From Supervisor Foust: Dranesville Dispatch

Though our days begin to get longer in March and we hope warmer weather is on the horizon, we didn't make it through 2017 without a little snow. VDOT pretreated and plowed the roads efficiently and drivers took care to limit their driving and practice extra caution during our mid-March snow event.

In other news, the Board of Supervisors is well into budget season. For the past several years, arriving at a balanced budget has been very challenging. This year will be no exception. Once again, the Board of Supervisors must arrive at a budget that supports essential County services while considering the County's financial soundness, the ability to respond to future unknown challenges and the impact to property owners. Without the meals tax, the County's budget challenges are daunting but the Board will work with the community to address them. More information on the budget and how to provide comments is included in this issue of the Dispatch.

In this issue, you'll also see updates about the McLean Community Center's renovation and expansion; information about a proposed trail along Georgetown Pike that will complete the trail network in the area; and new Countywide resources, like the real estate tax calculator.

March 21 marked the 10th anniversary of the first tweet ever posted on Twitter. Join me on Twitter @johnfoustva (https://twitter.com/johnfoustva) for updates from the County, VDOT, details on community meetings, and much more. Not on Twitter? Follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/dranesvillesupervisor/.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts on how to best serve you and all residents of the Dranesville community and I welcome the opportunity to speak with your civic group or homeowners association. I encourage you to contact my office if you have questions, concerns, or to set up a meeting. It is an honor to serve you.

John

John Foust

Dranesville District Supervisor

DRANESVILLE AND COUNTY NEWS

Fairfax County FY 2018 Advertised Budget

On February 28, the Board authorized advertisement of a real estate tax rate for Fiscal Year FY 2018 of $1.13 per $100 of assessed value, which is the current FY 2017 rate. The Board cannot ultimately adopt a higher rate than what is advertised.

The County Executive's proposed budget is balanced at the current real estate tax rate of $1.13. With the slight increase in the County's average real estate assessment, the average residential property owner's tax bill will increase $40.69. The value of 1 cent on the real estate tax rate is $23.75 million in FY 2018.

Following this timeline, the Board of Supervisors will hold public meetings and hearings, make revisions to the proposed budget, and adopt the FY 2018 budget on May 2. The FY 2018 budget will be effective starting July 1, 2017.

Public Involvement in the Budget Process

As the Board of Supervisors reviews the proposed budget and solicits community input, budget meetings are being held throughout Fairfax County. Supervisor Foust joined the Great Falls Citizens Association at its budget meeting on February 21 and the McLean Citizens Association on March 16.

The Board will hold public hearings on the proposed budget at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Hearing dates and times are:

Tuesday, April 4 at 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 5 at 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 6 at 1:00 p.m.

To register to speak at one of the budget hearings, call the Clerk to the Board's office at 703-324-3151 or 703-324-2391 (TTY 711), or sign up online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/speaker_bos.htm. The public can submit written testimony to the Clerk's Office by emailing clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov. The hearings will be televised live on Cable Channel 16.

As part of Fairfax County's efforts to expand public participation in local government, the County is piloting a program that allows residents to provide video testimony with their input on the proposed FY 2018 Budget in lieu of appearing in person before the Board of Supervisors. The video will be viewed by the Board and the public during the budget public hearings on April 5 and 6. The public hearings are livestreamed and televised on Channel 16.

A maximum of five videos will be played at each of the April 5 and 6 public hearings on a first-come, first-served basis. The video testimony will be played after in-person testimony is finished. If a video is not one of the five played at the public hearing and meets all the County guidelines, it will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors for review.

A complete list of guidelines for the videos and the submission form are available online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/public-hearing-video-testimony.htm.

On April 25, the Board will hold its budget "Mark Up" session, where it will consider proposed changes to the County Executive's Advertised budget. The final step of the budget process will be the Board's adoption of the FY 2018 budget on May 2. That budget will become effective on July 1, 2017.

Overview of the County Executive's Advertised FY 2018 Budget versus the Current FY 2017 Budget

How was the FY 2018 Budget Built? (values in millions)

Available Revenue Increase in FY 2018
over the FY 2017 Adopted Budget Plan

Revenue Increase at Current Real Estate Tax Rate	$ 87.05
Revenue Adjustments	$ 1.15
Net Impact of Transfers In	$ (0.10)
Total Available	$ 88.10
Additional FY 2018 Requirements Funded in Advertised Budget
Schools Support	$ 50.95
School Operating Transfer	$ 51.69
School Debt Service	$ (0.74)
County Requirements	$ 45.39
Employee Pay and Benefits	$ 32.58
Capital and Debt	$ 9.28
Public Safety	$ 9.26
Human Services	$ 3.10
Cost of County Operations	$ 3.03
Community Development	$ 0.41
Reductions/Savings	$ (12.27)
Reserve Adjustment	$ (10.23)
Total Uses	$ 86.11
Available for Other Critical Requirements	$ 1.99

For more information about the FY 2018 Advertised Budget Plan, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/fy2018/advertised/fy2018-advertised-budget.htm or contact Jane Edmondson in my office at Jane.Edmondson@FairfaxCounty.gov.

