[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6650982,"mediaKeyId","2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660","parentId",2501517,"title","Speakers praise invasive-plant removal pilots as county prepares $2M grant program","audioSeconds",694,"startMs",7199000,"endMs",7893000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660&start=7199&end=7893","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660/thumbnail_7199000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6650982/Virginia/Speakers-praise-invasive-plant-removal-pilots-as-county-prepares-2M-grant-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650982-863dd981698926db788969ed484bb607/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122085&Signature=nPMacLVXu9ROqdWh0hXuk1WCGcAszcGpfrJKjC0ffnL2ZYrGI~oIBRjgSP62maqELI9qUy-O-ZtJ0KEgK89z-ldsJIiHK~L4XWkY1PfGN0MZn2rMqtjBvnBPHHsxrGY8563ZO7ksJCT1jonAuOqDcX9O5JRDb6hjajg2mVyqIErks5U6kUv6swxRT4w9hPt9pmYhbndDczIEnXqhitTB8mTNqD-6heMF-fgs2BNnPhgVCX4KZmECqre9WTYOeOj12z6tIGZWdTwvrb3j4u6c8TLyEgXyls5nvl6sL8WtPYk8Km531TunU~E3hJSPoo6f4EEk-rX50cE9C2U0iRpwOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Loudoun County","date","2025-03-04T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple speakers at the March 4 Loudoun County Board of Supervisors meeting described pilot invasive-plant removal projects and urged the board to keep the countywide grant program on schedule.

Speakers and pilot highlights
Mike Littman, president of the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (LIRA), said pilots had expanded from 30 HOAs and 100,000 residents to 62 HOAs and 225,000 residents and described pilot outcomes in park and HOA settings. Littman said pilots have informed program design and raised public awareness: \"Awareness like that at OneLab has become central to the vision of the program.\"

Pamela McGraw, speaking for her HOA in Countryside, said a $25,000 pilot grant removed three large stands of bamboo and increased local awareness: \"In our community, people are noticing and they're learning about invasives as a result of this initiative.\"

Mary Ann Manning and Fred Ferraris (both LIRA board members) described weekly coordination with the county’s contractor and lessons learned: expert assessments by Blue Ridge Prism and Invasive Plant Control were critical; some work is best done in winter; floodplain permits took two weeks following the pilot; and a forest-management plan is not required for many projects.

Funding and rollout
Speakers praised the board’s previous allocation toward a larger countywide program and urged an efficient, simple grant-administration structure that avoids barriers like onerous matches. Mary Ann Manning detailed planned volunteer events, partnerships with wineries and retailers, and private sponsorships to complement county funds.

Provenance: A cluster of public comments between roughly 7:20 and 8:40 p.m. covered invasive-plant pilots, community success stories and operational recommendations for the countywide program.

Ending: Speakers urged the board to maintain the program’s summer launch target and to keep grant procedures straightforward to maximize HOA and landowner participation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Loudoun County - Board of Supervisors Business Meeting - Mar 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several speakers during public input described results from Loudoun invasive-plant pilot projects and urged the board to move quickly on the countywide $2 million invasive-plant removal grant program set to launch this year.","taxTitle","Loudoun County, Virginia","taxId",5640,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650987,"Board votes to remove eastern segment of Gloucester Parkway extension across Goose Creek",81,7100000,7181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660&start=7100&end=7181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660/thumbnail_7100000.jpg","/articles/6650987/Virginia/Board-votes-to-remove-eastern-segment-of-Gloucester-Parkway-extension-across-Goose-Creek","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650987-d76ce59d1d1830a9ad7ccf41424cd65b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122085&Signature=hn2SL8A3atiLi0K2GyfynmHYU5eN2ASvMI11nSN8XT~3UW-csrT2U4iHpS8QejE-I6pfb-gCiNXm7eexE~y9EeJ4apDoptOy-bD9f909owwqaLIRO24LjrSHR33aPhhZT3sZJe1q3PURO9~S-nRJJ3cRTj6XP9xuAVHb-09q0MvPFuEke8rQTspDKjdjNWThqW5lrFohUGka7Cuk19dLBbporpnF40QJMGtP4vSXO2xs5mN4vrZ4aRYB4M7MBpSreZuxx-zwvHyGvABwwWBR9r9ZfhNuoL0Sn5E8al-fPwGy0us8GE-o05iG2bCRd9tXzUiIydaoIh2-7Iev-W1xRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted March 4 to remove the eastern segment of the Gloucester Parkway extension—between Cochrane Mill Road and Belmont Ridge Road— from the Countywide Transportation Plan and asked staff to prepare the necessary map and text amendments for public hearings.

