From Supervisor Foust: Dranesville Dispatch

This issue contains information about the FY 2019 advertised budget, projects in McLean, Great Falls, and Herndon, a brief discussion of the 2018 General Assembly session, and a few other Countywide updates.

In March, I hosted two town hall meetings about the advertised budget. An issue that was raised was the difficulty of getting in touch with the appropriate County staff if a resident has a question and the inconvenience associated with having to travel to the Fairfax County Government Center. I want to emphasize that if you have any questions or concerns, or would like to meet with County staff, I am happy to set up and facilitate meetings at my office. Please do not hesitate to call or email me at Dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-356-0551.

At the end of a mild winter, the region experienced a major windstorm at the beginning of March and then welcomed spring with a few inches of snow. I've included information from the County, VDOT, and utility companies to help you prepare for future extreme weather events.

In addition to sharing information in the Dranesville Dispatch, and on Twitter (johnfoustva) and Facebook (dranesvillesupervisor), starting this month, I will also be posting important information, updates, and events on Nextdoor. Due to limitations on access as an elected official, I will not be able to see discussions occurring within each neighborhood, I will only be able to post. I wanted to let you know in case you see a post from me there. I am always looking for ways to ensure important information reaches as many community members as possible and look forward to connecting with you on Nextdoor.

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 your civic group or homeowners association. Please contact my office if you have questions, concerns, or to set up a meeting. It is my honor to serve you.

John

DRANESVILLE AND COUNTY NEWS

Fairfax County FY 2019 Advertised Budget

On March 6, the Board authorized advertisement of a real estate tax rate for FY 2019 of $1.155 per $100 of assessed value, a 2.5 cent increase. The advertised tax rate is the ceiling for how high the tax rate could be set. The tax rate that the Board adopts on May 1 can be the same as or less than what was advertised, but not higher.

This tax rate was recommended by County Executive Bryan Hill when he presented his proposed budget for FY 2019 to the Board of Supervisors and the community on February 20. The proposed budget attempts to maintain the County's commitment to:

Invest in our public schools;
Support County priorities, including public safety and human services initiatives;
Fully fund employee compensation to retain and attract quality County employees;
Manage the impact on County taxpayers.

On average, residential assessments in the County increased 2.17 percent. If the full advertised rate is adopted, the rate change and assessment increase would result in an increase in the average annual tax bill of approximately $268.

The proposed $4.29 billion General Fund budget includes a transfer to the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) of $2.26 billion, an increase of $95.1 million or 4.38 percent, over FY 2018. This amount fully funds the School Board's requested transfer after accounting for increased state revenues. Most of the school budget increase covers raises for teacher salaries, which is key to recruiting and retaining great teachers. This transfer to FCPS makes up 52.8% of the County's General Fund Budget. The School Board, not the Board of Supervisors, has "line item" authority to determine how the school budget is spent.

The proposed budget also provides funding for other Board of Supervisors' priorities, such as the expansion of Diversion First, which offers alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness or developmental disabilities who come into contact with the criminal justice system for low level offenses, gang prevention initiatives, and an opioid task force. In addition, County employee's compensation plans are fully funded in the proposed budget.

In partnership with the McLean Citizens Association and the Great Falls Citizens Association, Supervisor Foust held two town hall meetings in March to discuss the budget. County Executive Bryan Hill, Joe Mondoro, the Chief Financial Officer for Fairfax County, and FCPS staff participated in the public meetings.

Left: Supervisor John Foust, County Exec Bryan Hill, and CFO Joe Mondoro address the crowd at the McLean area town hall meeting.

Right: Matt Haley, GFCA Board Member; Supervisor John Foust; County Exec Bryan Hill; Joe Mondoro, CFO; Leigh Burden, FCPS Assistant Superintendent, Department of Financial Services; Alice Wigington, FCPS Director of Budget Services at the Great Falls area town hall meeting.

The Board held public hearings on the advertised budget from April 8-10.

On April 24, the Board will hold its "Mark Up" session, proposing additions and subtractions to the County Executive's advertised budget. The final step of the budget process will be the Board's adoption of the FY 2019 budget on May 1. That budget will become effective on July 1, 2018.

For more information on the County budget, visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dmb/.

Police Civilian Review Panel Annual Report

The Police Civilian Review Panel releases two types of reports: public reports, which detail the Panel's findings as to its review of completed Fairfax County Police Department investigations, and annual reports, which describe the Panel's activities for the year, including recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, Independent Police Auditor, and the Chief of Police for revisions to FCPD policies, training, and practices.

The Panel's first Annual Report was published on February 28 and includes information about the establishment and mission of the Panel, its bylaws, public outreach conducted, initial complaints, and plans for 2018. The full report is available online at https://bit.ly/2pAnCyY.

