A LETTER FROM RESIDENT KELLI GRIM
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Dear Loudoun County Supervisors and concerned neighbors,
I personally obtained this information in the link below regarding Boundary Line Adjustments (Annexations). The letter I have included below from the Commission on Local Government confirmed that this is the process provided by the Commonwealth of VA state code. I spoke to Susan to verify the details after reading the Boundary Line Adjustment document many times. he second link will show you just how many acres the Town of Purcellville has annexed since 2008 too.
The Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan Amendment 2012-002 states, “In 2012, recognizing that the Town did not desire any increased density and growth outside the current incorporated town boundaries into the JLMA [Joint Land Management Area overseen by the town and the county], the Purcellville Joint Policies Review Committee and the Town of Purcellville called for the repeal of the PUGAMP” [Purcellville Urban Growth Area Management Plan].
IF and only IF the town of Purcellville was sincere about not growing outside their existing boundaries, then there would be no reason to get rid of PUGAMP and the annexation agreement. I have asked for a direct and honest reason from Bob Lazaro and Janet Clarke just what are the benefits for eliminating the PUGUMP, they have said nothing. The silence is deafening and downright shameful.
Janet Clarke's recent newsflash does not give any explanation how this decision is good for Loudoun county residents. What are the consequences? Any benefits? Clarke and Lazaro simply want all the restrictions, checks and balances removed, and as little public input as possible.
Did you know that Purcellville has been meeting in closed sessions even before the August 2012 Town Council vote to repeal PUGAMP. Their discussions have been about a possible annexation(see factual article here: http://brleader.com/?p=10575#
Any landowner inside or outside the town boundary that is concerned about the real agenda of the town and county politicians should make the effort to attend just a couple of meetings, and especially this Wednesday, Feb. 13 public hearing on this matter. I found a number of details stated in the recent newsflash sent by Ms. Clarke (note that this communication was not sent out to the entire Blue Ridge district, only to a small group in her district.) Ms. Clarke should get her facts straight because Middleburg does not have a JLMA and never did. (feel free to call the Town Manager of Middleburg) The misinformation is coming from the politicians, while the residents with deep concerns about the inconsistency's and the lack of details as to the consequences of keeping or eliminating the JLMA go unanswered.
Please read the BOUNDARY LINE ADJUSTMENT document very carefully, understand that if the town and the county agree to allow any property brought into the town boundaries, which can include any parcel whether it is vacant or developed. See page 2 under Court Proceedings..."There are no provisions for intervention by other parties". So, after 1 pubic hearing in the town, and 1 public hearing in the county, the municipalities (not the property owners) go the the circuit court and that is where it is finalized. Let me be very clear, there are developers/landowners right now just waiting for PUGAMP to end, they have plans and Bob and Janet know about those plans!
There are many times in the past 5 years that the Loudoun County planning dept. has pointed out the blatant violations by Purcellville of the PUGAMP. This slow growth contract is in Bob Lazaro and Janet Clarke's way, and no one in the gang of 4 even suggested a review or update. Just get rid of it!
Because I cannot possible provide all the facts and information I have obtained over just the past year in one email. Let's simplify it: Below is the new ComprehensIve Plan Amendment explaining the facts as stated by Purcellville, that they do not have intentions of growing outside their existing town boundaries. Read it, seems pretty simple? Then simply leave PUGAMP in place, right? Or at least put in place a plan that would protect existing subdivisions from annexations, or even a memorandum of understanding.
Or better yet, act like grown ups and REVISE IT AND UPDATE IT as this 50 year agreement required to be done every 5 years. Get politics out of the way, tell the truth, and allow the residents to have their say in multiple public meetings. hat's how we got PUGAMP. It was the hard work and thousands of volunteer participants that put it together. Yes, after 10 years, it needs updated, but it is the people's choice. (don't forget that it was Bob Lazaro and Janet Clarke while on Purcellville Town Council that sued the county "to protect PUGAMP"! That political game cost Loudoun County residents over a million dollars in attorney fees, and nearly $6 million dollars in settlement money).
Read what it says...it is simple. If PUGAMP is to be repealed, then let Janet Clarke and Bob Lazaro put a promise in writing that this action will be upheld, no new annexations or boundary line adjustments without a vote! Not a vote by the politicians, but a vote by the people!
The Loudoun County Comprehensive Plan Amendment 2012-002 states, "In 2012, recognizing that the Town did not desire any increased density and growth outside the current incorporated town boundaries into the JLMA, the Purcellville Joint Policies Review Committee and the Town of Purcellville called for the repeal of the PUGAMP." (Purcellville Urban Growth Area Management Plan).
Feel free to contact me by email or phone anytime.
Kelli Grim
540-338-1976
http://brleader.com/?p=10582#
http://brleader.com/?p=1639#
LETTER BELOW RECEIVED AUGUST 2012 FROM THE COMMONWEALTH'S POLICY MANAGER ATTORNEY
Ms. Grim:
Thank you for calling the Commission on Local Government. As promised, I am sending a link to our technical assistance document pertaining to Boundary Line Adjustments by Agreement (BLAs): http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/
In addition, here is a link to a document that we maintain that will depict for you how often BLAs have been used in Virginia since 1990: http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov/
Please let me know if you have any questions or require additional information.
Susan
Susan B. Williams, Esq.
Local Government Policy Manager
Commission on Local Government
Department of Housing and Community Development
Main Street Centre - 600 East Main Street, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23219
Richmond, VA 23219
PH: - FAX: 804.371.7090
