Dear Neighbors,
At this week's Board meeting, the Board adopted Resilient Fairfax, the County's first ever Climate Adaption and Resilience Plan, one more element of the County's environmental strategies. The Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP) focuses on reducing our emissions and Resilient Fairfax prepares our community to adapt to the climate change already happening around us. Resilient Fairfax sets us on a path to a more livable, healthy, safe and sustainable community. It defines a way forward through planning and anticipating future needs that will help protect our residents, their homes, public services, natural resources and the critical infrastructure that we all rely on; buiding resilience instead of responding to each individual climate disaster. Importantly, this plan takes equity into account at every turn, ensuring that the strategies outlined address our most vulnerable populations and those in greatest need of support. Learn more about the County's environmental plans and intiatives...
The Board approved $5 million in funding for active transportation projects to improve the County’s pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and to add additional speed display signs. This funding will provide for several crosswalk, trail, sidewalk and signage improvements in the District.
Other meeting highlights:
- Authorized a public hearing to lease a building on the Workhouse Campus to Bunnyman Brewery Company, LLC.
- Recognized 21 of the County's nonprofit partners for their critical people and community support during the pandemic.
- Approved Praesum Healthcare Services, LLC to operate a Medical Care Facility at the old Sunrise Lorton Site, 7665 Lorton Rd, in the Gunston Plaza Shopping Center.
- Recognized Four Sales, LTD for 50 years of service to the Fairfax community.
The Board recognized November 15 as Fairfax Recycles Day and encouraged residents to improve our recycling stream and Recycle Right. We need everyone to help us reduce waste and to become a Zero Waste community, which is vital to our environmental efforts and keeping our streams and roadways clean.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, Mount Vernon resident Pete Sitnik, as Vice-Chair of the Board's Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC), presented the Transportation Achievements Awards. Thank you for your service and excellent presentation, Pete!
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 November 1, 2022 Board Package click here.
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Proclamations and Recognitions |
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November 13 - 19 as Transgender Awareness Week |
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November 15 as America Recycles Day |
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21 Non-profits for Contributions during the Pandemic |
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Authorized Public Hearings for:
- Proposed amendment to County Code, to add a new section related to photo speed monitoring devices. In June 2020, the Virginia General Assembly authorized state and local law enforcement to operate photo speed monitoring devices in or around school crossing zones and highway work zones. This amendment will permit the Fairfax County Police Department to implement this program which will include a graduated fine structure based on vehicle speed. The public hearing will be held December 6 at 4:30 p.m. The full item can be read on pages 34 - 37 of the Board Package.
- Proposed County code amendments to update use names and other terms referenced in the Code to correspond with the applicable terms in the new Zoning Ordinance. The public hearing for the Planning Commission will be held on December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and the Board of Supervisors on January 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. The full item can be read on pages 38 - 63 of the Board Package.
- Proposed zoning ordinance amendment regarding revisions to address items on the Zoning Ordinance Work Program for Fiscal Year 2023, including: Item #3C – to consider reducing the fee for a special permit under subsection 4102.8.I(1) for a special event lasting longer than the 21-day maximum allowed by administrative permit; and Item #11A – to review the Zoning Ordinance for consistency with the State Code changes relating to the housing of livestock as part of an agricultural operation (“Agritourism”). The public hearing for the Planning Commission will be held on December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and the Board of Supervisors on January 24, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. The full item can be read on pages 64 - 93 of the Board Package.
- Consider a temporary uncodified ordinance that will provide for up to a one dollar per trip emergency fuel surcharge from December 30, 2022, through June 30, 2023. The public hearing will be held December 6 at 4:00 p.m. The full item can be read on pages 94 - 110 of the Board Package.
- Lease county-owned property at 9514 Workhouse Way to Bunnyman Brewery Company, LLC for the private operation of a food and beverage retail establishment. The public hearing will be held December 6 at 4:30 p.m. The full item can be read on pages 111 - 114 of the Board Package.
- Consider amendments to the County Code regarding personal property tax filing options for motor vehicles. The Department of Taxation is proposing an alternative method of filing the personal property tax returns for motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers, for newly registered vehicles in Fairfax County. The public hearing will be held December 6 at 4:30 p.m. The full item can be read on pages 115 - 132 of the Board Package.
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Item 1: Adopted Resilient Fairfax, the county’s first-ever Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. Resilient Fairfax focuses on climate effects, helping the County adapt to increasing climate hazards experienced locally. In our communities, changing climate conditions include a measurable increase in precipitation intensity, extreme heat and storm severity, among other hazards. As the County faces increasingly “warmer, wetter, and weirder” conditions on average, the strategies in the Resilient Fairfax plan will help the county boost the resilience of our population, infrastructure, public service systems and natural resources to climatic hazards. The full item can be read on pages 164 - 257 of the Board Package.
Item 5: Approved $5 million in funding for active transportation projects to improve the County’s pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and to add additional speed display signs. Contact the police department to get these deployed to your neighborhood. Projects in the Mount Vernon District include:
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Crosswalk projects: Hooes Road/ South Run Stream Valley Trail and Hooes Road/ Dudley Drive/Laurel Crest Drive.
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Sidewalk and Trail Maintenance: Paul Spring Road (Stafford Road to Fort Hunt Road), Thorpe Drive (Hollindale Drive to Mason Hill Drive), Fort Hunt Road (Grassymeade Lane to Noral Place), Fort Hunt Road at Belle View Shopping Center, Fort Hunt Road (Mason Hill Drive to Sherwood Hall Lane), Hooes Road from Rolling Oak Lane, Oak Drive (Beacon Hill Road to Fleming Street), Gunston Road (Old Colchester Road to Gunston Elementary School Entrance), Riverside Road (Pennsylvania Boulevard to 8534 Riverside Road), Rolling Road (Tanner Robert Court to Bristol Square Court), Grist Mill trail (Repave Trail along Mount Vernon Memorial Highway from Grist Mill Park to Peartree Landing)
The full item can be read on pages 291 - 297 of the Board Package.
Item 6: Approved the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) for the Fairfax Connector, including a Safety Management Policy, a Safety Risk Management process and safety promotions. The full item can be read on pages 298 - 374 of the Board Package.
Item 7: Approved project agreements between the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and Fairfax County for Fiscal Year 2023 Transit Assistance Grant Funds. The full item can be read on pages 375 - 434 of the Board Package.
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Comment from Citizens on the Proposed Legislative Program to be Presented to the 2023 Virginia General Assembly
Received comment from residents on the proposed Legislative Program to be presented to the 2023 Virginia General Assembly. The full item can be read on page 436 of the Board Package.
Praesum Healthcare Services, LLC to Permit a Medical Care Facility and Associated Modifications to Proffers and Site Design
Approved Praesum Healthcare Services, LLC request to permit a medical care facility located at old Sunrise Lorton Site, at 7665 Lorton Rd, in Gunston Plaza Shopping Center. The planned facility will utilize the existing building to become a drug rehabilitation/substance abuse treatment facility with a total of 40 beds and 24/7 onsite support staff. The full item can be read on pages 441 - 442 of the Board Package.
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Proclamation Recognizing Four Sales Ltd for their 50th Anniversary in Fairfax County - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Penny Gross
Four Sales Ltd was started by four enterprising young women from the Lake Barcroft neighborhood in 1972. They ran the company for a total of 34 years before Daniel Sanders and Karen Corbett Sanders took over the company in 2006 and moved the business to the Mount Vernon District. Four Sales Ltd provides on-premise estate and consignment sales, live auctions, auction brokerage, and appraisals. They are known for their honest, friendly, and caring service.
As innovators, Four Sales, along with nine other companies, created a not-for-profit industry association, the National Estate Sales Association. Four Sales’ President and CEO, Daniel Sanders, served as a founding board member and as the organization’s Treasurer until earlier this year. Read the full Board Matter...
Action:
Directed a proclamation be signed by the Chairman, Supervisor Gross, and myself to be presented outside the Board room on November 15, 2022, recognizing them for 50 years of service in Fairfax County.
Reaffirmation of Commitment to Downzoning of Occoquan Watershed - Joint with Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Kathy Smith
On July 26, 1982, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors downzoned approximately 41,000 acres in the Occoquan Basin to a maximum density of one house per five acres and imposed water supply protection controls on approximately 64,500 acres. This action was taken to protect the Occoquan Watershed and the Occoquan Reservoir that supplied drinking water to 600,000 people in Northern Virginia from the effects of non-point source pollution. The decision was challenged and upheld by the Fairfax County Circuit Court in 1985, preserving the zoning that helps protect the reservoir and reinforcing the ability of local governments in Virginia to implement comprehensive plans and effectively plan for the future.
Today, the Occoquan Reservoir provides safe drinking water for over one million Northern Virginia residents. Concerns from Fairfax Water on increased salinization and sediments that may impact the watershed make it crucial for our Board to officially reaffirm our stance as leaders and stewards of this watershed. The current Board has four members who were not on the Board in 2016. I believe it is important for this Board to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of the Occoquan watershed. Read the full Board Matter...