Why it matters: The Gloucester Parkway extension proposal would have crossed Goose Creek and required additional permanent roadway and bridge infrastructure in areas that residents and conservation groups said are environmentally sensitive. The board considered alternative scenarios and staff recommended retaining the western and central segments but removing the eastern segment that crosses Goose Creek.

Motion and vote
Supervisor Turner moved that staff proceed with scenario 2—the removal of the eastern segment between Cochrane Mill Road and Belmont Ridge Road—and prepare the Countywide Transportation Plan amendments. The motion carried; the minutes show the vote passed 8–0–1 with Chair Randall off the dais.

Public and board comments
Board members who represent nearby communities testified that residents were pleased with removing the segment that would have crossed Goose Creek. Environmental advocates had also urged removal to protect stream corridors and tree canopy.

Next steps
Staff will prepare map and text amendments to the 2019 Countywide Transportation Plan for public hearings and the formal amendment process.

Provenance: The Gloucester Parkway segment discussion and vote occurred in the latter half of the March 4 business meeting.","The Board of Supervisors directed staff to proceed with removing the eastern segment of the Gloucester Parkway extension between Cochrane Mill Road and Belmont Ridge Road from the Countywide Transportation Plan and to prepare map and text amendments for public hearing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650992,"Board directs staff to tie elderly/disabled tax-relief thresholds to CPI beginning 2026",462,6179000,6641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660&start=6179&end=6641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660/thumbnail_6179000.jpg","/articles/6650992/Virginia/Board-directs-staff-to-tie-elderlydisabled-tax-relief-thresholds-to-CPI-beginning-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650992-509c62887a2d69b27780f8b93b65048a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122085&Signature=AXE~Wa5fwA2MhtDzRqqWVsGltC-0zuxSQFmJ9WklD44RhG8YVep-r4OUJ0kHbPon1i1MLn8spCZ4c~fYuUNruyPE59v9rSrsDeGhSKFwPUoDdvV8FUEhuBGRFCe7-ZWSKu0CklPiw95kfx7t-fKDemee0lDZAyY-lOXHyA4wAUi53DQJC0g3tGvfSskxmk7BRmq5F87jC~zGZKwS0Ftrzh12aRF6PcTSZBA2vaEwrg9eTOe6O5TITJ~97ci1X~lriAIMNU-KvAoRoSKBLF-EQLxk2Q8LmK-ZlorUZx1pk5EyrpZll6oXfsqlqp88yCqbhpLCRf0bk0b2tf2JVMv8ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted March 4 to direct staff to draft amendments to the county’s ordinances so eligibility thresholds for real-estate tax relief for the elderly or totally and permanently disabled would adjust automatically with the Washington Metro consumer price index (CPI).

Supervisor Turner introduced a board-member initiative to change two eligibility criteria that currently are adjusted only every four years: the net-worth test and the qualifying household income limit. Turner said the last manual adjustment was in 2021 and argued indexing the thresholds to CPI would avoid long lapses when inflation erodes eligibility.

Turner said: \"It seems perfectly logical to me to set the baseline for these this program based on total net worth and income, qualifying income, to just tie to the CPI and automatically adjust each year based on the CPI.\"

Board debate and vote
Supervisors discussed the merits and the risks of automatic indexing. Supervisor LeTourneau expressed concern about making the adjustment automatic and suggested a periodic board review may be preferable, noting that CPI-driven changes do not necessarily track individual incomes or net worth. Other supervisors said the county receives an annual report from the commissioner of the revenue and would be apprised of any impacts.

The motion to direct staff to draft the CPI-indexing amendments (effective Jan. 1, 2026) was seconded and carried. The meeting record shows the motion carried with a 5–1 vote (one supervisor recorded in opposition), and staff indicated it could not project exact fiscal impacts because individual taxpayer data varies from year to year.

Next steps
Staff will draft ordinance language tying the net-worth and household-income eligibility criteria to the Washington Metro CPI, include proposed effective dates (beginning 01/01/2026) and return the proposed amendments for board consideration and possible adoption.

