Broad Run District Newsletter May 2013

Dear Neighbors,

On June 6th the State Corporation Commission (SCC) will be holding a public hearing on the Greenway Tolls at Park View High School in Sterling.  This will be an opportunity to testify before the regulatory agency over the Greenway about how the high tolls impact your commute.  More details are below.  Last week, I was very pleased to learn that Loudoun’s AAA credit rating was re-affirmed by the three major rating agencies.  Details are below as well as an update on economic development, hunger awareness month, development around the Broad Run District and the Pacific Boulevard opening.

I hope you enjoy my newsletter.  As always, feel free to call me at 703-771-5088 or email me at shawn.williams@loudoun.gov with any questions or comments.  You can read regular updates about what I’m doing to represent our community on my Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Shawn

AAA Credit Rating Re-Affirmed

The nation’s top bond rating agencies have again affirmed Loudoun County’s AAA rating on its general obligation bonds.  Moody’s, Fitch and Standards and Poor’s all particularly mentioned Loudoun’s strong debt policies and conservative fiscal management.  A statement from Moody’s said that the AAA rating reflects Loudoun’s “strong financial management” as well as the “strong and diverse tax base with strong long-term growth potential, above-average wealth levels, consistently solid financial performance, and an average overall debt burden.”  Fitch cited Loudoun’s “robust economy” and “sound financial position,” and the agency’s belief that the Phase II expansion of Dulles Rail into Loudoun “will positively impact the county's dynamic underlying economy.”  Standard & Poor’s highlighted Loudoun’s “historically rapid economic and employment growth” and “historically strong property tax base growth,” which have remained positive despite the overall economic downturn. S&P also said the county “benefits from strong management practices.”  This credit rating re-affirmation will allow the County to refinance up to $110.5 million in existing debt to take advantage of lower interest rates.

Greenway Tolls – Upcoming Public Hearing

The State Corporation Commission (SCC), the agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia that regulates the tolls on the Greenway, will be holding public hearings on the impact of Greenway tolls.  Last fall, Delegate David Ramadan filed a complaint with the SCC as Virginia Code specifies that rates “shall be set at a level which is reasonable to the user in relationship to the benefit obtained; which will not materially discourage use of the roadway to the public; and which will provide the operator no more than a reasonable return as determined by the Commission.”  The SCC is now conducting an investigation with public hearings to be held in Loudoun and Richmond on the proposed toll rates.  These public hearings are your chance to speak directly with the state agency which regulates the Greenway about the high tolls.  I would strongly encourage you to come out and particularly share if you avoid taking the road because of the tolls rates. 

•          June 6th: 4 pm and 7 pm, Park View High School (400 W. Laurel Avenue, Sterling)
•          July 18th: 10 am, State Corporation Commission HQ (1300 East Main Street, Richmond)

If you are unable to attend either of the public hearings, please submit your comments electronically via the SCC’s website.  Click on the ‘public comments/notices’ link and then the ‘submit comments’ button for case number PUE-2013-00011.

Instead of increasing tolls, I believe the Greenway should pursue strategies to encourage more traffic volume.  This winter, Ashburn District Supervisor Ralph Buona and I brought an item to the January 2nd Business Meeting asking the Board to take a position against the proposed toll increase and convey that position to the SCC.  The Board unanimously approved the item. 

Economic Development

This month, the Raytheon Company selected Loudoun County and the Broad Run District as the location for a new consolidated headquarters of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business.  This headquarters is one of Raytheon's four major business units and comprises the former Intelligence and Information Systems unit and the Raytheon Technical Services Company to create a new combined business unit.  The fact that Loudoun and Virginia were chosen over other options is significant in this economic climate and indicative of the advantages we offer in Loudoun County.  The many benefits of locating a business in Loudoun are why Raytheon located operations here in 2009 and selected Loudoun for its new business headquarters. As a Board, we will continue to work to make sure Loudoun is the most business friendly destination in the Washington metropolitan area. 

