At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, we recognized the release of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) Mid-Year Crime Report re-enforcing that Fairfax County continues to be the safest jurisdiction of our size in the country, with the lowest rate of violent crimes. We are a safe and thriving community with highly accredited police, fire and disaster protection and excellent quality of life. The report also shows crime in the Mount Vernon Police District is down, including assaults, car part thefts and murder; while some parts of the County are seeing increases. Police staffing in the DMV and country continues to be a challenge, though FCPD has been very successful lately increasing retention and recruiting classes sizes and expect to have our vacancy rate below ten percent by the end of the year.

Source: Major Cities Chiefs Association

We also recognized September as Suicide Prevention Month, but it's always time to raise awareness, strengthen the dialogue and remind individuals, friends and families about resources that are available to help prevent suicide. Learn more. National Preparedness month occurs every September to raise awareness about the importance of being prepared for emergencies and disasters. The 2023 theme is “Take Control in 1, 2, 3." This theme empowers everyone, especially older adults, to 1) assess their needs, 2) make a plan and 3) engage their support network to stay safe when disaster strikes. Learn more.

The Board approved the creation of a Local Stormwater Management Assistance Fund to deliver financial assistance and technical guidance to private property owners and common interest communities (CICs) for the repair of privately-owned stormwater management facilities, working through the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors September 12, 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 September 12, 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 17: Authorized the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) to apply for and accept grant funding, in the amount of $510,000, to evaluate and design the stabilization of a portion of Pohick Creek located along the boundary of the Noman M Cole, Jr., Pollution Control Plant in Lorton. The full item can be read here.

Item 18: Authorized the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) to apply for and accept grant funding, in the amount of $527,500, to help address the staffing crisis experienced by Virginia’s public safety answering points (9-1-1 centers). The full item can be read here.

Approved the residents' request to allow a second-story addition on an existing detached garage at 6417 14th Street in the New Alexandria neighborhood. The addition will be used for a home office. The full item can be read here.

Approved Karlyn's Little Blessings, an existing home day care at 8850 Creekside Way, in Newington Forest, to increase the number of children allowed from 7 to 12 children, with 2 non-resident staff persons. The full item can be read here.

Approved the creation of a Local Stormwater Management (SWM) Assistance Fund to deliver financial assistance and technical guidance to private property owners and common interest communities (CICs) for the repair of privately-owned stormwater management facilities, working through the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. The full item can be read here.

Approved a home day care facility for up to 12 children, located at 9914 East Hill Drive in Lorton. The full item can be read here.

2023 Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Penny Gross

Each year, the Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards honor individual residents, organizations or businesses, and County employees who advance or support the County’s environmental goals and policies. The honorees dedicate personal time and expertise beyond their normal civic, fiscal or professional responsibilities and they consistently demonstrate leadership as role models for others.

In 2023, six awardees were named by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. Together, these honorees have devoted countless hours to the improvement of the natural environment in the County through public advocacy, volunteerism, the implementation of programs and sustainability strategies, and mentorship.

Therefore, today, I would like to recognize the six winners of the 2023 Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Awards. The County Employee category included three winners.

The Individual Resident category included one winner.

The organization and business category included two winners.

We are very fortunate to have these leaders working in our community. Their efforts ensure that county residents and visitors can continue to enjoy a healthy, safe, vibrant, and beautiful natural environment for years to come. Read the full Board Matter for information on the winners.

Proclaim October 4, 2023, Energy Efficiency Day in Fairfax County - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Penny Gross

Energy Efficiency Day is a celebration of the many benefits of taking action to save energy, including lower costs, healthier homes and more climate-ready communities. Energy efficiency is the cheapest, quickest way to meet our energy needs, cut utility bills and reduce pollution. Cutting energy waste saves U.S. households billions of dollars on their utility bills every year, up to $500 per household just from appliance efficiency standards alone.

Smarter energy use reduces the amount of electricity needed to power our homes, which helps curb greenhouse gas emissions that can harm our health, pollute our air and disrupt our climate. For counties like ours that are trying to get to carbon neutrality, energy efficiency can help us achieve the emissions reduction goals in our Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan.

Energy efficiency is also an economic engine, supporting millions of jobs nationwide. By increasing efficiency measures through clean energy policies and programs, we can help to sustain those jobs and create new opportunities for employment right here in Fairfax County. Everyone can continue to contribute to sustainability by learning more about energy efficiency and practicing smarter energy use in our daily lives.

