Dear Neighbors,
At Tuesday's Board of Supervisor's meeting, we recognized the Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, affectionately known as "The Fairfax County Ques," for their dedication and service in the Richmond Highway Corridor. The Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter has been an integral part of the Fairfax County Community since its inception on December 26, 1980. Over the past forty-one years, the chapter has prided itself on its commitment to providing education and performing arts opportunities to high schoolers, and the social impacts it provides through mentoring programs and partnerships with New Hope Housing, Rebuilding Together, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County Department of Family Services, and the Gum Springs Community Center. Indeed, you can hardly go to a community event in our area without seeing the sea of purple shirts the Ques are known for. Thank you all for your commitment to bettering our community!
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I supported a Board Matter brought by Chairman Jeff McKay to authorize staff to draft and present an amendment to the appropriate Fairfax County Ordinances exempting all electrical, building and sign permit fees exclusively associated with EVC infrastructure for 18 months, effective with the next release of PLUS (Planning and Land Use System) expected for October 31, 2022. Staff should return to the Board in 12 months with metrics regarding installations as well as a recommendation regarding future fee discounts as an incentive to increase EVC infrastructure in the County.
Other meeting highlights:
- Authorized a public hearing to lease a portion of the I-95 Landfill Complex to install a 5 MW solar facility.
- Recognized the 100th Anniversary of the American Horticultural Society (AHS), the caretakers of River Farm which we SAVED!
- Established the THRIVE program to provide small businesses located in the County with up to $10,000 in technical assistance grants.
The Board recognized August as Black Business Month in the County, which is home to 639 Black-owned employer firms, the most of any locality in Virginia. Together, these businesses generate more than $1.8 billion in annual revenue and employ over 11,000 people, just one of the many contributions to diversity in the County, one of our greatest strengths. We recognize that minority-owned businesses, particularly our Black and African-American owned businesses, have historically faced significant barriers to success, including redlining and discriminatory lending practices that, although now illegal, continue to have ripple effects in our society.
I deferred two public hearings at the meeting. The public hearing on Original Mount Vernon High School (OMVHS) to permit an alternate use of a public facility to permit an alternative use of historic buildings and associated modifications to site design and development conditions. This was deferred September 13 to allow more time for discussions with County staff. I also deferred the public hearing to permit additions to the existing office building at 5904 Richmond Highway to accommodate veterinary hospital uses. This was deferred to September 13 at 3:30 p.m. at the request of the applicant.
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 August 2, 2022 Board Package click here.
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Proclamations and Recognitions |
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August 2022 as Black Business Month |
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Former FCPS Assistant Superintendent Jeffrey Platenberg on his Retirement |
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Authorized Public Hearings for:
- To lease a portion of the I-95 Landfill Complex to Sun Tribe Solar, LLC for the purpose of installation, operation and maintenance of ground-mount solar photovoltaic panels. The public hearing will be held on September 13 at 4:30 p.m.
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County and Schools’ FY 2022 Carryover Review to amend the appropriation level in the FY 2023 Revised Budget Plan. The public hearing will be held on October 11 at 10:30 a.m.
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Item 1: Approved retail fees for charging of electric vehicles at County-owned charging stations. The two-part fee to be paid by the public effective August 3, 2022 includes County employees charging their privately-owned vehicles and consists of (1) a charge of $0.30 per kilowatt hour and (2) a dwelltime fee of $2.00 per hour, capped at $25.00 per session, that applies when the EV’s battery is fully charged and a 10-minute grace period has expired. The full item can be read on pages 114 - 120 of the Board Package.
Item 3: Authorized the establishment of the THRIVE Small Business Recovery Technical Assistance Grant Program to provide small businesses located in the County with up to $10,000 in technical assistance grants. The THRIVE program has been allocated $7M and will target small businesses in the County with fewer than 50 employees per location that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. The full item can be read on pages 136 - 143 of the Board Package.
Item 7: Approved Fairfax Connector’s October 1, 2022, service changes and Route 599 fare reduction. In our area, service on the Newington Circulator Route 334 will be reduced due to significant impacts on ridership from the COVID-19 pandemic. The route currently operates weekday service from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on a 30-minute frequency. The adjustment will reduce service to weekday peak periods and a mid-day round trip. The full item can be read on pages 397 - 441 of the Board Package.
