Zoning Ordinance Committee Meeting Summary – March 4, 2026

The Zoning Ordinance Committee (ZOC) met virtually on March 4, 2026, from 9:00-11:00 AM in the Dulles Room. The meeting covered status updates on several zoning and comprehensive plan amendments, with a focused discussion on the Floodplain Ordinance update, particularly regarding agricultural fencing in floodplains.

Consent Calendar

• The Action Report from January 7, 2025, was approved unanimously (with one abstention from Jim).

Discussion Items

• Floodplain Ordinance Update – Staff (Maggie) presented revised language for agricultural fencing in the floodplain. The original language allowed only exclusion fencing; after an ad hoc meeting, the language was expanded to include all agricultural fencing (high tensile electric and barbed wire). Committee member Joe questioned whether a no-rise analysis could be waived for minimal-impact projects; staff clarified they are bound by FEMA requirements. Rich raised concerns about the fencing types, noting that high tensile and barbed wire are unsuitable for sheep, goats, and horses, and requested adding board fencing (three- or four-board). Staff had no objection. The committee held a straw vote and agreed to add board fencing to the permitted fencing types; the vote was near unanimous (Jim abstained).
• Data Center Standards & Locations Phase 2 (ZOAM-2024-0001) – Ryan provided an update: staff is compiling research on microgrids, energy storage, and utility substations, and is drafting use-specific standards. The project remains on schedule for a board check-in in September 2026 and adoption target of spring 2027. A member asked about the relevance of Amazon’s purchase of the GW campus for data center; Ryan confirmed the new standards would apply to all future data center projects.
• Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Adjustments #1 (ZOAM-2025-0001) – The project is on track for a June 2026 board presentation. The committee discussed including cleanup items (e.g., duplications of uses) in this first adjustment; non-controversial items will be included, while controversial ones will be deferred to a future amendment. The final draft will be presented to ZOC before the board.
• Western Loudoun/Rural Uses and Standards (WLRUS) – The project is advancing: a Transportation and Land Use Committee (TLUC) meeting on March 18, 2026 will seek direction from stakeholder meetings. The Board of Supervisors will hold a direction meeting on May 5, 2026. The text amendments are expected to come before ZOC possibly between June and December 2026. Committee members confirmed that ZOC’s role is to provide feedback on the draft text, though the board sets policy direction.
• DPZ Work Plan – Dan presented the DPZ work plan in January; a new version will be presented at the next ZOC meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Straw Vote: The committee endorsed adding board fencing (three- or four-board) to the list of permitted agricultural fencing types in the floodplain ordinance. Staff will incorporate this language before the final package returns for a formal vote.
• Schedule Confirmations: Data Center Standards remain on track for spring 2027 adoption; ZOAM Rewrite #1 is set for June 2026 board presentation; WLRUS text will be refined over the summer, with ZOC review anticipated in the latter half of 2026.
• Next Meeting: The next ZOC meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026, at 9:00-11:00 AM in the Dulles Conference Room (in-person).