Towns

Citizens speak out on how to spend millions in funds

August 4, 2021

By Valerie Cury As part of the Purcellville’s July 13 Town Council meeting, a public hearing was held on the allocation of the first distribution of Federal Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.  The first distribution to the Town is big, over $5 million, $5, 279,922 to be exact. The total allotted…

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Purcellville moves to strengthen historic protections

August 4, 2021

By Valerie Cury The Purcellville Planning Commission held a public hearing on July 15, on a request to expand the Purcellville Historic Corridor Overlay District. The proposal would include all eligible properties within the Town that are not currently within the district.  The Town of Purcellville’s Historic Corridor Overlay District, which was created in 2005,…

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Purcellville wastewater treatment staff receive awards

July 6, 2021

Three Town of Purcellville Wastewater Treatment staff members were recently recognized for their hard work and dedication in the industry during the Virginia Rural Water Association’s 32nd Annual conference.  These staff members competed against other candidates in the Wastewater Division from all over the State of Virginia.  Adam Bailey received the Wastewater Rookie of the Year award…

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Keeping it low in historic downtown Purcellville

June 30, 2021

By Valerie Cury The Purcellville Town Council has voted 4-2 to reduce building heights in the Town’s C-4 District (historic downtown). Mayor Kwasi Fraser, and Council Members Stan Milan, Chris Bertaut, and Tip Stinnette voted in favor of the new limits with Vice Mayor Mary Jane Williams and Council Member Joel Grewe voting against.The vote…

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Expanding Purcellville’s Historic District –public hearing July 15

June 30, 2021

By Valerie Cury The Town of Purcellville’s Historic Corridor Overlay District, which was created in 2005, is made up of parts of Main Street, North 21st  Street, North 23rd Street and South 32nd Street. This District is meant to protect the Town’s architectural and historical character, protect and preserve buildings, and ensure that new development…

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Keeping buildings low in Purcellville’s historic downtown

June 2, 2021

By Valerie Cury Developers want higher building height limits in key parts of Purcellville, with periodic support from certain Council members, depending on the moment, they have tried to take power away from the local legislative body – and, in turn, the citizens – who don’t agree with them. At the Town Council Work Session…

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Mayor Kwasi Fraser

According to Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser:‘Purcellville is in a great place with glasses prepared to be filled.’

May 5, 2021

In late April, the Blue Ridge Leader interviewed Purcellville Mayor Kwasi Fraser and here’s what he had to say about Purcellville’s future and its extraordinary promise.  BRL: What’s next on moving the Town’s budget towards greater sustainability?  Fraser: Well, we have accomplished a lot over the past six years to achieve fiscal sustainability.  We have…

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The developing tale of two villages: What’s the story on St. Louis and Aldie?

May 5, 2021

Out of the haze of proposed land swaps, buyouts of by-right developments, and sale of County-owned parcels for a commercial “gateway” to Western Loudoun, the futures of the historic villages of Aldie and St. Louis are beginning to take shape.  With the overwhelming support of the region’s preservation and civic groups, the Board of Supervisors…

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Historic District height limit runs into a snag

May 5, 2021

By Valerie Cury The Purcellville Town Council, on April 27, voted 3-3, with Council member Ted Greenly absent, on lowering the height in the downtown C-4 District.  Vice Mayor Mary Jane Williams, and Council members Joel Grewe and Tip Stinnette voted against lowering the height limit from 45 feet and three stories, to 35 feet…

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Grewe lectures PC based on anonymous sources; Commission members push back: Let’s not go political, let’s just do our work

May 5, 2021

By Valerie Cury At the end of an almost four-hour meeting, the Purcellville Planning Commissioners heard comments and reflections from Town Council Member Joel Grewe, who was invited to speak by Vice Chair Ed Neham at the commission’s April 15 meeting. Grewe was there to reiterate his comments at the Town Council meeting two days…

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