Loudoun Now for March 7, 2024

Supervisors Open Western Loudoun Policy Review

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night launched its long-promised review of planning policies and zoning regulations for rural western Loudoun amid controversy over its scope and pace.

The rural policies were held largely intact over the past eight years as supervisors developed a new comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance, a strategy intended to prevent agricultural land from being opened to increased development.

After the Zoning Ordinance was adopted last year, the rural polices review was cited as a top board priority.

“I think it was a prudent decision by the board to in October to basically make the decision that you were going to pull all this western Loudoun land related ordinances out and address that as a separate project in the future, which is what has brought us here today,” planner Brian Wilson said.

The plan recommended by county planning staff, is an 18-month project which proposes creating planning policies and zoning standard changes simultaneously while

WESTERN LAND USE continues on page 45

‘A Beacon of Light’ Funeral Held for Fire ghter Killed in Home Explosion

BY HANNA PAMPALONI AND ALEXIS GUSTIN hpampaloni@loudounnow.org

agustin@loudounnow.org

Thousands gathered at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg on Monday morning

to celebrate the life of volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown who was killed in a Feb. 16 home explosion that injured 13 other people.

Brown leaves behind a wife, Laura, and three children. At the request of his family, the theme of the day was a celebra-

tion of who Brown was, not just a mourning of his death, Sterling Volunteer Fire Company Chaplain John Boyle said during Monday’s ceremony.

FUNERAL continues on page 47

Doug Graham/Loudoun Now

First responders from around the region gathered at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg on Monday to salute the service of Trevor Brown, the volunteer firefighter killed Feb. 16 while responding to gas leak that resulted in a catastrophic home explosion.

Hatch Named State Grower of the Year

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com

Two decades ago, Tremain Hatch was put to work planting grape vines on his family’s Leesburg-area cattle farm, perhaps not the favorite use of time for a high school kid. Today, he is recognized as a critical resource in Virginia’s wine industry.

The Virginia Vineyards Association named Hatch as its 2024 Grower of the Year. The award recognizes his work to advance the commonwealth’s wine grape industry as both viticulture research and extension associate at Virginia Tech and viticulturist at his family’s Zephaniah Farm Vineyard near Leesburg.

“He has been involved in the industry since he was a teenager and has become one of the most respected viticulturists in the state,” stated Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr, who presented the award at the VVA’s annual Winter Technical Meeting. “His determination and drive have helped Virginia’s wine industry to thrive and become a tremendous economic driver for the commonwealth.”

Zephaniah Farm operated a dairy operation until 1986, when the family turned to other products—beef cattle, fruit trees, and strawberries among them. In 2002, they planted rows of wine grapes.

“I think there’s probably a fair

Biden, Trump Win Primaries; Haley Makes It Close in Loudoun

Loudoun County presidential primary voters on Tuesday lined up behind their party’s frontrunners, with the majority backing incumbent Joseph R. Biden Jr. and former president Donald J. Trump.

reputation that high schoolers are maybe not the best and most willing helpers on a farm,” Hatch recalled during a recent interview. “And so, I did my fair share, but it wasn’t until I went away to school that I realized, wow, that the farm really is something special and something that I

really want to be part of.”

Now he works with vineyards around the state as part of the extension service to make their farms—and their wines—as successful as possible.

JK Land Holdings Partners with Freedom Center to Donate Land, Move Power Line

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

On the last day of Black History Month, JK Land Holdings President and CEO Chuck Kuhn signed a memorandum of understanding with Loudoun Freedom Center founder Pastor Michelle Thomas that would gift 10 acres to the center— if Dominion Energy moves its planned transmission line.

Kuhn said the company closed on the purchase of 108 acres adjacent to the African American Burial Ground For The Enslaved At Belmont a month ago, but the property lies directly in the path of Dominion Energy’s Aspen to Golden 500/230 kV transmission line project.

“As long as we can develop the site plan that we have with the county, and the

county is certainly working together with us, as long as we can develop that plan, we’ll have the economics to make this large donation to the Freedom Center,” Kuhn said.

Each acre of the property is worth approximately $2 million, making the entire donation worth a total of $20 million.

The site plan includes two by-right data centers and was originally submitted by the Toll Brothers, from which JK Land Holdings purchased the property from for $181 million.

If Dominion agrees to move the transmission line 70 feet from where it is currently planned —moving it closer to the burial ground—it will not impede on the data center site plan, but would still have it on JK Land Holdings property until that stretch of 10 acres is donated to the

Loudoun Freedom Center.

“We need Dominion Power to do their part. We need the State Corporation Commission to do their part to make sure that Dominion doesn’t interrupt this gift and this program,” Kuhn said.

Thomas said the donation benefits Loudoun Freedom Center because it gives it control over the land surrounding the burial ground and expands the property to allow buildings, including the planned Loudoun Freedom Center Museum & Cultural Resources Center.

She said field trips to visit the site are part of Loudoun County Public Schools curriculum and that she would like to expand the site to provide amenities, such as

FREEDOM CENTER continues on page 46

In the Democratic primary, Biden coasted to an easy victory over two other candidates, winning more than 82% of the vote. However, fewer than 16,000 voters cast ballots, according to preliminary results. Four years ago, more than 71,000 Loudoun County votes were cast in the party’s primary when Biden shared the ballot with Bernie Sanders and 12 other candidates.

In the Republican primary, Trump handily won the statewide tally with 66% of the vote. But in Loudoun County, Nikki R. Haley made it a close race, landing more than 45% of the vote. Trump won 52%, according to preliminary results. The Republicans did not hold a primary in Virginia four years ago. In 2016, Loudoun voters supported Marco Rubio over Trump, although Trump won the statewide vote.

Biden won majorities in every Loudoun precinct. Marianne Williamson came in second with 13% of the vote, followed by Dean Benson Phillips with 4%.

Haley won majorities in more than two dozen Loudoun precincts, with pockets of strong support in Leesburg, Ashburn, and Cascades areas. The Republican ballot also included four withdrawn candidates, none of whom got more than 1% of the vote. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Kevin Smith, Chief of the Ida Lee precinct helps a voter curbside on March 5.

Photo by Norman K. Styer Tremain Hatch stands in the vineyard at Zephaniah Farm Vineyard where his wine journey began as a teenager.

Loudoun Supervisors Begin Budget Markup with Few Changes

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

The Board of Supervisors on Monday held its first department-level review of County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget with an examination of public safety, courts, libraries, and parks operations. Together, they account for $426 million in proposed spending.

Supervisors found $479,294 in savings during their five-hour work session—the first of four planned before the spending plan is adopted April 2.

The work session followed a Feb. 22 meeting to review the School Board’s $1.8 billion budget, which seeks a $131 million increase in local tax funding. The board also held three public hearing sessions, with the final one wrapping up Saturday morning.

Monday’s meeting started with a motion to open the board’s deliberations based on holding the real estate tax rate at 87.5 cents and with some supervisors signaling their plan to push for reductions.

According to the county’s tabulations, at that rate homeowners would see a $275 increase in the annual residential tax bills on average. The equalized tax rate, which would keep tax bills level in the face of increasing property values, is 84 cents. Under the board’s adopted funding formula, getting to that rate would require supervisors to reduce the proposed spending

Residents Press for Housing Funding, Arts Center

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Board of Supervisors last week held three public hearings for the fiscal year 2025 budget with the majority of residents voicing support for funding an Eastern Loudoun Arts Center and doubling the funding allocation for affordable housing.

Government Relations Manager for the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Theo Stamatis spoke at the Feb. 28 public hearing and said, while the Chamber was pleased that the county was funding attainable housing initiatives, it hoped to see more funding allocated to the program.

“The FY 2025 budget proposes approximately $7.4 million, or equivalent of half a cent of the real property tax rate, towards the [Housing Trust Fund]. We urge the board to consider increas-

RESIDENT INPUT continues on page 8

in the general county government by $21 million and increase the school system shortfall to $41 million.

Combined, the county and school budgets seek a 13.7% increase in local tax

State’s Car Tax Relief Falls to 28%

BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.org

Early in their fiscal year 2025 budget deliberations, county supervisors are wrestling with the personal property tax, which provides a critical revenue stream from data centers but also sparks ire from residents as the hated car tax.

In County Administrator Tim Hemstreet’s proposed budget, the personal property tax rate would be reduced for the second time in as many years, from $4.15 to $4.10. That plan is intended to prevent the county from becoming

over-reliant on that revenue source.

During the Board of Supervisors’ first budget markup session Monday night, Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) pressed to keep the tax rate at $4.15, saying the significant environmental and community impact of the data center industry did not justify a tax reduction. But she supported reducing the tax rate on vehicles to provide relief to residents.

Hemstreet cautioned supervisors against that approach until the General Assembly provides localities with the unencumbered ability to do so. Under

funding, a total of $2.44 billion. It would take spending reductions of $7.4 million to cut the real estate tax rate by a half-cent.

In kicking off the budget mark-up sessions, Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau

the current law, the county may establish a separate rate for data center equipment, but that authority is set to expire. The county is monitoring proposed legislation that may grant more authority, he said.

Concern over the car tax continued during Tuesday’s board meeting when Commissioner of the Revenue Robert S. Wertz Jr. briefed supervisors on the declining impact of car tax relief provided by the state government.

A pledge to kill the car tax carried Jim Gilmore to the governorship in 1998, but his plan to phase out the tax on the first $20,000 of a vehicle’s value over a five-year period stalled as the program’s rising costs outstripped legis-

(R-Dulles), who chairs the board’s finance committee, said he’ll be pressing to hold

BUDGET MARKUP continues on page 8

lators’ willingness to pay for it. By 2001, the reimbursement rate to localities was capped at 70%. In 2004, the assembly capped the total pool of funds available to refund localities statewide at $950 million. Loudoun’s share was—and remains—$48 million, intended at the time to provide a 70% rebate.

Today, that money covers only 33% of a vehicle owner’s tax bill. Next year, Wertz said it will cover only 28%.

That spurred a suggestion from supervisors to have the county commit funds to increase the tax relief.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau

CAR TAX RELIEF continues on page 6

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Ashburn resident Juliet Rasoamanantena asks the Board of Supervisors for more funding for affordable housing during a budget public hearing Saturday, March 2.

Voting Closes for Government Collective Bargaining Election

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Voting ended Wednesday for some county government employees on whether they want to be represented by Service Employees International Union Virginia 512 and move into collective bargaining.

Service Employees International Union Virginia 512 submitted a petition to hold an election last June. Following a months-long review that drew criticism from union leaders, county Labor Relations Administrator Keith Greenberg opened voting Feb. 7.

SEIU is the only bargaining representative on the ballot and as of Tuesday morning 1,924 employees had received the mail in ballots, according to Public Affairs and Communications Officer Glen Barbour.

For SEIU to be chosen as the bargaining representative for all employees within the county’s general government and labor and trades, more than 50% of the ballots cast must be in favor of the representative. Employees who do not vote are not counted in the total needed to determine a majority.

The last ballots were picked up from the designated post office box Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

When the Board of Supervisors adopted a collective bargaining ordinance in December 2021, three employee bargaining units were included: fire and rescue, labor and trades, and general government.

Hearings Close on Greenway Rate Hike Request

BY NORMAN K. STYER nsyter@loudounnow.com

A State Corporation Commission hearing officer last week presided over two days of formal rebuttal testimony in the Dulles Greenway’s petition to increase the maximum tolls charged to most drivers to $8.10 during peak hours, up from the current $5.80; and to $6.40 during off-peak hours, up from $5.25.

The court-like proceedings are the final step in the staff-level review of the request before a formal report is prepared for the three SCC judges to consider.

dermine the success of their business both in its messaging to residents and the investment of $1 billion in area road projects providing alternatives to the toll road.

During his testimony, Hemstreet was asked directly by a TRIP II attorney whether the county wanted the Greenway to become insolvent. “No,” he replied.

Loudoun County Career Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 3756, filed a petition in June 2022.

SEIU Secretary and Treasurer Patti Nelson said the move to hold an election was a “grassroots” effort and had taken a lot of time and work.

“This has taken years,” she said. “Every piece of it has taken a lot of work and a lot of commitment from people. Back to overturning the ban on collective bargaining, which was a statewide effort. So, this was just one more thing we needed to stay persistent and work it out with the county.”

Nelson said a collective bargaining agreement would allow the employees who are doing the work to talk about what they need to do their jobs better.

“What I’m looking forward to [if SEIU wins the election] is finding out from all of our members what it is that’s important to them. To have a stable income, to talk about working conditions, how they can better do their jobs, how they can better serve the citizens of Loudoun County and that we can negotiate a contract that works well for the employees and works well for the county,” she said.

She said if they win the election, they hope to be at the bargaining table in the next few months.

“We are so excited that employees are going to have a seat at the table. That they’ll be able to talk about what they need to best do their jobs. I think that this going to benefit everybody,” Nelson said. n

Over the two days, Senior Hearing Officer Michael D. Thomas heard from 11 witnesses—from TRIP II CEO Renée N. Hamilton to County Administrator Tim Hemstreet—and received 37 additional exhibits totaling hundreds of pages.

In opening statements, the attorney representing Toll Road Investors Partnership II, which owns the 14-mile highway, argued that approval of the requested toll increases were the minimum rates required to comply with the company’s constitutional rights to just compensation for public use of its property. During the hearing, they questioned whether the county government was actively working to un-

Car tax relief

continued from page 4

(R-Dulles) said it wouldn’t make sense to use local tax money to lower the tax bills of car owners.

He said the solution lies with the General Assembly that has failed to meet its commitment to localities.

“If you look at this item, and you look at the percentage of tax relief we get relative to each jurisdiction, I don’t know how anybody, anybody dares run for the General Assembly in this county in either party without that being the single biggest thing that they’re running on,” he said. “I’ve had these conversations with some of these candidates and it’s just too complicated for them to understand, but we are getting so royally screwed by this.”

Representatives of parties opposing the increases, including the Loudoun County government and the Attorney General’s Office, claimed the rate increase would “materially discourage” use of the Greenway, in violation of a new state law. They also questioned the validity of the company’s financial modeling, and claimed that forecasts of traffic and revenue are inflated.

Also included as evidence in the rate review is the testimony of county residents and members of the Board of Supervisors during a Jan. 9 public hearing at Freedom High School in South Riding where speakers challenged the reasonableness of an up to 40% single-year increase, said that current tolls already discourage use of the highway, lamented that local side roads are more congested because motorists avoid the Greenway, and questioned the wisdom of the Greenway’s business strategy likely to further reduce the number of vehicles paying tolls. n

He said the reimbursement cap hurts growing counties.

“It’s literally designed to punish localities that prosper. And it’s totally unfair and now our residents are paying, regardless of what we do, our residents are paying higher vehicle rates even though our rate itself isn’t higher, in fact its lower than our neighbors. Other people are getting more relief because there aren’t more of them, like there are here,” he said.

“It just gets worse and worse every year. And compared to Fairfax at this point and Fairfax City in particular, it’s really egregious and that’s frustrating.”

Gov. Glenn Youngkin floated a suggestion to eliminate the car tax during his budget presentation in January, but he offered no specific proposals and none emerged during the General Assembly session. n

SEIU Virginia 512

SEIU Virginia 512 Treasurer and Secretary Patti Nelson speaks on the county government building grounds.

Real Estate Disclosure Bills Pass House and Senate

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Two bills that would prohibit localities from requiring disclosures in real estate listings have passed in the House and Senate with overwhelming majority.

The bills, introduced by Sen. Mamie Locke (D-23), and Del. Marcus Simon (D-13), have already been approved by both bodies and are now making their way to the governor’s desk.

While the bills do not mention airport noise specifically, if enacted, the bills could negate disclosure requirements on home sales near Dulles Airport that fall within the county’s Airport Impact Overlay District. In January 2023, the Board of Supervisors adopted amendments to the district including the adjustment of a one-mile buffer beyond the high noise zone.

Residential development is prohibited within the highest noise zone, known as the 65 Ldn. Residential properties located in the lower impact 60 Ldn zone and for one mile beyond that zone must include a disclosure notice with each sale highlighting the potential for airport-related noise.

“Virginia has a Residential Property Disclosure Act. This bill would contemplate that all required disclosures go through the same process we do for adding disclosures through the disclosure act and prohibit localities from adopting their own on an ad hoc basis creating a patchwork of local disclosure requirements,” Simon told the House while introducing Locke’s bill March 1.

Del. Thomas A. Garrett Jr. (R-56) who voted for Simon’s bill in the House over a month ago said he voted the wrong way the first time and would be opposing the bill now.

He said the bill would result in more work on ethical buyers’ agents because counties would no longer be able to require disclosures, erodes local authority and could affect funding from the Federal Aviation Administration for the commonwealth.

“This is a big deal. FAA grants fund Virginia airports historically to the tune of hundreds of millions of dol-

General Assembly

lars,” Garrett said.

He said he was concerned that removing Loudoun County’s noise disclosure requirement near Dulles Airport would make it ineligible for those funds citing the FAA’s Grant Assurances which, he said, specifically mention disclosures.

“The hundreds of millions of dollars spoken of 30 seconds ago, could very well go away until we fix this,” Garrett said.

He said the bill is supported by realtors near airports and is opposed by aviation groups such as the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, United Airlines, Virginia Airlines and the Virginia Aviation Business Association.

But Del. Carrie Coyner (R-75) said the bill isn’t about airports at all.

“This bill is about, that the process for disclosures has always been left at the state level to decide that we want to change laws of what’s required across the board for the entire commonwealth. All realtors use the same form. We should want consistency in that,” she said.

Coyner said consistency helps protect homeowners selling their houses from liability by keeping the standards the same across the state and limiting the likelihood that they miss a county required disclosure.

“This does not prevent localities from putting notices out to the public about things that are happening in their area,” she said.

The Board of Supervisors is opposed to the bills, along with other bills that restrict local authority.

Supervisor Matthew F. Letourneau (R-Dulles) defended the county’s mandatory disclosure saying it was better for realtors to inform residents about the reality of living within an airport noise zone up front.

“I think with this issue, really all we’re trying to do is make sure that we don’t have unhappy residents who are moving into a noise-sensitive area and that’s something that’s going to bother them down the road,” he said. n

“Large

Budget markup

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back on new spending this year with the goal of reducing tax bill increases.

He pointed to a resident in his district who saw a 22% increase in their homes assessment and is facing a $1,300 tax bill increase.

“I’m going to be tougher this year on some of the priority requests. I apologize in advance to staff. In a perfect world I would support everything that we could. There are some of the specific items that I am just not sold on as being absolutely necessary,” he said.

“We have double the number of new positions in this budget, 263, than we have had in every other year in the last five years,” Letourneau said. “At some point—I say the same thing to the schools—we have to stop and quit growing at 8 or 9% every year. It is just not sustainable. This is not going to be the year we will make massive changes and slash the tax rate a ton or all that, but I’m going to be a little more on that side of things than I have been in the last years couple of budget cycles—just to warn everybody.”

Caleb Kershner (R-Catoctin) also highlighted the impact that ever-growing tax bills have.

“It’s becoming increasingly more expensive to live here in Loudoun County and I think we as board members really need to sharpen our pencils and look at each and every one of these budget requests,” he said. “It’s making affordable

Resident input

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ing that allocation to the equivalent of a full penny of a real property tax rate and adopt additional policy changes that would increase the opportunities for public-private initiatives that will increase the supply of affordable and attainable housing units in Loudoun.”

Members of New Virginia Majority, a civic engagement organization that supports working class communities of color, also supported doubling the half cent during Saturday morning’s public hearing.

Ashburn resident Juliet Rasoamanantena said she had immigrated from Madagascar 10 years ago and knee, hip and shoulder problems kept her from being

“It’s becoming increasingly more expensive to live here in Loudoun County and I think we as board members really need to sharpen our pencils and look at each and every one of these budget requests.”

