| | Mount Vernon Advisor BoS BRIEF January 23, 2018 | | IMPORTANT COMMUNITY NEWS THIS WEEK | | Fairfax County Police Chief Releases Video of U.S. Park Police Shooting
Today, Fairfax County Police Chief Ed Roessler publically released in-car video from a Fairfax County vehicle, which was at the scene of the November 17, 2017 U.S. Park Police shooting in the Mount Vernon District. Fairfax County Police officers did not fire their weapons and are considered witnesses to this shooting. The U.S. Park Police shooting resulted in the tragic death of Bijan C. Ghaisar, a Fairfax County resident.
I am aware that Chief Roessler has met with and shared this video with the Ghaiser Family and now it is time for our community to have the opportunity to see it. Thank you to Chief Roessler and the Fairfax County Police for releasing this video. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Ghaiser family as they continue to look for explanations in this tragic incident.
The November 17, 2017 U.S. Park Police shooting is currently under investigation by the FBI.
| | Sheriff Terminates Intergovernmental Service Agreement with ICE
Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid announced yesterday that on May 23, 2018, she will terminate the Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As a result, the Sheriff's Office will not hold inmates past their release date unless an ICE administrative request to detain is accompanied by a criminal detainer issued by a court.
The Sheriff's Office will continue to cooperate with ICE, as it does with other local, state and federal authorities. Operation and policy decisions regarding the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center fall under the authority of the Sheriff, an elected constitutional officer, independent of the Board of Supervisors.
| | A MESSAGE FROM SUPERVISOR STORCK | | Yesterday's Board of Supervisor's (BOS) meeting began by welcoming new County Executive Bryan Hill to his first BOS meeting. The Board also addressed several annual organizational issues, including Board member appointments to regional and internal boards and committees. I am pleased to accept reappointments to several interjurisdictional committees, as well as the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Chesapeake Bay and Water Resources Policy Committee, the Audit Committee and Co-Chair of the Community Revitalization and Reinvestment Committee. | | After years of working with Huntington Club leaders and the community, and listening to the public hearing yesterday, I was pleased to move forward the Comprehensive Plan amendment to allow for the redevelopment of the Huntington Club Condominiums. Ross Irwin, with the Huntington Club Owners' Association, spoke eloquently about the Huntington Club redevelopment. I thanked Mr. Irwin, the other speakers and County staff for their hard work to move this project forward. This is the first instance in the Country in which a condominium association has voted to terminate itself for the purpose of redevelopment, with 87% of the unit owners voting in favor. While long awaited, this is truly an amazing effort by Huntington leaders and the community to control their own destiny in this decades long revitalization process.
I also introduced several Board Matters and motions. Most significantly, I renewed my call for the Board to establish additional goals for public engagement to explore new ways to engage and inform County residents. I also recognized County staff for their exemplary work in assisting with the reopening of the Covanta Fairfax Energy-from-Waste Facility. More information about these and my other Board matters can be found in the Board Matters section below. | | Top 5 Things You Need to Know from the BOS Meeting: - New County Executive Bryan Hill's first BOS meeting.
- I moved forward the Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Huntington Club.
- I called for the Board to establish additional goals for public engagement.
- Teen Job Fairs will be held at South County HS on March 17 and Mount Vernon HS on April 14.
- The annual meeting of the Fairfax County Solid Waste Authority was held.
| | Recognized the Green Spring Gardens Master Gardeners' Program for its 15th Anniversary. | | Proclaimed January 2018 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. | | To view the January 23, 2018 Board Package click here.
Action 1: The Board approved its meeting schedule for January through December 2018. Click here to see a full schedule of 2018 Board and Committee meetings.
Action 3: The Board authorized County participation in the Go Virginia grant for the Northern Virginia Tech Talent Pipeline (NVTTP) initiative, pledging $175,000 in County Local Cash Match in partnership with the State and the rest of the Northern Virginia region. The Go Virginia Northern Virginia Region 7 Council is administering these funds for the Commonwealth's new initiative to address region-specific economic challenges and create higher wage jobs. Projects funded will address one or more of the Council's three broad goals: - Grow and strengthen Northern Virginia's technology workforce,
- Support the expansion of small and medium sized growth companies, and
- Increase technology transfer and commercialization activities from research centers and institutions.
Attracting and retaining a qualified tech workforce is critical to sustain corporate growth and attract new companies to continue the economic success of our region. The NVTTP will be focused on creating an online information platform, implementing communications and outreach strategies and upskill training to increase numbers of credentialed candidates for jobs.
Action 4: The Board deferred approval for the First Interim Agreement: Master Development Plan between the Board of Supervisors of Fairfax County, Virginia and The Alexander Company and Elm Street Development for the master development plan for the Original Mount Vernon High School Redevelopment until February 6, 2018.
Action 5: The Board deferred approval to license space at the Gum Springs Community Center at 8100 Fordson Road to the Gums Springs Historical Society to permit the storage and display of museum artifacts until February 20, 2018. | | 1. Request for the Board of Supervisors to Establish Additional Goals for Public Engagement
When I first became an elected official fourteen years ago, one of my many initiatives was to find new ways to engage and inform the public. As I begin my third year of office on the BOS, I continue to work with my colleagues to explore new ways to engage and inform our residents. Over the past two years since my original board matter at my first meeting, we have successfully implemented a new conference room with increased seating, improved presentation displays, Channel 16 gavel to gavel coverage and live video streaming, more consistent advance agenda and meeting materials postings. We now welcome pre-submitted video testimony and have improved websites to make navigating and connecting with our vast county resources even easier. We have very professional and responsive representatives dedicated to an open and effective government.
There remain several areas in which we can continue to work to improve the ease, quality and speed of communications essential to the public. I urged the Board continue to challenge ourselves and our staff to achieve even more by: - Expanding efforts and setting specific sign-up goals to be achieved for enrollment in Fairfax Alerts.
- Continuing our increased posting of agendas and materials for all meetings preferably seven days in advance, but at least three days in advance.
- Initiating remote video testifying for meetings and public hearings, beginning with the FY 2019 Budget Public Hearings. South County Government Center would provide an ideal location.
- Encouraging and providing funding for court hearings, or remotely convening court at the South County Government Center.
Action The Board directed the County Executive to return to the BOS with a memorandum on ways to further improve public engagement and to enact those the Board may agree upon at a future date, perhaps in the Board's Procedures Committee. | | 2. Recognition of County Staff for their Exemplary Work to Assist with the Re-Opening of the Covanta Fairfax Energy-from-Waste Facility
On February 2, 2017, a catastrophic fire closed the Covanta facility until its recent reopening on December 27, 2017. The ten month reopening process required a significant amount of County staff time, expertise and project management, above and beyond the County's usual commitment. Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) Director James Patteson, John Kellas, Hans Christiansen, and their staff were intimately involved from the first day to the last conference call and inspection before Covanta could begin accepting trash and restarting the first burner. We were fortunate to have the Land Development Services (LDS) technical expertise of William Marsh. I would also like to thank Fire Chief Richard Bowers, the entire Fire Safety Team, Deputy Chief Richard Roatch, and especially the Fire Marshals Office, with Battalion Chief John Walser and Bill Aceto for their commitment to the highest standards, and for working with Covanta to ensure that the renovated facility would meet current fire safety standards and have the ability to prevent a future fire event.
This staff team was also committed to informing the community through several citizen update meetings, setting up a website for transparent communications and ensuring that Covanta kept their commitments to the community, to include improved transparency. All of this could not have been accomplished without the dedication and professionalism of County staff.
Chairman Bulova also expressed appreciation to staff and recommended this commendation be placed in staff personnel files. | | 3. Initiate Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Woodlawn Fire Station
The existing Woodlawn Fire Station building and systems are well beyond the end of their life cycle and no longer meet the current and future operational needs of the County Fire and Rescue Department. In 2013, the BOS purchased additional land for the future expansion of the Woodlawn Fire Station.
After evaluating several options for the new facilities, it has been determined that the best option is to build a new station adjacent to the east side of the existing station, maintain operations at the existing station during construction, and completely demolish the existing station after relocating operations to the new facility. The additional parcel of land (8707 Lukens Lane) purchased in 2013 is currently zoned for residential uses at a density of 2-3 dwelling units per acre, precluding the proposed phasing of the new station. Given the need for greater flexibility, it would be appropriate to consider whether the Comprehensive Plan land use recommendation for this parcel should be revised to a public facilities use.
Action The Board authorized the consideration of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan (for public facility uses) for Tax Map Parcel 110-1 ((1)) 29. | | 4. Mount Vernon's 31st Annual Town Meeting
I am fortunate to have the opportunity to continue a Mount Vernon tradition established by my predecessor, Gerry Hyland, in 1988, the annual Mount Vernon Town Meeting. The Town Meeting is to inform the Mount Vernon community about what its government is doing for them, and even more importantly, to listen to constituents discuss and debate our future in an open forum. I am pleased that Chairman Sharon Bulova, County Executive Bryan Hill, School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders and FCPS Superintendent Scott Brabrand will be joining me. The meeting will take place on Super Bowl Saturday, February 3 at Mount Vernon High School, from 7:45 am - noon. I also invited all my colleagues to join me.
Action The Board directed the County Office of Public Affairs to advertise the Town Meeting on its various communications platforms.
| | Joint Board Matter: 2018 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs
I also joined Supervisors Herrity, Cook, Hudgins, Smith and Smyth in a joint Board Matter to announce teen job fairs this year throughout the region. In conjunction with the Connection Newspapers, County Government and County Public Schools, we will bring our community six Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Resume Building Workshops. They will be open to all teens in the County looking for employment or tips to build their resume. Free booth space will be provided to any business or organization to advertise their available positions. Teenagers, businesses and organizations may register to attend by visiting the following link: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/springfield/teenjobfairs. First jobs are important and these events help connect teens and employers face to face and prepare our youth for the workforce.
Action The Board directed the Office of Public Affairs to help publicize the 2018 Fairfax County Teen Job Fairs and Resume Building Workshops to the local community.
Click here to see the full joint Board Matter and the list of job fairs. | | PUBLIC HEARINGS THAT IMPACT THE MOUNT VERNON DISTRICT | | Public Hearing on SE 2017-MV-024 (Fabiola Salinas) to Permit a Home Child Care Facility
The Board approved a home child care facility to be located at 8471 Summer Breeze Lane, Springfield, 22153.
Public Hearing on SE 2017-MV-025 (My Little Angels Daycare Center, LLC) to Permit a Child Care Center
The Board approved a daycare center to be located at 8806 Pear Tree Village Court, #B and #C, Alexandria, 22309.
Public Hearing on a Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment Re: Restaurants
The Board approved zoning changes regarding restaurants to reflect new restaurant uses, the zoning districts where they can be located and their associated parking requirements. These changes simplify regulations to provide more flexibility for existing and new restaurants, allowing new businesses a faster, easier start-up process.
DEFERRED TO MAY 1, 2018: Public Hearing on Proposed Plan Amendment 2017-IV-MV1, Located at 8419 and 8423 Sky View Drive
Public Hearing on Proposed Plan Amendment 2015-IV-MV5, Located at the Northeast Quadrant of the Intersection of Huntington Avenue and Telegraph Road
The Board approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment for Tax Map Parcels 83-1 ((1)) 33, 45 and 45a, an approximately 4.2-acre area located along Huntington Avenue, near the I-495 and Telegraph Road interchange, in the western portion of the Huntington Transit Station Area (TSA). The amendment adds an option for mixed-use redevelopment on the parcels, to include residential and/or hotel and office uses up to an intensity of 3.0 floor area ratio (FAR), and also allows consolidation of the parcels and potential expansion of the adjacent Transit Development Area (TDA) to include the subject properties.