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Proclamation Recognizing the American Horticulture Society 100th Anniversary - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay
The American Horticulture Society (AHS) celebrates its 100th anniversary this year as one of the most longstanding, respected gardening organizations in North America. During this time, AHS has promoted American horticulture, and for 50 years has been the steward of our beloved River Farm, located on land once owned by George Washington, along the picturesque Potomac River.
In 2020, when the previous AHS Board decided to sell this historic property, the Board of Supervisors and I were instrumental in saving and helping to preserve the rich heritage at River Farm from potential future development.
As AHS looks forward to the next 100 years, it has committed to continue their goals to “build upon our country’s rich horticultural legacy and common roots while creating a sustainable future focused on beauty, nature, and knowledge. And as important, to protect and share their headquarters as a national treasure and example of forward-looking American gardening.”
Action:
Directed that a proclamation prepared and signed by the Chairman and myself to be presented to the American Horticultural Society at their 100th Anniversary Gala on September 17, 2022, recognizing them for their centennial anniversary.
Proclamation Recognizing South County Middle School for 10th Anniversary - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Pat Herrity
The South County Middle School (SCMS) opened its highly anticipated doors on September 12, 2012. This community school came to fruition after many years of community advocates, who decided that a middle school was necessary, worked tirelessly with officials at all levels of government to realize their goal of a stand-alone middle school. While they were regularly met with rejection and disappointment, they persevered, and overcame all the obstacles they encountered. Thank you to Christine Morin, Kim Kern, Rob Robertory and the entire South County Middle School Solutions Group for your advocacy and dedication to get this school built!
For 10 years now, the South County Middle School has provided a positive learning environment by academically challenging students with a full spectrum of programs including general education, an Advanced Academics Level IV Center, an Honors Program, and a Special Education Program. Read the full Board Matter...
Action:
Directed that a proclamation be prepared and signed by the Chairman, myself, and Supervisor Herrity to be presented to South County Middle School, to take place outside of the board room, recognizing the school for its 10th anniversary.
Consideration Item to Fund the Gum Springs Trail Enhancements
The Gum Springs community, located in the Mount Vernon District, is the oldest African American community in Fairfax County. Residents have long been advocating for equitable water access to Little Hunting Creek from the nearby Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. The community, FCPA, and the Equity Office have discussed this and are supportive of this effort to provide access and educational opportunities for children and residents on park land. If funded, this would be added to the 2023 Fairfax County Park Authority workplan to begin design work.
Action:
Directed that the Board of Supervisors add $600,000 as a Consideration Item for FY 2022 Carryover Review to fund Gum Springs Trail Enhancements.
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Chapter 62 of County Code, Fire Prevention
Approved amendments to County Code regarding updates for fire prevention fees and detailed permit requirements, based on updates to the Statewide Fire Prevention Code.
The full item can be read on pages 469 - 523 of the Board Package.
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Board of Supervisors
September 13 (deferred from August 2)
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SEA-88-V-064-05: Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County - Original Mount Vernon High School (OMVHS) (8333 Richmond Highway). Allow for alternative use of a public facility to permit an alternative use of a historic building.
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RZ-2021-MV-00025: Ethos Veterinary Hospital (5904 Richmond Highway). Rezone from C-8 to the C-3 zoning district.
Planning Commission
Sept 14
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FDPA-2001-MV-039/RZPA-2022-MV-00035: Sanjaya & Sasmita Jena (8307 Middle Ruddings Dr, Lorton). To allow modifications to site conditions to permit addition 10.6 feet from rear lot line.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Sept 14
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SP-2021-MV-00053: Ethopian Orthodox Church (9290 Windrush Drive, Lorton). Special permit to build a Church on a R-1 residential lot.
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SP-2022-MV-00078: Carl & Diana McCants (1390 Bishop Crest Ct, Alexandria). Reduction in setback requirements to allow an addition 13.3 feet from the rear lot line.
Sept 21
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SP-2022-MV-00025: Mark and Shauna Hamilton (826 Empress Court, Alexandria). Reduction in setback requirements to permit an accessory structure (detached two-story garage/studio with deck) 7.9 feet from the northeast side lot line and to allow an accessory structure (detached two story garage/studio with deck) greater than 20 feet in height on a lot 36,000 square feet in size or less.
