From Supervisor Foust: Dranesville Dispatch

This issue includes information about several matters of countywide importance, including an update on the County's strategic plan process, approval of a police body worn camera program, and resources to help those in need as winter weather sets in.

In more local news, this issue includes information about several recently completed projects, including the Bull Neck Run stream restoration, a significant segment of new paved trail along Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, and installation of a new fiberglass pedestrian bridge in Lewinsville Park in McLean. In addition, you will find an update on the McLean CBC planning process and information about land use cases in Dranesville.

As always, I appreciate your thoughts on how to best serve you and all residents of the Dranesville community. Please contact my office if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns.

Sincerely,

John

DRANESVILLE AND COUNTY NEWS

Fairfax County Strategic Plan

In early 2019, Fairfax County began a strategic planning process to create a roadmap for the County to achieve the desired outcomes of the community.

The goals of the Strategic Plan are to get a clear understanding of the County's priorities for 2020 and beyond, develop a set of community-centric, quantifiable, and meaningful key performance indicators for each outcome/priority area, and prioritize strategies and implementation paths that will be pursued to achieve the outcomes and "move the needle" on the key performance indicators. Other important County planning efforts such as the economic success strategy, Fairfax County Public Schools strategic plan, and One Fairfax will be integrated into the process.

Nine priority areas arose out of the early community feedback:

Education and Lifelong Learning
Mobility and Transportation
Safety and Security
Housing and Neighborhood Livability
Economic Opportunity
Health and Environment
Cultural and Recreational Opportunities
Self-Sufficiency for Vulnerable Populations
Efficient and Effective Government

Throughout the year, the County has been soliciting input from the community through an online survey and in person through community meetings. Currently, the County is working to develop solutions, strategies, and metrics. During November and December, the draft strategic plan will be refined, and in January, it will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. Once the Board considers the plan and is satisfied, it will be scheduled for adoption.

For more information about the Countywide Strategic Plan, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/strategicplan/.

Body Worn Camera Program Approved by Board of Supervisors

In 2018, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) launched a pilot body worn camera (BWC) program following unanimous approval from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in November 2017.

Following completion of the pilot program and rigorous analysis, which included a technical evaluation of the equipment and study of the effects of the pilot program on use of force statistics, the number of community member complaints, changes in policing activities and the community members' assessment of police legitimacy, the Board of Supervisors approved full implementation of BWC at its September 24 Board Meeting. The implementation is expected to begin in May 2020 and take three years to phase in countywide. The Reston, Mason, and Mount Vernon district stations, which participated in the 2018 pilot, will be the first three stations implementing the program.

A fully implemented BWC program will consist of 1,210 cameras issued to all district stations and other key operational staff. There is one-time funding included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 budget and baseline funding will be included in the FY 2021 budget and in future years, as required.

The use of body worn cameras was one of the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Police Practices Review Commission Final Report published in 2015. BWCs have many potential benefits and have been adopted by other police departments and localities. Most importantly, BWCs are a tool intended to build and sustain trust between the community and police.

For more information, visit FCPD's news blog.

Glass Recycling in Fairfax County

Purple Bins for Dranesville

To improve the quality of single-stream recycling, Fairfax County is no longer accepting glass bottles and jars in curbside recycling bins. This change went into effect October 1 and applies to County collection customers and private haulers.

Private haulers have been fully notified of this change and will be making the transition. Some residents have heard contradictory information but private haulers will be following this new guidance, too.

There are now two options for glass disposal:
1. Deliver used glass containers to purple, glass-only recycling bins.
2. Place used glass in the trash.

If you cannot reuse glass containers and you choose not to use the purple containers (it is not mandatory to use them), placing glass in the trash is the best option.

There are 22 purple containers located throughout Northern Virginia, including one which was recently installed in the parking lot of Dolley Madison Library, located at 1244 Oak Ridge Avenue in McLean. County staff will also be installing a purple bin at the Great Falls Library, located at 9830 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, and is working with the Town of Herndon to evaluate options there as well.

As there are purple bins located throughout the area, there may be locations outside of the Dranesville District that are closer to your home or work. All of the locations are shown on this map. In addition, County staff continues to evaluate additional locations to make dropping off glass more convenient. Considerations include zoning rules, security, site usage, traffic flows, and access.

Recycling is a global commodities market. There was no glass market in this area until the County installed the glass crusher. Glass was going to a landfill outside Fairfax County and used as alternative cover. Dealing with glass separately reduces contamination in the recycling bin and, if brought to a purple bin, allows glass to be used for more beneficial uses.

Collecting glass separately in a purple container will reduce contamination levels in single-stream recycling. All colors of clean glass bottles and jars are accepted in the purple containers. Metal lids, labels, and plastic rings can be left on glass jars/bottle. Glass items not accepted include lamps, light bulbs, ceramics, porcelain, mirrors, windows, and sheet glass.

For more information, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/glass.

McLean CBC Study Progressing

Substantial progress has been made on the planning of the McLean Community Business Center (CBC). Last December, the Vision Plan developed by Streetsense, a consultant brought in to conduct the visioning process, was presented to the community. The Vision Plan has formed the basis of most of the work that the Task Force, a group of McLean area residents and civic group representatives selected by Supervisor Foust, has done to translate community input into recommendations for changes to the Comprehensive Plan over the last year.

The Task Force has been considering recommendations from the consultant along with various site-specific applications for changes in land use and intensity. This land use scenario is being analyzed by transportation consultants Kittleson & Associates, to determine transportation impacts and to devise possible mitigations to those impacts. Other potential impacts, such as to schools and parks, are also being analyzed in addition to proposed mitigation measures to address them.

The Task Force is expected to continue to meet monthly through the first quarter of 2020 to finalize its recommendations regarding the future of the McLean CBC. These meetings are open to the public, and meeting details and materials are posted on the study website. It is anticipated that the staff report and draft Plan amendment will go before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors by late spring/early summer 2020.

For more information, visit the study webpage at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/mclean-cbc-study or contact Ben Wiles in Supervisor Foust's office at [email protected] or 703-356-0551.

July 8 Storm Update - Road Closures

Impacts from the epic rainstorm that hit the area on July 8 are still being felt throughout the area. The McLean area received over 5 inches during just one hour of the storm. As a result, in addition to the extensive private property damages that were sustained, including to homes and cars, public infrastructure was severely impacted as well.

Several hundred feet of asphalt approaching the Swinks Mill bridge on both sides were damaged, asphalt on the bridge deck was destroyed, bridge guardrails, abutments, and retaining wall were damaged, and bridge scour (the removal of sediment such as sand and gravel from around bridge abutments) occurred. Swinks Mill Road reopened on October 18. Barriers and signs remain in place to limit the bridge and approaches to one-way traffic as crews finish guardrail and other detail work to fully reopen the Swinks Mill Road bridge to two lanes (one lane of traffic in each direction).

Repaired Swinks Mill Road bridge.

On Kirby Road, a segment of the road just south of Claiborne Drive was washed away and a


Photo of Kirby Road following the July 8 storm.

large segment of the roadway asphalt was undermined. Guardrails, abutments, and retaining wall at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) bridge were damaged. In addition, a Fairfax County sanitary sewer line and various privately-owned underground utilities were impacted.

Kirby Road has been closed since the day of the storm. Completion of the roadway and bridge repairs on Kirby Road is expected before the end of the year, with the roadway being completed first in order to maintain access to homes, and the bridge repairs being completed after.

Work on both Swinks Mill Road and Kirby Road occurred concurrently.

Supervisor Foust and other elected officials held a public meeting on October 24 to provide community members with the opportunity to learn more about the impacts to the roads and bridges, the repairs, and to ask questions of VDOT and County staff.

Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOTNOVA for updates.

New Asphalt Trail Completed Along Georgetown Pike in Great Falls

The County recently completed construction on new asphalt trail along Georgetown Pike in Great Falls from Falls Chase Court, where it connects to existing trail, to Seneca Road. This new trail is part of a larger effort to improve pedestrian access throughout Great Falls and to connect the broader community to the Village Centre.

Left: Looking east towards the Village Centre; Right: Looking west towards Route 7.

Staying consistent with the scenic and historic nature of Great Falls, the trail meanders along the Pike, which ensured that trees were preserved, impacts to neighboring properties were limited, and users have a pleasant experience.

