chose to maintain the same number of districts (9) and make minor adjustments between them for each population to be similar (about 128,000 per district). In the Mount Vernon District, only one precinct has been moved to the Springfield District - Saratoga, with no other changes. I am very disappointed to even lose one precinct, although based on the growth of the Mount Vernon District, it was necessary to get closer to balancing districts' populations over all. View the new map...

I know this decision is also disappointing to many Lorton residents who advocated for a new district that could be more Lorton - centric. My advocacy to create at least 10 districts, from appointing Gerry Hyland to the Redistricting Advisory Committee, many one-on-one conversations with other Supervisors, etc., were not able to overcome the belief of many that making small changes (overall only 7 precincts were changed) was preferable to making more significant changes. Those discussions also highlighted that the census numbers show that while there has been growth in our area, the larger growth was in, and is expected to continue to be in, the western part of the County.

The Board also approved revisions to the Low-Income Real Estate Tax Exemption eligibility requirements and to establish a Real Estate Tax Deferral Program. I have been advocating for real estate tax exemption revisions to support our lower income families and seniors for years. Our real estate values and, therefore assessments, continue to rise as property in Fairfax becomes more valuable. This is one way we can help those who are seeing higher taxes as a result. There is additional information below about what these changes mean.

The Board also recognized Greek Independence Day in honor of all Greek Americans who make a difference in our community (and our own Chief of Staff Christine Morin!). On March 25, the Greek American community celebrates and pays tribute to the many brave men and women that stood-up to overcome tyranny, sacrificing their lives in the Greek War of Independence, a battle for freedom from oppression, slavery and subjugation. This year marks the bicentennial of Greek Independence Day which was turning point for the modern Greek state, the Republic of Greece: Hellas.

You can read more about upcoming community meetings and district information below.

Respectfully yours in public service,

Dan Storck

Para recibir la información de nuestro boletín electrónico en español, o para hablar con un hispanohablante, comuníquese con Nick Rinehart a su preferencia, por teléfono al (703) 780-7518 o por correo electrónico: nicholas.rinehart@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Item 7: Approved traffic calming measures on Morningside Lane, at the request of the neighborhood, as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP). One new speed hump will be installed and one existing speed table will be converted to a speed hump. The full item can be read on pages 49 - 52 of the Board Package.

Item 11: Approved two "Watch for Children" signs on Pole Road, at the request of the neighborhood, as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP). The full item can be read on pages 58 - 59 of the Board Package.

Item 12: Approved "$200 Additional Fine for Speeding" sign on Pole Road, between Jeff Todd Way and Frye Road, at the request of the neighborhood, as part of the Residential Traffic Administration Program (RTAP). The full item can be read on pages 60 - 63 of the Board Package.

Item 19: Authorization for the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services to apply for and accept $324,500 in grant funding from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation. The full item can be read on pages 125 - 132 of the Board Package.

Item 27: Approved a supplemental appropriation resolution for the Health Department to accept $604,204 in funding from the Virginia Department of Health to strengthen the public health workforce core and specialized competencies. The full item can be read on pages 175 - 193 of the Board Package.

Item 2: Approved an amendment the interim agreement with Alpine X, Inc. for the Fairfax Peak Development at the I-95 Lorton Landfill. Terms of the amendment include:

Item 7: Approved a letter with comments from Fairfax County to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) on the Springfield to Quantico Enhanced Public Transportation Feasibility Study along the I-95 corridor. The full item can be read on pages 537 - 579 of the Board Package.

The applicant, Christopher Land LLC, has a pending Re-Zoning Application currently under review with the Zoning Evaluation Division in the Department of Planning & Development. The subject property of the application is located on 6.35 acres at 8409 and 8411 Lorton Road (Tax Map Parcel #1073010001 and #1073010002A), at the south side of Lorton Road, west of Windemere Hill Drive. 

The applicant proposes to re-zone the parcels from R-1 to PDH-8 to allow the construction of up to 30 townhome-style single family attached dwellings. County staff assigned to this case has made my office aware that the applicant is collaborating very well with them in working to craft proffer language to address the outstanding issues with the property. In addition, the applicant has been closely collaborating with the existing Lorton Valley Homeowner’s Association in proffer negotiations and have been in discussion of possibly joining their HOA. 

The Planning Commission public hearing for this application is currently scheduled for January 12, 2022. Given the positive strides on the review of this application, and the fact that the applicant has a contract obligation, the applicant has requested to set a date for the Board of Supervisors public hearing at the end of January. County staff have indicated they would be supportive of this request.

