Waterford Foundation

Preservation

Zoning Ordinance Rewrite White Paper

Dear Waterford Friends and Supporters,

As you may be aware, the County is in the process of revising the zoning ordinance to reflect the new 2019 Comprehensive Plan.    Loudoun’s zoning ordinances have not been updated for 20 years and a re-write is certainly due to reflect current needs and citizen vision as outlined in the new Comprehensive Plan.

We are now in the ‘Public Input’ phase, a three-month period continuing through July 18th, where comments from Loudoun citizens are welcome and encouraged.    It’s important that the Loudoun County Zoning Staff hear from all Waterford’s citizens as the zoning code is what governs land use policy   Staff will send their recommendation to the Planning commission, then forward to the Board of Supervisors for final approval

The Waterford Foundation has read the zoning code, with a focus on Adaptive Reuse (Chapter 5.10), which is important to the viability of our historic structures in the village.   The Waterford Foundation has prepared a summary sheet to shorten your workload, attached below.   We encourage citizens to make their voices heard before the July 18th deadline by following these steps for communicating with Zoning Staff.

If you have questions, feel free to call Jane Covington at 434-960-4678 or jane@janecovington.com

Thank you for your help!

Stephanie C. Thompson, Executive Director

Directions for submitting your comments on Adaptive Reuse to Loudoun’s Zoning Staff

Email your comments to Loudoun’s zoning staff at this address:   ZOrewrite@loudoun.gov     The Waterford Foundation has summarized our recommendations below in blue italics, but it’s best to communicate recommendation in your own words. While writing your comments, please feel free to reference the County’s zoning code on Adaptive Reuse, which can be found here: https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/loudouncounty-va-crosswalk/doc-viewer.aspx?secid=966 – secid-966. You may also wish to include with your email message a photo of your favorite historic Waterford building that you think is appropriate for adaptive reuse.

Chapter 5.10  Adaptive Reuse

Purpose

Discussion The new zoning code encourages adaptive reuse of historic structures but omits including standards of rehabilitation.   We recommend referencing recognized standards to encourage retention of character defining features of historic properties or consulting with the local HDRC.  We also see a natural overlap between adaptive reuse and the Sustainability movement.

Recommendation  Please ask zoning staff to include the following:

“Encourage preservation of historic structures through appropriate renovation,such as the Secretary of Interior Standards and/or ruling by HDRC”

“Encourage sustainability by allowing more older buildings qualify under the Adaptive Reuse zoning regulations.”

Eligibility  / Section B

Discussion  We recommend broadening the scope of eligibility with the intention of allowing more older buildings to qualify under the Adaptive Reuse zoning regulations.  We recommend streamlining the rezoning process to make the process more user-friendly and financially affordable by removing requirements such as market analysis, structural engineers, and verification of obsolescence. Adaptive reuse should not be expensive and burdensome

Recommendation: Please ask zoning staff to include the following:

“All properties over 50 years old should be eligible for adaptive reuse under the new zoning code or as designated locally historic’ by the Heritage Commission.”

“Please remove all the Zoning Administrator’s considerations of obsolescence of an old building, including past and current vacancy rate, existing and previous uses, structural condition, and real estate market information.”

Standards and Requirements / Section C   

Discussion  We recommend allowing more options when making changes as many historic buildings and sites don’t lend themselves to traditional zoning set-backs or rear, off-street parking spaces.   When there are questions, we recommend the Zoning Administrator consult with the HDRC. It is agreed that the setting of an historic property warrants protection, but there needs to be flexibility to accommodate small or non-conforming sites.    We also want to encourage agricultural buildings, such as old barns or mills, to have future uses.

Recommendation: Please ask zoning staff to include the following:

“Allow more exceptions for non-conforming sites for setbacks, on-site parking, and additions to the front of the structure.  Where there are questions, the Zoning Administrator should consult with the HDRC.”

