Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Transportation officials suggest upgrading popular Metrobus route ahead of Route 7 BRT

Published June 25, 2024 at 10:15AM | Updated June 26, 2024 at 9:43AM

Metrobus 28A going to Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With Route 7 still years away from getting a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, regional transportation planners want to improve Metro’s existing service in the corridor from Tysons to Alexandria.

In response to feedback suggesting the process could be sped up, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is developing a strategic implementation plan that considers short-term enhancements for Metrobus 28A, even as it keeps studying how to eventually convert the route into a higher-capacity, higher-frequency BRT.

Countywide

Fairfax supervisors redirect ‘green bank’ funds to home energy efficiency program

By James Jarvis

Published June 21, 2024 at 1:30PM

Worker installing solar panels on a roof (via Bill Mead/Unsplash)

Fairfax County has shelved plans to create a “green bank,” instead redirecting those funds to a new initiative that offers residents educational and technical support to make their homes more energy efficient.

The Board of Supervisors voted on June 11 to reallocate $638,955 initially designated for the green bank — a publicly financed institution that facilitates funding for residential and commercial clean energy projects — to a new pilot program called Electrify Fairfax.

News

Tax breaks considered for Lake Anne, Huntington developers to spur revitalization

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 20, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated July 1, 2024 at 3:48PM

Lake Anne Plaza in late March (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is looking at Reston’s Lake Anne area and the Huntington Metro station as the next candidates for a program that offers tax breaks and other incentives to jumpstart revitalization efforts.

Both areas have proven difficult to redevelop and are seeing stagnant real estate values, despite their prime locations and the county’s overall economic growth, according to Elizabeth Hagg, director of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development’s community revitalization section.

News

Fairfax County allows supportive housing on site near West Ox Road

By Acacia James

Published June 13, 2024 at 10:30AM | Updated June 13, 2024 at 11:42AM

Cornerstones' planned 34-unit supportive housing development at Route 50 and West Ox Road (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County leaders have opened the door for a supportive housing project in the Fair Oaks area proposed by Cornerstones, a Reston-based organization that provides housing, food and other services to people in need.

During a meeting on Tuesday (June 11), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow affordable housing on the 1.12 acres of land along the northwest intersection of Route 50 and West Ox Road interchange.

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Fairfax County to educate and train its employees on using generative AI

By Acacia James

Published June 6, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated June 7, 2024 at 9:32AM

Fairfax County flag (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

As the use of chatbots and other types of “artificial intelligence” continues to grow, Fairfax County is working to ensure its government employees are educated on the opportunities and risks associated with the technology.

During an information technology committee meeting on Tuesday (June 4), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors received an update on the use of generative AI within the county government — including how to “deliver improved business outcomes” while maintaining the county’s “rigorous security standards.”

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Fairfax County to push for more communication on gas pipeline projects

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 5, 2024 at 2:30PM

A natural gas-powered stove burner (photo via Kwon Junho on Unsplash)

Fairfax County’s leaders agree that natural gas companies need to communicate more with them and the public on major pipeline projects, but they appear divided on how to make that happen.

At a land use committee meeting on May 14, county staff presented the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors with potential options for regulating “high-pressure” pipelines under local streets. The review was specifically prompted by community opposition to a 2-foot-wide pipeline that Washington Gas plans to build through Pimmit Hills.

News

County board moves forward with Bailey’s Community Center name change

By James Jarvis

Published May 31, 2024 at 10:30AM

Bailey's Community Center (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County is moving ahead with plans to rename the Bailey’s Community Center (5920-A Summers Lane) in honor of a notable historical figure from the area’s Black community.

The Board of Supervisors, led by Mason District Supervisor Andrew Jimenez, approved a motion on May 21 to initiate the renaming process. A prominent figure in the historically Black Springdale community, Minnie Peyton founded five churches, including Warner Baptist and Holy Scripture Church of Christ.

News

County board approves office-to-condo swap at Tysons’ Arbor Row

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 29, 2024 at 10:30AM

A rendering of Renaissance Centro's planned condominium building in Arbor Row, Cityline Partners' development in Tysons (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors gave developers the go-ahead last Tuesday (May 21) to build a condominium high-rise in Tysons’ Arbor Row neighborhood in place of a previously approved office building.

Even as they gave their approval on an 8-1-1 vote, some supervisors conceded county staff were “right” to recommend denial of the application based mostly on prospective condo developer Renaissance Centro’s plan to provide cash or off-site workforce housing in lieu of on-site affordable units.

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School board approves budget with pay raises for all FCPS workers

By James Jarvis

Published May 29, 2024 at 9:30AM

FCPS Central Office in Merrifield (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Despite calls for targeted raises for teachers and support staff, the Fairfax County School Board has approved 4% pay raises for all school employees as part of its adopted fiscal year 2025 budget.

The decision, voted on last Thursday (May 23), came after the Virginia General Assembly allocated an additional $35.5 million to Fairfax County Public Schools, allowing Superintendent Michelle Reid to increase employee pay raises from 3% to 4%.

Countywide

Fairfax supervisors balk at cost of flood prevention programs amid budget constraints

By James Jarvis

Published May 28, 2024 at 11:30AM | Updated July 12, 2024 at 11:20AM

Wolftrap Creek frequently floods Old Courthouse Road at Besley Road (file photo)

Fairfax County staff are seeking additional funding to hire more personnel who could help expedite ongoing and future flood mitigation projects across the county.

However, with the county facing increasing financial challenges, worsened by inflation and reduced commercial tax revenue, some members of the Board of Supervisors said at a recent land use committee meeting that they are reluctant to commit to expanding the budget’s list of indefinite expenditures.