Arcola Neighborhoods Face Off Amid Data Center Encroachment
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Over 80 members from two neighboring Arcola communities filled the county board room July 10 for a four hour back and forth exchange over the merits of an application to rezone 28 acres to allow construction of three data centers.
The applicants, residents who live on Hiddenwood Lane, cited a declining quality of life as zoning decisions made by county supervisors allowed data centers to be built around their neighborhood.
Residents of Briarfield Estates, just north of Hiddenwood Lane, said permitting new data centers would surround them on all four sides by the massive buildings, pushing the declining quality of life into their backyards.
The application to rezone the land from Countryside Residential–1 to Planned Development–Industrial Park envisions three data centers totaling 756,024 square feet.
The neighborhood was first started in the 1950s prior to the
HIDDENWOOD continues on page 28
Severe Drought Conditions Expand; Towns Push Conservation Efforts
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org
All of Loudoun County is now experiencing severe drought conditions, with some towns pressing residents to curtail their water use.
According to data released July 11 by the U.S. Drought Monitoring program, almost all of Virginia is rated as having moderate or severe drought conditions. The area of severe drought covers much of the
regions.
ROOF LOCAL
continues on page 29
Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont
Douglas Graham/Loudoun Now
With its rocky bottom exposed, Beaverdam Creek shows the signs of the region’s severe drought.
DROUGHT
Metro Area Data Center, Affordable Housing Project Meets Board Opposition
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
An application to build a data center and affordable housing along Rt. 28 in an area planned for Metro-oriented development was met with skepticism from county supervisors July 10.
The Innovation Gateway project envisions a 300-unit apartment building and 700,000 square feet of data center space split between two buildings on 29 acres southeast of the Rt. 28/Old Ox Road interchange. The project would also widen part of Shaw Road to four lanes and add a sidewalk and bike lanes as well as turn lanes into the property and a crosswalk.
The property is just over a mile from the Silver Line’s Innovation Station and county plans call for the area to be developed as an Urban Transit Center, characterized by dense, urban, walkable, mixeduse, and transit-oriented uses close to Metrorail stations.
The project received a recommendation of denial from the Planning Commission in February and from county staff who said the project does not match the
“If you put office on this site, you’re going to cannibalize Rivanna and Waterside.
— Antonio Calabrxese (Applicant representative)
Urban Transit Center Place Type in the 2019 General Plan. Data centers are not a core, complimentary or conditional use in Urban Transit Center.
“[This place type] is intended to support a mix of commercial and entertainment uses, residential and community uses, high density buildings six plus stories tall and a grid iron street network that includes parks public art and plazas,” Project Manager Marshall Brown said.
But applicant representative Antonio
Students Take Flight at Hillsboro Charter Academy Camp
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org
Calabrese said he thought the project deserved serious consideration by the board citing its mixed-use nature with 80,000 square feet of office space, 100% affordable housing units planned for below 60% of the area median income, a three-acre community park and $16 million dedicated to road construction.
Supervisor Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) said he could support the application if it did not include the data centers.
“Would you guys be willing to take out the data center and change it to a different use, retail, office or more residential?” he asked.
Calbrese said they could not do that and if they were to try, the county would not get any of the benefits that come with approving the application and potentially slow development in other nearby projects.
“If you put office on this site, you’re going to cannibalize Rivanna and Waterside. You’re not going to put hotels on this site. There’re two hotels immediately to the
Hillsboro Charter Academy’s inaugural Discovering Flight problem solving camp wrapped up July 5 after a four-day adventure for rising third graders that ended with the students flying over their school in an airplane.
The science, technology, engineering and mathematics camp known as Discovering Flight: Problem Solving with Wilbur and Orville was created by the National Aviation Hall of Fame in collaboration with PBS Think TV and the Ohio Department of Education. It focuses on the Wright brothers’ journey to the first powered controlled flight.
Hillsboro Dean of Curriculum and STEAM specialist Megan Tucker volunteered to lead the camp after receiving the curriculum from the producer of the PBS Think TV show. Tucker met the producer after she won the A. Scott Crossfield Aerospace Educator of the Year Award from the National Aviation Hall of Fame last year. She said she liked the curriculum but felt it was more
FLIGHT CAMP continues on page 31 GATEWAY continues on page 29
County of Loudoun
A rendering of the proposed Innovation Gateway development with a 425-unit multi-family residential building along a widened Shaw Road and two data center buildings along Rt. 28.
Contributed Megan Tucker
A Hillsboro Charter Academy rising third grader sits in the front seat of a plane piloted by Loudoun County High School graduate Mia Anderson July 5.
Loudoun
Planning Commission Approves More Goose Creek Village Housing
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
County planners on July 11 recommended approval of an application to rezone 20 acres in Ashburn from Office Park to the Townhouse/Multifamily Affordable Dwelling Unit Legacy Zoning District.
The plan envisions 221 housing units made up of 103 single family attached, 46 multifamily stacked and 72 affordable multifamily attached units.
The application, submitted by Goose Creek Commercial LLC, includes a request for a special exception and zoning modification that would allow for reduced setbacks and increased number of single-family attached units per building, taller buildings, fewer parking spaces for the affordable housing units and other exceptions.
County project manager Darby Metcalf told the commission that, while the proposal was generally consistent with the comprehensive plan, he had concerns about the setback distance along Sycolin Road and the Dulles Greenway.
“The 2019 Countywide Transportation
Loudoun County is getting two more voices on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Board.
Plan designates Sycolin Road as a major collector roadway with a 40 mile per hour design speed and the Dulles Greenway as a principle arterial with a 60 mile per hour design speed. These are not appropriate roadways for reduced building and parking setbacks,” he said.
Metcalf said the comprehensive plan also allows small townhomes as a complimentary use in the Suburban Mixed Use Place Type but the application proposes 16-foot wide “small units” and 20 foot-
wide “large units.”
Commissioner Dale Polen Myers (At Large) said it was important to know that on part of Sycolin Road near the project there is on-street parking that causes the speed limit to drop to 25 miles per hour.
The project is a continuation of Goose Creek Village, which is designed as walkable urban style development.
Bowman Consulting representative Packie Crown said other buildings in the area have similar setbacks, which fit with
the character of the development.
“What we really wanted to also illustrate here is the extensive landscaping that we have incorporated in this project unlike the rest of Goose Creek Village,” she said.
Commissioner Robin-Eve Jasper (Little River) said she would still like to see more distance between the buildings and the road.
Commissioner Eric Combs (Ashburn) said that while the 20-foot-wide townhomes were referred to as “large” in the application, they are actually more of a medium size compared to industry standards.
“We’re talking about 20-foot townhomes, which, in the marketplace in Loudoun County, that is not a large townhome,” he said.
Crown agreed.
“Sixteen and 20s are typically known as small and smaller,” she said.
The commission voted 6-1-2 with Jasper opposed and Mark Miller (Catoctin) and Clifford Keirce (Sterling) absent to recommend approval of the application.
The project next moves to the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing and final action. n
Minchew, Gribbin Appointed to NVTA Seats
Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday announced the appointment of former Del. J. Randall Minchew and DJ Gribbin to fill his two seats on the 17-member board.
The NVTA was created in 2002 to coordinate long range planning in the re-
County Receives $55M in NVTA Funding
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority adopted its fiscal years 2024-2029 Six Year Program committing $696.6 million toward transportation projects including $55 million dedicated to Loudoun during its July 11 meeting.
The funding is planned to enhance all modes of transportation in Northern
gion. Since 2013, it has managed regionally imposed fees and taxes to support highway and mass transit construction projects.
It is the third stint on the board for Minchew, the former 10th House District delegate who helped establish funding for the NVTA while serving as Gov. Bob McDonnell’s deputy counselor for public policy and as a mem-
Virginia including transit, rail, roadways, technology, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and intersection and interchange improvements.
The program funded three Loudoun projects: a roundabout at the intersection of Rt. 15 and Braddock Road, the widening of Sycolin Road, and the widening of Old Ox Road.
NVTA granted $10 million for the Rt. 15 roundabout estimated to cost $26.7
ber of the General Assembly. From 2013 to 2017, Minchew was appointed by House Speaker William J. Howell to serve on the NVTA board as a House of Delegates representative to help implement the newly authorized funding plan. From 2018 to 2019, he served as a citizen representative appointed by Speaker Kirk Cox. He resigned from the seat when Democrats took control of the House.
“I am honored to serve again on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority as Governor Youngkin’s appointee. No organization has done more for conges-
million in all, $15 million for Sycolin Road estimated to total $32.9 million and $30 million for Old Ox Road expected to cost $49.4 million.
The NVTA program process began in May 2023 with a call for regional transportation projects. Twenty-four submissions were evaluated by the NVTA staff, underwent a public hearing and committee reviews before ultimately being adopted by the full board n
tion relief in Northern Virginia than the NVTA and, since it received its authorization for funding by virtue of HB 2313 during the 2013 General Assembly session, the NVTA has funded $3.8 billion in congestion-relieving transportation improvements in the form of over 140 projects,” Minchew said.
Gribbin, a Leesburg resident, has decades of transportation experience in the public and private sectors. After graduating from Georgetown University, he worked as a legislative aide in the House of Representatives. He then took lobbying posts with the National Federation of Independent Business, the Christian Coalition, and Koch Industries. In 2003, he joined the Bush administration as chief counsel to the Federal Highway Administration and then general counsel to the U.S. Department of Transportation. From 2009 to 2015, he served as the head of government advisory and affairs for Macquarie Capital, part of the company that owns the Dulles Greenway toll road. He returned to Washington
MINCHEW, GRIBBIN continues on page 5
Bowman Consulting
A rendering of the proposed Goose Creek Village West development consisting of 221 housing units.
Minchew Gribbin
Board Sets Priority Route for Aspen Power Line
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
The Board of Supervisors is endorsing a portion of a route for the Aspen to Golden Transmission Line that will have it running along the eastern edge of Loudoun County Parkway in Ashburn instead of through a floodplain.
The line, submitted to the State Corporation Commission by Dominion Energy in March, is proposed to be 9.4 miles of double circuit 230 and 500 kilovolt lines. It is planned to run from the Aspen substation south of Rt. 7 and west of Belmont Ridge Road to the Golden substation near the intersection of Rt. 28 and the W&OD Trail.
Ashburn residents, led by the Lansdowne Conservancy have opposed the line, especially the portion that is pro-
posed to run north of Rt. 7. The conservancy has focused its efforts on the possibility of undergrounding transmission lines to mitigate the visual impacts on the community—an effort supported by county supervisors.
Project Manager Pat Giglio said the county could endorse one of two options. Both segments of the route begin on Loudoun Water property where the Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility is located.
Variation A, the route recommended by county planning staff, parallels Loudoun County Parkway and part of the W&OD Trail.
“Variation A minimizes impacts to environmental features and was previously identified by the county as a preferred route in its correspondence and discussions with Dominion Energy and Loudoun Water,” Giglio said.
The second variation bisects the northern portion of the Loudoun Water property where it passes through an upland forested area before turning south to parallel an existing sewer line easement along Broad Run. Existing trees would need to be removed to accommodate transmission line right-of-way.
In addition, that route variation is also located within 550 feet of existing homes and would impact environmental features, wildlife habitat, planned recreational trails and would have a visual impact on residents within the Kincora neighborhood, according to Giglio.
By using Variation A, the line would only be located within the floodplain for 0.7 miles rather than approximately two miles and requires 10 acres less of forest clearing.
“Variation A is in keeping with the county’s land use development pattern
placing the proposed transmission corridor and electrical infrastructure proximate to existing flex-office, light industrial, and data center uses adjoining Loudoun County Parkway where planned employment and industrial areas envisioned,” according to the staff report.
Supervisor Sylvia R. Glass (D-Broad Run), in whose district this portion of the line will run through, said she agreed with staff that that Variation A would have the least impact.
“I’m trying to protect, as best I can, our floodplains, wetlands and remaining forests that we have in the Broad Run District. The answer to the needed power lines in our county cannot be to run them through all the floodplains just because no one lives there. We’re trying to create a great park in this area of Ashburn with wooden trails and having powerlines run all through the area would negate that effort.”
The motion to support Variation A as the board’s preferred route for the transmission line passed 6-0-3 with County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large), Koran T. Saines (D-Sterling) and Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) absent. n
Minchew, Gribben
continued from page 4
in 2017 to serve as the first special assistant to the president for infrastructure with the White House’s National Economic Council. He formed his own infrastructure planning company, Madrus, in 2018.
“Transportation infrastructure forms a critical link knitting together families and workplaces across the commonwealth. The condition and availability of transportation directly impacts the quality of life of every Virginian,” Gribbin said. “I’m honored to be asked by the governor to serve alongside the other board members to continue to deliver the type of transportation infrastructure that has made Virginia a superior place to live and work.”