— Caleb Kershner (R-Catoctin)

housing much more expensive—every single one of those units gets taxed at this rate.”

Supervisor Kristen Umstattd (D-Leesburg) said she also is concerned about affordability.

“I would like to see us lower the real property tax rate. You look at the request for more funding for affordable housing—a very laudable request—but the problem is that every time we raise taxes on people, rent and mortgages go up making it less affordable,” she said. “You just go up and up making it less affordable and I’m hoping we can find some savings potentially on the county side but also on the school side—especially in an area where many, many additional high-level ad-

able to work. She rents a single room in a townhouse.

“I am paying $750 in my rent,” she said. “It’s too much for me because my social security income cannot afford that. My kids help me to pay my rent, but I don’t want anymore for my kids to pay my rent because I want to be independent. That’s the reason I am here,” she said.

Rasoamanantena said she applied for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher last year but had not heard any response from the county.

“We want more vouchers. We want more funds for house budgeting,” she said.

Public Defender’s Office attorney Ryan Ruzic said most of the clients he represents face housing challenges.

“When someone is struggling with housing, it casts a pall over their entire

ministrative positions were added to the school budget that I’m not sure are fully justified.”

Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) said she, too, has some savings in mind, but reducing the increase in school funding was not among them. She said that fully funding the school budget was a priority, one she hoped would be supported by increased funding from the General Assembly.

County Chair Phyllis Randall (D-At Large) cautioned her collogues to be more precise in their language. She said supervisors aren’t responsible for rising tax bills, but that increasing property values are the driver.

“The Board of Supervisors doesn’t do assessments. We have actually lowered the rate every year. The tax bill has gone up because assessments have been done on homes,” Randall said. “When we say we are raising taxes we are actually saying the assessor has assessed homes for more and that has made taxes go up even though we lower the rate.”

“That is important to say it like that because that is just a factually correct truth,” she said. “This idea that the board is raising your taxes is just not a true statement. We are lowering it every single year and responding to an assessment that we have no control over.”

“I think we have to be really, really careful about the language we use up here—about what is in our power, what is not in our power and what we actually do and don’t do,” Randall said.

On Monday, they reviewed expendi-

lives,” he said. “And while this county has many resources that I think the residents here often take for granted, community desperately, desperately needs that assistance. Dedicating half a cent has been wonderful work, but it has been insufficient to meet the need, particularly with the incredible rise in housing costs that we’ve experienced.”

During the Feb. 28 public hearing, Broad Run resident Eric Showalter said as a member of Loudoun Symphonic Winds, building a place for local musical groups to rehearse and perform would address some of the challenges faced by local performing groups.

“Band members typically attend a twohour rehearsal every week and five or six performance weekends a year. … A persistent issue for the board was always se-

tures for the county’s Public Safety and Judicial Administration departments, which are proposed for $327 million, a 5.5 percent increase.

The board heard from county judges, Sheriff Mike Chapman, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Anderson, Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary Clemens, Combined Fire-Rescue System Chief Keith Johnson and court services administrators.

The board approved two reductions.

In talks with the commonwealth’s attorney, the board removed a proposed assistant to the chief of staff position, saving $88,000. Supervisors said they were willing to work with Anderson to reclassify some of his vacant positions, which includes 11 attorney slots, to rebalance the office’s resources.

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking to add 14 new deputies and the board also approved a motion by Letourneau to postpone the hiring of seven of them until the second half of the budget year, saving $391,294.

The board also reviewed the Library Services budget, proposed for a 1.7% increase, to a total of 25.5 million, and the Parks, Recreation and Community Services, which is proposed for a 13.1% increase, to $83.2 million. No changes were made to those requests.

Supervisors plan three more markup sessions. On Thursday, March 7, the county’s health and welfare and community development agencies are set for review. The board plans to take up general county government offices on March 11. The final session, including a vote on school funding, is planned March 14. n

curing space,” he said.

Showalter said when he first started playing with the band in 2015, they were practicing at Park View High School and holding performances at Potomac Falls High School.

“There were frequently resource conflicts as each school had its own schedule,” he said.

President of the Loudoun Symphony Association Matt Banner said he also supported the arts center.

“Currently, we have immense difficulty planning our season with the lead time that we desire because we can’t confirm school auditorium venue ability until the school year actually begins,” he said.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold its next budget work session March 7. n

New Voices Join Debate Over Transgender Student Policies

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounow.com

After three years of debate, and two rounds of conflicting model policy direction from Richmond, members of the Muslim and Hindu community are joining the opposition to the School Division’s policy on the rights of transgender and gender expansive students and calling for changes that would allow for separate bathroom and locker room spaces for girls and boys.

Led by Loudoun County resident and father of two Ommair Butt, who spoke for the first time at a School Board committee meeting Feb. 15 about how Policy 8040 affects his community’s “conservative values and faith.”

Butt apologized at that meeting for not being part of the conversation sooner, but said Muslim girls need a separate space for privacy and to adjust their hijabs.

The School Board’s Student Services Committee voted that night to ask the superintendent to bring in an objective third-party facilitator to hold focus groups

with the community to discuss possible changes to the division’s transgender student policy.

Butt said he left the Feb. 15 meeting feeling like the committee had used a stall tactic but said he was motivated to spread awareness within his Muslim community and around the county.

He said he was motivated by concern for his four-year-old daughter and eightyear-old son.

His message to parents: “Don’t wait until you have your own skin in the game; it’s for our community.”

He said the new School Board members made promises to faith and community groups during campaigns. He said now it’s time for the board to listen to what those groups have to say.

“You made promises and went to a variety of faith groups and community and did a lot of outreach,” he said in an interview. “OK, this is a concern that affects the majority of parents and students, not a minority. Please help us resolve it. We aren’t asking for the stars and moon. We just want something changed when

Griffiths Pushes to Get Speakers Back on Camera

The School Board is expected at its next meeting to again discuss putting the faces of public speakers on camera.

Deana Griffiths (Ashburn) presented the request as an information item during the board’s Feb. 27 meeting and sought a suspension of the board’s procedural rules to vote on it.

“Directing a camera toward a public speaker helps capture and relay their message effectively enabling remote viewers to access the content. It is crucial for livestreams, recordings or broadcasts to provide a clear and engaging representation for the speaker for the audience,” she said before being interrupted because a vote on the motion was needed first.

She was not successful in getting a two-thirds majority vote required to suspend the rules. The item will now go to the next meeting to be discussed.

it comes to this policy that addresses the majority of the students, not just one to two percent.”

According to the division’s data tracking dashboard, dashboards.lcps.org, of the 82,553 students enrolled, 64 students identified as non-binary—approximately 0.1%—with 51.4% identifying as male and 48.6% identifying as female. The dashboard numbers were last updated March 4.

Division spokesperson Dan Adams said in an email it was the only data the division used to track this information.

Butt drove from New York last Tuesday to give his one-minute speech to the School Board during public comment after his mother had a stroke and had to be hospitalized. He said he continued to reach out to the community while he was away because he felt strongly about it.

During last week’s meeting several speakers, including female students, shared their concerns over privacy and modesty.

TRANSGENDER POLICIES

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The former board stopped showing faces June 22, 2021, the day of a highly charged School Board meeting that drew a large crowd to speak on a draft policy on transgender student rights and grew unruly, resulting in one arrest. The previous board decided to stop showing faces out of concerns critics were using the forum to create attention-getting videos.

Former School Board member Tiffany Polifko (Broad Run) also tried to reinstate the practice of showing speakers in October, but failed to garner support during a committee meeting.

School Board Increases Maximum Class Sizes

In a unanimous decision Feb. 27, the School Board voted to increase the maximum class sizes for elementary general education classes and to bring the division into alignment with updated state code provisions for P.E. and music classes.

The policy establishes maximum

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Attendees at the Feb. 27 School Board meeting hold signs stating they want the current policy on transgender student rights to change to reflect the needs of the majority students.

Rock Ridge Holds ‘Rise To’ Summit

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The fifth annual ‘Rise To’ summit for women and girls was hosted on the second day of Women’s History Month at Rock Ridge High School Saturday morning.

The event is organized by teacher and author of the women and gender studies course for Virginia high schools Jessica Berg and was attended by Sen. Russet Perry (D-31), Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D38), former Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn and author Bonnie Stabile in addition to over 50 high school students.

The event included a panel with Boysko, Perry, Filler-Corn, Stabile and Rock Ridge Alumnus Pooja Tanjore.

Topics covered during the discussion included challenges faced by the women as they began their career in politics, the reason why they chose a career in politics, advice for the students in the room on how to use their voices and how to become involved to help fight the “systemic issues facing our nation.”

Boysko, during the keynote address, recalled her childhood experience of being raised by a mother who divorced Boysko’s father due to domestic abuse and struggled to provide for three children with no

make sure that she received a good college education and could stand on her own two feet.

“I know that there are thousands, if not millions of people that face the same kind of hardships that my family faced when I was little. And it has inspired me to stand up and be brave and fight for the little guy,” she said.

Perry said that choosing to speak out is hard because it makes someone a target.

“It means the darts, the attention is going to be drawn onto you,” she said.

She said she still faces opposition to calling herself a “feminist.”

“We’re still fighting this battle each and

every day,” Perry said. “Even with the people we hold up high, even with the people that are supposed to be the leaders, even here in Loudoun County in the wealthiest county in the country. And so then the question becomes, are you willing to do that?”

Panelists encouraged students to be themselves and embrace what makes them unique, not to let fear hold them back and to get involved in their communities.

The event also featured a keynote address by Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-7) and a second panel that included Catie Cote, Pratyusha Komaragiri, Maya Manchester and Nargis Jamil. n

college degree.

“She got her first job at a little arts store,” Boysko said. “This is in the 1970s so she was making macramé plant holders. She was making crepe paper flowers. And at the end of the first full month of working full-time. Her boss looked at her and said, ‘Diane, we didn’t make any money, not enough for me to pay you anything.’”

She remembered her mother still found a way to get food on the table and applied for a new job at a local counseling center.

Boysko said her mother worked hard to

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now Sen. Jennifer Boysko (D-38) and Sen. Russet Perry (D-31) take part in a panel discussion at Rock Ridge High School for the 5th ‘Rise To’ summit March 2.

Board Changes School Assignment for Some Aldie Area Second Graders

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Over 200 rising second graders who have been attending Hovatter Elementary School this year, will now attend Henrietta Lacks Elementary School—a school that is being built on the same campus as Hovatter—starting fall 2024 after the School Board voted unanimously to make the change Feb. 27.

After a public hearing in which nobody spoke, the board voted to rescind the previous board’s October decision to let rising second graders stay at Hovatter instead of moving them to Lacks for fall 2024.

Lacks was designed for and built to house students in kindergarten through second grade and the original plan was to have students in those grades attend the school when it opened this fall with third through fifth grade attending Hovatter.

In October, the former board voted to let the rising second graders stay at Hovatter, adjusting the grade level at the school for one year only, to give the students continuity, meaning Lacks would then open

zone for Lacks and Hovatter brought about boundary changes to several Aldie area elementary schools. That coupled with the rising second graders staying at the school led to Hovatter being overcrowded by 114 students.

Chief Operations Officer Kevin Lewis Jan. 30 brought the mistake to the new board’s attention and said he should have caught it sooner. He presented an option to rescind the October decision and held a community meeting earlier in February with the parents of those impacted by the recommended change.

Lewis said Tuesday night that many alternative options were discussed during the community meeting but the fact remained that keeping the students at Hovatter led to overcrowded classrooms and the school being eight classrooms short to house all 262 rising second graders.

sizes stated in policy.

According to the staffing standards in the FY2025 budget, the division’s targeted average class size for first through third grade is 22 students per class with a maximum of 25 students and a teacher’s aide when a class size reaches a maximum of 26.

With that in mind, Lewis at the Feb. 6 community meeting said that Hovatter would need a total of 12 classrooms to house all of the rising second graders, something it doesn’t have.

The recommended change balances out both schools’ enrollment, according to Lewis.

Anne Donohue (At-large) said she realized it wasn’t a perfect solution and thanked Lewis and his team for trying to find the best solution.

to kindergarten through first grade its first year. The following school year, 2025-2026 it would house students in kindergarten through second grade.

Another vote in December by the School Board that set up an attendance

Updated School Board policy allows 30 students per class in first grade through third grade, with a teacher’s aide assigned to first-grade classes over 25. However, division staffing standards adopted each year with the budget create the standards for class sizes. The division’s goal is to have average class sizes lower than maximum

“This is at best extremely inconvenient for a number of families in our division and I regret that,” she said. “I feel very bad for the kids who are in the situation, and I wish that we had better options.”

One mother of a special needs child at the Feb. 6 community meeting talked about how difficult it has been on her son to change schools every year. She said each year she has had to meet with the new school and staff to make sure things like tables and sinks are accessible for him and that there is a place designated for her to administer a daily medical procedure to him.

She also talked about how the playground at Hovatter was not accessible for him and her fight to get it accessible.

Lewis on Tuesday night said that the Lacks playground and all elementary schools being built in the division going forward would have all-inclusive playgrounds. He also said Hovatter would be upgraded to include inclusive elements.

An inclusive playground is created for everyone and takes physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities into account when being built. An accessible playground means it can be accessed by those with special needs like a child in a wheelchair being able to access some of the playground equipment.

This will be the third time this particular group of students has changed schools in as many years, starting with being bused to Pinebrook Elementary for kindergarten in 2022, Hovatter for first grade this year and now Henrietta Lacks for second grade.

The students will switch back to Hovatter for the remainder of their elementary school career.  n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now The School Board Feb. 27 voted unanimously to rescind a decision by the former board to keep rising second graders at Hovatter Elementary School next year. An enrollment error was made when the board’s December attendance zone change and previous decision to allow second graders to stay at Hovatter lead to the school being over capacity for 2024.

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SCHOOL notebook

continued from page 10

class sizes for general education classes and states that the divisions targeted average class sizes are “lower than the maximum class sizes.” It also states in the policy that targeted sizes are established through staffing standards for student-to-teacher ratios.

Despite the maximum class sizes for first through fifth grade being increased to 30 students per class in the policy—adding two students per class for first through third grade and an increase of one for fourth through fifth grades—staffing standards adopted each year in the budget cycle dictate actual class sizes, according to Chief Academic Officer Ashley Ellis.

The policy was also updated to reflect the addition of a teacher’s aide to any class in first through third grade with more than 25 students and classes in fourth and fifth grade with more than 29 students.

According to the staffing standards in the FY2025 budget, the division’s targeted average class size for first through third grade is 22 students per class with a maximum of 25 students and a teacher’s aide when a class size reaches a maximum of 26. The target number of students per class in fourth and fifth grade is also 22, with a maximum of 29. The division brings in a teacher’s aide when a class size hits 30, according to the FY2025 budget.

The targeted average for kindergarten is 23 per class, with a maximum of 25 and a teacher’s aide for all full day kindergarten classes.

State staffing standards are 24 students per class in kindergarten through third grade and 25 for fourth and fifth grade with no teacher’s aide.

Ellis said the intention of the changes were to clarify maximum class sizes in the policy and that the division never intends to hit that maximum number. She told the board class sizes at schools would not be increasing as a result of the change. n

Transgender policies

continued from page 10

“In my religion and personal belief there are modest precautions … such as keeping my hijab and keeping my distance from guys. By merging the bathroom and locker rooms we will be very uncomfortable to change our outfits in front of the other genders. In sports, it will be a violation of keeping our distance because sports are physical and that initiates contact between the genders,” eighth grader Eshaal Zehra said. “We support the LGBTQ+ community in any way we can, however, it should not cost us our core values. Instead of merging everyone we could create separate accommodations for the LGBTQ+ community that doesn’t make the majority of us feel uncomfortable.”

Ifra Imran also spoke about the need for privacy and said her friend was moving out of the county because of Policy 8040.

“While the School Board is concerned about the rights of less than 1% of the students and wants to implement this policy they should also respect the views of the remaining more than 99% of students and their parents who don’t want to implement this policy,” Noman Akhtar, a father of two daughters, said.

Of the 50 people signed up to speak during last week’s School Board meeting, around 30 addressed Policy 8040, including supporters.

Sean Murphy said the policy has protected queer students without hurting anyone and called on the board to continue to protect transgender and gender nonconforming students.

“Last fall, Loudoun elected a proLGBTQ+ majority to protect 8040. We the people spoke loudly and clearly. Now we ask you to please do what we elected you to do, to continue to protect our transgender and gender non-conforming students and vote down these model policies,” Murphy said.

Butt said he’s not trying to remove protections or accommodations for anyone, rather it’s about protecting the rights of all of the students, not just a few.

“I firmly believe every student should have access to the accommodations they need to thrive academically and socially, but I also believe those accommodations should be implemented in a manner that does not infringe on the rights and comfort of the majority of the other students,” he said. “I fully support the students’ rights to express their religious beliefs and

identity also recognizing the importance of making a fair and inclusive environment for all students.”

He said as he spoke in different mosques about the issue, he was met with a lot of shock and surprise from parents who didn’t know about Policy 8040 or what it meant for their children.

“These girls are afraid of sharing with their parents what they are feeling when they use the restroom,” he said. “This affects all parents. It’s not a religious issue. It’s everyday parents and people with traditional family values that are concerned with this. If you are a parent, you should know about this policy.”

He thinks the policy should be broken into two parts—one that addresses the bathrooms and locker rooms and another that addresses sports. He suggests there should be separate bathrooms for transgender students so they feel comfortable and safe and that there should be separate sports teams as well to make the playing field equal.

Several School Board members said they weren’t surprised to hear from so many speakers from the Muslim and Hindu community on Policy 8040, since it was the first full meeting since the committee opted to hold focus groups.

Lauren Shernoff (Leesburg) said the issue has multiple layers—biology, religion, transgender, safety and Title IX—on top of it becoming a political issue.

She said since there is a new board, people might be thinking it’s their time to come forward.

“The old board took a hard line on 8040 and decided they weren’t going to budge,” she said. “To me 8040 was done in haste. I heard that from [former Ashburn District School Board member Harris] Mahedavi in his closing remarks. Things were done in haste, and he regrets that. I don’t want to make a decision in haste. That is not how I operate and that is not good leadership.”

She said there aren’t a lot of details about Chair Melinda Mansfield’s (Dulles) proposal to hold focus groups facilitated by a third-party organization, but she said she hopes it will involve hearing everyone’s opinion, be a safe place for students, and that School Board members still have a vote in the policy changes.

“As an elected official I would like this to be opened up. The worst-case scenario is 8040 is left as is. Yes, it’s hard and it’s going to be messy, and we are going to have to dig deep and do hard work but that is what we were elected to do,” she said. “I believe we can get there. I don’t want

it to just be this or that right now, I don’t think that is a win for the students or the community.”

Kari LaBell (Catoctin), a member of the Student Services Committee, said she wants to hear constructive strategies from constituents.

She said the draft policy that was made public on Feb. 15 was created by the staff under the direction of the previous board and was not the current board’s ideas.

She said hearing from all parties involved would help the committee come up with a framework for a policy that ensures the rights, privacy and dignity of all students.

“But we can’t take a stand that it is my way or no way, because that’s not good for the community, and it’s not good for the kids,” she said.

Student Services Committee Chair Anne Donohue (At-large) said she doesn’t feel like they are delaying a decision on 8040 and said it’s not a “one or the other” decision where 8040 needs to be repealed or leave it as is. She believes by listening to everyone and finding a compromise they can create a policy that protects all students.

“A lot of people in the community have said 8040 was passed in haste and there was not enough reflection, now they say we are kicking it down the road. What we are trying to do is take our time to have conversations that allegedly weren’t done in 2021,” she said.

She said her goal is to create the best policy for the students.

