Town Plan Receives Public Input

Senior Planner Irish Grandfield presented the proposed Town Plan during the Town Council’s public hearing Tuesday night. The public was invited to comment on the long range-planning document, which is required to be reviewed at least once every five years.

“We’re at the point where we’re looking for public input,” Grandfield said, prior to what could be a final public hearing on June 12. Adoption of the Town Plan is required by mid July.

During Tuesday’s meeting, there were only four people who attended the podium to express their opinions.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, proposed that the Town Council stick to the current Town Plan without increasing commercial density. She spoke on behalf of her neighbors who live in the southwest section of town.

According to the document, the land between Evergreen Mill Road, Route 15, Stowers Lane, and the Bypass is appropriate for community commercial use. 

The total area of commercial buildings would not exceed 150,000 to 350,000 square feet and would consist of several smaller commercial spaces in addition to one anchor grocery store.

However, several residents don’t agree that another grocery store is needed, she said. There have already been a number of closings because there are too many to compete with. A new shopping center would also increase traffic.

“Several residents and I don’t approve with the Town Plan’s commercial aspect,” she said. “We feel we should stick to the current Town Plan and not increase the commercial density.”

Leesburg resident Dwight Dopilka said he was concerned about the financial and economic impacts to be implemented by the Town Council.

He inquired about the participation in the Metropolitan Council of Governments regional programs to improve air quality. If approved, it would promote measures to protect people from unhealthful levels of air pollution.

“Do we currently have an air pollution problem in Leesburg and do we measure it,” Dopilka asked. “If not it may be unnecessary to participate in something we don’t need.”

Dopilka also brought up the issue of highway and aircraft noise and asked if there were existing guidelines in place.

“The bottom line is change is necessary in the Town Plan,” Dopilka said, adding that he hopes the residents and business owners of Leesburg won’t have additional taxes to pay.