Leesburg for her shop. “It almost has to be,” she said of the historic district. “When I think of an independent bookstore I think of an old building, I think of the character downtown brings, the foot traffic, visitors coming into downtown seeing what we’re all about.” She envisions a space that also could host events or even birthday parties. To move forward on her plans, Fallon will be hosting several pop-ups throughout the county in the coming weeks and months. At these events she will have
around 100 titles of new books for customers to select from, with about an even split between books for children and adults. The pop-ups will feature both local authors and those with more of a global profile, and she will curate each collection based on the location of the pop-up. All sales will go toward financing her store. Fallon said she has no set timeline for seeing her dream come to fruition. “It really just banks on an investor, somebody coming alongside me that has a business mind,” she said. “I’ll bring the will and the heart.” In speaking with community members, she said the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with excitement about the prospect of a bookstore coming downtown. Fallon said she will need that community support to make her business a reality. “If I can get enough support from the community, I feel like together we can make it happen,” she said. “It’s never been just about me. I can’t make this happen by myself. It has to be a community want and a community effort.” In addition to attending a pop-up, community members can support Birch Tree Books by buying from its online bookstore, birchtreebookstore.com. Information about future pop-up events can also be found on the website. n
APRIL 22, 2021
Affordable housing continued from page 6 Plan as it relates to affordable housing, a diversity of housing choices in town, as well as adequate supply. She said affordable housing is identified among the 75 strategies laid out in the draft plan, but emphasized that the council may want to go further to figure out what its strategies will be in providing affordable housing. “[The draft plan] tees up this issue of affordability and diversity of housing, and it should be a goal that we address, but the implementation strategies are very general in the plan. If this is a priority with the council you should look into it further and develop your own strategic plan that addresses what needs Leesburg has,” she said. “The Town Plan is not going to provide all the strategic answers for housing. We can’t, otherwise it would be a 500-page document. Staff has to know when you develop the Town Plan what are your priorities going to be? If affordable housing is one of those priorities, then we need to work to find out what are the specific strategies for Leesburg.” Berry-Hill pointed to a large-scale study undertaken by Loudoun County government regarding its unmet housing needs. The town could also take a deep dive into studying affordable housing needs in the town to find out “what part of the spectrum of affordability we really need to focus on,” she said. Some of the changes that could be implemented could be procedural, regulatory, or even ideas for collaboration with the county, Berry-Hill said. She pointed to the results of a recent market study, conducted by a consultant as part of the Town Plan update, that showed just how stressed town homeowners and renters are. According to the study, 50% of town renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and 25% of homeowners spend more than 30% of their income on their mortgages. “That’s exacerbated by the low inventory of for-sale housing that forces prices up and limits the stock of affordably-priced units,” Berry-Hill said. While supporting continuing conversations on affordable housing, Mayor Kelly Burk warned council members about the unintended consequences. Increasing density in developments to provide more affordable options, or allowing accessory dwelling units like Round Hill, could place more burden on already taxed schools, or impact quality of life in neighborhoods if more vehicles are on the roads. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t move and come up with ideas,” she said. “Everybody is interested.” n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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Flower & Garden in the Park For many visitors and vendors alike, last weekend’s scaled-down Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival was a welcome first step back to normalcy in more than a year. Last April, the 30-year-old festival was one of the first major community events in the county to be canceled because of the COVID-19 gathering restrictions. This April, it was one of the first to be revived, albeit in as smaller-scale version with limitations on participation. The festival was moved from the downtown streets to the Ida Lee Park parking lots and the number of vendors invited to participate was cut in half. Free tickets were issued to limit the number of visitors allowed into the festival area during six time slots over Saturday and Sunday. n
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APRIL 22, 2021
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School Board Eyes Budget Additions in Final Talks BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
The School Board held a brief budget work session last week that, despite getting less local tax funding than requested from the Board of Supervisors, focused on what elements to add to the division’s Fiscal Year 2022 spending plan. Although supervisors cut the School Board’s local funding request by $28.6 million, the funding gap was largely erased by an $8.7 million increase in state funding and a determination by the state Department of Education that cleared the way for $7.7 million in federal emergency aid to pay for expanded summer school offerings. Another $4.5 million was offset by a staff proposal to use year-end surplus funds to pay for one-time purchases. To complete the budget rebalancing, the staff has proposed dropping the $1.9 million earmark to begin a collective bargaining program and to not hire six non-mandated health clinic specialists. The School Board’s April 15 work session mainly focused on two new proposals floated by members. Denise Corbo (At Large) has suggested hiring teacher assistants to help in firstgrade classes, which are expected to face extra challenges with “redshirted” kindergarteners, many of whom will enter the year without classroom experience be-
cause of the pivot to virtual learning last year. Some members raised concerns over whether that $3 million initiative would be the best use of the division’s COVID response contingence funds and whether it would be feasible to hire 150 to 175 qualified assistants for temporary, oneyear positions. Corbo said the suggestion had been made by front-line teachers. The board also discussed where best to invest in fee reductions for students. The Board of Supervisors voted to allocate money needed to eliminate athletic fees, but county leaders lack line-item control over school division spending. School Board members instead focused on the possibility of making AP tests more affordable, either by eliminating the fees or offering some number of tests at no charge. Advocates of that option said it could have the most educational impact, potentially saving families tens of thousands of dollars in tuition fees if the students qualify for college credits. Members also showed interest in exploring the options of cutting athletic fees or on-campus parking fees. The School Board plans to adopt it budget reconciliation measures at its April 27 meeting, with an April 23 deadline set for members to propose their changes. n
AAPI Seat to be Added to Schools Equity Committee The school division’s Equity Committee is still growing. Now, the School Board is looking to add a 30th seat for a community member representing the Asian American Pacific Islander population. Board Chairwoman Brenda Sheridan (Sterling), who also chairs the committee, proposed the addition at the request of constituents. She said the seat is intended for someone representing Chinese, Japanese, Filipino
and Korean residents. In January, the School Board added seven seats to the committee, which was established in 2019 to examine ways to ensure marginalized and historically disenfranchised groups receive equitable treatment in the school district. An appointment could be made as early as April 27. The next meeting of the Equity Committee is scheduled for May 6. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
PAGE 9
Moulthrop Announces 87th District Run BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow.com
The unorthodox year in education drove Gregory Moulthrop to organize his first race for elected office. The father of two school-aged children said he was “fed up” Moulthrop by the state of education in Virginia and the poor planning and decision-making of the local School Board, and that prompted him to seek and receive the Republican nomination for the 87th District House of Delegates race. “I was like, that’s it, we really need school choice. That’s my big thing. I think that parents from what I could tell are really craving school choice and I would make that a long-term priority of mine to get through the legislature,” he said. “In the short term, I think what parents need and what a delegate can do is to get corporations to put together scholarships or grants to help them out. I know a lot of parents that have left the workforce because it’s cheaper to do that than find childcare or they couldn’t balance teaching and work and just daily life events.” The Aldie resident criticized his opponent, incumbent Del. Suhas Subramanyam (D), for being silent on the issue of schools and “not being able to bring some solutions to the residents.” While education was the catalyst for throwing his hat into the ring, Moulthrop said the economy was also high on his list. With a background in economics, he expressed concern about the current state of affairs. “The way I describe it is right now we’re on a sugar high, it’s masking future problems,” he said. “I think that with the shutdown last year and most of this year even though things are easing up a bit, we have a lot of people who are out spending money they saved or didn’t spend last year. That’s not going to continue throughout the rest of the year, especially if our leaders are going to tax and spend. It’s going to really shift money out of pockets of individuals for large government programs. That’s not the right time to tax and spend, and nobody in Virginia has their eye on that. They’re taking a very superficial look at the stock market, big businesses and there’s a problem lurking and it’s going to
Politics show its face later this year or early next year.” Protecting farms and agriculture also is important for Moulthrop, who points to his own family farm an hour south of Richmond. Moulthrop said he’s dealt with power lines running through their farmland and taking up a lot of usable real estate. He has similar concerns on solar
energy, with solar panels also using a considerable amount of space and containing heavy metals. “We’re a coastal state. I’m for hydro energy. I’m for nuclear energy. We’ve got to make sure that we not only move towards clean energy but energy that uses our resources very economically, and doesn’t trade off one industry for another,” he said. Moulthrop previously worked in the finance industry before moving into business consulting and eventually starting his
own IT company. Since selling that business in 2018, he has been a part of several start-ups, and has taken an interest in supply chain management. Currently, he is working to fix some of the vaccine supply chain issues in the state of Virginia. A self-described “Air Force brat” who is originally from Connecticut but moved considerably as a child, Moulthrop and his family have lived in the 87th District for 20 years. For more information on Moulthrop and his campaign, go to gregmoulthrop.com. n
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APRIL 22, 2021
Public Safety 2 Men Sentenced for Hotel Stabbing
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Daren and James Burr were sentenced April 15 to serve eight months in prison and 12 months in jail, respectively, for their convictions stemming from a September 2020 stabbing. Shortly before midnight on Sept. 1, 2020, Lawrence Terry Charles was stabbed five times in the fourth-floor hallway of the Hyatt Place in Sterling. According to an affidavit filed by Sheriff ’s Office Det. Sean McCormack, Charles was talking with a woman named Nicole Robinson in his hotel room before he stepped out into the hallway to get ice, at which point he was stabbed. Charles was taken to the hospital and placed on a ventilator. Robinson, 27, of Leesburg, Tyrell Jefferson, 37, of Leesburg, James Burr, 42, of Leesburg, and Daren Burr, 41, of Ashburn, were all seen on security footage leaving the hotel after the stabbing. The Sheriff ’s Office charged Jefferson and both Burrs with felony aggravated malicious wounding and felony malicious wounding by a mob. Robinson also was charged with aggravated malicious wounding. In court last week, Daren Burr entered into an Alford Plea for an amended felony unlawful wounding charge, in which he didn’t admit guilt but acknowledged
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that prosecutors would present enough evidence to win a conviction. Prosecutors agreed to not prosecute the malicious wounding by a mob charge. Daren Burr was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with 10 months of that time suspended. James Burr pleaded guilty to amended charges: misdemeanor assault and battery and misdemeanor assault and battery by a mob. For each conviction, he was sentenced to 12 months in jail with six months of that time suspended. The sentences will run consecutively. Following a three-day trial last month, a jury found Jefferson not guilty on both felony charges. In January, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office agreed to not prosecute Robinson’s felony aggravated malicious wounding charge. According to a document filed in General District Court by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Phillips, Robinson cooperated with the investigation. Probable motives for the attack on Charles include revenge and robbery. According to case documents, McCormack said Charles told him that $700 was missing from his hotel room following the attack, and, according to the Sept. 8, 2020 criminal complaint, the stabbing was “arranged by Nicole Robinson as a retaliation to the victim.” n
Man Pleads Guilty to PPP Loan Fraud Sunny Bouquet by Trisha Adams
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A 36-year-old Leesburg man pleaded guilty Monday to submitting fraudulent applications for more than $350,000 in COVID-19 economic relief loans and benefits. Andrew Tezna, a Senior Executive Service employee of NASA, was charged with fraudulently submitting three loan applications to two financial institutions to secure $272,284 under the Paycheck Protection Program and two Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program applications to the Small Business Administration totaling $69,500. Federal investigators found that he also applied for COVID-related unemployment benefits from Virginia, ostensibly for his retired mother-in-law, gaining another $15,950. “Despite holding a senior executive
position at NASA, the defendant applied for over $350,000 in fraudulent loans and benefits,” said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, in the announcement of the guilty plea in Federal District Court. “In doing so, he essentially treated COVID-19 relief programs as a personal piggy bank, using funds intended to provide pandemic relief for small businesses and the unemployed to pay down his credit card debt, pay off loans for a residential pool and minivan, and pay a dog-breeder, among other personal expenses. EDVA will continue to hold accountable individuals who exploit a national economic crisis in order to unlawfully enrich themselves at the expense of those in genuine need due to the pandemic.” Tezna faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison when he returns to court for sentencing July 16. n
APRIL 22, 2021
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LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
Nonprofit
Contributed
Repairing a stone wall at the Mt. Zion Cemetery in Aldie is an example of projects supported by Loudoun Preservation Society grants.
Preservation Society Opens Grant Applications LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Since 1973 the Loudoun Preservation Society has awarded more than $800,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations protecting the county’s built historic landscape. A new round of grant applications opens on May 1. The society is a citizen organization that raises the money on its own and the availability of grant funding varies from year to year based on fundraising success and the general economy. The grants have helped to promote dozens of small historic preservation, rehabilitation, and education projects for local organizations and historic properties in recent years including Oatlands, Aldie Mill, America’s Routes, the Lincoln Preservation Foundation, the Lovettsville Historical Society, the Virginia Piedmont Area Association, the Friends of Bluemont, the Waterford Foundation, the Westmoreland Davis Foundation, the Mt. Zion Church Cemetery, the Thomas Balch Library, and several historic churches. Nonprofit and government organizations located in Loudoun County are invited to apply for grants for projects that focus on: • Restoration and preservation of his-
toric structures or other built features in Loudoun County including stabilization, repair, and/or historically sensitive improvement following historic preservation guidelines such as those of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; • Conservation in museum collections within Loudoun County of artifacts critical to documenting, telling, or showing crucial aspects of Loudoun’s history; • Publication or online posting of historical, architectural, or archaeological research of a particular structure, property, site, district, community, or transportation feature important to Loudoun’s historical landscape if the publication may enhance its appreciation and further encourage historic preservation in the county; or • Design and implementation of a school or public program to promote appreciation of Loudoun’s historic built landscape and the need for and value of historic preservation therein. While the LPS grants are not intended to completely pay for any project, they can be of sufficient assistance to see a worthy project realized. Applications may be found at preserveloudoun.org/programs/grants/apply. The deadline is June, 30. For more information, email lps@preserveloudoun.org. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
PAGE 13
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Boy Scouts from Troop 1159 in Leesburg salute as their color guard retires the American flag to present to the parents of Eagle Scout Jack Price, who died April 3.
