Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals Public Hearing – May 28, 2026

The Loudoun County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held a public hearing on May 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Board Room of the Government Center. The board addressed three agenda items: a sign development plan for the Washington Commanders training facility, an appeal of zoning modifications for the Hamilton Safety Center, and an appeal of a temporary special event permit for a baseball training operation. The board deferred two items and ruled on the third.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 3 – RD Baseball Temporary Permit: Multiple residents and business supporters spoke. Appellants Thomas Giddings and others argued the permit was improperly granted, citing traffic, safety, and that the use is not truly temporary. John Benedict, a retired lawyer, stated the permit ignores the BZA's prior ruling and is an abuse of procedure. Denise Rowell, an immediate neighbor, raised fire marshal and health department compliance issues.
• Supporters included Dan Olds (co-owner), who described the business's community value and $13,000 in road improvements, and Matt and Judy Livingston, who urged the board to consider the harm of shutting down the program for young athletes. Stacey Caffrey, representing Supervisor Kirshner, stated the permit complies with zoning and should be upheld. James McGinn praised the program's impact on his son. Many supporters stressed that the neighbors' opposition is part of a pattern to block any use.

Discussion Items

• Item 1 – Ashburn Training Facility Sign Development Plan (LEGI-2025-0056): Staff planner Brian Fish presented the request to increase maximum sign area from 100 sq. ft. to 7,450 sq. ft. for signs on the sports dome, including a 7,450 sq. ft. sign on the top facade. The dome has no roof, and staff determined all signs are wall signs. Applicant Adam Steiner argued the signs are proportional to the 125,000 sq. ft. structure and that aerial visibility (e.g., Google Maps) justifies the rooftop sign. Board members expressed concerns about the size, whether it constitutes off-premise advertising, and the slippery slope of precedent. The applicant requested a deferral to the next meeting to revise the plan. The board unanimously postponed the item to June 25, 2026.
• Item 2 – Hamilton Safety Center Appeal (APPL-2026-0001): The appeal challenges a zoning modification for minor changes to a special exception. Appellant Jennifer Cleary requested a continuation to September 24, 2026, because a related appeal (filed May 22) challenges a monopole permit that is connected to this application. The board agreed, noting efficiency, and continued the matter despite staff and property owner being prepared. The chair apologized to those who traveled.
• Item 3 – RD Baseball Temporary Special Event Permit Appeal (APPL-2026-0002): Zoning Administrator Teresa Miller detailed the new multi-agency review process (health, fire, building, transportation, natural resources) that led to conditions limiting hours, attendees (30 at any time, 80 per day), and banning amplified sound. She concluded the permit meets the definitions of temporary use and special event. Appellant attorney Thomas Price argued the use is permanent in practice, the facility is already operating without necessary approvals, and the permit is a subterfuge to bypass the special exception process. Property owner attorney Shane Murphy countered that the permit is temporary (expires Dec 31, 2026) and that the Board of Supervisors will decide on a permanent minor exception in June. Board members debated the temporary nature and the fire marshal's comments about road width and sprinklers, but three members found the zoning administrator's interpretation proper under the code. The board voted 3-1 to uphold the permit and deny the appeal.

Key Outcomes

• Item 1 (Sign Plan): Deferred to June 25, 2026, at the applicant's request to revise the proposal.
• Item 2 (Hamilton Safety Center): Deferred to September 24, 2026, to consolidate with a related appeal.
• Item 3 (RD Baseball Permit): Motion to uphold the zoning administrator's decision and deny the appeal passed 3-1 (Forbes, Canonico, Gray in favor; Walker opposed).