Sully District Council of Citizens Associations

P.O. Box 230042
Sully Station, VA 20120-0042

Agenda for 15 September 2025 Joint Sully District Land Use and Transportation Committee (JSDLU&TC) Meeting
by Jeff Parnes

1. The Joint Sully District Land Use and Transportation Committee (JSDLU&TC) will meet in person at 7:00 p.m. on 15 September 2025 at the Sully Governmental Facility and online. This meeting is conducted with participation by members of both the Land Use and Transportation committees of the SDCCA and WFCCA
2. Time to renew your association's membership in the Sully District Council. Our membership application can now be submitted on line! Please complete it, and then print a copy to enclose with your check.

Has yours made plans to join us for 2025?

3. The JSDLU&TC Meeting will be in person and online. The WebEx meeting URL is below.

Meeting Information:
The Sully District Council requires each participant in our online meetings to identify themselves. If your screen name does not provide enough information to identify yourself, or you are a call-in participant, you will be asked to identify yourself and the organization you represent. If after repeated requests, you choose not to do so, you will be disconnected from the meeting.
• Meeting link: https://webmaster2020.my.webex.com/webmaster2020.my/j.php?MTID=mdb5d40d780d8e250d37dbadf84f1e3c3
• Meeting number: 793 996 746
• Password: PSkYb5gEX34
• Join by phone: +1-408-418-9388 United States (Access code: 793 996 746)
4. Sully District Council is Social!
• Sully District Council Tweets! Follow us at @SullyDistrict!
• Sully District Council is on Facebook! Like us at @SullyDistrictCouncil!
• Sully District Council is on YouTube! Subscribe to our channel at Sully District Council!


5. Jim Neighbors, the Sully District Council Secretary, has recently updated the JSDLU&TC Land Use Matrix XLSX PDF.


7. The JSDLU&TC met in person at the Sully Governmental Facility and online on Monday, 21 August 2025.
   • Topics:
   1. 7:00 — Commonwealth Centre Landbay D2, PCA/CDPA/FDPA application to allow 67 single family attached (townhouse) dwellings, and an approximately 10,000 square foot community arts building that will be dedicated to and constructed by Fairfax County.
   • Proponent: Robert D. Brant, Shareholder, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C.
   • Proposal: This is part of the larger Commonwealth Centre project, and is identified as Commonwealth Centre Landbay D2. My client has submitted a PCA/CDPA/FDPA application to allow 67 single family attached (townhouse) dwellings, and an approximately 10,000 square foot community arts building that will be dedicated to and constructed by Fairfax County. We are in the early stages of the application process
   • Location: The site is located in the NW quadrant of the intersection of Newbrook Drive and Westfields Boulevard, and is directly across Newbrook from the Wegmans shopping center.
   • See their presentation PDF PPTX
   2. 7:45 — Update on the New Life Christian Church Proposal
      • From the Joint Sully District Land Use and Transportation Committee Presentation Request
      • Proponent: Sara Mariska, Odin, Feldman & Pittleman, P.C.
      • Proposal: New Life Christian Church operates a religious assembly use at 14550 Lee Road as a matter of right. The church has filed SE-2023-SU-00009 to permit outdoor athletic fields that can be used by both the church and community groups. The area is directly north of the church building and is currently vacant.
      • Location: Tax Map Reference 34-3 ((1)) 23A1 (part)
      • Exempt: Is
      • ReadStatement: Read
      • See their presentation from July PDF PPTX
      • See their current presentation PDF PPTX

8. >The next Sully District Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, 24 September 2025.
• Topic: Candidates Night
• Sully District Council's Eleventh Biennial State Legislative Candidates Night
  We have invited all candidates for the five House of Delegate districts, 7-11, that will represent Sully district in the legislature (* Incumbent):
• 7th Delegate District
• Democratic Candidate: Karen Keys-Gamarra* (Attending online)
• Republican Candidate: Cass Aucoin (Attending)
• 8th Delegate District
• Democratic Candidate: Irene Shin* (Attending)
• Republican Candidate: Indira Massey
• 9th Delegate District
• Democratic Candidate: Karrie Delaney* (Attending)
• Republican Candidate: Nhan Huynh (Attending)
• 10th Delegate District
• Democratic Candidate: Dan Helmer*
• Republican Candidate: David Guil
• 11th Delegate District
• Democratic Candidate: David Bulova* (Attending)
• Republican Candidate: Adam Wise (Attending)
7. The JSDLU&TC will meet in person at the Sully Governmental Facility and online on Monday, 15 September 2025.
   