More information about the Police Civilian Review Panel is available online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/policecivilianreviewpanel/.

General Assembly Update

The Virginia General Assembly wrapped up its regular session on March 10. Areas of significant focus throughout the session were transit funding (particularly for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority), zoning for wireless infrastructure, and the Grid Transformation and Security Act (an overhaul of electric utility regulations).

The House and Senate passed two bills that together will give Metro its first-ever source of dedicated funding. The bills went to conference and an agreement was reached and passed the General Assembly on the last day of the regular session. The conference report includes $154 million per year for WMATA, including $30 million in statewide revenues as well as other regional revenues and governance reforms. The conference report has significantly more funding being shifted from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) to WMATA than the County had supported. This shift in funding may threaten funds the County hoped to use for unfunded, but priority capital improvement projects. Discussion on WMATA funding will continue as the bills are sent to the Governor for action and amendments are recommended to him for consideration.

Ultimately, the General Assembly was unable to pass a state budget before adjournment and will have to resume discussions during a special session. The House supported a budget that included Medicaid expansion, while the Senate approved a significantly different spending plan without that inclusion, leaving a gap of more than $800 million between the two budgets. The legislature must pass a spending bill by July 1 to avert a shutdown of state government.

The County's final legislative report on the 2018 General Assembly session is available online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/legislation/.

Dead Run Stream Restoration

Phase 1 Complete; Phase 2 Underway

The first phase of a project to restore portions of the Dead Run tributary in McLean has been completed. This project is part of Fairfax County's ongoing effort to manage stormwater run-off and limit non-point source pollution. The first phase, which restored approximately 2,000 linear feet of stream that drains directly into the Potomac River, used natural channel design to provide long-term bank stability, reduce sediment and nutrient loads, and restore vegetated stream buffers to meet Clean Water Act and Environmental Protection Agency water quality standards for the Chesapeake Bay.

Before After

The second phase, which is currently underway, involves restoration of approximately 3,000 linear feet of stream and three unnamed tributaries through McLean Central Park. Three existing pedestrian bridges will be replaced and the stream valley will be restored and enhanced with native plant species to promote natural reforestation. Construction is expected to be completed in April 2019. Before work on the second phase began, Supervisor Foust convened a task force made up of nearby residents and stakeholders including the McLean Citizens Association Environmental and Parks Committee, McLean Trees Foundation, the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society, and various County agencies to develop a plan that balanced the need to restore the stream with concerns about tree loss and park access.

Supervisor Foust said, "T his project has benefited from community involvement at every stage. Resident input, in addition to the use of natural channel design, has made this an outstanding project."

The need to restore the stream was determined in 2008 when County staff completed the Middle Potomac Watershed Plan, which includes Dead Run. A number of Dranesville residents were members of the Middle Potomac Watershed Steering Committee and several public workshops were held to receive input from the community regarding watershed issues and possible solutions.

For more information, contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at 703-356-0551 or Benjamin.Wiles@fairfaxcounty.gov.

McLean Streetscape Construction

Fairfax County Revitalization

Revitalization is a major component of an overall strategy to strengthen the economic viability of Fairfax County's older retail and business centers. In October 1998, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designated a portion of McLean, which encompasses the entire boundary of the McLean Community Business Center (CBC), as a Commercial Revitalization District (CRD).

In McLean, a revitalization project is currently underway to provide streetscape improvements within the CBC. Improvements will be installed along Chain Bridge Road to Laughlin Avenue, extending along Old Dominion Drive to Center Street. The project will include the installation of brick pavers, street lights, and landscaping.

The project also includes the design and installation of landscaping, pavers, a seat wall, and an area for the future installation of public art at the "Listrani Peninsula," between Old Dominion Drive and Elm Street. Total project funding includes bond funds, enhancement grants, proffer funds, and McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC) funds remaining after completion of the McLean Utilities project.

Construction began in April; work should be completed before the end the year.

Board Authorizes Planning Study for Downtown McLean

At its April 10 meeting, the Board of Supervisors authorized County staff to begin work on a review of the Comprehensive Plan guidance for the McLean Community Business Center (CBC).

The McLean CBC, which is centered at the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Old Dominion Drive, has long been planned to serve as a focal point for residents, with a mix of residential and community-serving commercial uses. The 230-acre CBC is geographically coincident with that of the McLean Commercial Revitalization District, one of seven such revitalization districts in the County.

The last significant review of the Comprehensive Plan recommendations for the CBC occurred over 20 years ago. "There is strong desire in the community to encourage revitalization efforts and create a sense of place for McLean residents," said Supervisor Foust. "Updating the Plan will give residents an opportunity to weigh in on what downtown McLean should look and feel like."

