Mail Call
The Town of Herndon should check its mailbox for a letter from the Board of Supervisors regarding the day-labor site that straddles the county line. The board voted unanimously to send a letter to the town expressing concern over the continuation of this day-laborer site in its current form, and emphasizing that Loudoun would adhere to its zoning ordinance and zoning enforcement in every respect on that portion of the site that falls within the county. The supervisors, who have long opposed the site, said they were concerned that the Loudoun portion of the location was being used by the day laborers.
"Residents of Dulles and Sterling districts have observed use of that area and any access we grant, that area becomes a hub for that type of activity," Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) said.
Zoning administrator Melinda Artman said the county inspectors have not seen any traffic using the Loudoun entrance to the site and that all day-laborer activity is occurring within the boundaries of the Town of Herndon, but some supervisors were not convinced. While Loudoun could fine the Town of Herndon for using the Loudoun portion for the day-laborer site, she said she was unsure if there was anything that could be done about the pedestrian traffic on the Loudoun property.
"That is a more difficult answer," she said. "I would want to consult with the county attorney on that."
Some supervisors were also concerned with the loss of control over the day-laborer site if it was moved inside the building at its current location.
"If they move inside, how do our inspectors know when someone goes inside whether they are there for the day-labor site or for some other purpose that is allowed within the building," Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) said. "How would you go about forcing the zoning rules if they are moving inside?"
Artman told the board that Herndon was planning an extensive renovation of the building to ensure that the site would only be located in the area within the town boundaries, but said she was not sure if there would be a separate entrance for the exclusive use of day laborers.
Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) also requested that the board’s letter suggest that Herndon check and verify immigration status as a condition to the use permit for day-laborer site. County Attorney John R. Roberts is reviewing the legality of Staton’s request and will rule before the letter is sent on to Herndon.
In addition, Chairman Scott York (I-At large) suggested County Administrator Kirby Bowers schedule a meeting with the Town of Herndon staff and other involved parties to discuss the site and its future.
End of the Trail
While many people were expecting the vote to be delayed until after the August recess, the Board of Supervisors went ahead and denied the 500-acre Crosstrail project with an 8-1 vote.
"At this point I don’t know what the use is of continuing going down the road of the project," Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) said. "I think the best thing for everybody is to start over. While I do support the concept of it, I can’t support this application."
The Crosstrail community was to have included up to 2 million square feet of office uses, up to 850,000 square feet of retail and more than 1,000 homes between the Leesburg Executive Airport and the Dulles Greenway.
Several other supervisors joined Staton in stating that there was no point in continuing to work on the application, while others stuck to the belief that the mixed-use community would not be appropriate so close to the Leesburg airport.
"It is the wrong project in the wrong location," Chairman Scott K. York (I-At large) said. "Putting residential units there would have been a huge mistake."
Supervisor Stephen Snow (R-Dulles), the lone supporter of the project, said he saw no real reason for denying the application.
"Leesburg will suffer for this if it goes down," he said before the vote. "Visionaries with ideas about the future will see this is a good thing. Leesburg is missing the boat here."
Water Words
When discussing the policy language that allows the Town of Leesburg to provide utilities to its JMLA districts, several supervisors had strong words for the town and its current suit with its out-of-town residents over the water rates.
"Leesburg has to settle the lawsuit against the residents outside their town with the 100 percent surcharge," Supervisor Bruce E. Tulloch (R-Potomac) said. "It has to stop."
Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) said the ability to solve the conflict is entirely in the hands of the town.
"They can simply vote at their next meeting to stop the 100 percent surcharge," he said.
Residents filed suit against the Town of Leesburg last October because they say they were being charged double what Leesburg residents were paying for their water. The case is now in front of the state Supreme Court.
"For forever and day it has been believed that Leesburg would be the provider for the area down to the creek," Supervisor Jim Clem (R-Leesburg) said. "I, too, agree that it is paramount that the town move beyond their discussion on rates and get fixed and get it fixed quickly."
New Face
Gladys Lewis will become the new Catoctin District representative on the Planning Commission effective immediately following a vote by the Board of Supervisors during its Tuesday, July 17, business meeting. She will complete current commissioner Nancy Doane’s term, which ends Dec. 31. Doane resigned from the position after she accepted a job as executive director of the Waterford Foundation.
"Ms. Doane’s new job will not allow her to continue on the commission," Supervisor Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) said.
Lewis previously served on the Planning Commission from 1988 to 1991 as the Catoctin representative. She has also served as chairman of Leesburg’s historic garden week, as president of the Loudoun County League of Women Voters and as a volunteer with the Girl and Boy Scouts.
— Erika Jacobson