Leesburg Troop Retires Flag in Honor of Fallen Scout BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
Boy Scouts from Troop 1159 in Leesburg on Tuesday night retired an American flag in honor of Jack Price, an Eagle Scout from the troop who died earlier this month at the age of 22. After a prayer to open the ceremony, the troop’s color guard retrieved the flag from Leesburg VFW Post 1177’s flagpole and brought it to Price’s parents, John and Lori.
There, the assistant scoutmaster said a few words to the couple in private. Former Scout Master Don Olivier said Price was very outgoing, despite living with autism. He said Price was also one of the bravest kids he knew. He recalled a time when Price was working on his communications merit badge and had to give a public presentation. Price talked to his troop about his struggles with autism and OCD. “That takes quite a brave person to be able to do something like that,” Olivier said. n
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APRIL 22, 2021
Business
The Ballpark Plans Fall Arrival BY KARA C. RODRIGUEZ krodriguez@loudounnow
Last summer a group of sports and entertainment executives, led by president and CEO Chris Bourassa, also of Play to Win, LLC, went full steam into design mode for the flagship location of The Ballpark Loudoun, following almost two years of planning. “We’ve been in the sports facility design and construction management business for 15 years. We’ve been operating facilities both for third parties and our own clubs. We’ve got quite a bit of experience in sports facility management and clubs that use those facilities. But we were looking for something a little more unique, something that could drive growth in the business,” Bourassa said. At the heart of that concept is the combination of “competitive socializing” with high-tech training opportunities for area baseball and softball players, said Laila Victorine, the vice president of business development for The Ballpark Loudoun. Located in the new Lexington 7 build-
Contributed
Renderings of the The Ballpark Loudoun provide a glimpse into the goal of creating a baseball stadiumlike atmosphere that can attract both would-be baseball and softball stars and locals looking for friendly competition.
ing along Rt. 7 in Ashburn, the flagship location will feature 22,000 square feet of professional-level training space and innovative technology used by the pros, as well as a spacious, family-friendly atmosphere and mouthwatering food. The Ballpark
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Loudoun will offer a high-end training program as well as provide an active entertainment experience for anyone looking for some friendly competitive socializing, a press release stated. Think of Top Golf meets baseball for an
appropriate analogy, its executives said. But The Ballpark takes things a step further with its technology. The Ballpark will feature HitTrax, Driveline Baseball, and Pro Batter systems for baseball and fastpitch softball, as well as training and one-on-one lessons with professional instructors for the serious ballplayer wishing to hone their skills and level up. The facility is outfitted with eight lanes, six of which feature both HitTrax and Pro-Batter technologies. Bourassa said the systems can be configured for any skill level, from the novice who may need slow pitches, to the baseball or softball players at elite levels who can handle 100 mph fastballs. Guests at The Ballpark can select from a variety of games to play on the systems, including home run derbies, and can even simulate themselves hitting into a particular Major League Baseball stadium, to see how their hits could bounce off the ivy-covered walls at Wrigley Field, or the Green Monster at Fenway Park. BALLPARK continues on page 15
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
Ballpark continued from page 14 An onsite restaurant, Chibop, will feature Korean food along with fan-favorite ballpark eats. Bourassa expects the restaurant to quickly gain a local following, and attract those who are just on the lookout for a good spot for lunch or dinner. On the aesthetic side, General Manager Josh Swirchak, himself a former ballplayer, said the goal was for The Ballpark to mimic an actual baseball stadium. “One of the things we really wanted to focus on is to create a ballpark experience. When you walk into a stadium there’s that wow factor,” he said. Swirchak said that the elevated seating overlooking the hitting lanes allows customers to feel like they are close to the action, watching a game while enjoying a meal or cold beverage. While customers can enjoy the “ingame” action, The Ballpark will also be a place to catch a live sports game on one of its many TVs, Swirchak said. Victorine said the Ballpark will be a great addition to the many “competitive socializing” venues that have sprung up around Loudoun County in recent years, from Top Golf to Axes and O’s to Bowlero and others.
“Coming out of COVID quarantine people are craving that socialization a bit more,” she remarked. Bourassa said a major goal of The Ballpark, not unlike that of Play to Win, is to build and provide facilities that make local youth sports viable. “We feel that when youth gets into youth sports programs or related organizations it keeps them out of trouble, creates character and leadership. You’re not only developing your skills but providing structure and a facility that attracts top coaches and trainers. We want to help each community we’re serving by keeping youth focused, out of trouble when developing their skills,” he said. Bourassa said The Ballpark concept is one they can replicate elsewhere in the region. “The goal to build five to 10 regionally from Baltimore to Richmond or Virginia Beach, then we plan to roll out nationally in limited markets, where the markets might share similar demographics [to Loudoun],” he said. With an eye toward an early fall opening, The Ballpark is offering pre-launch membership plans with incentives to early adopters. More information on those memberships and The Ballpark can be found at theballparkloudoun.com. n
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PAGE 15
Obituaries Frances Ritchie Holmbraker 1933-2021
her beloved gardens.
If you are an animal in distress, or Willie Nelson, or a friend of Fran Holmbraker, you lost a profoundly loyal and steadfast champion when she died on Apr. 6, 2021, while tending to
Born Lillie Frances Ritchie on Feb. 13, 1933 to Phillip and Pauline, she was known as Frances or Fran to her family, friends and the animals she loved. (Regrettably, acquaintanceship with Willie was still an unfulfilled goal when she passed.) Fran graduated from Leesburg High School before earning a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Virginia in 1953. (Always growing and learning, she proudly capped nearly two decades of part-time study in 1993 with her second degree, a B.A. in English from Hood College.) An early highlight in her young adulthood was traveling across Europe in a rented car with two college girlfriends, and she proudly noted how daring that was considered at the time. Up for more adventure, she moved to New York City. She rose through the nursing ranks at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before marrying Bernard W. Holmbraker in 1961. His job as a fast-advancing sales manager in IBM ensured that Fran remained on the go, landing in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New York’s Finger Lakes region within 10 years. She would add Colorado and New Hampshire to that list before settling in her native Virginia in 1978. Through the many waypoints, they pursued a shared collector’s interest in antique furniture, paintings and Staffordshire. Weekends and family trips were designed around visits to auctions and antique shops, and stacks of Antiques magazine and related periodicals took pride of place
on the various 19th-century English end tables in her house. Fran became a subject matter expert and in recent years, through self-study, tackled amateur restoration as well. She saw her passions converge when appointed chairman of the Waterford Fair in 1995. For 19 years, she delighted in working with some of her closest friends to promote heritage and history. She’s remembered for having an intrinsic and instinctive knowledge of true craftsmanship of the period and earned high regard for taking exceptional care of craftspeople, fairgoers and volunteers alike. It was a labor of love that did not go unnoticed – during her tenure the Fair was awarded Best Loudoun Tourism Event of the Year four times and she individually received the 2009 Judy Patterson Tourism Award, the Loudoun Convention & Visitors’ Association’s highest honor. Her ready compassion was not reserved only for her human friends. Her children can recall their parents coming home more than once with dogs abandoned at the roadside, and over the years she also offered refuge to domesticated geese, a neglected pony and even a rescue burro from Death Valley. Fran spent a late retirement deepening her bond with her brother and enjoying English detective dramas, outlaw country music and her cherished friendships. She was also a hearty consumer of current events and ever-willing discusser social and political issues, which made her a favorite conversation partner of her grandson. Preceded in death by her brother Robert Ritchie, Fran leaves her three children, Bernie Holmbraker (Ria), Susie Holmbraker (John) and Amy Grace Holmbraker, her grandson Aidan and step-grandchildren Stacy, Danny, Michael, Brittni and Johnny. Memorial donations may be made to the French Bulldog Rescue Network (http:// tinyurl.com/franholmbraker).
Lives are like rivers:
PUBLISHER’S NOTICE LoudounNow Eventually they go
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 To place an obituary, contacthousing Susan Styer are no barriers to obtaining because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, at 703-770-9723 familial status or handicap.
where they must, not where we want them to. or real email: sstyer@loudounnow.com All 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
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APRIL 22, 2021
TOWN notes
Our Towns
BRITAIN
Lovettsville’s Engle Tract Sells for $2.3M BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
Lovettsville’s 35-acre Engle Tract sold for $2.31 million—nearly 30% more than its assessed valued—during an April 16 auction conducted by Damewood Auctioneers at the Lovettsville Game Club. The name of the buyer, a Loudoun County resident, was not immediately disclosed. The property, located behind the New Town Meadows neighborhood and the Post Office, is one of the largest parcels of undeveloped commercial land left in western Loudoun County and is valued at $1,794,500, according to the county parcel database. It features a barn and cinder block building in need of repair and is zoned for mixed-use business and commercial/limited industrial. Shirley Hale, the seller of the property, said the auction was “the final stage of the story”—a story that has seen several development plans come and go. Most recently, Metropolitan Development Group proposed a residential and commercial center on the property. She said the sale price was a bit less than what she would have liked, and attributed that decrease in value to the community’s pushback on a rezoning of the property. In 2019, Metropolitan proposed to build 130 single-family homes, a 12,000-squarefoot farmers market, 6,000 square feet of
Patrick Szabo/Loudoun Now
Damewood Auctioneers auctioned off the 35-acre Engle Tract April 16 at the Lovettsville Game Club. The property ended up selling for $2.3 million.
office space, a 6,000-square-foot restaurant and 5,000 square feet of retail space on the property by 2025. That deal fell through in January 2020, after area residents voiced opposition to the project, specifically citing concerns about increases in population and traffic. Hale said she and her family terminated the deal with Metropolitan after the company asked for multiple extensions as it worked with the town to get the land use designation changed and a rezoning approved.
The Engle Tract was once owned by Walter Engle, Hale’s uncle. Hale said Engle “did a lot for the town,” noting that he even sold the portion of his property nearest to the Town Square for a bank and Post Office to move in. Engle also leased a portion of the property to 7-Eleven, which Hale eventually sold to the convenience store shortly after Engle’s death in 2014. Hale said she might seek to have some of Engle’s memorabilia put on display in the Lovettsville Historical Society & Museum. n
Purcellville Council Again Discusses Public Hunting on Aberdeen Property BY PATRICK SZABO pszabo@loudounnow.com
The Purcellville Town Council has reopened talks about a program that would allow residents to bow hunt on the townowned 189-acre Aberdeen property. The council last discussed the matter in October 2019. Since then, the town staff has been working with Wetland Studies and Solutions Inc. to establish a nutrient bank on the property. That project will eventually see the company plant more than 1,000 trees per acre on Aberdeen to sell nutrient credits to developers.
Town Manager David Mekarski said there are lots of deer on the property, which is why Wetland Studies and Solutions suggested the town consider allowing controlled hunts. Under the proposed rules, licensed hunters would be required to sign a release of liability with the town and hunt at least 100 feet within the property lines and only during archery season. Statewide, early archery season stretches from Oct. 3 to Nov. 13. In Loudoun County, late archery season stretches from March 29 to April 25. Hunting would be allowed one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.
Only four hunters would be allowed on the property at one time. Hunters would also be required to pass criminal background checks. Disqualifying criminal convictions would include child exploitation violations, domestic violence crimes, weapons charges, game violations, animal cruelty or any other felonies. Mayor Kwasi Fraser said the council would need to vote on the program by June or July to have it implemented by archery season. Learn more about archery hunting in Virginia at dwr.virginia.gov/hunting. n
Historical Society Volunteers Clean Up Mt. Sinai Cemetery Volunteers helping the Lovettsville Historical Society and Museum visited the former Mount Sinai Free Will Baptist congregation’s cemetery at the corner of Mountain and Britain Roads April 10 to clear away overgrown brush around headstones. Among those who helped out were Loudoun Heritage Commission member Lori Kimball, County Historic Preservation Planner Heidi Siebentritt and Loudoun Freedom Center Executive Director Ron Campbell. Historical Society Vice President Ed Spannaus said professionals identified a few areas where there appear to be more graves. The work was part of a long-term project that will eventually see the Historical Society, with the help of the Heritage Commission and Freedom Center, restore the entire property and install benches, memorials and interpretive signage, and use ground-penetrating radar to identify more unmarked graves on the site. Historical Society members have identified 12 marked graves and 30 unmarked, but feel there could be up to 100 graves in all.