McLean Community Center Groundbreaking

Supervisor Foust, along with other state and local officials and community representatives, broke ground on March 22 for the renovation of the McLean Community Center (MCC), located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue in McLean.

T he MCC, which opened in October 1975, was built and is funded by residents of the greater McLean area through a real estate tax surcharge (Small District 1A-Dranesville). The MCC also receives money from fees and charges and relies on volunteers, gifts, and donations to expand its programs. An 11-member Governing Board, elected by citizens of the district and appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, oversees the MCC's budget and operation.

In 2013, the MCC's Governing Board voted to renovate and expand the Ingleside facility to meet current and future needs and to improve the patron experience. The MCC's Governing Board held four public meetings in March, April, and May of 2015 to inform the community of the project plans and to obtain feedback. The $8 million renovation project is fully funded through capital reserves. It was designed by The Lukmire Partnership; the contract for construction was awarded to Sorenson Gross Construction Services.

This project will renovate 33,000 square feet of the MCC and add 7,700 square feet including two additional multi-purpose rooms, an enclosed outdoor courtyard with seating and landscaping, refurbished meeting rooms, and a more modern look with new wall, ceiling, and floor treatments. The renovation will also upgrade the technology throughout the building and improve and enhance the site's stormwater management system while bringing the MCC into compliance with current ADA and building code regulations. Front desk operations will be centralized and the MCC's administrative offices will be consolidated into one cohesive area. The parking lot will be regraded and resurfaced; additional parking spaces will be added, and walkway lighting will be improved.

The building will be closed from April 1, 2017 until fall 2018. During this period, the majority of MCC's classes will be held at 6645 Old Dominion Drive, in the McLean Square Shopping Center. The new location includes four classrooms, which will be scheduled for maximum use. The space will also house the MCC's registration office. During the construction period, MCC's administrative offices will be located in the same shopping center as the new classroom space, at 6631 Old Dominion Drive, on the first floor of the Century 21 New Millennium building.

The large, outdoor community events produced by the MCC will continue to be offered while the MCC is closed. The Spring and Fall Community Garage Sales will be held at the parking garage at 1420 Beverly Road; McLean Day 2017 will be held at Lewinsville Park as usual; and the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration will return to Churchill Road School for a second year. Jammin' Juniors, the free, preschool concerts offered by The Alden will be held in local parks, while other performances will be presented in community-based venues. The MCC is continuing to identify additional spaces for the dance program, indoor special events, and performing arts programs.

Supervisor Foust said, "The McLean Community Center has been a great resource for McLean residents for many years. The expanded and renovated facilities will provide even more opportunities for our community to gather and grow together."

Pictured in the photo from left to right are Kat Kehoe*, Jennifer Rossman* and son Henry, Desi Woltman*, Deborah Sanders*, Merrily Pierce*, Paul Kohlenberger*, Robert Ames Alden, Laurelie Wallace*, Lathan Turner*, Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, MCC Executive Director George Sachs, Delegate Kathleen Murphy, Delegate Richard "Rip" Sullivan.

*Denotes McLean Community Center Governing Board Member.

Aerial rendering of MCC Renovation (expansion areas in white).

Renderings of MCC Renovation.

For more information, call the MCC at 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit the website, www.mcleancenter.org.

Main Street McLean

Redevelopment Proposal for Downtown McLean

Over 300 residents attended a meeting sponsored by McLean Properties on February 16 regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Old Dominion Shopping Center and the Chain Bridge Corner Shopping Center into a mixed-use center.

The proposal builds upon the "Main Street" concept envisioned in the Comprehensive Plan for McLean by creating a new road between Chain Bridge Road and Beverly Road flanked by office, retail, and residential uses.

Renderings of the Main Street McLean proposal.

As proposed, the project would be constructed in phases. The Giant Food, Old Firehouse Teen Center, and the Laughlin Building would be unaffected by the project. An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan and a rezoning application would have to be approved by the Board of Supervisors. A follow-up community meeting is expected in April.

For additional information regarding the project or to be notified about future meetings, contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at Benjamin.wiles@fairfacounty.gov or 703-356-0551.

