|
Dear Neighbors,
Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting was especially meaningful as we recognized several individuals and organizations whose work has truly shaped our County. We began by recognizing Congressman James Walkinshaw for his service to Fairfax County residents. I have known Congressman Walkinshaw for two decades, and his passion, tenacity and genuine care for everyone has been crucial in the changes in our County and region. My work with him on environmental issues and the VRE have been especially important. I look forward to our continued work together as he represents part of the MVD in Lorton.
Additional Presentations:
- Recognized the 50th Anniversary of the County’s 1975 Comprehensive Plan, which continues to guide our County’s growth and long-term goals, including work in Lorton and the Embark Richmond Highway initiative.
- Honored Pathway Homes for its 45th Anniversary and its significant impact on our region. Pathway’s Permanent Supportive Housing model helps residents achieve long-term stability. Recently, when concerns arose in our Bucknell community, Pathway worked closely with our office, public safety and residents to address the issues and rebuild trust.
- Recognized Paul Gilbert for his retirement after 20 years as Executive Director of NOVA Parks. It has been a privilege to work with Paul on major improvements at Occoquan and Pohick Bay parks, and especially on the creation of the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial. I also am very grateful for his steadfast support and help during the River Farm discussions, negotiations and role helping save it.
- Designated November 17 - 21 as Crash Responder Safety Week.
- Designated November as Veterans and Military Families Month. Fairfax County is home to more than 45,000 active-duty service members, selected reserve and their families, as well as approximately 13,500 FCPS military connected children and more than 79,000 veterans. Military families are also some of our most engaged volunteers, serving in civic associations, coaching youth sports and much more. We thank them for their service and commitment.
- Inaugural report of the Veterans and Military Families Commission by former Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross.
| | |
During our moment of silence, I recognized two community members who recently passed away. Mattie Palmore was known by many as the “unofficial matriarch” of Gum Springs and was a deeply dedicated advocate for survivors of abuse. I first met Mattie when I joined the Board of Good Shepherd Housing in 1999. She quickly became a dear friend whose wisdom, strength and compassion shaped the lives of so many. She was an extraordinary leader, always putting others’ needs before hers, and I know she will always be with me. Mattie’s service is this Saturday, November 22 at Harvest Assembly Baptist Church with a viewing at 9 a.m. and service at 11 a.m.
Bernadette Raymo was a long-time Mason Neck resident and well known as a nature enthusiast, caring for birds, tending her garden, boating and walking the paths near her home. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and humility.
Respectfully yours in public service,
| | |
Dan Storck
Supervisor, Mount Vernon District
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
| | Proclamations and Recognitions | | 50th Anniversary of Fairfax County's 1975 Comprehensive Plan | | Designated November 2025 as Veterans and Military Families Month | | Recognized Paul Gilbert for his Retirement After 20 Years as Executive Director for NOVA Parks | | Designated November 17-21 as Crash Responders Safety Week | | Recognized Pathway Homes' 45th Anniversary | | Inaugural Presentation of the Veterans and Military Families Commission | | |
Upcoming Committee & Board Meetings
November 25
December 2 - Links not yet available, click here for the full meetings schedule
- 9:30 a.m. – Legislative Committee
- 11:00 a.m. – Transportation Committee
- 1:30 p.m. – Land Use Policy Committee
- 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. – Budget Policy Committee Joint Meeting with School Board
December 9
| | |
Item 3: Approved the Director of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) to sign the Master Agreement with the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to enable the County’s receipt of FY 2026 transit operations and capital assistance funding. The full item can be read here.
Item 7: Approved the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) to accept grant funding totaling $200,000 from the Virginia Department of Social Services for the Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) to provide rental assistance to their clients. Thank you Delegate Rozia Henson for making this possible! The full item can be read here.
Authorized Public Hearing on:
- To vacate a portion of a 20-foot-wide alley south of Belle Haven Road (Route 632). The applicant is seeking this request to resolve a Code Compliance issue that was identified with their business. The applicant maintains a vegetable garden and shed that have encroached into the alley right-of-way. The public hearing will be held on January 13 at 4 p.m. The full item can be read here.
| | |
Proposed Ordinance to Amend the County Code by Repealing Chapter 28.1, Relating to Massage Therapy, Establishments and Services and Adding a New Chapter 28.2, Relating to Massage Establishments
Approved amendments to the County Code to repeal Chapter 28.1, Relating to Massage Therapy, Establishments and Services and adopted Chapter 28.2, Relating to Massage Establishments. New provisions include: elimination of a local permitting requirement for massage therapists; transfer of full regulatory authority and oversight from the Department of Code Compliance to the Health Department; changes to the appeals process for permit revocations, suspensions and denials; introduction of plan review for new and remodeled facilities; introduction of a variance process; updates to the health and sanitation standards; and prohibitions on sleeping quarters, employee use of alcohol or controlled substances and sexually suggestive advertising. The full item can be read here.
