Author: Acacia James

Countywide

County should prioritize EV charging and employee compensation, environmental council says

By Acacia James
Electric vehicle chargers (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

To further its environmental goals, Fairfax County’s to-do list should include building an electric vehicle charging network, addressing “critical” staff shortages, and addressing development pressure, the Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) says in a new report.

An employee compensation policy update to attract and retain workers in departments such as wastewater and solid waste was the top recommendation in the 2023 Annual Report on the Environment (ARE), EQAC Chair Larry Zaragoza told the Board of Supervisors during its environmental committee meeting on Tuesday (Feb. 29).

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Countywide

FCPS pushes forward with plan to push back middle school start times

By Acacia James
Fairfax County Public Schools bus on the road (file photo)

The Fairfax County School Board is moving ahead with its plan to change middle school start times.

According to Fairfax County Public Schools, research has shown that later start times could positively influence student academic performance and mental and emotional well-being.

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Countywide

County considers permits for residents to bypass cut-through traffic restrictions

By Acacia James
Traffic on Route 50 (Arlington Blvd) facing Seven Corners (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is continuing talks on a proposal that could allow some residents to better access their homes in areas with certain traffic restrictions.

Cut-through mitigation restrictions prohibit turns into neighborhoods from major transit corridors during rush hour. While the restrictions aim to prevent local roads from getting jammed by drivers trying to evade traffic, it can make it challenging for residents to legally access their homes on those streets.

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Countywide

Police union objects to proposed merger of county’s animal shelter and police services

By Acacia James
Fairfax County Animal Protection Police officers in February 2024 attended the release of a bald eagle they found injured in Fairfax Station (via FCPD)

A plan to consolidate the duties of Fairfax County’s Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) and Animal Protection Police (APP) is drawing some pushback from the local police union.

Last month, county staff proposed to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors that DAS take charge of both animal care services and enforcement of animal protection laws, which would be carried out by animal control officers (ACOs). The recommendation came from both DAS and Fairfax County Police Department leaders.

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Countywide

Fairfax County proposes consolidating animal shelter and police services

By Acacia James
The Fairfax County Animal Shelter (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Fairfax County wants to consolidate the duties of its Department of Animal Sheltering (DAS) and Animal Protection Police (APP).

Under the new arrangement, DAS would oversee both animal care services and enforcement of animal protection laws, which would be carried out by animal control officers (ACO), according to the recommendation from DAS and the Fairfax County Police Department.

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News

Burke rehabilitation center plans to expand

By Acacia James
The Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center (via Google Maps)

A rehabilitation center in Burke wants to expand, and it’s asking Fairfax County to approve its plan.

In an effort to “improve its ability to serve the Northern Virginia area,” the Burke Health and Rehabilitation Center submitted an application to the county on Jan. 16 requesting a rezoning and an amendment that would allow an addition, a statement of justification reads.

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Countywide

Fairfax County’s state lawmakers file bills on rent gouging, speed cameras and more

By Acacia James
A speed camera on Kirby Road outside Chesterbrook Elementary School (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As the Virginia General Assembly reaches its deadline for legislators to file bills for the 2024 session, Fairfax County’s representatives hope to pass bills on rent gouging, campaign finance reform and opioid prevention in schools.

The General Assembly convened in Richmond last Wednesday (Jan. 10) for a 60-day session ending March 9. With Democrats controlling the House of Delegates and the Senate, lawmakers could see at least some of their proposals become law. Here are some notable measures put forward:

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News

Fairfax City to decide fate of George Snyder Trail this month amid environmental impact questions

By Acacia James
Fairfax City is debating whether to extend the George Snyder Trail through a wooded area along Accotink Creek (via Fairfax City)

The Fairfax City Council will vote on the future of a much-debated trail planned in the heart of the city later this month.

During a meeting on Tuesday (Jan. 9), the city’s transportation director, Wendy Sanford, presented the council with options for proceeding with the George Snyder Trail project, which will complete a 2-mile trail along the southern side of Accotink Creek between Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) and Fairfax Blvd (Route 50).

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Countywide

Fairfax County poised to approve new tree requirements for parking lots and streets

By Acacia James
The project will replace most of the parking lot for the existing office building (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is moving forward with updates to its landscaping and screening requirements along streets and parking lots.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended the approval of changes to the ordinance at a meeting on Dec. 6. If fully approved, it would be the first major change to the ordinance in 40 years and could make parking lots greener.

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Around Town

Upcoming Fairfax City music venue and pub to hold weekend fundraiser

By Acacia James
Inside Earp's Ordinary new venue space (courtesy of Earp's ordinary)

A new music venue and pub is holding a fundraiser, starting tomorrow (Friday), to support its upcoming launch in Fairfax City.

Earp’s Ordinary, located at 10420 Main Street, has been under construction since 2020, but encountered delays caused by the pandemic.

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