Waterford Foundation

Preservation

Call to Action: Oppose Transmission Lines Through the Waterford National Historic Landmark

by

PJM, a regional transmission organization, has accepted a proposal for new power transmission lines that would go through Western Loudoun and directly through the Waterford National Historic Landmark to support the needs of the data center industry. The proposed 500KV lines go directly through conserved land and land under easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.  These transmission lines pose a major threat to the integrity of the Landmark and the region we sit in. Our Landmark status is intrinsically linked with the unspoiled viewshed surrounding our historic village. Not only that, but every resident and business who calls Waterford home would be impacted by the construction of these power transmission lines. The Waterford Foundation stands opposed to such violation of our conservation values, and will work to oppose any impact to the integrity of Waterford’s Landmark status. 

Why is this important? Western Loudoun has remained relatively untouched by the massive growth of the data center industry in the past years. Instead, it remains a haven for farmland, open spaces, conservation, and preservation. Amongst the picturesque hills sit wonderful and profitable businesses and organizations that rely on the surrounding. It is also an area where history and past of Loudoun County can be found woven into the hustle and bustle of 21st century life. The best example of this can be found in the National Historic Landmark of Waterford. Building transmission lines through this region would impact the daily lives of residents in an unprecedented manner; damage the livelihoods of farms, businesses, and organizations that are in its path; and damage the integrity of the Waterford National Historic Landmark. This is similar to a proposal to put transmission lines through Gettysburg National Battlefield or Mount Vernon. 

We need your support to fight this threat. One thing that the Foundation has learned is the power of the Loudoun County community banding together for a common cause. Please see below for ways you can help us oppose this threat.

Stay in touch:

The Waterford Foundation is maintaining an email list for those who would like to stay informed about this issue. If you would like to be included, please email Historic Preservation Director Abigail Zurfluh here, or fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

How you can help: 

Share your concerns with decision makers:

National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC):

  • Changes in the designation of the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor could pose a challenge for opposing proposed transmission lines. If it is determined by the Department of Energy that Loudoun County is a NIETC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could issue permits for transmission line construction even if state authorities deny applications.
  • The Department of Energy is currently accepting public input regarding NIETC designations for Phase One. In Phase Two, a preliminary list of areas being considered will be released and public comments on that list will open. In Phase Three, the DOE will develop geographic boundaries, more public comments, and go over Needs Study. Finally, in Phase Four, the DOE will release any necessary environmental documentations before final NIETC designations.
  • The Department of Energy is currently accepting public comments for phase one until February 2nd. Public comments can be emailed to NIETC@hq.doe.gov

Virginia State Corporation Commission:

  • In Virginia, the State Corporation Commission will be making the decision on the actual chosen route when application is submitted by NextEra. Watch this space for instructions on how to voice your opposition to this project to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Elected Officials:

  • Watch this space for ways to share information with elected representatives about transmission lines.
  • For more information about bills in the General Assembly in 2024 surrounding this issue, check out this flyer made by our collogues at the Piedmont Environmental Council

Spread the word about this issue:

  • Share social media posts from the Waterford Foundation, Piedmont Environmental County, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and other organizations to strengthen local opposition.
  • Tell friends, family and neighbors about this issue to broaden our base of support

Show your support by signing our online petition:

Donate to support the Waterford Foundation’s work to preserve the Waterford National Historic Landmark and oppose threats like this.

Donate Now!

Important Upcoming Dates and Timelines: 

February 2nd- Due Date to Submit Public Comments on Stage One of National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor to the DOE. Public comments can be submitted via email to NIETC@hq.doe.gov

February 7th at 6:30pm- Loudoun Nonprofit Leadership Summit is taking place at the Old School in Waterford. If you are a leader/staff member of a preservation, conservation, or other related organization/stakeholder in this issue, please RSVP using this link.

May/June: Possible completion of NextEra routing study

Summer 2024: Be on the look out for community open houses hosted by NextEra about the routes.

Late 2024: Possible aim for a proposal to SCC

Resources to Learn More:

Background Information: Our colleagues at Piedmont Environmental Council have been monitoring PJM’s transmission line proposals for some time. Visit their page to view a map of the proposed path and learn more about the issue. Linked here is a video made by our collogues at the Piedmont Environmental Council providing important background to this issue. Running time is roughly eight minutes.

NextEra Information: Read more about the Mid-Atlantic Resiliency link from NextEra at their website here. Specific questions, comments, or concerns can be sent to the NextEra team using the email box on the webpage. Currently, NextEra is working on the routing study through a third party.

Loudoun County Government Role: Read more about the role of the Loudoun County government in this civic alert.

National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor: Read more about the designation process here.

In the News:

Opposition Letters:

  • See Waterford Foundation President Susan Manch’s letter to PJM here.
  • Waterford Citizens’ Association letter citing alternative routes.
  • Read the opposition letter from the National Park Service here.
  • Opposition Letter from the Maryland Office of People’s Counsel.
  • Opposition Letter from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
  • Opposition Letter from the Loudoun HRDC

Other letters:

Other Resources:

Past Milestones

December 5th, 2023: PJM Transmission Expansion Advisory Committee (TEAC) meets to review proposals for the Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (RTEP). See public comments associated with this meeting here. Thank you to those who sent letters of opposition!

December 11th, 2023: PJM Board approves the slate of proposed projects, including the proposal from NextEra to construct a new greenfield transmission line through the Waterford National Landmark. See details in the PJM whitepaper, here.

December 13th, 2023: Loudoun County Board of Supervisors met to adopt a new zoning ordinance in Loudoun County that includes new approval processes for data centers in Loudoun County.

December 17th, 2023: People gathered together in the Old School to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Conservation on Phillips Farm. It was a fun evening full of celebration and reminiscing. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend!

Past News Articles:

Zoning Ordinance Rewrite White Paper

by

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

by

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

by

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