Provenance: Supervisor Turner introduced the BMI and discussed it during the board meeting; the board voted to direct staff to draft the amendments and return with final language.","Supervisors voted to ask staff to draft ordinance amendments that would index the net worth and qualifying household income thresholds in Loudoun’s elderly/disabled real-estate tax relief program to the Washington Metro area consumer price index, with automatic annual adjustments beginning Jan. 1, 2026.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6650998,"Board picks two sites for early-voting satellites, asks staff to pursue leases and study western gaps",3898,2132000,6030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660&start=2132&end=6030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","/articles/6650998/Virginia/Board-picks-two-sites-for-early-voting-satellites-asks-staff-to-pursue-leases-and-study-western-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6650998-8984cc2e8301c6f819e06989e716f38d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122085&Signature=mBgmXoo2g8ouJswb~hKKAJMKxbU2KYfx0jXS-9ZKFetP~DypQIK6P8pNhkGcxtMxqV9kexTR2PoMbDXV0rz7OozM6UVGfOwFPKokXCF94u~-4fMjKaRHNDdhxWjGHJus2JWV3VzScizUz08wukNp9UfwN4s5gSBG76qjqxZrPTBewKpsGocJcHKgb8ky~WOdrrlpPzX8GV4at9f1aY5l7zFQSVIU0JNOXQJZg01KHQvXAAtHwNSrsAVtPmsbejRIVwyIrG991TU39RM4QWvHpN4iPwgmQH5TPi2IxDJPEMUSJdtoJNP5SLTKt6MRR-MYfN9IEwJr7dlfkzlpIaXJxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted on March 4 to identify two locations as potential early-voting satellite offices and to direct staff to negotiate lease terms and prepare the matter for a public hearing. The chosen locations are the Loudoun County University Campus Commons (Algonquian Election District) and the future Ashburn Recreation and Community Center (Ashburn Election District).

Why it matters: Virginia law requires absentee voting in person to be available starting 45 days before Election Day, and the board must establish any additional satellite offices with exact locations and obtain state concurrence within set deadlines. The board directed staff to seek lease terms preferably two to three years to secure site stability for election operations and training.

Staff presentation and sites
Elections and voter registration staff and planning staff presented options after analyzing county-owned and leased facilities, LCPS properties and private lease opportunities. Jackie (staff) outlined candidate locations across districts lacking existing voting sites and highlighted factors used to evaluate sites, including access, parking and county network connectivity. Staff identified the university campus commons at 44927 George Washington Boulevard and the Aspen Recreation & Community Center (projected to open this summer) among preferred options.

Board motion and vote
Supervisor James moved, and Supervisor Sainz seconded, a motion to select the Loudoun County University Campus Commons and the future Ashburn Recreation and Community Center as early-voting satellite offices, to proceed with lease negotiations with a preference for 2–3 year terms, and to schedule a public hearing to amend Chapter 209 of the codified county ordinance to add the new satellite offices. The motion carried; board members also approved an amendment asking staff to explore feasibility of additional western Loudoun sites (including Lovettsville and areas near Middleburg) for future consideration.

Talking points from the dais
Board members and staff emphasized a preference for county-owned facilities when practical, but noted the county routinely uses leases for many county operations. Staff said county fiber connectivity is an operational advantage and that Aspen Rec’s planned fiber connection was a reason it ranked highly on the list. Supervisor Kirschner requested additional feasibility work for geographical gaps in the western portions of some districts.

Outcome and next steps
- Board selected University Campus Commons and future Ashburn Rec Center as potential early-voting satellite offices and directed staff to negotiate leases (preference 2–3 years).
- Board directed staff to schedule a future public hearing to amend Chapter 209 to add the satellite offices.
- Board asked staff to examine feasibility of additional western sites (e.g., Lovettsville, areas near Middleburg) and report back.

Provenance: Staff briefed the board on proposed early-voting sites during the business meeting; the board amended and approved the motion and directed staff to return for a public hearing.

Ending: Staff will pursue lease negotiations, prepare the public-hearing item, and report back with feasibility findings on potential western sites.","The board selected Loudoun County University Campus Commons and the future Ashburn Recreation & Community Center as early-voting satellite offices, directed staff to negotiate 2–3 year leases and to study additional western sites for future consideration.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6651002,"Board approves phased grandfathering rules for in-process data center applications, directs staff to return with final language",1848,10972000,12820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660&start=10972&end=12820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2501517-93b9029224bc1ea918df4e84415a6660/thumbnail_10972000.jpg","/articles/6651002/Virginia/Board-approves-phased-grandfathering-rules-for-in-process-data-center-applications-directs-staff-to-return-with-final-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6651002-6e7ce5f6d20cd9197d9b1e72f75eb544/orig.mp4?Expires=1771122085&Signature=ZESjTZrYQYEJ4RcmvcPT9SKtx1nNXwxMwt7ooXlEqsmCgAvWll~4ZRqjyQlXwj5n9ka~9ZZZ7GrngKd9qqNzOABvh9AGrgRwHhYQaYw55B8avILrIMBHwimXL7TPEbOe9~zj8MuJBLceNle7MySXB6mXoLB1-iYv1yC2XfAv2voimbw85wW0RWTo4ZgH5c5Bm8tguiU5J8jOQeiPbpYgtDRT9VY-L25lXx6pY9LXRdKX85S7H0kRWouRbCy7rZIfFkFbkm3tjSiV7n1U1fZ~FRn-EjOU33sQRs1SnLIjiL8IvOHIQ9yaF6APDfZICtjXz97uSSqUSa6TcFh~upogxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on March 4 directed staff to draft a set of grandfathering resolutions and a zoning-text amendment intended to manage more than 40 data-center applications already in the county’s review pipeline.