Under state law, two seats on the NVTA board are appointed by the governor. Jim Kolb held one of those seats for the past eight years. The other seat was vacant.
Loudoun County is represented on the board by County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) who currently serves as the board chair. n
County of Loudoun
A map shows the possible routes for a transmission line planned by Dominion Energy. Variation A is shown in yellow and parallels Loudoun County Parkway, while Variation B is shown in red and cuts through a Broad Run floodplain.
Leesburg Council Approves Utility Grant Contract, $100K Earmarked for Assistance
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Nine days after a 4.1% water and sewer rate increase took effect, the Leesburg Town Council approved a $100,000 grant program to help families who can’t pay their bill.
On July 9, the council formally authorized a contract with Loudoun Cares to administer the program, which will make aid available to town residents with household incomes 50% or less than the Area Median Income.
The decision to create the grant program using unallocated funds from the town’s operations budget came on the same night the council approved the utility rate increases in January.
The town staff issued a request for proposals for an area nonprofit to administer the grant program, garnering two responses. Last month, a council majority rejected the staff recommendation to select the Loudoun County Salvation Army chapter to run the program after Council member Todd Cimino-Johnson raised concerns about the lingering controversy over the national organization’s history of opposing gay rights and allegations of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
In a 4-3 vote, the council directed the staff instead to finalize a contract with Loudoun Cares for the work. Last week, the council approved that contract on a 3-2-2 vote. Mayor Kelly Burk and Vice Mayor Neil Steinberg opposed it because the Salvation Army had offered to operate
the program for free using its existing operations, while Loudoun Cares projected $13,400 in administration costs. Ara Bagdasarian and Patrick Wilt were absent for the meeting.
Under the program, customers can enter the Loudoun Cares screening process online at loudouncares.org/help or use the ConnectLine phone service (703-6694636) that collects information about the individual and their situation. Loudoun Cares provides a variety of assistance programs, including for rent, eviction protection, utilities, medical, food and more.
Following the initial screening, individuals will be contacted by a Loudoun Cares agent to follow up with an interview.
For the Leesburg program, grant recipients will be required to verify their in-
town residency, that they have an active utility account, and their income. They’ll also have to provide a documented need for financial assistance, such a past due or delinquent utility bill.
Once eligibility and need are verified, Loudoun Cares will coordinate with the town staff to credit the payment to the account.
While the council has earmarked up to $100,000 for the assistance program, only the first $25,000 has been released as town leaders assess the demand for the grants. Grants are limited to two quarterly bills or $650 per year, whichever is greater. The funds may be used to pay current and past due water and sewer bills as well as late fees and delinquent penalties. n
Eagle Scout Candidate Builds Union Cemetery Tour for Town App
A new route has been added to the town’s self-guided walking tour app, highlighting notable sites and a burial plot at Union Cemetery.
The tour of the 17-acre cemetery that dates back to 1855 features 12 stops including Union Chapel, the Confederate War Memorial, and a 30-foot-high granite column allegedly cut for the Lincoln Memorial before being rejected that marks the grave of J. Forrest Manning.
The app also helps visitors find the final resting places for notable area residents, including pioneering radio and TV star Arthur Godfrey, U.S. Congressman Charles Fenton Mercer, and Major League Baseball player Fred Talbot Jr. The tour ends at the Potter’s Field memorial where visitors may pay their respects to the poorest members of the Leesburg community who were buried in a free, common burial ground that was later taken over by development.
The tour was developed by Nathaniel Helwig for his Eagle Scout project. It includes text and audio summaries of each stop on the tour.
The town’s Tour Leesburg app launched
in 2017 with two historical tours of downtown. Now there are seven tours, with more under development.
The free app is available in the App Store and Google Play. A website version is available at townleesburg.stqry.app. n
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now
A new walking tour of Leesburg’s Union Cemetery highlights the final resting place of Ida Lee Rust, close to the community park named in her memory.
Sterling Man Sentenced to 1 Year in Jail for Abuse of Minor
A Sterling man pleaded no contest to sexually abusing a minor during the third day of a Loudoun Circuit Court jury trial July 11.
Judge Matthew P. Snow sentenced Yorman Cesar Lara Palacios to serve one year in jail, register as a sex offender and pay court costs. Lara Palacios is being held on an ICE detainer and will be subject to deportation upon his release from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
According to an announcement from the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the 11-year-old victim testified during the trial and “withstood strenuous cross examination by Lara Palacios’ defense counsel.” However, the victim also was subject to be recalled as a witness by the defense later in the trial and opted to not answer additional questions “as it had become too much for her to bear,” according to the statement.
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ditional testimony, the case could only proceed if both parties resolved the matter by entering a plea agreement, subpoenaing the child to force her to testify, or dismissing the charges.
“Balancing the need for community safety with protecting the child from additional harm, the Commonwealth offered a plea agreement which was accepted by the defendant,” according to the announcement.
As part of the plea agreement, the initial charge of aggravated sexual battery with the victim below the age of 13 was reduced to sexual abuse of a minor.
“Justice isn’t always perfect and often takes different paths, and, today, that meant protecting this young child from further harm,” Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Nicole Wittmann stated. The charge stemmed from an Oct. 18, 2023, report made by an instructor that a student was sexually abused at home by a relative. Lara Palacios was taken into custody the following month.
2022 Arsonist to Spend 20 Years in Prison
A Sterling man who pleaded guilty in March to two counts of arson in a 2022 fire that damaged two vehicles and a home will spend 20 years in prison after a July 8 sentencing hearing.
Julian D. Karapetkov, 21, was sentenced to life in prison with all but 10 years suspended for the first charge and 10 more years for the second.
According to evidence in the case, the arson came after nearly two years of stalking behavior involving a girl he met in middle school and attended the same online class in high school. The girl graduated high school in 2021 and moved to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. Karapetkov also attended VCU and continued messaging her. She obtained a temporary restraining order against him. He was arrested in February 2022 and charged with stalking by the Richmond City General District Court.
On Sept. 4, 2022, at 12:39 a.m. a video
was posted to social media by a friend of Karapetkov that showed the girl attending a party at a fraternity house. At 4:02 a.m. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue responded to a call for a structure fire at her parents’ Sterling home.
The Fire Marshal’s office determined that gasoline was present on the vehicles and after executing a search warrant at Karapetkov’s home, an accelerant detection K9 alerted to a pair of shoes owned by Karapetkov. Further tests confirmed there was gasoline on the shoes and Karapetkov was arrested. He admitted to being upset by the video and to lighting the tires of the vehicles on fire. While detained he also called his mother and admitted to starting the fire to her in their native language of Bulgarian. Data from his phone also confirms he was at the Sterling home at the time of the incident, according to evidence in the case.
Additional restrictions have been put in place to prevent Karapetkov from ever contacting the victims again. If the terms are violated, he could be ordered to serve the balance of the life sentence. n
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Education Model Policy for Internet Safety in Schools Released
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org
The Virginia Department of Education recently announced a new model policy aimed at enhancing internet safety for Virginia students and teachers during school.
The nine-page model policy, created by the Internet Safety Advisory Council, was announced in late June and is meant to serve as a guide for school divisions across the commonwealth as they develop their own policies in compliance with the act.
“Due to the ever-changing nature of internet technologies, it is important for all members of the educational community to actively address this imperative,” the policy states.
It was created in response to HB 1575
patroned by Del. Wendell S. Walker (R23) and signed into law in 2023. It expanded the scope of the policy the council was originally directed to create when it was established in 2022, according to Walker. HB 1575 allowed the Internet Safety Advisory Council, established by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to work with different agencies and organizations with expertise in child online safety issues and human trafficking prevention. It also called for the creation of a model policy on certain internet safety topics and for the VDOE to post websites and programs to help students or parents who may have encountered online solicitation.
“We aimed to ensure that we were crafting policies and curriculum based on specific areas with greater participation from law enforcement and other nongov-
ernmental organizations with expertise in human trafficking and child safety online,” Walker said in an email.
The Council, which met for nine months starting in September, was tasked with developing recommendations for the board of education to adopt a model policy for local school boards to better support the online safety of all students and teachers, develop model instructional content for the safe use of media and technology and to develop links to curricula and teacher resources.
Its guiding principles include focusing on internet safety training at school like teaching students how to protect their personal information online, avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources, treating others with respect in online interactions, obeying copyright laws, reporting illegal content like child exploitation and hate speech, screen time and fact checking claims to promote accurate information.
The model policy reflects the knowledge and perspectives of teachers, researchers, law enforcement, nonprofit organizations and local, state and federal leaders, according to the policy.
The VDOE has also launched an instructional resource hub where teachers can find materials, lesson plans and best practices for monitoring internet safety.
For more information on the hub go to goopenva.org.
Additionally, Gov. Glenn Youngkin July 9 issued an executive order to limit the use of cell phones in public schools. EO 33 directs the VDOE to provide guidance on cell phone free education policies and procedures to school divisions, with the goal of having them implemented by Jan. 1. n
Loudoun Security Entrepreneur Appointed to Virginia Tech Board
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudoun.org
Leesburg business owner and Waterford resident James E. Miller is among the newest members appointed to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced five
new appointments July 5.
Miller studied engineering and computer science at the university from 1992 to 1997. He went on to work in cryptography for Microsoft and then launched his own secure communication companies. His latest, Quantum Leap, opened in Leesburg in 2019 to focus on potential
SCHOOL notebook
Writing Contest to Highlight Segregation Struggles
The Edwin Washington Society and the Loudoun Douglass Alumni Association are offering $1,400 to the top two student writers of an essay contest.
Participants must be students in eighth through 12th grade in Loudoun County Public Schools and essays must be associated with at least one chapter of the book “Dirt Don’t Burn,” written by Edwin Washington Project CEO Larry Roeder and Barry Harrelson to detail Loudoun’s Black community’s struggle for education equality under segregation.
Essays must be between 3,000 and 6,000 words, double spaced and cannot include pictures. Chicago Manual of Style is required for endnotes; footnotes are discouraged.
Each entry must contain a cover page with the name of the author and a brief biography mentioning something about the student’s ambitions. Contact information will not be shared. The Edwin Washington Society said it will help students with research and will publish the top four essays to its website and in the Bulletin of Loudoun County History.
threats to U.S. national security. A Waterford-area resident since 2005, he has supported the university as a member of the Ut Prosim, 1872 and Pylon societies of donors. He also served on the advisory
VIRGINA TECH continues on page 10
Essays may be submitted to edwinwashingtonprojects@gmail.com.
The top essay winner will receive $1,000, with $400 going to second place.
The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. April 1. n
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Larry Roeder co-authored the book “Dirt Don’t Burn” with longtime friend Barry Harrelson. The book talks about the struggle for education within Loudoun’s Black community over more than 100 years.
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
A student uses their division issued computer.
Six More Loudoun Seniors Awarded CollegeSponsored National Merit Scholarships
Six additional Loudoun seniors have been named 2024 college-sponsored National Merit Scholarship winners, bringing the total number of county students receiving the award to 11.
Aldie student Shashank Vardhan Cheruvu, Ashburn student Pranav K. Vadde and Round Hill student Alexandra Toporowicz all of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Laya N. Andripalli of Briar Woods High School,
Allison A. Kim of Rockridge High School, and Luke Chen of Freedom High School were announced July 15 as recipients of the award along with 800 other students across the United States, bringing the total number of NMS college-sponsored recipients to 2,900 nationwide.
Recipients are all Finalists of the National Merit Scholarship Program and are chosen by officials of the university or college they plan to attend. College-spon-
sored awards provide between $500 and $2,000 every year for up to four years of undergraduate study at the institution financing the scholarship, according to an announcement. This year 149 colleges and universities in 42 states and the District of Columbia are sponsoring approximately 3,700 Merit Scholarship awards.
Cheruvu received a scholarship from the University of Maryland and will likely study computer science. Andripalli, Kim and Toporowicz received scholarships from Virginia Commonwealth University with Andripalli likely studying biomedical engineering and Toporowicz and Kim likely pursuing medicine. Vadde received a scholarship from Purdue University and will likely pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering and Chen received a scholarship from Case Western University and will likely pursue medicine.
Two other types of National Merit Scholarships were offered in addition to the college-sponsored award; National Merit Scholarships, which all Finalists competed for and 2,500 were chosen for nationwide, and corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarships, for which 770 Finalists competed. Finalists received this award by meeting specific criteria outlined by their grantor organizations.
The final group of winners brings the number of 2024 National Merit Scholars to more than 6,900 and nearly $26 million in scholarships.
High school juniors enter the contest when they take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screening of entrants. Last fall, more than 16,000 semifinalists were named. To compete for Merit Scholarship awards, semifinalists have to advance to the Finalist level by fulfilling additional requirements, including submitting an application, have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the qualifying test performance. Over 15,000 met those requirements and about half of those Finalists were chosen to receive National Merit Scholarships, according to the announcement.
Five Loudoun seniors were named college-sponsored recipients June 5.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1955 to conduct the National Merit Scholarship Program. Over the past 69 years, 382,000 students have won scholarships worth more than $1.3 billion. n
Virginia Tech
continued from page 8
boards for the College of Engineering and its Department of Computer Science. Last year, he was inducted into the Academy of Engineering Excellence.
Holding a seat on Virginia Tech’s governing body wasn’t on the radar for the young engineering student from Danville when he was attending classes.
“I was just happy to graduate,” he said.
“I was really focused on what my career was going to look like after school. I was fortunate enough to take a job with Microsoft while I was in school and Microsoft helped pay for my schooling,” Miller said. “That was transformative for me, but I didn’t really realize until years later how important the quality of education that I got at Virginia Tech really was. That problem solving ability that they taught in the College of Engineering has kind of shaped everything that I’ve done in the last three defense contractors I’ve built including now this one, Quantum Leap.”
And the skills of Virginia Tech engineers are perhaps even greater today.
“From an engineering perspective, it’s grown to be a huge powerhouse, nationally,” Miller said. “I’ve probably hired 100 engineers from Virginia Tech over the last many, many years.”
While Miller has remained a financial supporter and mentor for the school’s engineering programs, he also was an early supporter of Youngkin’s gubernatorial campaign.
“I was just so impressed by him as a candidate. I’ve supported a lot of candidates, but I can tell you there’s not been one like him that’s come through these doors as long as I’ve been supporting candidates. He’s like a unicorn,” Miller said.
“And regardless whether you agree with his belief systems, he’s a great guy, and you know where he stands, and he will do what he says, and he actually knows how to run a business—and there’s not too many governors you could point to over the history of Virginia that kind of fit into that category.”
While a strong supporter of the governor, Miller said he was surprised to get the call.
“When Youngkin called me and knew my affiliation with Virginia Tech and my affinity for it, I said, absolutely. I was excited to be a part of it. It’s the kind of place that I hope that my daughter might choose to go to when she goes to school.
Miller’s new assignment begins when the Board of Visitors next convenes in August. n
View of Heaven Farm: Building Community Wealth
BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.org
Vern and Mary Sue Conaway and their daughter Katie bought the property on Yellow Schoolhouse Road near Round Hill in 2016 with the intent to turn it into a nonprofit farm that would employ neurodiverse and physically disabled workers.
The family was inspired by their son and brother Thomas, who has special needs. They learned when he was young that he had a genetic disorder called Fragile X, which leads to delays in talking and intellectual and learning disabilities.
After living all over the world, the family settled in Loudoun County in 2003, specifically for its special education programs.
“We wanted to do a farm and do something for my little brother, Tom, when he graduated high school. We watched he and his friends not have anything to do after graduation and we knew this wasn’t right. They are very capable individuals,” View of Heaven Farm Treasurer and Chief Operating officer Katie Conaway said. “We love this community and we said, ‘let’s do something about this,’ and we knew some
of them would like to be outside.”
“He loves everybody and brings joy with him,” Vern said. “That is why we are here. He led us here. We never would have figured this out on our own. Tom led us here then Katie jumped in and became a Master Gardner and off we went.”
Tom’s graduation from Loudoun Valley High School in 2009 set the wheels in motion for the farm.
They started with six raised beds in 2021, in what they called their “trial run” to see if it was something they could continue. At the end of that year, they added another 12 beds, a food processing facility, and hired their first employee in May 2022.
Last year, the farm added a high tunnel and greenhouse that includes two hydroponic systems where they can grow 1,000 heads of leafy greens at a time.
The farm provides employment to about 20 people of differing mental and physical abilities year-round. They sell their pesticide-free produce, eggs, and homemade goods including baked goods
VIEW OF HEAVEN FARM continues on page 12
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Katie, Vern and Mary Sue Conaway stand amidst their gardens at View of Heaven Farm in Round Hill. The nonprofit hires neurodiverse and physically disabled workers year round.
View of Heaven Farm
continued from page 11
made in their commercial bakery at the new Tree of Life building on Main Street in Purcellville every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May until mid-December. They also offer pre-ordering and pick up during the winter months at the same location.
This is their third year at the market.
December means Christmas cookie production done with all natural and from-scratch ingredients, meaning no shortening, artificial food coloring and no store-bought cake mixes. Orders may be placed ahead of time through the farm website and picked up at the market location.
View of Heaven employees are trained to do jobs based their skills and interests.
“One of our favorite things to do here is to find out what people are really good at and what they enjoy so we can purpose them into a job. We have a young man here who is our heavy lifter. That is what he loves to do, but along the way we realized he loves flowers and one of his favorite things to do on the farm is to pick
flowers and make flower bouquets. If we can make everybody’s day a little more enjoyable and they’re doing things they like to do, we do it,” Katie said.
That includes the artwork for the chalkboard signs at the market, which are made by employees.
The vegetables and flowers are all harvested by the employees to go to market. They also do the seeding, planting, maintaining and market prep.
“We typically grow the whole produce department, just not the exotics,” Katie said.
That includes carrots, potatoes, squash, onions, leafy greens, strawberries, and raspberries to name just a few, and flowers.
“We are a vegetable farm and our largest seller is flowers,” she said with a laugh.
Katie, who is also the vice president of a financial tech firm, said proceeds from selling their products help cover about 25% of the payroll. She said they rely on donations and grants to keep the farm going.
This year during the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties’ Give Choose campaign, View of Heaven Farm received over $22,000 in
community donations and ranked 11th out of 140 participating nonprofits. But donations are always gladly accepted.
The money will go toward hiring, training and retaining staff.
Katie said they practice companion growing, something she learned a lot about after becoming a Master Gardner.
“I learned a lot about companion planting and putting in a lot of flowers and herbs to really draw on the beneficials of the good bugs that will eat the bad bugs because we are a pesticide free farm,” she said adding that similarly, the flower bouquets they sell at the market pull people in.
In addition to the 20 employees, the farm also contracts with ECHO in Leesburg, an organization that works to empower individuals with disabilities to reach their potential.
Katie said they have an ECHO crew that consists of four workers and a supervisor working on the farm three days a week and they are adding another crew to work in the bakery. Workers typically do a four-hour shift Tuesdays through Fridays.
She said their mission is to create a place where everyone belongs.
“Our intention is to build community
wealth. Wealth in having a positive workday, wealth in having a place to go and a place to be,” she said.
The Conaway’s plan to keep growing the farm, but to do so slowly. They plan to add an additional nine raised beds this year, but want to make sure they have enough supervisors and employees to do the work safely.
“We definitely want to keep growing, there is just so much opportunity here and so much that is available. I would love to figure out in the future how to expand this beyond the four-and-a-half-hour period. There is whole lot of week left where we could be utilizing the facilities and this property for something,” she said, adding they could offer space to other organizations for events.
“That is the key point,” Vern said. “The most beautiful thing about having this place is sharing this place, because it’s just amazing.”
Produce, crafts and baked goods are available Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May to mid-December at 115 E. Main Street in Purcellville. Pre-order and pick up options as well as donations can be made at viewofheavenfarm.org. n
Kaine Briefed on Push for Appalachian Trail Safety Improvements
BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) met with Appalachian Trail advocates at the Bears Den Trail Center near Bluemont on Saturday to discuss safety concerns at three area highway crossings.
Locally, the trail along Loudoun County’s western border has three highway crossings—Rt. 9 at Key’s Gap near Hillsboro, Rt. 7 at Snicker’s Gap near Bluemont, and Rt. 50 at Ashby’s Gap near Paris.
After years of working to install signage to alert motorists to the presence of hikers as traffic levels grew both on the highways and the trail, advocates are working with VDOT on other improvements, including narrowing the view of the roadway with lane delineators to slow traffic, and adding pavement markings and flashing light arrays to better identify crossings. But increasingly there is a push to build elevated crossings as the best way to address the safety concerns.
During the meeting, trail advocates read numerous comments from hikers who described the stressful experience of crossing the busy highways with a heavy backpack or children in tow by “making a run for it.”
Each crossing has different challenges.
On Rt. 7, Clarke County Administrator Chris Boies said an average of 27,000 cars per day cross the trail on the four-lane highway on weekdays.
“We’re seeing speeds up to 70 to 80 miles an hour. It’s really an interesting situation where you got people trying to cross, you’ve got cars going that fast and the volume is, depending on the time of the day and the commuter traffic, nonstop. You really can’t get a break. So people are taking chances there,” Boies said.
A recent count found that typically between 50 and 270 people a day cross the highway there, with hiker traffic reaching nearly 500 on peak days.
A conceptual design already has been approved for a bridge at the Rt. 7 crossing in Clarke County. That project comes with a $5-7 million price estimate.
At Key’s Gap, two-lane Rt. 9 is a heavily traveled commuter route with short sight-
lines for motorists on both sides of the trail crossing. There advocates also hope for a bridge, as well as a safer path to the nearby Sweet Spring store for hikers seeking to resupply.
At Ashby’s Gap, Rt. 50 is a four-lane highway like Rt. 7 but designing a bridge crossing would be more challenging because of limited right of way in the area and the potential need to reroute the trail.
Kaine said there are reasons to be optimistic about the potential to land funding for the projects, especially if they have local or regional support.
“Within [National Parks Service] funding with the Great American Outdoors Act or the Infrastructure Bill, we can go to bat for projects if the county or counties want to put in,” Kaine said.
Budget earmarks—community-level funding requested by individual representatives—also could be used, he said. He and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) work together to identify request likely to have success with budget appropriators, especially capital projects without reoccurring annual expenses.
“We just finished the budget a couple months back and we did get a lot of trail funding from the appropriators on
HAMILTON
Hero Hotline VBS Camp Opens July 29
Harmony United Methodist Church is offering the Hero Hotline Vacation Bible School Camp from July 29 to Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon. This camp is for children ages four (by 9/30/24) through fifth grade.
Registration will close on July 19. For more details go to myvbs.org/harmonyumc.
MIDDLEBURG
Town Council Advances
Additional House Size Limits
The Town Council last week endorsed a series of Zoning Ordinance changes aimed at limiting the size of new homes being built in long-established neighborhoods.
The proposed changes to the R-2 residential zoning district were referred to the Planning Commission for review and recommendations.
projects. I think this would be attractive,” Kaine said.
Sandra Marra, president and CEO of Appalachian Trail Conservancy, said, while the increase in federal support for recreation infrastructure has been important, there are other source to pursue.
“Don’t underestimate the opportunities at the state level either because there’s a lot of economic value, particularly these crossing into the communities into small businesses like Bear Chase,” she said, noting the proximity of the popular Loudoun brewery to the trail. “So there’s arguments to be made at the state level, too, that this kind of support for infrastructure is really valuable beyond just outdoor recreation or getting people to and from the AT itself.”
Kaine also complemented the work of local leaders in establishing community connections to the trail, particularly the Appalachian Trail Festival held each spring by Hillsboro, Round Hill and Bluemont, all formally designated at Appalachian Trail communities.
He said he noticed the importance of
on page 14
Town leaders are concerned that construction of larger homes is changing the character of established neighborhoods, like the town’s Ridgeview section, and also driving up housing costs. They have made several changes to the town’s development rules in recent years to address concerns about large homes being constructed on vacant lots or as replacements for smaller homes that have been torn down. The latest proposals follow a community outreach effort last fall and review conducted by town consultant The Berkley Group.
The proposals include new height limits, setback increases, and lot coverage restrictions. The council also supported imposing limits on the floor-area ratio of homes. Typically, FAR is used to control the size and impact of commercial buildings. For residential structures, the area of the home, including the basement, would be limited based on the size of the lot. For example, a quarter-acre lot restricted to an FAR of 0.4 would be limited to a home no larger than 4,356 square feet. At a 0.25 FAR, the house size would be limited to 2,722.5
AROUND TOWNS continues on page 14
Norman K. Styer/Loudoun Now Clarke County Administrator Chris Boies shows Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) the plans to build an elevated Rt. 7 crossing for the Appalachian Trail.
APPALACHIAN TRAIL continues
AROUND towns
continued from page 13
square feet. The council recommended the commission evaluate imposing a 0.3 FAR limit.
The commission will hold work sessions and a public hearing on the ordinance changes, with a recommendation to the Town Council expected by year’s end.
PURCELLVILLE
Harris Teeter Slated to Be Sold
The Purcellville Harris Teeter grocery store is slated to be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers as part the proposed merger between industry giants Kroger and Albertsons.
As part of a divestiture plan associated with the merger, the chains on July 9 released a list of 579 stores that will be sold. The Purcellville location is one of three in Virginia on the list.
The merger was announced in 2022, but it has been challenged by the Federal Trade Commission and is opposed by the United Food & Commercial Workers union. If approved, the merged company would operate more than 5,000 stores and employ nearly 700,000 people in 48 states.
New Hampshire-based C&S is a national food wholesaler that owns two dozen stores and operates brands including Piggly Wiggly, Grand Union and Grocers Supply.