Hunger Awareness Month

In April, the Board declared May as ‘Loudoun County Hunger Awareness Month.’  Local food banks often face a shortage in the spring and summer months because of a drop in donations after the holidays.  While Loudoun is a high income County, there are many in our community who go hungry and local food banks have been stretched during the recession.  The ‘Love Your Neighbor, Feed Your Neighbor’ food drive, an interfaith effort that began last May, collected 68,629 pounds of food this May to distribute to local food banks, an increase of 27% over last year.  I want to thank the community for your generosity in making sure our food bank shelves are fully stocked.  To see a video about this year’s food drive, click here. 

Broad Run District Development Activity

I have gotten a few emails about the development activity occurring at the northeast corner of Waxpool and Smith Switch.  This is a ‘by-right’ development on land zoned ‘Planned Development – Industrial Park’ as part of Ashburn Corporate Center Phase IV and will be a new date center. Data center projects have been very important to growing Loudoun’s commercial tax, which has helped lower residential property taxes.  

Increasing commercial development is essential for Loudoun to have a healthy economic future.  As I noted in December, for every dollar in county tax revenue, residential costs $1.62 in services while commercial only costs $0.38 in services.  This residential-commercial imbalance has led to high property taxes and strained county services.  I am concerned there has been too much residential growth in the recent past without the supporting infrastructure.  I will continue to carefully scrutinize and question zoning requests for additional residential density while welcoming and encouraging commercial development.

Transportation Project Spotlight: 
        Pacific Boulevard Opening to Traffic Between Waxpool and 606

Yesterday I participated in a ribbon cutting for the opening of the segment of Pacific Boulevard between Dresden Street and Relocation Drive.  I want to particularly thank AOL, Washington Gas and VDOT for working with my office last summer to resolve a right-of-way issue in a timely manner to keep the project schedule from slipping.  This section completion will finally allow traffic to move along Pacific between Waxpool Road and Route 606, providing relief to Route 28.   The road should be open to traffic this afternoon.

Community Events and Information

Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Pancake Breakfast:  The next monthly breakfast will be from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 2.  For more information, including cost, please click here.  Bring the family and have a great breakfast, while at the same time supporting our local station in their fundraising efforts.

LCPS Community Survey:  The Loudoun County Public Schools are conducting a community survey.  “The mission of Loudoun County Public Schools is to work closely with students, families and the community to provide a superior education, safe schools and a climate for success. As we strive to serve this mission, we would like to know how you think we are doing.

Each of you has a unique, valuable perspective and your feedback will help in our effort towards continuous improvement.  This survey is not a referendum, so majority positions will not become LCPS policy; however, your voice on these issues carries significant weight as we work toward making informed decisions.” To participate in the survey, click here:  the survey will close May 31st. 

PRCS Headquarters Move: The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services(PRCS) is moving its administrative offices, including the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging, from Leesburg to Ashburn in June. The PRCS offices, now at 215 Depot Court SE in Leesburg, will close Thursday and Friday, May 30-31, for the move. The offices will reopen on Monday, June 3 at 20145 Ashbrook Place, Suite 170, in Ashburn.

PRCS Summer Activity Guide:  The 2013 Summer Activity Guide is available onlineand for pick-up at PRCS centers and county libraries. General registration began on Thursday, May 16.

Loudoun YouthFest 2013:  The 2013 Loudoun YouthFest will be held on June 5 from 3-8:30 pm at Brambelton Town Center.  YouthFest, which is planned by the Youth Advisory Council, will feature a nationally known headliner, winners of Battle of the Bands, attractions and interactive games.  Non-profit and local government agencies that provide programs and services to middle and high school students in Loudoun County are welcome to register and exhibit for free.  Space is also available to teen vendors to sell select homemade items including t-shirts, jewelry, CD’s or original artwork. The deadline to register is June 1.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection:  The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events will be held on June 15 at Freedom High School from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm.  You may bring used and unwanted household hazardous materials such as gasoline and household chemicals, to be disposed of safely.