The Latest News

• The Ad Hoc Committee on the Potomac/Sterling Community Outreach Project completed its work at its April 14, 2009, meeting. You can find out more information about the Committee's final actions here.

• On October 21, 2008, the Board of Supervisors voted to create an Ad Hoc Committee to review the final report of the Potomac/Sterling Community Outreach Project and bring forward recommendations to the Board. The members of the committee are Supervisors Buckley, McGimsey, Delgaudio and Miller, with Supervisor Buckley serving as the committee chair. The final report is online. View the report.

Background

The Potomac and Sterling Communities in eastern Loudoun County are two of the county’s oldest and most diverse communities that are defined by neighborhoods old and new offering a variety of housing choices, numerous trails and recreational opportunities, and proximity to a wide range of retail, service and employment options. Like many maturing neighborhoods, however, these two communities are facing several challenges, including an aging housing stock, rapid population transformation, increased traffic congestion, and pedestrian and bicycle mobility challenges.

In response, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors initiated the Potomac/Sterling Community Outreach Project. The purpose of the project was three-fold:

1. engage a diverse and large cross-section of the citizens and stakeholders within the communities of Potomac and Sterling in a public dialogue to capture their key issues and concerns, along with their suggested opportunities and solutions;

2. ensure a collaborative and “citizen-driven” approach where the issues and topics are defined by the citizens and stakeholders participating in the process; and

3. report the results of the public dialogue back to the Board.

The 8-month outreach project was envisioned as the first phase of larger Community Plan processes where the findings and suggestions offered by citizens will help the Board of Supervisors identify the framework for the development of strategies that may lead to any number of initiatives within the Potomac and Sterling Communities, including:

• Specific Area and Corridor Plans;
• New and enhanced programs and services;
• Priority public investments;
• Leveraging of additional revenues;
• Strategic planning efforts by county agencies; and
• Opening of new channels of communication between the county and area residents.

Project Process

The Potomac/Sterling Community Outreach Project was an 8-month public process that focused on three areas: Research, Preparation and Education; Stakeholder Engagement; and Stakeholder Communication.

Preliminary Results Report Online

In July 2008, the Planning Department presented a Preliminary Results Report, which was compiled after the Community Survey and Public Input Meetings were held. The report is online:

• Preliminary Results Report

Hundreds Respond to Community Survey

Highlights of the results of the Potomac/Sterling Community Outreach Project Community Survey, are online:

• Community Survey Results

Public Input Sessions Held

Thanks to all who participated in the community input sessions that were held April 24, May 3, May 10 and May 14, 2008. Details and photos are online:

• Public Input Sessions

In addition to the surveys, and in keeping with the primary goal of the effort to reach as many people as possible, stakeholder meetings and roundtables were held with various groups to ensure a diverse cross-section of the public was included in the input.

For More Information

If your group would like to request a presentation about the outreach effort or have a discussion about the project, contact Project Manager Michael Salinas, in the Department of Planning, at 703-777-0246 or e-mail potomac_sterling@loudoun.gov.

Online Resources

• Documents: Documents relating to the Potomac/Sterling Community Outreach Process are available to view or download.