Supervisor Foust joined members of the community to celebrate the completion of the trail on October 23. Supervisor Foust said, "The efforts of the Great Falls Trailblazers, the Great Falls Citizens Association, and other trail advocates have been critical to the success of trail projects in the area and to improving connectivity throughout Great Falls."

At the ribbon cutting, Supervisor Foust announced that he has obtained $90,000 for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to begin a study to complete the trail network between Utterback Store Road and Applewood Lane. This funding will be used to explore options for the trail, such as which side of the road it should be on, and to identify potential conflicts and challenges.

Bull Neck Run at Spring Hill RECenter Restoration Completed

The County recently completed a project to restore Bull Neck Run near Spring Hill RECenter in McLean. This project was identified in the Bull Neck Run Watershed Plan for stream restoration due to actively eroding banks, headcuts, and the potential for further bed and bank instability. County Stormwater Planning Division staff completed the design and construction began in 2018.

Before and after.

The project involved restoration of approximately 2,000 linear feet of Bull Neck Run. The primary goal of this restoration was to stabilize the channel and prevent future erosion and degradation along the stream. Restoration of native trees and herbaceous planting will be done in November to promote natural reforestation and ensure the development of a healthy ecosystem. This project is part of Fairfax County's larger efforts to restore many of the County's streams while also improving the overall water quality and condition of the Chesapeake Bay.

Members of the Lewinsville Coalition, a local resident advocacy group, provided valuable input during the design and construction of this project. A Coalition priority was keeping trails open while work was underway, which was achieved throughout the duration of construction. The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services' Stormwater Planning Division oversaw the project.

In the Dranesville District, several other stormwater projects have been completed recently, including a stream restoration project through McLean Central park, a stream stabilization project at Windy Hill Road, and a County stormwater pond improvement near the intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Spring Hill Road. There are several other projects set to begin in the next year, including continuing the restoration of Dead Run towards Georgetown Pike, Piney Run Stream Restoration at Lake Werowance in Great Falls, and a project at Tucker Avenue in Falls Church to address a significant neighborhood flooding issue.

Supervisor Foust joined community members and County staff to celebrate the completion of the project on October 21. Supervisor Foust said, " Improving the quality of our streams is a priority in Fairfax County. Projects like this will help ensure the health of our watersheds for generations to come and I look forward to continue working with the community on these improvements."

New Fiberglass Bridge Installed in Lewinsville Park

Fairfax County recently replaced the wooden pedestrian bridge that connected Lewinsville Park and the Lewinsville Heights neighborhood with a new fiberglass bridge. Water frequently overtopped the old bridge, resulting in the need for an improved crossing. The new bridge is longer and wider than the old bridge at 30 feet long by 8 feet wide and will hold up better in future storm events.

Supervisor Foust said, "This is a great project that provides a dramatic improvement in terms of accessibility."

Phone and Online Construction Complaint Hotline

Land Development Services

Concerns about a construction site in Fairfax County?

Call the construction hotline at 703-324-7470 or submit your complaint online at https://bit.ly/2OEWTP6.

On-call inspectors will assess and address issues like:

Malfunctioning erosion and sedimentation controls (causing runoff)
Drainage problems
Tracked mud on the roadway
Construction activity within a tree-save area
Any activities that may harm the environment, cause safety risks, or damage another property

Never trespass on private property to get pictures or investigate a development project.

To submit other complaints, such as potentially unpermitted construction, visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fido/complaints/comp_submit.aspx.

For more information or to request assistance for submitting complaints, contact Ben Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at [email protected] or 703-356-0551.

Hypothermia Prevention Program

The Hypothermia Prevention Program is an integral part of Fairfax County's programs to prevent and end homelessness. The program is made possible by the collaborative efforts of area faith communities, civic organizations, businesses, and individual volunteers.

The Hypothermia Prevention Program expands shelter capacity for individuals experiencing homelessness in two main ways: overflow space at the existing shelters that serve single adults and auxiliary off-site programs that are hosted largely in partnership with various faith communities throughout the County. All three emergency shelters that serve single adults activate a "no-turn-away" (NTA) policy by providing overflow space at the current shelter facilities.

