We are concerned parents and community members from Brambleton Town Center requesting a targeted amendment to Rezoning Plan 280 to keep planning zone DN36.8 assigned to Madison’s Trust Elementary (MTE).

This is a narrow, common-sense request focused on walkability, safety, and sound planning. DN36.8 is one of the closest neighborhoods to MTE and is fully walkable today using existing sidewalks and a purpose-built pedestrian tunnel under Northstar Boulevard, specifically designed so children can reach the school without crossing major arterial roads. This is a functioning, daily walk route that already works.

Removing DN36.8 from MTE eliminates an established walk zone, converts walkers into permanent bus riders, and conflicts with the design intent of Brambleton as a walkable community.

Reasons Plan 280 should be amended for DN36.8

1. Preserve an established, safe walk-to-school route
DN36.8 is already a functioning walk zone supported by intentional infrastructure, including the Northstar pedestrian tunnel. Plan 280 removes this safe, proven route even though no new safety benefit is gained by eliminating an existing walk zone.

2. Align with LCPS Policy 6530 and Safe Routes to School principles
LCPS Policy 6530 governs attendance zone changes and emphasizes assigning students to schools serving their residential areas, efficient use of facilities, and public participation. Keeping DN36.8 at its geographically closest school aligns with that intent. In addition, LCPS’s Safe Routes to School program promotes walking and biking where safe infrastructure exists. DN36.8 is exactly the type of neighborhood these policies are meant to support, close, walkable, and already using safe pedestrian infrastructure.

3. Avoid an overcorrection in capacity planning
Under Plan 280, the removal of DN36.8 contributes to Madison’s Trust operating at roughly 67% utilization, well below LCPS’s typical 80–90% target range. Attendance zones are reviewed on a regular cycle, and keeping DN36.8 provides a more balanced outcome without dismantling an existing walk zone.

4. Reduce unnecessary disruption to students, families, and school staff
The scale of enrollment reduction triggers ripple effects, including student reassignment and staff reallocation. Keeping DN36.8 at MTE avoids unnecessary disruption while preserving stable routines, student independence, and community-school connections.

5. Reduce long-term transportation costs and inefficiencies
Walkers require no buses, drivers, fuel, or route management. Eliminating a walk zone converts zero-cost transportation into a permanent budget obligation. DN36.8 already minimizes transportation demand and should remain assigned accordingly.

6. Concerns about data completeness used in decision-making
Families remain concerned that limited walkability data was referenced during deliberations without clear disclosure of its scope or representativeness. Permanent boundary changes that eliminate walk zones should be based on complete, contextual information, especially when long-term safety and transportation consequences are involved.

7. Car line and traffic assumptions do not justify removing DN36.8
DN36.8 walkers do not contribute to car line congestion. Brambleton Town Centers families typically approach via Creighton Road if they drive during bad weather, not the primary Northstar Blvd car line. No public study has been shared showing that removing DN36.8 improves traffic conditions. Eliminating walkers does not solve a car line issue.

Our Request

We respectfully ask the Loudoun County School Board and LCPS leadership to amend Plan 280 to keep DN36.8 assigned to Madison’s Trust Elementary, preserving an existing safe walk zone and aligning rezoning outcomes with LCPS policy, walkability goals, fiscal responsibility, and community design intent.

This request does not seek to reopen the entire rezoning process. It is a targeted correction to prevent unnecessary disruption and preserve walkability where it already exists.

Thank you for your consideration.