September 2, 2021
Stuff the Bus
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for food in Fairfax County. Stuff the Bus is a collaborative program in partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Help feed hungry families by donating to Stuff the Bus.

When: September 11 and October 9, from 10AM to 3PM
Where:

VolunteerFest
VolunteerFest, a countywide day of service, will be held on Saturday, September 11, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. This year's event will feature both in-person and virtual, at-home service opportunities to ensure that everyone who wants to participate can find a way to get involved.

Register to Volunteer for:
Boards, Authorities, and Commissions

The Providence District is looking for qualified individuals from our area, from all different backgrounds, to volunteer on one of our many community-steered advisory boards. With more than 40 different boards, we are always looking for dedicated individuals with backgrounds in a wide variety of fields. As an extension of the Providence District Supervisor’s office, we count on our appointees to advocate for the needs of our District and the County as a whole.

Currently, we have the following openings:

Community Action Advisory Board – To act as an advisory body to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Director of Family Services regarding programs, projects, and resources concerning the low-income populations of the County.

Consumer Protection Commission – To advise the Board of Supervisors on consumer affairs issues and provide periodic reports concerning legislation to consider appeals of licensing actions of the Department of Consumer Affairs and to issue Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity for taxi operators.

To apply, send your desired BAC and a resume to Providence@Fairfaxcounty.gov or reach out to Aryeh.kalender@fairfaxcounty.gov with further questions.

Code Compliance Corner
Keeping of Animals – The Zoning Ordinance regulates the keeping of animals, such as pets, as an accessory use to a dwelling. Certain types of animals are limited in number based on the size of the lot. There are also regulations for the structures that shelter animals. In some cases, property owners can seek Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) approval of a special permit to increase the number of animals or a modification to location regulations of the structure(s) sheltering animals. 
 
Common complains to the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) on the keeping of animals are for dogs and chickens. All lots may have at least two dogs, with additional dogs permitted based on the size of the lot. To keep chickens, at least two acres is required, and the total number of chickens permitted will be based on the size of the lot. However, roosters are not permitted unless in association with an agricultural use.
 
Animals kept for commercial breeding may be regulated differently by the Zoning Ordinance. For example, animals kept for breeding may be deemed a kennel use.
 
For more information, visit the DCC website or see the Department of Planning and Development’s flyer.
 
How do we enforce?
  • DCC Investigators inspect and photograph the property to determine if there is a violation of the zoning regulations.
  • If there is a zoning violation, a Notice of Violation (NOV) is issued directing the property owner(s) to resolve the violation.
  • The NOV provides the owners with a specific timeline to come into compliance, usually 30 days; however, additional time is granted if the owner submits a special permit application.
  • Failure to comply with the NOV can result in the County taking legal action, such as seeking civil penalties or a court order to abate the violation.
 
DCC accepts complaints and concerns about potential violations online or by voicemail at any time, or by telephone during regular business hours.
Hospitality Industry COVID-19 Assistance
Good news for Fairfax County business owners in the hospitality industry. Because this industry – such as restaurants, hotels and gyms -- were especially hard hit by the pandemic, the Board of Supervisors has authorized a reduction in certain zoning and development fees. To learn more about this reduction, determine if your business qualifies or to apply for the reduction, visit the Hospitality Industry COVID-19 Assistance web page.
Transportation Updates
Free transfers on Fairfax Connector buses to/from Metrorail

Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to provide free transfers to and from Metrorail and Fairfax Connector buses beginning Sunday, Sept. 5. Exceptions will be the Fairfax Connector Express Service (reduced by $2 when using a SmarTrip card or the SmarTrip App) and the Wolf Trap Shuttle - Route 480 (round trips reduced by $2, to $3 total). For information about Metro’s discount fare program and other service changes, visit wmata.com/changes.
 
Fairfax Connector reminds passengers that federal law mandates that a mask or a face covering is required when taking public transit or visiting an indoor transit hub.
Help Fairfax County develop a roadmap for better walkways, bikeways and trails by attending a virtual public meeting on Sept. 15, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the draft vision, goals, and objectives of the ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan

Join the meeting online or call 1-844-621-3956, access code: 179-373-0026. The public is invited to review the proposed roadmap and share feedback until September 19, 2021.
I-66 Construction Updates

Demolition activities continue at the I-66/Route 50 Interchange with removal of the old Route 50 West bridge deck over the ramp from Route 50 East to I-66 East. The ramp from RT 50 E to I-66 E will be closed from midnight to 4 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, and traffic will be directed farther east on RT 50 to make a U-turn at Waples Mill Rd. The Route 50 Interchange is being rebuilt as part of the Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Project.
 
