Where do the Catoctin District candidates stand on two important issues?

Dear Editor:

In the November 7 election for the Board of Supervisors there are, among others, two important issues facing the Town of Purcellville. One is where do the two candidates running for the Catoctin District Supervisor stand on eliminating the North/Northern Collector Road from the County’s Transportation Plan. The other issue is where do the two candidates stand on supporting the county rezoning of a 117-acre county property located at 17110 Purcellville Road which is currently zoned JLMA-3 (Joint Land Management Area), to Planned Development-Industrial Park (PD-IP). 

On June 17, I sent an email to Catoctin District Supervisor Caleb Kershner asking for his position on the aforementioned issues. I received no response, and had to ask again on July 26.

On August 3, Supervisor Kershner’s aide responded, “Supervisor Kershner continues to review these matters since Purcellville is new to his district, he would like to hear more from his constituents and County staff before taking a position.  We are awaiting a briefing from staff on this matter and will get back to you once he has a position.”

I asked, on August 5, when a meeting is scheduled if I could get a copy of staff notes and documents regarding these important issues facing our town. On August 7, Supervisor Kershner’s aide responded that the “staff briefing will be face to face so there are no transcripts from it.”

On August 11, I was informed that there will be a meeting on August 21 “to have a meeting to discuss and be briefed.”

I sent the same questions to candidate for the Catoctin District John Ellis on August 5 and received an answer on August 7. 

Regarding his position on the North/Northern Collector Road, John Ellis responded by saying, “I think it’s inappropriate for the County to ignore the Town’s clear opposition to the Northern Collector Road. If I’m elected, I will ask to remove it from the County Transportation Plan and all other planning documents.

On the rezoning of county JLMA-3 property to PD-IP, John Ellis said, “I do not support re-zoning the Kuhn property to PD-IP. The available road access and water/sewer infrastructure do not meet the requirements for PD-IP zoning (see section 4-502 of the Zoning Ordinance).” 

John Ellis said that “Putting a commercial park there would represent another intrusion of urban development into the western Loudoun countryside.”

I appreciate candidate John Ellis’ quick response and knowledge of the issues facing the Town of Purcellville.

Update: On August 22, Supervisor Kershner said he “would not be inclined to support it” [the Northern Collector Road]. Regarding the rezoning of the Kuhn property from JLMA-3 to PD-IP, Supervisor Kershner said “he feels it may be premature to make a decision.”

Christine Green

Purcellville