A thoughtful approach to land use planning, paired with decision-making that balances growth and development with natural and cultural resource protection, is vital to maintaining a healthy and vibrant Piedmont region.
Farm Wineries in the Piedmont: Finding the right balance
Over the past year, there has been an increasingly heated debate over whether and how local governments should regulate the entertainment activities of farm wineries in Virginia. This is a multifaceted issue with multiple interests …
Business Parks?
Update: On December 13th the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass the new Business Park zoning district. Nothing has changed since November, the vote was only put off to December due to a procedural …
A Tactical Training Facility in Orange?
A proposal is before the Planning Commission for a tactical training facility along with new zoning language that will allow such uses in agricultural and industrial zoning districts. The Commission is holding a public hearing …
Amendments to Facilities Standards Manual and Zoning Code
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 …
Painters of the Piedmont: PEC’s 40th Anniversary Art Show
The Piedmont Environmental Council is proud to bring together eleven of the leading artists working in the Virginia Piedmont region. The thirty works of art chosen for exhibition will highlight a cross section of artists …
Creekside—More Development and More Traffic on Rt. 29
Update: At its February 28th meeting, the Greene County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved the Fried Companies requested rezoning to increase density on their 400+ acre parcel with a 3-2 vote. Supervisors Lamb and Peyton …
Mintbrook Proposal Passes
Update: The Mintbrook proposal was up for public hearing April 12th. Although there were a number of community members present who spoke against the proposal, it was approved with a 3-2 vote …
“Village of Catlett” Proposal
Update: After years of consideration and seven public hearings, the Village of Catlett proposal was finally voted down. This over-sized development never made very much sense, but it was kept alive based on a promise …
Honoring Local History
“This part of northern Virginia has soaked up more of the blood, sweat and tears of American history than any other part of the country.” –Late Yale historian C. Vann Woodward …
Subdivision Ordinance Changes Being Considered
On June 7th the Orange County Planning Commission voted unanimously to retain the time-phased component of the subdivision ordinance until an alternative is in place. We will keep you informed as this issue progresses …