Proposed Plan Amendment 2022-CW-2CP, Comprehensive Plan Policy Plan Amendment Phase 1
Deferred the decision to December 9 for the proposed plan amendment for Phase 1 of Plan Forward which updates the Countywide Policy Plan for the first time in more than three decades, to revise the Overview, Land Use, Transportation, Environment, Human Services, Parks and Recreation, Visual and Performing Arts and the Glossary to bring policies in line with current planning practices and County initiatives. The full item can be read here.
| | |
Review of Height-Looming Standards to be Added to the Zoning Ordinance Work Program - Jointly with Supervisors Pat Herrity and Kathy Smith
This has been a point of concern for residential communities in Fairfax County for many years. We have seen in the Springfield District, and many others, redevelopments of residential lots that result in new homes or additions that loom over the adjacent property.
Many jurisdictions, including the City of Alamo Heights, Texas, have very clear ratio systems to address looming that takes into account the side setbacks for determining max height. During Supervisor Hyland’s tenure, the Board approved his motion to include a revision addressing building height but rejected the bulk plane changes as too complicated. However, problems persist, as shown in the photo. Now seems like an appropriate time to consider what additional changes can be made based on how the problem has been addressed in other jurisdictions.
Action
Directed the Ordinance Administration Section of the Department of Planning and Development to bring this topic to the Land Use Policy Committee for further discussion and consideration during the next annual review of the Zoning Ordinance Work Program.
Verbal Board Matters
Mount Vernon Rec Center Grand Reopening Celebration
We had a great celebration this past weekend at the newly renovated Mount Vernon Rec Center! This is a very special facility that has meant a lot to our community and this renovation has helped ensure it will continue to bring joy for many more decades to come. We had a few very special guests join us, the West Potomac High School Cheerleaders and George Washington from Nationals Park. Thank you to Jai Cole, Park Authority, especially our new rec center staff, Linwood Gorham, Capital Projects and the community for helping us make this renovation extremely successful!
With this renovation, we are fortunate to now have two NHL-sized ice rinks thanks to Amy Spencer and Mike Mulligan who advocated at every Park Authority board meeting to make it happen! The first rink — and the reason the Rec Center opened in the first place — was made possible by the persistent work of former Mount Vernon District Supervisor Warren Cikins. I am also thankful to long-time Mount Vernon District resident and former Park Authority board member, Glenn Fatzinger, for his efforts in helping to secure approval for the original rink.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the Fairfax County Park Authority. It was wonderful to take a moment to celebrate the rec center’s renovations while also honoring 75 years.
Economic Update from DEI
Thank you to Rebecca Moudry and our Department of Economic Initiatives (DEI) for putting together this important update on our economic conditions. As we look at the most recent data, we are seeing notable shifts in both employment and market activity across our region. Federal and non-federal unemployment claims are rising, with Virginia experiencing a 187% increase in Initial Federal Civilian Unemployment Claims and a 25% increase in Non-Federal Unemployment Claims from September to October. Year-to-date Federal Civilian Unemployment Claims across Maryland, Virginia and D.C. are now ten times higher than at this point in 2024. At the same time, job postings in Fairfax County reached 28,920 as of November 5, which is a 9% increase since the beginning of October. Sales tax receipts distributed to Fairfax County in October 2025 were $20.8M, an increase of 5.7% compared to October 2024. In the housing market, the September Real Estate Market Hotness Scores rose from 60.1 to 66.3 in Fairfax County and for the region, which indicates a cooling market.
The Council of Governments also recently published a few highlights. Federal government jobs in the region continue to decline, with a loss of 25,000 positions between January and August of this year. Our local professional and business sector has also seen a reduction of 18,800 jobs from August 2024 to August 2025, while the educational and health services sector experienced the largest growth during that same period, adding 11,500 jobs. Overall, the Washington metropolitan area saw a net job decrease of about 0.3 percent from August 2024 to August 2025, while the national economy saw a net increase of about 0.8 percent of jobs. These trends highlight both the challenges and the opportunities before us, and I appreciate DEI’s ongoing work to keep us informed as we navigate the Trump administration's federal job cuts on our neighbors and residents.
| | |
BZA
December 3
-
SPA-82-V-091-07: Vulcan Construction Materials LLC, 10000 Ox Rd., Lorton. To amend SP 82-V-091 previously approved for an extraction activity (stone quarrying) to permit a renewal and the modification of development conditions.
-
SP-2023-MV-00057: Kaveh Sari, 8926 Khalsa Ct., Lorton. Reduction in setback requirements based on Errors in Building Location to permit an accessory structure (two-story detached garage) to remain 28.8 feet from the front lot line and 17.8 feet from the east side lot line.
Planning Commission
December 10
-
SE-2024-MV-00008: Alusine Conteh, 7835 Richmond Hwy. Requesting a special exception and amendment for a light vehicle repair and maintenance shop with general retail sales. The BOS Public Hearing is January 12, 2026.
| | |
George Washington Rec Center Operating Hours Update
Starting Thursday, January 1, George Washington Rec Center will have new operating hours to better balance fitness, recreation opportunities and facility needs. The Park Authority appreciates your understanding as they make these adjustments.
New Hours:
- Monday-Thursday: 6:30–11:30 a.m. & 3–8 p.m.
- Friday: 6:30–11:30 a.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. –4 p.m.
- Sunday: 1–6 p.m.
If you're looking for additional pool or recreational time outside of these hours, you are encouraged to visit Mount Vernon Rec Center or Franconia Rec Center, which offer expanded hours. Learn more.
Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House Food Collection Distribution Center
Woodlawn & Pope-Leighey House is now serving as a food collection and distribution center in response to the extreme need for food assistance in our region. With the help of partners and visitors, Woodlawn will provide non-perishable, shelf stable foods in waterproof food pantries outside our front gates at the Quaker Meeting House for people to access at any time and in the Woodlawn parking lot during open hours. Now through December 29, each visitor who brings a canned good to the Woodlawn admissions desk will receive a 10% discount off their individual tour admission price. If a family of four brings four cans of food, each visitor receives the 10% discount. Guests are encouraged to increase their donation of canned goods to help as many people as possible at this time. Learn more.
DPWES Service Update
Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is currently experiencing delays with the following services:
-
Yard Waste: Some customers may experience delays due to high volumes. Service will continue through Saturday, November 22 to complete collections.
-
Special Pickups: Currently working to resolve the service delays.
If your service has not yet been completed, please leave your items at the curb or street line so they can be collected as soon as possible. Customers can view updates on the Recycling and Trash Customers webpage. For questions, please contact Customer Service on 703-802-3322 or email DPWESSWMPTrashCS@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Shop Small on Small Business Saturday
Small businesses make up over 90% of all businesses in Fairfax County, fueling local job creation and bringing unique character to local neighborhoods. When you choose local establishments, your dollars stay right here, directly supporting the entrepreneurs
and families who call Fairfax home. This Small Business Saturday, shop local and support the heart and soul of our economy. For truly special gifts, residents should look no further than the County's incredible local "makers." The County is especially proud to shine a light on the businesses in the Made in Fairfax network.
World AIDS Day 2025
Monday, December 1, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center, 1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria
Join the Fairfax County Health Department and other local health agencies for World AIDS Day 2025: “A Season of Light – Shining Through the HIV Epidemic,” a community gathering devoted to remembrance, hope and collective action to end the HIV epidemic. This inspiring evening will include the Tree of Hope lighting ceremony, personal stories of resilience, musical performances and a panel discussion, along with opportunities to connect with local HIV and public-health partners. Register here.
2025 Holiday Giving Guide
Fairfax County offers a variety of ways to donate to those in need this holiday season. Toy, clothing and food drives help many in our community. Learn more.
Swanfall 2025
Sunday, December 7, 2 p.m.
Gunston Hall, 10709 Gunston Rd., Lorton
Enjoy a buffet lunch while viewing winning photos from the Friends of Mason Neck "Picture the Magic" photo contest and a presentation, "Navigating Prosperity: Trade and Transport on the Potomac River." Learn more.
5 More Things to Know
- Supporting County Veterans and Their Families
- Ways You Can Fight Hunger in Fairfax County
- Stay Seen, Stay Alert: Safety Tips for the Darker Months
- FCPS ACE Black Friday Sale! Save 20% off all Adult Education Classes Nov. 27-30!
- Crash Responder Safety Week: Recognizing Those Who Keep Highways Safe
| | | | |
