Gem Bingol

Gem Bingol is a field representative for The Piedmont Environmental Council, focused on land use in Clarke & Loudoun counties. Contact Gem Bingol>>
Action Alert: Crunch Time for Loudoun 2040

Action Alert: Crunch Time for Loudoun 2040

In late March, the Loudoun Planning Commission voted to send the draft Comprehensive Plan (a.k.a. Loudoun 2040) to the Board of Supervisors for review and action. Unfortunately, the current draft plan reads like a speculative real estate developer’s wish list — and the increased scattered residential development would come at the expense of existing residents.

It’s time for Loudoun residents to speak up and weigh in with the Board. There are important public hearings coming up in April and letters/emails/calls to the Board can start going in right away.

Loudoun 2040: More of the Same or a New Path Forward?

Loudoun 2040: More of the Same or a New Path Forward?

The draft Loudoun 2040 plan outlines how and where the County intends to grow and how it plans to protect its natural and historic assets. Check out this blog post to learn more about what’s in the draft plan and what you can do to weigh in with the Loudoun Board of Supervisors. View slides/graphics from our spring 2019 community meeting presentations.

Action Alert: Board of Supervisors to Consider Loudoun 2040

Action Alert: Board of Supervisors to Consider Loudoun 2040

On Tuesday, March 26, the Loudoun Planning Commission voted to send the draft Comprehensive Plan (a.k.a. Loudoun 2040) to the Board of Supervisors for review and action. Up until now, voices advocating for more residential growth have disproportionately influenced the draft.

It’s time for Loudoun residents to take back the process and be heard by the Loudoun Board of Supervisors. There are important public hearings coming up in April and letters/emails/calls to the Board can start going in right away.

An Update on Loudoun2040 + Upcoming Community Meetings

An Update on Loudoun2040 + Upcoming Community Meetings

It’s been 18 months since the official start of the Loudoun Comprehensive Plan review and it’s been an interesting journey. Hopefully you were able to read my blog post from this past November, or caught the incredible editorial by the Loudoun Times Mirror in December: Current comprehensive plan draft would sacrifice our quality of life.

Read below for some important upcoming community meeting dates and opportunities to take action!

Loudoun Plans for More Scattered Development

Loudoun Plans for More Scattered Development

The Loudoun County Comprehensive plan is being revised through a process called Envision Loudoun. It is a particularly important policy framework for a county like Loudoun, which is consistently one of the fastest growing jurisdictions in the U.S…Unfortunately, upon reading the released draft, I don’t believe it represents the majority of Loudoun resident’s values and interests expressed in the Envision Loudoun public input phase.

Floating Island Installation at Broadlands

Working together for cleaner water. Volunteers planted three floating islands that will filter nutrient runoff from a Broadlands stormwater pond. Loudoun County Government stormwater staff launched the islands with weights and needed protection from geese until the plants mature. The protection and weights will then be removed.

The Piedmont Environmental Council collaborated with Broadlands Naturally (through the habitat committee of the Broadlands HOA) and Loudoun County, supported by grants from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Fairfax Water. Thanks to all who made it possible!

School Location Matters

Building a new school, like any major construction project, requires a lot of thought and planning. And with that planning comes the need to address the concerns citizens in the nearby area might have about its impacts — traffic, noise and lights, just to name a few. Which is why it's concerning to hear that Loudoun County is considering changes to the Zoning Ordinance that would allow public schools to be built 'By-Right', pretty much anywhere — removing the public's ability to give input. This text was taken from an email alert sent out on May 21st, 2013: