Board overturns Planning Commission denial of Tuscarora Crossing substation; special‑exception review sent to September

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on July 9 overturned a Planning Commission denial of Commission Permit CMPT‑20240009 for a proposed utility substation in Tuscarora Land Bay 3 and sent the related special‑exception applications to a September business meeting for action.

Supervisor Umstead moved to reverse the Planning Commission decision; Supervisor Letourneau seconded. The board voted 9–0 to reverse the Planning Commission's denial of the commission permit, which determines whether a proposed utility major use is consistent with the comprehensive plan. The board later voted 9–0 to forward the concurrent special‑exception (SPEX) and minor special‑exception requests for the substation and associated data‑center site plan to the Sept. 3, 2025 business meeting for further consideration.

Why it matters: The commission permit evaluation is legally narrow and limited to whether a proposed major utility use's general location, character and extent are substantially in accord with the Leesburg JLMA employment place type in the comprehensive plan. The…