Dear Neighbors,
This week we held the first Board of Supervisors meeting of the new year. During the moment of silence, Chairman McKay, Supervisor Herrity and I recognized the passing of two South County High School students and one in critical condition from a car accident on Lee Chapel Road on January 10. We are all deeply saddened to hear of this tragedy. In response to this accident, the Board directed the County Executive, FCDOT and VDOT to research costs of eliminating the hills on Lee Chapel Road, provide funding solutions and designs with the ultimate goal of a four-lane widening and look into safety improvements along the Fairfax County Park Authority owned road frontage. We also discussed the important role that parents have in teaching their new drivers about safe driving habits. The DMV provides these teen driver safety tips. Delegate Kathy Tran is hosting a virtual community town hall on Monday, January 30 at 7 p.m. to address safety on Lee Chapel Road and I hope you will join us.
I am very pleased that the Board voted to approve real estate tax relief for surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty. Supervisor Walkinshaw, Chairman McKay and I have been working on this for over a year and we heard from many military families living in and around Fort Belvoir and across the County. This real estate tax relief provides additional support to the spouses and children of those armed forces members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
It was an honor to recognize Shelley Murphy, past longtime CEO of Wesley Housing, and Michelle Krocker, past Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, for their decades of leadership and accomplishments increasing affordable housing. Thank you Shelley and Michelle, for being an integral part of providing homes to so many Fairfax County residents.
Other meeting highlights:
- The Board approved the Board of Supervisors Meeting Schedule for 2023.
- Authorized the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination to apply for and accept grant funding for Charge Up Fairfax.
- Authorized the Department of Family Services Division of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services to apply for and accept grant funding to support healthy prevention strategies amongst youth.
- Approved a resolution endorsing projects for submission to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission for FY 2024-2025 I-395/I-95 Commuter Choice Program.
- The Board held it's annual meeting of the Fairfax County Solid Waste Authority.
Please join us for our 36th Annual Town Meeting on Saturday, February 11 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. As a new addition this year, there will be a “Taste of Mount Vernon” from noon - 1:30 p.m. with samples of food from restaurants in the District.
Respectfully yours in public service,
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Dan Storck
Supervisor, Mount Vernon District
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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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: [email protected].
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To view the January 24, 2023 Board Package click here.
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Proclamations and Recognitions |
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Michelle Krocker, Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance and Shelley Murphy, Wesley Housing
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January 16-22 as Community Risk Reduction Week |
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January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month |
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Item 2: Authorized the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination to apply for and accept grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the Charge Up Fairfax program. The full item can be read on pages 43 - 48 of the Board Package.
Item 8: Authorized the Department of Family Services Division of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services to apply for and accept grant funding from the Virginia Department of Social Services to support healthy prevention strategies amongst youth.. The full item can be read on pages 97 - 100 of the Board Package.
Item 9: Authorized the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services to request the consolidation of the Head Start and Early Head Start Grant and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership and Expansion Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The full item can be read on pages 101 - 103 of the Board Package.
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Item 1: Approved of the Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting schedule for calendar year 2023 and authorized the Chairman to postpone a scheduled meeting in the event of weather or other hazardous conditions. The full item can be read on pages 104 - 108 of the Board Package.
Item 5: Approved a resolution endorsing projects for submission to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission for the Fiscal Years 2024-2025 I-395/I-95 Commuter Choice Program. This will support two multi-modal projects that will increase travel options for commuters on I-95 and I-395, and support one other project being submitted by Arlington County that also benefits Fairfax County. The full item can be read on pages 132 - 136 of the Board Package.
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Item 1: Adopted Election Year Policies for the 2023 Election of the Board of Supervisors. Land-use public hearings will not be scheduled for the period from November 7, 2023, until the new Board takes office on January 1, 2024. Appointments of persons to Boards, Authorities and Commissions (BACs) will not be scheduled during the November and December 2023 Board Meetings. The full item can be read on pages 181 - 185 of the Board Package.