Sept 28
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SP-2021-MV-00138/VC-2022-MV-00003: Olde Towne Pet Resort Springfield LLC (8101 Alban Rd, Springfield). Reduction in setback requirements based on errors in building location to allow building architectural features (awnings/canopies) to remain 5.07 feet from the front lot line adjacent to Alban Road and 20.51 feet, 1.84 feet, and 21.33 feet from the front lot line adjacent to Interstate 95.
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VC-2021-MV-00011: Mark J Walske & Dyann L. Weatherspoon (1208 Chadwick Ave, Alexandria). To permit surfaced area for a driveway or vehicle or trailer parking exceeding 25% of the front yard.
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District Information & Upcoming Events |
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15% Car Tax Reduction
You have or will soon be receiving your Personal Property (car) Tax bill in the mail. During the budget process earlier this year, I was pleased to work with my Board colleagues to approve 15% in tax relief to offset an unprecedented spike in vehicle assessments. Vehicle values have soared as a result of the pandemic that caused a worldwide shortage of computer chips needed for today’s cars and trucks. As a result, new cars are in short supply, and fewer people are selling their old cars. High consumer demand for vehicles combined with low supply have driven prices up sharply.
The 15% in tax relief was automatically applied to your tax amount, so you won’t see the reduction listed. Fairfax County’s tax relief is in addition to the state relief that is listed separately on your bill. If you have questions about your bill or vehicle assessment, contact the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration by email or at 703-222-8234, TTY 711. Learn more...
Fairfax County seeks input from the public to help determine which elements of "community charm" should be included in the design of each Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station! We asked you for input about potential themes for each station area in 2020 and 2021, and now we are asking for final input into choosing each station theme.
The "Community Charm" initiative is focused on integrating artwork into each BRT station to reflect the history, identity, and character of the neighborhoods surrounding each station area. Students from local schools will design artwork for the windscreen area (shown in blue with a black boundary on the graphic), based on themes developed with the community.
Tell Us What’s Important to Include in the Design – Online Survey Closes August 14, 2022
Let us know what you think through the online survey, open through August 14, 2022.
Learn More About Community Charm at Events in Your Neighborhood
Project teams will be on hand at various locations throughout the Richmond Highway corridor over the next two weeks. Come by and learn more about “community charm” and any other aspects of the project:
Tuesday, August 9
- 6:30-8 p.m. @ Gum Springs Community Center (8100 Fordson Rd)
Wednesday, August 10
- 3:30-6:30 p.m. @ Original Mount Vernon High School, in front of bus loop (8333 Richmond Hwy)
** Check the webpage for additional community charm events/locations and details. **
Avoid The Fine, Don't Let Running Bamboo Grow Beyond Your Property Line
Starting January 1, 2023, running bamboo must be contained on an owner's property. Learn more...
Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) Update
On July 19, the Board of Supervisors approved changes to the Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process, which allows anyone to propose site-specific land use changes in Fairfax County. The adopted changes include new submission criteria, a Planning Commission workshop during the screening phase and enhanced community engagement. The revised SSPA process will be implemented in the next cycle, which kicks off this October. The submission form, process guide, and other resources will be posted to the website in August. Visit the SSPA website for the latest details on the upcoming cycle and the detailed report on all the adopted changes to the SSPA process.
County-wide Strategic Plan Update
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the adoption of the first-ever Countywide Strategic Plan, Fairfax continues its strong economic recovery while continuing to remain focused on serving the people and places who lack equal access to opportunity, as set forth in our One Fairfax policy. During these first ten months, the Strategic Planning team has focused on the “right now” state of the County, identifying new ways to align and integrate our work, while building a focused but flexible implementation framework which will allow us to advance targeted strategies within the Ten Community Outcome Areas.
Keep an eye out for the first annual report in December 2022, which will summarize how we’re enhancing the value and vitality of the County for all residents, visitors, and employees through better communication, increased collaboration and improving our use of data, as we shape the future of Fairfax County together.
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Mount Vernon District Office | 703-780-7518
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