The committee has been tasked with finding a way to incorporate the Youngkin administration’s 2023 model polices into the division’s current policy on transgender student rights.

Donohue said she believes the next steps are in the hands of the superintendent to select a third-party organization to facilitate a broader community discussion.

Loudoun Now reached out to all nine School Board members for comment.

The division adopted Policy 8040 Aug. 11, 2021, to be in compliance with the model policies issued by the Northam administration that centered around rights of transgender and gender expansive students. Under the policy, students are entitled to have access to restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity. Youngkin’s model policies have updated guidance on bathrooms and parental rights including what some critics say are rolled back protections for transgender students. n

luxury not LIMITS

Heritage Students’ Moon Challenge Planting Reaches Mid-point

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Vegetables planted by Heritage High School students last month as part of the international Plant the Moon Challenge seem to be thriving—and teaching them lessons.

Team Red Russian Kale’s plants had to be staked Wednesday to keep the plants growing upright.

“We noticed the stems were drooping and we didn’t want them to break so we added the sticks,” team member Vivian Nguyen said.

The plants were also changing from green to purple.

Nguyen said they were happy to see their plants growing and said her midpoint conclusion is that Red Russian Kale is a good plant for the experiment because it grows really fast and seems to survive in abnormal conditions, like with 85% lunar regolith and 15% potting soil and their additive bat guano.

Lunar regolith is moon dirt, but without the organisms that sustain life.

The eight week competition in conjunction with NASA gives students around the globe the opportunity to grow vegetables

in mixtures of lunar regolith, potting soil and whatever additive they choose.

Team Red Russian Kale chose bat guano building on Nguyen’s research paper.

Team members Brayan Rivas Castro and Nitin Suresh were busy taking and recording the pH levels of each of the plants as part of their data collection for the competition.

Suresh said the pH levels vary every time they check them, and part of their research paper will be to determine what the optimum level is based on the averages.

Other elements of data collection include how much water each plant gets, the plants height and width, and the width of leaves.

Rivas Castro said a few days into the competition they realized the water system they were using wasn’t providing enough water to the plants forcing them to pivot direction. He came up with a drip irrigation system that gives each plant 10 ml of water every 12 hours.

Team Tuscan Raiders plants appeared smaller than other teams, but were doing well, according to team member Yaseen Shakeeb.

“Our plants are actually growing a lot, they might look a little bit smaller than

the other groups but that is because Tuscan kale takes a lot of time to germinate,” he said.

The team faced a big challenge with germination as the competition got underway because they learned the seeds needed a thaw and freeze cycle.

Shakeeb said the team did not account for that fact, which caused them to have to wait longer to plant.

“Our seeds did take longer to germinate, and they didn’t germinate as much,” he said.

The team’s water system, known as water wicking, was keeping the plants hydrated even over the weekends.

Addison Phomsopha, who suggested the watering idea to her team, said they make sure to fill up the water reservoir to 650 ml every day, then check to see how much water has been consumed, then divide that by the number of plants using the system.

Team member Anna Britt said their plants are growing according to their hypothesis, except for one group that has an added fungus.

She said they expected that group to grow more because they added the fungus to their pots with worm castings.

The team thinks it might just need more time to make an impact on their experiment.

Both teams are looking forward to harvesting their plants in three weeks, writing their conclusions, and submitting the project to the Institute of Competition Sciences and NASA scientists.

“We hope that our plants continue to grow, that is our biggest hope because we want to find a plant that astronauts could maybe use for future salads and stuff,” Nguyen said.

Seven teams from Heritage High School are participating in the Plant the Moon Challenge under the direction of biology teacher Amy Goodyear, with 1,000 teams competing across the globe.

This is the second year Heritage students have participated in the challenge, which was brought to the school by Goodyear. Goodyear also led it for a year at the Academies of Loudoun before bringing it to Heritage.

In 2022, Goodyear’s students were international winners and in 2023 they were named Best in Show for evaluation of results for the state of Virginia.

The teams plan to harvest their plants the week of March 18-22, just before spring break. n

Hearing Delayed for Aldie Man Charged with Dealing Fentanyl

The General District Court hearing for a 24-year-old Aldie man facing charges related to the distribution of fentanyl has been pushed until April 10.

possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm while in possession of narcotics.

Shin

Austin Shin is charged with three counts of distribution of fentanyl, two counts of possession with intent to distribute, three counts of distribution of narcotics on/near school property, possession, manufacturing, and distribution of weapon of terrorism (fentanyl),

During the execution of a search warrant at his home in January, Sheriff ’s Office investigators seized thousands of fentanyl pills, a handgun and ammunition, more than $6,000 in cash, and 10.2 ounces of marijuana.

Shin was previously arrested in 2022, in Alexandria, with approximately one thousand fentanyl pills and a firearm, and was on probation for those charges when arrested, according to the agency.

He is held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center. n

Nonprofits

Early Giving Opens for Give Choose Campaign

The Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties kicked off the 2024 Give Choose campaign Monday with the opening of the early giving period.

Give Choose, to be held March 19, is an annual day of online giving that challenges residents to donate to nonprofits serving Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties at givechoose.org.

In 2023, Give Choose raised $793,618 for local nonprofits. Since its inception in 2014, the program has raised over $4.2 million for charitable organizations.

This year, more than 150 charities are registered. Donors may choose from among animal welfare, environment, health, human services, education, youth, and arts and culture nonprofits. Dona-

tions may be made starting March 5. The collection closes at midnight March 19.

Local businesses also participate in Give Choose through sponsorships, which provide a prize pool to be awarded to participating nonprofits throughout March 19.

This year the Community Foundation seeks to push its cumulative fundraising over $5 million.

“Give Choose is our community’s largest day of giving, and we invite everyone to join in making a difference,” said Nicole Acosta, president and CEO for the Community Foundation. “Give Choose gives anyone in our community the opportunity to make an impact by making a charitable gift. Whether you donate $25, $250, or more, every donation counts to-

wards helping our nonprofits that make our community a great place to live, work, learn and play.”

Founded in 1999 by volunteers, the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit designed to accelerate community giving for common good in Loudoun and northern Fauquier counties, surrounding areas and across the nation. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has granted more than $15.8 million. Learn more at communityfoundationlf.org. n

[Editor’s Note: Loudoun Now’s nonprofit parent, Loudoun Community Media, is a participant in the 2024 Give Choose campaign.]

Annual Survey Shows Loudoun Women Continue to Face Significant Challenges

For the second year in a row, more than half of the respondents to a Loudoun Coalition on Woman and Girls assessment reveal they are experiencing major challenges in four areas; accessing health care, housing support, food support and workforce connections.

The LCWAG Voices of Loudoun Women community assessment also revealed data on women’s mental health and safety, with 5% of Loudoun respondents stating domestic violence resources are important to meeting the challenges in their household, according to a release.

“There is growing evidence that women in Loudoun County are falling short of basic needs for themselves and their families. It is incumbent upon all of us to step up, work together and meet those needs,” LCWAG Chair Ferri Riar said. “Our team of enthusiastic volunteers and generous donors are developing the resources and partnerships to help meet basic needs, protect mental health, and provide economic security for the women and girls in our community.”

Findings from the survey are used to guide the nonprofit’s initiatives and partnerships and to inform community leaders about the needs of women and girls.

The LCWAG Research & Impact Hub conducts periodic community assessments and participant surveys, along with reviewing research from other state and national sources.

These insights inform program devel-

opment for LCWAG initiatives like Girl emPower, Woman emPower, the Loudoun Women’s Hall of Fame among others.

Additional insights from the LCWAG Impact Report include the growth of the Girl emPower initiative, with the largest annual summit being held last fall. After four years of the summit, 97% of attendees said they felt more confident about their future goals in post-event surveys, according to a release.

LCWAG’s Employment and Entrepreneurship focus has also expanded to include Woman emPower for 2024, mirroring the focus of Girl emPower to help support women in the community. Eighty-seven percent of participants in last

BENEFIT’s Opens

Nonprofit Grant Application

March 11

BENEFIT, a coalition of Loudoun County musicians and community leaders, will be accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations beginning Monday, March 11.

Nonprofits that serve children in Loudoun County are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, April 12.

BENEFIT’s mission is to unite people with music to raise funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations serving children in Loudoun County.

A total of $17,000 will be available to nonprofits for grant funding. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. The money for the grants was raised from proceeds of BENEFIT’s 2023 Crossroads Music Festival last September.

To qualify, applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization that provides services to children in Loudoun County, complete the online application form found at BENEFIT.live no later than 5 p.m., April 12, 2024 (application form will be available March 11), and submit a 30-second video that captures the mission and work of their organization.

year’s Loudoun Entrepreneurial Women’s Business Seminar said they felt more confident about achieving their business goals.

And finally, LCWAG officially launched the Loudoun Women’s Hall of Fame in 2023, enshrining the inaugural class of eight women in eight different areas of impact, including: Kris Loya (Arts); Kindra Dionne (Business Entrepreneurship); Shreyaa & Esha Venkat (Community Service); Katie Johnson (Education); Sigrid Fry-Revere (Health); Vanessa Grigsby (Leadership); Karen Schaufeld (Philanthropy) and Pastor Michelle C. Thomas (Social Justice).

Go to LCWAG.org/research to reach the Impact Report. n

Grant applications will be reviewed by a panel of BENEFIT volunteers who will review the applications and videos to select grant recipients and decide on the amount of funding that will be awarded.

Grant recipients will be contacted in May. After the grant recipients have been announced, their application videos will then be shared by BENEFIT throughout the year on its social media platforms to raise awareness and support for the nonprofit’s mission, as well as the greater mission of BENEFIT.

Grant application information and instructions for submitting videos can be found at BENEFIT. live on Monday, March 11. n

LCWAG

Several women recognized at last year’s Loudoun Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Loudoun United Hires First Director of Soccer

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

Loudoun United Football Club is taking a new direction with Oliver Gage introduced Feb. 29 as its first director of soccer.

Gage joins Loudoun United after serving as the director of football at SixFive Sports, where he oversaw football strategy for two Canadian Premier League teams in addition to helping expand the teams into Europe and form a multi-club network. Before that he served as the director of football for the CPL. Gage also served as the head of analysis and technical recruitment for the Houston Dynamo FC and as a technical staff member of the 2014 Division I National Champion University of Virginia Cavaliers.

“Today marks an exciting milestone for Loudoun United FC,” said Greg Baroni, the CEO and managing partner of Attain Sports and controlling owner of Loudoun United FC. “Olly’s appointment represents a significant step forward in our journey towards excellence both on and off the field. With Olly at the helm, we are confident that the club is well positioned for success in 2024 and beyond.”

As director of soccer, Gage will be responsible for roster management, strategic direction, and style of play on the field, as well as overseeing the entire technical staff.

Baroni said Gage’s role would be to figure out the club’s “soccer philosophy.”

“What is our style of play going to be? What is our vision going to be? Are we going to be a destination for talent? How do we construct that roster in terms of elite players, developing players and everything

in between,” he said.

Baroni said because of Gage’s international experience he will provide valuable insight into the club’s balance of domestic and international players.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the DMV and honored to embark on this new chapter with Loudoun United FC,” Gage said.

He said he saw an opportunity to build something special with Loudoun United FC.

Gage said he was proud of his career of building, including serving as one of the first analysts in college soccer, bringing improved data analysis to the Houston Dynamo on its run to the MLS Western Conference final in 2017, and going to Canada to build a new league and new teams.

“Now I’m here to kind of build again— building Greg’s vision and my vision,” he said during a Feb. 29 press conference. “I’m here to build a club. I’m not here to build a team. And I think there is a huge difference.”

Gage said he and his wife Brittany wanted to come back to the DMV to be close to friends and family.

“We wanted to come back and not just because it’s an amazing part of the world. I truly believe this could be a destination market for players both internationally and domestically,” he said.

The family is working with a Realtor to find a home in Loudoun for the long term.

The Loudoun United FC home opener in the 2024 United Soccer League Championship season will be March 16 against North Carolina FC at Segra Field. Tickets are available at loudoununitedfc.com. n

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now

Loudoun United FC announced Oliver Gage as its first ever director of soccer Feb. 29.

Towns

Hornbaker Vetoes $16K Tree Maintenance Contract

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Lovettsville Mayor Christopher Hornbaker last week vetoed a contract approved by the Town Council that allocated $16,500 to hire a professional tree cutting service to trim trees owned by the town.

The contract was approved Feb. 15 on a 5-1 vote, with council member Brandon Davis opposed.

In an email sent to Town Manager Jason Cournoyer Feb. 29, Hornbaker said he would be exercising his mayoral veto.

The town’s charter only allows the mayor to vote to break a tie but gives him the authority to veto any acts of council. The council can override a veto with a twothirds majority vote.

During the Feb. 15 meeting, the council agreed to establish a tree maintenance program and approve a contract with Epling Landscaping and Lawn Service for $16,547 to maintain trees at nine different sites in town. It was part of an ongoing conversation led by council member David Earl to address the overgrowth of trees. During a Dec. 14 meeting, the council authorized

the staff to solicit bids for the

project.

The original estimate offered by Epling was for $21,768, but the Tree Board, Earl and town staff worked to lower that by removing some of the sites from the original offer, with Earl offering to manage two of the locations himself, and by negotiating a discount to have all the projects done at once.

The fiscal year 2024 budget includes $2,000 for tree maintenance and the proposed fiscal year budget includes $6,000 to address recurring tree maintenance efforts.

During the meeting, Davis expressed concern that the program would become a $23,000 allocation by paying the $16,500 up front but then still budgeting the $6,000 in fiscal year 2025. He called it a “hammer in search of a nail.” The $6,000 allocation is part of the town’s commitments to maintain its Tree City USA designation.

In a letter sent to the council March 1, Hornbaker said since the Feb. 15 meeting he had learned new information the council did not know at the time of its vote and requested that the council pursue a multiyear tree maintenance program within the allocated $6,000 annual budget.

In the letter, he outlines the reasons for his decision including that, while the council had been told that no pruning or maintenance had ever been done on the trees, the town’s zoning administrator had over-

seen an annual tree maintenance program from 2012 to 2019, that during the December meeting he had specifically asked if the council’s direction would be limited to in-house resources without needing additional appropriations and was told yes, that the council did not receive the bids for the project until two days before the meeting, that the town did not have a comprehensive forestry plan to maintain the trees, and that the action demonstrated a “lack of fiscal responsibility.”

“Just because we have the money doesn’t mean we have to spend the money,” Hornbaker wrote.

He told Loudoun Now that with the town making its part-time public works coordinator a full-time position and already increasing the budget allocation for tree maintenance, he was concerned about driving up utility and tax rates to cover it.

“The biggest reason [for the veto] was an unplanned expenditure of this magnitude hitting our most sensitive budget [the Utility Fund],” he said.

Hornbaker referenced a similar action taken by former Mayor Bobby Zoldos in 2017, who vetoed an action by the council allocating $1,100.

In the letter, he said he supported parts of the program and appreciated Earl’s willingness to complete a portion of the work himself. n

Purcellville Adds Part-Time Economic Development Position

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

The Purcellville Town Council voted to create a new part-time position – an economic development advisor Feb. 27.

The new staff member will fall under the Department of Planning, Zoning and Development with an additional budget allocation of $11,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 2024 to go with funding available from a previously approved capital projects manager position.

A total position cost of $56,605 will be included in the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget, which is scheduled to be presented to the Town Council on March 13.

The job description lists 12 essential functions ranging from strategic planning and business attraction and retention to community engagement and financial incentives.

Mayor Stanley J. Milan said this is a

position he has wanted to add to the town for the past three years.

“I think it’s important that we pursue this because it’s been stated previously that we have a spending problem. No, we have a revenue problem. We have not generated any additional revenue in any large form or fashion,” he said.

He said the council members did not have the time or the expertise needed to identify new ways for the town to generate revenue.

Vice Mayor Erin Rayner, who serves on the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, said she supports the additional position.

Council members Carol Luke and Christopher Bertaut said they had reservations about the position with Bertaut specifically citing the position’s strategic planning responsibilities and its liaising with the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee.

AROUND town

HAMILTON

Hamilton Holds Property Tax Rates, Vehicle Fees

The Town Council on Monday voted to keep the fiscal year 2025 personal property tax rate at $1.10 per $100 of assessed value and the vehicle license fee at $25.

The ordinance also includes a personal property tax rate for elderly and disabled residents at one cent per $100 of assessed value.

PURCELLVILLE

Police Sergeant

Wagner to Retire

Purcellville Police Sergeant Robert Wagner will retire April 1 after 20 years of service to the town and over 29 years in law enforcement.

“EDAC is basically a private reserve of the Purcellville Business Association, which does not represent a majority of the town’s businesses. I’m also uncomfortable with the idea of developing incentives. That sounds like a means of shifting costs from the businesses to the residents. I don’t like that at all,” he said.

He said that attracting and retaining businesses is not the town government’s job.

“Businesses will stay here if they can afford to stay here, if they’re making money. If they’re not making money, it’s not the town’s responsibility,” he said.

Milan said other towns saw the benefit of having a position for economic development in some form.

“It’s recognized as a valuable addition to their town’s growth and prosperity,” he said.

Recruiting for the position is expected to be posted online as early as the end of this week. n

Wagner joined the Purcellville Police Department in 2004 and was promoted to master police officer in 2007 and to sergeant in 2008. He has served as the department’s first accreditation manager, leading the agency’s initial Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission accreditation in 2009 and reaccreditation in 2013. He served as field training officer and fleet vehicle manager and assisted with the records management systems.

“Wagner is the epitome of a community engaged police officer. He was always willing to help a citizen in need, even if it was providing a simple service call, such as changing a flat tire, helping

AROUND TOWNS continues on page 21

Purcellville Police Department

Purcellville Police Sergeant Robert Wagner will retire April 1 after 20 years of service to the town and over 29 years in law enforcement.

Hornbaker

Lovettsville Pursues Management Firm for Oktoberfest

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

Changes are coming to how Lovettsville’s Oktoberfest is planned and organized after the Town Council last week voted to “strategically realign” the event by outsourcing the majority of its activities and aspects.

The motion included pursuing an agreement with Leesburg-based Bow Tie Strategies to manage this year’s festival.

Mayor Christopher Hornbaker said the change stemmed from the event operating at a loss to the town over the past few years.

He said he had met with Bow Tie founder Rusty Foster and was confident he would be a good partner for the event.

“His objective has been to understand what we do and to continue this. … I don’t want it to get out that this isn’t us. It’s not going to be the Rusty show. We still will have the facets of Oktoberfest, still looking for volunteers, still making that a part of what makes Oktoberfest a special community event,” he said.

Vice Mayor Joy Pritz agreed and said Oktoberfest 2024 would look very similar to the event in the past.

“It’s just a matter of them managing rather than the town,” she said.

The council envisions Bow Tie handling logistics, set up and take down and the activities on the Town Green which typically include vendors, the beer garden and entertainment. The town Oktoberfest

AROUND towns

continued from page 20

someone who accidentally locked their keys in their car, or leading the annual holiday gift basket deliveries to local families in need,” according to the town’s March 1 announcement.

A retirement ceremony is planned for 4 p.m. Friday, March 15 at Town Hall.

Wagner is the third longtime town employee to announce retirement plans during the past two weeks, following Police Chief Cynthia McAlister and Director of Planning, Zoning and Development Dale Lehnig.

Applications Open for Nonprofit Grants

The Parks and Recreation Division and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board are accepting applications from non-profit

Committee will still manage Kinderfest and the contests on the squirkle, including the weekend’s main event - the wiener dog races.

“It’s appealing where there’s not going to be a lot of heavy lifting for the committee and volunteers that come out. It’ll allow the committee to kind of focus in on what I view as the community aspects of Oktoberfest,” Town Manager Jason Cournoyer said.

