Loudoun County Planning Commission Work Session and Public Hearing - July 9, 2026
Loudoun County Planning Commission Work Session and Public Hearing - July 9, 2026
The Loudoun County Planning Commission held a work session and public hearing on July 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM. The meeting began with the approval of minutes from the May 14, 2026 work session and the June 23, 2026 public hearing, both passed 7-0-2 with Commissioners Myers and Jasper absent. The sole work session item, LEGI-2024-0056 (Dulles Technology Park), was deferred to the September 10, 2026 work session at the applicant's request. Commissioners disclosed contacts with representatives of the deferred application and the Golden Substation application. The public hearing addressed two items: Dulles South Community Park and Golden Substation, both previously heard and revised.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of the May 14, 2026 Planning Commission Work Session approved 7-0-2.
- Minutes of the June 23, 2026 Planning Commission Public Hearing approved 7-0-2.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dulles South Community Park: Tom Toma, a resident of Willisford, expressed that the lighting demonstration addressed his concerns but remained worried about construction traffic and conflicts with nearby school traffic. Frank Blackstone, President of the Willisford HOA, thanked the commission, staff, and applicant for addressing resident concerns and facilitating the lighting demo. Remote speaker BJ Constantine opposed the location, citing safety and traffic congestion for approximately 4,000 students at nearby schools (Hovatter, Henrietta Lacks, and Light Ridge Elementary/High schools).
- Golden Substation: No members of the public signed up to speak.
Discussion Items
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Dulles South Community Park (LEGI-2024-0008): Staff presented updates including an additional special exception to increase field light color temperature from 3,000K to 5,700K, commitment to plant 16 evergreen trees near the pinch point with residential uses, and a successful lighting demonstration. LCPS provided a letter of support citing ongoing coordination on traffic, construction, and safety. The applicant clarified that the park (renamed Light Ridge Park by the Board of Supervisors) will feature a centralized hub, natural turf with potential future synthetic turf, layered security, and full-cutoff lights with precise aiming. Lighting can be controlled automatically and remotely. The traffic study was accepted by DTCI without outstanding issues. Commissioner questions focused on lighting control, dark sky certification (not pursued due to pole height constraints), and community engagement. The motion to approve with conditions carried 7-0-2.
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Golden Substation (LEGI-2025-0012): Staff noted the application was revised to include a 20-foot tall screen wall, a decorative 10-foot tall supplemental screen fence along the W&OD Trail and Route 28, and an additional 520 plant units (total 1,048). The applicant described these as enhanced screening developed through an electrical infrastructure working group and public open houses. Two-tone wall options (dark green lower, lighter upper) were shown. Off-site plantings along the W&OD Trail with Nova Parks were committed. Commissioners voiced frustration that improvements were limited despite years of discussion about substation aesthetics. Some supported the motion as a reliability necessity; Commissioner Miller opposed, stating he could no longer support 20-foot prison walls. The final vote was 6-1-2, with Commissioner Miller dissenting. The commission expressed preference for the two-tone wall design and requested a condition memorializing the off-site planting commitment.
Key Outcomes
- Dulles South Community Park: Approved 7-0-2; motion by Commissioner Miller, seconded by Commissioner Frank. Recommendation to the Board of Supervisors of approval subject to conditions dated June 29, 2026, and findings in attachments 1 and 2 of the staff report.
- Golden Substation: Commission permit approved 6-1-2; special exceptions forwarded to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval subject to conditions dated July 2, 2026, and findings in attachments 2 and 3 of the staff report. The commission directed staff to include preference for two-tone wall (dark green lower, lighter upper) in the summary to the Board.
- Dulles Technology Park work session item deferred to September 10, 2026.
Briefing on July 23, 2026 Public Hearing Items
Staff previewed six items: two AFD renewals (Hillbrook and Newfeather), Cochrane Tech (data center, returned from Board with reduced intensity and relocated energy storage), Spring Valley Technology Park (3.25 million sq ft data center, 12 buildings, modifications to setbacks and buffers), and Western Loudoun Recreational Complex (145-acre regional park with recreation center and library, with a request for field lights similar to Dulles South). Commissioner Soden noted the library size limit of 45,000 sq ft may be insufficient, suggesting a minimum of 52,000 sq ft. Staff will prepare detailed presentations.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. The uh July 9th, 2026 Loudoun County Planning Commission work session and public hearing will now come to order, as is our custom. Let's stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Undergone indivisible with liberty and justice for all. At the request of the applicant, Dulles Technology Park LLC, the planning commission work session item number one tonight, LEGE 2024-56, Dulles Technology Park, ZMAP 2024-18 has been deferred to the September 10th, 2026 Planning Commission work session. And that was our only work session item tonight, so we'll move on to the public hearing. Members of the public who wish to comment on any item on the public hearing at the 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're participating electronically, please call the number at the bottom of the screen. If you signed up to speak after 12 noon, please confirm your name is on the speaker list as public comment sign up closes at noon. Indicate your name and the agenda item you wish to address. Each speaker, whether speaking on behalf of an organization or his individual, will have three minutes per the commission bylaws. Written comments may be submitted to the assistant deputy clerk who will make copies for the planning commissioners. The commission may vote on applications 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. Commissioners will be given three minutes to ask questions of staff. 10 minute applicant presentation. Commissioners will be given three minutes to ask questions of the applicant. Hearing is then open for public comment. 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 public comment. Finally, there will be a motion deliberation and vote by the commission. The maker of the motion will have three minutes for opening and closing remarks. Commissioners will be given three minutes to speak on the motion. And Commissioner, for tonight, given that these two public hearing items we've actually uh kind of seen once before, but have had some slight modifications to it. Um my intent is to give each commissioner at least two rounds of three minutes if they wish to speak. Uh, because in my mind this is more of a work session on an item we've already seen, so I want to make sure uh commissioners have every opportunity to get their thoughts and comments in. All right, we have uh two minutes to review. As the anybody or that has the commission an opportunity opportunity to review the minutes of the May 14th 2026 work session, and if so, I'll accept a motion. So motion approved, made by Commissioner Combs, second by Commissioner Miller. Any discussion on the motion? All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed. That motion will carry 702 with Commissioners Myers and Jasper absent for the vote. And secondly, we have the minutes uh for the June 23rd, 2026 public hearing. Second, second second. Okay, uh motion uh to approve made by Commissioner Combs seconded by Vice Chair Moderetti. Any discussion on the motion. Okay, all those in favor say aye. Aye, aye, opposed. That motion will also carry 702 with Commissioners Jasper and Myers absent for the vote. All right, uh next up we'll do our disclosures, and I will start at the end of the day as to my right. If you have any disclosures, just turn your light on. Thank you. Commissioner Miller. Um yeah, I uh um trying to see the right date. I apologize.
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