Catoctin Mountain Alliance

On 27 June 1979 Beacon Hill, an estate composed of approximately 2,083 acres owned by Arthur (1903-1983) and Mary (1913-1997) Godfrey, was sold to Saudi Prince Talal bin Abdul Aziz for just over five million dollars. Godfrey was a nationally known radio personality in the 1950s who sometimes broadcast from his farm. The prince made extensive changes and additions to the property, spending approximately 18 million dollars on these projects. On 16 Nov. 1985 Beacon Hill was bought by a partnership called Beacon Hill Farm Associates (BHFA), later changed to Beacon Hill Farm Associates II, Limited Partnership. In Sept. 1985, based on a conditional contract for the property, BHFA applied to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception to begin development of this property. This action began a ten year long process of filings for various levels of development. Neighbors of Beacon Hill organized Beacon Hill Neighborhood Association which closely monitored each step and fought the plans before the Loudoun County Planning Commission, with the Planning and Zoning Departments of the County, and in court. B. Powell Harrison (1911-2000), was president of this association, and lawsuits were filed by him and his wife, Agnes Harrison. The name of the organization changed to Catoctin Mountain Alliance in 1987, but the focus remained the same: to fight the high density development of the targeted property. During the course of this fight Loudoun County Board of Supervisors passed the Mountainside Development Overlay District to regulate development on the mountainsides in Loudoun County; this law covered the Beacon Hill property. The struggle between Beacon Hill Farm Associates II, Limited Partnership and Catoctin Mountain Alliance continued until 1992 when Loudoun County government approved plans to allow houses to be built on large tracts, an option which met with approval of Catoctin Mountain Alliance.