Leesburg Town Council Meeting - July 28, 2026
Leesburg Town Council Meeting - July 28, 2026
The Leesburg Town Council met on July 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber to conduct regular business, including approvals of minutes, a consent agenda, a resolution on wayfinding signs, a public hearing on a new towing advisory board, and public comments on short-term rental concerns.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes: Approved work session minutes of July 13, 2026 (5-0-1); regular session minutes of July 14, 2026 (6-0-1); regular session minutes of July 15, 2026 (5-0-1). Council Member Wilt was absent from the July 13 and July 15 meetings.
- Adopting Meeting Agenda: Approved 6-0-1.
- Consent Agenda Items (12A-I): Approved unanimously with one abstention (5-0-1). Items included:
- Airport Air Traffic Control Tower Project - Construction Grant Agreement
- Traffic Signal Safety Improvements - Task Order Authorization
- Award of Cooperative Participation Agreements to Apple Ford, Inc. and Sheehy Ford of Richmond, Inc.
- Authorization to Negotiate and Acquire Property Rights for the Plaza Street Sidewalk Project (25303)
- Supplemental Appropriation and Contract Award for Stormwater Utility Development Task Order
- LAWS Fee Waiver Request
- Appointment to the Board of Architectural Review – Lucas Mason
- Appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission – Sara Menninger (sponsored by Council Member Krukowski)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Three residents spoke on short-term rental (Airbnb) issues in historic downtown Leesburg:
- Trisha Smith (209 South Street SE): Cited Virginia Code 15.2-983 to argue the town has full authority to regulate short-term rentals through zoning, contrary to claims of state preemption. She reported property damage from an adjacent Airbnb (door slamming into her house) and stated that Airbnb operators often do not know the community. She requested a residency requirement, on-site parking requirement, and residential permit parking on South and Royal Streets.
- Tracy Jefferson (219 South Street SE): Reported that she has been unable to park in front of her home more often than not due to Airbnb guests, including a wedding party that generated nine cars. She supported more stringent regulations and permit parking.
- Elizabeth Storms (208 South Street SE): Expressed support for the previous speakers, noting parking congestion and disruptive behavior from Airbnb guests. She advocated for permit parking for residents.
Discussion Items
- Wayfinding Signs (Resolution): Council Member Steinberg presented a resolution to approve new wayfinding signs downtown and remove damaged or aged signs, funded by the Amazon fund balance at a cost of $251,000. The resolution passed 5-1.
- Public Hearing – Amending Chapter 2 to Add Section 2-234 (Leesburg Police Directed Tow Advisory Board): Staff presented the background: on June 23, 2026, the council appointed five members to the advisory board (two law enforcement officers, two tow company representatives, and one citizen) to evaluate whether police-directed towing should be regulated by ordinance or contract and to propose language. The proposed code amendment formalizes the board. During discussion, Council Member Wilt asked whether the board could also regulate private tow rates. The town attorney confirmed the council has the authority to regulate private tow rates under state code, and a towing advisory board is a prerequisite. Council directed staff to place discussion of private tow rate caps on a future agenda. The ordinance was approved 6-0-1.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Approved: 5-0-1 with one abstention.
- Wayfinding Signs Resolution Approved: 5-1.
- Tow Advisory Board Ordinance Approved: 6-0-1.
- Next Steps: The zoning ordinance rewrite will continue to address short-term rental regulations. Town Manager Dentley announced that a proposal to expand residential parking within downtown boundaries will be presented at the September 21, 2026 work session, with a potential public hearing in the fall.
- Closed Session: Council voted 6-0-1 to enter closed session for the purpose of discussion relating to the hiring of a town manager (per Va. Code § 2.2-3711(A)(1)).
- Future Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 24-25, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
I would like to call to order the uh July 28, 2026 town council meeting. If anyone in the room needs hearing assistance, please uh um please uh uh see the clerk. Council member Wilt will be giving the invocation tonight, followed by Councilmember Nacy, which will lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. Uh let's have a short moment of silence, please, as we reflect on our reasons that we are gathered here this evening and on the things we hope to accomplish together tonight. Thank you. Please stand up in the United States of America. One nation individual liberty and justice. The first one is the work session minutes for July 13th, 2026. Do I have a motion? So moved by Councilmember Nacy. Second. Second. Councilmember Kirchkowski. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. And abstain. Thank you. So it is we've missed one, so it's five zero one. Had to think about it. Um next one. The regular session of July 14th, 2026. So I so moved by Councilmember Nacy. Second. Councilmember Kirkowski. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Aye. Opposed. That passes six zero one. Uh regular session minutes of July 15th. Councilmember Nacy. Second. Council Member Cummings. All in favor, indicate by saying aye. Opposed. Thank you. I was looking at absent and I was like, no, no, that's not it. So that passes five zero one one. Um adopting of the minute meeting agenda. Is there a motion? So moved by Councilmember Nacy. Second. Councilmember Kirkowski. Is there any item that anyone wishes to have removed? Seeing none, all in favor indicate by saying aye. Opposed. That passes 601. Uh we have no uh certificates of recognition of recognition, but we do have proclamation tonight. And our proclamation is to the dedication of the performance of the music George Washington heard in the memory of Dr.
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