It’s that time of the year again – the 8th Annual Tour de Mount Vernon Community Bike Ride will be on Saturday, October 21. This year we will be riding in the northern portion of the Mount Vernon District, beginning and ending at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. Again this year, there will be a 24-mile short ride and a 40 mile long ride, so riders of all levels are welcome. This year’s ride will be super exciting and scenic as riders will ride on the closed George Washington Memorial Parkway with beautiful views of the Potomac River. Riders will roll past Fort Hunt Park, Dyke Marsh, River Farm, Historic Hollin Hills and Gum Springs, Woodlawn and Pope-Leighey House, National Museum of the US Army, ride through Fort Belvoir and return on the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway Trail. This event continues to grow with the help of our partner, FABB - Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling. A key focus of the ride is to encourage community members and visitors to explore the many treasures and hidden gems of Potomac Banks: Explore Fairfax South. After the ride, riders and volunteers gather for comradery, music, yard games and La Prima’s Famous Sweet Potato Chili.

Additional information and the registration portal can be found by visiting the Mount Vernon District webpage.

Sept. 13: Parking Re-Imagined Public Hearing #2

Sept. 20: SEA-88-V-064-06 Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County Original Mount Vernon High School (OMVHS). Amend SE-88-V-064 to allow for alternative use of a public facility to permit an alternative use of a historic building.

Sept. 20: SP-2023-MV-00044 Jaelen and Alaina Gadson, 8810 Falkstone Lane, Alexandria.

To permit modifications to the provisions on limitations for the keeping of animals (chickens).

Oct. 4: SP-2023-MV-00059 David and Caitlin Mayo, 2214 Cavendish Drive, Alexandria. Reduction of setback requirements to permit an addition 9.4 feet from the southeast side lot line and a Reduction of Setback Requirements based on Errors in Building Location to allow an accessory structure (shed) to remain 3.4 feet from the rear lot line and 3.3 feet from the northwest side lot line.

Oct. 11: SP-2023-MV-00057 Kaveh Sari, 8926 Khalsa Court, 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.

Oct. 18: SPA-68-V-888-02 Civic Association of Hollin Hills d/b/a Hollin Hills Pickleball & Tennis Club, 1601 Paul Spring Road, Alexandria. To amend SP 68-V-888 previously approved for a community swim and tennis club to allow site modifications (sport court lighting) and a change in permittee.

In a coordinated effort with my office, Delegate Kathy Tran, Senator George Barker, the offices of Supervisor Pat Herrity and Chairman Jeff McKay, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), and the Park Authority, there have been a number of immediate safety improvements to the road while mid-term and long-term solutions have been examined. This is the next meeting to discuss these options and solicit public feedback.

Fairfax County needs election officers countywide for the November 7th General Election and the 2024 elections, including bilingual officers who can speak Vietnamese or Korean. More information on serving as an election officer can be found here. Apply today. 

The Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination is now accepting applications for the Charge Up Fairfax pilot program. The program helps homeowners and condominium owners’ associations overcome the barriers to installing on-site electric vehicle charging stations for their residents by providing financial and technical assistance. There will be a webinar on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 12:30 p.m. to answer questions about the program and how to apply. The application period ends on November 12. More information about the Charge Up Fairfax pilot program, including how to apply, is available on the OEEC website.

More frequent service began Monday, September 11, the eleventh service increase since last summer. While ridership continues to grow, it remains below pre-pandemic levels, therefore Metro will monitor ridership trends and continue to assess the need for any future service adjustments based on ridership demand. Learn more.

Buoyed by a $1.5 million donation from a local tech executive, Fairfax-based George Mason University is launching a training program for aspiring entrepreneurs from refugee and immigrant backgrounds. This is the first phase of its inclusive entrepreneurship training initiative, RISE (Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship) Program. Learn more.

The Department of Family Services Adult and Aging Division is pleased to announce a new Dementia Caregiver Series beginning this month. The free webinars are for family caregivers who are caring for a loved one living with dementia. The sessions will provide a wide range of opportunities for caregivers to learn about helpful resources and programs as well as hear from others caring for loved ones with dementia. Check out the upcoming webinars and register today. Learn about additional resources for family caregivers.

As part of its celebration of National Senior Center Month, the County's Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is inviting residents to visit one of its 14 senior centers. Facilities are located countywide and offer recreational and social opportunities for adults ages 50 and over. Learn more.

Jumpstart your career and invest in your future with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). $15,000 incentive when you join! Learn more.