Loudoun County Planning Commission Public Hearing – May 26, 2026

This meeting of the Loudoun County Planning Commission covered four legislative items: a joint LCPS-county service center and storage facility, two utility substations (Golden and Tech Park at Dulles), and a zoning conversion for a data center park. The commission also deferred one item (Adult Detention Center expansion). Voting results included unanimous approvals, a referral to a work session, and a continuation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Teresa Goodyear (resident of Hall Yard Court, adjacent to Item 1 site) opposed the proposed LCPS service center and outdoor storage. She raised concerns about noise from backing-up heavy equipment, potential salt/sand runoff into a nearby creek, impacts on property values and quality of life, and questioned why the facility could not be sited further from homes. She spoke for three minutes.

Discussion Items

1. LEGI-2023-0115 – Joint LCPS-COL Central Loudoun Service Center and Storage (Leesburg)

Staff (Brianna Smith) presented a special exception application for a public service center with outdoor storage, including a 3,000-square-foot expansion of an existing small engine repair shop and modifications to perimeter buffering. The site is a 13-acre portion of the county government support center. Two outstanding issues were noted: stormwater mitigation (still under discussion) and SPEX limits delineation (resolved). Staff supported approval as conditioned. The applicant (Jefferson Miller, LCPS; Chris Myers, Urban) emphasized the need for a centralized inclement weather facility, described salt containment via a three-wall building and underground storage, and noted a 430-foot preserved buffer to the nearest residential subdivision. Commissioners discussed noise standards (55 dB at the property line), frequency of inclement weather mobilization (13 days in 2026), and the adequacy of the buffer. A community meeting was held in late 2024 with no attendance. A motion to approve (subject to May 18, 2026 conditions) passed 9-0.

2. LEGI-2025-0012 – Golden Substation (Sterling)

Staff (Kristian Maldonado) presented a commission permit and special exceptions for a hybrid air/gas-insulated utility substation with a 20-foot screen wall, reduced parking (1 space), and elimination of the type C buffer along the northern boundary. The site is near the W&OD Trail, Route 28, and planned data centers. Staff identified enhanced landscaping as a key issue. The applicant (Jack Story, Duberry; Kristen McDonald, Dominion) explained the substation is part of a regional reliability loop (Aspen–Golden–Mars) and offered 97,000 square feet of pollinator meadow and additional planting along the trail. Commissioners raised concerns about the 20-foot concrete wall’s visual impact, requesting alternative materials, berming, or decorative mesh. A substitute motion (by Commissioner Myers) to send the item to a future work session for further design and mitigation discussion passed 9-0.

3. LEGI-2025-0007 – Tech Park at Dulles Substation (Dulles)

Staff (Darby Metcalf) presented a commission permit and special exceptions for a substation in the General Industry zone, south of Old Ox Road. The proposal includes a 12-foot screening wall, right-of-way reservations for West Perimeter Road, and 47,400 square feet of reforestation. The applicant (Tony Calabries, DLA) argued the substation will be largely invisible from public roads due to setbacks (over 800 feet from Old Ox Road) and existing berms/ponds. No public comments were received. Commissioners noted the application’s straightforward nature and supported approval. The motion (by Vice Chair Moderati) to approve the commission permit and forward the special exceptions with a recommendation of approval passed 9-0.

4. LEGI-2024-0056 – Dulles Technology Park (Sterling)

Staff (Matthew Kessler) presented a zoning conversion (ZMAP) to rezone 37.24 acres from PDIP (1972 ordinance) to IP (current ordinance) for up to 979,055 square feet of data center use. The site is within the Route 28 taxing district. Because the application was accepted prior to March 18, 2025 (when the county adopted a special exception requirement for new data centers), it is grandfathered – no SPEX is needed. However, the applicant included a specific development plan (CDP), triggering additional review requirements under the zoning ordinance (Factor 4). Staff noted the lack of a traffic impact study and requested more detail on noise, screening, phasing, and building height. The applicant (Ben Wales, Kirrata) agreed to reduce the maximum building height from 100 feet to 70 feet, committed to a two-story design, and is working with staff on a traffic study. Commissioners discussed the split between the data center and a separate substation application (planned for later). A motion to refer the item to a future work session for additional information passed 9-0.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (LCPS Service Center): Approved 9-0 with conditions of approval (May 18, 2026).
• Item 2 (Golden Substation): Referred to a Planning Commission work session (9-0) for further review of wall design, landscaping, and mitigation.
• Item 3 (Tech Park at Dulles Substation): Commission permit approved 9-0; special exceptions forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval.
• Item 4 (Dulles Technology Park): Referred to a Planning Commission work session (9-0) to obtain a traffic study, building height commitment (70 feet), and other details.
• Item 5 (Adult Detention Center Expansion): Deferred to a later date.
• No other public hearing items were heard; the next meeting (June work session) was canceled due to lack of items.