At Tuesday's Board meeting, I was pleased to recognize Pohick Church for it 250th Anniversary and the rich history and heritage it brings to the area. Rightly called “the Mother Church of Northern Virginia,” Pohick was the first permanent church in the colony to be established north of the Occoquan River, sometime prior to 1724. The existing building was completed in 1774, just before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. Vestrymen George Washington, George Mason and George William Fairfax were among other notable leaders who belonged to the church. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and bearing historical significance, Pohick Church is rich in our nation’s history. The congregation holds many community events throughout the year from its Annual Fall Fair to Vacation Bible School and more. In celebration of the 250th Anniversary, Pohick Church will hold Semiquincentennial events throughout 2024.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) month, and we recognized the importance of this program in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS). When I was on the School Board, we financially supported students taking the AP/IB tests by paying the testing fees and I believed we must do something similar for those pursuing technical careers. From this initiative, FCPS began paying for technical certifications for students, similarly to paying fees for PSATs. FCPS offers CTE programs in every middle and high school aimed at preparing students for high-skill, high-wage and in-demand careers. FCPS CTE programs incorporate workplace readiness and set students up to be confident and professional in their chosen field.

The Board also recognized the County's Auxiliary Police Program for its 40th Anniversary. These outstanding volunteer officers undergo much of the same rigorous training as our paid officers and support our residents on a daily basis. How many people do you know who put their lives on the line in a volunteer capacity? Thank you to these brave men and women for their time and talents in supporting our many Mount Vernon community events, especially Rick Lopez, who has been the face of this force at events for more than a decade.

Please join us for our 37th Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, February 10 at Mount Vernon High School and live on Channel 16 and Facebook. The morning will begin at 7:45 a.m. with an exhibit hall of County and community service providers, followed by a program at 9:30 a.m. featuring guest speakers, Q&A and a virtual tour of the District. New this year, we will have a lifelong learning and education funding panel discussion. Join us after the program for the Taste of Mount Vernon from 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. to sample free food from local restaurants.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors February 6, 2024 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 Febuary 6, 2024 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 1: Approved Covington Woods Court to be accepted into the State Secondary System. The full item can be read here.

Item 6: Authorized a public hearing on the proposed One-Year Action Plan for FY 2025. The public will have an opportunity to comment on the Action Plan’s proposed use of funds identified, and the housing and community development goals and priorities described. Residents may also comment on housing and community development needs in Fairfax County as well as provide information concerning changes in housing and community development trends. The full item can be read here.

Item 7: Authorized the advertisement of a public hearing on the proposed sale of Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2024A and 2024B. The proceeds from this bond Series will be used to fund a portion of the County’s share of construction costs for Capital Improvement Programs at many Wastewater Treatment Plants (WTPs) in the County including, the Noman Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant. The full item can be read here.

Public hearing was deferred to March 5 at 3:30 p.m. due to an affidavit issue. The full item can be read here.

Approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to establish Outdoor Dining as an accessory use to permit the continuation of the type of outdoor dining associated with a restaurant or other type of food establishment that was allowed during the COVID-19 Emergency Amendment. The full item can be read here.

Recognizing March as Alternative Dispute Resolution Month - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) refers to several processes, tools and techniques used to manage and resolve conflict. ADR is an alternative to traditional adversarial processes and helps disputing parties reach mutually agreeable outcomes that consider the needs of all involved and minimize cost, while improving communication and morale. ADR is utilized in various ways throughout Fairfax County to foster effective and efficient government, such as through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program. County employees are supported by the ADR Program in navigating high levels of stress, communicating effectively and strengthening workplace relationships.

Fairfax County historically celebrates March as ADR month, and each year chooses a leader in this field to receive recognition. This year Fairfax County recognizes the Consumer Affairs Branch of the Department of Cable and Consumer Services. Consumer Affairs provides voluntary mediation services assisting clients and businesses to reach mutually agreeable solutions, thus resolving issues constructively and fostering positive relationships. Consumer Affairs mediates a variety of issues related to tenant-landlord, housing services, automotive, retail and additional professional services. In FY 2023, through mediation efforts, Consumer Affairs recovered $461,256 for Fairfax County residents. Consumer Affairs provides valuable, alternative methods of resolution empowering clients to resolve issues constructively, while preventing overburdening of traditional methods such as the court system.

