Supervisor Williams' March Newsletter

Dear Neighbors,

I’m pleased to report on March 13th the Board voted unanimously to pass my initiative to ban ‘panhandling’ along public roadways in Loudoun County.  March has also been a busy month with deliberations on the FY 2014 budget.  On Monday, the Board held our public hearing regarding the proposed stadium at One Loudoun.  I also have an update about the Loudoun Metro/Loudoun Center rezoning application. Finally, I was honored to present resolutions of commendation to two Briar Woods championship teams together with my colleagues on the Board.  I hope you enjoy my newsletter and feel free to call me at 703-771-5088 or email me at shawn.williams@loudoun.gov with any questions or comments.  Spring is nearly upon us and I am looking forward to the renewal of all the great things that accompany the season here in Loudoun County.

Sincerely,

Shawn

Panhandling Ban

In October, I informed you about the initiative I introduced that month to ban ‘panhandling’ along roadways in Loudoun County.  Earlier this month, the proposed ordinance banning this activity came before the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing.  Following the public hearing, the Board voted unanimously to ban this dangerous activity.  The reason I pushed for this new ordinance is because of my deep concerns about safety.  In my opinion, there is no safe way to stand in the middle of an intersection like Loudoun County Parkway and Waxpool Road to collect charitable donations.  I will be doing what I can to help the firefighter’s ‘Fill the Boot’ campaign find safe alternate locations for fundraising that are not along public roadways.

FY 2014 Operating Budget and CIP

Throughout March, the Board has been holding budget worksessions on the Fiscal Year 2014 operating budget.  As I noted in my last newsletter, the Board began deliberations with the County Administrator’s proposed budget, based on a flat property tax bill when compared with the previous year.  At this point, our deliberations have led us to a property tax rate of $1.205, which is two cents below the equalized rate.  In addition to the operating budget, the Board has also been working on the FY 2014 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).  This year’s CIP contains many vital projects for the Broad Run District, including the Gloucester Parkway extension, widening Belmont Ridge Road, the Ashburn Recreation Center and the Ashburn Senior Center.  When I ran for office, I promised to find creative solutions to fix the Ashburn area’s most pressing transportation needs now rather than later; I think this CIP will accomplish many of those priorities.  I have been working hard to advocate for the needs of the greater Ashburn area in this process and have been pleased so far with the Board’s cooperation on my key initiatives.  The Board will finalize the budget and the CIP and set the property tax rate at our April 3rd business meeting.  I will have a more in depth report on the FY 2014 budget and CIP in my April newsletter. 

Proposed Stadium at One Loudoun

On March 5, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed Loudoun Hounds’ stadium at One Loudoun.  With their recommendation for approval, the Planning Commission reduced the number of approved firework displays from seventy-five to twelve times per year and concerts were reduced from twenty-five to seventeen per year.  They recommended the concerts only be held on weekends and holidays, with music to end by 11:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00 pm on Sundays and holidays.  An additional requirement recommended by the Planning Commission was that noise levels could not exceed 65 decibels during the concerts at the southern One Loudoun property line along Russell Branch Parkway. 

On Monday, the Board of Supervisors held its public hearing on this issue.  We had a large turnout with over one hundred speakers representing both sides of the debate.  I greatly appreciate everyone who came out to speak from the Broad Run District; your testimony was helpful in my upcoming deliberations.  After hearing from the public, the Board voted to forward the application to our April 3rd business meeting for action.   My greatest area of concern continues to be the potential noise impacts on the surrounding communities.  I will be working with my colleagues on the Board to address these issues before our final vote on April 3rd.  If you would like more detailed information on any element of the proposed stadium application, please email me.

