Loudoun County Facility Standards Manual Public Review Committee Meeting – September 25, 2026

Note: The agenda and raw transcript refer to this meeting as occurring on September 10, 2026. The date provided for this summary is September 25, 2026, per user instruction. The discrepancy is noted for accuracy.

The meeting was called to order with a new member, Patrick Valdry (Bowman Consulting), introduced. Administrative items included approval of the July 16, 2026 minutes and a brief update on Plan Clearance Tech Memo (no progress, awaiting County Attorney input). The committee then discussed three major amendment packages (FAAR Shoulders, Gated Communities, and Cultural Resources) and received a presentation on the Gabion Basket Study.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of July 16, 2026 Minutes: Moved by Elizabeth, seconded, all in favor (ayes). Drew abstained; Patrick Valdry also abstained as he did not attend that meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• None were offered during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Plan Clearance Tech Memo Update: Staff reported no new information; the update remains pending additional input from the County Attorney’s Office. One committee member mentioned a plan clearance had been requested for a project.
• FAAR Shoulders (Fire Access Road Amendments): Fire Marshal Dan Irley presented cleanup edits to footnotes in roadway tables (Category A and C) regarding shoulder width. The revision clarifies that shoulders may count toward the 20-foot minimum unobstructed width for fire apparatus access only if the surface material (gravel or pavement) is extended into the shoulder, consistent with Section 4810B. Committee expressed concern about potential misinterpretation but accepted the edits. Next step: October Planning Commission public hearing; effective date anticipated January 1, 2027.
• Gated Communities: Staff introduced a minor change to allow the director or designee to approve alternate methods for queuing analysis, with the criterion that the method be equivalent to the specified manual. Committee had no objections. Next step: agency referral for comment, then return to committee.
• Cultural Resources Amendments (Chapters 7 & 8): Staff walked through numerous cleanup edits (highlighted in yellow, blue, and red). Notable changes included:
  • Replacing “subsurface disturbance” with “land disturbance” for consistency.
  • Broadening “building” to “structure” (more inclusive).
  • Inserting “human” before cemeteries, burial grounds, and graves to align with zoning ordinance.
  • Clarifying that reconnaissance surveys are always required for areas not subject to a Phase I survey (cannot be waived).
  • Updating language on previously developed parcels to allow desktop review vs. requiring grading permits. Committee debated specific terms (e.g., “testing area” vs. “shovel test pits”, “residential lots” vs. “lots with residential uses”) and agreed to keep most edits. No formal vote; staff will incorporate feedback and send to agency referral.
• Gabion Basket Study: Chris Stone (Journal Services) presented findings from 16 sampled sites. None had PVC-coated wire; galvanized baskets failed due to site-specific conditions (standing water, high chlorides from de-icing salts). Recommendations: avoid gabions in wet environments, consider alternatives (earth and berm, sheet pile, cast-in-place concrete, stacked riprap). Committee discussed feasibility of stacked stone, potential volume credits, and maintenance ease. No decisions made; Chris will return at the October 1 meeting with draft FSM language.

Key Outcomes

• July 16 minutes approved.
• FAAR Shoulders amendments to proceed to October Planning Commission public hearing.
• Gated Communities amendments to proceed to agency referral.
• Cultural Resources amendments to be revised and sent for agency referral.
• Gabion Basket Study: Draft FSM language expected at October 1, 2026 meeting.
• Next meetings: October 1 (Dulles Room) and October 15 (Dulles Room), 2026.