HILLSBORO Maple Leaves Town for Job with Buffington Christi Maple, the Town of Hillsboro’s former communications specialist, has left the town to take a position as Loudoun Supervisor Tony Buffington’s (R-Blue Ridge) lead staff aide on transportation issues. Her last day in Hillsboro was April 16.
MIDDLEBURG Town to Host Cleanup, Drug Takeback Events The Town of Middleburg will host a spring cleanup event followed by a prescription drug takeback collection TOWN NOTES continues on page 20
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
Purcellville Approves 5-Year Lease for Temporary Police HQ BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
Purcellville Police officers will spend at least another five years in a rented office space at the northern edge of town. The Town Council last week voted 6-1, with Councilman Stanley Milan opposed, to approve a five-year lease with the Lowers Risk Group for the Police Department to remain in the 4,300-square-foot building it has leased since 2005. The town will pay Lowers $666,663 in rent from May 2021 through the end of April 2026. That will leave the town $833,000 to perform upgrades to the space, according to an October 2020 Town Council vote allowing the town staff to spend up to $1.5 million on both the lease and to perform security-related improvements to the building. Some of that work includes expanding the Department’s operations into an additional 2,000-square-feet of space. “We are going to manage this buildout the most frugal way we possibly can,” said Police Chief Cynthia McAlister. “We’re not going to frivolously spend tax dollars on the buildout just because you give us an $800,000 ceiling.” Town Manager David Mekarski said the town staff did “a tremendous job” negotiating the lease with Lowers. He said those negotiations saved taxpayers close to $240,000 over the course of the fiveyear lease. Mayor Kwasi Fraser during last week’s meeting asked if the town had considered requesting a right of first refusal to purchase the property, noting that he understood the town was not looking to make the Lowers space the Police Department’s permanent headquarters. Town Attorney Sally Hankins said she would have that discussion with Lowers. Councilman Ted Greenly said incorporating the right of first refusal into the lease “makes a ton of sense,” since it would cost the town nothing to ensure that it has the right to be the first party to place an offer on the property if Lowers puts it on PURCELLVILLE POLICE continues on page 20
Round Hill Mandates Water Restrictions
pairs are made to the Goose Creek Water Treatment Plant. Town Administrator Melissa Hynes said that work should take three to four weeks. Any customer found conducting any of the prohibited activities will be subject to an up-to $500 fine. According to a town statement, the plant’s filter system failed, which caused several line failures. The plant, which includes two wells, must be taken offline while the utility staff replaces the filter and conducts valve repairs. The town’s water system includes 11 wells that typically run 10 hours each day.
BY PATRICK SZABO
pszabo@loudounnow.com
The Round Hill Town Council on April 14 voted to impose mandatory water restrictions that will remain in effect for several weeks. The town’s water customers—most of whom live outside the town limits— will be prohibited from watering lawns, washing cars and filling pools while re-
TM
THE STANDBY POWER PEOPLE
PAGE 17
TM
With the Goose Creek Water Treatment Plant and accompanying wells offline, the town’s nine other wells are running 20 to 24 hours a day to meet customer demand. “These wells are being pushed beyond their normal run times which leaves our service area vulnerable to additional system failures,” a town statement reads. “… The Town Water System cannot survive an additional well failure. Please do your part to conserve water and try to remind your friends/neighbors to follow your lead.” n
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SUMMER CAMPS
PAGE 18
APRIL 22, 2021
Survey Finds Camps Safety Measures Succeed at COVID-19 Protections LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
The biggest question facing families as they decide whether to send the kids to camp this summer is how safe they’ll be during the, hopefully, waning months of the pandemic. A new American Camp Association study offers a case for optimism. The association compiled data from 486 camp programs that served 90,000 campers during 2020. It found that only 30 campers had confirmed COVID-19 cases.
In all, it found only 102 total COVID-19 cases in participants, including both campers and camp staff members—less than 1% of all those who were screened. The organization attributes those results to the industry’s adherence to leading-edge child safety standards from the earliest days of the pandemic. “The science demonstrates that camps that have implemented strict, layered mitigation strategies—including masking, cohorting, physical distancing, cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, proper
Summer Art Camps at The Clay and Metal Loft in Leesburg, Virginia
Summer Camp Sign up is in FULL SWING! We are so excited to announce that we have expanded our space this summer to accommodate 2 large open classrooms, 6 ft. spacing, sanitation stations and outdoor lunch and game time!
Check out our camps and amazing instructors at: https://www.theclayandmetalloft.com/2021-kids-summer-camps
Multi-Sport Summer Camp!
“Camp provides critical support for children as they recover from the challenging effects of the pandemic in a safe environment away from home.” — Tom Rosenberg CEO, American Camp Association handwashing, and respiratory etiquette— have been able to safely operate in person,” ACA President and CEO Tom Rosenberg said. The ACA survey results provide with evidence that COVID-19 camp cases can be contained and minimized when facilities are prepared with effective mitigation strategies. Other highlights from the research were that, out of those 486 camps,
only 74 camps experienced at least one COVID case—30 campers and 72 staff; and camp operations consistently implemented strategies for quarantining, contact tracing, sanitization practices, and cohorting that helped prevent cases from spreading. After months of isolation when many kids were held out of the classroom and locked into screens for long hours at a time, the ACA says these summer program can provide invaluable benefits. Decades of camp research have proven that the skills learned at camp support academic performance and are at the core of college and career readiness. “Last summer’s mitigation practices highlight the necessary foundation for a successful 2021 camp season. Our new research demonstrates that children can be with their friends and counselors and take a break from technology this summer. In fact, camp provides critical support for children as they recover from the challenging effects of the pandemic in a safe environment away from home.” Rosenberg said. Learn more about the research at acacamps.org. n
June 16th - August 25th Camp Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm Before Care: 8am - 9am ((10) After Care: 4pm - 6pm ((20)
19201 Compass Creek Pkwy Leesburg, VA 20175 www.ionitc.com 703-936-0101 Register Online at www.ionitc.com
email Ericat ejohnson@ionitc.com if youhave any questions
APRIL 22, 2021
SUMMER CAMPS
PAGE 19
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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TOWN notes continued from page 16
Saturday, April 24. The spring cleanup event will be held from 8-10 a.m. across town. Volunteers are invited to meet at the town office off Marshall Street at 7:30 a.m. Coffee and donuts will be served and safety vests and trash collection buckets will be handed out. Learn more at middleburgva.gov/207/ Go-Green. The Police Department’s drug takeback event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone with expired prescription medication is invited to drop it off at the town hall. Members of the Go Green Committee will also be collecting unused or expired batteries to recycle. Learn more at facebook.com/middleburgpolice.
It’s Art in the Alley Weekend Artists in Middleburg will host Art in the Alley from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, April 24-25 at the gallery at 102 W. Washington St. Artists will demonstrate their techniques and to talk about their work with
visitors just outside the doors of the gallery. The weekend program will kick off with artist Ann Wallace, who teaches painting at Plaza Artists Materials in Rockville, MD, and serves as a master art copyist at the National Gallery of Art. Wallace paints au premier coup, or at first stroke. She feels painting should not serve simply to showcase the technical prowess of the painter, but should allow the viewer to become an integral participant in the realization of the artist’s vision. View Wallace’s work at annwallaceart. com. Learn more about AiM’s weekend program at theartistsinmiddleburg.org.
PURCELLVILLE Police Department Plans Prescription Drug Takeback The Purcellville Police Department will host a prescription drug takeback day with the DEA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at the police headquarters at 125 Hirst Road., Suite 7A. People are invited to turn in their unused or expired prescription medication for safe disposal. The event is free and anonymous, with no questions asked, according to a town statement. Through the help of the Prevention Al-
APRIL 22, 2021
liance of Loudoun, a coalition comprised of diverse community stakeholders dedicated to mental health awareness and substance misuse prevention efforts in Loudoun, people will also be given additional safety items to help prevent drug abuse. Acceptable items include prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, medical samples, pet medications, and vape pens/e-cigarettes with the batteries removed. Items that will not be accepted include needles, epi pens, thermometers, batteries, IV bags, blood or infectious waste, liquids, gels and sprays.
Section of Innisbrook Circle Remains Closed Innisbrook Circle between the southern intersection of Tranquility Road and Brookwood Way will remain closed to through traffic through 8 p.m. Friday, April 30. VDOT is repairing a culvert on that section of road. Residents needing to reach properties along Innisbrook Circle have access, but are not allowed to go beyond the culvert in either direction. Through traffic is being detoured via Tranquility Road to the northern intersection of Innisbrook Circle.
Purcellville police continued from page 17 the market. After 2026, the town is looking to build a new, permanent police headquarters that will last four decades. According to Moseley Architects projections, if the town had built that headquarters before 2023, it would have cost the town at least $6.4 million in hard costs. Waiting until 2030 to build the headquarters will cost the town a minimum of $8.4 million, according to those projections. Moseley has presented four potential locations for construction of a permanent headquarters: south of Woodgrove High School along Mayfair Crown Drive, off Hirst Road across Maple Avenue from the fire station, west of the town limits off West Main Street, and another on 2.25 acres of the Basham Simms Wastewater Facility property. The firm anticipates it will take 12 months to build a new headquarters from the day the selected construction company breaks ground. n
Immediate Hire: Experienced Bookkeeper Epling Landscaping seeks a full time team member with RESPONSIBILITIES to include: • • • • • •
Maintain office services in conjunction with management and staff Keep management informed through identifying needs and providing a summarization of reports Understand Microsoft Office and Quickbooks, being familiar with both accrual and cash methodology Responsible for A/R, A/P, payroll, billing and resolution of billing issues Familiar with creating and maintaining yearly budgets Oversee office policies and procedures
JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicants without the following experience will not be considered: • Minimum 5 years office experience and 3 years bookkeeping experience • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, both individually and within a team • Mature judgment and level of discretion Generous Salary and Benefits Commensurate with Experience
To be considered, please send a letter of interest, salary requirements and resume to info@eplinglandscaping.com www.eplinglandscaping.com for more information
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
PAGE 21
HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE Large family practice in Loudoun County with 6 locations and 28 providers looking for FT LPN’s or MA’s with a dedication to excellence. New LPN graduates welcome to apply. Pediatric and or family practice experience preferred. EHR experience highly recommended. We offer competitive pay rates, health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401K and many other benefits. Please send your resume to: lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804 attention Lisa
See the full job listings at NowHiringLoudoun.com 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 Position
Department
Salary Range
Closing Date
Maintenance Worker I
Public Works & Capital Projects
$38,075-$65,186 DOQ
Open until filled
Police Officer
Police
$53,233-$89,590 DOQ
Open until filled
Senior Engineer (Capital Projects)
Public Works & Capital Projects
$70,374-$120,339 DOQ
Open until filled
Senior Systems Analyst
Information Technology
$70,374-$120,339 DOQ
Open until filled
Systems Analyst/Infrastructure & Asset Management
Public Works & Capital Projects
$70,374-$120,339 DOQ
Open until filled
Utilities Project Manager
Utilities
$76,941-$131,689 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Inspector II
Utilities
$56,956-$97,512 DOQ
Open until filled
Utility Plant Supervisor
Utilities
$61,857-$105,896 DOQ
Open until filled
Summer Position Position
Department
Maintenance Worker
Utilities
Hourly Rate
Closing Date
$15.00
Open until filled
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. All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.
HELP WANTED AT FAMILY PRACTICE Experienced Lab Tech Or MA – Busy Family Practice office in Lansdowne, VA looking for an experienced lab tech or MA to collect and process Covid 19, Flu & Strep samples. Must be familiar with manual and automated methods. EMR experience preferred. We offer health, dental and vision insurance as well as direct deposit, 401k and many other benefits.
Please send your resume to lgray@lmgdoctors.com or fax to 703-726-0804
FABRIC SALES/INTERIOR DESIGN
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Looking for a personable individual to work full-time in a fast paced established retail fabric store. If you are fabric and textile knowledgeable with the ability and creativity to design window treatments, bedding, decorative pillows and make upholstery selections for our clientele, we would like to talk to you! We have a great team and need that one additional person to make it complete!
Lawn and Garden Equipment Service Manager • Tire Repair Technician Tractor & Light Construction Equipment Technician
571.314.3529
FULL TIME FLAGGER Traffic Plan seeks FT Flaggers to set up and control traffic around construction sites. A valid drivers license is a must, good pay, and benefits. If interested please fill out an application at 7855 Progress Court Suite 103, Gainesville VA on Tuesday and Thursday from 8AM-10AM or online at www.trafficplan.com
At Western Loudoun’s largest equipment service organization. Experience required. Full benefits package with healthcare and 401k.
BROWNING EQUIPMENT, INC. Purcellville, VA 540-338-7123 sales@browningequipment.com
NOW HIRING Servers / Kitchen / Hosts / Food Runners Full time or Part time Apply online at BRGrill.com or in person between 2:00-5:00 ASHBURN (703) 729-0100 44065 Ashburn Shopping Plaza, Ashburn VA 20147
BRAMBLETON 703-327-1047 22865 Brambleton Plaza Brambleton VA 20148
LEESBURG 703-669-5505 955 Edwards Ferry Rd. Leesburg VA 20176
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Loco Living
APRIL 22, 2021
THINGS to do LOCO LIVE Live Music: Dave Goodrum
Friday, April 23, 5 p.m. Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro Details: harvestgap.com TGIF with acoustic music at its most fun— covering a range of genres from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and today.
