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New board has yet to approve a residential rezoning
Sticking to its promise to slow growth in Loudoun, the Board of Supervisors July 1 denied another rezoning request, this one by a developer who wanted to build 150 homes in Ashburn.K. Hovnanian Homes of Virginia asked to rezone 40 acres along Belmont Ridge Road, south of the intersection with Truro Road, to construct a mix of townhouses, duplexes and other multifamily homes.
The project was slated to be called Belmont Overlook. But because of a host of reasons, including proximity to Beaverdam Reservoir, a major water source in Loudoun, the board voted 8-1, with Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) the lone dissenter, to reject the rezoning application.
In November, most current board members were voted into office on a promise to impede residential growth in Loudoun.
"This goes right to the heart of why many of us are up here," said Supervisor Stevens Miller (D-Dulles), one of the board's rookie supervisors, on this latest denial.
Compared to recent years, when few meetings went by that the board did not rule on a rezoning application, 2008 has turned into a housing slowdown for the board.
In 2008, the board has not yet approved a single home, compared to 2006 and 2007, when supervisors gave the go-ahead to a total of 11,370 residences, according to Loudoun's Planning Department.
While homes might not have the favor of the board, businesses do.
During the same meeting, supervisors approved a request to build a private gun club in the Beaumeade Corporate Park in Ashburn.
Membership fees are supposed to exceed $10,000 a year at the 64,000-square-foot club, which will include three indoor ranges, a lounge and a gym, the club's operator, MVM Inc., told supervisors in June.
"If there is a market for it, maybe another club will come to Loudoun that is more affordable," said Chairman Scott York (I-at large).
The board's next business meeting is July 15 in Leesburg.
Contact the reporter at jjacks@timespapers.com
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