Much coordination with the our community and the Planning Commission paved the way for this amendment which allows more flexibility for the redevelopment of the Huntington Transit Station Area. This Plan Amendment is supported by the Mount Vernon Council and the Huntington Community Association.
Public Hearing on Proposed Plan Amendment 2015-IV-MV4, Located South of Huntington Avenue, North of North Kings Highway and West of the Huntington Metrorail Station
The Board approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment for an approximately 19.5 acre area located south of Huntington Avenue, north of North Kings Highway and west of the Huntington Metrorail Station in the Huntington Transit Station Area (TSA). The amendment increases the maximum intensity recommended for transit-oriented mixed-use development from an intensity up to 3.0 floor area ratio (FAR) to 4.0 FAR. Conditions related to parcel consolidation and building height adjacent to North Kings Highway were also modified.
This amendment is supported by our community and increases the density for the transit-oriented mix-use redevelopment that is envisioned for the Huntington Club. The IDI Group will lead the redevelopment of this 19-acre site of 364 condominiums into a mixed-use community with approximately 1,000 condos, 500 apartments, 65 townhomes and more than 500,000 square feet of office and retail space.
Public Hearing to Consider Amending Fairfax County Code Chapter 82 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Article 5 (Stopping, Standing, and Parking)
The Board approved parking code revisions to: - allow certain residential parking restrictions adjacent to governmental property,
- update the pay for parking sections of the code to reflect current and future technologies,
- prohibit habitation in vehicles, and
- prohibit maintenance of vehicles in the public right of way, except for emergency repairs, such as fixing a flat tire or changing a battery.
Public Hearing to Convey Board-Owned Property to the Fairfax County Park Authority
The Board approved the conveyance of Board-owned property to the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA). Five parcels of land in the Mount Vernon and Lee Districts were transferred to the FCPA for use as public parks or storm water management. In the Mount Vernon District, two parcels of land located in the Rolling Woods site were transferred to the Park Authority. Click here for a map of the two sites.
Public Hearing on AR 84-V-007-04 (EDH Associates LLC) to Permit Renewal of a Previously-Approved Local Agricultural and Forestal District, Located in Mason Neck
The Board approved renewal of the Belmont Bay II Local Agricultural and Forestal District. This District was originally established for an eight year period on February 3, 1991, and has subsequently been renewed every eight years since. Agricultural & Forestal Districts encourage the preservation of significant tracts of agricultural and forested land throughout the County by providing a reduced real estate tax assessment in exchange for a commitment to preserve the land for the length of the term. This property is located on the West side of Belmont Boulevard at the terminus of Gunston Drive. | | Two Mount Vernon residents were reappointed to the following: - Clarke Slaymaker (A Heath Onthank Award Selection Committee)
- Michael Rioux (Airports Advisory Committee)
| | 31ST ANNUAL MOUNT VERNON TOWN MEETING | | When: Saturday, February 3, 2018 Where: Mount Vernon High School, 8515 Old Mount Vernon Rd., Alexandria, VA 22309 (entrance 4) Times: 7:45 - 9:30am - Exhibit Hall Open 9:30 - noon - Program: Speakers, Audience Q&A's and Virtual Tour
Meet your Supervisor and many county, state and federal leaders. Have your questions answered, learn about issues important to you, connect with county agencies and service providers and mingle with your neighbors. The highlight of the meeting will be taking a "virtual flying tour" of the changes in the District in the past year, with your "pilot" Supervisor Storck.
Speakers: Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, New County Executive Bryan Hill, Mount Vernon District School Board Member Karen Corbett Sanders, New Superintendent of Schools Scott Brabrand and other community leaders.
Engage in Our Community in 2018!
To request reasonable ADA accommodations or language translation services, call the Mount Vernon District Office, 703-780-7518 or TTY 711 on or before 1/29/18. | | | | | | |
