Fairfax City Council | FFXnow

Divided Fairfax City Council moves forward with public hearing on accessory housing units

Published May 13, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated May 13, 2026 at 4:09PM

Depiction of an accessory dwelling unit in the backyard of a house (via City of Fairfax)

It’s not clear yet if many Fairfax City homeowners will have the option one day to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — more commonly known as “granny pods” or “in-law suites” — in their yards. But despite some hesitation expressed during a May 12 work session, Fairfax City Council members are ready to hear public comments on the issue.

In a presentation to the council, city staff laid out the implications of a new zoning ordinance that would let significantly more homeowners build detached accessory units in their yards.

News

Fairfax City leaders ratify county partnership for health, community center complex

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 30, 2026 at 8:30AM

Updated design of Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center (via City of Fairfax)

Fairfax City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night (April 28) to move forward with a plan for construction of a combined $127.2 million Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center.

The city government will cover about $54 million in construction costs, with the Fairfax County government paying the rest. The two will also split operating costs once the facility opens, based on usage rates.

News

Fairfax City considers criminal penalties for violations of revised noise rules

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 26, 2026 at 1:45PM

Fairfax City Council member Thomas Peterson (screenshot via City of Fairfax)

City of Fairfax officials will take six more weeks to gather input and consider options before enacting changes to the city’s noise regulations.

A final vote was delayed until May 12 after council members heard public testimony and discussed the matter among themselves on Tuesday (March 24).

News

Fairfax City Council member named a ’40 Under 40′ honoree for N. Va. leadership

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2026 at 3:45PM

Fairfax City Council member Anthony Amos (via campaign website)

A member of the Fairfax City Council has been named one of Northern Virginia’s “40 Under 40” for 2026 in honor of his professional and civic contributions.

Anthony Amos will be among those celebrated at two events set for April 14, jointly sponsored by Leadership Fairfax and the Leadership Center of Arlington.

News

Fairfax City manager proposes 4.5% budget increase to address schools, staff costs

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 2, 2026 at 10:20AM

Fairfax City Hall sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Rising education and debt-service costs and the desire to retain a competitive pay scale have contributed to a proposed 4.5% increase in the City of Fairfax’s budget.

City Manager Daniel Alexander detailed a $207.5 million fiscal 2027 year spending package on Feb. 24 that includes a host of tax increases but no new or expanded programming.

News

Fairfax City Council weighs revised shopping center overhaul, office redevelopment

By Emily Leayman

Published February 27, 2026 at 9:15AM

Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center proposal at full buildout (courtesy of Combined properties via City of Fairfax)

The Fairfax City Council was briefed Tuesday (Feb. 24) on two proposed redevelopments — a revised pitch for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center and an office-to-residential conversion.

Council members received pre-application presentations on the multi-phase mixed-use development for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center at 10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Blvd as well as a potential conversion of an office building into a six-story multifamily residential building at 10340 Democracy Lane.

Countywide

UPDATED: Fairfax County facilities, schools to stay closed on Tuesday due to ice

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 26, 2026 at 2:15PM | Updated January 26, 2026 at 7:44PM

Vienna Town Hall during Winter Storm Fern on Jan. 25, 2026 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County government offices and schools will remain closed tomorrow (Tuesday), as work continues to clean up roads after yesterday’s Winter Storm Fern.

In addition to closing schools for a second day, Fairfax County Public Schools is canceling all activities on school grounds, including extracurricular programs, team practices, field trips, middle school after-school programs, and adult education classes.

News

George Snyder Trail extension canceled by Fairfax City Council after split vote on funding

By Emily Leayman

Published January 15, 2026 at 9:15AM

George Snyder Trail head in City of Fairfax (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

The contentious George Snyder Trail extension will officially remain unbuilt, as the Fairfax City Council opted to nix the project Tuesday (Jan. 13) following more than two hours of public comments.

The council voted 4-2 to cancel the project, with Councilmembers Tom Peterson, Rachel McQuillen, Stacy Hall and Billy Bates in favor and Councilmembers Stacy Hardy-Chandler and Anthony Amos opposed.

News

Planned transformation awaits Fairfax City’s Gateway Regional Park in 2026

By Scott McCaffrey

Published December 26, 2025 at 10:00AM

The picnic area in Fairfax City's Gateway Regional Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Efforts to repurpose Gateway Regional Park in the City of Fairfax into a wetlands education facility could both start and be completed in the coming year.

“That’s the plan,” new NOVA Parks executive director Justin Wilson told members of the Fairfax City Council at its Dec. 9 meeting.

News

Fairfax City considers hiring more forestry staff under draft plan

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published December 8, 2025 at 11:45AM

The sun sets over Stafford Drive Park in Fairfax City on Dec. 7, 2025 (photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

Fairfax City could establish a new urban forestry division in the next one to five years to promote tree preservation.

A draft of the city’s new Urban Forest Master Plan, which will be presented to the planning commission today (Dec. 8), envisions two new technicians, an urban forester, and part-time administrative support dedicated to helping implement stronger conservation practices and expand its tree canopy. There would also be a shared GIS technician/analyst.