This is a quiet charming town filled with giving, warm people most of whom have volunteered countless hours to the town and greater community to help others in need for many years. Now hateful letters are being published and misinformation is being spread about the two possible BLAs with no basis in fact, merely inuendo and fear mongering. Everyone should take a breather, read the information and weigh both the positive and negative aspects of these plans; but on the facts as presented; not the back room gossip and conspiracy theories being peddled by a small few. All the factual information is available in the town office and on the town's web page.

NOTHING has actually even been submitted to Council much less approved! Thanks to Council's insistence on transparency prior to any application (which by law is not required), the landowners will have listened to the public's input for the last couple of months and the town council's input before submission of any applications, if they chose to move to do so. At that point there will be a public hearing on any application and the Council will act accordingly with additional information from the public. As Council has stated many times, the goal was to get public input on the landowners 'concepts before any application so they would hear the feedback and amend their approach accordingly before a formal application.

This is my take:

The Windy Hill proposal

The facts: 33 acres into town with 20 age-restricted houses like the Levis Hill Houses. 40 subsidized units. Windy Hill has been in Middleburg 41 years! WH fills a need we have always had. They provide housing for our aging work force so they can age in place where they call home. They provide homes and programs for members of our community who cannot not afford the expensive houses in Middleburg. Windy Hill provides safe, decent, and affordable housing. Windy Hill also provides programs and services to residents of all ages to give them opportunities to succeed. Windy Hill has staff who work with residents directly to provide a safe and healthy environment for the whole community. The Town of Middleburg and the greater Middleburg Community has always supported Windy Hill because they have always supported those in need.

The Homewood Farm proposal

The facts: 15 acres into town, 190 acres into permanent open space conservation easement. 10 single family cottages, 8 townhouses, 48 condo units.

Council has publicly said these units must be affordable/attainable intended for teachers, police, fireman and workforce employees who cannot afford the million dollars houses in town, but want to thrive in our community. We need entry level housing, which is affordable by design, to ensure a vibrant economy fueled by youth and families. We cannot turn into a retirement village – we need the next generation to continue to be a community.

Both of these proposals fit in the main goals of the newly adopted Town Comprehensive Plan, where the community sought to achieve a diverse mix of affordable housing and provide for more open space.

Recently I was asked what would happen if we did nothing about the Homewood property. Feel free to do your own homework, but a developer could buy land TODAY and build a minimum of 14 houses with several rural economy lots for another winery, brewery, abattoir or other by-right commercial use. That's 14 wells and septic fields in our back yard. But that is today and that is immediately. If history in Loudoun is any indication, then zoning could change. A developer could purchase the land seek a rezoning with Loudoun County to build a development that mirrors Lenah Mill and other "neighborhoods" popping up to our East along Rt 50. Anything can happen. Just like Banbury, Town would have zero control and we would be left unprotected. What protects us is a conservation easement. That's what is at stake and being considered. Do you want to control what's developed around us or let fate take shape? I want to take control. Fist stomping and demonizing people does nothing to address the pressures we face. "No change" is not an option.

If you want to know more, ask Questions. Offer ideas and be a part of the solution. Everything is on the table. Come what may, if you contribute to the process, you will have helped make the options better for it and find the optimal outcome for everyone. And if you oppose on the merits, that is ok as well, that is the essence of good citizenry. For those who seek to whine and disparage as they choose, know that it only adds to the animosity and un-Middleburg behavior already shown by some.