Dranesville Dispatch     June 2018: Issue 42
News and Information for
Dranesville District Residents
John Foust
Dranesville District Supervisor  

Contact us at:
 
Dranesville District Supervisor
McLean Governmental Center
1437 Balls Hill Road
McLean, VA 22101
Phone: 703-356-0551
Fax: 703-821-4275
Email:  Dranesville@FairfaxCounty.gov
  
In This Issue
Message from Supervisor John Foust
Dear Dranesville Resident,
 
Welcome to the June issue of the Dranesville Dispatch!
 
Fairfax County is embarking on a community-driven planning study for downtown McLean and I would like to invite you to participate in this effort. Three workshops will be held in June to kick off this process and solicit community input. Additional community meetings will be held in the fall. More information about the study and how to participate is included in this issue.

Several transportation projects highlighted in this Dispatch are underway or recently completed. A major development in regional transportation is that Maryland has prioritized and expedited widening I-270 and the Beltway and is beginning the requisite environmental study process. Correspondingly, the Virginia Department of Transportation will be completing the environmental  study for a plan to extend the I-495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles. More information is included below.

This spring, I had the opportunity to meet with several community groups, homeowners associations, citizens associations, and student groups. In the Photo Gallery section of this Dispatch, you will get a glimpse of some of those meetings. If you sponsor a student organization or Scout Troop, or lead or participate in a civic association, please contact my office if you would like to schedule a meeting or tour of the Fairfax County Government Center. 
 
As always, I appreciate your thoughts on how to best serve you and all residents of the Dranesville community, and welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Please contact my office if you have questions or concerns. It is my honor to serve you.
  
John
DRANESVILLE AND COUNTY NEWS
cbcDowntown McLean Planning Study

Fairfax County is embarking on a community-driven planning study for the McLean Community Business Center (CBC). This undertaking will give residents the opportunity to update the vision for downtown McLean. The process will consider changes to land uses, development intensities, transportation, public facilities, and possible urban design.

The McLean CBC is more commonly known as downtown McLean and is centered on the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Old Dominion Drive. McLean has long been planned to serve as a focal point for residents, with a mix of residential and community-serving commercial uses.

The last significant review of the Comprehensive Plan recommendations for the CBC occurred over 20 years ago. While downtown McLean has seen some revitalization (undergrounding of utilities, landscape and streetscape improvements, construction of several development projects), it is time to look at the revitalization opportunities in the CBC from a holistic viewpoint.

The County has engaged a consultant, Streetsense, to assist in the visioning process. Streetsense will facilitate three community workshops in June. The workshops are designed to build on each other and will cover different topics but interested individuals do not need to attend all three.

 Workshop #1
Market Influences and Development Decision Making
Held Monday, June 4; video recording available online

  Workshop #2
  Planning, Design and Placemaking
Wednesday, June 13, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

  Workshop #3
Community Immersion and Understanding
Saturday, June 23, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Each workshop will be held in the cafeteria of McLean High School, located at 1633 Davidson Road in McLean.

Over 100 people attended the first workshop on June 4.
More information about the workshops, including details for childcare at the meetings, is available in this flyer and on the project website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/mclean-cbc-study
.

After the workshops are completed and the consultant has compiled and analyzed the community input, the County will hold two community meetings in the fall to help finalize the vision statement. Then a task force composed of residents will work with County staff to translate the community's vision into recommendations for changes to the Comprehensive Plan. The task force meetings will be open to the public.

For more information, contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at Benjamin.Wiles@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-356-0551.
Route 7 over the Dulles Toll Road Project Completed 

The project to widen Route 7 from four to six lanes over the Dulles Toll Road between Tyco Road and Jarrett Valley Drive and construct a significant shared-use path was recently completed. 

The project: 
  • Rehabilitated the two Route 7 bridges over the Dulles Toll Road, built in 1960, and widened the road from four to six lanes between Tyco Road and Jarrett Valley Drive.
  • Created an important new bicycle and pedestrian link across the Toll Road and into Tysons to and from the west, via almost 6,000 feet of lighted shared-use path that will tie into future western trails; this trail provides new multimodal access to the Silver Line's Spring Hill Metro Station.
  • Built pedestrian tunnels under and walkways over ramps for the Dulles Toll Road, eliminating the need for pedestrians and cyclists to cross in front of vehicles.
The $47.5 million project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget using federal, state, and  Northern Virginia Transportation A uthority  funds. 

A ribbon cutting was held on May 22 to celebrate the completion of the project. 