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Property Classification for Veteran Spouses
Approved the establishment of a one-cent real estate property tax rate for surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who died in the line of duty. To be eligible for the ordinance, the surviving spouse must occupy the real property as their principal residence, they cannot remarry and the late service member’s death may not be the result of a criminal conduct. For more information about how to apply, contact the Department of Tax Administration at 703-222-8234 or [email protected]. The full item can be read on pages 211 - 215 of the Board Package.
Amendments to Vehicle Requirements
Amended Fairfax County Code Section 84.1-8-3, Vehicle Requirements. Increased the model-year age for taxicabs from 10 years to 12 years for gasoline-only powered non-wheelchair accessible vehicles and 15 years for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and wheelchair accessible vehicles. The mileage requirement also was eliminated. The full item can be read on pages 216 - 226 of the Board Package.
Minor and Editorial Revisions to Amendment for Proposed Zoning Ordinance
Amended the new Zoning Ordinance to make minor and editorial changes such as correcting typographical and editorial errors, resolving inconsistencies, addressing recent State Code amendments, establishing a fee for a Special Event special permit and providing clarification of certain provisions. The full item can be read on pages 232 - 235 of the Board Package.
Amendments to County Code for Consistency with New Chapter 112.1
Amended the County Code to reflect the new Zoning Ordinance as Chapter 112.1 and references to sections from the previous zoning ordinance will be updated. These changes will remove references to the R-P District in Chapters 101, 114, 115 and 122. Updates will be made to use names and other terms referenced in the Code to correspond with the applicable terms in the new Zoning Ordinance. The full item can be read on pages 236 - 238 of the Board Package.
Amendments for Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority
Approved a Restated and Amended Upper Occoquan Sewage Authority (UOSA) Service Agreement. The purpose of the amendments is to authorize and establish funding obligations for expansion of the plant capacity from 54 million gallons per day (MGD) to 60 MGD and to modify the compliance determination for jurisdictional hydraulic and load capacity allocations. The full item can be read on pages 260 - 368 of the Board Package.
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Mount Vernon’s 36th Annual Town Meeting
Once again, this year I am fortunate to have the opportunity to continue a Mount Vernon tradition established by my predecessor in 1988, the annual Mount Vernon Town Meeting. The Town Meeting will be at Mount Vernon High School and residents can also join us from their homes by streaming on Channel 16 and Facebook. The morning will begin with an exhibit hall of County and community service providers, followed by Q&A’s with local leaders and special recognitions.
I am pleased that Congressmen Don Beyer and Gerry Connolly, Chairman Jeff McKay, County Executive Bryan Hill, Police Chief Kevin Davis, Mount Vernon School Board Representative Karen Corbett Sanders and Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will be presenting and answering questions from residents. I invite all my colleagues and County residents to join me for this annual event the Saturday before the Super Bowl, February 11, with the exhibit hall opening at 7:45 a.m. and the program from 9:30 a.m.– noon. Learn more.
Action
Directed the Office of Public Affairs to publicize the Town Meeting on its various communications platforms.
Addressing Safety Concerns on Lee Chapel Road - Supervisor Pat Herrity, Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Dan Storck
As the Board is aware, our community recently lost two young lives and one
remains seriously injured after a crash on Lee Chapel Road. This half mile stretch of Lee Chapel Road has seen significant accidents as well as injuries over the past several years. After the news of this terrible crash, Supervisor Herrity asked leadership at VDOT and FCDOT to meet to discuss options for short-term safety. On January 18 Supervisor Herrity, Delegate Kathy Tran, leadership at VDOT and FCDOT and I hosted a meeting to discuss short and mid-term improvements that we can undertake while we work to fund the full four-lane improvement project as shown on the Comprehensive Plan.
VDOT has already installed optical speed bars on the roadway as a timely first step. FCDOT has also asked Public Works to look at the feasibility of and costs associated with installation of streetlights in the vicinity of the hills. We, as well as VDOT and FCDOT, are clearly committed to improve safety on this short section of roadway and details on these proposals will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. While FCDOT is already looking at a mid-term solution to eliminate the hill that has been the primary source of accidents and fatalities on this road, we thought it prudent to bring this action to the Board for direction and approval.
