At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, we recognized this year's Shark Tank Technology Challenge winners who developed tech solutions to assist our older adults, in conjunction with Older Americans Month. Many older adults and adults with disabilities struggle every day to live comfortably in this ever-changing world – a world that is often not designed to accommodate their highly specialized needs. The challenge was to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, or caregivers. This year the Fairfax Area 50+ Technology Committee was particularly interested in innovative (completely new or improves on an existing technology) projects that may enhance the independent enjoyment of life for older adults and adults with disabilities, including wounded warriors. The winning entries included an on-line memory capture program, gloves to stimulate circulation and a deck of cards for those losing their vision.Congratulations to these high school students for their innovation and caring to improve lives in our community. Learn more.

The Board approved sending a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation expressing Fairfax County’s opposition to changes to the slot and perimeter rule at Reagan National Airport that would have detrimental impacts on our community. As an update on our efforts to reduce airplane noise in our District, my years long effort to get a consultant hired has finally happened and their first meeting was held with the airport working group last week to begin identifying alternate means for reducing airplane noise south of the airport. More to come as this consultant works over the next many months.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors May 23, 2023 meeting, including items of particular interest to Mount Vernon residents. For additional information, please go to the County’s Board Agenda and Meeting Schedule. The clerk to the board's official Summary of Board Actions is available the week following each meeting. Information is also available by a video linked to the board agenda and the Board of Supervisors Highlights podcast. 

Para recibir la información de nuestro boletín electrónico en español, o para hablar con un hispanohablante, comuníquese con Madeleine Carcamo Reyes a su preferencia, por teléfono al (703) 780-7518 o por correo electrónico: Madeleine.CarcamoReyes@fairfaxcounty.gov.

To view the May 23, 2023 Board Package click here. For a complete listing of public hearings held and approved, please see the Clerk to the Board's official Summary of Board Actions, available the week following each meeting.

Item 6: Authorized the Community Services Board to apply for and accept funding in the amount of $132,627 to be used to enhance forensic discharge planning services for individuals with serious mental illness at the Fairfax Adult Detention Center. The full item can be read here.

Item 7: Approved a Supplemental Appropriation Resolution for the Health Department to accept grant funding totaling $1,000,000 to fund a proposed community project, Stable Families, Thriving Futures (SFTF). A Public Health Model Building Knowledge, Prevention and Resilience Among Teens and Young Adults SFTF is an evidence-based intervention that builds knowledge, prevention and resilience among expectant and parenting teens and young adults ages 14 to 25 years through a continuum of wrap-around supports and programs that address the social determinants of health, including responsible parenting education, housing, employment, financial capability and health literacy, to improve participants’ self-sufficiency and whole family thriving. The full item can be read here.

Request for Proclamation to Recognize the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the Women in Armed Services Integration Act - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay, Supervisors Penny Gross and Pat Herrity

On June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act, allowing women the right to serve in all branches of the military. This monumental step recognized the invaluable contributions of women in defending our nation.

Prior to this landmark legislation, women’s roles in the military were limited to clerical positions or nursing roles. However, with the signing of this legislation, the doors were opened for women to serve in all branches of the military, breaking down barriers and expanding opportunities for their participation in the Armed Services.

Over the last 75 years, over 2 million women have enlisted in the military. We acknowledge the 107,000 women veterans currently residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia, making us first among all states with the highest percentage of women veterans. Home to Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County also provides a welcoming and supportive community that is surrounded by other military bases, connecting services, employment opportunities and resources for the over 10,000 women veterans who call Fairfax County their home.

Opposition to Changes to Slot & Perimeter Rule at Reagan National Airport (DCA) - Jointly with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisors Walter Alcorn, Pat Herrity, James Walkinshaw, John Foust, Penny Gross, Rodney Lusk, Dalia Palchik and Kathy Smith 

Fairfax County is served primarily by two airports, Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Reagan National Airport (DCA). As their names suggest, IAD is meant to serve international and long-distance customers while DCA provides shorter flights. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) governs operations of both airports, and Congress has established the “Slot and Perimeter” rule to ensure the functioning of IAD and DCA achieve their intended purposes.

However, time and again Congress has made exemptions to the rule, allowing a greater number of longer flights to depart from DCA, which has negatively impacted communities around DCA with more airplane noise and hampered the ability of IAD to achieve its economic development potential. IAD is not under the same geographical constraints as DCA and must be allowed to grow into the long-distance hub that Congress intended when it established MWAA and the slot and perimeter rule.

Congress is now considering the latest FAA Reauthorization legislation and slot and perimeter rule changes are being discussed.

Directed the Board send a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation expressing Fairfax County’s opposition to changes to the slot and perimeter rule that would have detrimental impacts on our community and our economy. 

2023 Resilient Virginia Community of the Year Award - Jointly with Supervisor Penny Gross

Resilient Fairfax, the county’s plan to address the effects of changing climate on residents, critical infrastructure, public services, and natural resources, has been awarded the 2023 Resilient Virginia Community of the Year Award by the Virginia chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). This award recognizes a community’s effort and commitment to building resilience through responsible planning proactive and innovation. An award ceremony will be held at the APA Virginia annual conference on July 18, 2023 in Roanoke, VA.

June 21: SE-2021-MV-00032 Karlyn Davis d/b/a Karlyn’s Little Blessings, 8850 Creekside Way, Springfield. To permit a home daycare facility.

June 7: SP-2022-MV-00013 David and Kathleen Pascoe, 9403 Ludgate Dr., Alexandria.

Reduction of setback requirements to permit an addition 19.7 feet from the rear lot line and an open deck 11.5 feet from the rear lot line.

June 14: SP-2022-MV-00205 Rebecca Pomykala, 6023 Grove Dr., Alexandria. To permit a reduction in setback requirements based on an error in building location to permit a roofed deck (front portico) 20.2 feet from the front lot line and an increase in fence height in the front yard.

Early in-person voting for the June 20 Democratic Primary is now at our Mount Vernon Governmental Center (2511 Parkers Lane) on weekdays from 1 – 7 p.m. In June additional sites will open for two Saturdays and election day. See you at the polls! Primary candidates for these offices and districts will be on the ballot:

The Office of Elections needs election officers for the June 20 Democratic primary election, including bilingual officers who can speak Vietnamese or Korean. Election officers are paid $250. Apply by May 30.

As you know, the speed limit on Richmond Highway from Jeff Todd Way/Mount Vernon Memorial Highway and the Alexandria city limits was reduced on Tuesday, May 23 from 45 mph to 35 mph. This will optimize safety and operations for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and transit users. The study and additional information is available here.

Fairfax County Land Development Services (LDS) will offer a Deck Details Boot Camp on June 7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Room 106, Fairfax. The session will walk contractors and homeowners through the Typical Deck Details, a document that serves as a pre-approved architectural plan for building decks in Fairfax County. Use of the County’s Typical Deck Details expedites the permitting process. Please register via the Smartsheet link below:

The 2022 Demographics Report is now available online. The report takes a deep dive into data about our area including population, household and housing unit estimates. Learn more.

Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) announced that 3D printers are now available at all School Age Child Care (SACC) Centers and NCS Technology Centers in Fairfax County. Expanded access to this emerging technology will encourage exploration, expand digital literacy and empower students to compete in an increasingly digital economy. Learn more.

Are you looking for something to entertain the whole family? Check out EagleBank Arena. In addition to Mason’s athletic competitions, over 150+ events are hosted annually at EagleBank Arena. Learn more.