The authorization directs staff to analyze and obtain community feedback on topics including land use, density, mix of uses, transportation, and other public facility needs. Work on the amendment, including community meetings, is expected to begin this spring.

For more information, contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at 703-356-0551 or Benjamin.Wiles@fairfaxcounty.gov

Riverbend Classroom/Picnic Shelter

Riverbend Park in Great Falls, the only Fairfax County park located along the Potomac River, is known for its natural, educational, and cultural features. Many County school children visit the park annually to learn from naturalists who make science and history fun and engaging.

In accordance with the Riverbend Park Master Plan, the Park Authority will construct an Outdoor Education Classroom/Picnic Shelter to support the park's educational mission. Original plans for the shelter were shared with the community at several meetings. Based on feedback from neighbors, the location of the shelter was moved to address concerns about traffic and tree impacts.

Recently, Supervisor Foust hosted a meeting with Park Authority staff to update the community on the design of the Outdoor Classroom/Picnic Shelter at Riverbend Park. Following discussion of two renderings, the option below was selected.

For more information, contact the project manager, Heather Lynch at heather.lynch@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Clemyjontri Park Phase II Parking Lot Addition to Begin

Construction on the parking lot addition at Clemyjontri Park, located at 6317 Georgetown Pike in McLean, will begin this spring. Families travel from near and far to visit Clemyjontri's unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. The additional parking will provide more visitors with the opporunity to enjoy the park.

The project contractor began mobilizing on site in early April; active construction activities will begin later in the month. The project includes construction of a 65-space parking lot, trails, fencing and stormwater management. The expansion is set for completion this fall.

A construction entrance will be created along Dolley Madison Blvd., away from the active side of the park.

For more information, contact the project manager, Heather Lynch at heather.lynch@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Short-term Rentals

Countywide

At its March 20 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized public hearings for proposed new zoning rules on short-term lodgings, such as those offered through Airbnb, VRBO, and Flipkey.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold its hearing on May 3, and the Board will hold its own hearing on June 19. These dates are subject to change.

The County has been working on new zoning rules over the past year, following passage of a 2017 state law that allows local governments to regulate these kinds of short-term uses. The proposed rules attempt to strike a balance between allowing these rentals, which are popular in today's sharing economy, and addressing neighborhood concerns.

With the exception of bed and breakfasts and hotels, Fairfax County's zoning rules currently do not permit homeowners to allow transient occupancy in their homes. Transient occupancy, more commonly called short-term rentals or lodging, is defined as rentals of fewer than 30 days. However, there are an estimated 1,500 active Airbnb listings in Fairfax County.

The regulations, if ultimately enacted, would not bar individual homeowners or community associations from prohibiting short-term lodgings.

As proposed, the regulations would only allow property owners or renters to offer their primary residence as short-term lodging. The inclusion of this limitation is to prevent businesses from operating multiple, full-time rentals, like a hotel or motel, in residential neighborhoods.

Occupancy would be limited to six adults, and the lodgers must all be associated with the same rental contract to prevent multiple rentals of a property at the same time. To protect neighborhoods, properties may not be rented for events or commercial purposes like parties, weddings, or fundraisers. The proposal also caps the maximum number of nights short-term lodgings may be rented. The proposed rules would allow for up to 180 calendar days, but zoning staff are recommending a 90-night limit.

The Planning Commission and the Board will also consider whether property owners or renters must be present in the home or apartment when it is used as a short-term lodging.

Even with the new rules, enforcement could be a challenge, particularly when it comes to the limit on number of nights and guests. However, the rules include provisions that will help with enforcement. For example, short-term operators must get a permit that can be revoked, and properties must be made available for inspection by County code enforcement inspectors upon request.

Short-term lodging operators also must pay transient occupancy taxes. County staff calculate that these rentals could generate $428,268 in transit occupancy taxes a year. Of this amount, $249,823 would go to the County, and the remaining amount would be used to support tourism and regional transportation, as required by state law.

Zoning staff engaged in extensive public outreach to develop the proposed rules. Residents were invited to attend community meetings held across the County and to complete an online survey, to which over 7,600 responses were received. Staff also met with individual homeowners and civic groups, tourism professionals, real estate agents, representatives from the short-term lodging and hotel industry, and staff from other local jurisdictions.

In a separate and future proposal, Fairfax County is also considering whether to create zoning rules for commercially-managed apartment buildings that offer short-term lodging.

This information is available online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicaffairs/fairfax-county-hold-public-hearings-proposed-zoning-rules-short-term-lodging.

East Spring Street Widening

Herndon

A project to widen East Spring Street from just west of Herndon Parkway to Fairfax County Parkway is under design. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) hosted a public information meeting about the project in November 2017 and a design public hearing in March 2018.

