Nov. 2, 2022

Neighbors, 

Finally! We have an opening date for the Silver Line extension – Tuesday, Nov. 15! This day has been decades in the making and marks the completion of the core transit infrastructure that will connect the Dulles Corridor for generations to come. Thank you to all who made this happen, especially the commercial property owners and drivers on the Dulles Toll Road who funded the construction of this new rail line. The Reston Town Center Station is the first of the six new stations that make up the Phase 2 extension, which also includes the Dulles Airport station and extends to Ashburn. Watch the video below for a tour of our new Reston station. 

There are still many details being worked out, including a large celebration at Dulles Airport, as well as a local event here in Reston to celebrate the launch of the Reston Town Center Station. A lot of communications will be coming out in the coming days from the county as well as WMATA and I will make sure they are forwarded to you. In the meantime, here are three things to know:

• Tomorrow, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m., the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is hosting a virtual event to provide information on the realigned Fairfax Connector bus service in Reston and Herndon. Learn more.

• Capital Bikeshare stations at the Reston Town Center Metro are all set for the opening on Nov. 15. There are 34 other stations in Reston to ride to and from the new Metro station. You can map out your ride and get more information here. 

• If you don't have one already, here's how to get a Metro SmarTrip® card or download to the mobile app to your phone. You can also use your card/app on Fairfax Connector buses. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you on Metro!

Regards,

Walter

Next Tuesday, Nov. 8 is Election Day. Polls in Virginia are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will be able to vote. If you have any questions about voting or your voting status, please contact the Fairfax County Office of Elections at 703-222-0776 or voting@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Everything you need to know to vote in Fairfax County.

Early Voting

Early voting continues this week at the North County Governmental Center and 15 other locations countywide. I voted on Monday, and it was a quick, efficient process! The last day for early voting at the county's 16 locations is this Saturday, Nov. 5. Learn more about in-person early voting locations and hours. 

The county's Office of Elections has put together a report that provides a snapshot in time of absentee and early in-person voting activity for the Nov. 8 General Election. They note that the data in this ongoing report is neither official nor final. View report.

The Board of Supervisors met yesterday, Nov. 1. You can view the Board package here and watch the meeting here.   

Several highlights of the meeting include:

• $5 million was approved for pedestrian and bicycle improvement and maintenance projects.
• The county's first-ever Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan was adopted.
• The Board recognized 21 of the county’s nonprofit partners for their contributions during the pandemic, including many that serve the Hunter Mill District (pictured).
• The Board designated the week of Nov.13-19 as Transgender Awareness Week and Nov.15 as Fairfax Recycle Day.

County's Legacy Land Use Systems Convert to PLUS in Final Expansion of Centralized Platform

All land use permitting, plan review, inspections, and complaint systems have now been converted to the Planning and Land Use System (PLUS). PLUS replaced outdated systems with a more modernized platform. Using PLUS, residents and businesses can conduct online transactions with the Health Department, Land Development Services, Fire and Rescue, Code Compliance and Planning and Development. Learn more. 

Volunteer Openings for Reston Planning and Zoning Committee

The Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Committee is seeking volunteers to serve on the Committee. All residents of Reston (18 and older) are eligible to serve on the Committee. The Committee consists of 15 members with five positions expiring each year, and three associate members that serve one-year terms. Members’ terms run for three years beginning in January of each year. Associate members terms run for one year, also beginning in January. Meetings are typically held virtually on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on the Reston P&Z Committee, more information and the online application can be found at http://rpz.korchy.com/. The application deadline is Dec. 5

Comment Period Extended for Affordable Housing Policy

The comment deadline for the proposed Affordable Housing Preservation policy is extended through this Friday, Nov. 4 This proposal 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 to 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. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/affordable-housing-preservation

Reston Comprehensive Plan Timeline Update

A few weeks ago, the Board of Supervisors' Land Use Committee and the Planning Commission were briefed on an update of the draft recommendations for the Reston Comprehensive Plan. As noted, there has been a tremendous amount of work by both Reston stakeholders and county staff, and we want to ensure that we move forward in a thoughtful and collaborative manner. Staff is currently reviewing community input on the Task Force’s proposed changes to the Draft Reston Comprehensive Plan Text and preparing recommendations for the Comprehensive Plan text. Here is the updated timeline from the Department of Planning and Development:

• The staff report, with responses to public comments, is expected for release after the first of the next year (2023).
• Staff will provide updates to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor committees, as requested, in December and January.
• Public hearings for the plan amendment are expected to be in the spring of 2023.

In addition, I will have one-on-one meetings with supervisors in the coming months to discuss the draft comprehensive plan.

Residents should continue to provide written input or ask questions about the Reston Comprehensive Plan recommendations here. Your input is critical in helping the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors make informed decisions regarding this comprehensive plan that will impact Restonians for decades. Your best reference for the comprehensive plan study is the county's Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage.

You may also listen to an overview from my recent podcast with county staff.

Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.

The Hunter Mill District Land Use Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 PM. Use this link to attend. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial and 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 533 871 828#. For more information contact Shruti Nallappa. 

Reston Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Virtual Meeting, Monday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.

The Reston P&Z meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Use this link to attend and participate. You may also call in and listen to the meeting, dial 571-429-5982 and use conference call ID: 367 883 872#. For more information contact Shruti Nallappa.

The 2022 Church Street Holiday Stroll is Monday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. in front of the Freeman Store and Museum. Enjoy live holiday music, a tree-lighting ceremony and a visit by Santa. Learn more.

The November issue of the Vienna Voice is full of upcoming fall and winter events.

A reminder from the Fairfax County Police Department that fall is breeding season for deer and you can expect to see more of them on our roads. Deer are unpredictable and crashes with them are a safety concern. There are hundreds of reportable accidents involving deer in Fairfax County and more than half of our annual crashes occur October through December. Deer are most active before sunrise to mid-morning, as well as dusk to early evening, when many of us are headed to and from work or school. Learn more. 

Thanksgiving Food Drive Through Nov. 21

Reston Community Center and several community organizations are hosting a food drive to support Cornerstones. You are encouraged to drop off non-perishable food, grocery gift cards and other needed items at several locations in the community, including my office at 1801 Cameron Glen Dr. Learn more.

Updates for Caregivers

Family caregivers can receive weekly emails, text messages, and voice communications to learn about the latest news on caregiving supportive services. These programs include workshops, caregiver webinars, case management, in-home respite, and much more. Subscribe to the Fairfax Alerts program, create an account (or if you already have one, sign into your account), and select Area Agency on Aging/Caregiving here.

New Report Looks at Students' Mental Health During Pandemic

Based on the 2021-2022 Fairfax County Youth Survey data, a newly published report addresses students’ experience with mental health issues, risk behaviors and other challenges during the pandemic, including disproportionate levels of risks to our vulnerable and marginalized populations.

COVID-19 Vaccination Update from the Fairfax County Health Department 

With vaccines now widely available at pharmacies, urgent care centers, and medical providers throughout the community, clinics located at the Government Center in Fairfax and Hyland South County Center are scheduled to scale back days of operation starting on Monday, Nov. 7. The Health Department will permanently close the Hyland South County Center clinic on Friday, Dec. 14 and the Government Center clinic on Saturday, Dec. 17. Learn more.

Fairfax County COVID-19 Data Dashboard