Purcellville Planning Director Wilkes Takes Position Closer to Home

By Valerie Cury

Summer Wilkes, Purcellville’s director of planning and community development and zoning administrator, has resigned from her position with the town. Her final day is scheduled for June 12.

Wilkes submitted her resignation in late May. She has accepted a position as planning director for the City of Ranson, West Virginia, located near her home in neighboring Jefferson County.

Wilkes initially joined the town as a part-time zoning administrator. In 2024, following the retirement of longtime Planning, Engineering and Development Director Dale Lehnig, the Town Manager reorganized the department structure, creating separate engineering and planning divisions. Wilkes was subsequently appointed as director of planning and community development and served as zoning administrator.

During her tenure, Wilkes oversaw several major planning initiatives, including the ongoing update of the zoning ordinance and the required five-year review of Purcellville’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Most recently, she had been working with the Planning Commission as it conducted that review process.

Wilkes was also involved in discussions surrounding proposed revisions to the town’s zoning ordinance, including changes related to density standards, infill development, special-use permits and environmental protections.

Throughout those efforts, Wilkes often held differing views from members of the Planning Commission regarding the future direction of growth and development in Purcellville. 

Commissioners consistently emphasized maintaining zoning standards that aligned with the Comprehensive Plan and reflected what they viewed as the wishes of residents to preserve the town’s small-town character. 

Discussions frequently centered on questions of density, redevelopment and land use as the commission reviewed proposed changes to the zoning ordinance and comprehensive planning policies.

The debate reflects broader discussions taking place within the planning profession. 

Ben Sullivan, a new planner in the department, previously commenting on LinkedIn that “most planners I’ve known understand that we need more density and the suburban model is a dead end,” while also noting that “our ability to guide the direction of development [is] extremely limited due to [the] view that we are bureaucrats whose only role is to manage the local zoning or planning code. Most people (planners include[ed]) are not comfortable with planners being public advocates” because that is “treated as a political topic.”

Those comments illustrate the differing perspectives with staff during recent planning discussions in Purcellville. 

While some planning professionals advocate for increased density and redevelopment opportunities, Planning Commission members have repeatedly expressed support for maintaining zoning policies they believe protect Purcellville’s traditional character and guide growth in a manner consistent with residents’ expectations and the town’s adopted Comprehensive Plan.

Wilkes’ departure comes as the town continues its five-year review of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan and ongoing discussions regarding future land-use policies, growth and development within Purcellville.