In addition to widening the road, the project includes construction of a cycle track east of Herndon Parkway in the vicinity of its intersection with East Spring Street and sidewalk improvements.

More information about the project and materials from past meetings is available online at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/northernvirginia/e_spring_st.asp.

In Case of Extreme Weather

Tips from VDOT, Dominion Energy, Fairfax Water, Fairfax County

The following are helpful resources and tips for how to prepare prior to a weather event, what do during an event, and how to deal with the aftermath.

Prior to a weather event:

Prepare an emergency supply kit. Visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/readyfairfax/makeakit for what to include in your kit.
Make a plan.
Sign up to receive Fairfax Alerts at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts/ for weather updates, traffic reports, and emergency alerts.
Ensure gas tanks and windshield wiper fluid tanks are full.

During a weather event:

Stay informed. Continue to check weather forecasts, as storm timing and intensity can change.
Adjust commutes to avoid driving during a storm and factor in additional travel time.
Reduce speeds and use headlights.
Be patient; remember that many fellow drivers are not comfortable driving in adverse weather conditions.
Take it slow on bridges, ramps, and overpasses, and other known trouble spots.

Utility Resources

In the event of power outages, Dominion customers are urged to contact the company using any mobile device at https://www.dom.com/ or by calling Dominion's toll free number, 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357).
Dominion provides answers to frequently asked questions, such as how to file a claim or request power lines be undergrounded online at https://dominionenergy.com/about-us/contact-us/service-faqs-va-nc.
Visit http://fwnotifications.org/public/ to check for recent water main breaks in the area that may be impacting Fairfax Water customers.

Other Resources:

Visit http://www.511virginia.org/ or the mobile app for traffic conditions and closures.
Follow @VaDOTNOVA on Twitter.
Report road problems by calling 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or emailing novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov.
Residents can enter their address at http://vdotplows.org to see the status of plowing in their neighborhood.

McLean Trees Foundation Neighborhood Tree Program

Need a Tree in your Front Yard? McLean Trees Foundation (MTF) can help.

The McLean Trees Foundation Neighborhood Trees Program is accepting applications from homeowners for spring tree planting. The cost of the application is $50.

The tree must be planted in your front yard or in a side yard facing the street and can be selected from a list of native trees. MTF will come to your house, assess the planting site, deliver a 1" diameter trunk or larger tree (5 - 10 ft. tall), and help you plant it. MTF will also check on its progress.

The McLean Trees Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It's mission is to preserve, plant, and maintain trees and educate the public on the value, benefits and care of them.

More information about the Tree Program is available online at http://mcleantreesfoundation.org/TreeProgram.htm.

Code Compliance Corner

Grass Height

The Department of Code Compliance (DCC) accepts complaints regarding grass height from April 22 through mid-October. For residential dwellings, grass may not be taller than 12 inches in height on any developed residential lots (vacant or occupied) that are one-half acre (21,780 sq. ft.) or less. This also applies to undeveloped residential property, which is less than one-half acre and located in a recorded subdivision where 90% of the lots have been developed. Grass height is not regulated for properties that are larger than one-half acre.

For commercial and industrial properties, while some exemptions may apply, grass may not be taller than 12 inches in height.

After sending a Notice of Violation to the owner, Fairfax County may have tall grass cut at the owner's expense if compliance is not met.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for cutting tall grass along roads or in medians on state maintained roads. Contact VDOT at 1-800-367-7623 to request cutting in these areas.

For more information or to make a complaint, visit https://bit.ly/2I7PilF.

Land Use Cases in Dranesville

Plan Amendment 2017-II-M1

McLean CBC, Subarea 12, 6707 Old Dominion Drive, McLean

On February 20, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Plan Amendment for 6707 Old Dominion Drive. The amendment creates a new subarea (subarea 12a) within the McLean Community Business Center and designates the subarea as a Redevelopment Area. This reclassification sets higher expectations of a rezoning application including substantial pedestrian improvements, a reduction in the amount of surface parking, substantial landscape treatments, and streetscape enhancements. The amendment also allows residential uses, as part of an option for mixed-use development at an intensity up to 2.0 FAR. See associated Benchmark Associates rezoning application below.

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

Mahlon A. Burnette, III and Mary H. Burnette

SE 2015-DR-027

631 Walker Road, Great Falls

APPLICATION INDEFINETLY DEFERRED

Special Exception application to waive the minimum lot width requirement in order to subdivide a 4.00-acre, R-E zoned parcel into two lots. The property is developed with a single-family detached dwelling that would remain. The overall density of the proposed subdivision would be .5 units per acre (or one dwelling per two acres).