Through the generous support of our members and help from PEC’s partners, a lot of great things have happened this year! We’ve pulled together this quick list of some of the highlights from 2019 throughout our 9-county region.
Planning and Zoning
PEC believes in smart growth planning and decision-making that enhances communities, reduces vehicle miles traveled, and protects natural, cultural and historic resources.
On the Ground – Winter 2019
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
Banbury Cross Application
Banbury Cross Reserve is the first major cluster subdivision application in at least 10 years in the AR-2 Rural Policy Area to move forward. It sets a precedent for other developers who may contemplate larger scale residential subdivision opportunities in the area. PEC remains concerned with the unnecessary impacts of intensive rural housing development associated with the proposal.
A Dirty Secret: How Construction Waste is Making its Way Onto Rural Lands
Steve and Jennifer Rainwater’s world was turned upside down in 2017 when an access road was built along their property line and hundreds of dump trucks started arriving to dump dirt, non-stop, on a section of the property, behind their house. The new access road created runoff and flooding problems that damaged their pastures and a small pond that had provided fresh water for the horses. Although silt fences were used in places, they regularly collapsed and were generally ineffective. The view from their second floor has changed from woods to a never-ending construction site.
On The Ground – Fall 2019
Updates from around the PEC region, organized by county.
Fauquier Considers Weakening Language in Rural Lands Plan
Over the last year, Fauquier has been working on an update to its Rural Lands Plan, a section of the County’s Comprehensive Plan that outlines land use policies in the rural areas. On Thursday, July 11 the Board of Supervisors is holding its second public hearing about the draft plan and will likely vote that night. We are encouraging them to vote to approve Version A.
Loudoun Comprehensive Plan update nears June 20 vote
Thanks to intense community involvement by residents in the Transition Policy Area (TPA) and across the County, the Board has backed off of the Planning Commission’s (PC) vision for the future of the TPA. Instead of the ~24,000 additional units that were included in the PC draft, it now appears that the maximum additional units would not exceed ~4200 units. This total does not subtract out land that would not be developed due to streets and sidewalks, and other public infrastructure.
Action Alert: Loudoun Board to Decide Fate of Transition Policy Area
It’s been about a month since the public hearings on the 2019 Loudoun Comprehensive Plan, and it’s time for another quick update.
Action Alert: Crunch Time for Loudoun 2040
In late March, the Loudoun Planning Commission voted to send the draft Comprehensive Plan (a.k.a. Loudoun 2040) to the Board of Supervisors for review and action. Unfortunately, the current draft plan reads like a speculative real estate developer’s wish list — and the increased scattered residential development would come at the expense of existing residents.
It’s time for Loudoun residents to speak up and weigh in with the Board. There are important public hearings coming up in April and letters/emails/calls to the Board can start going in right away.
Loudoun 2040: More of the Same or a New Path Forward?
The draft Loudoun 2040 plan outlines how and where the County intends to grow and how it plans to protect its natural and historic assets. Check out this blog post to learn more about what’s in the draft plan and what you can do to weigh in with the Loudoun Board of Supervisors. View slides/graphics from our spring 2019 community meeting presentations.