Ramps from I-495 South to I-66 West will be closed Thursday, September 2 from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. and traffic will be detoured farther south to the exit to Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard) East.
 
Two lanes will be closed for overhead bridge work at I-66 West at I-495 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 2. Driver waits may last 20 minutes.
Public Meeting on I-495 NEXT Express Lanes Sept. 29, 2021
 
VDOT will hold a virtual public information meeting Sept. 29, 2021 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. to present the latest updates and information related to the I-495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project. The project will extend Virginia’s 495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the Dulles Toll Road interchange to the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange in the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge.
 
The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and hear answers after the presentation which starts at 6:30 p.m.
 
Joining the meeting will be representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration who will provide an update on their New American Legion Bridge I-270 to I-70 Traffic Relief Plan, with a focus on proposed project improvements in Virginia near the George Washington Memorial Parkway and across the American Legion Bridge into Maryland. Information on the Maryland project may be found at 495-270-p3.com.
 
Visit 495NorthernExtension.org for the Sept. 29 meeting link and details on how to participate. Call 703-691-6715 with questions about joining the meeting.
Yard Waste Collections
Beginning this month, residents may notice that their waste collector puts yard waste set out at curbside into the same truck as refuse. This is because the County has temporarily suspended the requirement to collect yard waste separately for the next two months or so, to give an additional option for collectors who sometimes find themselves without enough staff to collect every route on certain days. Residents need do nothing differently from their current practice – put the yard waste out in paper bags on the appointed day and it should be collected. The suspension will be reassessed in mid-October.

Yard waste may still be taken to the I-95 landfill complex or the I-66 transfer station where nominal fees will apply.
 
Recyclables will continue to be collected separately every week.

To help reduce yard waste, there are options: Grasscycle and leave grass clippings on your lawn to fertilize grass and conserve water; compost in your backyard; mulch leaves and add to compost; defer landscaping until service resumes. For more information on composting, please go to this link. For more information on waste collections, please visit Public Works’ web site.
Upcoming Events
Tysons Block Party

Ready for another Block Party in Tysons? Celebrate Fairfax is planning another one on Friday, September 17 from 4pm to 8pm. This is a free, family-friendly event. Stay tuned for more details!

We are also looking for your help to name the new community event venue in Tysons (8508 Leesburg Pike). Vote for your favorite in the polls of Celebrate Fairfax's social media accounts.
Virginia Chamber Orchestra

Enjoy live classical music in beautiful, safe surroundings. The Virginia Chamber Orchestra will present professional ensemble concerts for socially distanced audiences, free with admission to the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens ($3 to $6) on Sunday afternoons from 3 to 4 pm: September 5, 12, 19, and 26.  

More information at https://www.vco.events/
Perchfest

Join us for Perchfest on September 17, 18, and 19 to celebrate the Grand Opening of The Perch - a park eleven stories in the sky located at Capital One Center. Enjoy live music, craft beers from Starr Hill Brewery, and many other fun activities for the whole family. Register HERE.
Fairfax County Annual History Conference

Save the date: Fairfax County's 17th Annual History Conference will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 9am to 12:30pm & 1:15pm to 3:45pm.

This will be livestreamed via Channel 16 and Facebook, and you will be able to participate in-person at the Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax, VA.

Registration information will be available soon.
NVRC is Hiring
The Northern Virginia Regional Commission is hiring for the full-time, grant-funded position of Military Installation Resiliency Project Manager. Position description, qualifications, etc. can be found HERE.

Please submit resume, cover letter, and salary requirements via e-mail to jobs@novaregion.org by September 15.
Contact Us
We want to hear from you! Please reach out to us with questions, comments or just to say hello.
 
Office Phone: (703) 560-6946
 
Email us HERE if you would like events included in our newsletter or you would like a member of our team to join your HOA meeting.
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