Live Music: Jason Masi
Friday, April 23, 5 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Celebrate Fourth Friday at Breaux with Masi’s signature brand of acoustic soul and R&B.
Live Music: Cary Wimbish
Friday, April 23, 5 p.m. Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg Details: spankyspub.com Richmond-based Wimbish returns with covers of traditional country, bluegrass, classic rock, and blues songs along with crowd-pleasing originals.
Live Music: Jim Steele
Loudoun Businesses, Parks Embrace the Brood X Envasion LOUDOUN NOW STAFF REPORT
Trillions of noisy cicadas are expected to emerge next month as Brood X makes its once-every-17-years appearance in mid-May, and Loudoun hospitality businesses are getting in on the buzz. “Loudoun looks a little different from the last time Brood X emerged in 2004 and our partners are on board to provide some unique and fun opportunities to embrace one of the strangest natural occurrences in the region,” stated Visit Loudoun President and CEO Beth Erickson. “And while the last 13 months may have felt like 17 years, the cicadas emerging from darkness to light, creating a thunderous song of love (or attraction) seems perfect for right now.” Dining, shopping, and exploring hot spots around Loudoun have launched specials to make the most of a swarm of locusts. Heading outdoors, Algonkian Regional Park Naturalist Mark Felprin will lead visitors through the park to discover what makes this year’s cicada arrival unique on May 22 for Cicadamania. Registration is $5. Cicada hunters can also visit the 1,000acre Morven Park to search the grounds,
Contributed
As part of the coming cicada craze, the chocolatiers at The Conche will offer a class on making crunchy raspberry and hazelnut praline chocolate versions of the insect.
gardens and wooded trails. Follow Morven Park on Facebook for cicada facts and to know when the first ones are spotted, and follow the hashtag #MorvenParkCicadaWatch. At Crème de la Crème in Middleburg, pick up ceramic cicadas, hand-crafted by a local artist for displaying flowers. For dinner, Cocina on Market in downtown historic Leesburg, already featuring a
grasshopper taco, will expand its menu to include cicada tacos to dine on the restaurant’s rooftop patio while the Brood X bugs are around. The cicada taco is filled with Mole verde, avocado, radish and pickled Virginia ramps. Meanwhile at The Conche in Village of Leesburg, visitors at the special Mommy and Me sculpture class June 13 will make their own chocolate cicada, learning from a chocolate master how to make a crunchy raspberry and hazelnut praline chocolate shaped like the bug. The store will also be selling cicada-shaped chocolate bon bons. Old 690 Brewing Company will release a BrewdX beer on May 21, a New England style IPA brewed with 10 ingredients, and which will sit in the tank for 17 days. And Salamander Resort & Spa will offer the Cicada Cocktail featuring whiskey from Loudoun’s Catoctin Creek Distillery, amaretto, cream and simple syrup. Finally, visitors can finish off a day surrounded by cicadas at one of Algonkian Regional Park’s 12 vacation cottages along the Potomac River, which are equipped with full kitchens and Wi-Fi. For more, go to visitloudoun.org/ dont-bug-out-your-guide-to-cicadas-inloudoun. n
Friday, April 23, 5:30 p.m. Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: dirtfarmbrewing.com Fun covers and originals from a longtime winery/brewery circuit favorite.
Live Music: Wim Tapley
Friday, April 23, 6 p.m. Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com 18-year-old Tapley is one of the region’s most ambitious young artists. He’ll serve up an acoustic set with a mix of covers and originals.
Live Music: Nine Deeez Nite
Friday, April 23, 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com From Nirvana to the Spice Girls, the fun never stops with ’90s favorites all year long. Tickets are $20-$30.
Live Music: Chris Timbers
Saturday, April 24, noon-3 p.m. Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn Details: lostrhino.com Timbers kicks off Lost Rhino’s SwampFest with alternative soul tunes.
Live Music: Jason Teach
Saturday, April 24, 2 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Longtime singer/songwriter Jason Teach returns to Breaux with his signature honest, heartfelt songwriting.
Live Music: Chris & Amanda
Saturday, April 24, 3-6 p.m. Loudoun Brewing Company, 310 E. Market St., Leesburg Details: loudounbrewing.com
THINGS TO DO continues on page 23
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
THINGS to do continued from page 22
With influences like the Civil Wars, Plant and Krauss and Fleetwood Mac this dynamic duo impresses with gorgeous harmonies.
Live Music: Bobby Thompson and Friends
Saturday, April 24, 4 p.m. Lost Rhino Brewing Company 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn Details: lostrhino.com Lost Rhino’s SwampFest continues with WAMMIE winning blues musician Bobby Thompson.
Live Music: Bailey Hayes
Saturday, April 24, 4 p.m. Bluemont Vineyard, 18755 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont Details: bluemontvineyard.com Enjoy laid-back acoustic tunes from this Harrisonburg-based singer/songwriter.
Live Music: Crowded Streets DMB Experience
Saturday, April 24, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg Details: tallyhotheater.com With back-to-back Saturday shows, there’s no excuse for missing your favorite Dave Matthews Band tunes from a Tally Ho favorite. Tickets are $20-$30.
Live Music: Emma G
Saturday, April 24, 6 p.m. Crooked Run Brewing, 22455 Davis Drive #120, Sterling Details: crookedrunbrewing.com It’s 80s party night with Berlin Calling.
Live Music: Tejas Singh
Saturday, April 24, 6 p.m. Social House South Riding, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, Chantilly Details: socialhousesouthriding.com NOVA-based singer/songwriter Tejas Singh brings his angelic voice and devilish guitar skills to Social House.
Live Music: Kara Davis
Saturday, April 24, 6 p.m. Bear Chase Brewing Company, 18294 Blue Ridge Mountain Road, Bluemont Details: bearchasebrew.com Davis serves up great tunes spanning the decades in a gorgeous setting.
Live Music: 41 North
Saturday, April 24, 7 p.m. Black Walnut Brewery, 212 S. King St., Leesburg Details: facebook.com/blackwalnutbrewery This Northern Virginia-based blues/rock band originally hails from Cleveland, OH.
Live Music: Chris Hanks
Saturday, April 24, 7 p.m. Social House Kitchen and Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Details: socialhouseashburn.com Hanks returns to Social House for an evening of country favorites.
Lane, Loudoun Heights Details: facebook.com/harpersferrybrewing Cashman is a local favorite who plays a wide range of genres. Hits from the ’70s and ’80s are sure to be part of her playlist, but her favorite decade is the ’90s.
PAGE 23
TICKETS ON (703) 777-1665 SALE NOW! wwww.TallyHoTheater.com
TROPIDELIC
Live Music: The Pool Boys
Sunday, April 25, 1 p.m. Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts Details: vanishbeer.com Alt rock from the ’90s and early 2000s from The Pool Boys.
04/22/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: THE 8PM
COWBOY MOUTH
WAILERS
FEB 13
Live Music: Alex Barnett
Sunday, April 25, 1:30 p.m. Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville Details: sunsethillsvineyard.com Barnett makes classical guitar cool. Add in great wine for a perfect lazy Sunday.
FEB 21
THE TRIBUTE TO THE 90S!
Live Music: Josh Sowder
Sunday, April 25, 1 p.m. Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro Details: breauxvineyards.com Sowder plays tunes from a range of genres from the ’50s through the 2000s.
UFO FAREWELL TOUR
NINE DEEEZ NITE:
FEB 1
04/23/21
SOUL ASYLUM WITH LOCAL H
FEB 22
UNCLE DOORS: 7PMCARBON LEAF BROTHERS IN ARMS TOUR KRACKER
SHOW: 8PM FEB 28
FEB 29
ND 2/7 COBS BA CHRIS JA 2/8 RE FI BY TRIAL 5 ts 2/14-1 Two Nigh IA AN 6 3/ EAGLEM S AR AN YE THE REAG
CROWDED STREETS
D O7PMUT SOLDOORS: SHOW: 8PM
19 W Market St., Leesburg, VA For a full schedule please visit
04/24/21 www.TallyHoTheater.com
THE BELL BOTTOM BLUES: THE LIVE ERIC CLAPTON EXPERIENCE SHOW 04/30/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
Live Music: Ralph Baez
Saturday, April 24, 5 p.m. Sunday, April 25, 2 p.m. Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Details: spankyspub.com Hillsboro The ambitious and inspiring singer/songwriter Emma twotwistedposts.com Live Music: Laura Cashman G is working to change the world with empowering COLOR: Right click swatch, and find and replaceDetails: with correct color Spend a Sunday afternoon full of tunes you know Sunday, April 25, 1 p.m. songs. and love with Baez’s personal touch. Live Music: Berlin Calling Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center
LIVE WIRE:
THE ULTIMATE AC/ DC EXPERIENCE 5/01/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
TWO NIGHTS!
HAPPINESS IS
Teatime every day with friends who feel like family. Life in the Key of Beautiful® at Tribute at One Loudoun
ZOSO:
THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE! 5/7/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
5/8/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
REVEREND PEYTON’S BIG DAMN BAND 05/14/21 DOORS: 7PM SHOW: 8PM
MATINEE SHOW
INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE Call to schedule a tour (571) 799-9511 • TributeAtOneLoudoun.com 20335 Savin Hill Dr, Ashburn, VA 20147 Tribute operates by state and local health guidelines.
THE FOUR HORSEMEN THE ALBUM QUALITY METALLICA TRIBUTE! 5/15/21 DOORS: 3PM SHOW: 4PM
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 24
Unions continued from page 1 ney’s office raised concerns among existing union leadership. “Collective bargaining allows for collaborative decision-making between the experts who deliver services and county administrators who oversee programs,” said John Myers, a longtime firefighter and president of the IAFF 3756, the Loudoun Career Fire Fighters Association. “This type of teamwork—frontline professionals working with managers—benefits all our residents and makes our fire department better.” But the example ordinance supervisors saw April 20, he told them, falls short of that idea. “Among other things, the draft ordinance put forth by the county inappropriately narrows the scope of collective bargaining to just some wages and benefits; installs a Labor Relations Administrator who will not be a true, fair, neutral decision maker but instead would be beholden to and controlled by the county administrator; and creates a complex procedure which makes it unnecessarily difficult for a labor
organization to be certified as the exclusive representatives,” Myers said. Members of the Service Employees International Union Virginia 512, which represents hundreds of county employees, also expressed concern, arguing none represent traditional collective bargaining and calling the example ordinance incorrectly named. “Meaningful collective bargaining is a valuable tool to build productive and mutually beneficial labor-management relationships that improve the delivery of public services and the quality of work-life for county employees,” said Julius Reynolds, chair of the Loudoun County Chapter of SEIU Virginia 512. “Meaningful collective bargaining allows employees to provide input without fear of retribution or discrimination.” Supervisors were divided along party lines on allowing collective bargaining for Loudoun’s public employees. Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) said Loudoun’s Board of Supervisors “has clearly demonstrated the way forward” with pay increases, a new job classification system and benefits increases over the past several years. “What we’re really talking about is a fundamental change in the nature of the
APRIL 22, 2021
partnership that exists,” Letourneau said. “I believe we can engage our employees. I believe we should engage our employees and have conversations, as was just said, but I don’t believe we have to lock ourselves into a relationship that by its very nature can be contentious.” County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), a former local government employee, said in that time, “a lot of things happened that I didn’t complain about, because there was no there was no structure to have that that discussion.” “We did correct a lot of things in Loudoun County last term,” Randall said. ”[…] A lot of things had to be corrected, but the fact that they had to be corrected is in and of itself an issue. The fact that our employees were the lowest-paid employees in the COG [Northern Virginia] region was in and of itself an issue. The fact that our [Department of Family Services] employees had the highest caseloads in Virginia is in and of itself an issue. And the way that you don’t have that again, over many boards, is collective bargaining.” Supervisors supported the measure on a 6-3 vote, with Letourneau and Supervisors Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) and Tony R. Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) opposed. n
Vaccine line continued from page 3 vaccines may not protect against as well. “It’s very important for folks to get vaccinated for many reasons,” Goodfriend said. “One, we don’t want these variants to take hold in our community. But also, as our schools are now going back to four days a week, what we don’t want is to interrupt education because kids are forced to stay home.” As long as transmission rates remain as high as they are, he said, life can’t go back to normal. “If you want to have Memorial Day parties, if you want the pools to open up normally and not with the restrictions that are on now, we really need to take action and take what’s available to us to stop it—getting vaccinated,” Goodfriend said. Find a vaccine appointment at vaccinate.virginia.gov and vaccinefinder.org. n
Legal Notices NOTICE
TOWN OF LEESBURG ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID
TOWN OF LEESBURG TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Remote Public Participation Available
Members of the public who wish to speak during the petitioners’ section and Public Hearing of the April 27, 2021, Leesburg Town Council Meeting can do so remotely. Information on how to participate remotely can be found on the Town of Leesburg’s website www.leesburgva.gov/agendas or on the agenda that will be posted outside of the Clerk’s Office and in the lobby of Town Hall (25 West Market Street) by close of business on April 21, 2021. If you need more information, contact the Clerk of Council at eboeing@leesburgva.gov or 703-771-2733. 04/22/2021
TOWN OF LEESBURG
DEPARTMENT OF UTILITIES NOTICE OF WATER MAIN FLUSHING The Town of Leesburg will conduct controlled flushing of water mains throughout the Town beginning April through June 30th, 2021. This preventative maintenance program is essential for maintaining the Town’s high standards of water quality. Water mains are flushed by opening fire hydrants and allowing them to flow freely for a short period of time. The flushing cleans out sediment, removes air which may accumulate in the water mains and restores chlorine levels in areas of limited use, thereby, reducing the potential for bacteriological contamination. Water is safe to drink and safe to use during flushing. However, flushing may result in temporary discoloration and sediment in the water. If discoloration or sediment is evident, the Town recommends residents avoid doing laundry until the discoloration subsides. Flushing may also introduce air into the water, which may temporarily cause erratic flow. If this occurs, open your cold water tap until a clear steady flow of water is observed. Some residents and businesses may experience lower pressure during the flushing in their neighborhood. The Town regrets any inconvenience the flushing operation may cause. Please call the Utilities Department at 703-737-7075 for further information. For after-hour emergencies, call the Leesburg Police Department at 703-771-4500. 04/01 & 06/30/21
IFB NO. 100314-FY21-32 IDA LEE ROOF REPLACEMENT **NOTE: The Town of Leesburg has implemented revised procurement procedures during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Effective January 1, 2021, and for the duration of the Emergency or until further notice, all bids and proposals in response to a formal solicitation issued by the Town will be securely received via eVA, the Commonwealth’s eProcurement website. Additionally, during this time the Town will not conduct in-person public bid openings. ** SEALED BIDS to construct the above project WILL BE RECEIVED by the Town of Leesburg, electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov), UNTIL BUT NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021. Bids shall be submitted electronically using the following naming convention: the IFB number and the name of the bidder (i.e. “IFB No. 100314FY21-32_Your Company’s NameU”). A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via Cisco Webex. Cisco Webex conferencing information, including instructions to join the meeting via computer and/or phone, will be available from the Town’s Bid Board. All questions regarding this bid must be submitted in writing via email to CapitalBidQuestions@ leesburgva.gov until but no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. Bids will be publicly opened via Cisco Webex using the eVA e-Procurement website at the due date and time listed above. The bid opening will be livestreamed via Cisco Webex and made available to the public. Cisco Webex conferencing information will be available, including instructions to join the meeting via computer and/or phone, from the Town’s Bid Board. This project replaces a portion of the existing roof at the Ida Lee Recreation Center. The roof will be replaced over the main indoor pool and the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Work will also include the rehabilitation and/or replacement of existing skylights, including the skylight over the facility’s main entrance hallway. The Town reserves the right to perform all, part, or none of the work. Bid Documents are available for download from the Town’s Bid Board at http://www.leesburgva.gov/ bidboard. Any addenda issued for this project will be posted on the Town’s Bid Board and eVA (https://eva.virginia.gov) with a courtesy email to those firms who have registered on the Town’s Bid Board. It is the bidders’ responsibility to provide a correct email address and to be aware of any addenda. Bud Siegel, P.E., Acting Manager Office of Capital Projects 04/22/21
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
PAGE 25
Legal Notices 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, May 12, 2021 in order to consider:
DRAFT UNMET HOUSING NEED STRATEGIC PLAN The Board of Supervisors (Board) will hear public comments on the draft Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan (UHNSP). On September 19, 2019, the Board initiated the UHNSP process. The UHNSP concept was developed beginning with the October 16, 2017 Board Housing Summit and built upon the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan. The UHNSP defines how the County will address unmet housing needs in a strategic and systematic way over the short and long-term. The draft plan was presented to the Board on April 6, 2021. The UHNSP’s purpose is to guide how the County will address the unmet housing needs of households in a systematic and comprehensive way, over the anticipated 5-year life of the plan, in support of the County’s overarching housing goal. The UHNSP’s five objectives are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Establish a coordinated, collaborative, and integrated housing network. Secure land resources needed to address unmet housing needs. Obtain viable funding sources. Reduce barriers to the development and preservation of affordable housing. Implement policy changes to support affordable housing production and preservation.
Copies of the draft plan will be available and 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) 777-0200. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”).
ZRTD-2020-0007, SPEX-2020-0027 & ZMOD-2020-0036 ALBAN CAT FACILITY
(Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District, Special Exception, and Zoning Modification) Alban Limited Partnership of Rosedale, Maryland, has submitted applications for the following: 1) to rezone approximately 9.7 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, in order to permit all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.60 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception); and 2) a Special Exception to permit heavy equipment and specialty vehicle sales, rental, repair and accessory service in the PD-IP zoning district. These applications are subject to the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed use is listed as a Special Exception use under Section 4-504. The applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance Modification(s): ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION Table 5-1404(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix.
PROPOSED MODIFICATION Modify the 25-foot Type C Buffer for a Heavy Industrial and Aviation use adjacent to a Commercial/ Retail use, along the southern property line to consist of twenty-eight (28) evergreen trees and naturalmaterial fencing.
The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing district, and within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 9.7 acres in size and is located on the east side of Sully Road (Route 28), south side of East Severn Way (Route 847) and west of Atlantic Boulevard (Route 1902) at 1201 East Severn Way, Sterling, Virginia in the Sterling Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 042-10-7650. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designates this area for compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of residential, commercial, entertainment, cultural, and recreational amenities at a recommended FAR up to 1.0.
ZMAP-2019-0021 OAK GROVE
(Zoning Map Amendment) GFC Properties, LLC, of Leesburg, Virginia, has submitted an application to rezone approximately 4.73 acres from the R-1 (Single Family Residential -1) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop 50 single family attached units at a density of 10.6 dwelling units per acre. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District. The subject property is approximately 4.73 acres in size and is located on the north side of Hall Road (Route 788), west of Davis Drive (Route 868) and east of Oakgrove Road (Route 824) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as:
PIN
PROPERTY ADDRESS
024-46-1074
117 Dominion Lane, Sterling, Virginia
024-46-2062
N/A
024-46-2653
N/A
024-46-1245
N/A
024-45-9931
N/A
024-45-8235
N/A
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Compact Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for Residential uses at a recommended density between 8-12 dwelling units per acre.
ZCPA-2020-0002 DULLES 2000 REDEVELOPMENT (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment)
BCG JV Sterling LLC, of New York, New York has submitted an application to amend the existing proffers and concept development plan (CDP) approved with ZMAP-1987-0031, Dulles 2000, in order to eliminate the requirement for a portion of the uses on the property to be Research and Development Related uses and to amend the layout of approved building footprints, parking, and landscaping with a decrease in density from 0.64 Floor to Area Ratio (FAR) to 0.44 FAR. The subject property is located in the PD-RDP (Planned Development – Research and Development Park) zoning district, subject to the 1972 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District and is also located outside of but within one mile of the Airport Overlay Impact District (AOID). The subject property is approximately 23.67 acre portion of a larger parcel that is located on the east side of Sully Road (Route 28), west of Shaw Road (Route 836) and south of Old Ox Road (Route 606) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 035-45-7494 and PIN: 034-16-0552. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Urban Policy Area (Urban Transit Center Place Type)) which designate this area for a range of Residential, Retail, Office, Entertainment, and Community Activity uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 2.0. Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request 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, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for “Board of Supervisors Business Meetings, Public Hearings and Special Meetings”). In addition, for detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703777-0246 (option 5). Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on April 30, 2021, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on May 12, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens 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 accommodations 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
04/22 & 04/29/21
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Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED FY2022-FY2027 SECONDARY ROAD SIX-YEAR PLAN AND FY2022 CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENT BUDGET PRIORITY LIST In accordance with Virginia Code §33.2-331, the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUDOUN COUNTY and the VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION will jointly hold a combined PUBLIC HEARING on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, to consider adoption of the FY2022 - FY2027 Secondary Road Six-Year Plan and the FY2022 Construction Improvement Budget Priority List developed for the secondary roads in Loudoun County. All projects in the Secondary Road Six-Year Plan that are eligible for federal funds will be included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which documents how Virginia will obligate federal transportation funds. Citizens are invited to be present and express their views regarding the above mentioned documents. VDOT ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The list of highway improvement projects in the proposed Six-Year Plan, and the proposed annual Construction Improvement Budget Priority List, taken from the Six-Year Plan, are available for public inspection 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) 777-0200, and at the Virginia Department of Transportation Leesburg Residency Office, 41 Lawson Road, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or call (703) 737-2000. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic this public hearing may be conducted as an electronic meeting. Members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Board of Supervisors public hearings are available for live viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings. All members of the public who desire to speak will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. Instructions for remote participation will be forwarded to all individuals who sign-up in advance and who would like to provide their comments remotely. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on April 30, 2021, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on May 12, 2021. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. Citizens will also have the option to sign-up during the public hearing. Citizens 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 Supervisor’s 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 County Administration at 703-777-0200. Three days notice is requested. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. BY ORDER OF: Phyllis J. Randall Chair Loudoun County Board of Supervisors
Farid Bigdeli Assistant District Administrator Virginia Department of Transportation 04/22 & 04/29/21
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING THE TOWN OF HAMILTON, VIRGINIA Notice is hereby given that on Monday May 10, 2021, beginning at 7 pm, or as soon thereafter as may be heard, at the Hamilton Town Office, 53 E. Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia, the Hamilton Town Council will hold a public hearing to receive public comment and consider the adoption of proposed Resolutions authorizing the issuance of a not to exceed $415,000 Town of Hamilton, Virginia Wastewater Revenue Bond to the United States of America, acting through Rural Utilities Service, an Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (“RUS”), to (a) acquire, construct, rehabilitate, and equip various improvements to the Town’s wastewater (sewer) facilities, and (b) pay costs of issuance in connection with the financing (the “Project”). The Town intends to pledge wastewater (sewer) revenues to repay the Bond and establish certain reserve accounts as required by RUS. Information regarding the Project and a copy of the RUS Letter of Conditions are on file in the Town Office located at 53 East Colonial Highway, Hamilton, Virginia 20158. Any person interested in the Town’s issuance of the Bond or the Project may appear electronically at the public hearing via Zoom at the link listed on the Town’s website to present comments. Written comments regarding the proposed Resolutions may be mailed or emailed to the Town prior to the public hearing. The regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will begin immediately after the public hearing. TOWN OF HAMILTON, VIRGINIA David R. Simpson, Mayor
APRIL 22, 2021
04/22 & 04/29/2021
Public Hearing Pedestrian Improvements Associated with Tripleseven Road – Countryside Elementary School Loudoun County Public Schools - Safe Routes to Schools Project Monday, May 24, 2021 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM ~Virtual Public Hearing~ Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) will hold a Virtual Public Hearing on a Safe Routes to Schools Project to provide sidewalk and trail connections along Tripleseven Road in Sterling, Virginia. The Public Hearing will be held in a virtual/ on-line event and can be accessed at https://www.lcps. org/Page/208899. LCPS Staff along with team members from J2 Engineering and Gorove Slade will make a presentation beginning at 12:30pm, followed by time for answering submitted questions from the community. The Public Hearing will be broadcast live on Comcast Channel 18 and Verizon Fios Channel 43 as well as live-streamed from the LCPS website (www.lcps.org); there will be no in-person gathering due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Additional details on the proposal, can be found on the LCPS ‘Safe Routes to Schools’ webpage (https://www.lcps.org/Page/208899). A link for submitting questions prior to and during the May 24, 2021, Public Hearing is also provided on the webpage. LCPS is planning to add a five (5) foot sidewalk and crosswalks along the east side of Tripleseven Road between Glade Street and Heather Glen Road in the VDOT right-of-way and a five (5) foot asphalt trail on the west side of Tripleseven Road connecting to the existing east/west trail located between Tripleseven Road and Countryside Boulevard. A raised or high visibility crosswalk is proposed on Tripleseven Road, north of the Heather Glen Road intersection. An additional trail is proposed from the existing east/west trail, across LCPS property, to Countryside Elementary School. These pedestrian connections would enhance the opportunity for students to walk or bicycle to school. Review the proposed project conceptual plan at the virtual Public Hearing, or prior, at https://www. lcps.org/Page/208899. A preliminary project schedule and project materials list, including the environmental assessment (Programmatic Categorical Exclusion) and right-of-way certification, will be available for review and comment 30 days prior and for 15 days after the Public Hearing at https:// www.lcps.org/Page/208899 and discussed at the Public Hearing. Provide your written or oral comments and questions at the hearing, or submit them by close of business on June 8, 2021, to Safe Routes to Schools Project Manager, LCPS Department of Planning Services, 21000 Education Court, Suite 210P, Ashburn, VA 20148 at 571-252-1050 or lcpsplan@lcps.org. Questions: If you have questions or concerns please contact LCPS Department of Planning Services, 21000 Education Court, Suite 210P, Ashburn, VA 20148 at 571-252-1050 or lcpsplan@lcps.org prior to June 8, 2021. LCPS ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact LCPS Department of Planning Services at 571-252-1050. Federal Project: UPC 116709 State Project Number EN14-053-216; P101 – TAP-5B01(143)
04/22 & 05/13/21
Formation of Douglass High School Commemorative Committee The Loudoun County School Board is establishing a commemorative committee to engage and formulate ideas for historical displays at Douglass High School, in conjunction with upcoming renovation plans. The Douglass High School building renovation and associated construction should be complete by fall 2022. Commemorative works will be key elements incorporated in the building renovation to tell the story of Douglass High School. The charge of the Douglass High School Commemorative Committee will be to review and develop options, both permanent and temporary, for relevant historic artifacts, memorabilia, and other possible interpretive building displays. The committee’s mission will be to determine how the history and importance of Douglass High School will be shared and to recommend commemorative components for School Board action and funding, as necessary. The Douglass High School Commemorative Committee will be comprised of a variety of community stakeholders. Any person interested in serving on committee should submit a letter of interest by no later than 3:00 p.m. on April 30, 2021, to: Loudoun County Public Schools, Division of Planning Services Attn: Douglass High School Commemorative Committee 21000 Education Court Ashburn, Virginia 20148 Email: lcpsplan@lcps.org Telephone: 571-252-1050 The School Board will officially appoint the Douglass High School Commemorative Committee on May 11, 2021. While committee appointments will be limited, all meetings will be open to the public and allow time for interested persons to share ideas and comments for committee consideration. The first Douglass High School Commemorative Committee meeting is planned for Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:30 p.m., at Frederick Douglass Elementary School (510 Principal Drummond Way, SE, Leesburg). 04/22 & 04/29/21
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
PAGE 27
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, April 27, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:
ZOAM-2021-0001 AMEND THE REVISED 1993 LOUDOUN COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE TO ELIMINATE THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION FEE FOR NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS USES IN UNDERSERVED AREAS (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 March 16, 2021, the Planning Commission hereby gives notice of proposed amendments to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance (“Zoning Ordinance”) in order to establish new, clarify, revise, and/or delete existing regulations in regard to references to fee waivers, and in regard to exemptions for special exception land development application fees for new Monopole and Transmission Tower uses, as defined in the Zoning Ordinance, in specified zoning districts. The amendment proposes revisions to Section 6-402, and such other Articles, Sections, Subsections, and provisions of the Zoning Ordinance 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 Zoning Ordinance. The proposed text amendments under consideration include, without limitation, the following: Amendments to Section 6-402: ·
Clarify, revise, and/or delete existing regulations which have references to fee waivers and use the term fee exemptions to describe how Section 6-402 functions more accurately.
·
Establish new regulations to exempt the Special Exception land development application fee for new Monopole and Transmission Tower uses requiring Special Exception approval in the A-3 (Agricultural Residential), A-10 (Agriculture), AR-1 (Agricultural Rural-1), AR-2 (Agricultural Rural-2), CR-1 (Countryside Residential-1), CR-2 (Countryside Residential-2), CR-3 (Countryside Residential-3), and RC (Rural Commercial) zoning districts.
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.
ZRTD-2021-0001 LOUDOUN GATEWAY LOT 2
PIN
ADDRESS
PIN
ADDRESS
163291069
N/A
163287836
24635 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA
163294142
24555, 24560, 24565, 24570, 24630, 24670 & 24700 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA
163190227
24680 & 24710 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA 42760, 42765, 42780, 42781, 42790, 42800 & 42801 Gateway Fountain Plaza, Chantilly, VA
163387890
24575 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA
163183632
24705, 24725, 24745 & 24765 Dulles Landing Drive, Chantilly, VA
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type), which designates this area for a mix of Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Cultural, and Recreational uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0, and additional density (up to 1.5 FAR) may be achieved with project elements that go above and beyond required development standards to further the County’s comprehensive planning goals.
ZMAP-2020-0007, SPEX-2020-0017, SPEX-2020-0018, ZMOD-2020-0011 ZMOD-2020-0012, ZMOD-2020-0013, ZMOD-2020-0014, ZMOD-2020-0015 & ZMOD-2020-0016 THE SHOPS AND TECH AT ARCOLA CENTER (Zoning Map Amendment Petition, Special Exception, Zoning Modification) St. John Properties, of Frederick, Maryland, has submitted applications for the following: 1) To rezone approximately 33.94 acres from the PD-CC-RC (Planned Development – Community Center – Regional Center) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the PD-IP (Planned Development– Industrial Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to permit the development of Flex Industrial uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0; 2) A Special Exception to permit an Automobile Service Station in the PD-CC-RC zoning district pursuant to Section 4-204(C)(1) of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance; and 3) A Special Exception to permit Office, Administrative, Business and Professional Use, which do not meet the criteria contained in Section 4-503(G) in the PD-IP zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under Sections 4-204 and 4-504. The Applicant also requests the following Zoning Ordinance modifications:
(Zoning Conversion in the Route 28 Taxing District & Zoning Map Amendment) Foulger-Pratt Development, LLC of Potomac, Maryland has submitted an application to rezone approximately 6.09 acres from the PD-IP (Planned Development-Industrial Park) zoning district under the 1972 Zoning Ordinance, to the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, in order to permit the development of all principal and accessory uses permitted in the PD-IP zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance at a maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 0.6 (up to 1.0 by Special Exception). The subject property is located within the Route 28 Taxing District, Route 28 CO (Corridor Office) Overlay District, the QN (Quarry Notification Overlay District – Loudoun Note Area, and located partially within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, between the Ldn 60-65, and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours. The subject property is approximately 6.09 acres in size and is located on the south side of Indian Creek Drive (Route 1038), north of Old Ox Road (Route 606), and west of Sully Road (Route 28) in the Broad Run Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 046-30-5546. The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 Comprehensive Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Employment)), which support a broad array of Employment uses at a recommended Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of up to 1.0.
SIDP-2015-0008 DULLES LANDING SIGN PLAN AMENDMENT (Sign Development Plan) Beatty Limited Partnership of McLean, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan to request alternative sign regulations for permitted signs in order to 1) allow two additional commercial development entrance signs in the PD, CLI, GB, and MR-HI Districts; 2) modify the maximum area of any one sign, minimum setback from right-of-way, maximum height, and additional requirements for commercial development entrance signs in the PD, CLI, GB, and MR-HI Districts; and 3) permit the usage of electronic message signs. The subject property is being developed pursuant to ZMAP2004-0016, Dulles Landing, and SIDP 2014-0002, Dulles Landing Sign Development Plan, located in the PD-CC-RC (Planned Development Commercial Center-Regional Center) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and pursuant to Section 5-1202(E) alternative sign regulations for permitted signs may be requested with the submission of a Sign Development Plan. The subject property is located partially within the AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher, between the Ldn 60-65, and outside of but within one (1) mile of the Ldn 60, aircraft noise contours. The Subject property is also located partially within the QN (Quarry Notification) Overlay District - Chantilly Crush Stone Note Area. The subject property is approximately 78.34 acres in size and comprises six separate parcels that are located north of John Mosby Highway (Route 50) and west of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 606), in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as follows:
ZONING ORDINANCE SECTION
§4-205(C)(1)(d), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Roads, Regional Center (RC). and §4-205(C)(3), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Other Nonresidential Districts.
PROPOSED MODIFICATION Allow parking, outdoor storage, areas for collection or refuse or loading space between buildings and streets where such areas are screened from the streets by the landscaped buffer required by Section 5-1400. Reduce the required 50-foot yard requirement to a 35foot minimum yard requirement along the PD-CC-RC District portion of the Property’s Arcola Mills Drive frontage. Eliminate the required yard for building, parking, outdoor storage and loading areas between the proposed PD-CC-RC district and the non-residential zoning districts located to the west of the Property.
4-206(D)(4), PD-CC Planned Development – Commercial Center, Building Requirements, Vehicular Access, Regional Centers.
Vehicular access to the proposed PD-CC-RC district shall be from minor and major collector roads (respectively, Arcola Mills Drive and Dulles West Boulevard), rather than from an arterial road.
§5-1403(B), Buffering and Screening, Road Corridor Buffers and Setbacks, Road Corridor Buffer and Setbacks Matrix, Table 5-1403(B)
Reduce setback for buildings within the PD-CC-RC district from 50 feet to 35 feet from the right-of-way of Arcola Mills Drive (minor collector road). Replace the Type 2 front yard buffer with a Type 3 front yard buffer and provide an additional 3 evergreen trees per 100 feet within the building setback.
§5-1407(B)(2), Buffering and Screening, Parking Area Landscaping and Screening Requirements, Peripheral Parking Area Landscaping.
Eliminate the requirement for a 10-foot landscaping strip for parking areas next to abutting property lines for parcels within the Property, including those subdivided in the future
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 28
APRIL 22, 2021
Legal Notices §4-505(B)(1), PD-IP Planned Development – Industrial Park, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Roads. and
Eliminate the minimum 35-foot setback for buildings and 25-foot setback for off-street parking along interior private streets (not public roads) in the proposed PD-IP district.
§4-505(B)(3), PD-IP Planned Development – Industrial Park, Lot Requirements, Yards, Adjacent to Other Nonresidential Districts.
Eliminate the need to provide building, parking, outdoor storage, and loading area setbacks between the PD-CCRC and PD-IP districts.
§5-1404(B), Landscaping, Buffer Yards, Screening, and Landscape Plans, Buffer Yards, Use Buffer Yard Matrix, Table 5-1404(B).
Eliminate the Type B Buffer Yard requirement between Group 10 Flex-Industrial Uses and Group 8 Office Uses and Group 9 Commercial / Retail Uses.
The subject property is located within AI (Airport Impact) Overlay District, within the Ldn 65 or higher aircraft noise contour. The subject property is approximately 70.00 acres in size and is located on the south side of Arcola Mills Drive (Route 621), north of Route 50 and west of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 606) in the Blue Ridge Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as: PIN
ADDRESS
163-38-0140
N/A
163-49-1534
N/A
163-48-7614
N/A
162-19-4928
25227 Arcola Mills Drive, Sterling, VA
The area is governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Mixed Use Place Type)), which designate this area for a range of compact, pedestrian-oriented environments with opportunities for a mix of residential, commercial, entertainment, cultural, and recreational uses at a recommended FAR of up to 1.0.
SPEX 2019-0035, SPEX 2019-0048 & SPEX 2019-0049 POTOMACK LAKES SPORTSPLEX (Special Exception) The Board of Supervisors of Loudoun County, Virginia, through the Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure of Leesburg, Virginia, has submitted an application for a Special Exception to install and grade two synthetic turf fields, add 0.29 Acres of new impervious surface paths, and incidental structures totaling 5,725 SF within the major floodplain in the PD-H4 (Planned Development-Housing 4) zoning district. This application is subject to the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance, and the proposed uses are listed as Special Exception uses under 4-1506(E) and (F). The subject property is partially located in the Floodplain Overlay District (FOD). The subject property is approximately 46.84 acres in size and is located north of Algonkian Parkway (Route 1582) and on the east side of Cascades Parkway (Route 1794) at 20286 Cascades Parkways, Sterling, Virginia, 20165 in the Algonkian Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as PIN: 010-27-3927 and PIN: 010-17-4363. The area is
governed by the policies of the Loudoun County 2019 General Plan (Suburban Policy Area (Suburban Neighborhood Place Type)), which designate this area for existing parks and recreation facilities uses. Unless otherwise noted in the above notices, copies of the above-referenced amendments, applications, ordinances, and/or plans and related documents may be examined by request 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 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies, or electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. This link also provides an additional opportunity for public input on active applications. To arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email dpz@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246, or you may view the file electronically at www.loudoun.gov/lola. For detailed instructions on how to access documents using LOLA, to request that documents be emailed to you, to receive physical copies of documents, or to arrange a time to view the file at the Loudoun County Government Center, please email DPZ@loudoun.gov or call 703-777-0246 (option 5). Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, members of the public are encouraged to view the public hearing electronically; however, the Board Room will be open for any members of the public who wish to attend in person with appropriate physical distancing. Planning Commission public hearings are available for viewing on television on Comcast Government Channel 23, Open Band Channel 40, and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/webcast. All members of the public will be heard as to their views pertinent to these matters. Citizens are encouraged to call in advance to sign up to speak at the public hearing. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., 3rd Floor, MSC #62, Leesburg, Virginia 20175, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. 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 if special arrangements for additional speaking time and/or audiovisual equipment will be requested. Such an organization representative will be allotted 6 minutes to speak, and the Chairman may grant additional time if the request is made prior to the date of the hearing and the need for additional time is reasonably justified. Citizens are encouraged to call the Department of Planning and Zoning on the day of the public hearing to confirm that an item is on the agenda, or, the most current agenda may be viewed on the Planning Commission’s website at www.loudoun.gov/pc. In the event that the second Thursday is a holiday or the meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be moved to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event that Tuesday is a holiday or the Tuesday meeting may not be held due to inclement weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend, the meeting will be held on the following Thursday. The meeting will be held at a place determined by the Chairman. Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings at all other locations. 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. Please provide three days’ notice. BY ORDER OF:
FOREST HAYES, CHAIRMAN LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 04/15 & 04/22/21
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES 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. YR.