Hiring the management firm will result in a few changes; moving the event a weekend earlier for 2024, though that is not expected to be needed in future years and expanding the event to include Sunday. The third day is expected to run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and have entertainment on the Town Green and a community event on the squirkle.

The proposed fiscal year 2025 budget that the council has been reviewing over the past month has been built with the assumption that the council would use a firm for this year’s Oktoberfest. Only expenditures and revenues associated with what the town will manage of the event were included. Bow Tie will be expected to carry all other costs and are entitled to all other revenues.

Cournoyer said the town had initially approached three management firms but that Bow Tie had been the most responsive to what the town was looking for.

Cournoyer will draft an agreement with Bow Tie that will come before the council at a future meeting for final approval. n

organizations that host community-wide events in the town.

The total budget for this program is $5,000 and is for events held between July 1 and June 30, 2025.

The deadline to apply for the Fiscal Year 2025 program is May 31, 2024. Applicants will be notified by the end of June.

Qualifying events must meet at least one of the following criteria: provide a recreational or entertainment experience that engages the Purcellville community; provide a heritage, historical, or cultural experience that engages the Purcellville community; or draw tourists to the town.

Organizations must have a current IRS documentation, be located within the town, serve Purcellville residents, show matching funds for the event proposed in the application and have a special event permit from the town for the event.

Apply online at the town website at purcellvilleva.gov. n

TOWN OF MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

Fiscal Year 2025

The Town of Middleburg proposes to increase property tax levies. This is a result of an increase in property value assessments, which are controlled and assessed by Loudoun County. The Town Council is proposing to lower the current tax rate. Pursuant to Code of Virginia Section 58.1-3321, a Public Hearing on the increase will be held on March 14, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Middleburg Town Hall located at 10 West Marshall Street in Middleburg, Virginia.

1. Assessment Increase: The total assessed value of real property, as of January 1, 2024, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 6.35%.

2. Lower Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as the current year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate, with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $0.1200 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.”

3. Effective Rate Increase: The current tax rate is $0.1276 per $100 of assessed value. The Town of Middleburg proposes to adopt a tax rate of no more than $0.1236 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed tax rate would be $0.0036 per $100, or 3%. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase,” even though the tax rate is being lowered. Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater or less than the above percentage.

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the higher proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total General Fund budget of the Town of Middleburg is proposed to exceed the current year’s budget by 1.8%.

Questions may be directed to the Town Manager at 540-687-5152.

Danny Davis, Town Manager Town of Middleburg, Virginia

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

MELISSA QUINN FOX

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

TEJAS SINGH

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 7

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

DOIN’ TIME

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

GARY SMALLWOOD

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quatrogoobas.com

MARK CULLINANE

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8

Dirt Farm Brewing, 18701 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont. dirtfarmbrewing.com

HUME-FRYE DUO

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

WILL SHEPARD

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 8

Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

THE BRUNO SOUND

5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8

Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com

FREDDIE LONG

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 8

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

NATE CLENENDEN

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 8

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 8

ResQ BBQ, 528B E. Market St., Leesburg. resq-bbq.com

LIVE MUSIC continues on page 24

A Place to Be Brings Back ‘A Grumpy Bunny’ Performance

BY HANNA PAMPALONI hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

As Easter approaches, a small group at one of Leesburg’s non-profit organizations has been gathering for the last month in preparation for the spring opening of “The Grumpy Bunny” play, set to premiere Friday, March 15.

“The Grumpy Bunny” tells the story of a grumpy Easter egg thief and a quest led by a good-natured neighbor to solve the mystery of the missing eggs. Woven into the family-friendly comedy are meaningful messages about kindness and forgiveness, and how those qualities can help break through someone’s hard shell to get to know the real character inside.

Music therapy and arts non-profit A Place to Be opened its Leesburg location where the show will be performed, last November after being based in Middleburg for 13 years and is already hosting its third production at the new studio.

Eight cast members, led by Director Kyle Boardman and supported by over 20 other staff and volunteers, have been working hard to put on a show that not only provides family-friendly entertainment but also teaches about the importance of treating others with respect.

Cast members are made up of members of A Place to Be’s team and clients with a differing array of abilities and life challenges. The organization

integrates the therapeutic values of music and performance allowing them to experience performing, connect socially with others and work on a multi-layered creative process.

Media and Public Relations Coordinator Manny Vasquez said the performances allow for clients to practice their therapeutic goals on stage.

“Maybe someone has one line in the show and the line is just, ‘that’s for sure,’ but they maybe normally don’t speak at all and especially not in front of people,” he said. “These are kids that normally don’t even speak in front of their parents so saying that one line

on page 26

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

From the left: Lucy Debois, Amy Stone and Cass Parker-Price rehearse at A Place to Be’s Leesburg location in preparation for the play’s March 15 opening.

GRUMPY BUNNY

Arts for All Celebrates 35 Years with The Wizard of Oz

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

To mark its 35th anniversary, Arts for All-Loudoun is bringing back the musical that started it all for the inclusive program —The Wizard of Oz—on the stage at the Franklin Park Arts Center.

This year’s show includes a cast of nearly 60 actors of all abilities performing the beloved play in a special youth edition.

Arts for All Board member Danielle Amos said they don’t choose a play based on who they think they can cast, rather they choose a play based on accessibility.

She said everyone gets a part with Arts for All and said sometimes parts are given based on how an actor has grown over the years. Other times they will cast a part because they see something in the actor and want to give them a chance to “go beyond those limitations they feel they have.”

Director Amanda Barr, who started with the theater company when she was eight years old, said two actors—Kirby Pena who plays the Cowardly Lion and

Lily Koonan, who plays the part of the Tin woman—have really stood out in her mind this year.

Barr said Pena, who didn’t participate in the company’s play last year, has really impressed her and Koonan has really shown a lot of growth.

She said the actors playing the core four parts—Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion and the Tin woman— have all been amazing.

Mary Kate Ryan, a 20-year participant with Arts for All, is this year’s Wicked Witch of the West. She said she got involved because of her love of acting and singing and her love of special education as a teacher in Montgomery County for over 30 years.

Ryan said she’s trying to put a different spin on the Wicked Witch.

“I am not doing a Margaret Hamilton wanna be,” she said. “I am doing my own take. I’m trying to put different intonations on things.”

Amos, who has been with the company for a number of years, said it

Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now Arts for All is celebrating 35 years with the musical that started it all for the inclusive program, The Wizard of Oz.

ARTS FOR ALL continues

page 28

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 22

HILARY VELTRI

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 8

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

JERIMIAH PROPHETT

7 to 10 p.m. Friday, March 8

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhousesouthriding.com

TEJAS SINGH

7 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 8

Velocity Wings Potomac Falls, 20789 Great Falls Plaza, Sterling. velocitywings.net/sterling

DUELING PIANOS

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 8

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewing.com

THE RUSH EXPERIENCE

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 8

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $15. tallyhotheater.com

CHAOTIC BLONDE

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 8

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

HARD SWIMMIN’ FISH

LIBERTY STREET

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. Thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

THE COLD NORTH

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Old 690 Brewing Company, 15670 Ashbury Church Road, Hillsboro. old690.com

THE RUSTY SEESAWS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Lost Rhino Brewing Co, 21730 Red Rum Drive, Ashburn. lostrhino.com

DAVID THONG

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

THE LOST CORNER VAGABONDS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Doukenie Winery, 14727 Mountain Road, Hillsboro. doukeniewinery.com

SHANE HINES

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro.

breauxvineyards.com

ALEX THE RED PAREZ

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Twin Oaks Tavern Winery, 18035 Raven Rocks Road, Bluemont.

twinoakstavernwinery.com

RICHARD WALTON

Presents Luca Pisaroni

Join us for an afternoon of exceptional music with the internationally-acclaimed bass-baritone, Luca Pisaroni. Enjoy a captivating program featuring the music of Mozart, Bellini, Tosti, and more.

Sunday, March 17th, 4 PM

Waterford Old School • 40222 Loudoun St., Waterford, VA

Tickets: $40 adult, $20 student | Seating is limited: book early!

Major credit cards accepted

For Tickets & Info, visit www.waterfordconcertseries.org

8 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 8

Monk’s BBQ, 251 N. 21st St., Purcellville. monksq.com

DUCK CHUCK GOOSE

1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Fabbioli Cellars, 15669 Limestone School Road, Leesburg. fabbioliicellars.com

CHRIS ELLINGHAUS

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Creek’s Edge Winery, 41255 Annas Lane, Lovettsville. creeksedgewinery.com

JOHN KRAMER

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

THE VIRGINIA RUM RUNNERS

1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Lucketts. vanishbeer.com

KEVIN GRIFFITH

1:30 to 4:40 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville. sunsethillvineyard.com

DARRYL MARINI

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

JASON TEACH

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9

8 Chains North Winery, 38593 Daymont Lane, Waterford. 8chains.com

ANDY HAWK AND THE TRAIN WRECK ENDINGS

2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Quattro Goombas Brewery, 22860 Little River Turnpike, Aldie. quattrogoombas.com

2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Bluemont Station Brewery & Winery, 18301 Whitehall Estate Lane, Bluemont. bluemontvineyardandbrewery.com

SELA CAMPBELL

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Notaviva Farm Brewery & Winery, 13274 Sagle Road, Hillsboro. notaviva.com

HILARY VELTRI

3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville.

flyingacefarm.com

JAY & THE FIRE AT LOST BARREL BREWING

4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg.

lostbarrel.com

FEEHAN BROTHERS

5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg. vanishbeer.com

TAYLOR CARSON DUO

6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

SIDETRACKED

6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Old Ox Brewery, 44652 Guilford Drive, Ashburn. oldoxbrewery.com

KING’S X

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Tally Ho Theater, 19 W. Market St., Leesburg. $45 to $95.

tallyhotheater.com

CHRIS HANKS

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 42841 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn. socialhouseashburn.com

GET OUT

LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 24

TORREY B

7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Social House Kitchen & Tap, 25370 Eastern Marketplace Plaza, South Riding. socialhousesouthriding.com

ILYAIMY

7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Music On the Heights, Broadlands. facebook.com/musicontheheights

JUST STONES

8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 9

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

NATHANIEL DAVIS

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

ACOUSTIC SOUL

1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Lost Barrel Brewing, 36138 Little River Turnpike, Middleburg. lostbarrel.com

SCOTT KURT

1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Bleu Frog Vineyards, 16413 Little River Turnpike, Leesburg. bleufrogvineyards.com

ROBBIE LIMON

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10

The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards, 16804 Hamilton Station Road, Hamilton. thebarnsathamiltonstation.com

STUART FRYE

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

ANDY CARIGNAN

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Hillsboro. breauxvineyards.com

THE HUME-FRYE DUO

2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Flying Ace Farm, 40950 Flying Ace Lane, Lovettsville. flyingacefarm.com

RICHARD WALTON SOLO

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Firefly Cellars, 40325 Charles Town Pike, Hamilton. fireflycellars.com

THE VIRGINIA RUM RUNNERS ACOUSTIC DUO

2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Harpers Ferry Brewing, 37412 Adventure Center Lane, Loudoun Heights. harpersferrybrewing.com

KAMENAR

6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, March 10

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

JASON MASI

6 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 13

The Lost Fox, 20374 Exchange St., Ashburn. lostfoxhideaway.com

continues on page 26

Best Bets

GET OUT LIVE MUSIC

continued from page 25

NICK MICH

7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 13

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankypub.com

DYLAN WOELFEL

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14

Bear Chase Brewing Company, 33665 Bear Chase Lane, Bluemont. bearchasebrew.com

TAYLOR SHEPPARD

6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 14

Spanky’s Shenanigans, 538 E. Market St., Leesburg. spankyspub.com

BETHANY GATES

6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, March 14

City Tap Loudoun, 20376 Exchange St., Ashburn. citytap.com/menus-loudoun-virginia

Grumpy Bunny

continued from page 22

is often the highlight of their year. We have kids who were in our shows 10 years ago who still talk about being in the show.”

Boardman, who first became involved with the nonprofit at 15 and has a background in music therapy, said his job is a blend of directing the show and helping the actors wherever they might need it.

“We’re so inclusive that in a way pretty much every cast member has a different baseline and has sort of a different level of experience and comfortability. So, we always try to start a rehearsal with just something

THE BRUNO SOUND

Friday, March 8, 5:30 p.m.

Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, 38906 Mount Gilead Road, Leesburg. willowcroftwine.com

Loudoun’s oldest winery hosts an evening of live music with Bruno performing his cover catalog of ’90s grunge rock.

HAPPENINGS

WRITING IN NATURE

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7

Morven Park Gate House, 17339 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

LMAO PRODUCTIONS COMEDY SHOW W/ ANWAR RAY

8 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7

Emilio’s Brick Oven Pizza, 22207 Shaw Road, Sterling. $15. emiliosbrickovengourmet.com

TASTE OF WALTONWOOD

1 to 3 p.m. Friday, March 8

Waltonwood at Ashburn, 44141 Russell Branch Parkway, Ashburn. waltonwood.com

YOUNG BIRDING BIRD AND AMPHIBIAN WALK

9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9

JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary, 14570 Newvalley Church Road, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

LIFE@50 ACADEMY: PLANNING FOR YOUR HEALTH, WEALTH, AND HAPPINESS

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 9

fun whether we get up and dance or we just sing or we just sit and catch up about our week and connect,” he said.

Boardman called the play “incredibly cute” but said beneath that, the story is based in social-emotional learning.

“There’s a message written into the show and every show that we do. And it’s something that we’re trying to teach or educate on and in this case the message kind of is, the story is everyone feels certain emotions, being grumpy or being upset or angry. What’s important is how you treat the people around you and to approach everyone with kindness and respect because you never know what someone is going through,” he said.

He said during the performances,

KING’S X Saturday, March 9, 8 p.m.

Tally Ho Theater tallyhotheater.com

Ranked among the greatest hard rock bands of all time, the progressive metal pioneers have released 13 studio albums and a host of live recordings.

Arcola Church, 24757 Arcola Mills Drive, Dulles. arcolachurch.org

BIRDING BANSHEE

8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9

Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg. loudounwildlife.org

BOXERS & BRIEFS 5K

9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9 Broadlands Community Center, 43008 Waxpool Road, Ashburn. $35. runsignup.com

NOOKS & CRANNIES TOUR

10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 9

The Davis Mansion at Morven Park, 17269 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg. $15 to $25. morvenpark.org

PATRIOT GRAVE MARKING

11 a.m. to noon Saturday March 9 19010 Woodburn Road, 19010 Woodburn Road, Leesburg.

Sergeant Major John Champ SAR on Facebook

MARTINIS MATTER FOR LEESBURG

VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY

5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 9 River Creek Club, 43800 Olympic Blvd., Leesburg.

they will put matts down at the front of the audience just before the stage and invite all the children of the audience to sit there to get the full immersive experience of the play.

Amy Stone, who has been part of A Place to Be since she was 15 and is acting in “The Grumpy Bunny” this month, said she helped design the stage and make it ADA-compliant with ramps on the front and both sides, allowing her and others to access it easily in their wheelchairs.

Stone was also integral in forming the organization’s inclusive touring show, The Same Sky Project.

“My whole goal with Same Sky was to create a production where people like me were represented, because when I was in high school I would go to

leesburgfire.org

BOYS AND GIRLS STATE FUNDRAISER

6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 9 American Legion Post 293, 112 N. 21st St., Purcellville. vapost293.org

HARLEM WIZARDS

6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 9 Freedom High School, 25450 Riding Center Drive, Chantilly. $20 to $55 freedomeaglesathletics.com/harlem-wizards

LOVETTSVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10, Lovettsville Museum,10 E. Broad Way, Lovettsville. lovettsvillehistoricalsociety.org

BUILD LIKE A BEAVER

2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10 Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW., Leesburg.

loudounwildlife.org

WOODCOCK WALK

6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 12

JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary, 14570 Newvalley Church Road, Lucketts. loudounwildlife.org

assemblies and I wouldn’t see myself,” she said. “And I thought, ‘hmm maybe we can fix that.’”

A Place to Be was founded in 2010 by Tom Sweitzer, who wrote “The Grumpy Bunny” script and Kim Tapper. Their mission is to create community, belonging and hope through music therapy, performance and the expressive arts.

Tickets to the show are $5 and can be purchased at aplacetobeva.org. Showtimes are Friday, March 15 at 7 p.m., Saturday, March 16, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and Sunday March 17, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

To learn more about what A Place to Be offers visit aplacetobeva.org/programs. n

Riverside High School Tapped to Debut Harry Potter Play

BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com

The hit Broadway play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—a sequel to the Harry Potter book series—is coming to a local high school stage this fall.

Riverside High School was selected Feb. 13 as the first—and only—high school in Virginia chosen to perform the new high school version of the award-winning play.

The competition was created by Broadway Licensing Global, a licensing platform that specializes in the worldwide distribution of Broadway musicals, to give all high schools and charter schools in the U.S. a chance to perform the play.

Riverside Theater Department Head, Director and Teacher Marilyn Gilligan said for their video application they got the entire school involved to let Broadway Licensing Global know they were all in. The video contains students and administrators talking about the department’s passion for the arts, inclusion and diversity and why they should be chosen.

Gilligan said she couldn’t be happier about being selected because she’s a self-described die-hard Harry Potter fan.

“Imagine the first dress rehearsal and seeing all the kids running around. It’s going to look like Hogwarts and it’s going to be a dream come true for some of these kiddos.” she said.

She said the technical side of the play poses some challenges but that she’s up for it.

“There is every tech nightmare you can think of in this show,” she said referring to students flying on brooms and multiple set changes in the first two acts alone.

“When I first read the script, I started laughing hysterically and thought ‘how am I supposed to do all of this?’ I‘ve been doing this for 20 years and I know every tech secret there is, but this is going to be challenging.”

She said even though the play isn’t until October, she is already starting to get things in order.

“The second I heard about it, I started designing the set,” she said with plans to start construction in June.

There is an open call for volunteers who want to help with construction with Gilligan saying they will build the set on the weekends to accommodate everyone’s schedules.

She is also looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of some of the more expensive set aspects, like the rigging needed to make the students fly. She said she plans to offer different sponsor levels with different incentives like a private screening of a dress rehearsal.

“We want the community involved. We represent Loudoun County and the state of Virginia with this show so we want to make it the best it can possibly be,” she said.

Gilligan said once school starts this fall, she will hold auditions and said those will strictly be for high school students because it will be their Cappies submission—a critics and awards program that recognizes, celebrates and provides learning experiences for high school theater and journalism students.

She said she believes anyone can do anything, so she approaches play auditions with an open mind and never pre-casts roles.

She said in addition to the quick auditions, rehearsals will get underway very quickly that will include the tech team so they can work with the actors from day

one with moving wands on strings and doing all the tech elements.

“I’m going to be planning some crazy things to make this fun for the kids, so they don’t feel the pressure. I’m going to have banners of Hogwarts houses in the Black Box, we’ll have everyone sign their name on a scroll. We are going to keep it fun for everyone who is part of the show,” she said.

Gilligan said opening night will likely be Oct. 18, with a special dress rehearsal for sponsors on the 17th

High Schools in 29 states were chosen to stage the high school edition of the show. Each school had to submit a video describing why their school or community is the most “magical” place to produce the Olivier and Tony Award winning play. Schools have to pay all royalties and production packages fees to license the show and must perform the play between Oct. 15 and Nov. 10.

“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany and takes place 19 year after the end of the Harry Potter book series. It follows Potter’s son, Albus and his friendship with Scorpius, the son of his rival Draco Malfoy at their first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Premiering in 2016, the play won nine Olivier Awards, including Best New Play and later six Tony Awards, including Best Play. n

Broadway Licensing Global

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Arts for All

continued from page 23

combined all of the things she loves.

The special education teacher said it’s a theater company where everyone understands you give your time and your talent to make the show a success.

“Everyone wants to be here and a lot of the time you are here with some family members and its longitudinal and you tend to stay year after year,” she said.

Danielle’s daughter, Alessandra, a senior at Woodgrove High School, is a testament of that. Alessandra got involved a year ago working as an assistant choreographer and helping the actors backstage. This year in addition to helping with choreography, she is providing American Sign Language interpretation for the March 14 show.

It will be her first time interpreting since completing ASL classes through her school and through dual enrollment with Northern Virginia Community College.

She said her teacher encouraged her to volunteer to interpret to give herself more experience since she completed the highest course she could take through the school division.

“I’m nervous because I don’t know if I’ll be able to get it all out, because I’m not completely confident, but I can’t put too much pressure on myself,” she said.

The play begins March 8 at 7 p.m. with shows also on March 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17. There will be ASL interpretation on the March 10 and 14 as well as a special sensory friendly show on March 14 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance for adults, $15 for students and seniors and $25 at the door. Performances will be at Franklin Park Arts Center at 36441 Blueridge View Lane near Purcellville. Tickets can be purchased at artsforallloudoun.org.

“It means the world to me and its a safe space for everyone including the production team, not just actors and we hope everyone can come out and support the organization and see our actors for who they really are and not for their abilities,” Barr said.

Formerly known as Very Special Arts, Arts for All Loudoun is a nonprofit organization that offers recreational performing and visual art opportunities to people of all abilities and helps foster skills, development and social engagement, according to its website. The theatre company puts on a spring musical every year. n

Rose Slobodzinski

Rose “Bunny” Phyllis Peluso Slobodzinski, 93, of Leesburg, VA, passed away on Sunday March 3, 2024 at her daughter’s home surrounded by loved ones. Bunny was born in Queens, NY in 1930 to Natalie D’Ambrosio and Philip Peluso, an immigrant from Naples, Italy. She is predeceased by her two brothers, Carmen and Anthony, and her son, Peter. Embraced by adoring aunts and uncles, Bunny’s childhood was guided by her faith and defined by an unflappable optimism. In 1943, her brother Carmen introduced her to the man who would become the love of her life—Edwin John Slobodzinski, also of Queens. Bunny and Ed’s relationship endured his active duty in WWII and the Korean War. During that time, Bunny worked in the New York office of Dun & Bradstreet before joining the advertising agency, Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn. The couple married in 1953 and moved to Medford, MA, where they started a family. Acting on a job listing that Bunny had researched, Ed interviewed and was hired by IBM, prompting a move to Poughkeepsie, NY. As a family, homelife centered around both his Polish and her Italian cultures, with a strong emphasis on family history, foods, and holiday traditions. As a couple, they enjoyed dancing to big band music, curling, traveling abroad, and sailing up and down the New England coast. Later, IBM transfers resulted in moves to Stamford, CT, and finally to Charlotte, NC, where Ed passed away after a bout with cancer in 1985. In Charlotte, Bunny remained active at home and in the community—hosting dinner parties, gardening, golfing, starting a cookie business, and volunteering at numerous

Obituaries

organizations. Bunny was devoted to her three children: Deborah Parker Cook, Peter Slobodzinski (spouse, Karen), and Natalie Pangaro (spouse, Bill Thompson); her five grandchildren: Jennifer Whitman (spouse, Jon Whitman), Graham Parker (spouse, Jess), Edlyn Parker, Ryan Slobodzinski (fiancée, Shelby Maher), and Rachel Slobodzinski; and two great-grandchildren: Jaxson Slobodzinski and Huxlee Parker. Bunny’s boundless love, strong character, and tireless spirit have left an indelible mark on her children and grandchildren. She will be remembered for her warmth and playful sense of humor, and will be cherished as the best mother, grandmother, and friend that one could ever ask for. We are especially grateful to her daughter, Deborah, and the team of extraordinary caregivers who ensured that Bunny’s final months were comfortable and full of grace and dignity. Funeral services will be held in Charlotte NC. At a later date, a celebration of life will be hosted by her daughter, Deborah Cook, in Leesburg, VA. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Rose’s name to Florence Crittendon in Charlotte NC where she volunteered. https://crittentonofnc.org/

E. Wayne Griffith

E. Wayne Griffith passed away on February 24, 2024, in Leesburg, Virginia. He was born on July 25, 1946, in Washington, DC., the son of the late Louise Bixler Griffith and Earle William Griffith. Wayne graduated from Mount Vernon High School, Alexandria, Virginia in 1964 and Virginia Tech in 1968. He earned a master’s degree in school administration from Virginia Tech in 1976. He began his long career in education at

Broad Run Annex, Leesburg, Virginia in 1964. When Broad Run High School opened, he taught math and French and coached golf and freshman basketball. He then became assistant principal at Loudoun Valley High School before becoming principal at Douglas Community School in Leesburg. In 1981 he returned to Broad Run High school as principal for seventeen years. When Potomac Falls High School opened in 1999, he was named its first principal. He remained at that position until his retirement in 2004. After his retirement he worked for Loudoun County Public Schools in the recruitment of new teachers. A lifetime lover of all sports, he coached his sons’ little league and basketball teams. Going to Redskins games was a favorite pastime. But his favorite sport was golf. He played many courses in the area and in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where he had a second home. Wayne was also an accomplished musician and singer. He played the piano, accordion, and 12-string guitar. While at Virginia Tech he was a member of the Virginia Tech Men’s Glee Club. He often entertained at various family gatherings and was a fan favorite at karaoke. Joy and Wayne traveled the world. They enjoyed cruises and land excursions with family and Virginia Tech friends. When one trip ended another was being planned. Wayne’s favorite overseas trip was to Scotland where he was able to play golf at St. Andrews and other Scottish Royal courses. He is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Joy Muse Griffith, and his four children: Ron (Christine), Diane Boyd (Warren), Mike, and Doug (Lila). He also leaves ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A sister, Ellie LeClaire of Corinth, Texas also survives. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd., NE., Leesburg, VA 20176. A Celebration of Wayne’s life will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at 2:00 pm at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 8 Cornwall Street NW., Leesburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Loudoun Education Foundation 2100 Education Court Ashburn, VA 20148

Loudoun Hunger Relief 750 Miller Drive Suite 10 Leesburg, VA 20175 Loudoun County Agency on Aging Home-Delivered Meals Program 102 North Street NW Leesburg, VA 20176

Legal Notices

2024-2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

The Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development has prepared the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Annual Action Plan (Annual Action Plan) for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 16, 2024.

HUD has designated Loudoun County as qualified for Urban County participation in the CDBG Program entitled to receive CDBG funding and as a Participating Jurisdiction to receive HOME funds directly from HUD. The HUD regulations require adoption of the above referenced Annual Action Plan, which outlines the County’s housing and community development needs, priorities, and objectives, and proposed uses of federal funds for the ensuing program year.

Components of the FY 2025 Annual Action Plan include, without limitation, descriptions of:

§ Federal and other resources expected to be available.

§ Leveraging of resources and how match obligations will be met.

§ The activities to be undertaken.

§ The geographic distribution of investment; and

§ Planned homeless and other special needs activities.

Copies of the proposed Annual Action Plan are available and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, and the Department of Housing and Community Development at 106 Catoctin Circle, SE, Leesburg, Virginia from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. The Annual Action Plan is also available online at www.loudoun.gov/cdbg. Written comments on the Annual Action Plan may be submitted to the attention of the CDBG Program Manager, Johnette Powell, at the Loudoun County Department of Housing and Community Development, P.O. Box 7000, Leesburg, Virginia 20177 or by email: johnette.powell@loudoun.gov. Comments will be received by April 10, 2024. The Board of Supervisors Public Meeting to approve the Annual Action Plan will be held on April 10, 2024, at the Loudoun County Government Center, Board Room, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia at 6:00 pm.

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200/TTY-711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

AN ORDINANCE VACATING A PORTION OF PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 39 SYCOLIN ROAD SE AND AUTHORIZING CONVEYANCE OF VACATED SURPLUS RIGHT-OF-WAY TO ABUTTING PROPERTY OWNER

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-1800, 15.2-2006 through 15.2-2008, and 15.2-2100, notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on:

TUESDAY, March 12, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176

to consider an ordinance vacating the use of a portion of Sycolin Road SE, across from the intersection of Sycolin Road SE and Principal Drummond Way, for right-of-way purposes. The proposed ordinance will also authorize the sale and conveyance of the real property to the owner of the abutting property at 39 Sycolin Road SE. The portion of the right-of-way proposed to be vacated and conveyed is a portion of the cul-de-sac that is no longer in use or necessary following the construction of Principal Drummond Way.

A copy of the proposed ordinance and additional information are available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-7712733.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

2/29/2024 & 3/7/2024

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

The Town of Leesburg will accept proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 3:00 p.m. on March 28, 2024 for the following:

RFP No. 500640-FY24-44

ON-CALL AND EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL SERVICES

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified firms for a wide variety of on call and emergency electrical services for the Department of Utilities including but not limited to the Water Pollution Control Facility, the Water Treatment Plant as well as associated facilities.

For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 3/7/24

ABC LICENSE

Stone Springs Market LLC trading as Tres Amigos Market & Deli, 24075 Stone Springs Blvd, Sterling, Loudoun County, Virginia 20166.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for Retail Wine and Beer On and Off Premises and Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Anubhav Gupta, Member

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

3/7 & 3/14/24 LOUDOUNNOW.COM

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS MANUAL (DCSM)

an incorporated portion of the SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF LEESBURG, VIRGINIA

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204, 15.2-2240 et seq., 15.2-2251 and 15.2-2253 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the Leesburg Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on:

Thursday, March 21, at 7:00 P.M.

in the Town Council Chambers

25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176

to consider amendments to the following provisions of the Town’s Design and Construction Standards Manual (DCSM):

• Article 4 (Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal), Section 4-130 (Design Criteria)

• Article 2 (Fire and Water Regulation Details), Drawings:

WS-10 Standard Casing Installation WS-11 Liner Plate Tunnel

WS-15 Strapping WS-18 Fire Hydrant

WS-21 Permanent 2” Blow Off (Paved Areas) WS-23 Double Meter Installation

WS-24 Permanent 2” Blow Off (Unpaved Areas)

WS-30 Combined Fire Line and Domestic (1”, 1.5” or 2”) Service Connection

WS-32 Notes for Combined Fire Line and Domestic Service Connection

• Article 4 (Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal Details), Drawings

(Conduit Bedding – Sewer Lines)

• Appendix A (Construction Standards), Article 2 (Water and Fire Regulation (GN-WS Details)), Drawings:

WN-1

WS-25 Temporary 2” Blow Off

WS-31 Combined Fire Line and Domestic (3” and Larger) Service Connection

• Appendix A (Construction Standards), Article 4 (Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal (SS Details)), Drawings:

Drawing No. Title Drawing No. Title

SN-1 Sewer General Notes (to be created; replaces GN-2)

SS-1 Sanitary Lateral Connection SS-2 House Lateral Spur

SS-3 Lateral for Deep Sewer SS-4 4’ Dia. Manhole with Outside Drop Connection

SS-5 Forcemain Sewage Air Release Valve SS-6 Inside Drop Connection

SS-13 Sanitary Lateral Cleanout SS-17 Forcemain Cleanout

SS-33 Grease Interceptor SS-38 Typical Section – Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Access Drive

The amendments to Section 4-130 will add a DCSM modification procedure, allowing application for a low-pressure force main for individual residences. The amendments to the water and sanitary sewer details will: ensure quality construction that complies with the latest industry standards; provide clarification; simplify administration & enforcement of field construction; conform the DCSM to current Town and industry standards; and delete detail sheets for facilities no longer needed or required by the Town. This Design and Construction Standards Manual ordinance amendment application is identified as case number TLENOA-2024-0001. Copies of these proposed amendments to the DCSM are available at the Department of Utilities, 1385 Russell Branch Parkway, Leesburg, VA during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by emailing your inquiry to utilityengineering@leesburgva.gov

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.

3/7/24 & 3/14/24

PLAT-2024-0068 Lansdowne Blvd.

Mr. Nicholas Flanagan of ESC Lansdowne, L.C. of McLean, VA is requesting preliminary plat of subdivision approval to subdivide approximately nine (9.22) acres

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LOVETTSVILLE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED 2024 TAX RATES AND SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025

Pursuant to Sections 15.2-107, 15.2-1427, 15.2-2111, 15.2-2119, 15.2-2122, and 15.2-2143 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the LOVETTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at 6:30pm in the Town Council Chamber, 6 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, Virginia at which time the public shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the Town’s proposed schedule of fees for tax year 2024 and fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

All persons desiring to speak will be given an opportunity to do so at this meeting.

Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Town website and are available for review at the Town Hall between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays or by special appointment, holidays excepted. Call 540-822-5788 for more information or visit www.lovettsvilleva.gov. In the event the meeting is cancelled, the public hearing will be convened at the next regular scheduled meeting at the same time and place.

GENERAL FUND

All

In-Town

Out-of-Town Contractors

LICENSE

Fee of $30.00 for gross receipts up to $20,000.00 and a Tax of $0.17/$100 for Contractors

Fee of $30.00 for gross receipts up to $20,000.00 and a Tax of $0.16/$100 for gross receipts over $20,000.00

No charge for work valued under $25,000.00 annually; Fee of $30.00 plus a tax of $0.16/$100 for gross receipts over $25,000.00

Final Plat Amendment $250

Boundary Line Adjustment $250

Minor Subdivision Plan/Plat $300 + $15 PER LOT

Preliminary Site Plan $1,000+ $50 PER ACRE

Final Site Plan $1,000 FOR FIRST ACRE + $50 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE

Preliminary/Final Site Plan $1,000 FOR FIRST ACRE + $50 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ACRE

Conditional Use Permit** $350

Subdivision/Site Plan Exception* $100 PER SECTION VARIED

Comprehensive Plan Amendment $2,500

Occupancy Permit $75

Bond Reduction (PER REDUCTION) $100

Bond Release $150

VDOT Street Acceptance $150

Variance/Appeal* $100

Subdivision/Site Plan Engineering & Legal Consultant Review Deposit Fee** $3,000

Comprehensive Plan (Document) $40

Notes:

* Additional charges for advertising and/or adjacent property owner notification will be billed to the applicant. (Applicants are responsible for all base fees as well as any engineering or Town Attorney Review Costs)

** As required by Section 30-37 of the Town Code for subdivision construction drawings and development site plans. If actual costs differ from amount deposited, the excess shall be paid by the applicant to the Town or difference refunded to the applicant, as applicable.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) REQUESTS

Photocopies

Documents Printed In-House

per page (8 ½ x 11)

per page (Black/White 24” x 36”)

per page (Color 24” x 36”) Documents Sent to

Cost for staff time to research and respond to FOIA requests will be based on the hourly rate of the appropriate staff member(s) responding to the request. For more information, see the

of Lovettsville Freedom of Information Act Policy and FOIA Request Form.

UTILITIES FUND

AND

Sign

–

Preliminary Plat $300 + $15 PER LOT

Preliminary Plat Amendment $250

Final Plat

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Legal Notices

Frye Court Service Tax District (per $100 of assessed value exclusive of improvements) $0.240 WATER

AND SEWER RATE TABLE

A minimum rate applies to all water and sewer accounts after the minimum billed usage and an additional dollar amount is applied per 1,000 gallons, and includes a 3% increase in residential 5/8 & 3/4 meter sizes, as well as rates for non-residential and other size water meter connections.

Lateral

3

4

Water

Engineering Reimbursable- cost to update water model to include new water lines and provide required information to VDH for their review and approval; component of Engineering Deposit. Hydrant

provide needed testing equipment

LOUDOUN COUNTY WILL BE ACCEPTING SEALED COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS FOR:

CONCESSION FOOD SERVICES (SUPPLEMENTAL), RFP No. 648812 until prior to 4:00 p.m., April 5, 2024. (INITIAL ACCEPTANCE)

JOB ORDER CONTRACTING MAINTENANCE OF MECHANICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, RFP No. 640809 until prior to 4:00 p.m., April 3, 2024.

Solicitation forms may be obtained 24 hours a day by visiting our web site at www. loudoun.gov/procurement . If you do not have access to the Internet, call (703) 777-0403, M - F, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

WHEN CALLING, PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANY REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY TYPE OF DISABILITY IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCUREMENT

Town

Notes:

*** Upgrades from a smaller meter size will equal the difference between the new availability fee and the current availability worth of the existing meter size.

These actions are authorized by the Code of Virginia §15.2-2111 - §15.2-2143 & §15.2-2111 - 15.2-2119

$30.00 bank charge for all returned checks

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046599-05-00, -06-00, -07-00, -08-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Briston Love

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a third Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1281 for Briston Love and hold a hearing on the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1283 for Briston Love. Unknown Father is hereby notified that failure to appear on the hereinafter

2/29 & 3/7/24

noticed date and time may result in the entry of an Order approving a permanency goal of adoption as well as the termination of his residual parental rights with respect to Briston Love. Unknown Father is hereby further notified that if his residual parental rights are terminated, he will no longer have any legal rights with respect to said minor child, including, but not limited to, the right to visit Briston Love; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Briston Love; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Briston Love. Further, Unknown Father, will have no legal and /or financial obligations with respect to Briston Love, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Briston Love for adoption and consent to the adoption of Briston Love.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 4, 2024 at 10:00am

2/29, 3/7, 3/14 & 3/21/24

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS will hold a public hearing in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room, County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia, at 6:00 p.m. on WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2024, in order to consider:

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 848 OF THE CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FOR LAND PRESERVATION

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage an amendment to Chapter 848, Special Assessment for Land Preservation, Section 848.023(a)(1) Criteria for Open Space Use Qualification, Historic Resource Protection, of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County. The proposed amendments will align the ordinance with updates to the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance (Zoning Ordinance) that went into effect December 13, 2023. The Zoning Ordinance defines the term “Historic Resource” to include properties or structures that are “listed on the Loudoun County Heritage Register or a contributing resource in a historic district listed on the Loudoun County Heritage Register,” The proposed amendment to section 848.023(a)(1) will add properties listed on the Loudoun County Heritage Register as an additional criteria for open space use qualification.

Full and complete copies of the proposed ordinance are on file and may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia from 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 490 OF THE CODIFIED ORDNANCES OF LOUDOUN COUNTY ASHBRIAR RESIDENTIAL PERMIT PARKING DISTRICT

Pursuant to Virginia Code §15.2-1427, §490.04 of the Codified Ordinances of Loudoun County, and a petition by the Ashbriar Homeowners Association, the Board of Supervisors gives notice of its intention to propose for passage amendments to the Ashbriar Residential Parking District (Parking District), along sections of Clivedon Court (Route 2373), Dorchester Way (Route 2375), Plymouth Place (Route 2371), Sheffield Court (Route 2376), Suzanne Hope Way (Route 2370), and Yorkshire Court (Route 2372). The proposed amendments would allow the residents along the privately owned and maintained roadways of Greenwich Square and Nottingham Square to be included in the Parking District. Within the Parking District, on-street parking during specified hours and days shall be permitted only upon display of a valid parking permit or visitor pass. Vehicles parked in violation of the Parking District’s restrictions may be subject to towing at the owner’s expense, and the owners of such vehicles shall be subject to fines.

Full and complete copies of the proposed ordinance are on file may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia from 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.

RDAB-2023-0002, PASSAGE

OF AN ORDINANCE TO PARTIALLY VACATE SUBDIVISION PLAT, PARTIAL VACATION OF SWIFTWATER DRIVE

The Moorelands Homeowner’s Association, Inc., has submitted an application for the Board of Supervisors to consider the adoption of an ordinance to partially vacate a subdivision plat in order to vacate an unimproved section of Swiftwater Drive that consists of approximately 6,441 square feet (0.14786 acre) of dedicated right-of-way. The subject section is located within the Raspberry Falls subdivision, north of the Town of Leesburg, in the Catoctin Election District.

Copies of the proposed ordinance, plats, and any associated documents may be examined at the Loudoun County Government Center, Information Desk, 1st Floor, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia from 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday or call (703) 777-0200. Documents may also be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments.

ALEGI-2023-0019, REVIEW AND RENEWAL, MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION OF THE NEW CATOCTIN SOUTH AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT

The current period of the New Catoctin South Agricultural and Forestal District (District) will expire on June 1, 2024. 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 (Board) 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 Lovettsville Road (Route 672), east of Berlin Turnpike (Route 287), Mountain Road (Route 690), and Charles Town Pike (Route 9), west of James Monroe Highway (Route 15), and north of Leesburg Pike (Route 7) 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 at any time before the Board acts to continue, modify, or terminate the District.

Landowners of the following parcels, currently enrolled in the New Catoctin South Agricultural and Forestal District, were notified by certified mail of the District’s review.

Parcel Listings:

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Legal Notices

223-17-6961-000

* Indicates a parcel whose owner is withdrawing it from the District.

** 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 November 6, 2023, to review and make recommendations concerning whether to continue, modify, or terminate the New Catoctin South Agricultural and Forestal District, and to review renewal applications and requests for withdrawal of land from the District. The reports and recommendations of the ADAC and the Planning Commission, along with any proposed modifications, will be considered by the Board at its public hearing.

In accordance with Section 15.2-4307 of the Code of Virginia, the applications referenced above may be examined 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 703-7770246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies or electronically at: https://www.loudoun.gov/adac Documents also may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: www.loudoun.gov/bosdocuments

LAND UES APPLICATIONS

LEGI-2023-0098, LOUDOUN SPROUTS HOME DAYCARE: SPEX-2023-0032

(Minor Special Exception)

Alondra Sanchez, Director of Sprouts Home Day Care in Ashburn, Virginia, has submitted an application for a minor special exception for approximately 0.04 acres in size and is located North of George Washington Boulevard and West of Bles Park Drive in the Algonkian Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 19883 Upland Terrace, Ashburn, Virginia, Tax Map #/63/E/8////68/, PIN:038-26-2322-000. The applicant seeks to permit a Childcare Home in the R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning district. The proposed use is listed as Permitted use under Section 3-603. The modification of the Additional Regulations applicable to the proposed use is authorized by Minor Special Exception under 5-600, Additional Regulations for Specific Uses, pursuant to which the Applicant requests the following modifications:

Zoning Ordinance Section Proposed Modification

5-609(A)(14), Child Care Facilities, Child Care Home Permit the Child Care Home for up to 12 children in a single family attached dwelling to be located on a lot less than 5,000 square feet in size.

The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0110, MOUNT STERLING WATER PUMPING STATION LANDSCAPE BUFFER MODIFICATION:

SPEX-2023-0043

(Minor Special Exception)

Mount Sterling LLC has submitted an application for a minor special exception for approximately 0.50acre portion of a 12.22-acre site located on the north side of Potomac View Road (Route 637), on the south

of Bartholomew Fair Drive (Route 1792), west of Benedict Drive in the Sterling Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

265-45-7981-000

not properly recommendations concernForestal District, The reports and modifications,

above may be Harrison Street, 703-7770246 https://www.loudoun.gov/adac public hearing

DAYCARE: an application George WashSubject Property). Virginia, Tax Home in the R-16 Permitted use under use is authoUses, pursuant to Modification to 12 children dwelling to be located in size.

Revised 1993 Ordinance GrandfaSTATION approximately 0.50637), on the south Election District (the

Legal Notices

For SPEX-2023-0043, the applicant seeks to reduce the landscape buffer yards required on all sides of a water pumping station pursuant to Section 5-621(B)(1) of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0042, STONE RIDGE SECTION 40:

ZMAP-2022-0019, ZCPA-2021-0003, ZCPA-2022-0006, SPEX-2023-0012, SPEX-2023-0034, ZMOD-2022-0066, & ZMOD-2022-0067

(Zoning Map Amendment, Zoning Concept Plan Amendments, Special Exception, Zoning Ordinance Modifications)

Stone Ridge Community Development LLC has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, a zoning concept plan amendment, special exceptions, and zoning modifications for approximately 33.88 acres of land located south of Tall Cedars Parkway (Route 2200) between Stone Springs Boulevard (Route 2625) and Gum Springs Road (Route 659) in the Dulles Election District (the “Subject Property”), and more particularly identified as:

205-18-1614-000

204-19-3204-000

205-46-9303-000

For ZMAP-2022-0019, the applicant seeks to rezone 26.59 acres to the PD-H4 (Planned Development –Housing 4) zoning, administered as the R-8 ADU (Single Family Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district in order to develop up to 129 residential units. For ZCPA-2021-0003, the applicant seeks to revise the proffer statement and concept development plan approved with ZMAP-19940017 in order to change the designation of a 2.9-acre open space parcel from passive park to common open space to permit complementary structures or improvements. For ZCPA-2022-0006, the applicant seeks to revise the proffer statement and concept development plan approved with ZMAP-1994-0017 in order to permit development of 23 residential units. For SPEX-2023-0012 and SPEX-2023-0034, the applicant seeks to modify the minimum yard requirements for the R-8 ADU (Single Family Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit Regulations) zoning district. For ZMOD-2022-0066 and ZMOD-2022-0067, the applicant seeks Zoning Ordinance modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property, including but not limited to: allow residential units to front onto private roads, and to allow all roads within the development to be private. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0031, TILLETT’S VIEW:

ZMAP-2022-0003

(Zoning Map Amendment)

Pulte Home Company LLC has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment and zoning modification for approximately 49.6 acres of land located east of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), North of Waxpool Road (Route 900), and west of Ashburn Tillett Drive, in the Broad Run Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly identified as:

regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0048, BELMONT INNOVATION CAMPUS:

ZMAP-2022-0021, SPEX-2022-0042, SPMI-2023-0013 & ZMOD-2022-0077 (Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exception, Minor Special Exception & Zoning Ordinance Modification)

Loudoun GC, LLC, has submitted applications for a zoning map amendment, a special exception, a minor special exception, and a zoning modification for approximately 111.7 acres of land located south of Loudoun County Parkway (Route 7), west of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659), east of Cochran Mill Road (Route 653), and north of Route 267 in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

For ZMAP-2022-0003, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 49.6 acres from the R-1 (Single Family Residential) and RC (Rural Commercial) zoning districts to the R-8 (Single Family Residential) and R-16 (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential) zoning districts in order to develop up to 103 single family detached units, 184 single family attached units, and 110 multifamily stacked units at an overall density of 8.0 dwelling units per acre. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0069, PHILOMONT FIRE AND RESCUE:

SPEX-2023-0014 (Special Exception)

Philomont Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) has submitted an application for a special exception for approximately 7.03 acres of land located east of Snickersville Turnpike (Route 734) and south of Philomont Road (Route 630) in the Catoctin Election District. The subject property is more particularly described as: 37180 Snickersville Turnpike, Purcellville, Virginia, PIN 530-17-5737-000, Tax Map # /56////////22/. The applicant seeks to allow a fire and rescue station use, pursuant to Section 2-504(H) on property zoned CR-1 (Countryside Residential-1). The application is being processed under the land use and development

114-45-5543-000

113-15-6013-000

For ZMAP-2022-0021, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 70 acres from the PD-GI (Planned Development-General Industry) and A-3 (Agricultural Residential) zoning districts to the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district to develop data center uses. The application area also includes approximately 41.7 acres of land that is currently zoned PD-IP, for a total application area of 111.7 acres. For SPEX-2022-0042, the applicant seeks to increase the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the PD-IP zoning district to 1.0. For SPMI-2023-0013, the applicant seeks to modify the buffer yard requirements of Table 5-1404 by eliminating required buffer yards between uses and to reduce plantings and buffer yard widths. For ZMOD-2022-0077, the applicant seeks to reduce parking setbacks from 35 feet to 25 feet and building setbacks from 75 feet to 35 feet along Gloucester Parkway (Route 2150) and Russell Branch Parkway (Route 1061). The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

LEGI-2023-0017, VILLAGE AT CLEAR SPRINGS:

ZMAP-2021-0008, SPEX-2021-0028, SPEX-2021-0029, SPEX-2021-0030, SPEX-2022-0044, ZMOD-2021-0035, ZMOD-2021-0036, ZMOD-2021-0091, ZMOD-2022-0036 & ZMOD-2022-0037

(Zoning Map Amendment, Special Exceptions & Zoning Ordinance Modifications)

Clear Springs Development, LLC, has submitted applications for the following: a zoning map amendment, special exceptions, and zoning modifications for approximately 245.95 acres of land located east of Evergreen Mills Road (Route 621), west of Dulles Greenway (Route 267), and south of the Town of Leesburg town limits in the Catoctin Election District (the “Subject Property”). The Subject Property is more particularly described as:

Legal Notices

235-26-2866-000

235-26-8067-000

235-16-4213-000

LEGI-2023-0067, GOOSE CREEK RETAIL LLC: SPEX-2023-0011

(Special Exception)

Goose Creek Retail LLC has submitted an application for a special exception for an approximately 0.51acre portion of a 15.92 acre property located on the northwest corner of Belmont Ridge Road (Route 659) and Sycolin Road (Route 625) in the Ashburn Election District (the Subject Property). The Subject Property is more particularly described as: 42810 Creek View Plaza, Ashburn Virginia, PIN #153-186338-000, Tax Map #/78//86/////D/, The applicant seeks special exception approval to allow a restaurant with drive-through use, pursuant to Section 4-204(B)(9) of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance on property zoned PD-CC(CC) (Planned Development – Commercial Center (Community Center). The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

235-46-7000-000

234-16-9543-000 41439 Springfield Ln, Leesburg, Virginia /60///3/////7/

234-36-6701-000 41365

Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, Virginia /60///3////12B

234-17-4554-000 N/A

/60///8/////6B

235-46-5737-000 19778 Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, Virginia /60///1/////1/

234-36-3057-000 19372 Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, Virginia /60///3/////1A

DEFFERED

234-15-8988-000 19624 Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, Virginia /60/////////5A

234-17-7032-000 41453 Springfield Ln, Leesburg, Virginia /60///8/////6A

For ZMAP-2021-0008, the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 245.95 acres from the AR-1 (Agricultural Rural) zoning district to the PD-H6 (Planned Development – Housing), administered as R-1 (Residential), R-8 and R-16)) zoning district in order to develop 1,180 dwelling units consisting of 242 single-family detached (SFD) dwelling units (including one existing SFD dwelling unit and 131 age-restricted SFD dwelling units), 578 single family attached (SFA) dwelling units (including 157 SFA age-restricted dwelling units), and 360 multi-family attached (MF Attached) dwelling units (including 180 MF Attached age-restricted dwelling units). For SPEX-2021-0028, SPEX-2021-0029, SPEX-2021-0030, and SPEX-2022-0044 the applicant seeks special exceptions to permit playing fields and courts with lights, a private club or lodge, and to modify the required yards within the portion of the property administered as R-8 and R-1. For ZMOD-2021-0035, ZMOD-2021-0036, ZMOD-2021-0091, ZMOD-2022-0036, and ZMOD-2022-0037, the applicant seeks zoning modifications for various regulations affecting the Subject Property including but not limited to: allow single family detached dwellings to front and access from a private road, reduce lot width from 24 feet to 20 feet for single family attached residential, to reduce lot width from 24 feet to 20 feet for the townhouse/multi-family district, to eliminate the street tree requirement, to permit the calculation of minimum tree canopy to be tabulated overall for the entire development area, and to eliminate buffer yards. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE

Commissioner of the Revenue, Robert S. Wertz, Jr., encourages eligible property owners who are aged 65 years or older, OR are totally and permanently disabled, to learn about Loudoun’s property relief programs. Applicants that meet qualifying criteria of the program, including income and net worth limits, may be relieved of up to 100% of real estate taxes on their primary dwelling and lot, up to 3 acres. In addition, eligible applicants may also have their vehicle taxes reduced.

To learn more about this tax relief program, please plan on attending one of the free sessions that are being offered throughout the county. No appointment or RSVP is required.

Copies of the proposed plans, ordinances, and amendments for each land use application listed above may be examined 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 call 703-777-0246 (option 5) to request hard copies or electronic copies. Additional project files related to land use applications for public hearings may be reviewed electronically at loudoun.gov/landmarc. In addition, documents may be viewed and downloaded electronically 72 hours in advance of the public hearing at: loudoun.gov/bosdocuments. Board of Supervisors public hearings are held in the Board Room of the Government Center. Meetings are televised on Comcast Government Channel 23 and Verizon FiOS Channel 40. Meetings also are livestreamed at loudoun.gov/meetings

Members of the public desiring to do so may appear and present their views regarding those matters 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 public hearing. If you wish to sign-up in advance, call the Office of the County Administrator at (703) 777-0200. For this public hearing, advanced sign-up will be taken after 8:30 a.m. on March 1, 2024, and no later than 12:00 p.m. on March 13, 2024. Members of the public may also submit written comments by email sent to bos@ loudoun.gov. Any written comments received prior to the public hearing will be distributed to Board members. Members of the public may also submit comments on land use items electronically at loudoun. gov/landapplications

Hearing assistance is available for meetings in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room. If you require any type of reasonable accommodation as a result of a physical, sensory, or mental disability to participate in this meeting, please contact the Office of the County Administrator at 703-777-0200/TTY-711. At least one business day of advance notice is requested; some accommodations may require more than one day of notice. FM Assistive Listening System is available at the meetings.

BY ORDER OF: PHYLLIS J. RANDALL, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

2/29 & 3/7/24

ORDER OF

PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046598-05-00, 06-00, -07-00, -08-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Chloe Love

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

v.

Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a third Permanency planning hearing and review of Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Chloe Love and hold a hearing on the Petition for Termination of Parental Rights of Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father, pursuant to Virginia Code §16.1-283 for Chloe Love. Willie Huff, putative 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 Chloe Love. Willie Huff, putative 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 limited to, the right to visit Chloe Love; any authority with respect to the care and supervision of Chloe Love; or the right to make health related decisions or determine the religious affiliation of Chloe Love. Further, Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father will have no legal and /or financial obligations with respect to Chloe Love, and the Department of Family Services of Loudoun County, Virginia may be granted the authority to place Chloe Love for adoption and consent to the adoption of Chloe Love.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Willie Huff, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before April 4, 2024 at 10:00am 2/29,

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION will conduct a public hearing during its work session on Friday, March 15 ,2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors’ Meeting Room on the first floor of the County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia. The items proposed for public hearing during this work session are as follows:

LEGI-2023-0052, ORME FARM REZONING:

ZMAP-2022-0022, SPEX-2022-0046 & SPEX-2022-0048

(Zoning Map Amendment and Special Exceptions)

Van Metre Communities, L.L.C. submitted applications for: a zoning map amendment and special exceptions for 11.7 acres of land located south of Shreve Mill Road (Route 653) and west of Sycolin Road (Route 625) and north of the Dulles Greenway (Route 267) in the Leesburg Election District (the “Subject Property”) more particularly identified as: PIN: 236-38-7331-000, Tax Map #: /60////////56B. For ZMAP2022-0022, the applicant seeks to rezone an 11.7-acre portion of the 107.9-acre parcel from the JLMA-20 (Joint Land Management Area – 20) zoning district to the PD-IP (Planned Development – Industrial Park) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop permitted uses within the PD-IP zoning district. For SPEX-2022-0046 and SPEX-2022-0048, the applicant seeks to increase the Floor Area Ratio from 0.6 to 1.0 and to increase the maximum lot coverage from 0.45 to 0.60 in the PDIP zoning district. The applications are being processed under the land use and development regulations of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the ZOR Grandfathering Resolution dated December 13, 2023

LEGI-2023-0025, DEFENDER DRIVE: ZMAP-2021-0023

(Zoning Map Amendment)

NFD Acquisition LLC has submitted an application for a zoning map amendment for approximately 13.8 acres of land located south of Little River Turnpike (Route 50), east of South Riding Boulevard (Route 2201) and north of Mountain View Drive (Route 834), in the Dulles Election District (the “Subject Property”) and more particularly described as:

of the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in accordance with the ZOR 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 portion of the work session. 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 work session; however, speakers may also sign-up at the work session. 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 work session to request additional time to speak on behalf of such organization.

Regularly scheduled Planning Commission work sessions are held on the second Thursday of each month. In the event the work session cannot be conducted on that date due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the third Tuesday of the month. In the event the work session may not be held on the third Tuesday due to weather or other conditions that make it hazardous for members to attend the work session, the work session may be continued to the Thursday following the third Tuesday.

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.

For ZMAP-2021-0003, the applicant seeks to rezone the Subject Property from the PDH-4 (Planned Development – Housing 4) zoning district and the CR-1 (Countryside Residential – 1) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance to the R-16 ADU (Townhouse/Multifamily Residential Affordable Dwelling Unit) zoning district under the Revised 1993 Zoning Ordinance in order to develop a maximum of 161 single-family attached dwelling units with a maximum density of approximately 11.7 dwelling units per acre. The application is being processed under the land use and development regulations

NOTICE OF ABANDONED BICYCLES

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.

BY ORDER OF:

MICHELLE

FRANK, CHAIR LOUDOUN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

LOUDOUNNOW.COM

2/29 & 3/7/24

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY

Before the Clerk of Superior Court

James Kelso Adams, et al., v. Tynesha Adams, et al., 23-SP-1715

Richard Adams:

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled special proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Partition (per NCGS Chapter 46A) of the following real property by sale:

BEING that tract of land containing approximately 41 acres, more or less, depicted as Tract “No. 4 Geo. Adams” on a map prepared by W.P. Massey, dated February 28, 1913, and entitled “Survey and Division of the Isaac Adams Land, Geo. Adams et al. vs Betsy Adams et al.” The property was conveyed to George Adams by that Decree Confirming Report of Commissioners entered by the Clerk of Superior Court on May 8, 1925, in Special Proceeding No. 1918 which was instituted by George Adams and others against Betsy Adams and others on or about October 30, 1912, in Wake County Superior Court. The Clerk’s order confirmed the Report of Commissioners dated July 28, 1914.

SUBJECT TO AND EXCEPTING a certain strip of land extending 50 feet on each side of and at right angles to the center of the track or road-bed of the Raleigh and Pamlico Sound Railroad Company as the same is located and established by the railroad upon and over the lands herein described, and in the case of high banks or deeps cuts such additional width as may be necessary, not to exceed a total of two hundred feet, as described in that deed dated January 15, 1904, and recorded in Book 212, Page 417, of the Wake County Registry.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than April 16, 2024 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This, the 7th day of March, 2024.

Nathaniel C. Parker, Attorney for Petitioners 200 Towne Village Dr., Cary, NC 27513 2/29, 3/7 & 3/14/24

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

LEESBURG TOWN CODE AMENDMENT

CHAPTER 2 (ADMINISTRATION), ARTICLE IV (FINANCE); CHAPTER 6 (AVIATION), ARTICLE II (LEESBURG EXECUTIVE AIRPORT); CHAPTER 7 (ARTS AND CULTURAL DISTRICT), CHAPTER 9 (CABLE TELEVISION), ARTICLE XI (FINANCIAL, INSURANCE BONDS PROVISIONS);

CHAPTER 20 (LICENSES, TAXATION AND MISCELLANEOUS REGULATIONS), ARTICLE II (TAXATION GENERALLY), ARTICLE III (ASSESSMENT OF AGRICULTURAL, HORTICULTURAL, FOREST AND OPEN SPACE REAL ESTATE), ARTICLE V (MEALS TAX), ARTICLE VI (TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX), ARTICLE VII (DAILY SHORTTERM RENTAL TAX), ARTICLE IX (BUSINESS, PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TAX), ARTICLE XII (PEDDLERS, CANVASSERS AND SOLICITORS); CHAPTER 32 (TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES), ARTICLE IV (OPERATION OF VEHICLES GENERALLY);

CHAPTER 34.1 (UTILITIES), ARTICLE II (SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL), DIVISION 4 (FATS, OILS AND GREASE (FOG) PROGRAM)

Pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 15.2-1357, 15.2-1427, 58.1-3100, and 58.1-3126, Section 7-1.1 of the Charter of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, and Chapter 2, Article IV of the Leesburg Town Code, notice is hereby given that the Town Council of the Town of Leesburg, Virginia, will hold a public hearing on:

TUESDAY, March 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 25 W. Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, 20176

at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on a proposed ordinance amending the below-listed sections of the Leesburg Town Code to replace the title “Director of finance and administrative services” with the title “Director of finance” and eliminate references to the “Department of finance and administrative services”.