Bird's eye view of the project. 


Cyclists taking advantage of the new shared-use path. 

For more information about the project, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/rt_7_over_dulles_toll_road.asp. 
Pedestrian Bridge to be Replaced 
Over Pimmit Run along Old Dominion Drive

Work to replace the pedestrian bridge along Old Dominion Drive between Linway Terrace and McLean Drive within the Pimmit Run Trail system is set to begin in early June. The project involves the removal of an aging steel bridge and replacement with a new extruded fiberglass bridge. A portion of the trail leading up to the bridge will be closed from both directions to accommodate the work. Construction is expected to be complete by August 2018.


Left: Before. Right: Recently completed pedestrian bridge near Shreve Road. The Old Dominion Drive pedestrian bridge will look similar once completed.

Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/park-news/2018/z-ir062 for more information.
Georgetown Pike Trail Improvements
Great Falls

Three major trail improvement projects were completed in Great Falls in 2017. 

Approximately 800 linear feet of stone dust trail along Georgetown Pike from Applewood Lane to an existing asphalt trail near its intersection with Walker Road were removed and replaced with asphalt.  

Before and after of trail from Applewood Lane to Walker Road.

Approximately 450 linear feet of stone dust trail from Bucks Lane to an existing private concrete sidewalk near the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Walker Road were removed and replaced with asphalt. 

Before and after of trail from Bucks Lane to Walker Road.
  
The 340-foot long stone dust trail in front of the Grange, from Bucks Lane to Innsbruck Avenue was difficult to maintain and had disappeared due to vegetation. An asphalt trail was constructed in its place.  

Before and after of trail from Bucks Lane to Innsbruck Avenue.

Supervisor Foust said, "Improving connectivity throughout Great Falls, especially near the commercial center, is a major priority. These projects, in addition to others that are coming down the pipeline, are a great step in that direction." 
Leesburg Pike/Colvin Run Road Pedestrian Access Improvement Project

A project to improve the Leesburg Pike/Colvin Run Road intersection was recently completed. The project included construction of a new turn lane onto Colvin Run Road from westbound Leesburg Pike, two new retaining walls, stormwater improvements, updated signals and new pedestrian signals with push buttons and signage, three accessible curb ramps, and two concrete bus pads with connecting sidewalk.

 
Left: Before construction. Right: During retaining wall and twin box culvert construction.

 
Left: During sidewalk and curb ramp installation. Right: After, southwest corner of intersection looking west.

mcleantrafficMcLean Traffic Concerns/American Legion Bridge Update
  
Supervisor Foust joined members of the community and representatives from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) on May 9 at a follow-up meeting to one that was held in September 2017. The September meeting was held in response to concerns raised by residents regarding traffic congestion and cut-through traffic in the general vicinity of the entrance to the Beltway from Georgetown Pike and the Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike intersection.

During the September meeting, VDOT and FCDOT committed to hosting another meeting in the spring to update residents on their progress in addressing community recommendations. The May 9 meeting included a discussion of the work VDOT has completed near the intersection of Balls Hill Road and Georgetown Pike, including painting the "box" (intersection) and constructing a shoulder area to provide FCPD with a safe place to enforce traffic violations. VDOT also presented an option that could improve the intersection by adding an additional north bound lane on Balls Hill Road (there would then be dedicated left, through, and right lanes). Supervisor Foust is currently working with FCDOT and VDOT staff to find the funding needed to construct the project.

 
Supervisor Foust greets the crowd at the May 9 community meeting.

Since the September meeting, a group of residents appointed by Supervisor Foust have been meeting to discuss these issues through a regional lens. The McLean Traffic Advisory Group (MTAG) meets monthly to help VDOT and FCDOT identify and evaluate recommendations for short-term and intermediate-term solutions and possible improvements for specific streets. For more information on these efforts, visit VDOT's project website: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/mclean_traffic_analysis.asp.  
  
One exciting development is that Governor Hogan has prioritized widening I-270 and the Beltway in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Transportation is beginning the environmental study process that will be required for the project, which is b eing expedited. Within two years, the state expects to have a detailed plan for widening the highways. 

