Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning
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| Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning | |
|---|---|
| Name | Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning |
| Jurisdiction | Loudoun County, Virginia |
| Headquarters | Leesburg, Virginia |
| Chief1 position | Director |
Loudoun County Department of Planning and Zoning is the local planning and land‑use agency serving Loudoun County, Virginia, administering zoning, subdivision, comprehensive planning, and development review for communities from Ashburn, Virginia to Lovettsville, Virginia. The department operates within the statutory framework of the Virginia Code and coordinates with elected bodies such as the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and regional entities including the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. It intersects with state and federal agencies like the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers on infrastructure, environmental, and floodplain matters.
Overview and Mission
The department's mission aligns with the county's adopted Comprehensive Plan (Loudoun County, Virginia), seeking to balance growth in Ashburn, Virginia, Sterling, Virginia, and Purcellville, Virginia with preservation of the Catoctin Mountain District, Blue Ridge Mountains, and historic resources such as the Ball's Bluff Battlefield. It implements policies derived from the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors strategic priorities, the Virginia Planning District Commissions guidance, and regional plans like those from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and MWCOG Transportation Planning Board.
Organizational Structure
The department is organized into divisions that reflect functions common to county planning agencies, including long‑range planning, current planning, zoning administration, and GIS support. It reports to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors through the county administrator and coordinates with the Loudoun County Planning Commission and the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance enforcement bodies. Staff roles often include planners, zoning technicians, GIS analysts, and administrative personnel who collaborate with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the Prince William County Department of Planning on cross‑jurisdictional matters.
Planning and Zoning Functions
The department prepares and implements the Comprehensive Plan (Loudoun County, Virginia), administers the Loudoun County Zoning Ordinance, and processes rezonings, special exceptions, and zoning verification letters. Its work touches projects involving transit corridors such as Route 28 (Virginia), transit nodes tied to Silver Line (Washington Metro), and regional growth centers identified in VRE (Virginia Railway Express) studies. The division addresses environmental regulations from the Clean Water Act and coordinates with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on stormwater management and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act compliance.
Major Plans and Initiatives
Major initiatives include updates to the county Comprehensive Plan (Loudoun County, Virginia), corridor studies for arterial roads like Route 7 (Virginia), and planning for commercial centers such as Dulles Town Center. The department led multi‑stakeholder efforts including transit‑oriented development near Washington Dulles International Airport, implementation of affordable housing strategies aligned with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidance, and historic preservation programs that reference sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Collaborations have involved entities such as the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Amazon (company)‑related development impacts, and regional water authorities like the Upper Occoquan Service Authority.
Development Review and Permitting
The department conducts technical reviews of subdivisions, site plans, and proffers, coordinating with the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development, the Fire and Rescue Services of Loudoun County, and the Loudoun County Health Department for septic and potable water concerns. It handles zoning compliance reviews for large‑scale projects proposed by developers including those who have engaged firms like HOK (firm) or SOM (architectural firm), and interfaces with utility providers such as Dominion Energy and the Washington Gas Light Company on infrastructure siting.
Community Engagement and Outreach
Public engagement uses hearings before the Loudoun County Planning Commission and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, stakeholder workshops, and digital platforms akin to practices by the City of Alexandria, Virginia and Fairfax County, Virginia. The department partners with civic groups including the Loudoun Preservation Society and regional organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce of Loudoun County to solicit input on land‑use decisions, holding meetings at venues like the Loudoun County Government Center and libraries in Leesburg, Virginia.
Budget, Staffing, and Performance Metrics
Budget and staffing are set through the county budget process approved by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors and align with performance measures tracked in county annual reports, comparable to metrics used by the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing & Development and the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development. Metrics include application turnaround times, plan approval rates, compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and implementation milestones for the Comprehensive Plan (Loudoun County, Virginia). Fiscal partnerships may involve grant funding from sources such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Economic Development Administration.