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PAGE 29
Legal Notices
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ044669-03-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, 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 Lucas Eduardo Ixcotoyac Castro. It is ORDERED that the defendants Catarina Castro Chiroy, mother, Lucas Ixcotoyac Itzep, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before May 24, 2021 at 10:00 am. 04/22, 04/29, 05/06 & 05/13/21
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316 Case No.:
JJ038733-19-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Abbigail Jacobs Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. Sifredo Amaya (aka Surfredo Amaya), putative father and; Michelle Jacobs, mother The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Abbigail Jacobs. It is ORDERED that the defendants Sifredo Amaya (aka Surfredo Amaya), putative father and; Michelle Jacobs, mother appear at the above-named Court to protect their interests on or before May 3, 2021 at 10:00 am. 04/01, 04/08, 04/15 & 04/22/21
ORDER OF PUBLICATION COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES
Case No.:
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.
Description
Case Number
Recovery Location
Purple Kent BMX style children’s bicycle SN: HS191102803
Recovery Date
Phone Number
SO210004806
3/26/2021
43360 Defender Drive Chantilly, VA
703-777-0610 04/15 & 04/22/21
JJ040484-08-00
Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Christian Carter Loudoun County Department of Family Services /v. David Craig Johnson, putative father The object of this suit is to hold a 2nd permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Christian Carter. It is ORDERED that the defendant David Craig Johnson, putative father appear at the abovenamed Court to protect their interests on or before May 11, 2021 at 2:00 pm. 04/01, 04/08, 04/15 & 04/22/21
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
PAGE 30
Legal Notices
APRIL 22, 2021
LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR: NORTHSTAR BOULEVARD PHASE II, IFB No. 382783 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, June 2, 2021. The plans and specifications for this project can be obtained by sending an email to the Invitation for Bid point of contact. A Pre-Bid Conference will be held virtually using GoTo Meeting software on April 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. for clarification of any questions on the drawings, specifications, and site conditions.
COUNTY OF LOUDOUN FIRST HALF PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE H. Roger Zurn, Jr., Treasurer May 5, 2021 The deadline for payment of the first half personal property tax is May 5, 2021. Payments received or postmarked after May 5, 2021 will incur a 10% late payment penalty. Additional interest at the rate of 10% per annum will be assessed. The due date will not be extended for bills where assessment questions have been filed with the Board of Equalization. For Your Safety and Convenience, please consider making payments online, by phone or mail.
PURCHASE OF NUTRIENT CREDITS FOR THE LOUDOUN COUNTY MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM, IFB No. 391783 until prior to 4:00 p.m., local “Atomic Time”, May 21, 2021. 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. 4/22/2021
CONVENIENT PAYMENT OPTIONS AND LOCATIONS Online: www.loudounportal.com/taxes Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Pay your taxes through your mobile device: Link2Loudoun app is available for free from the iPhone App Store and the Google Play Store. The app allows access to www.loudounportal.com/taxes to pay your taxes. By Telephone: 24-hour line 1-800-269-5971 703-777-0280 during regular business hours. Pay using electronic check, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Please note: There is a convenience fee added to a Credit Card transaction. There is no fee for electronic checks (e-check). By Mail: County of Loudoun P.O. Box 1000 Leesburg, Virginia 20177-1000
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A 24 hour drop box is located outside the Leesburg and Sterling offices. Please contact the Loudoun County Treasurer’s Office at 703-777-0280 or email us at taxes@loudoun. gov with questions or if you have not received your bill. Stay up to date on tax information by subscribing to the Tax Notices category of Alert Loudoun at www.louduon.gov/alert. You can also text the word “TAXES” to 888777 to receive text messages about tax-related information, including upcoming deadlines. For information regarding Personal Property Tax Relief for the Elderly or for Disabled Persons, please contact the Tax Relief Division of the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at tcor@loudoun.gov by phone 703-737-8557 or visit www.loudoun.gov/taxrelief. 04/22 & 04/29/21
VIRGINIA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY Civil Case No.: CL20-8025 In re: Name Change of THAO BICH NGO to JADE THAO NGO HO FINAL ORDER (Minor) COMES NOW the applicant seeking to change his or her name pursuant to Virginia Code § 8.01-217, and it
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PAGE 32
APRIL 22, 2021
Opinion
Lots of Hats in Virginia’s Democratic Primaries. I hope the best Ones don’t Get Lost.
Make The Case Two Items on the Board of Supervisors meeting agenda Tuesday night could significantly alter the operations of our county’s government. First, a board majority started the process of launching a collective bargaining program that would embrace and promote the unionization of the county workforce. Second, the supervisors were updated on plans to conduct a thorough, independent study of the options to potentially improve county operations by changing the form of government—options that include creating a Police Department and/or eliminating the Treasurer and Commission of the Revenue offices as other large jurisdictions have done. While both could have significant impact on how the government functions, the approaches have been starkly different. Debate over changing the form of government has surfaced periodically for decades. After periods of study, often politically tinged toward one side or the other, supervisors have weighed the pros and cons of changes and made their decisions based on the data put before them. This new effort to hire outside authorities to provide a fresh look at the options is the right course. Under the program, supervisors early next year will have a comprehensive assessment of the costs and benefits of each option. They’ll have the detailed information needed to make important decisions on how to make the government work best. They may come to the same conclusion as past boards and stay the course, or they may chart a new one based on those studies. The race to create a collective bargaining program lacks the same analysis. It is still not clear what problems it aims to solve. Will it really result in a more cooperative relationship between employees and supervisors, or create more friction? Will it improve the delivery of government services? Will it benefit the general public and taxpayers? That’s not yet clear. However, it is known that it will cost millions of dollars to establish the program, just months after the county board dug into the education budget to find cost savings. Just as changing the form of government is deserving of detailed study to understand the long-term ramifications, a fuller investigation of the impacts of volunteering to offer collective bargaining is needed before fundamentally changing the local government’s employment dynamic. n
Norman K. Styer, Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com
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LETTERS to the Editor Rockland’s Next Generation Editor: In 2018 we made a pact as siblings to move to Rockland, our family-owned farm—we called it #Rockland 2020. Rockland has been in our family for generations, we grew up visiting our grandparents here, so it is sacred ground to us. As two service industry veterans, working hard and working with people is not foreign to us. However, we could not anticipate the challenges this new venture would bring when we committed to help our parents and family take care of the property. Since our move towards the end of 2019, we’ve witnessed the White’s Ferry saga. We’ve been here giving our input, but up until now have remained mostly invisible. Sage has started a small sustainable flower farm, Far Bungalow Farm, that grows native species and sells to florists and residents in the area. Abby raises chickens, runs two campsites on the property and works in NoVa’s craft beverage industry, promoting locally sourced ingredients. In our “free time” we grow vegetables, forage, weave, cook, drink beer, and you better believe we watched a bunch of dumb TV during the winter nights of 2020 lockdown. We feel that we are stewards to Rockland. Acknowledging our privilege, we feel it’s our responsibility to pay forward this incredible blessing. Our Rockland 2020 plan was to work with our family to make
the farm a shared space that produces goods that everyone can enjoy, repay our debts to those enslaved on the property, and preserve the beauty and health of the Potomac and Piedmont. We have grown up with White’s Ferry, seen it evolve, enjoyed riding it, and appreciated watching it’s back and forth. We know that White’s Ferry is important to Virginia and Maryland residents. Rockland farm is asking to be paid fair rent from White’s Ferry owners for the ongoing use of our land—just 50 cents per vehicle so that we can sustain our family business and farm. This is land that could be used for lots of other things, but we love that it’s been used as such a historic and cherished utility. It’s been discouraging and confusing for us to witness such opposition to the basic principle of paying rent for the use of property. We’ve watched as our neighbors lose their family farms while predatory business people swoop in and pay what a farmer has no choice but to accept. We don’t want that to happen to Rockland. There are so many layers to this story, more than can be expressed in any one letter or article, so, we ask you all to get acquainted with the full story behind the White’s Ferry landing and to get to know us—the millennial generation at Historic Rockland Farm with our own dreams and plans for its future. — Sage and Abby Devlin LETTERS TO THE EDITOR continues on page 34
APRIL 22, 2021
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
Readers’ Poll
THIS WEEK'S QUESTION:
LAST WEEK'S QUESTION:
Will collective bargaining improve the county government?
Should the state or local government consider condemnation to support the reopening of White’s Ferry?
In-person meetings continued from page 3 meetings remain in place, the town needs to host in-person social events for council members to get to know and understand each other. Hamilton Councilman Craig Green said that while some types of meetings are conducive to a virtual format, like the small networking meetings he conducts over Zoom for his day job, Town Council meetings are more open and dynamic. “I’ve been on council for a long time now and know that a lot happens interpersonally and being able to read a room,” he said. Hamilton Mayor David Simpson said he, too, prefers to meet in person to talk with people and see their faces in real life. Supervisor Tony Buffington (R-Blue Ridge) and Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk both emphasized the importance of in-person social interactions between elected representatives and residents at meetings, and noted the potential for technical difficulties in virtual meetings. Burk pointed to the one phrase heard in nearly every virtual meeting: “You’re on mute.” Leesburg Councilman Neil Steinberg said that while the town’s IT staff was able to provide the council with the technology to host virtual meetings, and was able to constantly improve upon it, meeting over the web doesn’t beat meeting in person. “Just as with a live performance, there’s nothing like being in the room,” he said. Purcellville Councilman Tip Stinnette called the virtual presence “absolute absence” and said meeting in a virtual format strains the in-person interactions council members are used to. “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken
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Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls
place,” he said, noting that a council member comments could be misinterpreted in virtual format. “When we lose the ability to communicate in person it becomes much harder to square the intent.” Hamilton Councilwoman Elizabeth Gaucher argued in favor of virtual meetings using that very point: that discussions can get too personal when meeting in person. “I think it helps keep ideas and policy decisions elevated,” she said about the virtual meeting format. Gaucher said virtual meetings also cut down on unnecessary time out of the house and eliminate the need to find parking in the Hamilton town office’s small parking lot and the need to walk outside at night to and from the car. Gaucher also factored in her daily struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, pointing out that meeting virtually ensures she doesn’t have to walk much on days when that’s tough to do, along with others struggling with the same or similar medical conditions. “In short, accessibility is dramatically improved, not only for me but for town residents,” she said about virtual meetings. Gaucher said virtual meetings also can help people who lack a childcare, transportation and technology.
Citizen Participation Online Versus In Person Although most elected leaders prefer meeting in person for a variety of reasons, the accessibility of virtual meetings remains a plus. Randall said supervisors saw citizen participation in meetings pick up when the board began holding its meetings using a hybrid model last year. She attributed that uptick to Loudoun being the first county in Virginia to use that hybrid model. “It was almost seamless,” she said about the transition.
Randall, Buffington, Glass and Vice Chairman Koran Saines (D-Sterling) said that the hybrid meetings gave citizens who wouldn’t normally have the chance to make it out to the county board room the opportunity to participate. Randall said those people include older residents, those who live far away, new moms and parents with young children. In Lovettsville, Fontaine said resident participation in Town Council meetings also increased, but not by much. Vance said participation also increased in Hillsboro in the virtual meeting format. But while it might make sense that the ease of opening a laptop and logging into Zoom for a municipal meeting should solicit more resident participation, that’s not the case everywhere. Simpson said resident participation in Hamilton Town Council meetings remained the same when things went virtual. Ramsey said it remained about the same in Round Hill, too. In Leesburg, Burk said fewer residents participated in council meetings when they were virtual. Steinberg said some of that lack in participation, however, could be attributed to society’s preoccupation with the pandemic, especially last March when COVID-19 hit. Leesburg Councilman Zach Cummings said whether meetings are in person or virtual, “anyway we can get more citizen participation is great.” “As an elected representative, I thrive on hearing directly from citizens,” he said. In Middleburg, Littleton said resident participation in meetings has decreased “substantially.” He said residents online have a more difficult time participating in discussions than they do when they’re physically in the room. “It’s also harder for us to get the full feelings from the public if they are just phoning in,” he said. “You can’t see their faces and connect.”
