Public Meetings - Loudoun County, Virginia

The Facility Standards Manual (FSM) Public Review Committee (PRC) held a meeting on July 25, 2024, to discuss agency referral comments on the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite (ZOR) tech memos, proposed amendments to FSM Chapter 8, and updates on dam break inundation zone mapping. The committee reviewed public feedback, debated key technical details, and established next steps for September 2024 Board of Supervisors consideration. Consent Calendar - Approval of prior meeting minutes for June 2024 (unanimous). Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak. Discussion Items - ZOR Tech Memo Comments (Agency Referrals): - Private Roads Terminology: Staff noted that the zoning ordinance definition of private roads includes "private access easement roads" and "private streets" as defined in the LSDO and FSM. The committee agreed to defer comprehensive term alignment to a future LSDO update, but added the issue to an LSDO update list for tracking. - Section 124502c Reference: Zoning recommended revising text to refer to A10 zoning district; committee confirmed the inclusion of cluster subdivisions was intentional. - Base Density Division Option: A comment to place the base density division option after AR1 rather than AR2 was accepted, with minor wording adjustments. - Limiting Private Roads in Transition Districts: Committee confirmed that limiting private roads to 25 lots in most transition districts (except TCC) is consistent with zoning ordinance section 5701. - Tree Cover Inventory Figure: NRT recommended adding a sample figure to the FSM to illustrate acceptable tree cover inventory. Committee supported the concept and asked staff to develop a sample exhibit. - Alley Access in TC District: Zoning noted there is no explicit reference permitting primary alley access without frontage in TC. Committee decided to remove TC from the list and add R2, R3, R4 as recommended; staff will coordinate with Kate McConnell and Zeb Foltz to finalize. - ADU Written Agreement Language: Zoning proposed clarifying language for written agreements requiring ADUs after 24 units. Committee accepted adding "for any property or properties" but kept original intent language regarding aggregate dwelling units. - Inundation Zone Amendments: - DGS recommended ensuring applicants have access to emergency action plans and up-to-date inundation zone mapping. Staff noted ongoing efforts to create a digital map layer; committee emphasized the need for public access to the data. - DTCI requested clarity on whether capital projects are included (confirmed yes). - Staff proposed moving procedural details to FSM Chapter 5 rather than Chapter 8; committee agreed with that placement. - FSM Chapter 8 Draft Amendments: - Discussion focused on plat requirements (Section 8103) and locational clearance. Staff noted that locational clearance is an existing process, but the draft section needs refinement to avoid redundancy and clarify when exhibits are required instead of plat notes. - Jason identified several consistency issues (e.g., septic system terminology). The committee tabled further review of Section 8103 and directed staff to prepare a revised draft for next meeting. Key Outcomes - Private Roads Terminology: Added to LSDO update list; interim coverage provided by zoning ordinance definition. - Tree Cover Figure: Staff to develop a sample figure for FSM inclusion; committee to review later. - Alley Access in TC: TC removed from permissible districts; staff to confirm with zoning. - ADU Language: Revised to clarify aggregate dwelling unit trigger; accepted with minor edits. - Inundation Zone Map: Board decision needed for public map availability; staff to pursue partnership with DCR. - Chapter 8 Draft: Tabled for further revisions; next meeting will review updated language. - Next Steps: Staff will present intent to amend to the Board of Supervisors in September 2024, followed by Planning Commission public hearing and board adoption in October 2024.

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on Monday, July 22, 2024, but the user instruction states the meeting took place on July 23, 2024. This discrepancy is noted. The Loudoun County Communications Commission met to receive updates on the VATI broadband project, franchisee activities, and preparations for the annual Board of Supervisors status report. The meeting included detailed presentations from All Points Broadband and Dominion Energy on the Baiti fiber-to-the-home project, covering construction milestones, pole make-ready progress, and customer outreach. Franchisees Comcast and Verizon provided updates on HD upgrades and network expansion. The commission also reviewed open LEx tickets and discussed incorporating wireless coverage analysis into the upcoming BoS report. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: Approved unanimously. - Approval of June 24, 2024 Minutes: Approved with one abstention (Commissioner absent at previous meeting). Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Discussion Items VATI Update (Baiti Fiber-to-the-Home Project) - Tom Innes, All Points Broadband presented a comprehensive update. Key points: - Project will bring fiber to 8,600 locations via 600 miles of new fiber, funded by a $17.75 million DHCD grant, $12.5 million county ARPA match, $21 million All Points investment, and $10 million in Dominion middle-mile fiber. - Pole make-ready process is the primary focus: 13,000 poles involved. Since the last update, approvals increased by 85%. A significant portion of tickets are awaiting All Points' decisions. - Dominion has released 50% of its middle-mile fiber for construction and completed 27% (31% of total 171.5 miles, per Bryson's later slide). - First customer activation expected in late December 2024, prioritizing fiber service areas 2 and 4. Contiguous miles needed for construction release; expected in October. - Pre-registrations: 4,000 unique addresses. Historical take rate: 20% sign up immediately, ramping to 35% over 150 days. - Future BEAD program funding (federal) expected to roll out later in 2024; additional unserved locations may be eligible due to updated broadband definitions and FCC mapping changes. - Commissioner Questions: - Commissioner Craig Stone asked about underground fiber and liability for damage to private utilities (sprinklers, dog fences). Tom Innes stated crews ask homeowners to mark private lines; if broken, All Points would likely remediate but will confirm policy. - Commissioners expressed confusion over project maps showing colored service areas vs. hatched project area. Tom acknowledged and will adjust map clarity for public documents. - Commissioner asked why six towns (Middleburg, etc.) were not included. Tom explained that broadband definitions have changed since the grant application; some towns may now qualify for future funding. - A request was made for future briefings to include a schedule with milestone dates and explanations for any delays. Tom and Bryson agreed. - Bryson Emily Norris, Dominion Energy provided the middle-mile update: - Total middle-mile miles: 171.5. Design complete: 19 miles; work in progress: 91.5 miles; construction complete: 53.17 miles (31%). All work available to Dominion will be completed by end of 2024. - Pole make-ready: 4,656 out of 9,369 polls completed (50%). - The commission requested another update in three months, with a possible touchpoint before the BoS status report in September. Franchisee Updates - Comcast (Christopher Mulhall): PEG upgrade to HD for county and schools delayed from July to August due to scheduling conflicts. LEx tickets are being actively worked. - Verizon (Louise Anderson): Large expansion project in and around Purcellville. Permitting issues with the town of Purcellville have been resolved. Verizon will provide specific expansion area details to the county in the near future. Preparation for 2024 Board of Supervisors Commission Status Report - The commission reviewed draft materials including spatial analysis maps created by a commissioner. Maps illustrate broadband coverage but lack cellular tower data, which is a significant gap for wireless coverage. The commission plans to incorporate wireless infrastructure analysis and discuss offline. The presentation to the BoS is expected to be under 30 minutes, with time for questions. Staff Report - Staff Liaison Dave reported 7 open LEx tickets, all with Comcast, mostly in Sterling. The oldest ticket is about 70 days. Comcast has been responsive, and no escalation is needed. Review of Outstanding Action Items - Aaron Smith noted the VATI update is scheduled for three months. Verizon expansion update is pending (action item to provide specifics). Key Outcomes - The agenda and June 24 minutes were approved (minutes with one abstention). - The VATI update was received; a follow-up presentation is scheduled in approximately three months. - Comcast and Verizon updates were noted; Verizon will share expansion details. - The commission will work offline to finalize the BoS status report, incorporating wireless coverage analysis. - No new business was introduced. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2024. - The meeting adjourned informally after loss of quorum (no formal vote).