At Tuesday's Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, we began three days of public hearings on the County Executive's Proposed FY 2024 Advertised Budget Plan. Thank you to everyone who testified.

The Board approved a public hearing for the Readoption of zMOD, the comprehensive update of the County's Zoning Ordinance, due to the recent Virginia Supreme Court ruling declaring it void for procedural reasons. The Planning Commission public hearing will be on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. and the Board of Supervisors public hearing will be on May 9 at 4:30 p.m. Learn more.

The Board also approved the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program, including certain proposed Countywide Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) nominations. There are six nominations in the Mount Vernon District included in the Work Program. Three original nominations were withdrawn by the nominator - the L&F Laurel Hill Highlands, LLC, proposal to build townhomes on Ox Road, the West Ford Manor, LLC, to build townhomes in Gum Springs and to redevelop the Moon Inn site.

During the moment of silence, I recognized the two recent pedestrian deaths we have had on the Richmond Highway corridor. These two entirely different situations, one at night where speed may be a factor and the pedestrian was on the sidewalk, and the other in the early morning where the pedestrian was crossing outside any crosswalks, emphasizes the challenge we face in addressing pedestrian incidents on our roadways. See the County's Take a Moment Campaign to learn how you can make a difference.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

The following are highlights from the Board of Supervisors April 11, 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: [email protected].

To view the April 11, 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 7: Authorized the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board to apply for $5,176,985 in grant funding to expand capacity of substance use treatment services for youth with an opioid use disorder diagnosis or a co-occurring substance use disorder and/or behavioral health diagnosis. This project aligns with other County efforts to fill critical system gaps for youth treatment services as well as the County’s goal of enhancing youth behavioral health services to meet increased demand. The full item can be read here.

Item 8: Authorized the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services to apply for $995,414 in grant funding to offset higher operating costs for the Head Start, Early Head Start and Early Head Start Child Care Partnership and Expansion grants. The full item can be read here.

Item 10: Authorized the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination to apply for and accept grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program in the amount of $1.0 million to support the establishment of a “Resilience Hub/Solar Sanctuary” in a vulnerable area of the County. Resilience Hubs are community serving facilities augmented to support residents, coordinate communication, distribute resources and enhance communities’ capacity to adapt to climate change. I have been advocating for this CECAP pilot funding to grow our CECAP efforts with regional partners. The full item can be read here.

Item 3: Approved a Fairfax Connector fare policy change allowing children aged 12 and younger to ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult. The full item can be read here.

Item 7: Authorizied a grant agreement between the Virginia Resources Authority and Fairfax County to provide $320,000 for the design and construction of the County Regulated Floodplain Map updates. The full item can be read here.

Item 9: Adopted the 2023 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program, including certain proposed countywide site-specific plan amendment nominations. Following the community engagement process, there are six nominations in the Mount Vernon District included in the Work Program. Three original nominations were withdrawn by the nominator - the L&F Laurel Hill Highlands, LLC, proposal to build townhomes on Ox Road, the West Ford Manor, LLC, to build townhomes in Gum Springs and to redevelop the Moon Inn site. The full item can be read here.

Recognizing the Fairfax County Police and Mount Vernon District Station - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and  Supervisor Rodney Lusk

“To Protect and Serve” was more than just a motto two weeks ago as our Mount Vernon District police officers managed the major challenges of a barricade situation on our busiest main street – Richmond Highway. When officers encountered Brittany Copelin, 29, in her car with a gun experiencing a mental health crisis, their exceptional training kicked in and they patiently worked for over 34 hours to find a peaceful resolution. Joined by crisis managers, negotiators and teams from surrounding jurisdictions, and with united police and civilian leadership, our dedicated officers persevered, protected lives and, ultimately, peacefully restored our community.