Action:
Reaffirmed the Board's commitment to the continued efforts by the County, related agencies, and residents to protect and preserve this critical natural resource for future generations just as the previous Board did in 2016.
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Planning Commission
November 16
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RZPA-2021-MV-00043 IDI Huntington LC (2601 Indian Dr, Alexandria). Decision on Final Development Plan Associated with Huntington Club Rezoning application RZ-2018-MV-005.
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SSPA-2021-IV-3MV Huntington Metro Station (decision only from 10/19) - (2501 Huntington Ave, Alexandria). consideration of a Comprehensive Plan amendment for WMATA Huntington Metro Station parcel to evaluate a plan option for mixed-use up to 1.5 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) including: public facilities for Huntington Metrorail Station, 360,000 sf office/retail use, and 2,250-2,350 dwelling units on subject parcels in low, mid, and high-rise buildings between 55 and 200 feet in height.
Board of Zoning Appeals
November 30
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SP-2021-MV-00053 Ethiopian Orthodox Church (9290 Windrush Drive, Lorton). To permit a religious assembly in residential neighborhood.
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SP-2021-MV-00138/VC-2022-MV-00003 Olde Towne Pet Resort (8101 Alban Rd, Lorton). 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-2022-MV-00012 David Simon (7801 Southdown Rd, Alexandria). To allow 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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Early Voting and Election Day
The County opened an additional 13 early voting sites last week. Now, in addition to the Mount Vernon Governmental Center, the new Lorton Community Center is open for in-person early voting and ballot drop off. These sites and 14 others across the County are available to any registered Fairfax County voter until Saturday, November 5.
Hours of operation will include:
- Weekdays from 1 - 7 p.m.
- Saturday, November 5 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Election day is Tuesday, November 8 and all polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. As a reminder, there are now new precinct boundaries and your representative or polling place may have changed. To check your registration and confirm where you vote click here...
Fairfax County Must Unexpectedly Process Voter Registrations Due to a State Delay
For the second time this fall, the Virginia Department of Elections unexpectedly sent Fairfax County 11,000 voter registration applications on October 31. These applications were from people who registered to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles this summer. These new applications are in addition to the previous 11,789 DMV voter registrations from this summer that the state delayed sending to the County until October 5. Learn more...
Fairfax County Partners with PetData for Dog Licensing Services
Fairfax County dog licenses are now available through PetData. This partnership will make it easier for owners to apply and pay for annual licenses for their canine companions. For example, owners will now be able to apply online for a first-time license, unlike in the past when a paper application was required. As another benefit, fur parents also will also be able to license multiple dogs at once. Learn more...
Fairfax County Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Center Schedules
With COVID-19 vaccines now widely available at pharmacies, urgent care centers and medical providers throughout the community, clinics located at the Government Center and Gerry Hyland Governmental Center (formerly South County) are scheduled to scale back their hours of operation. Learn more...
Legacy Land Use Systems Convert to PLUS in Final Expansion of Centralized Platform
New Report Provides Look at Students' Mental Health During Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic may have provided some protections for certain youth due to increased time at home leading to increased family support and supervision, while for others the pandemic may have enhanced stressors and risk factors. Based on the 2021-2022 Fairfax County Youth Survey data, this newly published report addresses students’ experience with mental health issues, risk behaviors and other challenges during the pandemic, including disproportionate levels of risks on vulnerable and marginalized populations. Learn more...
Affordable Housing Policy Update
The comment deadline for the proposed Affordable Housing Preservation is *extended* through Friday, November 4, 2022! This proposed policy encourages the preservation of existing affordable rental housing uses and structures throughout the County. Please take a few minutes to review the policy and submit your thoughts about it. Community feedback will be used inform any additional changes to the proposed Comprehensive Plan text.
Following this comment period, the plan text and public comments will be provided to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for consideration in a series of public hearings in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023. Learn more...
Fairfax County - Emergency Preparedness Survey
Disasters happen. They don’t happen often or everywhere, but they do happen sometimes and somewhere. In some cases, they are predictable, and in others they are unthinkable. Tornadoes touch down, hurricanes make landfall, floodwaters rise, fires burn, utilities are interrupted, terrorists strike. With planning and preparation, you can make a difference. If you have not done so, please take the 2022 Emergency Preparedness Survey. Learn more...
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Mount Vernon District Office | 703-780-7518
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