“Please allow industrial /craft uses such as woodworking, metal working and stonework”

 

Extra Credit:

  • If you have the time and energy to submit detailed comments through the online public comment system, see the detailed instructions for posting comments in this pdf: ZOR Public Comment Instructions
  • To learn more about recommendations from the Loudoun Historic Village Alliance, see this document: LHVA Recommendations

 

Preservation Committee Community Meeting Held June 22, 2022

On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, the Waterford Foundation Preservation Committee welcomed the community for an informational meeting about the Phillips Farm and other ongoing preservation work on Foundation properties. Attendees gathered at 5:30 pm for a reception and opportunity to view exhibits, maps, and images of the Phillips Farm and properties under easement within the Waterford National Historic Landmark. At 6pm, WF President Susan Manch welcomed those assembled for a information packed presentation by a panel of speakers, including:

  • Erika Richardson from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, who spoke about VOF’s work throughout the Commonwealth and detailed the particular protections of the easement they hold on the Phillips Farm,
  • James Remuzzi of Sustainable Solutions, LLC, who gave a report of herbicide treatments applied to date to manage the invasive poison hemlock that presents a threat to Phillips Farm visitors,
  • Susan Honig-Rogers of the Phillips Farm Subcommittee, who spoke about the subcommittees current and future efforts to document and manage other invasive plants present on the Phillips Farm,
  • Nick Ratcliffe, who educated the audience on the geology and hydrology of the Phillips Farm and explained the present conditions of the South Fork Catoctin Creek as a result of damming the creek to generate power for Waterford’s mills,
  • Carl Sheider, who introduced the Phillips Farm Western Trail Pilot Project recently approved by the WF Board of Directors to establish a new walking trail on the western side of Catoctin Creek beginning summer 2022, and
  • Stephanie Thompson, Waterford Foundation Executive Director, who provided updates on the status of other preservation work this year including the Mill Stabilization Project, the Bond Street Tanyard easement project, and repair and restoration work throughout WF properties.
    Nick Ratcliffe speaks about the geology and hydrology of the Phillips Farm.
    Samples of invasive plants found on the Phillips Farm.
    Attendees in discussion during the opening reception.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We look forward to holding more such community meetings in the future, to keep our neighbors, members, and community members informed of our work. See the presentation slides from the evening for more information on the easement overview, poison hemlock treatment, pilot trail project, and preservation updates. Slides are available online here: Preservation Community Meeting Presentation Slides.

 

Women For Waterford Giving Circle Supports the Waterford Foundation’s Mission

Women For Waterford members gather cookies at their December 2021 cookie exchange and annual meeting

In January 2020, Development Committee members Liz Hohm and Kathleen Hughes launched a new initiative called Women For Waterford. Bringing women with a passion for Waterford together in a giving circle, Women For Waterford supports the Waterford Foundation’s preservation and education mission through direct donations from giving circle members. Once per year and as a group, they provide input to the Waterford Foundation Board on how to allocate the funds they have raised. Throughout the year, members of the group volunteer to plan and host gatherings that feature local businesses, Waterford history, and other topics while providing opportunities for networking and outreach to new members.

While the Covid-19 pandemic initially put a damper on gatherings shortly after the launch of Women For Waterford, regular gatherings resumed when it was safe to do so and the group has held many gatherings since. In 2021, the group grew to 29 members, raising a total of $12,889.16! The group recommended allocating the funds towards the donation of a new preservation easement on the Foundation’s Bond Street Tanyard property.  The Waterford Foundation Board of Director’s happily approved funding for this important preservation project in the organization’s 2022 budget. 

Our staff and volunteers are now beginning to take steps to donate a preservation easement on the Bond Street property in 2022, which will protect its historic resources and prevent any inappropriate development of the property in perpetuity. Many thanks to the Women For Waterford for their commitment to the preservation of the Waterford National Historic Landmark! 

Since the group’s inception, the Women For Waterford have also been strong supporters of the Waterford Foundation during the annual Give Choose online giving campaign operated by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. In 2022, Give Choose will be held on March 29th. Learn more about this local day for online giving at www.givechoose.org.

Learn more about the Women For Waterford giving circle at www.womenforwaterford.com

Women For Waterford members gather under the branches of Old John during a hike on the Phillips Farm trail in February 2022