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Leesburg commissioners press for clearer zoning, faster permitting as hotel and meeting-space projects stall
Summary
At the March 5 meeting, the Leesburg Economic Development Commission discussed how zoning proffers and a slow permitting process are limiting commercial development and discouraging hotel and meeting-space projects, and asked community development staff for clearer guidance.
At its March 5 meeting, the Leesburg Economic Development Commission sought answers from town staff about zoning proffers, permitting delays and the apparent shortage of land available for commercial development as several hotel and meeting-space proposals stalled.
Commissioners said proffers and long review cycles have narrowed what uses remain available on some commercially zoned parcels and leave prospective tenants and developers uncertain about whether projects can proceed. “We do not have much commercial left. We don't,” Russell Seymour, town staff, told commissioners as he outlined current projects and constraints.
The commission pressed staff for concrete steps the town can take to reduce repetitive review cycles and make expectations clear to developers. “If what is submitted meets all the criteria, it could move forward,” Seymour said, describing a one-pass expectation the commission wants to see enforced. He said he has asked Jamie David, the…
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