Loudoun Metro/Loudoun Center Development

I want to briefly update you on the Loudoun Metro/Loudoun Center re-zoning request in the Broad Run District.  Loudoun Metro/Loudoun Center is proposed as a mixed-use development along Loudoun County Parkway between Waxpool Road and the Greenway.  As part of their application, the developer is looking to build approximately five thousand multi-family residential units.  In January, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny this application.  Before the application came before the Board, I made it clear to both the applicant and my colleagues that I did not support this project.  I was concerned that the area road network could not handle the increased traffic and that there was not sufficient school capacity for the new schoolchildren this development would house.  Additionally, I was concerned about the cost of new residential development to Loudoun taxpayers.  Earlier this month, the developer chose to place the application on inactive status, which means for the time being this project will not move forward.  I will continue to scrutinize any rezoning application that requests additional residential density.

Resolutions of Commendation

On March 25th my fellow Supervisors who represent the Briar Woods school district and I took the opportunity to congratulate the BWHS 2012 Football and Cheerleading state championship teams.  The Falcons competition cheer team made history by winning the state Virginia High School League (VHSL) title for the fourth year in a row, and the Falcons football team won their third state football championship.  Many team members, their parents and coaches came to our business meeting to be recognized for their tremendous accomplishment.  I express my sincere congratulations to all those students who work hard to achieve their goals in academics, sports, and other worthy endeavors.

Transportation Project Spotlight:

 Gloucester Parkway and Pacific Boulevard

In my estimation, the most important transportation improvement needed in the Ashburn area is the completion of Gloucester Parkway between Loudoun County Parkway and Route 28.  Waxpool Road, as the single east-west connection between Ashburn and Route 28, is currently carrying approximately 45,000 vehicle trips per day west of Loudoun County Parkway.  Waxpool Road is also carrying traffic that is being diverted from the Greenway due to unreasonably high tolls.  Once Gloucester is completed, it is estimated that approximately 30% of the Ashburn area traffic currently utilizing Waxpool Road will be diverted to the Gloucester Parkway connection. The Kincora development is proffered to complete this connection, but the proffer may not be ‘triggered’ for ten or fifteen years.  That potential timeframe is absolutely unacceptable to Ashburn area commuters. 

Kincora is also responsible for the construction of Pacific Boulevard from Gloucester Parkway to Russell Branch Parkway, including a bridge over the Broad Run.  Traffic studies forecast that there will be approximately 18,000 to 20,000 vehicle trips per day by 2030. The Pacific Boulevard/Russell Branch Parkway bridge connection will help alleviate congestion on the Route 7 and Route 28 corridors.  Russell Branch Parkway and Pacific Boulevard are parallel links to Route 7 and Route 28.  The completion of this link is projected to divert 4,000 to 6,000 vehicles per day off Route 7.

In July, I updated you that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved a loan to the developer to construct both Gloucester and Pacific.  Since that time, the developer has only been able to secure funding from the state to construct Pacific.  The current goal is to have Pacific completed by 2015.  In this year’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), the Board has allocated the funding in FY 2014 to construct Gloucester Parkway.  The Board also approved a budget adjustment for the current FY 2013 budget to begin immediate design and engineering on this project.  The County will be paid back for these funds by future contributions from the Kincora development.  This will allow the timeline of construction to be moved up from an indeterminable future date when Kincora triggered their proffer to a potential completion in 2015.  I was pleased to work with Chairman York in finding a way to move forward this vital transportation improvement so Ashburn area commuters do not have to waste any more time in traffic. 

 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 April 7th (spring is here!).  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.

Appointment Vacancy:  The Disability Services Board (DSB) is an at-large advisory body appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The DSB serves as a vital resource to the Board of Supervisors by identifying and advising on issues of importance to people with physical and sensory disabilities, their families and caregivers.  DSB members work with county staff, many community partners and local businesses to help make Loudoun an accessible and inclusive community for all people.  Over the past four years, the DSB has focused on three main issues: Accessible Transportation, Accessible Housing and Disability Awareness. Accessible, reliable and affordable public transportation options are at the forefront of our long-term agenda.