Additionally, the amendment to Chapter 2 (Administration), Article IV (Finance), Section 2-157 (Director; duties) gives the Town Manager the authority to designate a qualified individual to serve as the Director of Finance and clarifies the qualifications and duties of the Director of Finance.

Section Title

Section 2-156 Department of finance and administrative services established.

Section 2-157 Director, duties.

Section 2-158 Contracts and purchase orders.

Section 2-159 Payment of funds and execution of checks.

Section 2-163 Bad check fee.

Section 2-165 Thomas Balch Library Endowment Fund.

Section 2-166 Electronic summons system fee.

Section 6-22 Airport commercial operator fees.

Section 7.1.1 Director of finance and administrative services.

Section 7-8 BPOL tax rebate.

Section 7-9 Real estate tax rebate.

Section 9-45 Security fund.

Section 20-24 Duty of director of finance and administrative services to collect taxes.

Section 20-26 Report required of banks.

Section 20-27 Delinquent tax list.

Section 20-28 Penalty and interest on delinquent taxes.

Section 20-53 Land books; tax for succeeding year.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ047045-04-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Maria Jose Nunez Torres

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

/v. Mario Obel Nunez, putative father and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a foster care review hearing and review of foster care plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-282 and 16.1-281 for Maria Jose Nunez Torres.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Mario Obel Nunez, putative father, and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before March 19, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

2/15, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7/24

Section 20-54 Removal of parcels from program if tax is delinquent.

Section 20-56 Payment of rollback tax; misstatement of facts; penalty for delinquency.

Section 20-105 Definitions.

Section 20-110 Report of taxes collected; remittance; preservation of records.

Section 20-112 Penalty and interest.

Section 20-132 Definitions.

Section 20-134 Collection from transients; when payable.

Section 20-135 Reports and remittances.

Section 20-137 Penalty and interest for nonremittance.

Section 20-138 Failure to collect and report tax.

Section 20-139 Records; inspection by director of finance and administrative services.

Section 20-140 Cessation of business; tax due immediately.

Section 20-144 Regulations.

Section 20-164 Definitions.

Section 20-167 Shortterm rental business application for certificate of registration.

Section 20-232 Definitions.

Section 20-233 License requirement.

Section 20-244 Alcoholic beverages.

Section 20-265 Responsibility for enforcement of article.

Section 20-269 Estimate of gross receipts for beginners.

Section 20-270 Responsibility for obtaining license, assessment of tax and penalty in the event of intentional or fraudulent evasion.

Section 20-271 Assessment of tax in cases of nonfraudulent failure to pay tax.

Section 20-273 Computation of tax.

Section 20-274 Assessment of additional tax.

Section 20-276 Issuance generally.

Section 20-277 Deposit prerequisite to licensing of itinerant amusement.

Section 20-278 Compliance with zoning regulations, prerequisite to issuance; noncompliance as grounds for revocation.

Section 20-279 License to be personal privilege; suspension.

Section 20-281 Transfer of license.

Section 20-383 License application.

Section 20-385 Standards of conduct.

Section 20-392 Application.

Section 20-394 Issuance; contents.

Section 20-397 Standards of conduct.

Section 32-126 Local permit, license, insurance required.

Section 32-132 Permit application procedures for dockless mobility operations.

Section 34.1-265 Civil penalties; scheduled violations.

A copy of the proposed ordinance and additional information are available from the Clerk of Council, located in Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), or by calling Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council, at 703-771-2733.

At this hearing, all persons desiring to express their views concerning this matter will be heard. Persons requiring special accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

3/7/2024 & 3/14/2024

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ046179-05-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Starh Rahimi

Loudoun County Department of Family Services v.

Ahmad Wali, putative father and Unknown Father

The object of this suit is to hold a status conference to set a date for third permananency planning hearing and Review Foster Care Plan purusant to Virginia Code § § 16.1-282.1 and 16.1-281 for Starh Rahimi.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Ahmad Wali, putative father and Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before March 13, 2024 at 3:00pm 2/29 & 3/7/24

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SETTING TAX RATES ON REAL PROPERTY AND CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY FOR TAX YEAR 2024 AND AMENDING LEESBURG TOWN CODE, APPENDIX B – FEE SCHEDULE (SECTION 20-22)

In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended §§ 15.2-1427, 58.1-3000, 58.1-3007, 58.1-3200 et seq., and 58.1-3500, et seq., the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA.

at which time the public shall have the right to present oral and written testimony on the following proposed amendments to the Leesburg Town Code:

• The Town Manager proposes a one cent increase to tax rates for real property for tax year 2024 ($0.1874 per $100 of assessed value)

• Appendix B – Fee Schedule, Sec. 20-22(a):

o Real estate; manufactured or mobile homes = $0.1874 per $100 of assessed value

o Real estate; tangible personal property for public service corporations (excluding aircraft and motor vehicles) = $0.1874 per $100 of assessed value

The Town Manager’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget is based on an unchanged real property tax rate of $0.1774 per $100 assessed value.

Copies of the proposed ordinance are available for public examination prior to the public hearing in the office of the Clerk of Council at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA, during normal business hours. For more information about the ordinance, please contact Clark G. Case, Director of Finance and Administrative Services at 703-771-2720.

Persons requiring reasonable accommodations are requested to contact Eileen Boeing, Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the public hearing. For TTY/TTD services, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

NOTICE OF WILLINGNESS TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING

Evergreen Mill Road Widening

Town of Leesburg

From: South King Street (Rte 15)

To: 0.3 miles south of Battlefield Parkway

VDOT Project # U000-253-R31

Proposed Project: The Town of Leesburg was awarded funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation to widen Evergreen Mill Road from two lanes to four lanes and connect sidewalk and trails, add lighting, curb and gutter, drainage improvements, landscaping, and other related improvements.

Plan Review: Individuals can review maps, drawings, and other project information online at www. leesburgva.gov/evergreenmill or in person by appointment at the Town of Leesburg Department of Public Works and Capital Projects at 552 Fort Evans Road NE, Leesburg, VA through March 15, 2024. Appointments for in-person review of project information may be made by contacting Karin Franklin at 703-771-6674 or KFranklin@leesburgva.gov.

Requesting a Public Hearing: By this notice, the Town is indicating its willingness to hold a public hearing for this project if individual concerns cannot be addressed. You may request a public hearing by sending a written request prior to March 15, 2024. Mail written request to:

Renée LaFollette, Director Department of Public Works and Capital Projects

Town of Leesburg

25 West Market Street

Leesburg, VA 20176

Further Notice: If a request for a public hearing is received, and the concerns addressed in the request cannot be adequately resolved, a public hearing will be scheduled at a time and place to be advertised in a future notice.

Questions or Special Assistance: Questions regarding this project should be directed to Karin Franklin (see above). If special assistance is needed, please contact Kate Trask, Assistant Town Manager and ADA/504 Coordinator: 703-737-7144. For the Hearing Impaired (VA Residents Only) Dial 711.

The Town of Leesburg ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you need more information or special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact Kate Trask.

2/29 & 3/7/24

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA VA. CODE § 8.01-316

Case No.: JJ048585-01-00

Loudoun Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Carlton Platt

Loudoun County Department of Family Services

The object of this suit is to hold an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to Virginia Code § 16.1-252 for Carlton Platt; and hold a dispositional hearing for review of initial Foster Care Plan pursuant to Virginia Code §§ 16.1-278.2 and 16.1-281 for Carlton Platt.

It is ORDERED that the defendant(s) Sabrina Whitney, mother and Brooks Platt, father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before February 21, 2024 at 3:00pm (Adjudicatory); and March 18, 2024 at 10:00am (Dispositional)

2/15, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7/24

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF LEESBURG – COUNTY OF LOUDOUN VOLUNTARY SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Chapters 29 and 34 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia requires the Commission on Local Government (CLG) to hold presentations and public hearings on proposed voluntary settlement agreements between localities. As part of its review of the proposed voluntary settlement agreement (proposed agreement) between the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County, the CLG will hold an oral presentation and a public hearing on March 21st, 2024. This notice contains details on how to access the proceedings.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS by the Town and County will begin at 1:00 p.m. on March 21st, 2024. The presentations will be held at the Leesburg Town Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall and are open to the public.

Town Hall

25 West Market Street Leesburg, Virginia 20176

The presentations may be viewed electronically. Information for electronic attendance can be found on the Virginia Town Hall website, or at the following link: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewMeeting.cfm?MeetingID=39496

A PUBLIC HEARING to hear comments on the proposed agreement will be held at 7:00 p.m. on March 21st, 2024, at Ide Lee Recreation Center in the bottom floor conference room.

Ida Lee Recreation Center 60 Ida Lee Drive, NW Leesburg, VA 20176

Any person wishing to testify before the CLG at the public hearing may register in advance at Town’s offices, in person at the public hearing, or by contacting Carmen Smith, (703) 669-1420, csmith@ leesburgva.gov or LeGrand Northcutt, (804) 310-7151, legrand.northcutt@dhcd.virginia.gov

The public hearing may be attended electronically and there will be an option to comment electronically. When registering to testify, please indicate if you will be present in person or electronically. Information for electronic attendance can be found on the Virginia Town Hall website, or at the following link: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/ViewMeeting.cfm?MeetingID=39497

Any person requiring special accommodations should contact LeGrand Northcutt at 804-310-7151 / Virginia Relay 7-1-1 by March 15th, 2024.

WRITTEN TESTIMONY concerning the proposed agreement will also be accepted by email to legrand.northcutt@dhcd.virginia.gov, or through mail postmarked by April 4th, 2024 to the CLG’s offices at:

Commission on Local Government 600 East Main Street, Suite 300 Richmond, VA 23219

Copies of the proposed agreement and other material and data submitted to the CLG by the Town and County will be available to the public for examination at the County Administrator’s Office, the Town Manager’s Office, and on the CLG’s website: https://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/commission-localgovernment-clg

The CLG will report its findings and recommendations as to whether the proposed agreement is in the best interest of the Commonwealth on or before its May regular meeting.

This notice is intended to satisfy the provisions of Va. Code § 15.2-2907(B) and 1VAC50-20-630.

3/7 & 3/14/24

Legal Notices

TOWN OF LEESBURG NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2024 - JUNE 30, 2025

In accordance with the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended, § 15.2-2506, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a public hearing on:

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, VA

At which time the public shall have the right to provide written and oral comments on the Town’s proposed budget for fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. If the public hearing is canceled for any unforeseen reason, the public hearing will be held during the next Town Council regular meeting.

PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

The Town of Leesburg will accept proposals electronically via the Commonwealth’s e-procurement website (www.eva.virginia. gov), until 3:00 p.m. on April 2, 2024 for the following:

RFP No. 100181-FY24-37

REPLACEMENT BACKUP

SOLUTION FOR TOWN OF LEESBURG DATA

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting sealed proposals from qualified firms for a cloud-based backup solution for our 46TB enterprise systems, with a 90-day retention period to replace our current backup solution.

For additional information, visit: http://www.leesburgva.gov/bidboard 3/7/24

ABC LICENSE

$3,680,609

This budget is prepared for informative and fiscal planning purposes only. Such preparation, publication, and approval shall not be deemed to be an appropriation. No money shall be paid out or become available to be paid out for any contemplated expenditure unless and until there has first been made an annual, semiannual, quarterly, or monthly appropriation for such contemplated expenditure.

Copies of the proposed budget are available on the Town website and for inspection at Town Hall, 25 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, and at the Thomas Balch Library, 208 West Market Street. Questions should be directed to Clark G. Case, Director, Department of Finance and Administrative Services, at 703-771-2720. Persons requiring reasonable accommodations should contact the Clerk of Council at 703-771-2733, three days in advance of the meeting. For TTY/TDD service, use the Virginia Relay Center by dialing 711.

NOTICE OF IMPOUNDMENT OF ABANDONED VEHICLES

This

the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner, and all persons having security interests of all right, title and interest in the vehicle, and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction. This notice shall also advise the owner of record of his or her right to contest the determination by the Sheriff that the motor vehicle was “abandoned,” as provided in Chapter 630.08 of the Loudoun County Ordinance, by requesting a hearing before the County Administrator in writing. Such written request for a hearing must be made within 15 days of the notice.

2006

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

VA. CODE § §1-211.1; 8.01-3

16, -317, 20-104

H L Mexican Cuisine LLC trading as Rodeos Mexican Grill, 26 E Broad Way, Lovettsville, Virginia 20180.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for Retail Restaurant or Caterer ApplicationRestaurant, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off premises.

Felix Hernandez/President

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200.

2/29 & 3/7/24

ABC LICENSE

Gatsby, trading as Gatsby 1 Saarinen CIR, Unit C-CM450, Dulles, Virginia 20166.

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA AlCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for Retail Restaurant or Caterer ApplicationRestaurant, Wine, Beer, Mixed Beverages, Consumed On and Off premises.

Daniel J Halpern, Managing Member

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or 800-552-3200. 3/7 & 3/14/24

Case No. CL24-252

LOUDOUN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT

18 EAST MARKET ST., LEESBURG, VA 20176

Inglish

v.

Loudoun Farms, LTD, Interested Parties

The object of this suit is to Quiet title to real estate in name of Loudoun Farms, LTD, which was administratively dissolved inthe 1980s.

It is ORDERED that Loudoun Farms, LTD, or Any Interested Party appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before April 5, 2024 2PM.

2/15, 2/22, 2/29 & 3/7/24

ATTENTION NONPROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS IN LOUDOUN COUNTY

Nonprofit charitable organizations seeking exemption from Loudoun County real and/ or personal property taxes for the 2025 tax year may file an application with the Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue by the April 1, 2024, deadline. Most charitable nonprofit organizations are not automatically exempt from local property taxes in the Commonwealth, even those that may be exempt from federal income taxes. The filing of an application with the Commissioner of the Revenue is the necessary first step to obtaining a local real estate or personal property tax exemption. Completed applications should be returned to the Commissioner of the Revenue with a postmark by April 1, 2024. Any exemption, if granted, would become effective January 1, 2025.

Applications are available online at loudoun.gov/cor. For information or assistance, please contact my office at trcor@loudoun.gov or (703) 737-8557 weekdays 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Robert S. Wertz, Jr. Commissioner of the Revenue

Loudoun County

Leesburg Office

1 Harrison Street SE First Floor

Sterling Office

Loudoun Tech Center

46000 Center Oak Plaza

Mailing Address:

PO Box 8000, MSC 32

Leesburg, VA 20177-9804

Phone: (703)737-8557

Email: trcor@loudoun.gov

3/7, 3/14, 3/21 & 3/28/24

Legal Notices

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE 32ND STREET AND MAIN STREET INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS UPC 122887

The Town of Purcellville is in the process of designing planned improvements at the 32nd Street and Main Street Intersection. The Town will be holding a Design Public Hearing to gain additional input on design elements from the community at the following date and time:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

6:00 p.m.

Town Hall Council Chambers 221 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, VA 20132

Project Description: Improvements will include installing a sidewalk, improved storm sewer system and minor roadway improvements to address vehicular safety. Americans with Disabilities (ADA) compliant sidewalks will provide safe pedestrian access along the corridor. The project will also include the addition of a dedicated left-turn lane from westbound Main Street onto 32nd Street. The Town of Purcellville received project funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). The Town received $674,980 in NVTA funds and $585,342 in Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Revenue Sharing funds that will go towards the anticipated total project cost of $1,260,322.

Review project plans, information about property impacts, right of way policies, the tentative construction schedule and environmental documents at the hearing. This information will be available 30 days prior to the public hearing at 221 S. Nursery Avenue, Purcellville, VA 20132. Community input is requested on the design details. If you are unable to attend the public hearing, comments can be sent to Jessica Keller, Project Manager via phone 540-751-2330 or email at jkeller@purcellvilleva.gov

All comments must be submitted to Jessica Keller by Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

Consistent with Memorandum of Agreement pursuant to Code of Virginia § 10.1-1188-B., VDOT has determined the ROW acquisition will not have significant impacts to the environment and is exempt from the State Environmental Review Process. In compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and 36 CFR Part 800, information concerning the potential effects of the proposed project on properties listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places is also available.

The Town of Purcellville ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. All Town government offices can be contacted by dialing 540-338-7421.

Auctions

VEHICLE AUCTION

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.

Public Notice – Environmental Permit

PURPOSE OF NOTICE: To seek public comment on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that will allow the release of treated wastewater into a water body in the town of Lovettsville in Loudoun, Virginia.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: March 7, 2024 to April 8, 2024

PERMIT NAME: Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit – Wastewater issued by DEQ pursuant to applicable water laws and regulations

APPLICANT NAME, ADDRESS AND PERMIT NUMBER: Town of Lovettsville; P.O. Box 209, Lovettsville, VA 20180; VA0023183

FACILITY NAME AND LOCATION: Town of Lovettsville Wastewater Treatment Plant; 39183 Irish Corner Road, Lovettsville, VA 20180

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Town of Lovettsville has applied for reissuance of a permit for the public Lovettsville Wastewater Treatment Plant. The applicant proposes to release treated sewage wastewaters from residential areas at a rate of 0.375 million gallons per day (MGD) into a water body. Sludge from the treatment process will be sent to a holding tank, then transported to the Loudoun Water Broad Run Water Reclamation Facility (DEQ permit # VA0091383) for further treatment and disposal. The facility proposes to release the treated sewage into an unnamed tributary of the Dutchman Creek in Loudoun County in the Chesapeake watershed. A watershed is the land area drained by a river and its incoming streams. The permit will limit the following pollutants to amounts that protect water quality: physical and chemical properties, nutrients, organic matter, solids, bacteria, and inorganics.

This facility is subject to the requirements of 9VAC25-820 and has registered for coverage under the General VPDES Watershed Permit Regulation for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Discharges and Nutrient Trading in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed in Virginia (Nutrient GP).

HOW TO COMMENT AND/OR REQUEST A PUBLIC HEARING:

DEQ accepts comments and requests for public hearing on the draft permit by hand-delivery, e-mail, or postal mail. All comments and requests must be in writing and be received by DEQ during the comment period. DEQ must receive hand-delivery and postal mail by close of business and email comments by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of the comment period. Submittals must include the names, mailing addresses or email addresses of the commenter/requester and of all persons represented by the commenter/requester. A request for public hearing must also include: 1) The reason why a public hearing is requested. 2) A brief, informal statement regarding the nature and extent of the interest of the requester or of those represented by the requestor, including how and to what extent such interest would be directly and adversely affected by the permit. 3) Specific references, where possible, to terms and conditions of the permit with suggested revisions. A public hearing may be held, including another comment period, if public response is significant, based on individual requests for a public hearing, and there are substantial, disputed issues relevant to the permit.

