Loudoun County

PEC stands with citizens to build excellent communities, relieve taxes and traffic, and protect open space in Loudoun. We work to maintain a balance between the towns, the suburbs and the country so residents can enjoy each of them.

School Location Matters

Posted on by Gem Bingol

Building a new school, like any major construction project, requires a lot of thought and planning. And with that planning comes the need to address the concerns citizens in the nearby area might have about its impacts — traffic, noise and lights, just to name a few. Which is why it's concerning to hear that Loudoun County is considering changes to the Zoning Ordinance that would allow public schools to be built 'By-Right', pretty much anywhere — removing the public's ability to give input. This text was taken from an email alert sent out on May 21st, 2013:

Amendments to Facilities Standards Manual and Zoning Code

Posted on by Julie Bolthouse

The Loudoun Board of Supervisors is considering changes to the Zoning Ordinance and the Facilities Standards Manual that would concede the local government’s ability to protect the County’s natural and historic resources from development, as well as limit the public’s ability to provide input as development is proposed in the community.

Belmont Ridge a Part of the Outer Beltway? Examine the Evidence

Posted on by Julie Bolthouse

The Outer Beltway is a road proposal for a second beltway, further out than I-495, that has been repeatedly attempted since the 1980's. It has failed repeatedly because studies have again and again shown that the road would encourage more sprawl and not reduce traffic congestion. The reason for this is that most of the traffic congestion in our region needs to move east-west, while this road would be north-south through those areas.

Belmont Ridge Expansion to Six Lane Highway Instead of Four

Belmont Ridge Expansion to Six Lane Highway Instead of Four

Posted on by Julie Bolthouse

Update: On May 2nd, the Board of Supervisors voted on the proposal to further expand Belmont Ridge Rd. and Northstar Blvd. past the four lanes planned to six lanes. Residents along both roads, spoke out against the proposed changes via email, the public hearing, and at a public input session on May 1st. The Board voted 8-1 to expand Northstar Blvd. but retain the current four lane plan for Belmont Ridge with a 150 foot right of way, siting the importance of providing freight access to Dulles Airport and connecting Loudoun and Prince William. Janet Clark, representative of the Blue Ridge District, was in favor of maintaining four lanes on both Belmont Ridge and Northstar. She voted in opposition to this compromise, siting it's impact on Northstar residents and the inconsistency of the proposal with Prince William's plans of only four lanes.  You can can read more about the decision in the Leesburg Today or watch the Telecast, click item 6. CPAM 2012 – 0001 Northstar Blvd./Belmont Ridge Rd.

Limestone Geology and Sinkholes

Posted on by Gem Bingol

Limestone geology, also known as Karst, is quite prevalent in the eastern United States. Limestone often dissolves in water, creating voids where groundwater flows like an underground river –gnawing away rock over the eons.

The natural wearing away of limestone over the millenia creates fantastic caves, unique ecosystems and touristic wonders (think Luray Caverns). However, in developed areas, human activities and new development can accelerate the natural pace of erosion–causing sinkholes, threatening buildings and roads, and contaminating groundwater.