• About Us
    • History of Our Organization
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Committees
    • Annual Reports
  • Our Mountains
    • History of the Blue Ridge
    • In Memorium: Dr. Jane Pratt
    • Jane Pratt and Jed Shilling Blue Ridge Education Award
      • 2022 Awards
      • 2021 Awards
      • 2020 Awards
      • 2019 Awards
      • 2018 Awards
      • 2017 Awards
      • 2016 Awards
      • 2015 Awards
      • 2014 Awards
    • Friend of the Mountain Award
    • Blue Ridge Conservation Alliance
    • Sleeter Lake Park Project
  • Home
  • News & Updates
    • Friends News & Updates
    • Happenings Around the Blue Ridge
    • Blue Ridge Stories
  • Donate/Join
    • Give Choose Campaign
    • Donations
    • Membership
    • Contact Form/Newsletter

Call us toll free 0800 1800 900

support@downstreamnetwork.org
Friends of the Blue Ridge MountainsFriends of the Blue Ridge Mountains
  • About Us
    • History of Our Organization
    • Board of Directors
    • Board Committees
    • Annual Reports
  • Our Mountains
    • History of the Blue Ridge
    • In Memorium: Dr. Jane Pratt
    • Jane Pratt and Jed Shilling Blue Ridge Education Award
      • 2022 Awards
      • 2021 Awards
      • 2020 Awards
      • 2019 Awards
      • 2018 Awards
      • 2017 Awards
      • 2016 Awards
      • 2015 Awards
      • 2014 Awards
    • Friend of the Mountain Award
    • Blue Ridge Conservation Alliance
    • Sleeter Lake Park Project
  • Home
  • News & Updates
    • Friends News & Updates
    • Happenings Around the Blue Ridge
    • Blue Ridge Stories
  • Donate/Join
    • Give Choose Campaign
    • Donations
    • Membership
    • Contact Form/Newsletter

Letter to the Editor, published in Loudoun Now, November 4, 2022

Nov 14, 2022 | Friends News & Updates |

https://www.loudounnow.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-peter-weeks-friends-of-the-blue-ridge-mountains/article_66bb86b6-5bba-11ed-a6b3-5b73fae72ee1.html?fbclid=IwAR1I75qQuxuedszLJdcIj4WpTMaB6p0hbpGrwQnwLcYkcy2pE6i1IpFGeqs

Editor: The current Loudoun Zoning Ordinance does not adequately protect our mountain resources from over-development.
Following careful analysis of the draft ordinance, which was circulated for public comment in the spring/summer of 2022, we have four major concerns:
• Inadequate Definition – The definition of the Mountain Overlay District must be broadened to include the whole contiguous mountain area, from base to summit.
• Too Many Permitted Uses – Many of the permitted uses could cause significant parking, noise, lighting, and waste disposal issues in sensitive mountain environments. It is especially important that such negative impacts are considered when determining “by right” uses.
• Development and Performance Standards – Additional environmental standards or considerations are needed to evaluate proposed development in the mountains and protect their natural resources.
• Zoning Enforcement – The established processes for enforcing the zoning ordinance in the mountains are weak and penalties for violations substandard.  The penalties associated with violating the zoning ordinance should be sufficient to act as a deterrent. Furthermore, in cases of serious environmental damage the violator must be required to return the land to its original condition (prior to the violation).
During the public review process that concluded on July 18, our organizations and members, as well as many independent Loudoun County residents, submitted detailed comments echoing these concerns through the formal comment process established by the County.
With this letter we want to again reiterate our concerns and express our strong hope that the next version of the Zoning Ordinance will provide adequate zoning protections for our irreplaceable natural assets.  Also, many thanks to the Loudoun Board of Supervisors and County staff for their continued work on this challenging and lengthy rewrite process.
Peter Weeks, President, Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC)
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy
Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area
Blue Ridge Mountains Civic Association
Save Rural Loudoun
« Previous Post
Next Post »

You also might be interested in

Sounds of the Blue Ridge A Success

Sounds of the Blue Ridge A Success

Nov 20, 2017

Thank you so much for everyone who attended our Sounds[...]

First Annual Jane Pratt Blue Ridge Mountains Education Award

First Annual Jane Pratt Blue Ridge Mountains Education Award

Jun 5, 2014

Peter Weeks, FBRM Board member; Liam McGranaghan, LVHS Teacher of[...]

Annual Meeting 2016

Oct 31, 2016

You are invited to Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains[...]

Leave a Reply

Your email is safe with us.
Cancel Reply

News & Updates

  • Friends News & Updates
  • Around the Blue Ridge
  • Blue Ridge Stories

News Archive

Search

Contact Us

We're currently offline. Send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Send Message
Help plant native trees at Sleeter Lake! Learn More & Donate

Contact Us

Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains
PO Box 1002
Purcellville, VA
20134

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

© 2023 · Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains—Website powered by The Downstream Project

Prev Next