Kroger acquired Harris Teeter Supermarkets and its 212 stores in 2014.
12th Street Roadway Work to Begin Monday
Madigan Construction will begin work on the 12th Street Drainage & Roadway Improvements Project on Monday, July 22.
The project includes installing a new water main, storm sewer pipe and inlets, curb and gutter, and sidewalk
Appalachian Trail
continued from page 13
those connections when he hiked Virginia’s 559 miles of the AT as part of his experience hiking, cycling and canoeing across the commonwealth as he turned 60.
“One of the great things about
along South 12th Street between East Main Street and East G Street.
The work will generally occur Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. During working hours, the roadway will be closed to through traffic, while local traffic will be permitted. The project is expected to take 12 months to complete. In case of inclement weather or unforeseen events, this schedule may change.
ROUND HILL
Assisted Living Center Proposal Aired
The Round Hill Planning Commission received a preliminary briefing last week on a new proposal to build an assisted living senior community on a portion of the 12-acre commercial site at the town’s eastern boundary.
A proposal presented last year was withdrawn because the plan for 39 senior living cottages was deemed a residential, rather than commercial, use.
On July 8, the commission heard from Doug Cooper of Chicago-based SHA Capital Partners, which is the contract purchaser of four acres in the northwestern quadrant of the property and has engaged the BKB Group to design an 84-unit assisted living and memory care center. Cooper said SHA specializes in developing senior care centers starting in Wisconsin and the mid-west and more recently expanding to Maryland with two projects.
Conceptual plans show a 70,000-square-foot facility in three one- or two-story buildings. The center would have a single access to Evening Star Drive.
Among the top issues raised during the briefing was the size of the setback from the existing homes on the north side of the property, currently planned as 40 feet; ensuring the facility would operate as a state-licensed care center; and its integration with development planned on other sections of the commercial center. n
doing the Virginia portion of the AT back in 2019 is just to see how many towns have really oriented around the AT. For Waynesboro and Marion and towns along the way, it has always been nearby, but maybe they didn’t put that much focus on it and now they’re really focused on it. It’s given the towns kind of a nice definition as these outdoor places,” he said. n
Lovettsville Oktoberfest Canceled After Contractor Backs Out
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
The Lovettsville Town Council on Tuesday voted to cancel this year’s Oktoberfest event after the third-party event firm hired to run the majority of the yearly celebration notified the town that “it would no longer carry out the planning and performance of the 2024 Lovettsville Oktoberfest,” according to Mayor Christopher Hornbaker.
The town voted in April to hire Bow Tie Strategies to take on managing the event that had grown from its early years as a small community celebration to the second largest festival in the county.
Council members said that the decision to cancel this year’s event was not made lightly and town staff had been working since being notified June 24 of Bow Tie’s decision, to find someone else to move the event forward.
“However, with only nine weeks until this year's festival, any identified replacement partners and the town have determined that its ability to execute the
festival at the size and scale, while maintaining the utmost quality and tradition, is not possible,” Hornbaker said. “While this is a difficult decision, it does not come lightly, especially for folks up here. Nor is it the outcome the town has anticipated. The planning and preparations of beginning for now for the big return of the fest in 2025.”
Bow Tie Strategies owner Rusty Foster said he notified the town manager a month ago that unexpected health challenges would force him to step aside from the project.
“We’ve never had to cancel a contract before, so that is unfortunate,” Foster said.
Council member Brandon Davis cast the lone vote against the motion to cancel the event, but said he understood the council’s decision.
“I do respectfully disagree with the proposed course of action to cancel the festival as I don't believe we fully exhausted or pursued all available avenues to continue some form of event. However, I am sympathetic and certainly not deaf to the concerns that underlie the decision being made,” he said. n
Dufek Sworn in as Purcellville Police Chief
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
Members of the county’s law enforcement community gathered in Purcellville on Friday to celebrate the town’s new police chief, Barry Dufek.
Dufek replaces Cynthia McAlister who retired from the position in May. Dave Dailey, who had served as deputy chief under McAlister, served as interim chief while the town was searching for a permanent replacement. Dailey also retired earlier this month.
Dufek was sworn in by Clerk of Circuit Court Gary Clemens during a ceremony at the Purcellville Baptist Church. Clemens said he got to know Dufek during his time with the Loudoun County Sheriff ’s Office over eight years ago. When he heard Dufek was leaving the agency to work for Purcellville, Clemens asked why he would move to a smaller organization.
“He told me that his heart was to focus on serving the community in a small town and that he thought he could use his experience to make a big impact in this little town,” Clemens said.
Mayor Stanley J. Milan also praised Dufek’s commitment to community policing.
“We are extremely fortunate that he has already been a part of the town and this department in town for years,” Milan said. “… Not only does Chief Dufek work here, he also lives in the community, since 2012.”
Milan said Dufek’s background and experience had prepared him to step into the role.
“[He] is the epitome of a community engaged public servant, team player and consummate leader,” he said.
Dufek said he was honored to be selected for the position and that he was looking forward to working with the Town Council and Town Manager Rick Bremseth.
“Together we’ll embrace public safety, strengthen community ties, and promote transparency and trust that embodies the very best of Purcellville,” he said.
Dufek began his public service career in 2000 as a dispatcher in Loudoun County’s Emergency Communications Center before becoming a deputy with the Sheriff ’s Office. While there, he worked as a patrol deputy, motor deputy and within the Community Policing Unit. After being promoted to sergeant, he worked as a supervisor overseeing recruitment and hiring.
At the Purcellville Police Department as a lieutenant, he served as a vehicle and motorcycle lead training instructor at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy’s driver training track. He has worked as both the Operations Commander and Administrative Commander and served as one of the department’s representatives on the Northern Virginia Critical Incident Response Team.
In 2021, Dufek received the Veterans of Foreign Wars Law Enforcement Public Servant Citation, given to a law enforcement individual who shows consistent excellence in the performance of their duties, as well as continuous dedication and growth in their official responsibilities and skills within their profession. n
Middleburg Council Approved 20 mph Speed Zones
Eleven days after a new state law provided the authorization, the Middleburg Town Council on Thursday voted to lower the speed limit to 20 miles per hour on several downtown streets, including a portion of Rt. 50.
The new law allows towns to reduce the speed limits on streets currently set at 25 mph by adopting an ordinance and paying for the new signs required to implement the changes. Middleburg is among the first towns in Virginia to exercise the new power.
The law allows speed limits as low as 15 mph. Police Chief Shaun Jones initially recommended 15 mph speed limits on some side roads but then told the council July 11 that was unreasonable. “I drove the town at 15 miles per hour it was hard to maintain. So based on that, I came back to the staff and we agreed to suggest or recommend that we change the speed
SPEED ZONES continues on page PB
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Purcellville Police Chief Barry Dufek stands while his wife, Lisa, pins eagles on his uniform during his swearing in ceremony July 12.
Volunteers Gear Up for Loudoun County Fair Week
BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
LIVE MUSIC
TOMMY BOUCH
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 18 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com
JET CAPRIEST
6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 18
Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
CARY WIMBISH
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19
Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com
MIKE MCCABE
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19
Two Twisted Posts Winery, 12944 Harpers Ferry Road, Neersville. twotwistedposts.com
SHANE GAMBLE
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19
Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 James Monroe Highway, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com
FREDDIE LONG
5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19
Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com
GEORGE KATSOS
5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 19
Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com
DOIN’ TIME
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 19
Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com
LAURA CASHMAN
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 19
Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 17
Loudoun’s longest running recurring event is its annual community celebration held at the county fairgrounds west of Leesburg.
The Loudoun County Fair began in 1963 as way for the community—still mainly farm families—to celebrate their accomplishments. Today’s fairs continue to highlight the county’s agricultural roots amid the changes brought by decades of development.
Event Superintendent Arlee Harris said despite the county’s growth and its increasingly suburban identity, the event has withstood the test of time.
“It’s something that people should really value,” she said.
The event is run by an all-volunteer nonprofit group, which starts planning for the five-day fair in September the year before. It takes hundreds of hours of effort by the group to organize and execute the event each year. But the dedicated group of locals loves it, Harris said.
All of the proceeds from the event go back into next year’s fair and maintaining the grounds, which are also owned by the nonprofit.
Each year the event is packed with all-day activities including two rodeos, a demolition derby, kids rodeos, live music, magic shows, livestock auctions, equestrian shows, pig races, pie eating contests and of course, the carnival.
Loudoun residents also have the chance to show off their handmade items and compete in the Blue Ribbon Showcase. The competition has 27 categories including baked goods, flowers, gardening, clothing, photography, fiber arts, crafts, fine arts and collections. The entries are judged by local experts in each division.
While many residents enjoy visiting the event to watch the rodeos, take a ride on the Ferris wheel or eat a funnel cake, it’s an especially exciting week for the kids in Loudoun’s 4-H Club.
After learning about and caring for their animals for an entire year while learning valuable business skills, the kids enter their livestock into competitions that run throughout the week. Beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, rabbits, sheep, goats and pigs are all judged by industry experts on conformation and showmanship.
Some are also judged on their market value before heading to the auction that will be held Friday, July 26. Many of those livestock owners have been working on marketing their animals to local businesses for bidding long before the fair begins.
“That really is what 4-H is all about. It is a youth development program in the grand scheme of things. … Within owning [the animals] they learn about
show off their animals during
preparing their pets for the showroom and auction.
time management, responsibility, how to calculate feed rations,” Virginia Cooperative Liaison Carly Wright said.
Working through the daily tasks of caring for an animal, preparing it to show and readying to sell it, are all part of the 4-H experience.
“They hopefully see it come to fruition when they put them in the sale or when they go through the ring,” Wright said.
Community members have the chance
to purchase locally grown meat during the auction giving the 4-H youth the opportunity to make a profit on their hard work. All but 5% goes back to the 4-H member, which typically goes toward next year’s animal costs. The 5% deduction goes toward auction advertising and office expenses.
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now 4-Hers
the livestock auction at last year’s county fair. The kids work all year
LOUDOUN FAIR continues on page 19
POLO IN THE PARK
Saturday, July 20, 6 to 10 p.m.
Morven Park International Equestrian Center polointhepark.org
Enjoy the cool evening outdoors watching Morven Park’s fast-paced arena polo series. Reserve your car pass.
GET OUT
LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 16
LENNY BURRIDGE
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 19 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com
JASON MASI
6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 19 Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com
TWO FOR THE ROAD
6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 19 Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewing.com
DUNLAP & MABE
7 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 19 Old Stone School, 37098 Charles Town Pike, Hillsboro oldstoneschool.org
TEJAS SINGH
7 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 19 Velocity Wings Potomac Falls, 20789 Great Falls Plaza, Sterling. velocitywings.net/sterling
PANDORA’S BOX
7 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 19 Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $15. tallyhotheater.com
NEW DOMINION BAND
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, July 19
Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com
JOE DOWNER
1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21 8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chainsnorth.com
JAMES STEVENS
2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 21
Old Farm Winery at Hartland, 23583 Fleetwood Road, Aldie. oldfarmwineryhartland.com
CHRIS HANKS
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com
MO & MARY MAC
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 Harvest Gap Brewery, 15485 Purcellville Road, Hillsboro. harvestgap.com
CARY WIMBISH
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com
ROBERT HOEY
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com
JOEY AND THE WAITRESS 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com
DANIEL MENSH
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillboro. breuxvineyards.com
HOPELESS SEMANTICS
2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com
ANTHONY SEMIAO 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 21 Chrysalis Vineyards, 39025 Little
LIVE MUSIC continues on page 19
Purcellville Celebrates with Wine and Food Festival
Purcellville celebrates the local culinary and craft beverage scenes on Saturday in Dillon’s Woods at the Fireman’s Field Complex.
The 11th annual Wine and Food Festival runs from 2 to 8 p.m. and showcases more than 30 food, wine and brewery vendors, along with a variety of other exhibitors, face painting and caricature drawings. There will also be live music performed by The Darby Brothers, Juliana MacDowell and the Agreeables, and Chris Timbers Band. The Purcellville Arts Council is hosting Arts in the Garden with an art activity and demonstrations of how artists create their works of art.
Early bird admission tickets may be purchased in advance until noon on Friday, July 19 for $5. Children ages 16 and under get in free. All general admission tickets sold at the gate will be $10. For those 21 and older, drink tickets for beer and wine will be sold on-site, and
attendees will take those tickets to the participating winery or brewery of their choice to get a drink. A souvenir glass will be provided with the purchase of the first drink ticket. Admission and drink tickets may be purchased in advance at: purcellvillewineandfood.com /tickets. n File Photo
The 2024 Purcellville Wine and Food Festival will be held Saturday, July 20 from 2 to 8 p.m.
The Chris Timbers Band closes out the festival’s concert lineup with a performance starting at 6:15 p.m.
