www.loudountribune.com
4
The Loudoun Tribune I July 14, 2016
22
6 Glory Days Veteran opens new gym in Ashburn
3
Sen. Jill Vogel Running for Lt. Gov.
24 Cardinal Ridge ES Art for NASA's Dream Rocket
Parking Stirs Debate about Growth of ADAMS Center in Ashburn
Best in Show CLYFL float takes honors
In this issue SECTION 1 • Government New state laws on July 1
> see page 8
• Business
Local partners join YEA! Loudoun > see page 10
• Public Safety
Adult detention center gets high marks > see page 14
SECTION 2 • Education
Class of 2016 gets $60M in scholarships > see page 22
• Community
Area farms stock local markets > see page 24
• Health
Ask Dr. Mike > see page 28
Businesses in Beaumeade Circle complex concerned about serving customers. Dusty Smith
S
Dusty@loudountribune.com
upporters and opponents of the request by All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) to permit a mosque, and and associated daycare and private school in space it has purchase at the Beaumeade Circle business park in Ashburn were expected to speak during a public hearing Wednesday. Concerns raised by opponents center on parking at the facility. ADAMS now uses space owned by the Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, but has purchased additional space for which the special exception applications would apply. Among the changes sought is the ability to serve 250 congregants, rather than the 200 ADAMS now has the authority to serve for each service. Some opponents
have questioned that number, pointing out that 250 people attending three services, which is typical on a Friday at ADAMS, equates to 750 people. Rizwan Jaka, chairman of the ADAMS board, pointed to other places of worship nearby. The business park is home to the Christian Fellowship Church, which sits across Beaumeade Circle from the row of condo units in question, as well as the Jewish congregation with which ADAMS now shares space. “We just want to be treated like all other faith groups that got approval,” Jaka said. Tenants share parking spaces at the business park and some have said the number of people entering and leaving the ADAMS make it difficult for customers to access their businesses, particularly on Fridays when multiple services are held
Dusty Smith/The Loudoun Tribune
SECTION 3 at ADAMS. Those concerned about the parking make clear that they are addressing an existing concern, not raising a religious issue. “They’re growing and they continue to grow,” said David Donald, president and CEO of Keeper Technology. “We’re beyond the ability of the business park to handle this already.” Donald said his concerns were solidly centered on business, pointing to challenging maneuvers that trucks making delivers to the complex face. Former tenant Rovideo left the park because of the situation on Fridays. “The parking and traffic situation on Fridays is really untenable and provided significant motivation for us to return to Fairfax County as our base of operations,” Rovideo partner Richard Peterson wrote in a letter to fellow tenant Donald, who
Continued on page 25
• Real Estate
Summer home market > see page 30
• Opinion
Our opinions, guest columns and letters to the editor > see page 36