To correspond with this effort, Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board approved $6 million for VDOT to conduct an environmental study of a plan to extend the I-495 Express Lanes by approximately three miles from the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange to the vicinity of the American Legion Bridge and Maryland line. This northern extension to the 495 Express Lanes would help relieve a traffic-choked section of I-495 by providing more capacity, new travel choices, and benefits for carpoolers. A public meeting was held on June 11 to present the proposed project and study to the community. For more information, visit VDOT's project website for the study, www.495northernextension.org.
Spring Hill Road/Lewinsville Road Intersection Improvements
Study Underway

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has initiated a study of the intersection of Lewinsville Road and Spring Hill Road in McLean. The study includes preliminary engineering and conceptual design. At the current stage, the project will develop and evaluate various preliminary concepts to improve intersection traffic operations and safety for all modes.

The concepts will be planning level and show conceptual horizontal layout and roadway characteristics that convey the potential right-of-way, geometric layout, anticipated utility impacts (based on available information), bicycle/pedestrian connections. In addition to concept plans, estimates of probable cost and a construction phasing plan for the promising concepts will be developed. The outcome of this study will be a preferred alternative based on a comprehensive evaluation process of the project measures-of-effectiveness (MOEs) and community feedback.

The concepts were presented to the community at a public meeting that was held on May 10. More information about the project and the presentation from the meeting is available online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/study/spring-hill-lewinsville-road.
Balls Hill Road/Old Dominion Drive Intersection Improvements
Study Underway and Upcoming Community Meeting

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has been studying alternatives to improve the intersection of Balls Hill Road and Old Dominion Drive in McLean. Several options are being considered and will be presented to the community at a meeting to be held on June 28 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Cooper Middle School (977 Balls Hill Road).

Until recently, only funding for design of the improvements was allocated to this project. At the May 15 Board Meeting however, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved allocation of $20.5 million to the project for design, land acquisition, and construction.

Supervisor Foust said, "The intersection at Balls Hill and Old Dominion has been a choke point in Dranesville for a long time. I look forward to discussing alternatives to improve the intersection with the community and moving forward with this project."
Bull Neck Run Stream Restoration
Work to Begin June 2018

Restoration work on the Bull Neck Run Stream located within Spring Hill Park and Bull Neck Run Stream Valley Park is set to begin this June. Spring Hill Park is located at 1239 Spring Hill Road in McLean.   

The project involves restoration of approximately 1,350 linear feet of Bull Neck Run stream. The primary goal of this restoration is to stabilize the channel and prevent future erosion and degradation along the stream. Restoration of native trees and herbaceous planting will also be implemented after construction in order to promote natural reforestation which ensures the development of a healthy ecosystem. This project is part of Fairfax County's larger efforts to restore many of the County's degraded streams while also improving overall water quality and the condition of the Chesapeake Bay.


The project's main construction access will be off Lewinsville Road and directly behind the RECenter building adjacent to the multi-purpose fields. This project will impact the trail network within the stream corridor. Temporary trail closure will be implemented as needed to ensure public safety. Active construction will conclude in June 2019.

For more information, please contact Project Manager Vivian Bui at 703 324-5609 or via email at Vivian.Bui@FairfaxCounty.gov.
zMOD Update

In 2017, Fairfax County launched a major initiative to modernize its Zoning Ordinance that was first established 40 years ago. Dubbed "zMOD," the effort will help the County carry out its strategic plan to grow and diversify its economy. 

zMOD will work in tandem with the County's existing process for amending its zoning laws by prioritizing proposed changes of county-wide significance.

The first phase of the zMOD focuses on three areas:
  • Prioritizing key Zoning Ordinance amendments for updates.
  • Restructuring the ordinance to make it more user friendly, such as including more charts, tables and links, as well as more easily understandable language.
  • Improving the County's overall process for how the zoning ordinance is updated. 
The following amendments have been prioritized:

Approved Amendments
The County has hired Clarion Associates to assist with the reformatting of the Zoning Ordinance and the development of improved graphics to create a more user-friendly document. Clarion will also assist in the updating and revision of land use categories for permitted, special exception and special permit land uses and their regulations.

A draft of the modernized Zoning Ordinance is anticipated to be completed within 18 months to be followed by the formal adoption process.

Multiple opportunities and channels for public engagement have been and will continue to be provided throughout the process.

More information, in addition to presentations and videos from past public meetings, are available online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-zoning/zmod.
Governor Northam Opportunity Zones


In May, Governor Northam announced that the U.S. Department of Treasury has officially designated 212 Virginia Qualified Opportunity Zones, which includes nine in Fairfax County. Governor Northam submitted 212 nominations in April, which represented the maximum number of zones the Governor was able to nominate under the new federal tax tool that targets low-income census tracts.

"As Chairman of the Economic Advisory Committee, I am pleased that all of the 212 nominated Opportunity Zones have been accepted, nine of which are in Fairfax County," said Supervisor Foust. "The County is committed to working with the Commonwealth to maximize this important federal tool to strengthen our local economic development efforts."

The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that passed in December 2017 included provisions for a new revitalization tool, the Opportunity Zone and Opportunity Fund. The zones and funds will allow investors to receive tax benefits on currently unrealized capital gains that are invested through Opportunity Funds in eligible census tracts designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones. The rules associated with qualification of Opportunity Investment Funds and Qualified Opportunity Investments must be written at the federal level and are expected to be formalized later in 2018.

The 212 opportunity zones are shown on a map which is available online at https://bit.ly/2IXFxLq.

For more information, visit  https://bit.ly/2scKtlt.
Fairfax County Park Authority 2018 Discovery Trail Map

If you like animals, you will go wild for the Fairfax County Park Authority 2018 Discovery Trail Map. This year's free summer activity highlights the rich diversity of wildlife you might encounter in Fairfax County parks.

Now in its fifth year, the map encourages children and adults to explore 12 distinctive parks and learn interesting facts about the wildlife that live in the parks. Discover which bird's wings beat up to 53 times per second, which park serves as the perfect habitat for the great blue heron, and which creature could be called a "party animal."

Participants who visit at least eight of the featured sites will receive tickets to more park fun valued at $93 and be entered in a drawing for one of four bicycles donated by Spokes, Etc. through the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

Heralding this year's map theme are Virgil and Ginny Cardinal, cutout characters representing the Virginia state bird and offering another opportunity for park visitors to win. If you spot them along the trail, snap a selfie with them and post it on Instagram with the hashtag #VirgilandGinny. Weekly winners will be selected to receive their choice of RECenter or mini golf guest passes.

Discovery Trail Maps are available at any staffed Fairfax County park, RECenter, nature center, historic site or golf course, any Fairfax County public library, any Board of Supervisors office, and online. Instructions for participating in the activity are included on the map. The promotion runs from Saturday, May 26 through Monday, September 3.

Bike winners will be notified by e-mail and/or phone and will be publicly announced in September. For more information, contact the FCPA Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or v isit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/discovery-trail-map.
Aggressive Driving

The Fairfax County Police Department is committed to keeping the citizens who live in, work in, and visit Fairfax County, safe on the roadways. Unfortunately, with crowded, busy roads, aggressive driving is a troubling and dangerous problem in Fairfax County and across the metropolitan region. Some of the most visible acts of aggressive driving include tailgating, unsafe lane changes, speeding, and running red lights and stop signs. 

Ways to avoid being labeled an aggressive driver:
  • Allow plenty of travel time
  • Maintain an adequate distance from the vehicle in front of you
  • Always use turn signals
  • Always come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs
  • Do not run yellow lights; slow down instead
  • Let other drivers merge into your lane
  • Focus on driving; limit cell phone and stereo use
  • Use horn only for emergencies
  • Never engage in rude faces/gestures with other drivers/motorists
  • Extend common courtesy to other drivers at all times
To report aggressive driving, citizens are encouraged to get a good description of the vehicle, tag, direction of traffic (and the driver if possible), and contact the police non-emergency number ( 703-691-2131) so that a look-out can be created and an officer can be dispatched. If there is a repeated problem on specific roads, at specific times of day, with specific vehicles, citizens are encouraged to contact the District Station which will have the Selective Enforcement Team (SET) investigate. SET is a specialized team to combat either acute traffic or criminal issues.
 
If the aggressive driving is seen on a major highway, such as the Beltway or I-66, a citizen can report it by dialing #77 on a cell phone (http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Aggressive-reckless_Driver.shtm). The Virginia State Police also have a mobile app that can be used to send pictures and video, although for safety reasons, the police recommend that a passenger and not a driver make the recording (http://www.mymobilewitness.com/consumer-services.php).
Land Use Cases in Dranesville


Benchmark Associates, L.P.
RZ 2017-DR-026, FDP 2017-DR-026
6707 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
  
Applicant requests a rezoning from the C-8 Zoning District to the Planned Residential Mixed-Use (PRM) Zoning District to add a multi-family residential building to the site. The 44-unit building would occupy the area of the property that is currently a surface parking lot. The existing office/retail building on the site would remain. A Traffic Demand Management plan is proposed to address interim and post development parking needs and other transportation issues such as circulation, bicycle/pedestrian safety, and turning movements will be evaluated as part of the review process.
 
Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

Pomeroy/Clark LLC
PCA-C-637-04, RZ 2016-DR-027, FDP 2016-DR-027
Northwest Quadrant of the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Frying Pan Road, Herndon

Applicant requests a rezoning to the Planned Residential Mixed-Use (PRM) zoning district to permit development of a mixed-use project consisting primarily of multi-family, townhouse units, and neighborhood serving retail on approximately 43 acres.
Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

Aurora Station at Dulles (Pomeroy Companies, Inc. / Pomeroy Investments Inc., TR)
RZ 2017-DR-012, PCA-C-637-05, FDP 2017-DR-012
Northeast Quadrant of the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Frying Pan Road, Herndon

Application to rezone 39.43 acre parcel from the I-5 and R-1 district to the Planned Residential Mixed-Use (PRM) district, to permit a maximum of 1,013 residential units, between 80,000 and 130,000 square feet of medical care or independent living, and a mixed-used development consisting of multi-family, hotel, retail, and office up to 310,000 square feet.
  
Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

Stanley Martin Companies, LLC
PCA 2017-DR-014, CDPA 2017-DR-014, FDPA 2017-DR-014A
South side of Dulles Technology Drive between River Birch Road and Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon

The applicant seeks approval of a Conceptual Development Plan Amendment (CDPA) associated with RZ 2017-DR-014 to incorporate two-over-two multi-family stacked homes.

Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

Peter J. Fitzgerald Jr.
SE 2017-DR-027
7327 Georgetown Pike, McLean

 

Applicant proposes a 5-home cluster subdivision on 5.39 acres in the R-1 zoning district and a waiver of the minimum district size. No additional density beyond what is allowed under by-right development is proposed.

Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

 


Tradition Homes, LLC
RZ 2017-DR-023
East side of Dranesville Road, approximately 960 feet south of its intersection with Wiehle Avenue, Herndon

Application to rezone 5.76 acres of land from R-1 to R-3 to construct a 13-lot subdivision.

Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

Liberty Crossing (W-MRP LP OWNER A VIII, L.L.C)
RZ 2017-DR-028
Southwest quadrant of the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon

Applicant proposes to rezone 33.65 acres of land from the I-4 to PDC (Planned Development Commercial) district to construct a mixed-use development comprised of office (687,000 SF), retail (39,600 SF), and residential uses (1779 units).
  
Information including a map of the site, public hearing dates, and staff report can be found here.

For more information on land use cases in Dranesville contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at Benjamin.Wiles@FairfaxCounty.gov or call 703-356-0551. 
CONGRATULATIONS
26th Annual Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards
Dranesville Community Champion Ed Pickens
and BSA Troop 500 Leaders Recognized


Supervisor Foust with Dranesville District Community Champion, Ed Pickens.

Established in 1993, the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards serve as a community-wide celebration of volunteerism. The Awards honor individuals, groups and organizations that have given outstanding volunteer service through a broad range of activities and programs. Each member of the Board of Supervisors nominates an individual to be recognized as a Community Champion.

William "Ed" Pickens is Dranesville District's Community Champion for 2018. If it involves trails, beautification, or stream cleanups, Ed is the man to ask and the man to get the work done. Each year, Ed has provided hundreds of volunteer hours involving work with the Fairfax County Park Authority to design, build, and maintain two natural surface trails, Pimmit Run and Scotts Run, as well as initiate major improvements on the Cross County Trail. In addition to managing other volunteers, Ed identified and coordinated over 50 trail projects with the Boy Scouts and supervised over 40 Eagle Scout projects, serving as a mentor to those who work beside him. Anyone who enjoys hiking along the many trails in Fairfax County reaps the benefits of Ed's multi-year efforts to expand and maintain the County's trail network. From ardent hikers to casual walkers, every trail user gets a safer and more enhanced experience as a result of his efforts.

Supervisor Foust said, "Mr. Pickens is not a person who seeks acknowledgement of his contributions to our community. Instead, in his quiet and patient way, he performs yeoman's work to improve the County's trail network. His work with Eagle Scout candidates on trail projects is inspirational and encourages civic engagement."

The leaders of Boy Scout Troop 500 from Great Falls were also recognized at the Volunteer Service Awards. Gary Pan, Jeff Ye, and Charles Hochstein were honored as Benchmark awardees. The Benchmark awards recognize volunteers for the number of volunteer hours they completed over the course of the year prior. Gary and Jeff completed 1,000 volunteer hours over the past year and Charles completed 500 volunteer hours.


Lord and Lady Fairfax

 
Every year since 1984, two individuals from each of the nine Fairfax County magisterial districts, as well as two at-large, are honored for service to their communities or for particular acts of heroism. For their dedication, these community caretakers are recognized as Lord and Lady Fairfax for the year.

This year Supervisor Foust selected Jeff Fairfield and Carole Herrick as Lord and Lady Fairfax for the Dranesville District. 

Carole Herrick is one of Dranesville's most respected volunteers and historians. She served nine years on the McLean Community Center's Governing Board, then as a member of its Friends Board, and was recently elected to serve on the Governing Board again. She is president of the McLean Historical Society. A member of the Fairfax County History Commission since 2002, she served as chair from 2015-2017. She headed McLean & Great Falls Celebrate Virginia, served on the Fairfax County 2007 Community Citizens Planning Committee and the Salona Task Force Committee. She has written numerous articles and eight books about the Northern Virginia area. She has received numerous accolades, including the MCC's Friend in Deed and the Great Falls Historical Society's Jean Tibbetts awards.

Jeff Fairfield is a tireless volunteer.  He is managing co-trustee of The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust which funds Fairfax charities. He supervised design and construction of Arrowbrook Centre Park in Herndon. Jeff served as president of the Committee for Dulles and the Herndon (now Dulles Regional) Chamber of Commerce. He helped establish the real estate special tax district preserving Metrorail stations in western Fairfax and chairs the Phase 2 Dulles Rail Landowners Advisory Board. He chaired the Route 28 Station South Side Land Use Study and serves as a director of the Dulles Area Transportation Association and the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance. 


Falls Church-McLean Children's Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Falls-Church-McLean Children's Center Board President, Jan Auerbach and Executive Director Elizabeth Page.

In 1967, in response to news articles which highlighted the lack of affordable child care around the country and the existence of day care programs with dangerous environments where children were neglected, volunteers from over 20 area faith groups decided to take action. The group's mission was to create a center that would "enrich and develop the whole personality of the child." They established the Center with the mission of providing high-quality early childhood education that would be affordable to low-income working families.

On October 10, 1968, the center opened its doors with an enrollment of 15 children in the basement of Chesterbrook Presbyterian Church in Falls Church. From these humble beginnings, the Center has grown to its current enrollment of over 70 children.
In 2003, the Center moved from the basement of the church to its current location, a dedicated wing of Lemon Road Elementary School built for the Center by Fairfax County.

In recognition of its outstanding service, the Falls Church-McLean Children's Center has been honored by the Virginia General Assembly, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Public School System and other local faith and community groups for its outstanding service. In 2016, the McLean Chamber of Commerce named the Children's Center Nonprofit of the Year. This year, Supervisor Foust presented the Center with a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
 
 MCC Governing Board

Three new adult members and two students were elected to the McLean Community Center Governing Board. The adults will serve three year terms and the students will serve one year terms. Congratulations to Carole Herrick, Raj Mehra, Terri Markwart, Megan Markwart, and Lauren Herzberg. 

From left: Carole Herrick, Raj Mehra, Terri Markwart.


From left: Megan Markwart, Lauren Herzberg.  
   

The MCC Governing Board sets policy and provides general oversight for all facilities and programs of the Center, including the Robert Ames Alden Theatre and the Old Firehouse Teen Center.

 
McLean Community Foundation Awards First Chain Bridge Cup
 
 
The rivalry between McLean High School and Langley High School is a long-standing tradition in McLean and a big part of every athletic contest between the two schools.  Each year, Student Activities Directors Geoff Noto of Langley and Greg Miller of McLean have kept an informal tally, tracking which school has the most wins across the three seasons of all sports. The McLean Community Foundation, working with the Directors, has formalized that tally and established the Chain Bridge Cup, an award that Langley and McLean will vie for each year. The winner will be determined at the end of each academic year and the Cup will be on display in the winner's trophy case throughout the following year.

Langley has won the first Chain Bridge Cup and team leaders of Langley athletic teams were treated to a lunch in May where the Cup was delivered for display for the 2018-2019 season. The official launch of next year's competition will take place at the McLean-Langley football game on Friday, November 2 at Langley High School.
 
Langley Robotics



After finishing in first place at the FIRST Robotics District Competition in Oxon Hill, Maryland, the Langley Robotics team headed to the Chesapeake Regional Competition and the University of Maryland, College Park. The team faced fierce competition, but persevered and advanced to the 2018 FIRST Robotics World Competition in Detroit, Michigan. Ultimately, Langley placed 31st out of 68 teams in its division and is looking forward to competition again next year. Congratulations on such an accomplishment.


Langley Boys Swim and Dive Team



The Board of Supervisors recognized the Langley High School Boys Swim and Dive Team at its May 1 Board Meeting. The Langley Saxons won the top prize at the 2018 Virginia High School League's Class 6 Swimming and Diving Championships.
  
Langley was awarded 235 points thanks to a strong team performance, beating out its next closest competitor by 49 points. The team was powered by seniors and double winners Casey Storch and Tyler Zuyus, who will be swimming at the University of Virginia and Arizona State University, respectively, next year.
  
Langley finished second in the state in 2016 and 2010.


Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce Education Awards

Cynthia Hawkins, Renee Yates, and Anna Nguyen of McLean High School and Jordyn Callaghan, Jorge Sanchez, and Jasna Koceva of Langley High School were recognized by the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce on May 30. Photo credit: Brian Trompeter, Sun Gazette.

Top-performing students, employees and teachers whose efforts have enhanced Langley and McLean high schools were honored by the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce at its annual Education Awards ceremony held on May 30. Supervisor Foust joined the Chamber and other elected officials to celebrate the honorees.

The McLean High School honorees are Cynthia Hawkins, Renee Yates, and Anna Nguyen. Renee was honored as Employee of the Year for her work in the school's front office. 
Cynthia was recognized with the Teacher of the Year Award for her efforts as an Advanced Placement psychology teacher and as the school's Advanced Academic Programs coordinator. Student of the Year, Anna, was nominated by her computer science teacher and has been an active member of Girls Who Code.

The Langley High School winners were Jorge Sanchez, Jasna Koceva, and Jordyn Callaghan. Jorge received the Employee of the Year Award for keeping the school clean and handling the daily event schedule. Jasna won the Teacher of the Year Award for her work with the Best Buddies program and her efforts to improve opportunities for special-needs students. Jordyn, honored as Student of the Year for her academic prowess, was nominated for her analytical skills and efforts to help her classmates become better writers.

McLean High School Band Receives 2017 Sudler Flag of Honor

Band Director Chris Weise and McLean HS Symphonic Band students. Photo credit: Marion Meakem Photography.

The McLean High School band has been selected by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a recipient of the 2017 Sudler Flag of Honor. The award is recognized as one of the nation's highest awards that can be presented to a concert band program. To put this achievement in perspective, there are 25,000 public high schools in the entire United States; only 80 of those schools have ever been awarded the Sudler Flag of Honor. McLean High School's band program is one of only five schools to receive the Sudler Flag of Honor twice.

The Sudler Flag of Honor identifies, recognizes, and honors high school band programs internationally that have demonstrated particularly significant high standards of excellence in concert activities over a period of several years. Roy Holder, guest conductor and project chair for the Sudler Flag of Honor, presented the flag to band director Chris Weise and band students at the school's spring concert in May.

The McLean band program is made up of 240 students in several band programs. These include symphonic band, wind ensemble, concert band, percussion ensemble, jazz ensemble, chamber ensemble, marching band, color guard/winter guard, and pep band. The nationally recognized band program plays throughout the year at home football games, competitions, concerts and other community events. Since 1993, it has won over 50 competitions and awards.

For more information, contact Chris Weise at cmweise@fcps.edu.  


McLean AAUW Branch High School STEM Awards Recipients

Lora Zhou, second from left, and Kelly Zhang, second from right, juniors at McLean High School received academic achievement awards from the McLean Area Branch of AAUW. The awards were presented by Caroline Pickens, far left, AAUW of VA Northern District Co-Representative, and Myrtle Hendricks-Corrales, far right, branch liaison for McLean High School.

The McLean Area Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has partnered with counselors at McLean, Langley, and Marshall High Schools to award Science and Math Achievement Awards to six female students finishing their junior year. Each award, which is funded through the branch's annual book sale, consists of a certificate and a check for $100 for the honoree.

The criteria for the awards include a demonstrated record of overall academic success, as well as a distinguished record of achievement in either math or science. Career center counselors at the schools managed the process of selecting the students. The following students received the 2018 awards:

McLean High School - Math: Kelly Zhang, Science: Lora Zhou
Langley High School - Math: Rose Lee, Science: Eileen Wen
Marshall High School - Math: Madeleine Kienzle, Science: Gwyneth McNamara

The awards are presented to the students by branch members at local award ceremonies held at each high school. The branch instituted the awards to encourage young women to pursue educational opportunities related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). For more information on the McLean Area Branch and its annual book sale, visit the AAUW McLean Area website at http://mclean-va.aauw.net.


Longfellow MS Duo Wins First Place Award in Science Olympiad National Tournament

Longfellow Middle School's Science Olympiad team represented the state of Virginia in the Science Olympiad National Tournament in May. Finishing tenth among 60 of the nation's best teams, seven of the 15 core team members earned medals (awarded for top six finishes), including a first place National Championship Medal in Dynamic Planet for Evan Guo and Mikhail Mints, who also took a fifth place in Meteorology.



Wayne Sharp Re-Elected Chairman of the Board at the National Council For Adoption


Congratulations to McLean resident, Dr. Wayne W. Sharp, who was recently re-elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Council For Adoption (NCFA) for a second term. Wayne was adopted at birth in Dallas, Texas and raised on the family's "Knickerbocker Ranch." After receiving his Ph.D. at Michigan State University, Wayne had a distinguished 25-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, was twice awarded the "President's Meritorious Foreign Service Award," and served two years in the White House as an Assistant Director of the President's Council on International Economic Policy. Upon his retirement in 1991, he became a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and for 18 years directed a financial planning practice, retiring in 2009. Wayne and his wife Linda devote their time, leadership, financial and planning skills as volunteers and philanthropists in the areas of adoption, food assistance, musical arts, and community service.
photogalleryPHOTO GALLERY
Hutchison SGA at the Board

  
Hutchison Elementary School SCA members, SCA co-sponsor Suzan Mardis, and Principal Ray Lonnett joined Supervisor Foust and Barbara Emerson from the County's Office of Public Affairs outside the Government Center for a photo. 
          
The Student Council Association from Hutchison Elementary School in Herndon joined Supervisor Foust at the May 1 Board Meeting. Supervisor Foust said, "It was awesome to have the Hutchison SCA at the Board. The students were an impressive group and eager to learn about our local government." In addition to stopping by the Board Meeting, the group took a tour of the Government Center led by Barbara Emerson with the Office of Public Affairs.

Contact Supervisor Foust's office at Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-356-0551 if you would like to set up a visit to the Fairfax County Government Center. 
 

 
Girl Scout Troop 2958


Supervisor Foust was invited to speak with members of Girl Scout Troop 2958 out of Kent Gardens Elementary School. The Scouts had some concerns and questions about traffic in the McLean area. Each Scout was well prepared with questions and comments. Supervisor Foust said, "I was impressed with the preparation the Girl Scouts put into our meeting. Our community is lucky to have motivated young leaders like these." 

Contact Supervisor Foust's office at Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-356-0551 if you are involved with a student or community group and would like to set up a meeting with Supervisor Foust. 
 

Franklin Area Citizens Association Meeting

 
Supervisor Foust joined the Franklin Area Citizens Association for its annual meeting on May 10. He discussed topics of concern to the community including the County budget, transportation projects in the area, and land use developments. 
 
Contact Supervisor Foust's office at Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-356-0551 to invite Supervisor Foust to speak with your homeowners or citizens association. 


McLean Day


Supervisor Foust and his staff working the tent at McLean Day. 

Supervisor Foust and his staff participated in McLean Day on May 19. The rain did not stop community members from comming out to vote for McLean Community Center Governing Board, enjoy rides, and try food from food trucks. 


Herndon Pyramid Art Exhibition

Hutchison Elementary student Paola and her mother showing off her artwork.

The annual Herndon Pyramid Art Show was held at ArtSpace Herndon during the last week of April. It was open to the community and featured artwork created by students from Aldrin Elementary, Armstrong Elementary, Clearview Elementary, Dranesville Elementary, Herndon Elementary, Hutchison Elementary, Herndon Middle, and Herndon High. The exhibit showcased a wealth of artistic talent found in the students of the Herndon community.


50 Flags for Heroes
From left: Vance Zavela, Rotary Club of McLean; Delegate Marcus Simon; Delegate Kathleen Murphy; Supervisor John Foust.  

Supervisor Foust joined the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club of McLean, the Sharon Masonic Lodge, and the American Legion for 50 Flags for Heroes, a tribute to veterans and those who lost their lives in service. The event was held on May 25 to kick off Memorial Day Weekend.
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call the Dranesville District office at 703-356-0551, TTY 711.
If you would like your community announcement included in Dranesville Happenings please send an email to Dranesville@FairfaxCounty.gov.