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible Mount Vernon Police Station officers, specifically “Day Shift B”, the first responders on the scene and most involved throughout the incident. We also thank the many other units and teams involved: Fairfax County Police: Mount Vernon Station Patrol, Major Crimes Division Detectives CID Mount Vernon; Operations Support Bureau: SWAT, Crisis Negotiations Unit, EOD (Bomb Squad), Traffic Division (Motor Squad), Safety Officers, Helicopter Division- Fairfax One and UA-Unmanned Aircraft Unit (Drone), Technical Support Unit; Fairfax County Community Services Board Mobile Crisis Unit; Alexandria City Police Department: SWAT, Hostage Negotiations Unit; Virginia State Police: SWAT, Crisis Negotiations Unit; and George Mason Police Department UA-Unmanned Aircraft Unit (Drone).

We recognize the considerable impact the barricade had on our residents and businesses, disrupting key services, tangling travel and lack of access to the area, and we appreciate the community’s patience. Beyers Subaru and Sheehy Honda Dealerships, across from the barricade, were especially supportive to our dozens of first responders by keeping their businesses open for their use.

This incident, and its outcome, is one that our community can be proud of; one where our commitment to the sanctity of all lives, first responder training and professionalism of our police served and protected the perpetrator, victim, police and the greater Mount Vernon community.

Aventon Holdings LLC (PCA-2000-MV-046) was approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 14, 2020, for a multi-family development of 379 units that are currently under construction. On May 4, 2021, the Board approved a Parking Reduction Request for the Aventon Property. The reduction required recordation of approved conditions in the Land Records within 6 months of Board approval (Condition #8). Unfortunately, this was not completed. As required by the approved conditions, the parking reduction approval terms also needed to be included in any site plans filed for the development of the property. This was done, and the parking supply was approved and built in conformance with those conditions. However, to complete the parking reduction process and record the necessary documents, the Board needs to re-approve the reduction to reset the 6-month timetable for recordation. County Staff are comfortable with this administrative correction to ensure no further future delays. Read the conditions.

Olde Towne Pet Resort LLC is the operator of a pet boarding facility located at 8101 Alban Road on approximately 1.67 acres on the east side of Alban Road and adjacent to Interstate-95. The property is zoned to the C-6 District. The Applicant requests approval of a special exception to permit the use of existing outdoor components associated with the existing kennel use. An associated variance is also requested to permit certain existing and proposed outdoor structures needed to support the outdoor kennel use. The applications include the construction of limited site improvements, including new awnings to replace existing awnings. These awnings will support the installation of new sanitary sewer connections within the outdoor play areas.

The special exception application was previously heard before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on March 15, 2023, which recommended approval of the application. The associated variance application was subsequently heard before the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals on March 22, 2023 and the BZA approved the variance application. Currently, the SE application is scheduled for a public hearing before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 11, 2023.  However, due to the recent Virginia Supreme Court decision on the modernized Zoning Ordinance or “zMOD”, the Board public hearing will need to be deferred until the zMOD Ordinance is readopted.

To help alleviate any further delay in approval, a request has been submitted for concurrent processing of site-related documents in association with the pending Special Exception. The Applicant is eager to properly establish the outdoor use on the property and install the necessary supporting outdoor structures and subsequently improve the sewer connections and environmental conditions of the site as soon as possible.

Recognizing South County High School Women’s Indoor Track Team for Their Victories at the VHSL C6 Indoor Track Virginia State Championships - Joint with Supervisor Pat Herrity

The South County High School Women’s Indoor Track Team finished as the Runner Up for the 2023 VHSL C6 Indoor Track Virginia State Championships on February 25, 2023. Additionally, relay team Jordann Germain, Catalina Sanchious, Asayla McNeal and Cameron Thompson won first place for the 4x200m, setting a new meet record of 1:39.42. We would like to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the South County Women’s Indoor 4x200m relay team and the entire Women’s Indoor Track team, parents, coaches, teachers and administrators at South County who worked hard to help the team achieve these results.

