Local news- Press Release
Loudoun County Virginia - Board Term Ends with a Long Varied List of Accomplishments 29 December 2023 ( news )
Loudoun County , state Virginia ( By Press Release office)
Dec 29,2023
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Members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors who were elected in 2019 closed out their four - year term with the Board’s final meeting December 19 , 2023 , and a long list of accomplishments . From taking on constituent concerns and changing countywide zoning policies to opening Metrorail service and responding to a global pandemic , the Board served an eventful term .
Eight of the nine members of the Board will return for another four - year term . Blue Ridge District Supervisor Tony Buffington , who did not seek reelection , leaves the Board after serving two terms in office .
“It ' s been an absolute honor and privilege to serve the residents and business owners of the Blue Ridge District for the past eight years , ” said Supervisor Buffington . “Stepping down was not an easy decision , but I do so with a tremendous sense of pride in what we’ve been able to accomplish and I wish the next Board much success in ensuring that Loudoun remains a great place to live , work , learn and play!”
Laura TeKrony was elected as the first supervisor to represent the newly formed Little River District , created when the county’s magisterial district lines were redrawn during the redistricting process stemming out of the 2020 census and the Board’s decision to retire the Blue Ridge District name .
Highlights of the 2020 - 2023 Board of Supervisors
Many of the Board of Supervisors’ accomplishments during its term were driven by the Board’s adopted
strategic initiativesthat were established at the start of the term , which focused on five areas: open spaces and environment , connecting Loudoun , collective bargaining , equitable communities and economic development . The Board received an end - of - term
update on its strategic initiatives ( PDF ) during the December 19 , 2023 , business meeting .
Open Spaces and Environment
In the focus area of open spaces and environment , the Board established the Environmental Commission , held the county’s first environment and energy summit , approved an
Energy Strategy ( PDF )
, and established a
taxintended to dissuade the use of plastic bags . The Board also amended
Loudoun’s ordinanceon the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy ( C - PACE ) Program to expand eligible properties and projects to align with the full extent of Virginia’s Clean Energy Financing law . More information about the county’s ongoing work in the areas of environment and energy is online at
loudoun . gov/environment
.
In addition , the Board’s commitment to ensuring open public spaces continued in this term . Examples include the opening of Lovettsville District Park , making improvements to Bles Park in Sterling and purchasing the
Westpark propertyin Leesburg for a future park . Also , the county opened the award - winning
Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park
, which straddles Evergreen Mills Road . In addition , the county’s new
Ashburn Recreation and Community Centeris currently under construction and expected to be complete in 2025 .
Connecting Loudoun
In the strategic focus area of connecting Loudoun , the Board celebrated the completion of numerous improvements to the county’s transportation network . Road improvements continued to address the county’s “missing links , ” providing new lanes and improvements to existing roads , such as Crosstrail Boulevard , Braddock Road , Belmont Ridge Road and Riverside Parkway . The opening of Northstar Boulevard from Route 50 to Tall Cedars Parkway provided an alternative north/south connection to Route 50 . In collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation , the George Washington Boulevard Extension and Route 7 Overpass opened in Ashburn . In addition , many sidewalks and shared - use paths were added throughout the county . The county is also addressing traffic safety through roadway intersection improvement projects . More information about these projects and the county’s ongoing road and facility projects , as well as links to sign up for email and text updates on projects , is posted at
loudoun . gov/capitalprojects
.
Among the key accomplishments during the Board’s term was the opening of the Silver Line Metrorail stations , linking Loudoun to Washington , D . C . and the region , as well as providing Loudoun residents with a new transportation option for accessing employment , entertainment and northern Virginia’s two major airports . The Silver Line extension also helps create successful new development opportunities for Loudoun , such as
Rivana at Innovation Station ( PDF )
, a mixed - use community approved during the Board’s term . More information about the Metro is posted at
loudoun . gov/silverline
.
The county’s work on the
linear parks and trails systemwas initiated during the Board’s term and will continue in the coming years . The Board - approved plan will , in part , result in new trails that connect to the Washington & Old Dominion Trail .
Loudoun is also connecting its residents through the Board’s efforts to
expand broadband internet services in western Loudoun
, including the use of a Virginia Telecommunications Initiative grant and a partnership with All Points Broadband .
Collective Bargaining
In December 2021 , the majority of the Board of Supervisors approved a
labor relations ordinance
, which established three bargaining units for employees and enabled collective bargaining with labor unions that are established as a bargaining agent for eligible county employees . The Board established an independent , contracted Labor Relations Administrator to serve as a neutral decision maker and who is responsible for implementing the ordinance and ruling on compliance issues . A change in Virginia law gave local jurisdictions the authority to engage with labor unions .
Equitable Communities
The Board passed a
Resolution of the Board of Supervisors Regarding Social and Racial Equity as Fundamental Values
, which identifies social and racial equity as fundamental values . The Board previously established the Office of Equity and Inclusion , which is working to apply the resolution to the county’s routine business . More information about these ongoing efforts is posted at
loudoun . gov/equity
.
The Board also renamed roads and facilities that were previously named after and in honor of Confederate or segregationist figures , symbols and slogans in Loudoun County . This effort , with support from the Commonwealth of Virginia , resulted in the new names for Route 50 and Route 7 . The Board also renamed a number of other local roads and facilities in the county . More information regarding the Board’s renaming efforts is posted at
loudoun . gov/roadrenaming
.
The Board also approved an
Unmet Housing Needs Strategic Plan
, which provides a framework for addressing attainable housing needs in the county , including a dedicated funding source . The Board’s accomplishments during this term also have addressed the needs of Loudoun’s veterans , established specialty dockets that provide supports to individuals within the judicial and courts system who have experienced substance abuse or mental and behavioral health challenges , brought water infrastructure and resources to residents in historic Howardsville , continued and improved homeless and youth services , supported rural economic development , education and business needs , and more .
Economic Development
In the strategic focus area of economic development during this Board’s term , the county announced more than 400 economic investments amounting to more than $21 billion and more than 16 , 000 jobs . Loudoun’s economy also has continued to diversify . The Board has supported entrepreneurship and minority - owned businesses through targeted programing . In addition , the Board initiated the strategic redevelopment of areas in eastern and southern Loudoun and identified zones for revitalization opportunities . Learn more about the ongoing economic development efforts at
biz . loudoun . gov
.
Additional Accomplishments
The Board of Supervisors’ accomplishments over the past four years also include a number of other impactful initiatives . Examples include the adoption of a new
Airport Noise Overlay District
, a new
ordinanceprohibiting firearms on county property , transitioning the county’s health department from state to local administration , and improving public safety through a broad range of programs , such as funding the body - worn camera program in the Sheriff’s Office and the enhanced fire and rescue staff that has improved service delivery . The Board also established the
county’s updated electoral district boundariesfollowing the 2020 census , and lowered real and personal property tax rates while maintaining a AAA bond rating .
Among the Board’s heftiest tasks during the term was updating the county’s
Zoning Ordinance
. The Board completed a nearly four - year process that included extensive efforts by the Board - appointed Zoning Ordinance Committee and Planning Commission , and included significant public engagement with a broad range of stakeholders . The
Board adopted a new zoning ordinance ( PDF ) in December 2023 , replacing a 20 - year - old ordinance .
Finally , the Board of Supervisors provided leadership during the county’s response to the COVID - 19 pandemic . Despite the challenges experienced during the pandemic , the county remained open , providing services in new and innovative ways , and the Board of Supervisors continued to meet and conduct business during a state of emergency . The Board appropriated funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act . The county also provided COVID - 19 testing and vaccine to thousands of residents .
About the 2024 - 2027 Board of Supervisors
The newly elected and reelected members of the Board of Supervisors will begin their four - year term on January 1 , 2024 . The new Board’s first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday , January 2 , 2024 , at 4:00 p . m . More information about the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors is posted at
loudoun . gov/bos
.
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