Evergreen Investment Company (“Evergreen”) is the contract purchaser of approximately 2.57 acres located on the east side of Richmond Highway and identified among the Fairfax County tax assessment records as 83-3 ((1)) 57A and 59, which I will refer to as the “Subject Property”. The Subject Property is zoned to the C-8 and the R-4 Districts. The property is planned for Residential use at 5-8 du/ac with an option for a public park in a Suburban Neighborhood Area between North Gateway and Penn Daw CBCs in the Richmond Highway Corridor.

Evergreen has discussed a proposed multi-family residential building on the Subject Property with Fairfax County staff and with the Planning and Zoning Committee of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens Associations, Inc. (MVCCA). In order to redevelop the Subject Property with multi-family residential development, it will be necessary to amend the Comprehensive Plan. Read the full Board Matter...

This Board Matter builds on previous actions by the Board of Supervisors (Board) related to the Environmental Quality Advisory Council’s (EQAC) Annual Report on the Environment (ARE) and EQAC’s findings and recommendations across many environmental focus areas.

On December 6, 2021, the EQAC transmitted its 2021 Annual Report on the Environment to the Board. The Council’s 2021 ARE includes thirty-one recommendations in areas of: Land Use, Transportation, Water, Waste Management, Parks and Ecological Resources, Climate and Energy, Air Quality, Wildlife Management and Technology to Understand the County. As noted in the 2021 ARE, the chapters in the EQAC report are arranged to reflect the order of topics listed in the Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Vision, with the exception of the Air Quality, Wildlife Management and Technology chapters. The Board would like to recognize EQAC’s continued dedication and service as this year marks the council’s 50th anniversary. 

EQAC will hold a public comment meeting on January 12, 2022. You can sign up to speak or submit testimony in advance. Share your thoughts on environmental issues. Learn more...

The Board reviewed and heard public comment on the 64 redistricting plans submitted to the Board by the 2021 Redistricting Advisory Committee and the public to redistrict and reapportion the Election Districts for the Board of Supervisors and School Board. The adopted redistricting plan maintains nine local election districts. It minimizes disruption to residents and communities, shifting seven precincts to new districts. Public input and outreach was key to the redistricting process, including inviting residents to submit their own proposed redistricting maps. While the new districts take effect immediately, they must be certified by the Virginia Attorney General. Once certified, the new districts will be in place for the next 10 years. View the map...

Approved a rezoning application to permit residential development with an increased overall density of 4.21 dwelling units per acre and approved the Conceptual Development Plan to build 8 new villa style townhomes on 1.9 acres at Silverbrook and South Run Roads.

Approved rezoning from R-20 to PRM to permit mixed use development to allow the Huntington Condominium Association property to be redeveloped with a mix of townhomes, rental and for-sale multifamily residential units, a continuing care facility, commercial and office space, with up to 1560 total residences possible. The developer has worked closely with my office, County staff and the surrounding community to ensure this project serves its residents and fits into the existing neighborhoods. Provisions such as affordable and workforce housing, green roofs, bird-friendly design and parkland are incorporated in the proposed plans.

Convey Board-Owned Property on Quander Road to the Fairfax County Park Authority 

Approved the conveyance of the Board-owned Quander and Fairchild properties to the Fairfax County Park Authority to create a park in this beautiful stream valley. It has been a long-held community vision to turn the Fairchild property’s former Civil War encampment stream area into a park. I was very proud to have identified County funds to acquire one of the many Quander Family properties essential to creating and accessing this beautiful and recently restored stream valley. Situated between new developments – like Kings Crossing, the redevelopment between Shields and Quander Roads, established communities – like Spring Bank, mobile home communities and Quander school, this land will create connections and pathways for our residents to enjoy. As our redevelopment continues, it is critical that we further support more trails and natural areas. More of this stream-bed area is to be restored to the north of this park using stormwater, Park and other County to connect this stream eco-system all of the way to Great Hunting Creek.

Thank you to Martin Tillet for his vision and perseverance, and to the Spring Bank community for continuing to advocate for support our efforts in the stream valley.

Approved an amendment to update the Land Development Services Fee Schedule in County Code Appendix Q to simplify the fee structure and ensure that it is consistent and fair.

Approved expanding the real estate tax relief program for seniors and people with disabilities. The expanded program will now allow people with higher incomes and net worth to qualify, add a new 75% tax relief bracket and offer an option to defer tax payments. These changes are the first to the program in more than 15 years. The increased relief will be phased in over the next two years starting in January. Learn more...

The announcement of the public comment meeting coincides with the release of EQAC’s 2021 Annual Report on the Environment. The report summarizes policies supported by EQAC over the years and includes recommendations for the Board of Supervisors' consideration in 2022.

A reminder from the Fairfax County Police Department to take precautions to prevent the theft of holiday packages being delivered to your doorstep.