The County Executive recommended no Real Estate Tax rate change from last year's rate of $1.11 per $100 of assessed value. Subsequently, the Board set a maximum tax rate of $1.11 per $100. When the budget is finalized, the Board has the option to consider a lower tax rate, but cannot go higher than the advertised rate, which is the current tax rate. Action on the tax rate will take place on May 9, as part of the annual adoption of the tax rate resolution, after the public hearings on the FY 2024 Advertised Budget Plan, and the Board markup on May 2. The public record remains open for written public comment until May 2. How to submit testimony.

A public hearing was held for these proposed amendments to the County Code. The

amendments will be voted on as part of the Budget approval process. The public record will be remain open for written public comment until May 2. How to submit testimony.

The Budget public hearing has concluded. The public record will

remain open for written public comment until May 2. How to submit testimony.

April 11 (deferred indefinitely): SE-2021-MV-00018 Olde Towne Pet Resort Springfield LLC, 8101 Alban Rd, Springfield. To permit the use of existing and proposed outdoor components associated with an existing indoor kennel.

May 9: Readoption of the Zoning Ordinance as Amended through March 22, 2023

April 19: Parking Reimagined Zoning Ordinance Amendment 

May 3: Readoption of the Zoning Ordinance as Amended through March 22, 2023

May 3: SPA-86-V-052-04 Trustees of St James Episcopal Church, 5614 Old Mill Rd., Alexandria. To amend SP-86-V-052 previously approved for a place of worship (religious assembly) with child care center to allow for the deletion of land area and an increase in fence height in the front yard.

I know we are all excited to get out and enjoy spring with fresh veggies, flowers and more! Join me on Wednesday, April 19 at 8 a.m. for the ringing of the market bell to officially open the 2023 season! The McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market will operate on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon at 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane. The Lorton Farmers Market opens May 7 and operates on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VRE parking lot at 8990 Lorton Station Blvd. Learn more.

Lorton Community Center - Arts and Crafts Room

9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton, VA 22079

Join us for the next Lorton Visioning meeting on April 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lorton Community Center. Learn more.

Speed cameras were installed in school zones in early 2023. Citations began on April 10, 2023. Speed cameras are now issuing citations in 8 school zones across the County. Please slow down and obey the speed limit! Learn more.

Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice issue that impacts every person in Fairfax County. Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be the victim of sexual violence at some point in their lifetime. Please utilize the tools in this community engagement toolkit to spread awareness within your networks. Learn more.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is excited to announce dates for the 2023 Girls Fire and Rescue Academy summer camp. This year we are offering two separate camps, June 20 – 23 and June 27 – 30. The academy is open to rising 7th through 12th grade female students for the upcoming 2023 – 2024 school year. Participants should be a Fairfax County resident. The program is completely free of charge. All applications must be received by close of business on Friday, May 19. Learn more.

The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is seeking a student member to join the council for the July 2023 through June 2024 term. Do you know a high school sophomore or junior in Fairfax County interested in environmental science or policy? Encourage them to apply by May 3. Learn more.

Resilient Fairfax, the County’s plan to address the effects of changing climate on residents, businesses and critical infrastructure, has been honored with an Award for Excellence in Sustainability by the American Planning Association. Learn more.

The Fairfax County Green Business Partners Forum on March 31 brought together local business leaders for a day of networking and peer-to-peer learning on how green business practices can lower operational costs, reduce energy use and waste and contribute to a healthier community. Learn more about how the Green Business Partners Program is supporting climate-friendly, sustainable business practices in Fairfax County, and sign up your business today.

To celebrate National Poetry Month and Arab-American Heritage Month, hear the works of local Arab-American poets Rayan Afif, Zeina Azzam (Alexandria Poet Laureate 2022-25) and Danielle Badra (Fairfax Poet Laureate 2022-24). Following the reading, parkgoers are invited to participate in a poetry writing workshop to learn and practice the Ghazal, an Arabic verse form with an intricate rhyme scheme. Learn more.