Loudoun County Planning Commission Public Hearing - July 29, 2025
Loudoun County Planning Commission Public Hearing - July 29, 2025
The Loudoun County Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 29, 2025, to consider multiple land use applications including agricultural and forestal district (AFD) renewals, an early withdrawal request, rezoning proposals, and special exceptions. The meeting lasted well past midnight due to the volume of items.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the June 24, 2025 public hearing were approved unanimously (9-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Valley Commerce Center: Mayor Christopher Bertot, several Purcellville Town Council members (Susan Khalil, Ben Nett, Carol Luke, Caleb Stout), and residents from Mayfair and Wright Farm opposed the rezoning, citing incompatibility with the 2019 general plan, traffic, water concerns, and community opposition. Business owners and representatives from JK Moving Services and local contractors spoke in support, citing a need for flex industrial space.
- West Belmont: Residents of Belmont Green, represented by attorney Michael Overson, raised concerns about density, the LITEC building height, traffic, and loss of open space. Speaker Graham Letterer noted the proposed density is eight times that of the adjacent PDH3 neighborhood. Applicant Colleen Gillis responded that the project is consistent with the suburban compact neighborhood place type.
- Dog Home Away from Home Kennel: Neighbors Nancy Meisner, Eileen Vroom, and Catherine Edwards opposed, citing noise, property devaluation, and a 2020 escape incident. Customers Michael McBroom and Jay Dreyer praised the owners' care and the need for affordable pet care.
- Pantovic Property Rezoning: Emily Johnson of the Piedmont Environmental Council opposed, noting incompatibility with the suburban neighborhood place type and proximity to homes and a daycare.
- Cochran Tech: Neighbor Benjamin Wynne requested protections regarding blasting impacts and driveway access. Emily Johnson again opposed, citing data center impacts on Goose Creek and steep slopes.
Discussion Items
- Agricultural and Forestal District Renewals: Six AFDs (Chrysalis Vineyards, New Hughesville, New Mount Gilead, New Rockland, New Upperville, New Aldie) were presented. Staff recommended renewal for four years with minimum lot size conditions. All were recommended to the Board of Supervisors unanimously (9-0 each).
- Oak Hill Farm AFD Early Withdrawal: Staff supported early withdrawal to facilitate conservation sale for a potential state park. Commissioners debated risks of early withdrawal versus waiting for natural expiration in April 2026. A motion to recommend approval failed (5-4). An amended motion to send to a future work session passed (8-1).
- Valley Commerce Center: The applicant sought rezoning of 117 acres from JLMA3 to PDIP for up to 1.3 million square feet of industrial uses. Staff cited inconsistency with the rural neighborhood place type, traffic impacts, and concerns about on-site well water reliability. After 23 speakers (10 for, 13 against), the commission voted to forward the item to a work session (8-1).
- West Belmont: The applicant proposed rezoning 27 acres to allow up to 361 residential units and 11,000 square feet of commercial uses. Staff noted the density is consistent with the suburban compact neighborhood but requested more detail on open space and unit types. The commission voted unanimously to send the item to a work session (9-0).
- Dog Home Away from Home Kennel: The applicant requested a special exception for a 15-dog kennel on a 4.85-acre lot. Staff supported approval with conditions. After public comment, a motion to recommend approval with added conditions (6-foot privacy fence, limit of 4 dogs outside during daytime, zero dogs outside between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.) passed (5-4).
- Pantovic Property Rezoning: The applicant sought rezoning from CR1 to IP for industrial uses. Staff cited compatibility issues with the suburban neighborhood place type and requested more detail on building height, buffers, and traffic analysis. The commission voted to send the item to a work session (9-0).
- Cochran Tech: The applicant requested a rezoning to IP and special exceptions for a data center and utility-scale battery storage. Staff and the fire marshal’s office noted unresolved standards for battery storage. The applicant offered to remove battery storage if it would expedite approval. The commission voted to send the entire application to a work session (7-2), with the option to remove battery storage later.
Key Outcomes
- All six AFD renewals recommended to the Board of Supervisors (unanimous).
- Oak Hill Farm early withdrawal sent to a future work session (8-1).
- Valley Commerce Center forwarded to a work session (8-1).
- West Belmont forwarded to a work session (9-0).
- Dog Home Away from Home Kennel recommended for approval with conditions (5-4).
- Pantovic rezoning forwarded to a work session (9-0).
- Cochran Tech forwarded to a work session (7-2).
Meeting Transcript
Yes. Good evening, everybody. The July twenty-ninth, twenty twenty-five Loudon County Planning Commission public hearing will now come to order. And as is our custom, let us stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the public who wish to comment on any item on the public hearing legislative agenda may do so. If you are in the boardroom, please fill out a speaker slip and hand it to the assistant deputy clerk of the planning commission at the end of the day, as to my left. If you are participating electronically, please call the number on the bottom of the screen. If you signed up to speak after 12 30 p.m., please confirm your name is on the speaker list as public comment sign-up closes after 12 noon. Indicate your name and the agenda item you wish to address. Each speaker, whether speaking on behalf of an organization or as an individual, will have three minutes for commission bylaws. Written comments may be submitted to the assistant deputy clerk who will make copies for the uh each planning commission member. The commission may vote on applications tonight and send its recommendation to the board of supervisors or may forward the item to work session for further consideration before taking a final vote. Our procedures for the public hearing are as follows. Tonight each commissioner will be given three minutes to ask questions. Three minutes for each speaker. After everyone has had a chance to speak, the hearing is closed. The applicant and staff will have an opportunity to provide any responses to the public comment. Finally, finally, there will be a motion, deliberation, and vote by the commission. Okay, next um we have the approval and adoption of our minutes uh from the June 24th public hearing. And those have had a chance to review them. Move for approval. Motion and second. I said I made a motion to the second seconded. Okay, didn't you hear the second? So um motion to approve the minutes commanded by Commissioner Myers, seconded by Commissioner Banks. Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. And that will carry nine zero. Thank you. Uh next up is disclosures, and I will start to my right and uh work my way across. If you have any uh disclosures, just turn on your light. Commissioner Jasper. Um sorry on July 18th. I met with um uh the uh applicant uh bronko pantovich and his partners and packy crown about the pantovich rezoning on July 28th. I had a follow-up conversation with Packy on July 28th. I also had a meeting with Mike Romeo, Charles Yad, and Clayton Tuck about the Valley Commerce Center. Thank you, Commissioner Motoretti. Thank you. Um on July 14th, I met with uh Cock and Tech applicant and his team. Um July 15th, I met with the um applicant and the team for the West Belmont uh application on July 16th. I met with Pakie Crown and on Pantovich Redevelopment. Um July, I met with I residents of uh near residents of near uh the Vest Belmont Um Belmont Green H people. Um that's it. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Combs. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair.
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