The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering a move to allow closed or partially-closed tents for outdoor dining in Fairfax County as temperatures continue to dip in the coming weeks.
At a board meeting on Tuesday, Board Chairman Jeff McKay proposed an emergency ordinance that would allow restaurants and fitness businesses to set up the tents.
“This is an important step we can take to safely help our local restaurants through this difficult time,” McKay wrote.
Currently, restaurants and fitness businesses are allowed to use outdoor areas, including portions of parking lots and sidewalks. That ordinance is set to expire six months after the county’s state of emergency ends.
A public hearing on the matter is set for Oct. 20.
Today, I asked that the Board to authorize a public hearing to extend the ordinance and to allow tents to be partially or completely closed to help as weather cools. This is an important step we can take to safely help our local restaurants through this difficult time. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/nmZ7DBuXde
— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) September 29, 2020
Photo via Melissa Walker Horn/Unsplash
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan by Christopher Land to build 26 single-family homes on nearly 13 acres on Floris Lane.
Christopher Land plans to build the homes on a site at the south end of Floris Lane in the Spring Lake Estates community. The property currently has two single-family homes that were built in the 1950s.
The developer laid out two possible plans for a stormwater management facility on the site, which was a flashpoint between neighbors and the developer.
At a Sept. 15 board meeting, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said he was hopeful neighbors and the developer can agree on ways to improve the area lake.
“The applicant can go ahead with a base plan or an alternate plan. They can put stormwater facilities on their property or jointly contribute to improving the nearby lake,” Alcorn said.
A five-foot-wide sidewalk is planned on either side of the two private streets in the neighborhood.
The site was rezoned for increased density from R-1, which allows one dwelling unit per acre, to Planned Development Housing, which allows two units per acre.
Vernon Miles contributed reporting to this story.
Photo via handout/Fairfax County Government
Following months of opposition from local residents, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the addition of a cell tower at Herndon High School on Tuesday.
In response to concerns about the location and size of the facility, Milestone reduced the monopole’s height from 124 to 114 feet and the facility’s size from 2,590 to 1,175 square feet. The latest plan also shifts most of the ground equipment under the visitor’s bleachers and away from a more central location on the football field.
Still, residents said concerns about the use of the field for the facility remained unaddressed.
““We have consistently opposed the monopole because it is taking valuable land from our schools. It is a hazard to our children and is inconsistent with the school,” said Heather Metz, a Herndon High School parent who helped launched an online petition to oppose the facility.
Others said they were concerned the pole and facility was placed between in the middle of the football field.
Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said it was misleading to suggest the facility was located in the middle of the field.
“The reality is, that’s not where the pole and the compound are,” Foust said, adding that the revised proposal addresses many of the community’s concerns.
“I think everybody has done their best to minimize the impact of this proposal.”
Other board supervisors expressed dismay that a representative from Fairfax County Public Schools was not present at the meeting to allay concerns.
Vernon Miles contributed reporting to this story.
Photo via Milestone
A controversy at the library level led to a heated exchanged at Fairfax County Board of Supervisors today (Tuesday) as the Board’s lone Republican pushed back against a motion to ensure the various boards and commissions consider the county’s standards of diversity.
Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay started the meeting with a motion for staff to circulate the One Fairfax policy and training to all boards and commissions and that members sign acknowledgement to confirm they have received and reviewed the policy. The One Fairfax policy adopted in 2017 creates a standard of social and racial equity that the Board of Supervisors committed to considering when making decisions or developing programs and services.
Just now, the Board approved my motions to make sure our commitment to One Fairfax is extended to our Boards, Authorities and Commissions. pic.twitter.com/OvROKGY3Oc
— Jeff McKay (@JeffreyCMcKay) September 15, 2020
The fight centered around what Supervisor Pat Herrity lambasted as an attack on Phillip Rosenthal, a Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees member who faces calls for resignation from Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and others.
At a July 29 meeting, Rosenthal decried highlighting material about Black Lives Matter and by Muslim authors, Patch first reported.
Backlash to Rosenthal’s comments was swift, but Herrity has vocally defended Rosenthal, who he appointed to the Library Board of Trustees in 2018. At the Board of Supervisors meeting, Herrity defended Rosenthal again and said the motion was a move towards silencing dissent.
“When we try to silence the other side we enter a slippery slope,” Herrity said. “To take someone out because they don’t agree with our political agenda… I think that’s a slippery slope.”
While McKay protested that the board matter wasn’t about an individual person, the text of the item did say “comments made at a recent Library Board of Trustees meeting highlight that we still have a long was to go before we truly become One Fairfax.”
