Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

Legal issues, staff review could delay ‘ambitious’ rewrite of Reston’s comprehensive plan

Published October 11, 2022 at 10:15AM

The area surrounding te Reston Town Center Metro station is slated for more activity and development (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A major rewrite of Reston’s central planning document — the Reston Comprehensive Plan — could take additional time for review due to pending legal issues and concerns flagged by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

At the board’s land use policy meeting last week, county staff noted that the update to the plan — which was led by a 31-member task force over the last two years — contains language that is at odds with some countywide policies. The county’s attorneys office is reviewing the draft, which was written by the task force, for legal issues.

Countywide

Virginia’s limits on local authority are becoming “more intrusive” for Fairfax County, board chair says

By Matt Blitz

Published October 6, 2022 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay (file photo)

Fairfax County deserves more local authority, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay says, calling Virginia’s Dillon Rule “increasingly more intrusive” in day-to-day operations.

The Dillon Rule dictates that localities only have the authority to create laws, set guidelines, and wield power if the state expressly grants it to them.

Countywide

Fairfax County could introduce speed enforcement cameras with pilot next year

By Melanie Pincus

Published October 6, 2022 at 10:00AM

A sign warns drivers on Blake Lane to slow down (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Fairfax County Police Department could begin using cameras to catch speeders in nine school crossing zones and one highway work zone as soon as early 2023.

The proposed photo speed enforcement pilot program was presented to the Board of Supervisors at a public safety committee meeting Tuesday (Oct. 4).

Countywide

Fairfax County proposes compelling developers to replace lost affordable housing

By Vernon Miles

Published October 5, 2022 at 3:30PM

Construction is underway on The Rylan apartments in the Highland District (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County is moving forward with an update to its affordable housing policy that could ensure a one-for-one replacement of affordable housing units in areas under redevelopment — signaling a major push to bind development to affordable housing preservation.

Open for public feedback until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 28, the proposal would amend the county’s comprehensive plan to require developers to replace affordable housing on sites where it’s being eliminated in order to get their project approved.

Countywide

Countywide campaign aims to tackle traffic-related deaths, injuries

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 28, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:58PM

The announcement took place at a busy intersection in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Steve Steiner, a 73-year-old cyclist who lives in Reston’s Hunters Woods neighborhood, nearly lost his life when he was cycling from Leesburg nearly four years ago.

Steiner was hit by an SUV that was turning right through a red signal onto Fairfax County Parkway at the exit for the Dulles Toll Road. Despite trying to veer to the right, he was struck by the car, suffering a concussion, several broken ribs and other serious internal injuries, he said.

Countywide

County seeks $5M for multi-year effort to update voting machines

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 28, 2022 at 11:45AM

Voting in Fairfax County (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Early voting for the next general election has just gotten underway, but Fairfax County’s elections staff is already planning for next year and beyond.

The county’s Office of Elections has requested $5 million to launch a multi-year rollout of new, updated voting machines as part of a $190 million spending package carried over from fiscal year 2022, which ended on June 30.

Countywide

Surveys give Fairfax County mostly high marks for Covid response

By Angela Woolsey

Published September 27, 2022 at 12:30PM

The Fairfax County Government Center's COVID-19 vaccination site in March 2021 (via FCHD/Twitter)

There were undeniably hiccups along the way, but Fairfax County’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic earned an overall positive assessment from community surveys conducted this summer.

A general community survey issued in June received 2,148 responses, representing just a fraction of the county’s over 1.1 million residents.

News

Lorton’s new animal shelter will host critters from Fairfax County and city

By Matt Blitz

Published September 22, 2022 at 11:00AM

Rendering of the new South County Police Station and Animal Shelter in Lorton (via Fairfax County)

When Fairfax County’s new animal shelter opens next year, some of its first residents will likely come from across jurisdictional lines.

Last week, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with the City of Fairfax to provide services and housing to animals under their care. The city cares for fewer than 100 animals a year. In 2021, it cared for 31 dogs, 20 cats, and 11 other small animals.

Countywide

Proposed ‘home share’ program could help house older county residents

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 21, 2022 at 11:45AM

The Fairfax County logo is shown on the front of the Fairfax County Government Center building at 12000 Government Center Parkway. (Staff photo by David Taube)

Fairfax County officials are exploring the possibility of promoting “home sharing” for older adults.

Home sharing lets a homeowner provide accommodation to others in exchange for rent assistance and household tasks or both. The program was discussed at the county board’s older adults committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

Solar panels ready for long-awaited installation at Lorton landfill

By Matt Blitz

Published September 20, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated August 1, 2024 at 1:59PM

The Lorton Landfill as seen from Furnace Road (staff photo by David Taube)

After years of effort, solar panels are finally coming to the I-95 Landfill Complex in Lorton.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion on Sept. 13 to lease about 40 acres of the county-owned closed landfill within the complex to Sun Tribe Solar to install, operate, and maintain an array of ground-mounted solar panels.