CONTACT FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS, DOCUMENT REQUESTS AND ADDITIONAL

INFORMATION: Chelsea Atkinson; DEQ Northern Regional Office, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA 22193; Phone: (571) 866-6098; E-mail: chelsea.atkinson@deq.virginia.gov. The public may review the draft permit and application at the DEQ office named above by appointment or may request copies of the documents from the contact person listed above.

3/7 & 3/14/24

Loco Service Providers

VEHICLE AUCTION

ADESA WASHINGTON DC 44475 OLD OX ROAD

DULLES, VA 20166 705-996-1100

20+Chase repossessions will be offered to the public sale (monthly) on Wednesdays (3/27/24, 4/24/24, 5/22/24, 6/19/24, 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 final by 5:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or Certified Check.

Construction Construction

Regular

Resumes may be submitted as supplemental only. EOE/ADA.

To review Ida Lee (Parks & Recreation) flexible part-time positions, please visit www.leesburgva.gov/jobs.

Most positions will be filled at or near the minimum of the range. Dependent on qualifications.

All Town vacancies may be viewed on Comcast Cable Channel 67 and Verizon FiOS Channel 35.

We’re Hiring.

Loudoun Now is growing. Join the team.

Reporters

Full-time and part-time positions available for experienced journalists with a passion for community journalism. Accuracy, integrity, curiosity required. Talent with photography, video, social media preferred.

Sales

Full-time and part-time advertising sales positions are available for candidates who can help businesses meet their marketing goals in print and online. There is an opportunity to specialize in Loudoun’s growing hospitality/entertainment industries.

Production Manager

An experienced and creative graphics designer is needed to lead all aspects of the newspaper’s ad creation and page design. The position will also oversee aspects of the online operations.

The Loudoun Now team is driven by a mission to make our community stronger through committed journalism. Can you help?

PO Box 207 Leesburg, VA 20178

NORMAN K. STYER Publisher and Editor nstyer@loudounnow.com

EDITORIAL

ALEXIS GUSTIN Reporter agustin@loudounnow.com

HANNA PAMPALONI Reporter hpampaloni@loudounnow.com

ADVERTISING

SUSAN STYER Advertising Manager sstyer@loudounnow.com

TONYA HARDING Account Executive tharding@loudounnow.com

VICKY MASHAW Account Executive vmashaw@loudounnow.com

More Precise Language

County supervisors advocating budget cuts to address concerns about affordability received a cautionary lecture from Chair Randall this week.

It seems they failed to understand that the blame for the tax bill increases property owners experience each year doesn’t fall on their dais. It is the work of the county assessors, she said, that is responsible.

She urged her colleagues to use more precise language to ensure their role is not misunderstood by the public.

“This idea that the board is raising your taxes is just not a true statement,” she said.

Unfortunately for the third-term supervisor entering her ninth budget cycle, it is solely the actions of the board that are raising tax bills.

Pick Your Poison

Editor:

Supervisor Kershner (Catoctin) recently circulated a message pledging to hold down the County real estate tax rate. On the surface, that sounds great. But, unless the county also takes serious action to control its spending, his pledge is effectively a call for more data centers, more power lines, and higher electricity bills.

In the past 10 years, the county’s annual operating budget nearly doubled—from a little over $1.2 billion to $2.4 billion—and its appropriations for capital projects nearly tripled—from $344 million to $1.3 billion.

The main reason spending has been rising so fast is that our roads, schools and other public infrastructure, facilities, and services have been overwhelmed by decades of break-neck development. That growth has created what the county refers to as “level of service” deficits, which translates as worsening traffic congestion, overcrowding in schools, water shortages, pollution, and other problems.

To fund all the new spending, county

When spending increases outpace growth of the tax base, the residents pick up the tab.

Simply lowering the property rate each year provides little solace for struggling homeowners if the action is not matched by disciplined frugality.

That property tax bills continue to increase—if even by relatively nominal amounts—in this era of seemingly limitless data center revenue provides ample insight into the pace of spending growth.

It is clear that this board will not be making significant reductions to the budgets proposed for the county government or the schools and that tax bills will be going up again. It should also be clear that the county’s property assessors are not the ones driving those decisions. n

LETTERS to the Editor

supervisors had to choose between raising our real estate tax rate or finding another source of revenue. The data centers, which generated more than a billion dollars in new revenue in just the past four years, seemed an easy fix.

Unfortunately, the county was completely unaware that there isn’t enough electricity power generation to meet the needs of all the data centers it has already approved, much less all those that are still expected to be built. To do that, power companies will need to build hundreds of miles of huge new transmission lines to bring electricity from coal- and gas-fired power plants in the mid-West across the mountains, through our farmland, historic districts, and residential neighborhoods, to the data centers in eastern Loudoun.

And Dominion says it will have to double our electricity bills to pay for all the new infrastructure.

Responsible adults understand that nothing is free. As long as county spending continues its explosive growth, we have only two options. Either we’ll pay with increased real estate taxes or

with increased electricity bills. One way or the other, we will definitely have to pay.

The only way to escape this dilemma is to get a handle on Loudoun’s out-ofcontrol residential growth, which is what drives the increased spending. When you’re in a hole, you should stop digging.

Whether we do that is soon to be decided. On March 13, the Board of Supervisors is considering whether to approve a series of dense subdivisions on open spaces in the Transition Policy Area south of Leesburg. Together, they would generate 21,000 more vehicle trips per day. Children living in those neighborhoods would have to be bussed to distant schools, since the local ones are already overcrowded. A lot more county spending would be needed to make up for these new “level of service” deficits.

On top of that, current county zoning allows for at least 10,000 more residences to be built in rural Loudoun without any oversight of the impacts. The county

READERS’ poll CHIPshots

Super Tuesday: Will you be voting in the presidential primary?

• 79.9% Yes, it’s important

• 11.3% Not this year

• 8.8% No, I never vote in primaries

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

What is your priority for this year’s county budget?

Share your views at loudounnow.com/polls

LETTERS to the Editor

continued from page 44

is already committed to a $500 million road project north of Leesburg, as well as projects to fix the water systems in Waterford and Round Hill. That’s only the tip of the iceberg if the rest of our rural areas continue to experience the same explosive residential growth.

And how will the county pay for all of that? If Supervisor Kershner prevails and our real estate taxes remain “equalized,” it will have to build more data centers to make up the difference.

A vote for more subdivisions in places where existing roads, schools and other public facilities can’t accommodate them turns out to be a vote for more power lines, more County spending, and higher taxes or electricity bills.

This has to stop. It’s long past time for the county government to recognize the costs that decades of uncontrolled growth have imposed on us and start managing residential and commercial development responsibly.

— John Ellis, Hillsboro [Editor’s note: The writer was a candidate for the Catoctin District seat on the Board of Supervisors in 2023.]

Western land use

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also conducting a full review of the Rural Policy Area in the comprehensive plan.

The staff recommended forming a committee made up of community stakeholders representing the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, wineries and breweries, outdoor recreation, farms, tourism, the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, western Loudoun residents and two at large representatives.

Wilson said the one-and-a-half-year timeline would include gathering the committee starting in April, public meetings in May through September, the Planning Commission receiving recommendations in February 2025 and working on it until June and the Board of Supervisors receiving the package of proposed amendments in July 2025.

Supervisors raised concerns about that process and a delegation of rural business owners attended the meeting to question whether changes were needed at all.

“I represent about 80% of the rural businesses in Loudoun County in terms of them being in the Catoctin District. So, this is really the heartbeat, quite frankly, of my district. I’m really, really, really concerned about this project and this item,” Supervisor Caleb A. Kershner (R-Catoctin) said.

He and Vice Chair Juli E. Briskman (D-Algonkian) expressed concerns about conducting a full Rural Policy Area review that could lengthen the entire process and

— By Chip Beck

open up a “fishing expedition” for unneeded changes.

He sought to limit review to a list of previously identified concerns.

Count Chair Phyllis J. Randall (D- At Large) said, while she was also concerned about drawing out the process unnecessarily, she would rather get everything done at once.

“It’s like saying we’re going to open it up two thirds and not go the rest of the way because it will slow the process down. That doesn’t make much sense to me either. To be honest, if you’re going to be doing this anyway, it almost seems like let’s just do it,” she said.

Several of the county’s winery and brewery owners, farmers and agricultural business owners spoke during the public comment portion of the evening asking for wineries and breweries to be represented separately on the staff-proposed stakeholders group and for the changes in the regulations to be a “light touch” on the businesses.

“We are a highly regulated industry with our doors open at any time for surprise inspections from [Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, Virginia Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services], the health department as well as [Occupational Safety and Health Administration],” Old 690 Brewing Company owner Ronda Powell said.

Stone Tower Winery Vice President Lacey Huber said instituting new regulations could harm local businesses.

“The existence and success of our vineyard and winery is due in large part to the current regulations in place and the events we host are an integral part of what makes our farm economically viable without the need of government subsidies,” she said. “We encourage the board to recognize the importance of businesses like ours that allow them residents to actually use and enjoy open agricultural space, one of the unique features that make that make Loudoun such a great place to live. If this process must forward, it’s critical that the stakeholder committee have at least one representative from a farm winery, unlimited brewery and limited distillery.”

Supervisor Michael R. Turner (D-Ashburn), who chairs the board’s Transportation and Land Use Committee, said there was no need for residents to worry that their voices won’t be heard.

“We’re at the very beginning of this process. Everybody can join the stakeholders’ group,” he said.

Supervisor Laura A. TeKrony (D-Little River) said she wanted balanced changes that would support both residents and business owners.

“We don’t want to hurt any rural businesses, but we also want to look out for the residents and the community,” she said.

Supervisors agreed to send the issue to the Transportation and Land Use Committee during its May to review staff proposal in more detail. The motion, made by Randall, also directed staff to proceed with initiating a public input process the work. n

Hatch

wine pioneer Lew Parker at Willowcroft Farm Vineyards, the county’s first winery.

he said.

Since 2010, he has served as a viticulture extension associate at Virginia Tech’s Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Winchester where his responsibilities include vineyard troubleshooting, site evaluation, and responding to requests from growers and aspiring growers for viticultural assistance. Currently, his research focuses on evaluating protective culture in vineyards and seedless table grape evaluations.

He left the farm to attend college in North Carolina, pursuing a degree in geology. It was at a time when industry leaders were looking for a replacement crop for tobacco.

“There had been wineries there for the past 30 years, but really, right around the early 2000s there was a lot of interest and people were installing new vineyards,” Hatch said. “It is always exciting when land is going into agriculture and I think the state recognized that and put some energy into exploring and more possibilities are there.”

He used his knowledge of soils and land shapes to help determine the most suitable places for growing grapes. But it was an internship in northern Italy after school that piqued his interest in winemaking.

He returned home to take his first job in the industry working with Loudoun

Freedom Center

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continued from page 3 bathrooms.

“We have thousands of kids that come through this burial ground every single year, learning more about it,” she said.

Thomas said gaining ownership of additional property surrounding the burial ground is important to her and the Black community in Loudoun.

“It means everything to me because I understand this history. I understand the uniqueness of this shared history,” she said. “I understand the struggle of ancestors who were forced to labor in the beautiful fields that we now golf in. … the last stage of freedom, is the freedom to tell our story.”

Owning the land would give the community a greater opportunity to do that, she said.

“I learned a lot about how to put all the pieces together,” Hatch said. “Lew’s been doing this for a long time. He’s got a good instinct of putting together the growing, the winemaking, and the wine sales. It was a really good introduction to operate on a small winery in Virginia.”

The experience also helped him to realize there was more to learn.

“I had a lot of questions about why we did a lot of things in the vineyards. I figured this is a good time to go back to school and find the answers that I needed as far as why we do certain things. Sometimes at the farm level it’s hard to justify digging deep into some of those questions. I had a wonderful experience to work with a guru and somebody that really gave me a lot of information about how grapes grow in the environment and how they exist in this environment. It was a really good opportunity for me,” Hatch said.

After completing graduate school at Virginia Tech, he worked at the much larger Barboursville Vineyards in Orange County.

“I got a broad spectrum of experience there. And then after that, I was hired back to Virginia Tech. They had an extension position where I was statewide and served as a resource for new and experienced growers to field questions about production and troubleshoot issues. I learned so much by traveling around the state and learning from folks that were doing this,”

Kuhn, Thomas, and Dominion Energy were collaborating on the project until earlier this week when Kuhn and Thomas received an email from Dominion stating it would not change the location of the transmission line because it could delay review of its power line project, according to Thomas.

“I think Dominion Power is doing their best,” Kuhn said. “I think they need to put a little more effort into aligning these power lines so our goals can come together, but we’re excited to be part of this.”

Thomas said that Dominion is “on the wrong side of history” and that they have a track record of cutting through African American historic communities.

“To stand in the way of a gift to the African American community makes no sense to me,” she said.

Dominion is expected to file its power line plan with the State Corporation Commission in early March. n

Back home, Hatch has seen the evolution of Loudoun’s wine industry since planting the first vines on the family farm. He’s an integral part of the family’s winemaking.

“My dad’s the winemaker. My sister and I share in that role—my sister is stronger in the cellar than I am. She’s got a really good palate. It’s good that we can work together as a team and bounce ideas off each other and I think we can make better wine by doing that,” Hatch said.

Like many in Loudoun’s wine industry, he highlights its collaborative nature.

“It’s super satisfying that I’m from Loudoun. It means a lot to see more vineyards and more vineyards doing well. I’m excited about that. I’m excited to see a lot of land still in agricultural production,” he said. “We share so much. When we see something do well or we see something not working well, we hear that experience. It allows us to increase in quality more rapidly than if we did not communicate like that.”

Hatch’s statewide award came with accolades from some of most influential leaders in the industry.

Tony Wolf, the Virginia Tech viticulturist who was a driving force in the Virginia wine industry for over 35 years, hired Tremain twice—once as a field and lab assistant and then a viticulture research and extension associate after he completed the master’s program.

“Tremain has the perfect combination

of excellent work ethic, viticultural knowledge, and personal demeanor that makes him an excellent extension educator,” Wolf stated. “Tremain knows how to grow high-quality grapes, and he is more than willing to share that knowledge with others. He is entirely deserving of the prestigious Grower of the Year Award.”

Mizuho Nita, who heads the Grape Pathology Department, met Hatch when he joined Virginia Tech in 2009. Last year, Hatch joined him on a trip to Japan where they conducted seminars, workshops, wine-tastings and in-field consultations. “We had the opportunity to interact with over 200 growers in three weeks,” Nita said. “As a result, Tremain is now a wellknown viticulturist in Japan, too.”

Hatch is appreciative the award.

“I feel really fortunate to be recognized for this because it’s a group of people I really respect and really appreciate the ability to work, he said. “So, this honor means a lot to me.” n

While typically Hatch can be found hiking through vineyards making groundcover suggestions or other recommendations, you can sample his family’s wines—and perhaps enjoy a fresh-grilled hamburger from the farm—at Zephaniah Farm Vineyard, at 19381 Dunlop Mill Road west of Leesburg. Learn more at zephwine.com.

Hanna Pampaloni/Loudoun Now

JK Land Holdings President and CEO Chuck Kuhn and Loudoun Freedom Center founder Pastor Michelle Thomas pose for a photo before signing a memorandum of understanding that would gift the center 10 acres of land if Dominion Energy agrees to move a transmission line 70 feet.

Funeral

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“A celebration of life is a joyful occasion,” he said. “That doesn’t mean there’s not going to be tears. That doesn’t mean there’s not going to be sobbing, but we’re also going to have smiles and we are going to have laugher.”

The ceremony was attended by Gov. Glen Youngkin, County Chair Phyllis Randall and other county supervisors and state elected officials.

Youngkin called Brown a hero and said his and the hearts of people across the state were breaking with the Brown family.

“It was a night like so many others,” Youngkin said of Feb. 16. “And at the end of a 12-hour shift, he was ready to go home, ready to get home to his wife and his kids. And just after 7:30 p.m. a call came. Trevor, along with his fellow heroes, boarded their trucks and responded.”

Youngkin said being a first responder requires having a “love so immense that you will willingly lay down your life selflessly for others” and said Brown was “a beacon of light” that could not be extinguished.

“This moment, as immensely tragic as it is, is not the end, but holds hope for green shoots to emerge from these tragic ashes,” Youngkin said. “Trevor’s legacy will live on through all the lives he touched. The community of brothers and sisters will grow closer and therefor the fabric of our commonwealth and of our country will grow stronger.”

Randall offered heartfelt condolences to the Brown family, the Sterling Volunteer Fire Company and the Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, County Administrator Tim Hemstreet, the 6,000 members of the county government workforce and the 446,000 citizens of the county.

“Just as it is true for so many career and volunteer firefighters, firefighter Brown held a distinguished lineage of service. For these men and women, firefighting it’s part of your DNA. You understand first-hand the physical and emotional toll that comes with choosing a career that requires you to spend 24 hour shifts away from your family. To routinely rise in the middle of the night at the sound of a tone, to offer comfort while administering first aid. To run towards danger and to choose a career that ultimately requires you and your families to live with the knowledge that no call, no call, is routine because every call could be the last. That knowledge, that daily understanding, that is what makes first responders such extraordinary citizens. They are extraordinary human being so unique and so inspiring and ultimately it is that knowledge that rightfully earns all of you the title of hero,” she said.

Brown’s father, Thomas Brown also spoke during the ceremony and said he had a “one of kind love for humanity” that he gave freely.

“He had a unique, clever humor which made us laugh uncontrollably at times,” he recalled. … I so loved our strong goodbye and hello hugs and talks,” he said.

He thanked the community for the

support and kindness shown over the past two weeks.

Sterling Volunteer Fire Company Chief David Short who was friends with Brown, said the stay-at-home father was a family man who spoke of his children often while at the fire station. He said he hated the spotlight and loved serving children in the neighborhood.

Short also read an excerpt from Brown’s journal.

“I’ve always wanted to be involved with emergency services, to challenge myself and learn new things. I see volunteering as a good way to give back to the community, and to help others. I know that I’m mentally and physically capable to do this job and I hope to have a positive impact on at least one person’s life,” Brown wrote.

“Trevor was not just one of my members, he was one of my friends,” Short said.

At the end of the celebration, members of the Loudoun County Fire and Rescue Honor Guard presented folded American flags to Brown’s family. They also gave his helmet to one of his children, and presented three teddy bears one for each of his children.

Gov. Youngkin presented a folded flag of the state of Virginia to his family.

On Feb. 16, Brown was among a crew of Sterling firefighters who responded to a call for a possible gas leak at a home on Silver Ridge Drive in the Seneca Ridge neighborhood. After evacuating two residents from the home, the firefighters were investigating a leak from a 500-gallon underground propane tank when something caused the gas to ignite. The house exploded.

Brown, who was outside the house, was killed by the explosion. Other firefighters were trapped under rubble in the home’s basement. In all, 14 people were injured in the incident.

Only one, volunteer firefighter Brian Diamond, a Loudoun County Public Schools teacher, remains hospitalized at the MedStar Burn Center in Washington, DC, where he is undergoing treatment for second- and third- degree burns.

The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System has tapped Frederick County, MD, Fire Chief Tom Coe to conduct a Significant Incident Review of the case with assistance from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The detailed third-party review will reconstruct every aspect of the incident to determine whether the system had appropriate plans, policies, and procedures and whether crews on the ground followed them. The final report—to be completed months from now—will determine which elements of the response went well, which didn’t, and suggest policy and procedural improvements, if needed.

In addition to the outpouring of public support that was on display during Monday’s celebration of life program, the Loudoun First Responders Foundation continues to raise money that will be used to support the Brown family and the injured firefighters. During a community dinner held as Lansdowne Woods on Friday night $30,000 was raised. Learn more about the support effort at lfrf.org. n

Doug Graham/Loudoun Now Members of the fire and rescue community from around the region gathered at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg on Monday to celebrate the life—and mourn the loss—of Sterling volunteer firefighter Trevor Brown.