Supervisors Advance Crosstrail Proposal

"I've said all along that this project would be a benefit to the town and county. . . . It would bring a lot of amenities to an area that doesn't have them," said Supervisor Mick Staton Jr. (R-Sugarland Run). "By approving this, we're improving traffic flowing east and providing more jobs."

Supervisors opposed to the plan raised the same issues that Leesburg officials have cited: the proximity of the airport and the impact on traffic. Several homeowners associations have made similar arguments.

"We all know that mixed-use development has its benefits. . . . The issue for me is the location," said Supervisor Lori L. Waters (R-Broad Run). "I don't think this is the appropriate place."

Waters, Chairman Scott K. York (I) and Supervisors Sarah "Sally" R. Kurtz (D-Catoctin) and James G. Burton (I-Blue Ridge) ultimately voted against the plan. Staton, Tulloch and Supervisors Stephen J. Snow (R-Dulles), Jim Clem (R-Leesburg) and Eugene A. Delgaudio (R-Sterling) voted for it.

In September, the Loudoun County Planning Commission recommended approval of the plan. But county staff members disagreed, saying that the developer's transportation proffers fell about $3 million short of paying for the roads that would be needed.

Also on Tuesday, supervisors deferred voting on one of the most contentious parts of the plan: which jurisdiction should provide utilities to the property.

The board voted to wait 90 days before discussing whether the Town of Leesburg or the Loudoun County Sanitation Authority should provide water and sewer service to the site. Tulloch said the 90 days would give Leesburg enough time to resolve litigation involving homeowners who allege that the town's utility rates for out-of-town customers are unreasonably high.

Peterson Cos. wants the county to provide the utilities. Several supervisors indicated that they prefer making Leesburg the utilities provider, so long as it lowers its rates for out-of-town customers.