More information about the Main Street McLean proposal will be posted online by the applicant at https://www.mainstreetmclean.com/ as it becomes available.

Proposed Georgetown Pike Trail

FCDOT Seeks Public Input

A long-term goal of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has been to construct a pedestrian trail along Georgetown Pike, from River Bend Road westward to Seneca Road, a distance of approximately 4.2 miles. Phase I, located in the Village Center and Phase II, between Utterback Store Road and Falls Chase Court, have been completed.

Phase III will complete a 250-foot section between Falls Chase Court and Falls Bridge Lane.

This segment of the trail is the recipient of federal funds. Because of the federal funding, and because Georgetown Pike itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this segment of the trail must comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. In addition to presenting design features, FCDOT is actively soliciting comments regarding what effect, if any, the proposed trail is likely to have on historic resources in the vicinity.

Phase IV will complete a 1200-foot section between Falls Bridge Lane and Seneca Road. Local funds are utilized for this project. Design elements of the trail were discussed at a community meeting on March 22.

When these two phases are completed, the trail will be continuous from Utterback Store Road to Seneca Road, a distance of approximately 0.8 miles.

The project scope is currently undergoing a federally-required environmental process/review prior to design. Community input is critical to this process. Visit the project website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fcdot/pedestrian/georgetownpiketrail.htm to provide comments online. Public comments will be accepted through April 14, 2017.

Upon completion of the review, a project schedule will be developed. For more information, visit the project website or call FCDOT at 703-877-5600.

Fairfax County Police Civilian Review Panel Members Announced

At its February 28 meeting, the Board of Supervisors appointed nine members to serve on the Police Civilian Review Panel, established by the Board in December 2016 to improve transparency. Citizens can submit complaints concerning allegations of abuse of authority or misconduct to the panel, which also has the authority to request and review completed Police Department internal administrative investigations regarding a civilian complaint against an officer. The panel may hold public meetings to review police administrative investigations and walk through with members of the community how the investigation was conducted, including findings of fact, evidence collected and witness statements.

Appointed to serve were:

Adrian Steel, Chairman, McLean
Hansel Aguilar, Fairfax
Kathleen Davis-Siudut, Springfield
Steve Descano, Springfield
Hollye Doane, Oakton
Douglas Kay, Fairfax
Randy Sayles, Oak Hill
Jean Senseman, Lorton
Rhonda Vanlowe, Reston

All panel members are Fairfax County residents and have expertise and experience relevant to the panel's responsibilities. More details about the individual members can be found online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/chairman/civilianreviewpanel.htm.

On February 14, the Board announced that FBI veteran Richard Schott will become the first Fairfax County Independent Police Auditor starting on April 17. The Board of Supervisors established an independent police auditor position and office on Sept. 20, 2016 after the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, charged with reviewing the County's police practices, recommended the move to improve accountability and transparency.

The Civilian Review Panel will not address potentially criminal use of force or police-involved shootings. Cases of that magnitude would likely involve an investigation by the Commonwealth's Attorney and would be monitored by the newly appointed Police Auditor.

The Civilian Review Panel was a key recommendation of the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission, which delivered 202 recommendations in November 2015.

New Board Committee Meeting Room Opens

Committee Meetings now shown live on Channel 16 and online

The new Board committee room (Conference Room 11) became operational on February 21. The many advantages of this new room include space for larger audiences, improved microphones, and the ability to broadcast meetings live on Channel 16 and online.

Conference Room 11, Fairfax County Government Center.

The new high-tech, contemporary conference room is the result of a collaboration among the Facilities Management Department, Cable and Consumer Services, and Information Technology. The project was driven by the need to accommodate larger audiences for BOS committee meetings, the availability of updated technology, and the lack of an informal meeting space for joint Board of Supervisors and School Board meetings and large commission meetings.

Committee meetings can now be televised on Channel 16 and live streamed online so employees and the public can watch the meetings live, advancing the County's goal of transparency.

Board of Supervisor's committee meeting information and agendas are available online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/bosclerk/board-committees/meetings/.

Real Estate Tax Calculator

As part of the County's FY 2018 budget communications, a new tool for residents was introduced on February 14. Developed by the Office of Public Affairs (OPA) and the Department of Information Technology (DIT) with input from Chairman Bulova's staff, the Real Estate Tax Calculator enables residents to see how their real estate tax revenue is used to support County services in real dollars.

Residents can access this information by either inputting their address (which pulls assessment information from DTA's database) or inputting the assessed value of their home. After submitting this information, residents will see a listing of where their real estate tax dollars go, including type, percentage and amount.

The Real Estate Tax Calculator is available online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/taxcalc/.

Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library Renovation Update

The renovation of the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library is on schedule for an August 2017 reopening. The renovated branch will have quiet and group study rooms, a Wi-Fi bar for customers to use with their own devices, more meeting space and a large children's area, among other infrastructure and facility upgrades. The library renovation is being built following green building standards.

Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/ty/ for more information about Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library.

Town of Herndon Awarded Brownfield Site Grant

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced that the Town of Herndon is one of three communities awarded a Brownfield Site Remediation Grant, in the amount of $109,000. The funds are awarded by the Commonwealth to local governments to promote restoration/redevelopment of sites that might be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Grant funds will be used to remove asbestos and contaminated soils at the former Subaru dealership located on Elden Street, part of the land purchased by the town from a private owner in preparation for redevelopment of Herndon's downtown.

The Town of Herndon is currently in negotiations with Comstock Partners, LC, the firm selected by the Herndon Town Council to redevelop 4.675 acres in Herndon's downtown into a vibrant commercial and residential center. If negotiations are successful and a comprehensive agreement draft is developed, the Council will hold a hearing to solicit public input on the draft. It is anticipated that the public hearing will be held in spring 2017.

The town's vision for the redevelopment calls for four-story (mixed-use/residential) and three-story (mixed-use/commercial) structures, a jointly-funded public/private parking structure, and an 18,000 sq. ft. arts center, among other features. The land is generally described as located between Station Street to the east, Center Street to the west, south of the W&OD Trail, which bisects Herndon's downtown, and north of Elden Street.

Town of Herndon Appoints Director of Finance

The Town of Herndon has named Jennie A. Tripoli as director of Finance. Tripoli replaces Mary K. Tuohy, who retired in December 2016 after 22 years as the department's director.

Jeannie A. Tripoli. Photo credit: Town of Herndon.

In her new post, Ms. Tripoli will be responsible for direction of the Town's financial affairs to include successful execution of the adopted annual budget; analysis and counsel related to fiscal decisions by the Town Council; management of financial processes to include inter-governmental grants, procurement, and fiscal policy execution; adherence to and preparation of accounting reports related to annual audit(s) and professional organization standards; and management of Department of Finance personnel.

Ms. Tripoli will report directly to Acting Town Manager Bill Ashton and will serve as a member of the Town's management team. Ms. Tripoli comes to the Town following more than six years of service as the Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Fairfax, where she oversaw department operations, implemented a purchasing card program for the city, and served as acting budget manager. Previously, she had worked in positions of increasing responsibility in the private sector, including tenures at Fannie Mae, Navigant Consulting and Arthur Andersen. She holds a bachelor of science in accountancy from the American University and is a certified public accountant.

Tripoli began her employment with the Town of Herndon on March 13.

Unpermitted Construction

Fairfax County Code Compliance

Fairfax County requires a Building Permit for all new residential and commercial construction. If you notice suspicious new construction or demolition of an existing structure, construction vehicles, construction equipment or materials, mud on the streets, or work occurring late at night, you can call the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) to confirm whether or not there is an active building permit associated with the address.

For more information, visit the DCC website or see the Building and Trades Permits Flyer online.

Fairfax County Farmers Markets Open First Week of May

Herndon and McLean

Fairfax County's 11 Farmers Markets will begin serving fresh, local food for your table during the first week of May.

McLean Farmers Market

Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., May through November

Lewinsville Park

1659 Chain Bridge Road

Herndon Farmers Market

Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., May through November

Old Town Herndon, next to the Red Caboose

777 Lynn Street

SNAP benefits accepted

Fairfax County Farmers Markets are strictly producer-only, which means that all of the vendors at the markets sell only what they raise on their farms or make from scratch. All of them are based within a 125-mile radius of Fairfax County.

Details about market schedules, the vendors and products available at each site, and directions to the markets are on the Fairfax County Park Authority's web page at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets/.

This information is available online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/press/html/ir025-17.htm.

Great Falls Community Farmers Market

The Great Falls Community Farmers Market is held every Saturday in Great Falls. Visit the Farmers Market for local produce, pastured and grass-fed meat, unique vendors, fresh-prepared whole plant and artisan products, and more. The Great Falls Farmers Market will return to its outdoor location Saturday, April 1 after spending the winter months in the Great Falls Grange.

Great Falls Community Farmers Market Schedule

Every Saturday

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Great Falls Village Center, Walker Road Entrance

For more information about the Great Falls Community Farmers Market, visit http://greatfallsfarmersmarket.org/.

Land Use Cases in Dranesville

Sunrise Development Inc.
SE 2016-DR-001
1988 Kirby Road, McLean

Applicant proposes to construct a 73-unit assisted living facility on a 3.7 acre parcel zoned R-3.