Let western Loudoun decide what our future looks like

Dear Editor:

Every day I travel between where I live in western Loudoun and where I work in Fauquier.  My drive, which typically involves taking St. Louis Road and then Zulla Road, is absolutely stunning. There is something infinitely healing in the rolling hills and picturesque fields of our corner of Virginia.  It is also, and we do not acknowledge this enough, the key to our economic success. 

Agritourism, meaning businesses like wineries, wedding venues, and open farms generates over half a billion dollars a year in Loudoun County and over 4000 jobs. In a recent survey of local businesses conducted by Visit Loudoun, 78% said tourism was important to their business; and the biggest concern of residents is over development – destroying our green and open spaces.

In her recent State of the County address, Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall said that updating the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinances is crucial to ensuring that Loudoun’s rural policy area and western Loudoun remains intact.    

In May, the County had launched a review of planning policies and zoning regulations for rural western Loudoun and sent the proposal to their Transportation and Land Use Committee to review. The motion, made by Chair Randall, also directed staff to proceed with initiating a public input process.  

I applaud Chair Randall for moving to ensure public input is part of this process, because the importance isn’t doing something, it’s doing something right. Hopefully the County will invite public comment soon so that it is part of the process from the beginning.

Populations grow, and new people need new jobs, and I want to live in a region where the children living here today have a future right here if they want one. It is not reasonable to plan for a future in which nothing changes.  But change is no more inherently good than it is inherently bad, it’s what we make it.  

Is our future to slowly lose the distinction between western Loudoun and eastern Loudoun?  Or will we instead build on the success of industries like agritourism that are already flourishing here?  As the County makes its plans for western Loudoun, I hope that it will let western Loudoun take the lead in deciding what our future looks like. 

Ryan Ruzic

Purcellville