Loudoun County Planning Commission Public Hearing - October 28, 2025
Loudoun County Planning Commission Public Hearing - October 28, 2025
The Loudoun County Planning Commission held a public hearing on October 28, 2025, to consider CPAM-2024-0005, an Electrical Infrastructure Comprehensive Plan Amendment. The amendment proposes map and policy updates to the 2019 General Plan to guide the siting, design, and aesthetics of high-voltage transmission corridors and electric infrastructure. The commission voted 8-0-1 to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors.
Consent Calendar
- The minutes from the September 23, 2025, public hearing were approved by a vote of 7-0-2, with Commissioners Jasper and Motoretti absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Emily Johnson, representing the Piedmont Environmental Council, expressed support for the staff effort but offered several recommendations. She requested that the existing 2-mile underground 230 kV line between Percival and Leesburg be included on the high-voltage transmission map, and that environmental protection actions be strengthened under the strategies. She also called for including utility-scale generation in Action 6.4E, broader encouragement of easement oversight, adding community concerns to Action 6.3A, and prioritizing Phase 2 of the CPAM to avoid being outpaced by utility plans.
Discussion Items
- Staff Presentation: Pat Giglio (Department of Planning and Zoning), Teresa Stein (Community Planning), and Paul Vernon (Kimley Horn) presented the CPAM. They explained Phase 1 focuses on strengthening policies for high-voltage transmission corridors and creating an electrical infrastructure map. Phase 2 (planned for spring 2026) will address long-term planning for new corridors. The presentation covered the roles of FERC, PJM, the SCC, and Dominion Energy; the limited authority of counties in Virginia; and the importance of co-location, undergrounding (noting 500 kV underground is rare and expensive), reconductoring, and visual impact mitigation. The draft policies support efficiency, compatibility with land uses, minimizing impacts, and public outreach.
- Commissioner Questions: Commissioner Motoretti asked about the binding nature of the plan on the SCC and the omission of public health impacts. Staff clarified that the plan is not binding but improves the county's advocacy position, and that health effects are not conclusively proven and thus not considered in SCC decisions. Commissioner Miller inquired about the feasibility of undergrounding 500 kV lines, co-location, and PJM's role. Staff confirmed that undergrounding is used only for short strategic distances and that the county is part of the PJM interconnection. Commissioner Myers praised the staff report and asked for better map labels and clarity on undergrounding construction. He also raised the idea of including a disclosure about power availability for approved developments. Staff noted that topic may be addressed in the data center phase 2. Commissioner Barnes questioned whether the SCC ever changes routes, citing the Aspen to Golden route where the county's input led to avoiding a floodplain. Commissioner Combs asked about substation design standards, which staff said will be addressed in a separate upcoming CPAM. The Chair asked about ongoing efforts to upgrade existing lines; staff confirmed Dominion is undertaking rebuild projects to increase capacity.
Key Outcomes
- The commission voted 8-0-1 (Commissioner Jasper absent) to approve a motion recommending approval of CPAM-2024-0005 to the Board of Supervisors. The motion was made by Commissioner Myers and seconded by Commissioner Miller.
- The December 11 work session was canceled; the next public hearing is scheduled for December 18, 2025, with two items.
- Administrative items: Brian announced an updated Planning and Zoning work plan, including a project to dissolve the Route 28 taxing district (expected to start in FY2027). Commissioner Myers requested that correspondence regarding the Happy Pappy Paul application be shared with zoning enforcement staff ahead of the December public hearing.
- The commission adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
I want to do this thing to be to do. I check on that. Yeah, I think yeah. Oh, I'm in the wrong slide. We are well according to our contract. Okay. I'm sorry. Yeah, it's not great. Yeah, I want to be one of the white dollars. Hi. Oh, you are why? Yeah, I'm saying that's what we can. We'll get started. Good evening, everyone. The October 28th, 2025 Loudoun County Planning Commission public hearing will come to order. And is there as is our custom, let's 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're 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 signed up to speak after 1230 p.m., please confirm your name is on the speaker list as public comment sign up closes after 12 noon as indicated on the website. If you are participating electronically, please call the number on the bottom of the screen. Indicate your name and the agenda item you wish to address. Each speaker, whether speaking on behalf of an organization or as an individual, have three minutes. Written comments may be submitted to the assistant deputy clerk who will make copies for the planning commission members. The commission may vote on the application tonight and send its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors or may forward the item to a work session for further consideration before taking a final vote. Our procedure for tonight's public hearing is as follows. Staff presentation, followed by commissioners' questions to staff. Tonight, each commissioner will be given five minutes to ask questions of staff. Hearing is open then for public comment. Three minutes for each speaker. After everyone has had a chance to speak, the hearing is closed. Staff will then have an opportunity to provide any response to public comment. Finally, there will be a motion, deliberation, and vote by the commission. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3708.3 and the board's rules of order. Commissioner Banks requested to participate in this meeting remotely. A physical quorum of the Loudoun County Planning Commission is present in the boardroom, and the commission has made arrangements for the voice of Commissioner Banks to be heard by all persons in the boardroom. Commissioner Banks made this request within the required time frame, and the county attorney determined that his request meets the qualifications to participate remotely. The planning commission will record in its minutes that Commissioner Banks participate remotely due to a personal reason. And Commissioner Banks, just checking to see if you can hear. Yes, I can hear you. Thank you. We got you. Thank you very much. All right, first item up. Uh we have uh minutes from the September 23rd, 2025 public hearing. And if anyone's had a chance to review and wishes to make a motion, so moved. Uh motion made by Commissioner Myers, seconded by Commissioner Miller. And any discussion on the minutes? All those in favor say aye. Aye. That motion will carry uh 702 with Commissioners Jasper and Motoretti absent for the vote.
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