There are several vacancies on the DSB which they are looking to fill.  The DSB application can be found at: www.loudoun.gov/dsb  along with an archive of their meeting minutes that reflect their activities to date.   The staff contact for the Disability Services Board is Catherine Motivans, Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator. Ph: 571-258-3282. Click to email.

Prom Wishes: The Junior Women's Club of Loudoun held a "Prom Wishes" dress drive throughout this month.  New or gently worn formal dresses and accessories were donated to be given to local area young ladies that otherwise might not have Prom attire.  Dresses, shoes, purses, jewelry, accessories, and unopened cosmetics were accepted. While it might be too late to make a donation (March 30th was the deadline), you can still take advantage of the Prom Wishes event coming up which aims to help every girl find the perfect dress at a free of charge one-day boutique event.

Collected items will be distributed, free of charge at the April 6 Prom Wishes event at Rust Library (near Ida Lee Park in Leesburg) from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All Loudoun teen girls are welcome to attend free of charge.  For more information visit www.jwcl.org or email promwishes@jwcl.org.

Loudoun Intern Match: I am pleased to inform you about Loudoun InternMatch, a new service Economic Development is offering the Loudoun business community. To help ensure a pipeline of skilled employees, we have developed a “hub” on the InternMatch website to link college students with Loudoun internships. Use of this service is free for both employers and students.

The Department of Economic Development (DED) is currently in the process of asking Loudoun businesses to post their internships on their hub, or call 1-(800)-Loudoun. Once the hub is populated with Loudoun internships, they will announce the service to students and to the public at large.

Broad Run High School Musical: Broad Run High School Spartan Theatre, under the direction of Timothy Willmot with musical direction by Jennifer Kauffmann, will be performing the popular musical set in the 1920s – Thoroughly Modern Millie on April 18, 19 and 20 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee show on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 p.m. Broad Run High School is located at 21670 Ashburn Road in Ashburn, Virginia. Tickets are $10 and will be sold at the door. For more information, please call 571-252-2305.

Loudoun Wedding Show:  Event will be held on Sunday, April 7th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Embassy Suites Dulles North-Loudoun, Waxpool Road, Ashburn VA 20147.  For more information you can email worldweddingsassociation@gmail.com or check their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LoudounWeddingShow.
       

Hoarding - A reality in the Loudoun Community:  The Loudoun County Department of Family Services is bringing awareness to this serious issue through an event being held on May 15th, 2013 from 1-4:30 p.m., held at Rust Library in Leesburg.  Guest speakers will discuss the assessment and treatment of hoarding as well as the possibilities for intervention on a local level. For more details, including how to pre-register (required), please see linked flyer.

Ancient Technology Expo:  Celebrating Prehistoric Native American Techways.  Event will be held at Oatlands Fields by Carriage House on Saturday, April 20th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine.  For more information, including admission fee, please visit www.oatlands.org.

Loudoun County Home Improvement Program (LCHIP):  The Department of Family Services assists residents with needed home repairs through the Loudoun County Home Improvement Program (LCHIP).  The funding for this program is 100% federal funds provided through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.  The LCHIP program has been in existence since 2006 and has assisted 30 households with repairs to their primary residence.  Residents who have incomes below 50% AMI ($53,650 for 2013) may apply for grants to pay for significant repairs to their homes that they could not otherwise obtain.

Residents who have incomes between 80% ($85,840 for 2013) and 50% AMI, may apply for loans to pay for repairs to their homes and the loans are secured through liens on the property. In FY 12, LCHIP closed on two construction projects, had two projects in process and pre-qualified 27 potential families and individuals for the program.

LCHIP has developed a new program category called Emergency and Accessibility Grants.  This category was developed because the program was receiving requests from elderly and disabled residents to assist with emergency situations such as a furnace failure, plumbing problems, leaking roof etc.  There was no easy way within the existing program guidelines to respond quickly. 

To be eligible for the Emergency and Accessibility Grants Program under LCHIP, residents must be 62 years of age or older or have a disability or have a family member with a disability and have incomes at or under 50% AMI.  This new program category will be announced soon.

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