Planning commission asks Board to add floodplain recreation and road-credit policy reviews to General Plan update work plan

The Loudoun County Planning Commission voted June 12 to request that the Board of Supervisors add two targeted policy issues to the CPAM for the 2019 General Plan review: whether active recreation should be allowed or restricted in major floodplain areas, and whether the county should permit capital-facilities credits for developer-funded road improvements that are not already in the capital improvement plan (CIP) or capital planning documents. The motion, offered by Commissioner Baez Myers and seconded by Vice Chair Miller, passed unanimously among commissioners present.

Why it matters: Both topics emerged repeatedly during the CPAM public hearing and commission review. Commissioners said they want a coordinated review of (a) how the county treats active recreation in floodplains and the related zoning and FSM (Facility Standards Manual) criteria, and (b) whether more flexible credit mechanisms would help deliver priority roadway projects sooner while still preserving the county’s capital planning priorities.

Public purpose and staff scope

Rebecca King, project manager for the CPAM review of the 2019 General Plan, outlined staff-proposed redlines and clarifications to several place-type descriptions and definitions. Staff noted some possible revisions that it considered in scope and others that were out of scope without additional direction because they require coordination with other departments and deeper research.

Commission guidance voted

The Planning Commission’s motion asked the board to add the two items—active recreation in major floodplain (including river/stream corridor resource issues) and policy guidance on capital-facilities credits…