Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Public Hearing - April 15, 2026

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on April 15, 2026, to consider multiple land-use and planning items. The hearing included six agenda items ranging from a federal consolidated plan to several special exceptions and rezoning applications for data centers, a compressor station, and an industrial park. Public testimony was heard on several items, and the board voted to forward most applications to the May 19, 2026 business meeting for final action.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1 (Federal Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Five-Year Consolidated Plan, FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan, and Citizen Participation Plan): Approved unanimously (8-0-1) with no public speakers. The motion was made by Chair Randall, seconded by Supervisor Saines.
• Item 2 (LEGI-2025-0041, Duvall Property – SPEX-2025-0114, SPEX-2025-0115, SPEX-2025-0116): Approved unanimously (8-0-1) as a consent item. Supervisor Kirshner made the motion, noting the application required three special exceptions for a driveway due to steep slopes, and expressed concern about the costly process for homeowners.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 (LEGI-2025-0016, Eastern Gas Transmission & Storage, Inc. Leesburg Compressor Station): Two speakers addressed the board. Chris Tandy opposed the expansion, citing climate change, natural gas emissions, and the need for renewable energy. Phil Lapresti, a neighbor and farmer, supported the application, stating the company has been a good neighbor and the station is well-screened.
• Item 4 (LEGI-2024-0038, Aspen Substation): No public speakers signed up.
• Item 5 (LEGI-2023-0080, Valley Commerce Center): Over 40 speakers registered. Opposition speakers (including residents, the Mayor of Purcellville, Councilmembers, and environmental advocates) cited incompatibility with the comprehensive plan, traffic congestion on Percival Road and Hearst Road, groundwater depletion risks, noise, light pollution, and safety concerns for schoolchildren. Support speakers (including business owners, the Chamber of Commerce, and commercial real estate professionals) emphasized the critical shortage of flex industrial and warehouse space in Western Loudoun, the need to retain local businesses, and the applicant’s commitments to buffering, tree conservation, and well monitoring.
• Item 6 (LEGI-2023-0097, Quantum Park – ZCPA-2023-0008): Three speakers opposed the application: Tia Ehrman (PEC) argued it would replace a premier corporate campus and open space; Chris Tandy called data centers a “sacrifice zone”; Julian Cantor cited noise, environmental harm, and rising utility costs. No support speakers signed up.

Discussion Items

• Item 3 (Eastern Gas Compressor Station): Staff and the applicant presented. The proposal involves upgrading an existing station within a 73.4-acre wooded parcel with no new pipelines. The applicant committed to a 55 dBA noise limit at the property line, soundproofing, and safety features. Supervisor Croney praised community outreach and noted the station is already well-hidden. Supervisor Turner inquired about noise measurements (dBC) and construction traffic hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday–Saturday). The board voted 8-0-1 to forward to the May 19 business meeting.
• Item 4 (Aspen Substation): Staff and the applicant presented. The substation is one of five in Dominion’s Northern Virginia reliability plan, adding capacity. The applicant requested a minor special exception to reduce tree buffers (replaced by a 20-foot opaque concrete wall) and a parking reduction. Supervisor Brixman questioned the need for buffers along the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and expressed concern about walls and future capacity. Chair Randall and Supervisor Turner also opposed the application, citing visual impacts and concerns about incentivizing further development. The board voted 5-3-1 (with Chair Randall, Vice Chair Turner, and Supervisor Brixman opposed; Supervisor Glass absent) to forward to the May 19 meeting.
• Item 6 (Quantum Park): The applicant seeks a zoning concept plan amendment to add two data center buildings (65 feet tall) and a GIS substation, reducing building heights from 100 feet and pulling buildings back. Staff noted the use is grandfathered under the 1993 zoning ordinance. Supervisors Laterno and Croney expressed opposition, arguing the location blocks the existing office campus and that the county has reached a tipping point on data centers. Chair Randall stated the application is not the right use for the site. The board voted 6-2-1 (Supervisors Brixman and Croney opposed; Glass absent) to forward to the May 19 meeting.
• Item 5 (Valley Commerce Center): The applicant requests rezoning of 117 acres to PDIP for up to 986,000 sq ft of industrial uses, with a zoning modification for on-site well and septic. Staff recommended denial, citing inconsistency with the Percival JLMA rural neighborhood place type. The applicant highlighted a severe shortage of flex industrial space, commitments to tree conservation (over 70% preserved), a 40-foot enhanced buffer, a 120-foot buffer along Wright Farm, and a two-year well monitoring program. Supervisor Kirshner noted the applicant’s long-term storage use (JK Moving) and questioned the water demand comparison to by-right residential. Supervisor Croney and others raised traffic concerns on Percival Road. The board voted 7-0-2 (with Supervisors Glass and Saines absent) to forward to the May 19 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Consolidated Plan): Approved 8-0-1.
• Item 2 (Duvall Property): Approved 8-0-1.
• Item 3 (Eastern Gas Compressor Station): Forwarded to May 19, 2026 business meeting on a vote of 8-0-1.
• Item 4 (Aspen Substation): Forwarded to May 19, 2026 business meeting on a vote of 5-3-1 (Chair Randall, Vice Chair Turner, and Supervisor Brixman voting no; Glass absent).
• Item 6 (Quantum Park): Forwarded to May 19, 2026 business meeting on a vote of 6-2-1 (Supervisors Brixman and Croney voting no; Glass absent).
• Item 5 (Valley Commerce Center): Forwarded to May 19, 2026 business meeting on a vote of 7-0-2 (Supervisors Glass and Saines absent).