The Short Hill Committee of the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition on June 20 sent forward a memorandum to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors urging the overrule of the Planning Commission’s approval of the Commission Permit to allow AT&T to build a 35-foot-tall, 160,000-square-foot structure on the ridge of the Short Hill Mountain. (See the memorandum here.)

Al Van Huyck, Chair of the Committee and Coalition, commended AT&T for suspending its application, but went on to say, “regardless, there was ample evidence to overrule the Commission Permit as not being in substantial accord with the Comprehensive Plan. Further, our research suggested the Board of Supervisors had a strong legal foundation to overrule based on the Court’s prior precedents.”

Van Huyck praised the Board of Supervisors for their thoughtful approach to dealing with AT&T’s Commission Permit request and singled our Supervisors Geary Higgins and Tony Buffington for their leadership in providing opportunities for the public to express their views.

Van Huyck also noted that the Short Hill Committee members represented experienced professionals in comprehensive planning, the law, telecommunication’s technology, hydrogeology, and the environment. “It is amazing how much expertise on so many subjects reside in the residents of Loudoun County and they are willing to donate many hours of time for causes in the public interest,” Van Huyck said.

The Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition consists of 30 nonprofit, non-partisan organizations concerned with Loudoun’s heritage and environment. It meets monthly to discuss issues of mutual concern. When an issue of significant interest to the membership is identified a committee is formed to research the issue and make policy recommendations as appropriate on behalf of those members who share that particular concern.