The board’s action followed a staff presentation that said 41 data-center applications were currently under review — 20 legislative applications and 21 administrative applications — and recommended a narrow set of grandfathering measures so in-process projects could proceed under the regulations in effect when they were accepted for review. Staff also proposed a footnote to table 3.02.05.1 of the zoning ordinance to permit “minor changes” to approved data-center site plans without requiring a new special exception.

Why it matters: Loudoun has the largest cluster of data centers in the United States and the industry accounts for major county revenue. Residents and environmental groups urged stricter oversight, citing noise, air and water impacts and community impacts adjacent to schools and residential neighborhoods. The board spent significant time weighing legal limits, fairness to applicants, and residents’ calls for more transparency.

Staff presentation and options
Abdul Jaffrey, project manager, summarized the staff analysis and the two-part proposal: (1) draft grandfathering resolutions for applications accepted on or before Feb. 12, 2025; and (2) an amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow limited site-plan modifications for data centers without triggering a special-exception process. Jaffrey told the board the proposal would allow minor site adjustments similar to those allowed under section 10.11.h of the zoning ordinance.

Board action and motions
The board considered four related motions directing staff to return on March 18 with final draft language. The motions covered (1) administrative applications accepted on or before Feb. 12, 2025; (2) legislative applications accepted on or before that date; (3) the definition of what constitutes a “substantial modification”; and (4) confirming that legislative approvals issued after Dec. 13, 2023 include an approved special exception for data-center use. Each motion passed and the board directed staff to prepare final resolutions and ordinance language for the March 18 business meeting.

Public comment and concerns
Dozens of residents and several civic and environmental groups spoke during the public-input period. Julie Bolthouse of the Piedmont Environmental Council urged the board not to “tie your hands behind your back voluntarily” by grandfathering applicants in a way that would limit local review. Trinity Mills of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy urged that grandfathering reduce transparency and the ability to mitigate ecological impacts.

Julie Bolthouse: \"Please don't tie your hands behind your back voluntarily and adopt the CPAM, ZOAM for data centers without grandfathering.\"

Chris Tandy, a resident, argued the industry had created an energy demand crisis that was causing projects to use on-site generation.

What the board directed staff to do
- Draft a resolution to grandfather administrative applications accepted on or before Feb. 12, 2025, subject to conditions (staff was directed to return language to the March 18 meeting).
- Draft a resolution to grandfather legislative applications accepted on or before Feb. 12, 2025, provided applications are diligently pursued to approval with no substantial modifications.
- Return with clarified language about what constitutes a “substantial modification,” including changes that add or change proposed uses or increase the land area subject to application.
- Return with language making clear that legislative applications approved after Dec. 13, 2023 include an approved special exception for data-center use.

What remains unresolved
The board debated potential alternate grandfathering dates and whether to exclude the Route 28 tax district, and heard legal and fairness arguments from multiple supervisors. Staff will bring finalized draft resolutions and the proposed table-footnote amendment back to the board for adoption on March 18.

Provenance: Staff presented the scope and draft language for Phase 1 near the end of the meeting; the board voted on the four related motions near the meeting close.

Ending: The board’s March 18 meeting will contain the finalized draft grandfathering resolution(s) and the proposed zoning footnote; board members and community groups said they expect further debate ahead of final adoption.","After hours of public comment and staff briefing, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft grandfathering resolutions and zoning text changes to govern in-process data center applications and site-plan modifications, and to return on March 18 for final action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Speakers praise invasive-plant removal pilots as county prepares $2M grant program

Board votes to remove eastern segment of Gloucester Parkway extension across Goose Creek

Board directs staff to tie elderly/disabled tax-relief thresholds to CPI beginning 2026

Board picks two sites for early-voting satellites, asks staff to pursue leases and study western gaps

Board approves phased grandfathering rules for in-process data center applications, directs staff to return with final language