Action
Directed the County Executive, FCDOT and VDOT to:
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Research and provide a preliminary cost estimate for a project to eliminate the hills on Lee Chapel Road between Ox Road and the Fairfax County Parkway.
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Provide the Board with potential sources of funding for the solution.
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Be designed with the ultimate goal of the four-lane widening currently envisioned in the Comprehensive Plan.
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Look at safety improvements along the FCPA owned road frontage on Lee Chapel Road.
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Board Appointments
Mount Vernon residents were appointed or reappointed to the following:
- Health Onthank Memorial Award Selection Committee – Wesley Speer
- Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Citizens Advisory Council – Joleane Dutzman
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Planning Commission
February 15
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PA-2021-CW-1CP Affordable Housing Preservation, Countywide Plan Amendment to seek one-for-one replacement of existing affordable units in locations where redevelopment is to occur.
February 22
- SSPA Workshop #1 (Agenda TBD)
Board of Zoning Appeals
January 25
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SP-2022-MV-00152: Joseph and Jennifer Fienup, 1603 Revere Drive, Alexandria. Reduction in setback requirements to permit a roofed deck (covered porch) 22.2 feet from the front lot line.
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SP-2022-MV-00173: Eleni Shiferaw and Teshome Weldmichael, 8305 Covington Woods Ct, Springfield. Reduction in setback requirements to permit an addition 23.6 feet from the rear lot line.
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District Information & Upcoming Events |
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2023 Dog Licenses
Dog licenses are due January 31, and every dog four months or older must be licensed.
There are three ways to apply or renew your license: online, by mail or in person. The annual license is $10 per dog, and payments by check, money order or cash are free. Renew or apply online or by mail through Petdata, the company that now provides all dog licensing services for the County. To renew or apply in person, visit the Fairfax County Government Center or Animal Shelter.
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Help Fire and Rescue Save a Life During Sudden Cardiac Arrest Emergencies
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can happen to anyone, at any age, at any time. SCA is a leading cause of preventable death. For every minute that passes before help arrives, SCA survival decreases by 7%-10%. In January of 2021, FCFRD launched the PulsePoint mobile app in Fairfax County. The PulsePoint app alerts resident bystanders nearby, trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), who can help victims before Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department firefighters and paramedics arrive. Learn more.
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Thieves Targeting Hyundai and Kia Vehicles
Fairfax County police officers have taken 24 reports for stolen Hyundai vehicles and 13 reports for stolen Kia vehicles from November 22 to January 17. FCPD officers and Auto Crimes Enforcement Unit have increased their presence throughout the County, and you can help with these safety tips (no matter what type of car you own):
- Park in well-lit areas.
- Close and lock all doors and windows before leaving your vehicle unattended.
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Double-click the lock button on the key fob or check the door handles to make sure the vehicle is locked.
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Never leave your vehicle running while unattended, even for a short duration of time.
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Do not leave your keys, key fobs or valet keys in your vehicle.
- Ensure your vehicle is turned off when leaving it unattended. Some vehicles with keyless ignition systems can be driven for extended periods of time, even if the key fob is not inside the vehicle.
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Keep information, such as the make, model, model year, license plate and Vehicle Identification Number easily accessible in the event your vehicle is stolen.
- Invest in a steering wheel lock.
- If you own a 2010-2021 Hyundai or Kia, contact a dealership to see what advanced auto prevention tools are available to you.
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Report suspicious activity to the non-emergency line at 703-691-2131. In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
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Chief’s Spotlight Video - Emergency Substantial Risk Orders
The Chief’s Spotlight video highlights Emergency Substantial Risk Orders (or ESRO) -- a proven way to keep our community safe. This tool allows for the temporary removal of firearms from those believed to be a risk to themselves or others. ESROs also prohibit such persons from purchasing firearms. Sgt. Amanda Paris is leading the Fairfax County Police Department’s implementation of these restrictions as the first ESRO Coordinator.
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January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Human trafficking is the control and exploitation of another person's labor or commercial sex work by force, fraud or coercion. Learn what events and trainings Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is holding to raise awareness about human trafficking. Learn more.
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Mount Vernon District Office | 703-780-7518
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