GET OUT
LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 17
River Turnpike, Middleburg. chrysaliswine.com
DAVE MININBERG
3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21
Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
JOHN KRAMER
4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21
The Bungalow Lakehouse, 46116 Lake Center Plaza, Sterling. bungalowlakehouse.com
JOSEPH R. MONASTERIAL
4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, July 21
The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com
Loudoun Fair
continued from page 16
THE LOVE CONCERT
5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 21
Community Lutheran Church, 21014 Whitfield Place, Sterling. $30. communitylutheran.org
Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $25. tallyhotheater.com
MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 24
Loudoun County Fairground, 17558 Dry Mill Road, Leesburg. loudouncountyfair.org
JASON MASI
6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 24
The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange
Wright said the kids aged five to 19 work all year, looking forward to this week.
“This is a highlight of a lot of their summers and their years and it’s going to be a great week,” she said.
Harris said watching all the 4-Her’s work garner the appreciation it deserves is her favorite part of the week.
“It takes so much preparation to get these animals ready, a lot of care goes into it,” she said.
Before the auction, visitors have the chance to view all the animals in many barns and talk with kids and their group leaders.
“It’s a great organization to get your kids involved in and we really encourage the public to go and talk to the kids,” she said.
Community members who aren’t quite ready to purchase an animal at auction can still be involved with local 4-H groups by coming to one of the club dinners any of the fair nights.
Plates run from approximately $10 to $14 and feature a different theme depending on the club.
“Swine Club will do pork barbecue with baked beans,” Harris said. “… It’s a good way to come out and support.”
New to the fair this year is Grapes and Grains—a wine and beer garden that will be open Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. It will feature local brews, something the organization has been wanting to do for years.
“I’m hoping it will be met with enthusiasm,” Harris said.
Additionally, each year the fair is dedicated to an individual, family or business that has served the fair and the 4-H program in an outstanding way. This year’s dedicate is John Mosesso, who has
St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com
KANIN WREN’S TAYLOR
SWIFT EXPERIENCE
7 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 24
Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $15. tallyhotheater.com
Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com
ANNIE STOKES
6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 25
continues on page 20
volunteered for over a decade.
“He’s supported the fair for so many years,” Harris said. “He really is instrumental in getting the fair done.”
Advance tickets are available online at tickets.loudouncountyfair.com. The cost is $15 per day/$20 after 5 p.m. for adults and $5 for kids. Weekly passes are $40 for patrons ages 13 and up and $15 for kids. Children under 5 are free. There also is a one-time $5 parking fee good for the whole week.
The fair runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
The Loudoun County Fairgrounds is located west of Leesburg at 17558 Dry Mill Road.
Go to loudouncountyfair.com for the complete schedule and other fair information. n
LIVE MUSIC
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
A 4-Her shows off her pig during the livestock auction at the 2023 Loudoun Fair.
GET OUT
LIVE MUSIC
continued from page 19
Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socailhousesouthriding.com
RUTHIE FOSTER
7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 25
Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $40. tallyhotheater.com
HAPPENINGS
GALLERY TALK WITH LAUREN KRAUT
3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 18, National Sporting Library, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg. nationalsporting.org
MOVIE NIGHT: TROLLS BAND TOGETHER
8:45 to 10:15 p.m. Friday, July 19 Lansdowne Town Center, Belmont Ridge Road, Leesburg. shoplansdownetowncenter.com
NATURE PLAY TIME
10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 20 Morven Park, 17339 Southern
MD Repo Vehicles For Public Sale at ADESA Washington, DC. All Makes and Models Running Weekly Details can be found at www.adesawashingtondc.com
Terms: State and local orders will be strictly enforced at the sale, including social distancing and limits on the number of people permitted to gather in certain areas. All attendees must comply with such procedures or will be required to leave the premises. We strongly recommend that all attendees wear face coverings for the protection of themselves and our staff. Bidder agrees to register and pay a refundable $500 cash deposit plus a non-refundable $20 entry fee before the Sale starts. The balance of the purchase is due in full by 5:00pm on sale day. vehicles are AS-IS and are subject to a buy fee based on the sale price of the vehicle. Only cash or certified funds will be accepted. No vehicle will be released until Payment is made in full. Children under the age of 18 are not permitted.
VEHICLE AUCTION
ADESA WASHINGTON DC 705-996-1100 44475 OLD OX ROAD, DULLES, VA 20166
20+Chase repossessions will be offered to the public sale (monthly) on Wednesdays (7/17/24, 8/14/24, 9/11/24, 10/9/24, 11/6/24, 12/4/24). Auction doors open at 8:00 a.m.
Sale starts at 9:50 a.m. ET. Registered persons may preview/inspect vehicles on the day of the sale before bidding. Bids accepted only when a vehicle is presented for sale. The auctioneer will conclude the sale when bidding stops. All results will be nal by 5:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or Certi ed Check.
Legal Notices
TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE IN LOUDOUN COUNTY, VIRGINIA
RESOLUTION NO. 24-07-01 PRESENTED & ADOPTED: JULY 09, 2024
A RESOLUTION: PRESCRIBING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025: THE DATE, TIME, AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL; THE WORK SESSION FORMAT OF THE SECOND REGULAR MEETING EACH MONTH; CANCELLATION OF REGULAR MEETINGS THAT FALL ON A LEGAL HOLIDAY; THE CONTINUATION OF REGULAR MEETINGS FOR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS; AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADJOURNED MEETINGS
BE IT RESOLVED that the regular meeting of the Town Council shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at Town Hall located at 221 S. Nursery A venue, in Purcellville, VA, in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, unless said date, time, or place is canceled or otherwise scheduled in accordance with§ 2.2-3707 of the Code of Virginia; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Council meetings shall end no later than 9:30 PM unless any meeting is otherwise extended by majority of Council members present and voting recognizing that completion of an agenda item commencing prior to the designated ending time may not be finished unless voted on to extend an additional 30 minutes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the second regular meeting each month shall take the form of a work session, limited to in-depth discussions of one or two items. If necessary, public hearings and action items may be taken up by the Town Council at a work session, but should be avoided; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Town Council and Town Council’s committees, commissions, and boards shall recess for the month of August, 2024, and the Town Council shall cancel its meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 24, 2024; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should a day established by the Town Council as a regular meeting day fall on any legal holiday, the meeting shall be canceled by virtue of this adopted Resolution, without further action by Town Council; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if the Mayor, or Vice-Mayor if the Mayor is unable to act, finds that weather or other conditions are such that it is hazardous for members to attend a regular meeting, the Mayor, or Vice-Mayor if the Mayor is unable to act, shall declare such finding to all members of Town Council and the public as promptly as possible, and the regular meeting agenda items shall automatically be continued to the next regular meeting of Town Council. All hearings and other matters previously advertised shall be conducted at the continued meeting without further advertisement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that regular meetings of the Town Council may be continued from day to day or from time to time or from place to place, not beyond the time fixed for the next regular meeting, until the business before the governing body is completed. Notice of any regular meeting continued under this section shall be reasonable under the circumstances and shall be given to the public contemporaneously with the notice provided to the members of the public body conducting the meeting; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all prior rules governing the date, time, and place of regular meetings of the Town Council are hereby replaced.
Cross References: Code of Va. § 15.2-1416. Regular meetings. Code of Va.§ 2.2-3707.D. Notice of meetings.
PASSED THIS 9TH DAY OF JULY, 2024.
LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED BICYCLE
7/18/2024
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REZONING APPLICATION TLREZN2023-0001
OAKLAWN LAND BAYS A AND MUC2, AND TLSPEX2023-0001
OAKLAWN FLEX INDUSTRIAL/BUSINESS PARK
Pursuant to Sections 15.2-1427, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LEESBURG PLANNING COMMISSION will hold a public hearing on THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia 20176, to consider Rezoning application TLREZN2023-0001 Oaklawn Land Bays A and MUC2, and special exception application TLSPEX2023-0001 Oaklawn Flex Industrial/Business Park.
The Subject Properties are in the Oaklawn development and consist of three parcels totaling approximately 32.0278 acres and are further identified as Loudoun County Property Identification Numbers (PIN) 233-38-8942, 233-30-4276 and 233-30-1486. The Subject Properties are zoned PEC (Planned Employment Center District) and PRN (Planned Residential Neighborhood District) and subject to the H-2 Historic Corridor Architectural Control Overlay District (Proffered).
Rezoning Application TLREZN2023-0001 is a request by Oaklawn LLC to revise the concept plan and proffers for TLZM-2014-0004 for Land Bay A and TLZM-2015-0001 for MUC-2 to allow the following:
Land Bay A: Permit development of up to 700,000 square feet of data center use with associated electric utility substation, or public utility, major on Land Bay A.
Land Bay MUC2: Permit the development of up to 184 multi-family affordable dwelling units on Land Bay MUC-2.
Both land bays are located in areas described by the Legacy Leesburg Town Plan (Town Plan) as an “Area to Transform or Evolve” on the Area Based Land Use Initiatives Map (Town Plan page 72). The property is further designated as a “Innovation Center” on the Character Areas for Preservation and Change Map (Town Plan page 76). There is no recommended density for residential use or a Floor Area Ratio (F.A.R.) for uses associated with an Innovation Center. The requested density for the residential units associated with Land Bay MUC2 is approximately 33 dwelling units per acre. The proposed maximum commercial F.A.R. of Land Bay A is approximately 0.61.
Special Exception Application TLSPEX2023-0001 is a request by Oaklawn LLC for a Special Exception to allow up to 400,000 square feet of Flex Industrial/Business Park use, pursuant to Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance (TLZO) Section 8.6.4.B Special Exception Uses.
Modifications: The applications include six (6) requested modifications to the requirements of the Town of Leesburg Zoning Ordinance regulations for buffers, setbacks, number of parking spaces, outdoor lighting, and open space.
Additional information and copies of these two applications are available at the Department of Community Development, 222 Catoctin Circle, Suite 200, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by contacting Christopher Murphy, AICP, at 703-737-7009 or cmurphy@leesburgva.gov.
At these hearings, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodation at the meeting should contact the Clerk of the Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
7/18, 7/25/2024
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE
The Planning Commission of the Town of Purcellville will hold a public hearing in the Council Chambers located at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia on Thursday, July 25th, 2024 at 6:30 PM for the purpose of receiving comments on, considering, and possibly voting on the following item:
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
ORANGE GARY
FISHER MOUNTAIN
BIKE SER #TBI1123C54DK338
ZONING ORDINANCE AND MAP AMENDMENT: Pursuant to Code of Virginia 15.2-2285, the Planning Commission has prepared amendments to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map. The proposed amendments include various zoning changes and additional district overlays for the majority of properties along East and West Main St, 20th St., 21st St., 23rd St., Hatcher Ave., and Hirst Ave. Broader changes in various articles may affect all properties within Town limits. As authorized by Code of Virginia 15.2-2204, the full extent of Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendment is depicted in the map and materials available on the Town website linked below. https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/1149/Zoning-Ordinance-Update
Additional information regarding this amendment is available for review at the Purcellville Town Hall at 221 South Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, Virginia during regular business hours, by appointment, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
At this public hearing, all persons desiring to present their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact Kendall Wisniewski, Planning Operations Coordinator, at kwisniewski@purcellvilleva.gov, three days in advance of the meeting.
7/11 & 7/18/24
Legal Notices
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
CIRCUIT COURT OF LOUDOUN COUNTY
Case No.: CL24-3461
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, VIRGINIA, Petitioner, v.
UNKNOWN OWNERS who may include: HEIRS, AT LAW, DEVISEES OR SUCCESSORS IN TITLE OF THOMAS R. KEITH AND HEIRS, AT LAW, DEVISEES OR SUCCESSORS IN TITLE OF ANN KEITH DRAKE fka ANN GORDON KEITH and HEIRS, AT LAW, DEVISEES OR SUCCESSORS IN TITLE OF HANNAH MORRIS KEITH and HEIRS, AT LAW, DEVISEES OR SUCCESSORS IN TITLE OF MARGARET RANDOLPH KEITH and
5,638 square feet or 0.1294 acre, more or less, in fee simple over an existing private road known as Lenah Farm Lane, near Little River Turnpike (Route 50) located in the Little River Election District, Loudoun County, Virginia.
The object of the above-styled proceeding is to acquire, by condemnation, a certain portion of land in fee simple over an existing private road known as Lenah Farm Lane, near Little River Turnpike (Route 50) for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, alteration, maintenance and/or repair of a hybrid roundabout as part of the County’s Route 50 and Trailhead Drive Roundabout Project in the Little River Election District, together with all other purposes incidental to the project, and to apply for the empanelment of jurors, the appointment of commissioners, or the application to the Court to ascertain just compensation for the land in fee simple, all being more particularly described in the Petition for Condemnation filed in this Court on the 18th day of June, 2024. The property is owned by Uknown Owners, is not assessed for tax purposes, and has not been assigned a Loudoun County tax assessment parcel number. The property lies east of properties that have been assigned the following tax assessment parcel numbers: PIN 286-40-4789-000 and PIN 285-10-4331-000 and it lies west of properties that have been assigned the following tax assessment parcel PIN 286-40-6589-000, PIN 286-40-8479-000 and PIN 245-15-3140-000, among the Land Records of the Loudoun County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.
And it appearing by affidavit filed according to law that the following owners are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or their names and addresses are not known and that diligence has been used by and on behalf of the Petitioner to ascertain such names and addresses without effect: Heirs at Law, Devisees or Successors in Title of Thomas R. Keith, Heirs at Law, Devisees or Successors in Title of Ann Keith Drake, fka Ann Gordon Keith, Heirs at Law, Devisees or Successors in Title of Hannah Morris Keith, Heirs at Law, Devisees or Successors in Title of Margaret Randolph Keith and the heirs at law, devisees or successors in title of and to any of the foregoing persons who may be deceased or may have conveyed their interest in the property, together with any persons unknown to Petitioner who owned an interest in the property or who may have a claim to compensation under the Certificate of Take recorded December 28, 2023 in the land records of this Court as Instrument No. 23231228-0051432, all of whom are collectively identified as “Unknown Owners.” Therefore, it is ORDERED that the aforesaid owners make an appearance in this matter within ten (10) days after due publication of this Order in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Loudoun County, Virginia and do what is necessary to protect their interests. It is further ORDERED that if the above named owners desire to assert any objection or defense to the taking of the property or to the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the case and to proceed with the empanelment of jurors, the appointment of commissioners, or the application to the Court to ascertain just compensation, they shall file their answer and grounds of defense designating the property in which they claim to be interested, the grounds of any objection or defense to the taking of their property or the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the case to proceed with the empanelment of jurors, the appointment of commissioners, or the application to the Court to ascertain just compensation within ten (10) days after due publication of this Order.
Shoud such owners fail to file their answer and grounds of defense as hereinabove provided within ten (10) days after due publication of this Order, such failure shall not preclude them from appearing on the date set for the empanelment of jurors, the appointment of commissioners, or the application to the Court for determining just compensation, nor from presenting evidence as to valuation and damage, nor from sharing in the award of just compensation according to their interest therein or otherwise protecting their rights, but such failure shall preclude such owners from any other defense by way of pleas in bar, abatement or otherwise.
And it is further ORDERED that pursuant to Va. Code §25.1-210, that this Order of Publication be published once a week for two successive weeks in Loudoun Now, and that within 10 days from entry of this Order the Notice by Publication be posted on the Circuit Court Clerk’s website as provided in Va. Code §1-1211.1.
7/18, 7/25, 8/1 & 8/8/2024
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS will hold a public hearing in the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ MEETING ROOM, on the first floor of the Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:
LEGI-2024-0013, KINCORA PINSTACK: (Sign Development Plan)
Windhaven Properties, LLC has submitted an application for a Sign Development Plan for a property approximately 1.73 acres in size and located at the southwest intersection of Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061) and Knowledge Drive in the Broad Run Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN#: 040-29-9594-000 and Tax Map # /80/M/4///F1A/. Pursuant to Section 10.11.03 of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, the applicant requests to modify the number signs allowed in the Planned Development – Mixed Use Business (PDMUB) Legacy Zoning District. The applicant seeks to increase the number of signs from 4 to 12 for a total sign area of 1,536 square feet.
Copies of the applications and related documents listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. County staff reports will be made available Friday, July 19, 2024. Documents may also be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding these matters. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance. If you wish to sign up in advance of the hearing, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 no later than 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing. Speakers may also sign up at the hearing. Written comments may be sent to the Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177, or by e-mail to stephanie.capps@loudoun.gov. Members of the public may also submit comments electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications If you require a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability or need language assistance in order to participate in the public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning & Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) or, TTY-711. Three business days advance notice is requested.
Nan M. Joseph Forbes, Chair Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals
7/11 & 7/18/2024
Loudoun County Public Schools
Proposed Elementary School Attendance Zone Change for Planning Zones DS08.4, DN36.17 and DN36.18
On June 25, 2024, the Loudoun County School Board initiated an abbreviated attendance zone process to change the elementary school serving three Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) planning zones – DS08.4, DN36.17 and DN36.18. The planning zones include the Parkside Village community (DS08.4), pending Fleetwood North development (DS08.4) and a section of the West Park at Brambleton community (DN36.17 and DN36.18). Within West Park at Brambleton, the recommendation specifically involves the Stratus at West Park and West Park IV single family homes accessed via Orchard Grove Drive.
The recommendation to assign the three planning zones to Sycolin Creek Elementary School would, upon approval, take effect in August 2024 - before the start of the 2024-2025 school year. No change is recommended for the secondary school attendance boundary.
Maps and information on this recommended attendance zone change are posted on the LCPS website (www.lcps.org/062524).
The School Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed elementary school zone change on August 13, 2024, followed by action later the same evening. The August 13 meeting will be held in the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Court, Ashburn), with the evening meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will also be broadcast live on Comcast channel 18 and Verizon Fios channel 43 and viewable via simultaneous webcast (https://www.lcps.org/webcast).
Persons who need translation/interpretation assistance or a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability in order to participate meaningfully at the August 13, 2024 public hearing and meeting should contact the Clerk of the School Board at 571-252-1020 at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.
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, July 30, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following:
REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW LOVETTSVILLE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT
The current period of the New Lovettsville Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on January 2, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 20 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally bounded by Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671) to the west, Morrisonville Road (Route 693) to the south, Berlin Turnpike (Route 287) and Milltown Road (Route 673/681) to the east, and the Potomac River to the north, in the Catoctin Election District.
During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However, any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:
1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.
2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.
3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.
4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.
During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.
Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Lovettsville Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.
*Indicates a parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres whose owner did not properly apply for renewal.
The ADAC held a public meeting on June 10, 2024, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Lovettsville Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 30, 2024. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.
In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for 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 by calling 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https:// www.loudoun.gov/adac (6-10-2024 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www. loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).
REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION
OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW MOUNTVILLE AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT
The current period of the New Mountville Agricultural and Forestal District will expire on January 2, 2025. The District has a 4-year period and a subdivision minimum lot size of 50 acres. Pursuant to Chapter 1226 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, the Board of Supervisors has directed staff, the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission to conduct a review in order to determine whether to continue, modify, or terminate the District. Parcels currently enrolled in the District are located within an area generally south of the Goose Creek and Beaverdam Creek, west of Lime Kiln Road (Route 733), Oatlands Road (Route 650) and Sam Fred Road (Route 748), east of Pothouse Road (Route 745), Foxcroft Road (Route 626), and Leith Lane (Route 733), and north of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), in the Little River Election District.
During this review, land less than 5 acres, or 20 acres or greater, in size that is currently enrolled in the District will be automatically renewed. However any parcel containing at least 5 acres, but less than 20 acres will be ineligible for renewal and inclusion within the District unless the owner submits an application on forms provided by the Department of Planning and Zoning and one or more of the following criteria is met:
1. Management Plan that specifically states that the property owner(s) are accumulating the required 5-year production records in order to qualify for agricultural, to include horticulture, land use tax deferral.
2. Animal Husbandry including Equine uses (commercial or non-commercial) with a Management Plan that relates the pasture carrying capacity to limit the number of animals allowed.
3. Forests and woodlands with a management plan that specifies the actions required to maintain and enhance the stands.
4. Wetlands, flood plains, streams and/or rivers that have Management Plans that set forth the terms for their maintenance and enhancement.
During this review, land within the District may be withdrawn, in whole or in part, at the owner’s discretion by filing a written notice with the Board of Supervisors at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.
Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Mountville Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.
*Indicates a parcel containing at least 5 acres but less than 20 acres whose owner did not properly apply for renewal.
The ADAC held a public meeting on June 10, 2024, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Mountville Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The report and recommendations of the ADAC will be considered by the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, at its public hearing on July 30, 2024. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board of Supervisors at its public hearing.
In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications are available for 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 by calling 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https:// www.loudoun.gov/adac (6-10-2024 ADAC Meeting under Agendas and Bylaws). Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www. loudoun.gov/pc (for Public Hearing documents, follow the link for Public Hearings Packet).
LEGI-2023-0088, DOMINION ENERGY LOUDOUN PANEL WIRING SHOP: CMPT-2023-0014
(Commission Permit)
Dominion Energy Virginia has submitted an application for a commission permit for approximately 114 acres of land located north of Bull Run, east of Auburn Farm Road(Route 705), and south of Dominion Power Loudoun Station in the Little River Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as PIN: 251-27-7544-000, Tax Map #105/////////3A. For CMPT-2023-0014, the applicant seeks a commission permit to allow the construction of a 72,000 square foot public service utility center in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance).
Milestone Tower Limited Partnership IV has submitted an application for a commission permit and special exception for approximately 0.24-acres of land located between the travel lanes of eastbound Leesburg Pike (Route 7), the on-ramp to eastbound Leesburg Pike (Route 7) from northbound Claiborne Parkway (Route 901), and the cloverleaf exit-ramp from eastbound Leesburg Pike (Route 7) to northbound Lansdowne Blvd (Route 2400) in the Broad Run Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Claiborne Parkway (Route 901) Ashburn, Virginia, 20147. For CMPT-2023-0011, the applicant seeks to construct a 152-foot tall (150-foot tall with 2-foot lightning rod at the top) telecommunications tower, equipment compound, and related support equipment. For SPEX-20230028, the applicant seeks to permit a telecommunications tower in the OP (Office Park) zoning district under the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance) and to provide the Plant Unit Composition Requirement of Section 7.04.07.B.2 of the Zoning Ordinance on the northern boundary of the Subject Property as shrubbery to accommodate an abutting Dominion Energy easement.
LEGI-2023-0077, ZEBRA EAST: ZCPA-2023-0005, SPEX-2023-0019 & SPMI-2023-0014 (Zoning Concept Plan Amendment, Special Exception, and Minor Special Exception)
Zebra Ventures LLC has submitted applications for a zoning concept plan amendment, special exception, and minor special exception, for approximately 26.58 acres of land located east of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607), north of Shellhorn Road ( Route 643), and southwest of Waxpool Road (Route 625), in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as 22130 Loudoun County Pkwy, Ashburn, Virginia, PIN: 089-30-9997-000 and Tax Map Number /79//84/////E/. For ZCPA-2023-0005, the applicant seeks to amend the concept development plan and proffer statement associated with ZMAP-1998-0003,
to permit the development of data centers. For SPEX-2023-0019, the applicant seeks to increase the permitted Floor Area Ratio from 0.6 to 1.0. For SPMI-2023-0014, the applicant seeks to eliminate the road corridor buffer requirement to provide an earthen berm along the frontage of future Lockridge Road. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution, dated December 13, 2023.
LEGI-2023-0076, STONE HILL: ZMAP-2023-0007, SPEX-2023-0042, ZMOD-20230065, ZMOD-2023-0066, ZMOD-2023-0067, ZMOD-2024-0004 & ZMOD-2024-0015 (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, and Zoning Modifications)
Toll VA LP has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, special exception, and zoning modifications for approximately 16.64 acres of land located east of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 607), south of Evergreen Ridge Drive (Route 3100), and east of Creighton Road (Route 774) in the Sterling and Little River Election Districts (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:
123-15-0056-000 N/A
/92/C45//4R-1/ 123-25-5394-000
For ZMAP-2023-0007, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential-16 Affordable Dwelling Unit) legacy zoning district to permit 80 residential multi-family stacked dwelling units and 24 single family attached dwelling units at a density of 6.25 dwelling units per acre. For SPEX-2023-0042, the applicant seeks to reduce the minimum front yard setback required for multifamily stacked dwelling units from 25 to 5 feet. For ZMOD-2023-0065, ZMOD-2023-0066, ZMOD-2023-0067, ZMOD-2024-0004 & ZMOD-2024-0015, the applicant seeks zoning ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: increase the maximum building height for multifamily units from 45 feet to 55 feet, modify lot access to allow frontage on open space, eliminate the road corridor buffer required along internal private roadways, reduce the Preservation Buffer on the south side of the cemetery from 25 feet to 15 feet, and to allow street trees on private lots. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Grandfathering Resolution, dated December 13, 2023.
Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, or amendments for each item listed above may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Office of County Administrator, Information Desk, First Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday or call 703-777-0246 (option 5), to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications and land use ordinances may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. Additionally, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically the week before the hearing at www.loudoun.gov/pc. For further information, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5).
Planning Commission work sessions and public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Public hearings and work sessions are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40, and are also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings.
Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views during the public hearing. Public comment will be received only for those items listed for public hearing. Members of the public who wish to provide public input, whether electronically or in person, are encouraged to sign-up in advance; however, speakers may sign-up during the hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5) prior to 12:00 PM on the day of the public hearing; however, speakers may also sign-up at the public hearing. Written comments concerning any item before the Commission are welcomed at any time and may be sent to the Loudoun County Planning Commission, P.O. Box 7000 Leesburg, VA 20177-7000, or by e-mail to loudounpc@loudoun.gov. If written comments are presented at the hearing, please provide ten (10) copies for distribution to the Commission and for the Clerk’s records. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun.gov/landapplications. Any individual representing and/or proposing to be the sole speaker on behalf of a citizen’s organization or civic association is encouraged to contact the Department of Planning and Zoning prior to the date of the public hearing to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.
Regularly scheduled Planning Commission public hearings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month. In the event the public hearing cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing will be continued to the next day (Wednesday). In the event the public hearing may not be held on that Wednesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the hearing, the public hearing may be continued to the first Thursday of the next month.
Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-777-0246 (option 5). Three business days advance notice is requested.
BY ORDER OF: MICHELLE FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Legal Notices
PUBLIC NOTICE
TOWN OF LEESBURG
RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC COMMISSION VACANCY
The Town of Leesburg is soliciting applications for a vacancy on the Residential Traffic Commission.
The vacancy must be filled by a resident of the Northwest quadrant of Town. Citizens meeting the Northwest residency requirement and interested in serving on the commission can find additional information or may apply via the Town’s web site at: www.leesburgva.gov/government/boards-and-commissions
Applications will be kept on file for one year. Any questions can be sent to the Clerk of Council via email at eboeing@leesburgva.gov.
7/11 & 7/18/24
NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL REAL PROPERTY FOR DELINQUENT TAXES
On or after thirty days from the publication of this Notice, proceedings will be commenced pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3965 et seq. to sell the following real estate located in Loudoun County, Virginia for payment of delinquent taxes:
OWNER
Leegate Corporation NV
DESCRIPTION
Vacant land
2.22 awcres, more or less No situs address
DEED/INSTRUMENT NO.
PIN 190-39-6815-000
Tax Map No. /49/B11/////C/ Book 1448, Page 915
The owner of the property listed may redeem it at any time before the date of the sale by paying all accumulated taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest and costs thereon, including the pro rata cost of publication hereunder. Partial payment of delinquent taxes, penalties, reasonable attorney’s fees, interest or costs shall not be sufficient to redeem the property, and shall not operate to suspend, invalidate or make moot any action for judicial sale.
Henry C. Eickelberg, Treasurer, County of Loudoun, Virginia
1 Harrison Street, S.E., First Floor P.O. Box 347 Leesburg, Virginia 20178 (703) 771-5656
7/18/2024
Upgrade your Resource Directory advertisement with an “Enhanced Listing” online!
Call Susan today for details and incentives!
703-770-9723
LOUDOUN COUNTY
BUILDING & DEVELOPMENT
PLAT-2024-0148 Desai Residential
Mr. Derek DiDonato of Van Metre Homes at Braddock II, LLC of Ashburn, VA is requesting preliminary/record plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately nine (9.51928) acres into two thirty-nine (39) residential lots, one (1) open space lot, and accompanying rightof-way dedication and easement creation. The property is bounded by Braddock Road (Route 620) to the north, west of the intersection of Braddock Road (Route 620) and Gum Spring Road (Route 659). The property is zoned Residential – 8 (R8) under the provisions of the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The property is more particularly described as Parcel Identification Number 207-48-1371-000 in the Little River Election District.
Additional information regarding this application may be found on the LandMARC System http://www.loudoun.gov/LandMARC and searching for PLAT-2024-0148. Please forward any comments or questions to the project manager, Eric Blankenship at Eric. Blankenship@loudoun.gov or you may mail them to the Department of Building and Development 1 Harrison Street, SE, 2nd Floor, Leesburg, Virginia by August 22, 2024. The Department of Building and Development will take action on the above application(s) in accordance with the requirements for preliminary subdivisions outlined in Section 1243.08 of the Land Subdivision and Development Ordinance (LSDO).
7/18/2024
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
VA. CODE §§ 1-211.1; 8.01-316, -317, 20-104
Case No.: CL24-3609
Loudoun County Circuit Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Cynthia R. Hall-Palmer v. Arnold Palmer
The object of this suit is to obtain an official divorce. It is ordered that Arnold Palmer appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before 8/16/2024, 2:00 p.m..
7/4, 7/10, 7/18, 7/25/24
TOWN OF LEESBURG
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
SUBDIVISION
VARIATION REQUEST TLSVAR-2023-0001
109 SOUTH KING STREET
Pursuant to Section 6.03 of the Town of Leesburg Subdivision and Land Development Regulations, and Sections 15.2-2242(1), 15.2-2204, 15.2-2205 and 15.2-2285 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the Leesburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on: Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Council Chambers 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176.
to consider a Planning Commission Subdivision Variation request, TLSVAR-2023-0001. This variation request is made on behalf of the applicant, McLister Enterprises, LLC. The variation request is associated with the pending Final Subdivision Plat (TLFSUB2023-0003) and a future Minor Site Plan to propose structure improvements to the 109 South King Street property.
The applicant is requesting the Planning Commission’s approval of a Subdivision Variation to the Town of Leesburg’s Subdivision and Land Development Regulations (“SLDR”) Section 4.02(g) related to required road frontage improvements along Royal Street in conjunction with the re-development of a parcel of land identified in the Loudoun County Tax Records as PIN# 231-38-0529.
The Subdivision Variation requests that the required frontage improvements of the 109 South King Street property be waived along its Royal Street Frontage with the subdivision and re-development of this property; as any frontage improvements constructed by the applicant at this time would 1) create an unsafe pedestrian route at the southwest corner of the site where sidewalk would end abruptly midblock, and 2) would likely need to be removed and reconstructed at taxpayer expense when a future Capital Project is designed for this portion of Royal Street.
Copies and additional information regarding the Variation Request are available at the Department of Community Development located on the second floor of the Jewel Building, 222 Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, Virginia, 20175 during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or by contacting William R. Ackman, Jr., P.E., Chief Engineer at 703-669-3161.
At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning these matters will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodation at this Planning Commission meeting should contact the Clerk of Commission at (703) 771-2434 three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.
7/18, 7/25/2024
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316
Case No.: JJ047413-04-00, -05-00, -06-00, -07-00 Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Yessiah Recinos Morales Loudoun County Department of Family Services v. Ebony Morales, Mother Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father, and Unknown Father
The object of this suit is to hold a second Permanency planning hearng and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1282.1 and 16.1-281 for Yessiah Recinos Morales and hold a hearing on the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Ebony Morales, Mother, Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father, and Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1283 for Yessiah Recinos Morales. Ebony Morales, Mother, Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father, and Unknown Father, are hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as
the termination of their residual parental rights with respect to Yessiah Recinos Morales. Ebony Morales, Mother, Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father, and Unknown Father, are hereby further notified that if their residual parental rights are terminated, they will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limted to, the right to visit Yessiah Recinos Morales; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Yessiah Recinos Morales; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Yessiah Recinos Morales. Further, Ebony Morales, Mother, Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father, and Unknown Father, will have no legal and/or financial obligations with respect to Yessiah Recinos Morales, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Yessiah Recinos Morales for adoption and consent to the adoption of Yessiah Recinos Morales.
It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Ebony Morales, Mother; Anderson Alejandro Recinos Rivas, Father; and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before August 26, 2024 at 10:00am. 6/27, 7/4, 7/10 & 7/18/24
Loco Service Providers
Please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs for more information and to apply online.
Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA. Regular
Hiddenwood
continued from page 1
construction of Dulles Airport with the last home being added in the early 2000s.
Walsh Colucci Senior Land Use Planner Michael Romeo, who is representing the Hiddenwood Assemblage, said the neighborhood would not be permitted now because of the noise zones established around the airport. In addition to airport noise, Hiddenwood residents have also seen over 25 data centers approved for construction within a one-mile radius of their homes and two substations within half a mile.
Then, the Board of Supervisors approved an application by JK Land Holdings to rezone nearly 20 acres bordering the Hiddenwood neighborhood to allow for a data center with up to 868,924 square feet of space. The property includes the gravel road used by Hiddenwood residents which allows the planned 60-foot tall data center to be built approximately 115 feet from the closest homes.
They opposed that application, citing concerns that the only road providing access to their homes would be turned into a construction route, increased traffic, and noise and light pollution.
During Wednesday night’s public hearing, residents said their fears had come true.
“Despite our efforts, our small gravel road community has disappeared from the city landscape; an afterthought, overlooked again and again,” Patricia Cave said. “… Our front yards became an arbitrary dividing line between the suburban neighborhood and employment place types. And the county approved data center was a stone’s throw from our front doors. At that point, we made the excruciating decision to assemble.”
Residents said they are frustrated with navigating constant construction on their single-lane gravel road, are concerned for their children’s safety in boarding and exiting the school bus each day, and are saddened that the rural feel of their homes had disappeared making them a “human buffer” between the centers and Briarfield.
“We’re not some business entity looking for approval. We’re a community of farmers and contributors to this county that have no options left that are coming to our elected leaders for help,” Garrett Baltzer, whose father lives on Hiddenwood Lane, said.
“[Hiddenwood] was a safe and happy place to raise a family. But things have changed since 2019. It is no longer the same place anymore. It’s just that things started to change for the worse since 2019. The quality of life deteriorated terribly. It’s
just dust, traffic and noise. There is no quiet or peace anywhere,” Naseema Sait said.
But Briarfield community members said allowing more data centers to be built would put them in the same position that Hiddenwood residents are now in, citing already dusty conditions from other data center construction to their north and west making it difficult for their children and grandchildren to walk and play outside. And said construction blasting shakes their houses.
“As much as we empathize with their situation, we are not opposed to them selling their land. We are opposed to another data center being built,” Mira Loifle said.
“As a mother and a health care professional, I see firsthand the impacts that environmental factors can have on our health and well-being,” Dr. Bindi Patel said. “The constant noise from the data centers is more than just a nuisance. It’s going to become a significant disruption for our daily lives. My children are already scared to play outside because of the incessant noise from the dump trucks running outside the [nearby construction] and nobody does anything. My kids deserve to enjoy their childhood and play in peace.”
Residents from both neighborhoods blamed part of the situation on decisions by the board to approve rezoning requests by JK Land Holdings which has three nearby data center projects.
“There are two communities, where we used to coexist and walk up and down Racefield Lane together, and now we’re being pitted against each other on the basis of
JK Tech and other big companies like that,”
Daniel Cohen said.
“You asked how we got here?” Briarfield HOA President Tim Plunkett said to County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large). “With all due respect, because of some terrible decisions made in this very room.”
Randall and supervisors Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) and Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) agreed that the board sometimes “gets things wrong.”
“I have for some time now considered my vote on JK to be the worst vote I’ve made as a supervisor and I want to personally apologize to the Hiddenwood Assembly residents,” Turner said.
“We didn’t get it right, meaning boards in the past or this board, but I’m going to implore you to try not to turn on one another because you all didn’t do anything wrong. Neither Hiddenwood or Briarfield. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Randall said.
Hiddenwood residents said they are trying to mitigate the impacts that data centers on their land would have on Briarfield residents including increasing the setbacks between the centers to the neighborhood, lowering building heights, and expanding open space on the site. The application also includes an offer of $100,000 to Briarfield residents to use on landscape buffers.
“The intent of this application from the outset was to protect Briarfield as much as possible,” Romeo said, citing six acres of continuous open space.
But Briarfield neighbors said the efforts
are not enough.
Supervisors said they wanted to know if surrounding data centers had impacted home values, what the floor area ratio of each data center building would be, if further increased setbacks are possible, where generators would be stored on site, if the applicants would consider two buildings instead of three, why flex or commercial space was not being considered instead of data centers, and if more noise mitigation could be implemented.
Hiddenwood residents said data centers were the only viable option in this case.
Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) asked what price per acre the residents would receive if the application was approved and the contract to build the data centers moved forward.
“You can recognize that data center zoned property is going for upwards of $4 million an acre,” she said.
Romeo said he would not say what the price per acre offer is, while Cave said the sale would not result in a “windfall” for Hiddenwood residents.
“That was the only viable solution that could get all of the residents and a buyer on the same page given the uniqueness of the size, the shape, the access, etc. from the site. We did not, from the start limit our options to data center, but that really was the only viable option at the end of the day,” she said.
The item will appear before the board for a final decision in September. n
Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now
Construction along Hiddenwood Lane and the approved surrounding data centers is making living along the gravel road unsustainable, according to residents.
Drought
continued from page 1
As the area continues to experience oppressive heat—with temperature surpassing 100 degrees three days this week—and with little rain in the forecast, conditions are expected to worsen in the weeks ahead.
Drinking water for most county residents—those in eastern Loudoun and Leesburg—is supplied by the Potomac River. Rural residents and towns rely largely on groundwater wells, which are beginning to be impacted by falling water levels and longer recharge times.
Last week, the Middleburg Town Council voted to impose mandatory water use restrictions. The Town of Round Hill was expected to follow that course when its Town Council meets Wednesday night. Under the towns’ ordinances, the mandated conservation policies largely prohibit outdoor water with hoses or sprinklers and encourage prudent use of water indoors.
The Town of Purcellville, which relies on a reservoir for about half of its water supply, declared a drought watch last week. Under the town’s Water Emergency Ordinance, the watch stage of water conservation asks residents and businesses to avoid wasting water and encourages out-
Gateway
continued from page 3
north, a little decrepit. You’re not going to put residential there, respectfully, Mr. Saines,” he said.
Calabrese said Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) and Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) had attended a Planning Commission meeting and said they did not want to see residential devel-
door watering to be limited to even or odd days based on their address.
Mayor Stanley J. Milan said the council is not yet considering moving to a more restrictive drought warning stage.
“We’re pretty stable right now. Our reservoir isn’t where we need to go to warning,” he said.
Leaders in other towns say they are closely monitoring their well levels and production.
During last year’s drought, the Town of Round Hill imposed mandatory conservation measures for the first time in more than a decade. Those restrictions were in place from November to February.
While the town typically promotes voluntary conservation during the dry summer months, leaders had hoped to avoid mandatory restrictions, particularly after a new high-yield well was added to the system earlier this year. However, the town is seeing high water use rates—including from homeowners tying to keep their grass green.
“The focus of this status it to find a way to reduce the number of customers watering their lawns. For example, while most yards are naturally brown due to the lack of rain, Staff continues to witness residents who water their grass and showcase green lawns in exchange for using 4 times or more the average daily use of water,”
opment along Rt. 28.
“This is the perfect confluence for this site,” he said.
But, County Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D-At Large) and Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn) said they would not support a data center anywhere within the Urban Policy Area.
“At these moments, it’s our job to have a longer look. A 2040 look, a 2050 look, a 2060 look,” Randall said. “… I believe our long look for the Urban Policy Area is a
Town Administrator Melissa Hynes wrote in a July 11 memo to the town council.
This week, Hynes is recommending a Phase 1 mandatory conservation status, restricting outdoor water use with the threat of fines up to $500 for violators. If the town moves to Phase 2, water use could be limited to as little as 150 gallons per day per account, with high surcharges assessed to those exceeding the cap.
Hynes wrote that if system users are unsuccessful in reducing water consumption by Sept. 4, the staff was likely to recommend Phase 2 restrictions for the first time ever.
Middleburg did not impose water restrictions during last year’s drought, but has seen significant drop in water levels at two wells in recent weeks. However, the town benefitted from restarting another well that had been undergoing repairs.
Town Manager Danny Davis said there was no immediate concerns about a threat to the supply, but conditions warrant caution.
“We’re at a timeframe where we don’t have any significant precipitation in the forecast and where the weather is typically hotter and drier and as we get into the end of July and the beginning of August,” he told the council.
Specifically, during Level B conservation in Middelburg, utility customers
performing arts center, it’s a convention center, it is diversifying our economy in many ways. And while I do really want attainable housing, I do not believe attainable housing snuggled up against a data center is appropriate in the Urban Policy Area.”
Briskman said she did not want generators near office or residential spaces because of their noise disruption.
Four community members also spoke against the application.
are not allowed to use irrigation systems; water grass, gardens, or landscaping; fill swimming pools; wash cars; or any other use of water outside of a structure. Customers may use a handheld container to water outdoor plants. The town also will stop providing water to outside contractors such as landscape companies.
The restrictions begin July 18 and will remain in effect until rescinded by the Town Council.
While Lovettsville has not taken any moves to impose mandatory restrictions, Town Manager Jason Cournoyer on Tuesday told the Town Council they were “imminent.”
“We need some rain in the very near term to avoid mandatory water restrictions,” he said.
The region experienced drought conditions during much of 2023, with drought reaching a severe level in September. That continued through December. That was the most significant drought since 2002 when the county experienced extreme drought conditions from February until April, according to the U.S. Drought Monitoring program database.
A relatively wet spring brought relief early in the year, but the county returned to drought conditions starting in early June. n
“We need more residential, less data centers,” Chris Tandy said.
Saines’ motion to forward the item to a September meeting for a vote passed 7-11 with Briskman opposed and Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) absent.
“I’ll be making the motion to deny this application [in September] unless … you can look at removing the data center part of your application and maybe look at flex industrial or hotels,” Saines said. n
Speed Zones
continued from page 29
limit to 20 miles per hour during our last meeting,” he said.
Under the plan approved unanimously by the council, the speed limit on Washington Street between Reed Street and Pinckney Street will be reduced to 20
mph, with several council members and residents urging that the slower speed zone be extended both east and west in the future. The council did agree to ask the Virginia Department of Transportation to extend the 25 mph zone on West Washington Street to the west of Windy Hill Road.
The Plains Road, Federal Street, Madison Street, Marshall Street Stonewall
Avenue also will be reduced to 20 mph, under the council’s action
While supporting the speed reductions, council members said enforcement would be important to improving safety and urged Jones to have his officers issuing tickets in the speed zones. Jones said he would seek grants to fund overtime pay for officers working traffic enforcement.
Some council members suggested imposing a 20-mph limit on more streets, but the town staff said that was likely to have little impact because the short blocks tend to control speeds between stop signs.
The next step in the process is for the town to provide written notice to the Commissioner of Highways and to post new signs within 30 days of that action. n
Published by Loudoun Community Media
15 N. King St., Suite 101 Leesburg, VA, 20176
703-770-9723
KURT ASCHERMANN
Executive Director kaschermann@loudounnow.org
NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.org
EDITORIAL
ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.org
HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.org
ADVERTISING
SUSAN STYER
Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.org
TONYA HARDING
Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.org
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Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.org
CRYSTAL MONNINGER
Account Executive cmonninger@loudounnow.org
is mailed weekly to homes in Leesburg, western Loudoun and Ashburn, and distributed for pickup throughout the county. Online, Loudoun Now provides daily community news coverage to an audience of more than 100,000 unique monthly visitors.
A Unified Vision
Opinion
The years-long—and now public—friction between The Arc of Loudoun and The Margaret Paxton Memorial Trust is disheartening.
Perhaps not since the property operated as an orphanage many decades ago has a tenant on the property better implemented the goals that Rachel Paxton laid out in her will bequeathing the estate to the care of the community’s needy children.
That The Arc’s operations could be threatened by an expiring lease as soon as next month is unfathomable. And there’s no indication that will happen.
However, it is important that the renewed community debate over the future of the campus results in a unified vision.
The trio of Paxton trustees shoulder a monumental stewardship responsibly to build on to a 100-year legacy. After previous trustees drew ire for plans to divest the property
to developers, the current group has focused on long-term planning for the campus with the goal of providing more services to help children—their core mission—while also seeking to include the future needs of The Arc in the plans. They want a plan for the property to serve children into the next century.
At the same time, The Arc leaders are planning for their organization’s future and new services it could offer on the campus if provided room to grow—or the control to make the decisions. Few organizations in our community are better positioned to identify and execute those programs.
The missions of the two groups are closely aligned and a mutually beneficial resolution should be within their grasp, even if they ultimately choose separate paths.
It is critical for our community that both succeed. n
LETTERS to the Editor
Do the Right Thing
Editor:
I read your story about The Arc of Loudoun and the Paxton Trustees through the lens of an eyewitness of long standing.
I was a neighbor of the property for nearly 25 years and led the effort to stop the trustees from selling the property to developers. By the end of that tug-of-war, the property was added to Leesburg’s Historic District and The Arc of Loudoun was selected as the nonprofit that could best put the trustees back into compliance with their fiduciary responsibility. In fact, since the trust was created in the 1920s, they had been just as often out of compliance as they were in it.
As The Arc moved from Purcellville to Leesburg circa 2009, I was asked to join their Board of Directors where I had the opportunity to directly interact with the trustees. Sometimes it was uplifting, but more often it was mystifying or disconcerting. One thing I learned very quickly is that the “complicated” governance
structure referred to in your article was a paper artifice. Since a court ruling in the 1950s, the trustees had all of the executive power, whereas the St. James rector and the Trust’s Board of Visitors were there to be consulted and largely ignored. At the same time, they vacillated between what seemed to be casual disinterest to intense interest that far exceeded normal tenant-landlord interactions.
Meanwhile, The Arc of Loudoun earned a national reputation for excellence and innovation in teaching children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc grew to become the largest nonprofit employer in Loudoun County with over 100 employees, most of whom have advanced degrees. All of this success was based on a business model that depended on a low- or no-cost lease. The Arc often said when the accolades came that the model could not survive without these very favorable terms. In return, the trustees touted The Arc’s successes in their own public financial filings and audits as proof of their compliance with their mission as articulated by Mrs.
Paxton.
At some point and for reasons only fully known to them—and what they say in public is highly shaded and duplicitous—the trustees decided that after poking and prodding The Arc for years and hiring its disgraced former executive director and another manager, it could replicate the business model and cut The Arc out of the equation.
This sad situation is of the trustees’ own making and they are willing to deliver a fatal wound to a nonprofit that has proudly, honorably and effectively served Loudoun County since the 1960s.
The children and families The Arc serves will ultimately be the primary victims, but also the employees who have dedicated their lives and careers to people with disabilities. We who know the history and backstory call upon the trustees to do the right thing: either donate or sell the property to The Arc or give them a long-term lease that is realistic and sustainable.
— Scott Billigmeier, Purcellville
Loudoun Now
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Flight Camp
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multidisciplinary meaning there was more reading, spelling, history and art beyond the STEAM elements, so she thought she’d test it out in a summer camp.
“I love summer camps, I did them before moving here. This curriculum was different and cool and provided the history of the Wright brothers and I liked the opportunity to test the waters with it with a small group of kids,” Tucker said adding it was different from what she teaches during the school year but also complimented what the students would learn this fall.
Tucker said the curriculum was particularly significant to Hillsboro because Susan Koerner Wright, the mother of the founders of modern aviation, was born nearby.
She invited a teacher friend, Jackie Blumer from Illinois, who is also passionate about aviation and teaching aerospace to join her in leading the camp.
Students earned their spots in the free camp by writing essays explaining why they wanted to participate. Tucker shared some excerpts from the essays.
Connor said, “I am wondering if they built a plane because they saw a bird or a flying squirrel and a bird’s beak as the nose of the plane.”
Levi said, “How did they know about thrust, gravity, drag and lift even though they didn’t finish high school?”
And Margot said, “I think it is very interesting that their mom grew up in Hills-
boro so I would like to know if the Wright brothers’ mom was also interested in how to fly.”
Tucker said anyone who submitted a letter got in and in the end she had nine students participate.
She said the community joined together to make the camp a success, from Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance letting the students use the Old Stone School for activities, to a walking tour of town to learn the history of the Wright brothers, to the charter school’s board of directors donating makerspace materials.
“Our entire community came together to support this camp from the town to the school to the aerospace education nonprofits to the parents to the community members to other educators, all were willing to help,” Tucker said. “It’s so awesome
to see aviation fascination bring everyone together and especially with the common mission to inspire our future generation of engineers and aviators.”
The first three days of camp laid the groundwork of the path to flight. Participants looked daily at a Beaufort Scale—a scale that measures wind force—and the weather to check for flying conditions, they learned about windspeed, the Bernoulli’s principle, the phonetic alphabet and had daily spelling, math, science and history lessons. They also made and flew different types of paper airplanes and competed to see which team’s plane flew the farthest and put on a play.
Tucker challenged the students to memorize the phonetic alphabet by the next day of camp so they could understand how pilots communicate.
She said one of her favorite parts of the curriculum was a problem-solving video they would watch every day as they ate snacks. She said it was engaging and the kids were invested in helping the characters solve the problems so they could fly.
The final day of camp was called Flight Friday and involved the students taking a field trip to Leesburg Executive Airport for a tour of the facility and a flight in a Cessna airplane piloted by Loudon County High School graduate Mia Anderson.
Anderson is part of the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles Program whose mission is to introduce children ages 8-17 to flying and offered the flights to the kids through the program.
“It was the best watching their faces go from trepidation as they got on the plane to getting off and smiling from ear to ear. They could hardly speak because they were so excited about the experience,” Tucker said.
She said they flew over their school and pointed out different landmarks, listened to the pilots speak using the phonetic alphabet and a few students even got the chance to take the yoke and fly with Anderson.
She said she enjoyed running the camp and said she woke up excited every day to teach it.
“I was beyond thrilled that I was able to share more about aviation and aerospace with the community in a way that really connected them to where they live,” Tucker said. n
Contributed Megan Tucker
Participants in the Hillsboro Charter Academy Discovering Flight: Problem Solving with Wilbur and Orville finished their four-day camp by flying in an airplane flown by recent Loudoun County High School graduate Mia Anderson.
