On Tuesday, April 13, at 6:00 pm at the Government Center Board Room (located at 1 Harrison St. SE, Leesburg, VA 20175), the Board of Supervisors are hosting a public hearing for comments on True North Data Center’s Zoning Concept Plan Amendment (ZCPA-2020-003) to increase the proposed building height from 35’ to 56’ while removing two building envelopes and increasing the amount of proffered open space from 64.25 acres to 71 acres. The building envelopes proposed to be removed include where the Northern Piedmont mafic barren is located.

True North Mafic Barren.
Photo by by Michael Myers

While Loudoun Wildlife stands by our original reasons for objecting to this project, this is an opportunity to protect the mafic barren, a globally rare community. Mafic refers to rock that is rich in magnesium and iron. These outcrops include a combination of mosses, lichens, and crevices that holds soils that supports other vegetation and trees to create a unique collection of plant species. As a critically imperiled plant community, it has been designated as globally rare.

The current proffers in the item include language to place the two sections of the Northern Piedmont mafic barren into a conservation easement. While we support this language, it should be strengthened to include placing all of the open space on the parcel into a conservation easement to create a buffer around the protected mafic barren. Including a buffer for the mafic barren in the conservation easement would provide more protection for this globally rare plant community. This application is an opportunity to protect this unique feature on the property.

What can you do?

Sign up to speak at the public hearing. Speakers can sign up by calling 703-777-0200 before noon on April 13. People can also sign up to speak at the meeting.

Submit written comments to the Board of Supervisors.
Here are some tips to craft a compelling message to your supervisor:

1. Introduce – Briefly describe your position on the topic.
2. Persuade – Tell your personal story, and how the topic relates to you. Your story is impactful.
3. Inform – Provide background information and data on the topic.
4. Conclude – Restate your message with a call to action.

Board of Supervisors – you can email the full board at bos@loudoun.gov.

Chair of the Board
Phyllis Randall: Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov
Staff: Sarah Tuggle@loudoun.gov
Laura TeKrony@loudoun.gov
Elizabeth Bennis@loudoun.gov

Algonkian District
Juli Briskman: Juli Briskman@loudoun.gov
Staff: Rey Banks@loudoun.gov
Ellington Arnold@loudoun.gov

Ashburn District
Mike Turner: Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov
Staff: Rachael Mai@loudoun.gov
Joel Gicker@loudoun.gov

Blue Ridge District
Tony Buffington: Tony.Buffington@loudoun.gov
Staff: Rachael Holmes@loudoun.gov
Robin Bartok@loudoun.gov
Christi Maple@loudoun.gov

Broad Run District
Sylvia Glass: Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov
Staff: Michelle McIntyre@loudoun.gov
Kent Erwin@loudoun.gov
Abigail Rivas@loudoun.gov

Catoctin District
Caleb Kershner: Caleb.Kershner@loudoun.gov
Staff: Stacy Carey@loudoun.gov
Jonathan Bales@loudoun.gov

Dulles District
Matt Letourneau: Matt Letourneau@loudoun.gov
Staff: Tom Parker@loudoun.gov
Jared Midwood@loudoun.gov

Leesburg District
Kristen Unstattd:Kristen Umstattd@loudoun.gov
Staff: Valerie Suzdak@loudoun.gov
Laura TeKrony@loudoun.gov

Sterling
Koran Saines (Vice Chairman): Koran Saines@loudoun.gov
Staff: Omar Masood@loudoun.gov
Tianni Ivey@loudoun.gov

The post Advocacy Alert: True North Data Center 2022 appeared first on Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.