NTA Overflow shelter is also implemented in non-winter months in extreme temperature and weather conditions. Individuals staying in NTA Overflow shelter or the off-site program can engage in case management services, including but not limited to, assistance with basic needs, housing, employment, benefits, and behavioral or physical health. For general questions about the Hypothermia Prevention Program, contact Abby Dunner in the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) at [email protected].

Below is information about the shelter services available near the Dranesville District.

North County, including Herndon and Reston - Human Services Region 3, Cornerstones

NTA Overflow (November 15 through March 31; access available 24/7)

Located at Embry Rucker Community Shelter (ERCS), 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston

Off-Site Program (December 1 - March 31)

Located at the North County Human Services Building at 1850 Cameron Glen Drive, Room #200, Reston
Operational hours from 5:00 pm - 7:00 am.
For further information, contact Missy Norquest at [email protected], Milton Rodriguez at [email protected], or Jeanine Gravette at [email protected] or 703-437-1975.
To volunteer or donate, contact Susan Alger at [email protected].

In addition, Fairfax County continues to operate the three shelters that serve single individuals and the four shelters that serve families (six facilities total) year-round for those experiencing homelessness. Families with children who need shelter must contact Coordinated Services Planning at 703-222-0880 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to gain access. After business hours, families with children in need of shelter should go directly to the nearest family shelter. The phone numbers and addresses for the year-round shelters are available online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/homeless/emergency-shelters.

Solarize Fairfax County Results

The Solarize Fairfax County campaign ended its third year with more property owners signing contracts to convert to solar energy. This year's campaign, which ran from April 16 through June 14, ended with 57 signed contracts for solar installations valued at $1.4 million for a total of 564 kilowatts. Since the Solarize Fairfax County Campaign kicked off in 2017, offering discounted solar panels to property owners, 156 solar contracts have been signed with the potential to generate more than 1.8 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy each year. That is the equivalent of preventing greenhouse gas emissions from 274 cars driven for a year.

Fairfax County sponsors the annual Solarize campaign to help residents and businesses reduce the cost and complexity of investing in solar energy. Participants receive free on-site solar assessments, a bulk purchase discount, vetted contractors, community workshops, and support.

Fairfax County has made solar energy a priority to reduce its carbon footprint and recently became the first community to receive a Gold designation from the national SolSmart program for taking bold action to encourage solar energy growth by removing obstacles to solar development.

Land Use Cases in Dranesville

Sunrise Development, Inc.
SE 2019-DR-009
1515 Chain Bridge Road, McLean

At its October 15 meeting, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Special Exception application to construct a 140-bed assisted living facility in downtown McLean. The project, located at 1515 Chain Bridge Road, will replace the existing McLean Medical Building. A single entrance to the 45-foot tall facility will be directly across from Buena Vista Avenue.

A public one-acre urban park will be created along the western portion of the subject site and overhead utilities along Chain Bridge Road will be placed underground. Parking will be provided in an underground garage and a shared use path and other streetscape elements such as lighting, landscaping, and seating will be provided. In total, 45-percent of the site is to be used as open space, exceeding the 15 percent requirement.

Stormwater management will be provided by an underground vault and onsite bioretention facility to meet the water quantity and quality control requirements. Additionally, the project will prioritize water and energy efficiency and be constructed with renewable materials where possible, in compliance with the County's Green Building Policy.

Information including a map of the site and staff report can be found here.

L&F Frying Pan, LLC

RZ/FDP 2018-DR-018 & DSC-D1-2

Southeast of Frying Pan Road and Sunrise Valley Drive, Herndon

Rezoning application with concurrent Comprehensive Plan Amendment ( Dulles Suburban Center - DSC-D1-2) to rezone 7.35 acres from the R-1 zoning district to PDH (Planned Development Housing)-5 to allow the construction of 35 single family attached dwellings.

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

Fair Light, LLC
SE 2018-DR-020
8514 Lewinsville Road, McLean

Special Exception application requesting a modification of the minimum lot width requirement of 150 feet in the R-1 district. The modification would allow the construction of a two-lot subdivision consisting of one lot with a width of 82 feet and a second lot with a width of 88.85 feet.