Resolution On W&OD Supported

"Who's going to pay for these wonderful ideas?" he asked. "Who's going to pay for burying the lines? . . . The residents of Sterling will have to pay increased utility costs."

Supervisor Stephen J. Snow (R-Dulles), who abstained, said he lacked sufficient facts to judge the issue. "I will non-concur," Snow said before the vote.

York said his primary concern was getting the lines routed off the trail as it winds its way toward Purcellville under a canopy of trees.

"If we had our dream fulfilled, it will be buried. But I don't think that will happen," he said.

In other action Tuesday, the board voted to spend $13.5 million to purchase 101 acres in eastern Loudoun where the Islamic Saudi Academy scrapped plans to build a major campus. The school now plans to expand its facility in Fairfax County.

Loudoun plans to use the site for public education, although officials have not presented specific plans yet.

It was unclear why academy officials changed their plans for building in Loudoun.

"They're going to invest in their site in Fairfax County, and that's it," Tulloch said. "Their change in direction is to the benefit of Loudoun County citizens," he said, because the sales price of the prime property was relatively inexpensive.

The academy said in a statement, "Even with other offers to purchase the property, we would like to see the County of Loudoun be able to purchase the property for continued education uses, much like we had intended."