“Things appointee said were hurtful,” McKay said. “I called for his resignation for a lot of reasons.”
Herrity found little support from the other members of the Board of Supervisors, receiving particular rebuke from Dranesville Supervisor John Foust.
“[Herrity] totally misstakes and mischaracterizes the statements Mr. Rosenthal has made,” Foust said. “Everything I hear about Rosenthal is that he’s a decent man who makes many contributions to our community, but his comments at the library board need to be read to understand why so many people were so hurt and why we’re being so misled by Supervisor’s Herrity comments about this.”
Foust ran through a list of Rosenthal’s controversial statements at the library board, which included calling Black Lives Matter activists Marxists and expressing frustration about a reading program aimed at supporting LGBTQ youth.
“To characterize them as Herrity does about the statement for the need for more diverse views in the catalog of books is ridiculous, outrageous, and totally misleading,” Foust said.
Supervisor Dalia Palchik, representing the Providence district, argued that while Herrity had appointed Rosenthal, what Rosenthal said and did reflects on the Board of Supervisors as a whole.
McKay’s motion was passed, with only Herrity voting against it.
Image via Fairfax County
Efforts to Preserve Lake Health Underway — “RA hosted a virtual meeting on Aug. 31 to collect input from residents and answer questions about the ongoing health of Reston’s lakes. Based on that feedback, RA has set up a Lakes and Watersheds webpage, where residents can find the latest water quality reports. They can also send their concerns via email to [email protected].” [Reston Patch]
Responding to Hate Crimes in Reston — A fifth Rainbow flag and a second Black Lives Matter banner that flew at the entrance of the church were installed at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston. They replace banners stole in June. [The Connection]
More Funding Pumped into Small Business Grant Program — “Additional funding for the Fairfax Relief Initiative to Support Employers (RISE) grant program will provide grants to remaining eligible businesses and nonprofits that applied. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved up to $12 million for the program. The Town of Vienna is providing $1 million as well.” [Reston Patch]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering a weapons ban in county buildings, parks, recreation and community centers next week.
The proposal would ban the possession, carrying and transportation of firearms and ammunition in county areas, as well as permitted events and areas next to permitted events.
The plan follows the Virginia General Assembly’s passage of a bill that allows local regulation of firearms in certain areas. Gov. Ralph Northam approved the enabling legislation on April 22.
Here’s more on what the prohibition entails:
The proposed amendments exercise this new enabling authority in its entirety. Firearms, ammunition, components or combination thereof would be prohibited in buildings, parks, recreation and community centers owned or used by the County or authorities and entities created or controlled by the County such as the Fairfax County Park Authority. The prohibition would also be in effect at permitted events, events that would otherwise require a permit, and areas adjacent to those events, provided those events take place on a public street, road, alley, or sidewalk or public right-of-way or any other place of whatever nature that is open to the public. Appropriate signage must be posted in order to enforce the prohibition.
For now, it is unclear if the plan would ramp up security at county facilities, including security guards and metal detectors.
County staff is currently determining costs associated with signage requirements.
The board is expected to meet at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 15 to vote on the issue.
Photo via Jeremy Alford/Unsplash
Pandemic Boosts Use of W&OD Trail — “Whatever the preference for use – running, walking, biking, riding scooters, maybe even roller skating – the popular 45-mile Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Regional Trail has become much more busy, according to users, during the COVID-19 pandemic.” [InsideNOVA]
Nearby: Search for Endangered Juvenile Underway — Genisis Garcia was last seen on September 7 at 8 a.m. in Bailey’s. The 11-year-old is endangered due to her age. [Fairfax County Police Department]
Board Chair of Shepherd’s Center Receives Award — “William “Bill” Farrell, Board Chair of Shepherd’s Center serving Oakton-Vienna-Reston-Herndon (SC) has received the Hunter Mill District Community Champion Award…. As part of the annual Volunteer Service Awards, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors selects an individual to be recognized for their commitment to promoting volunteerism within their community while addressing specific needs.” [The Connection]
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
A Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees member has resigned amid a brewing controversy over comments made by another trustee over the inclusion of diverse titles in the library’s catalog.
Darren Ewing resigned from his position after he stated the library’s catalog homepage was “completely one-sided” at a recent discussion among trustees. In an email obtained by Patch, Ewing clarified that he did not intend to support the comments of Phillip Rosenthal, who is under fire for questioning why Muslim, Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ titles are featured in the catalog.
Here’s more from Patch on Rosenthal’s comments at the July 29 board meeting:
For example, he questioned why Muslim writers were featured but not Catholic, Mormon, Jewish or Baptist writers.
He also took aim at writers involved with the Black Lives Matter movement. On a similar category titled Race in America, Rosenthal said, “Black lives documentaries. Why don’t we have some white lives documentaries?”
And for the category labeled rainbow reads for teens, he said, “Why don’t we have the flipped side of rainbow books for teens?”
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay is joining the NOVA Equity Agenda Coalition’s calls for Rosenthal’s resignation.
“Ultimately, while under the guide of inclusivity, the demand from Mr. Rosenthal serves as a form of division, perpetuating an “us versus them” mentality. It is important now more than ever that we uplift the voices of underprivileged and underrepresented persons in our society,” McKay wrote in an Aug. 26 letter.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity recommended Rosenthal as a trustee in 2018. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved his post.
Fran Millhouser, the chair of the Board of Trustees, has also publicly stated that comments made by Rosenthal and Ewing “do not reflect the collective policies or positions of the full board or of Fairfax County.”
“We will not remove materials because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval,” she added.
The Board of Trustees is expected to discuss the issue at a Sept. 9 meeting at 7 p.m.
Photo via Jessica Ruscello/Unsplash
The board chair of Shepherd’s Center was recently honored with the Hunter Mill District Community Champion Award.
Bill Farrell was selected by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which recognized one individual for their commitment to promoting volunteerism in the community.
Farrell began working with the center when he began volunteering as a driver in 2006. Over the past five years, Farrell took on many positions, including treasurer and the chair of several committees. He joined the Board of Directors in 2008.
Here’s more from the center on Farrell’s work and contributions:
W. Scott Schroth, SC Co-Vice Chair, Board of Directors, noted that “Bill’s calm and thoughtful leadership not only drew me into service with the Shepherd’s Center as a volunteer, but quickly enticed me to join the talented volunteer Board of Directors. He is a pleasure to work with, collegial, and dedicated to our mission. I’m honored to call him a friend and proud of the work he does on our behalf in the local community.”
Bill’s dynamic and friendly leadership style has transformed SC into a leading local charitable organization, recognized and honored both locally and regionally for outstanding community service. Bill was also recognized and selected for a national leadership position with Shepherd’s Centers of America where he served as national treasurer for six years. Bill provides the organization with strategic leadership, prudent financial management, and an infectious desire to help others.
Shepherd’s Center is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving quality of life as individuals’ age.
Photo via Shepherd’s Center
County Seeks Election Officers — The Fairfax County Office of Elections is hiring 200 additional seasonal staff to process mailed absentee ballots, work at in-person voting locations or provide office assistance. [Fairfax County Government]
Reston Association to Host Listening Sessions — RA is hosting five district listening sessions via Zoom over the coming months. An at-large meeting is set for Oct. 15. [RA]
Look out for Jury Questionnaire — Roughly 59,000 Fairfax County or City of Fairfax residents will receive a jury questionnaire in the mail. This does not mean you are being summoned for jury duty. [Fairfax County Government]
Photo by Marjorie Copson
A trio of Fairfax County Board Supervisors has pushed for the establishment of the Affordable Housing Preservation Task Force.
The task force was created through a board matter during a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on July 28. Supervisors John Foust, Dalia Palchik, and Board Chairman Jeff McKay noted that the task force is essential in order to preserve affordable housing, especially as older multifamily rental and mobile home communities are threatened by demolition or redevelopment.
“These trends are slowly eroding the county’s market affordable housing stock and forcing families and individuals out of the communities where they work,” the board matter states.
The move comes as the county continues discussions on ways to improve its affordable housing and workforce dwelling unit policies. In 2016, the board calls for the development of a housing strategic plan that offers guidance on how to strengthen and preserve affordable housing.
According to an analysis by the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, there are 9,500 housing units in Fairfax County that are considered market affordable and target households earning 60 percent of the area median income and below.
The county is aiming to ensure that no market affordable housing units in the county are lost — a recommendation provided by the board-created Affordable Housing Resources Panel.
The board matter calls on the task force to develop a comprehensive preservation plan. The task force will provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on the following issues by the end of the first quarter of 2021:
- “Definitions for the types of preservation that can occur in communities;
- Typology of properties at risk and characteristics to guide prioritizing properties or
- neighborhoods in need of action sooner; and
- A comprehensive set of preservation strategies that includes recommended policies and
- tools to achieve the county goal of no net loss of affordability.”
“The way to ensure no net loss is through clear articulation of preservation strategies,” the board matter states.
The task force will include representation of a variety of stakeholders, including the private sector, county officers, and local planners.
Photo via vantagehill/Flickr
Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk has released a new website that serves as a one-stop-shop for all previous and future law enforcement data public by Fairfax County.
Lusk, who is also the chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s Public Safety Committee, said the project was launched in response to residents’ requests for clear and detailed data from the Fairfax County Police Department.
The website aggregates all public safety data into one location, including FCPD’s annual report, reports by the police auditor, arrest and traffic citation dates for 2019, and other resources.
“This is about accountability and transparency,” Lusk said in a video announcing the website.
The platform also includes a police reform matrix that tracks the progress of suggested reforms. This year, the board’s Public Safety Committee began pooling together a matrix of reforms. The status of each reform will be updated on the online document as information is available.
Lusk noted that the website will change in response to input and feedback from the community.
Photo via YouTube
County officials are considering a plan to no longer dispatch police officers to non-violent incidents.
At a meeting earlier this week, Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn pushed the county to dispatch unarmed medical, mental health and human services workers for incidents involving mental and behavioral health issues. The proposal was unanimously approved by the board for consideration.
County staff will review the local dispatch and response system in order to “enhance our Diversion First strategies by implementing systems for the deployment of trained unarmed medical, human services, and mental health professionals in instances where mental and behavioral health are the principal reason for the call.”
The new system would model Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets (CAHOOTS), an approach adopted in Eugene, Oregon since 1989. The county will determine if a similar approach is suitable for Fairfax County based on potential initial costs, long-term budget savings, overall feasibility, and the expected impact on service.
The county’s Public Safety Committee will review the county’s findings and offer a recommendation to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors by Oct. 1.
Roughly 20 percent of calls that FCPD officers respond to are primarily related to mental and behavioral health crises.
In a board matter, Lusk noted that FCPD should “endeavor to be the smartest” and not only the “safest” jurisdiction of its size in the nation.
Currently, only 40 percent of county officers are trained in crisis intervention.
Body camera footage of a white Fairfax County firing a stun gun at a Black man in Gum Springs led Lusk and Alcorn to push for the board matter. Officer Tyler Timberlake shot La Monta Gladney with a stun gun and used his knee to hold him down. Gladney was speaking incoherently prior to the use of force incident as officers persuaded him to go to a detox center.
A copy of the board matter — without the motions — is below, after the jump.
Fairfax County officials want to address looming childcare challenges ahead of the upcoming school year.
John Foust and Walter Alcorn, the supervisors for the Dranesville and Hunter Mill districts, presented a joint board matter yesterday to tackle the “unprecedented need” for childcare.
When classes start again this fall, Fairfax County Public Schools is planning to offer two systems: fully online and hybrid learning — a mix of in-person and online instruction. Working parents, especially ones who don’t work from home, now have to figure out childcare options, which have been complicated due to the pandemic.
Alcorn and Foust said that the county may have to expand its role in child care options depending on great the need is.
“For the sake of the children and their families it is essential that good quality child care services be made available,” the board matter said. “It is also critical to advance the county’s efforts to restart our economy that those parents who work but do not normally need childcare when schools are fully open can work and contribute to economic activity.”
County Executive Bryan Hill said that the county has 2,000 childcare providers: “The first thing we want to do is fill them up.”
Chairman Jeff McKay said that childcare providers he’s talked to have said that they are concerned about surviving the pandemic.
“Oddly, their businesses hurt more than most because what they are worried about is a ton of people now teleworking and not needing daycare,” McKay said.
The Board of Supervisors approved the board matter, which directs county staff to work with FCPS and to update the supervisors on how the county can provide additional resources and support.
“Even in the best of times, the infrastructure for childcare in Fairfax County is not adequate,” Foust said yesterday. “And these are far from the best of times.”
Photo by Shirota Yuri on Unsplash
Yesterday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved creating 14 voter satellite offices.
The voter satellite offices will serve absentee in-person voters.
“The advent of no-excuse absentee voting [in Virginia] for the November 2020 Presidential Election is expected to significantly increase the number of voters choosing to cast absentee ballots in person,” according to county staff.
County staff noted that the expected voter turnout for the upcoming presidential election is why they suggest an increased number of voter satellite offices, adding that the county had nine locations for the 2016 presidential election.
The Reston-area voter satellite offices will include:
- Great Falls Library (9830 Georgetown Pike)
- Herndon Fortnightly Library (768 Center Street)
- North County Governmental Center (1801 Cameron Glen Drive)
The voter satellite offices will be ready for the General Election on Nov. 3 and will be open from Oct. 14-31, according to county documents.
The locations would be open from 1-7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays.
