Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Published October 18, 2024 at 8:15AM

Trees line Colvin Run Road in Great Falls (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

While the environment is generally a priority for Fairfax County, issues related to trees and invasive plants appear likely to take a backseat to other concerns when local elected officials lobby their state counterparts in the General Assembly next year.

At its legislative committee meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 15), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors reviewed a number of proposals for promoting tree conservation and addressing invasive species from the Fairfax County Tree Commission and Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC).

Countywide

Guaranteed income pilot to inform Fairfax County services, but expansion unlikely

By James Jarvis

Published October 17, 2024 at 1:15PM

Person counts dollar bills (via Sharon McCutcheon/Unsplash)

As Fairfax County’s guaranteed income pilot reaches the one-year mark, officials say they’re identifying the residents most in need, as they work to improve social services programs.

Launched in October 2023, the Economic Mobility Pilot — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Fairfax County Human Services Council’s Innovation Fund — provides $750 in unrestricted monthly payments to 180 randomly selected households.

Countywide

Fairfax leaders to push state for more education, public safety funding

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 17, 2024 at 11:15AM

The Virginia State Capitol building (file photo)

As the 2025 General Assembly session approaches, Fairfax County leaders are hoping for the best while bracing for the worst when it comes to unfunded mandates and associated costs handed down from Richmond.

“We can’t continue to sustain all these state operations that are dropped in our lap,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at a meeting of the board’s legislative committee on Tuesday (Oct. 15).

News

County plan to take McLean house for wastewater station surprises residents

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 15, 2024 at 2:30PM

Fairfax County is seeking to acquire a parcel at 1310 Scotts Run in McLean for its planned Tysons East wastewater pump station (via Fairfax County)

A project to build a wastewater pump station project for McLean and eastern Tysons got off to an inauspicious start last week when a lack of community outreach forced the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to postpone a scheduled public hearing.

The board authorized the hearing in September to get testimony on whether the county should exercise its eminent domain powers to acquire the land rights to a residential property at 1310 Scotts Run Road in McLean — the site chosen for the future pump station.

Countywide

Democratic supervisors reject Herrity request for consideration of Metro-oversight body

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 10, 2024 at 1:15PM

A 7000-series Metro train on the tracks along I-66 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Fairfax County supervisor’s request for information about creating a financial oversight body to control Metro drew rebukes from his colleagues during a meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 8).

It also led to some testy exchanges between Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, the lone Republican on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and some of the board’s Democrats.

Countywide

Fairfax County plans museum-on-wheels for nation’s 250th birthday party

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 10, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated October 10, 2024 at 10:08PM

A pinwheel with a U.S. flag design (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th birthday isn’t on the move just yet, but it soon will be.

A “mobile museum” housed in a recreational vehicle is expected to be the county government’s signature educational offering during the 2025-26 celebration of America’s declaration of independence from England, members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors heard Tuesday (Oct. 8).

Countywide

Fairfax County awaits clarity from state on new Chesapeake Bay protection rules for developers

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 9, 2024 at 3:45PM

The Potomac River in Great Falls Park in November 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County has updated its Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance to reinforce requirements for developers along the Potomac River and its tributaries to protect older trees and guard against rising sea levels.

However, even as they voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to amend regulations related to the ordinance, Fairfax County supervisors expressed some frustration with a lack of clarity in the guidance handed down by Virginia’s State Water Control Board (SWCB).

News

Redevelopment of Graham Center with ER and urgent care facility approved

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 9, 2024 at 1:15PM | Updated October 9, 2024 at 2:17PM

VHC Health's Graham Center redevelopment will include new pedestrian facilities and street trees (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of supervisors gave final approval yesterday (Tuesday) to a proposal that will bring a next-generation health-care facility to the West Falls Church area.

The project also will provide what county leaders say are much-needed traffic-safety improvements to the area of Arlington Blvd and Graham Road.

News

Fairfax County green lights 200-unit development near Huntington Metro

By James Jarvis

Published October 9, 2024 at 11:15AM

A rendering of Capital Investment Advisors’ proposed apartment building at Huntington Avenue and Metroview Parkway (via SK+I Architecture/Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has approved a new mixed-use development near the Huntington Metro Station.

Located at the corner of Huntington Avenue and Metroview Parkway in the Mount Vernon District, the 85-foot-tall building will include up to 200 residential units and nearly 9,000 square feet of commercial space.

Countywide

Fairfax County’s retired chief equity officer sees ‘a lot more work to do’

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 8, 2024 at 3:45PM

Karla Bruce (Fairfax County government)

Fairfax County’s recently retired chief equity officer is asking local leaders to be vigilant in their efforts to promote a more just community.

“Fairfax is an amazing place — yet we know that is not the experience of everyone,” Karla Bruce said after being honored by the Board of Supervisors this morning (Oct. 8).