Mr. Chairman, I will be deferring SE-2023-MV-00021, Margaret Mwikali Mwongela and the Montessori School of Lorton, LLC, from its public hearing on February 6 to March 5, 2024. This case must be rescheduled because the applicant did not reaffirm her affidavit on time. Under the Zoning Ordinance, a fee assessed for affidavit errors after public notice has been given. The applicant is a home childcare operator in Lorton, near the new Lorton Community Center and in a neighborhood that is high on the vulnerability index. In addition to running a childcare business, she is handling this case herself without the benefit of representation and the added financial burden could be a significant barrier for her. Staff has explained this fee to the applicant so that this issue will not arise again.

Given these circumstances, I believe that there is good cause for the Board to grant this waiver, and therefore,

I move that the Board direct the staff of the Department of Planning and Zoning to waive the deferral of the public hearing fee for zoning case SE-2023-MV-00021.

The Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging is hosting a webinar on current popular scams. In this presentation, Melissa Smarr, Branch Chief and Code Specialist III, will provide an overview of current popular scams that may target caregivers, older adults and adults with a disability. Every day victims are being financially and emotionally exploited by scammers. Learn how to protect, identify and report these crimes to better protect your loved ones and yourself as a caregiver.

This week, FCPD officers made news by arresting two women who were part of a New York based organized theft crew after pickpocketing a victim in a Lorton Panera Bread weeks before. FCPD detectives found the two linked to a multitude of cases stemming from Ohio, Massachusetts and other departments throughout the region. Learn more.

The Virginia Housing Alliance released the 2023 Virginia Housing Trust Fund annual report, which highlights affordable housing developments funded during the 2018-19 competitive loan plan cycle. Several Fairfax County initiatives are featured in the report. Learn more.

In the February edition of the "Connect with County Leaders" podcast, Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill hosted Rebecca Moudry, Director of the Department of Economic Initiatives, and Victor Hoskins, President and CEO of the Economic Development Authority, to discuss the County's economic development, providing perspective and predictions for the County’s future. Learn more.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) are seeking qualified housing providers to partner on preservation projects. Selected housing providers will receive direct notifications of high priority preservation opportunities and will be pre-qualified to partner with the County to preserve affordable properties through this Request For Qualifications. Learn more.

The use of a home for Short-Term Lodging (STL) - the occupancy of a dwelling for less than 30 days in a row - is regulated by the Zoning Ordinance. Only a resident of the home (including renters with owner permission) can operate an STL and must get an STL permit before beginning rentals. Standards exist to keep occupants safe and minimize impacts on the surrounding community. The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) responds to reports or complaints of STL conducted in violation of Zoning Ordinance requirements or limitations. STL rules include, but are not limited to:

STL permits are valid for two years, at which point a new permit is required. Permits can be searched or applied for in PLUS. More information about STLs and permitting is available from the Department of Planning and Development.

If you have questions, want to make a report or if you are the subject of enforcement and need to contact DCC, you can report problems online, reach them via email, phone (703-324-1300 / TTY 711) or visit in person at 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 1016, Fairfax. Learn more.

Kickstart your 2024 energy efficiency goals at your commercial facility with Dominion Energy’s new incentive programs! Healthcare, Hotel and Lodging facilities can now apply for industry-specific incentives for a variety of upgrades. These improvements can result in increased comfort, safety and energy savings, potentially boosting your bottom line and increasing customer satisfaction. Beginning this year, all commercial and industrial customers can also receive cash incentives with the C&I Custom Energy Solutions Program. Now is an excellent time to get started saving energy and reaching your sustainability goals. Learn more.

Early voting is happening now here at the Mount Vernon Governmental Center (2511 Parkers Lane) for the March 5 presidential primary election. This is a primary for both the Republican and Democratic candidates for president. In Virginia, voters do not register by political party, and you may only cast a ballot in one of the presidential primary elections. Hours of operation vary based on location, find the hours for the Mount Vernon Governmental Center here: