Happenings Around the Blue Ridge – February 2, 2023

Friends President addresses Planning Commission 

The Loudoun County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the draft zoning ordinance on January 24, 2023.

Peter Weeks, President of Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains spoke on behalf of Friends to raise a number of concerns about the inadequate protections against overdevelopment in the Mountain Overlay District (MOD).

In his remarks Peter specifically mentioned that the new zoning ordinance, as currently drafted, would permit a number of land uses that are inappropriate for the thin soils, steep slopes, and extensive tree cover of the mountains. Permitted uses include sawmills, retail, sit-down restaurants, and resorts. These and many other uses permitted in the draft ordinance would generate significant traffic and associated parking, requiring the removal of trees and vegetation. In addition, the noise, lighting, and trash are not compatible with the biodiversity and animal life that are so important to the mountain environment. You can read Peter’s remarks here.

Many other speakers echoed similar concerns that the zoning ordinance as currently drafted will not protect against overdevelopment in the mountains. At a minimum, protecting and growing Loudoun County’s tourism industry demands protections for the Mountains which attract so many people.

On the basis of all of the concerns about the mountains and other issues raised at the Public Hearing, the Planning Commission pledged to carefully and thoroughly review all aspects of the draft ordinance through a series of working sessions. The next working session of the Planning Commission will be held on February 9, 2023.

Our Wild Bees

February 16 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

This talk, presented by T’ai Roulston, will highlight the diversity, natural history, and importance of the wild bee pollinators that live among us. It will also discuss their conservation status and how we can think of and develop our own yards as an integral component of local pollinator habitat. This program at Rust Library is co-sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Loudoun County Public Library.

Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.

Too Many Deer? Are they Endangering our Local Flora and Fauna? If so, What can be Done About it? 

Dr. Blossey, Director of Cornell’s Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program, presents a look at how deer fit in a balanced ecology.

Wednesday, February 22, 2023
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Virtual Meeting, Free

Please register here. 

Friends meets with Planning Commissioners 

Over the past two weeks Friends has met with individual members of the Loudoun County Planning Commission to urge that the Commission adopt stronger protections against overdevelopment in the Mountain Overlay District (MOD).

Friends Executive Director, Larry Malone, met with Commissioners Jane Kirchner (Algonkian District); Roger Vance (Blue Ridge District); and John Merrithew (Sterling District) to discuss specific ways in which the current draft zoning ordinance can be changed to better protect the mountains.

Friends is concerned that: 1) the current definition of the MOD is too narrow and does not encompass the entire mountain ecosystem; 2) too may uses would be allowed that are inappropriate for the mountain environment generating significant traffic and the need for extensive parking; 3) the ordinance does not include environmental standards appropriate to the unique mountain environment; and 4) the enforcement mechanisms in the draft ordinance are not a sufficient deterrent. Friends has consistently argued that zoning violations resulting in significant environmental problems must be corrected by returning the land to pre-violation conditions. Cessation of the violation is not adequate.

At each meeting Friends gave the Commissioner a list of 14 specific uses that would be allowed in the mountains under the current draft of the zoning ordinance that are inappropriate for the thin soils, steep slopes and extensive tree cover and biodiversity of the mountains.

The Planning Commission will be considering the draft zoning ordinance for next several months and perhaps through the entire Spring. Friends will continue to work with the Commission and the individual members to achieve the best possible protections for the mountains. Friends will continue to keep our readers informed on this important issue.

2023 Landowner’s Woods & Wildlife Conference

February 25 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Over 10 million acres of Virginia’s woods are privately owned. The Woods & Wildlife Conference provides information, tools, and personal contacts to help private woodland owners keep their woods, and the wildlife that live in them, healthy and productive.

A variety of topics are offered to appeal to owners of both small and large tracts, and both new and experienced owners. This day-long conference will be held on February 25, 2023.

Location

Daniel Technology Center,
Germanna Community College
18121 Technology Dr
Culpeper, VA 22701