In preparation for its discussions on what to do with western Loudoun zoning, the Board of Supervisors received a presentation about the county's rural economy on Tuesday from the Rural Economic Development Council.
What they heard is that the rural economy is booming, growing just a heartbeat behind the county's population. Between 1997 and 2002, total agricultural sales jumped 49 percent to $39 million. In the same time period, direct sales to customers jumped 450 percent to $1.1 million.
But it's a thriving industry that needs protecting, warned Rural Economic Development Council chair Kate Zurschmeide.
"You have the opportunity to allow the rural economy to continue to thrive," Zurschmeide told the supervisors. "We don't need to throw the baby out with the bath water."
BED AND BREAKFASTS are among the more threatened rural businesses. Typically small and locally owned, B&Bs need the support of neighbors to succeed. But the more neighbors there are nearby, the more likely that large events such as weddings held at a B&B are going to draw complaints.
"Events are scheduled well in advance, most them well over a year," Zurschmeide said. "The industry needs to have clarity on how they can proceed and they need to know quickly."
The question at hand is whether the board is going to allow western Loudoun to revert to A-3 zoning, meaning one house per three acres, as per a judge's order in April. For the last two years, zoning in western Loudoun has been tightened to allow only one home per 10 to 50 acres.
Jonathan Schwartz, chairman of the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association board, urged the board to preserve western Loudoun's rural character. Market research has shown that both business and leisure travelers value Loudoun's rural expanses, Schwartz said.
He also stressed that businesses need to be able to hold events in order to succeed.
"We are very concerned about A-3 zoning and how it will further impact our ability to hold events and fill overnight accommodations throughout the county," he said. "The entire tourism industry and community will lose business and valuable tax relief if we don't work on solving these issues."
Members of the horse industry, Loudoun's No. 1 agricultural industry, also came out to voice concern about A-3.
"Our industry really does need the support of a rural economy to be in place," said Melanie Voght, who owns a small horse farm in Purcellville. "There's people that come out that have their horses, that love their horses. It's not just rich people or poor people. It's a lifestyle for many people."
THE MAJORITY of supervisors have indicated they want to find a compromise for western Loudoun zoning — something between one house per three acres and the former, strict zoning that only allowed one house per 10 to 50 acres.
The minority, including Chairman Scott York and supervisors Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) and Sally Kurtz (D-Catoctin) have voiced their desire to have the stricter zoning re-enacted.
Supervisor Mick Staton (R-Sugarland Run) pointed out that the rural economic boom occurred before the strict zoning was put in place. Supervisor Stephen Snow (R-Dulles) concurred that growth helped rural business.
"There's a symbiotic relationship between the rooftops in the east and the exponential growth you've experienced in the industry," he said. "I think that's good."
The board will hold the first of four public discussions on what to do with western Loudoun zoning May 5, at 6:30 p.m., in the Government Center in Leesburg, followed by meetings May 19, June 2 and June 10.