Regulations that restrict development in Loudoun County, Virginia,

Regulations that restrict development in Loudoun County, Virginia, were struck down March 3 by the Virginia Supreme Court. The ruling, decided on a technicality, will allow much more development in the western portion of Loudoun, said to be the nation’s fastest-growing county. In 2003 the county, northwest of Washington, DC, enacted an ordinance limiting development in many areas to 10, 20, or 50 acres per house, depending on location and whether houses were clustered to protect open space. Because of the court’s ruling, much more land is expected to be developed at a rate of one house per three acres. Public Architecture, a think tank and grassroots organization in San Francisco, has launched “1% Solution,” a program aimed at getting design professionals to commit one percent of their time to pro bono work. The new organization, at www.theonepercent.org, is collecting pledges of time from design firms and is building a database of pro bono projects throughout the US as part of its effort to increase both the quality and quantity of pro bono work in the public interest. Later, 1% Solution will establish an online forum to match nonprofit organizations and communities that need design professionals.