The Way of the Future Moving forward, Randall said the Board of Supervisors would likely continue meeting in the hybrid format. In Hamilton, Simpson said he hopes the Town Council can return to entirely in-person meetings soon, but said he would leave that up to council members. Vance said the Hillsboro Town Council would adapt to conditions as they develop. In Lovettsville, Fontaine said the council would meet in its new council chamber using a hybrid model perhaps by the end of May. In Leesburg, Burk said the council would continue meeting in person “unless something drastically changes.” In Middleburg, Littleton said the council would continue meeting using the hybrid model until social distancing mandates are lifted. Stinnette said the Purcellville Town Council would likely explore hybrid meeting options. The Round Hill Town Council continues to meet entirely in virtual format and will do so until the state of emergency is lifted. Ramsey said the council would consider continuing to meet virtually if it becomes legal. Beyond Loudoun, Saines said the nation as a whole needs to look at the hybrid approach to meetings, which, he said, would bring government meetings into the 21st century. Vance said access to broadband for government entities and residents to participate in public meetings is not an option, but a “critical component” of infrastructure everywhere. “In this century, broadband access is crucial to the concept of equity—in addition to commerce and convenience—and jurisdictions must have the freedom and support to provide its citizens with what has become a basic necessity,” he said. n
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
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APRIL 22, 2021
Earth Day – Then and Now BY PAUL GILBERT
Fifty-one years ago, in 1970, the first Earth Day took place on April 22. The issues of that time were quite different than what we face today. In 1970, our nation was awash in pollution. In 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Ohio caught fire due to so much oil and chemicals on the surface. The same year, a large oil rig spill off the coast of California happened. A new report at the time documented the endangered Bald Eagle and the impact of DDT pesticide on the eagle and other species. American cities were choked with high levels of lead smog from cars and trucks, and litter was everywhere. Today, we have addressed many of these issues, and new ones face us. The EPA was established in 1969, and pollution has improved dramatically. DDT was banned, and species like the Bald Eagle have recovered. Lead was removed from gasoline, and our air is much cleaner, and litter is not the problem it was decades ago. All of this has
LETTERS to the Editor continued from page 32
Misrepresentation Editor: Last week’s Letter to the Editor concerning White’s Ferry demands a response. No one would disagree that re-opening White’s Ferry would be beneficial; however, it is a complete misrepresentation to blame the Rockland owners rather than the purchaser of the ferry for the stalemate, much less the governing bodies in the area. The owners are as anxious as anyone to have the ferry continue in operation. However, the new ferry owner has demanded a permanent easement in exchange for paying a fraction of the value lost by permanently giving up valuable shoreline. The Rockland owners are entitled to fair compensation for their loss of value, and
meant better health for people and nature. So, let’s take a moment and appreciate the great work that has been accomplished. Today, while our rivers are not on fire, and we breathe and eat fewer toxins, our challenges are still great. Global warming is the central environmental issue of our generation. The global average temperature in March 2020 was over 2 degrees higher than the average for the 20th century, and this trend is growing. The results are more extreme storms, wildfires, hurricanes, and more. And the cause is too much carbon in the atmosphere. The solution has two sides: reducing the use of fossil fuels and the expansion of natural areas that absorb carbon. At NOVA Parks, we have been doing what we can to address both sides of the carbon issue for some time. Since 2007 NOVA Parks has tracked every gallon of gas and kilowatt of electricity consumed and converting it to carbon. Many investments have been made to improve energy efficiency. In 2018, NOVA Parks complet-
ed its second new building with a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. The new Jean R. Packard Building features recycled building materials, cutting edge stormwater, HVAC, and lighting, and even has solar panels on the roof. But the most significant contribution the regional park system has made to addresses the causes of global warming is the expansion of protected forested parkland. As the region’s original conservation organization, by 1970, NOVA Parks had already assembled 3,600 acres of parkland. With new parkland acquisitions almost every year, the regional park system is up to 12,200 acres, including 37 acres of waterfront land in Fairfax County added over just the past year and 600 acres of managed parkland added in Loudoun County in 2018. Over 85% of the regional park system is in a natural, mostly forested condition. This level of forested land absorbs 15,000 tons of carbon from our air per year! For-
ests are the air filters of our region, absorbing carbon and releasing fresh oxygen. Environmental leaders 50 years ago did a remarkable job of cleaning up pollution and toxins in our environment, making the world a healthier place to be today. Our collective job moving forward is to address the carbon in our atmosphere that is driving global warming. We must all look for ways to use fewer fossil fuels, and at the same time, recognize that parkland is more than just a fun place to visit, but is actually vitally important to absorbing the carbon in our air. The progress of yesterday gives hope that the challenges of today can be addressed with focused effort. n
have proposed the small fee per car as a workable compromise instead of tying up their land in perpetuity whether or not the ferry operates. However, the new ferry owner is believed to have his sights on buying the entire farm, and a permanent easement of so much river frontage would lower the land value substantially to his advantage. He has been unyielding in his demand for the easement and for one at a low value. There are other arrangements that can be put in place to assure the ferry will be able to operate, without resorting to a permanent easement. The Rockland owners have also stated that they are trying to maintain the land as long as possible the way it has been for several hundred years—a historically important working farm. Rockland, with its approximately 500 acres and nearly a mile of gorgeous riverfront, is prime real estate for development. We should all thank the owners that they are eschewing the millions that the property would bring
to instead preserve an important slice of Leesburg’s history. As for the supposed dereliction of the local governing entities in their reluctance to intervene in this situation, it is against our system of commerce, private enterprise, and land ownership to claim that the Rockland owners are owed nothing for use of their land simply because they do not operate the ferry. If the persons who are pushing for the county to take the land through eminent domain think that this will lower their personal costs, please think again: eminent domains are not free, and the cost will be borne by the taxpayers of Loudoun County or it may be the county who is asking for a percent of the Ferry revenue. Also, it is very questionable that a government can exercise eminent domain for the benefit of a private citizen such as the ferry owner, as is the case here. The “taking” would potentially be tied up in litigation for years. — Linda Taylor, Middleburg
Is 50 Cents Fair?
Paul Gilbert is the executive director of NOVA Parks, which manages more than 12,000 acres of parkland in three counties and three cities, including 13 properties in Loudoun County.
Editor: The issue with White’s Ferry seems to be coming to a head with a push to condemn land through eminent domain. Apparently, a private citizen is requesting to use our taxpayer money, not to build a new road or a new bridge, but to re-open an already functional ferry. We ask the question, is 50 cents a car out of a $5 fee, fair compensation for the use of someone’s private land? If it were your land, what would you think? This seems pretty simple. When it comes to the common good, do the citizens of Loudoun County have to assume the financial burden of condemnation because someone thinks 50 cents is too much? — Dave and Gail Groy, Leesburg
LOUDOUNNOW.COM
APRIL 22, 2021
Hot shots
“A team effort”
As a cooperative effort among three county agencies, the Dulles POD has turned into a well-oiled machine in recent humor, compassion and even a song or two. weeks. Logistics at the site are overseen “All I dream about is giving shots.” by Loudoun’s Department of Emergency Management, while the Loudoun County Advanced EMT Jeremy Mader sits at the Health Department is in charge of clinical top of the fire and rescue system’s in-house operations including handling and receivvaccine leaderboard along with firefighter/ ing of the vaccines and providing vacciparamedic Joel Sauer. Mader and Sauer are nators and support personnel through the career first responders, but they’re joined county’s Medical Reserve Corps. by dozens of the system’s volunteers in the The county’s Fire and Rescue System is vaccination effort. the third prong in effort, with EMTs and “It’s very rewarding because everyone paramedics providing much of the muscle wants to get back to normal, and this is the for getting shots in arms. LC-CFRS also best way to do it so we can reach herd imis in charge of efforts to vaccinate homemunity,” Mader said. “I’m trying to jab as bound Loudouners and individuals at longmany arms as I possibly can.” term care and rehab facilities. Mader has given more than 4,000 vacci“It’s a great team effort,” said Dr. John nations since starting at the Dulles POD in Morgan, medical director for Loudoun February. He has spent almost every day off County Combined Fire and Rescue Serfrom his regular assignment at the Kirkpatvices. “It’s evolved so we can leverage the rick Farms Fire and Rescue Station at the advantages that each agency has in terms site. Mader is usually at Dulles three or four of operations and processes. … We’re all days a week depending on his schedule at working together and taking advantage of the station and averages 150 to 200 injecour various talents to get the job done. ” tions a day. With more than 4,000 people going “I’m at the point now where all I dream about is giving shots,” Mader said. After through each day, vaccinators are seeing a two months, the super vaccinator recently range of emotions from folks coming in for their jabs. started taking a few weekend days off. “As a general rule, for people who receive Mader usually spends just 90 seconds or two minutes with each patient before the vaccine—it’s a big moment,” Morgan they’re directed to a separate waiting area said. “We’ve been dealing with the pandemstaffed by MRC volunteers. But he’s amazed ic for well over a year now, and there have at the connections he’s made with patients been a lot of bad things as a result. This is during what’s usually an intense and mean- one of the positive things where people feel ingful experience. hopeful that there are some signs of recov“It’s speed dating,” Mader said with a ery occurring.” laugh. As the county pushed to ramp up vacciAlong with administering the shots, nation efforts, it created a program allowing vaccinators also play a big role in comfort- LC-CFRS volunteer EMTs and paramedics ing and calming nervous patients leading to be paid as contractors at the vaccination up to the jab. They’re usually also on the site, although some first responders have receiving end of lots of gratitude and relief. declined compensation. “People have cried out of happiness,” “That has helped boost the numbers Mader said. where we’ve really needed to step up,” MorMader has experience working with gan said. people with special needs and earned kudo’s for creating fire and rescue’s autism “We’re here to do a job.” comfort bags initiative last year. That projThat contract program has allowed Britect creates bags with STEM toys and othtney Turnbow, a volunteer EMT with Sterer items to help individuals on the autism spectrum when they or a family member ling Volunteer Rescue Squad since 2017, to need emergency care. Known for his hu- become another of the county’s vaccination mor and caring presence, Mader is a go-to superstars. The temporary county contract provider for special needs patients at the has allowed Turnbow, who currently works POD, working with parents and caregivers several part-time jobs as she pursues a fullto get teens and adults with special needs time career in law enforcement, to be at the relaxed and ready for their vaccination. vaccination site five or six days a week. For Turnbow, the joy of patients, the One young man on the autism spectrum returned to the POD for his second dose sense of camaraderie between Loudoun’s career and volunteer fire and rescue perwith a Valentine’s gift bag for Mader. “It takes empathy and education,” Mad- sonnel and MRC volunteers and support er said. from Morgan and emergency services Batcontinued from page 1
talion Chief Jamie Cooper have helped her push through the long days and grow as a young first responder. “We’re very blended, and we’re here to do a job,” she said. “I’m getting to learn from advanced EMTs and paramedics. It’s a very positive environment. ... I take a lot of pride in what I do, and I feel like that is recognized. I’m grateful for that.” “It’s something we needed to do” In addition to working with the MRC volunteers to get shots in arms at the Dulles POD, LC-CFRS has taken the lead role in providing vaccinations for homebound Loudouners and residents at the county’s long-term care and rehab facilities. While the numbers are much smaller than at the POD, it’s especially meaningful for patients, Morgan said. Volunteer paramedic Nick Croce came out of retirement to become a vaccinator for both the Dulles POD and homebound patients. Croce was a 20-year volunteer at Philomont Fire Station, providing life support care across western Loudoun for two decades. When he heard about a need for trained first responders in vaccination efforts, he jumped at the chance. “It’s something that we needed to do,” Croce said. “I just couldn’t bear sitting on my backside while other people were doing things” Croce usually spends three days a week at the Dulles POD and also does calls for homebound residents. “[Residents] are feeling a sense of optimism that they haven’t felt for a long time. They’re very appreciative of what the department of health and the department of fire and rescue are doing,” Croce said. “It’s probably one of the more gratifying things that I’ve done.” Croce, 71, occasionally busts out his repertoire of old-school songs for nervous patients. “Sometimes you get somebody who’s all tensed up, and I sing them a song and that kind of relaxes them. Before they know it, they’re sitting down in the waiting area.” Serving homebound patients has also been especially rewarding, he said. The well-staffed setup at the Dulles POD has a separate waiting area where another group of volunteers watch for reactions post-vaccination. But at in-home vaccination visits, EMS personnel sit with homebound patients for 15 to 30 minutes. It’s a chance to talk with and get to know people, many of whom have had limited contact with others since the start of the pandemic. “To them, I think it’s more than just 15 minutes,” Croce said. “When you’re responding for emergency care, you’re coming into people’s houses probably at the worst time in their life,” Croce said. “When
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you come in for this, it’s a completely different experience.”
“Getting past the wall” The desire to keep serving and making connections has also motivated many volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corps overseen by the county’s health department. The MRC, which includes retired and active medical personnel giving shots and non-medical volunteers filling numerous support roles at the busy POD, also has its share of vaccination superstars. Mildred O’Meara-Lett retired as an intensive care nurse at Inova Loudoun two years ago after a 40-year career in critical care. But O’Meara-Lett started volunteering at the hospital right after her retirement, and when she heard about the need for trained vaccinators, she jumped at the chance. O’Meara-Lett is one of MRC’s early vaccinators, starting in January at the county’s first vaccination site in a warehouse space in Sterling and then moving to the full-scale site at Dulles Town Center. “I love interacting with the people and also the volunteers. Each person has their own path to why they volunteer, but all of them are really giving people and the atmosphere is very positive,” she said. “It’s a very satisfying way of giving back to the community.” With decades of critical care experience, O’Meara-Lett is deeply familiar with the sense of connecting with patients at intense moments that many medical professionals and first responders understand. For many people, the past year has been a period of creating distance and experiencing isolation. At the POD, the interaction with patients for vaccinators is brief but intense, and there are real opportunities for connection in that short window of time. “You’re able to get past that wall and connect with people. ... A lot of people feel a profound sense of joy, relief—I don’t know how to describe it,” she said. “You really don’t get the chance to do something like that much in life.” n Vaccinations are open to all residents age 16 and older. To pre-register and be put on the list for an appointment, go to vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 1-877-829-4682. People seeking COVID-19 vaccination may also look for appointments at pharmacies and other locations in the region at vaccinefinder.org. That is a separate sign up, since those organizations do not coordinate their registrations with the Health Department.
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APRIL 22, 2021
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