Community Notice from
Dranesville Supervisor John Foust
Dear Neighbor,

Last night I participated in a virtual town hall hosted by State Senator Barbara Favola. We discussed the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and how we will move forward as a region. The video of the town hall is available online here.

Today, May 29, Fairfax County, along with the rest of Northern Virginia, entered Phase One of Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia plan for reopening. The requirement to wear face coverings inside public places in Virginia also went into effect today. In this message I have included key things to know about Phase One.

In addition, this email includes a parks update, a FCPS facilities update, information about the emergency ordinance that was approved by the Board yesterday which allows restaurants and exercise facilities to utilize outdoor space during Phase One, and a reminder that public input is currently being sought as part of the County's zoning modification process.

Please share this email with your friends and neighbors and do not hesitate to contact my office if we can be of assistance; email Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-356-0551.

Sincerely,
John
Things to Know About Phase One
Phased Reopening Information
The Forward Virginia plan provides guidelines that all businesses must follow in Phase One and eases previous restrictions on restaurants, fitness facilities, barbers and beauty salons, other retail businesses, and houses of worship.

More information is available on the County's new phased reopening information page: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/reopen.
Face Coverings
Beginning today, Friday, May 29, face coverings are now required inside public places in Virginia. Click here for more information about why they are required, exceptions, how to make your own, and how to donate them.

The Governor’s office has also published a frequently asked questions document to help address the face covering requirement.
Who to Contact with Concerns, Potential Violations, and Questions
To report concerns or potential violations of the Phase One guidelines for businesses, call the County’s public safety non-emergency number at 703-691-2131, TTY 711. A cross-agency, cross-discipline system is in place to triage and handle complaints, with a focus first on education, awareness, and seeking voluntary compliance.

If you have questions or concerns about the face covering requirement, call the Virginia Department of Health at 1-877-ASK-VDH3.

For all other COVID-related questions, email ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Safer at Home
As Phase One begins, it is important to remember that this is not a return to “normal” yet. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to stay home as much as possible. It is also still very important to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, practice social distancing, inform contacts if you are sick, and self-quarantine as necessary.

Learn more about simple actions you can take to keep Fairfax County moving toward the next phases of reopening.
Parks Update
Fairfax County Parks
For the Fairfax County Park Authority, the face covering requirement in public spaces currently applies to anyone who visits a Park Authority golf course clubhouse, or other indoor space. This includes players or visitors as well as park staff members. As other public facilities open, this rule will apply there as well.

As Northern Virginia begins Phase One, the campgrounds at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston and Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station will open. Batting cages at Braddock Park in Clifton will also operate this weekend.

The Park Authority will begin to provide permitted use of picnic shelters or other permits that conform to the restrictions of social distancing and limited group size for activities. These might include a small group of 10 or less people in a shelter, a class, or photography permit.

In addition, earlier this week, the Park Authority announced the opening of athletic fields for non-permitted use.

Park visitors are encouraged to engage in socially responsible behavior including social distancing, small group gatherings, following park rules, and when appropriate, covering their faces.

For more information, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/coronavirus or contact the Park Authority at 703-324-8700 during regular business hours or via Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Town of Herndon Parks        
The Town of Herndon has partially reopened specific Town parks starting today, May 29.

  • Bready Park: The parking lot and tennis courts are open. Playgrounds, fields, restrooms, and the basketball courts remain closed. 
  • Runnymede Park: The parking lot is open, and the trails remained open. 
  • Spring Street Park: Open
  • Stanton Park: Open
  • Trailside Park: The parking lot is open. The skate park will open by the close of business on Monday, June 1. 
  • Bruin Park: The parking lot and tennis courts are open.
  • Chandon Park: The parking lot and tennis courts are open.

Playgrounds, fields (baseball, softball, and soccer), basketball courts, water fountains, and restrooms remain closed and there will be no portable restrooms available in the parks. Groups of ten or more are not permitted. Visitors are asked to practice physical distancing. 

For more information about the Town of Herndon Parks and Recreation Department, visit herndon-va.gov/recreation or call 703-787-7300. 

George Washington Memorial Parkway
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, George Washington Memorial Parkway will increase recreational access by reopening parking lots and restrooms that were closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

In alignment with guidance from the Commonwealth of Virginia, George Washington Memorial Parkway will begin providing access to parking areas and restrooms along the parkway on May 29. Parking areas and restrooms will be reopened by June 3. This includes parking areas at Theodore Roosevelt Island, Gravelly Point (no parking allowed on overflow grass area), Fort Hunt Park, Jones Point Park, Collingwood Picnic Area, Riverside Park, Belle Haven Park, and Fort Marcy. Parking areas at Great Falls Park have already reopened.  

While these areas will be accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, avoid crowded areas, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities. The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. NPS continues to monitor all park functions and will take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Updates on park operations will continue to be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus and NPS social media channels.
Forward FCPS
In accordance with Fairfax County’s Phase 1 reopening guidelines, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) is reopening additional outdoor areas on school grounds to the community, effective today, May 29.

Reopening on May 29 will be athletic fields (for walking and recreational use from 8:00 a.m. to sundown) and gardens. Playgrounds remain closed.

All visitors are urged to follow health department safety guidelines, including social distancing. 

For the latest information, visit https://www.fcps.edu/news/forward-fcps. 
Fairfax County Approves Use of Outdoor Space for Restaurants and Exercise Facilities During Phase One
Yesterday the Board of Supervisors approved emergency rules that will allow restaurants and exercise facilities to reopen outside under the Virginia’s Phase One guidelines. The ordinance took effect immediately as the County entered Phase One of reopening today, May 29.

This action was necessary because the County does not typically permit restaurants and exercise facilities to operate outside in parking lots without express approval. As a result of the Board’s action, these businesses will be able to do so without the need for any additional County approvals, provided they meet the requirements listed below.

The Board also authorized a blanket approval for individual Virginia ABC license applications.

Outdoor Use Guidelines
Following the Virginia Forward Phase One guidelines, the County’s ordinance limits outdoor use to 50% of a restaurant or exercise facility’s permitted interior occupancy. Permitted outdoor spaces include existing patios, sidewalks, and paved parking spaces.

Business owners must work with property owners for approval to use these spaces, while ensuring the outdoor spaces do not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

The ordinance defines restaurants to include brewery and winery tasting rooms, which must follow existing food-service restrictions. Exercise facilities include gyms, fitness centers, recreation centers, and sports facilities.

Businesses must follow the state’s industry-specific guidelines for reopening. In addition, the County’s ordinance sets additional conditions on the location and operations for outside restaurants and exercise facilities.

Location and Operation Conditions
Location requirements include:

  • Clearly marking the area outside with cordons or markings.
  • Placing outdoor dining areas entirely on hard surfaces, such as existing patios, sidewalks, and paved parking spaces.
  • Prohibiting permanent physical alterations to outdoor spaces, including the building of elevated decks or new paved surfaces.
  • Ensuring that adequate on-site parking is maintained, including for people with disabilities.
  • Allowing outdoor exercise in parking areas or adjacent open space.

Operational requirements include:

  • Ensuring that tables, chairs, umbrellas, lighting, and other accessories are removable and maintained in good appearance and repair.
  • Ensuring that any temporary tents or canopies are open on all sides and securely anchored. Tents that are 900 square feet or less do not require a permit from the Fire Marshal. Tents larger than this size require a permit.
  • No outdoor entertainment activities are permitted.
  • All activities are subject to the Noise Ordinance.
  • No additional business signs and advertisements are permitted except as permitted under Article 12, Signs, of the Zoning Ordinance.
  • The outdoor area must be kept free of trash and debris.
  • The outdoor are must be accessible to disabled patrons.

Visit this webpage for guidance on how to determine a business’s maximum occupancy under Phase One.

For additional information or questions, contact the Department of Planning and Development at 703-324-1359, TTY 711, or via email at DPZMailforZPRB@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Public Input Sought on Zoning Modifications
As part of its Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) project, Fairfax County is seeking feedback on proposed changes to rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and home-based businesses. The proposed regulations would streamline the review process and reduce costs for homeowners and small businesses seeking to add an ADU or operate a business in their home. The comment period is open through Sunday, May 31.

In mid-April I included additional information about the proposed changes in an email notice. Click here to read it and then visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/zmod to provide input.
County COVID-19 Website
The County's COVID-19 homepage has a new look. The site includes key information about:

  • Slowing the Spread
  • Case Data
  • Phased Reopening
  • Testing
  • Contact Tracing
  • Face Coverings
Stay Informed
Fairfax County is closely monitoring the coronavirus situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for coronavirus text alerts and to visit the frequently updated website listed below.

  • Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19/.
  • Sign up for text message alerts­: text FFXCOVID to 888777.
  • Email the Fairfax County Health Department at ffxcovid@fairfaxcounty.gov (monitored 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays).
  • Call the Health Department at 703-267-3511 (9:00 a.m. to 7 :00 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekends).