This summer, PEC participated in a Water Information Session organized by the Conservation Roundtable. Other guests include Michael Focazio, Marshall District WSA Board Representative, and Kurt McCoy with USGS. The purpose was to discuss the drinking water challenges facing Fauquier County.
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.
Two Paths for Loudoun. Weigh In!
Dear Supporter,
Loudoun County is continuing the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan, which guides all future growth and development in the County.
After sitting through the Envision Loudoun public workshops and participating in the Comprehensive Plan Stakeholder Committee, I see two possible paths taking shape.
Our Thoughts on the Walker Drive Proposal
The nebulous Walker Drive development at the gateway to downtown Warrenton will be voted on by the Town Council on Tuesday, June 11th, at 7 p.m.
Despite its lack of detail (which resulted in the Planning Commission recommending denial back in February), it looks to be marching towards approval by the Warrenton Town Council. In fact, several Council members telegraphed their ‘yes’ votes in a FauquierNow article earlier this spring.
On the Ground — Summer 2017
Updates from the around the PEC region, organized by county. Albemarle: Utility Scale Photovoltaic Power Generation Sites in Albemarle. Clarke: Zoning, Planning and Conservation Updates. Culpeper: Waterloo Bridge Update and Brandy Station Battlefield. Fauquier: Blackthorne Inn and Walker Drive Proposals. Greene: Mountain Heritage Event A Success. Loudoun: How and Where Should Loudoun Grow? Madison: Robinson River Flows Free. Orange: Tree Planting Along the Rapidan. Rappahannock: Got Buffers?
Choices facing Loudoun
Remember taking civics or government in high school? Sometimes, it may feel fairly irrelevant to your day to day life… But then you think about traffic, taxes, school boundary changes, parks and recreation, social services, where you work or shop, the water you drink or the natural resources you care about. All of these are heavily impacted by decisions made by local government.
Expansion at Blackthorne Inn Site: Excessive in Scale
Blackthorne Inn is located in agricultural zoning along Rt 50 between Upperville and Paris. Until it was closed last year, Blackthorne operated as a restaurant and resort with a few small events. Since then, Easton Porter Group, LLC acquired the 50.66 acre property with the desire to renew and expand the restaurant, resort, and Class C event special exceptions. The proposal includes a new 19,000 sq ft event building, a 30% increase to the current restaurant, 20 new cabins for a total of 38 private units, 3 new support structures (3,000 sq ft), and a new spa with gym. The old event building, which was added to the restaurant without a permit, would be removed.
Our Letter to Loudoun County re: Smart Growth Approach
Loudoun has the opportunity to provide clear and coherent direction on future investment. In a spring 2017 letter to Chairman Randall and the Board of Supervisors, we joined with partners in recommending: 1) The County’s first priority should be to foster mixed-use, higher density transit-oriented development (TOD) and the focus for TOD should be the Ashburn Station. And 2) The proposed PD-TC zoning change should be put on hold until the Comprehensive Plan process has determined community priorities for the level and location of growth.
On the Ground — Spring 2017
Updates from the around the PEC region, organized by county. Here’s the blurb from Culpeper, which actually applies to residents in multiple counties: The Culpeper Soil and Water District recently secured funding from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for a Septic System Repair and Replacement Fund that’s available to residents of Culpeper, Greene, Orange, Madison, and Rappahannock Counties. Failing septic systems can affect both ground and surface water quality. The funds cover 50 percent of approved costs and are only available for a two-year term…
On the Ground
Read “On the Ground” updates for Albemarle, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Counties.
A Vote Against Sprawl
Developers pushed Loudoun Board of Supervisors for more houses in the Transition Area and the Loudoun community pushed back!.