Loudoun County Planning Commission Work Session - July 10, 2025
Loudoun County Planning Commission Work Session - July 10, 2025
The Loudoun County Planning Commission held a work session on July 10, 2025, at 6:01 PM. The meeting covered two main legislative items, a briefing on upcoming public hearing items, and administrative updates. Commissioners adopted the minutes from the June 12 work session and heard presentations on a proffer amendment for the Commonwealth Center and a rezoning and special exception application for the Concorde Industrial Park. The commission forwarded both items to the Board of Supervisors with recommendations of approval, with notable debate on the Concorde application.
Consent Calendar
- Adopted the minutes from the June 12, 2025, work session (7-0-2, with Commissioners Kears and Combs absent).
Discussion Items
- Commonwealth Center Residential Proffer Amendment (LEGI-2025-0017): Staff presented a proposal to modify the approved proffer to align with Virginia Housing Development Authority policies for income tiers in the event of foreclosure. The amendment was limited in scope and required no public hearing. The commission voted unanimously (7-0-2) to forward the application to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval, subject to the proffer statement dated June 27, 2025.
- Concorde Industrial Park (LEGI-2024-0002): Staff reviewed the application to rezone 17.2 acres from PDGI to IP, with special exceptions to increase the floor area ratio to 0.8 for data center use and to permit a utility substation. Staff initially identified five outstanding issues: the 12-year timeframe for development options, open space, pollinator plantings, substation screen wall, and proffer consolidation. The applicant submitted a memo on July 9 committing to revisions that addressed all issues, including removing the 12-year option and increasing the substation setback. Staff expressed support contingent on those revisions. After applicant presentation and commissioner questions, the motion to forward the application to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval, subject to the applicant's July 8, 2024 memo and specific findings, passed 4-2-3 (Commissioners Frank, Banks, Myers, and Motoretti in favor; Commissioners Barnes and Motoretti opposed; Commissioner Jasper recused due to stock ownership in Prologis; Commissioners Kears and Combs absent). Commissioner Barnes opposed due to the substation wall height (preferring 20 feet, applicant committed to minimum 12 feet); Commissioner Motoretti cited inconsistency with past approvals and concerns about the 12-year horizon (though it was removed).
- Briefing of July Public Hearing Items: Staff briefed the commission on 11 upcoming applications, including: six AFD renewals in Western Loudoun; Oak Hill Farm early withdrawal from AFD (county purchasing the property); Valley Commerce rezoning (117 acres, two zoning modifications); West Belmont mixed-use development (361 dwelling units, limited commercial); an accessory dog kennel special exception; Pantovich property rezoning (4.48 acres to IP); Cochrane Tech rezoning with battery storage; and a stormwater handbook ordinance amendment. Commissioners raised questions about traffic, community outreach, fire marshal input on battery storage, and implications of road vacations. Staff noted continued discussions with applicants.
Key Outcomes
- Commonwealth Center Proffer Amendment: Approved for forwarding (7-0-2).
- Concorde Industrial Park: Approved for forwarding (4-2-3) with conditions.
- Upcoming Briefings: Noted that several applications will require further refinement before the July public hearing.
- Administrative Items: The commission's amended bylaws and annual report will be presented to TLUC on July 28. The Board of Supervisors overturned the commission's denial of a CMPT for the Tuscarora land bay three substation, directing further design discussions.
Meeting Transcript
All right, I'm gonna call this meeting to order at uh six oh one. Um good evening, everyone. The July tenth, twenty twenty-five Loudin County Planning Commission work session will now come to order. Uh as is our custom, let's please stand for your pledge of allegiance. I vote allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to public for which it stands one nation under God and indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right. Um we are going to start with um good. We're gonna start with um a review and adoption of the minutes. Um has everyone had an opportunity to review the minutes from the June twelfth work session, and if so, would anyone like to make a motion? Move by um Commissioner Frank. Is there a second? Second by Mrs. Uh Myers. Um is there's any discussion or comments? Yes, no. Seeing none, all those in favor? Aye, any opposed, none. That motion carries seven zero two with Mr. Kears and Mr. Combs absent. All right. Now before we get into our agenda items, we'll go through with a disclosure roll call. Um I can't lights on, I'll start with Mr. Barnes, we'll go from that way. Um on July eighth, I went with the Molly Navarne and applicant team regarding the Concord application. Okay, we'll go to the far end, Mrs. Myers. Um on July third I met with Molly and them regarding um the Concord industrial application. Mr. Banks. On July eighth, I met with the applicant team for Cochrane Tech and Concord applications. Okay. And Miss Frank. Nothing. And I um uh one second, let me call them up. Um with Daniel Schlein from Prologus regarding their application tonight. Um I also met with um uh Morgan Haddock and Molly Novotney and the team from uh Peterson regarding um their application. Um that is it for now. Okay. Good evening. My name is Christian Maldonado with the Department of Planning and Zoning here to present the application for Commonwealth Center residential proffer amendment. The subject properties located in Commonwealth Center at the southeast intersection of Russell Branch Parkway and Lauder County Parkway in the Broadrun Election District. The site was recently rezoned to the R24 ADU legacy zoning district to support up to 118 multifamily attached residential dwelling units provided as attainable housing units with the approval of LEGGI 2023 0041 Commonwealth Center Residential in November 2023. The applicant is proposing a modification to the approved proffer statement to provide consistency with the Virginia Housing Development Authority policies for funding. The proposed proper text amendment would change the income tiers served in the event of a foreclosure. On May 6th, the board approved public hearing waivers for this application consistent with the zoning ordinance regulations, which allow strict proffer text amendments limited in scope, such as the subject application to proceed directly to a planning commission work session. Staff finds the proposed amendment to be consistent with county policies and support a planning recommendation. Planning commission recommendation of approval to the board. Staff is happy to answer any questions. Do we have any questions for Christian on this application?
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