   • In light of an amendment to the Code of Virginia, the county has provided us with a statement be to read when our land use committee meets with a prospective applicant for a rezoning or proffer condition amendment (PCA) for new residential development and/or new residential use in areas of the County that are not exempt from Virginia Code Section 15.2-2303.4. It is recommended that if our committee is meeting with more than one applicant to read this statement for each rezoning/PCA.
   • All times estimates are provided as a courtesy, presentations will start after the completion of the proceeding presentation, however long it takes. Recommend that presenters be ready at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled time.
   • Prospective presenters are requested to register on the Land Use and Transportation Committee Presentation Registration Form as a condition of their presentation.
   • Topics:
   1. 7:00 — Fairfax County Draft ZOA on Electrical Substations for Data Centers
   • The draft ZOA proposes changes in permissions to include:
     • I-3, I-4: change electrical substations from by right to SE
     • I-5, I-6: continue to allow electrical substations by right, and add the ability to modify standards with SE approval
     • P districts: add light utility facilities to the PCC District (Planned Continuing Care) to be consistent with other P districts.
   • Jim Hart has drafted a proposed resolution for the committee to consider
     • Here at your request is a very rough draft of a resolution on electrical substations, before the committee meeting on the 15th. I tried to incorporate consensus points and use what we had already from the data center discussions. I did not directly address the proposed setbacks from C districts (as opposed to R districts) partly because nobody has said anything yet on that AFAIK. Folks may have edits to suggest as usual.
     • Unfortunately what can be done on this ZOA is boxed in by the authorized advertising. Much more could be said about data centers (and how Fx Co got that topic wrong) but I expect the narrow scope of the advertising is deliberate. Apparently the BOS doesn't want a parade of picky crazy whiny NIMBY tree huggers complaining about data centers again. And I assume industry may be pushing back hard in the other direction.
     • I expect other citizens and groups may be developing their own positions on this topic, independently. I hope there is some overlap and opportunity for cross-pollination. If there were other suggestions we might add something. I tried to keep it polite although I know there is plenty of strong feeling and frustration about data centers. The proliferation of electrical substations is going to be a consequence of allowing data centers by right in I-5 and I-6 or with wimpy constraints elsewhere.
     • FWIW there is a vacant 2 acre lot in Virginia Run which NOVEC owns, not a great lot (triangular). I was trying to figure out if with the setbacks, a substation would realistically fit without waivers and modifications (which happen all too often). Maybe not.
     • For reference here is a link to the website with the staff report https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/zoning-ordinance/substations Tyler Ray's memo also had some helpful comparisons to other (less wimpy) jurisdictions
   2. 8:00 — Updated Fairfax County Seeks Public Input on Active Transportation and Trails Plan
   • The county has proposed an updated Active Transportation and Trails Plan which consolidates and updates the County's Bicycle Master Plan and the Countywide Trails Plan with the aim to create a more accessible, connected and inclusive transportation and trail network for all users.
   3. 8:15 — Policy Plan Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Plan Amendment 2022-CW-2CP)
   • Jim Hart has drafted a proposed resolution for the committee to consider
     • Attached for the September meeting (apparently the committee's last and only chance to comment) is a very rough draft of a resolution requesting a postponement of the Planning Commission public hearing on the Policy Plan do-over, and making a couple simple points.
     • I don't see how any group can adequately review 150+ pages of single spaced new text this quickly, develop a consensus, and comment intelligently on the details. And people were already focused on the electrical substation amendment which comes up the next night.
     • I hope that the compressed time frame is not intentional. But we can see what has been happening last few years with Clarion, with pro-developer initiatives, ZMOD, Parking Reimagined, data centers, agritourism, airport noise, etc. I assume other groups might also ask for more time to review the policy plan do-over, if they even are aware what is happening. And there are big changes within.
     • I assume also that one of the most controversial elements will be the admitted "transition" from "protection of neighborhoods" to "thoughtful integration of land uses to enhance communities and provide additional housing opportunities". Does that shift encourage flexibility for increased intensity and density? Tree save and stormwater are lesser priorities? We need Housing! Yay! The trendy buzzwords of "equity" and "equitable development" permeate the staff report, and also may be controversial, to the extent they facilitate the inevitable (?) trend toward eventual abolition of single family zoning.

8. Old Business
• The tentative Sully District Council of Citizens Associations schedule for 2025 (subject to change) (agendas may not be available until the week/day of the meeting):
• 29 January: Sate of Sully by Sully Supervisor Kathy Smith
• 26 February: Police and Public Safety
• 10 March: Jointly sponsored town-hall on FY 2026 budgets for FCPS and Fairfax County
• 23 April: FCDOT/VDOT
• 28 May: General Assembly Report by Delegates and Senators representing Sully in Richmond
• 25 June: General impacts of Data Centers — air, JLARC, water, land combined discussion with JLARC Study Presentation by one of our representatives familiar with the study
• 26 July and 23 August: No Summer meetings currently scheduled
• 24 September: Eleventh Biannual Sully State legislative candidates night
• 22 October: Sully School Board Member Seema Dixit
• 19 November: Affordable Housing
• 17 December: Economic Development Authority
• Preserve Franklin Farm Update d=from Lewis Grimm
• Based on the summary discussion provided below by my neighbor and the information offered by the COF UMC, there is still a major push to advance this proposal for the creation of a supposedly affordable housing apartment complex in the northeast quadrant of the Fairfax County Parkway / Franklin Farm Road intersection.
  • Here is the latest COF update. As we had fully anticipated they are moving ahead with the planning, working with their newly partnered developer (Pennrose) and the ever-present AP3. We also know they have teamed up with VOICE, who we understand is funding the various studies and planning needed to get the COF proposal out of Tier 3 (Deferred), as well as other affordable housing community advocates actively pursuing similar projects.
  • You will also read how they have been hard at working the Fairfax County, to include a recent meeting with Fairfax County where Michael Wing was identified as the new Fairfax County project manager, succeeding Aaron Klibaner. We will, of course, be working to make sure we are also making our concerns front and center with the County. One very interesting statement is how Kathy Smith can snap her fingers and more their proposal to Tier 1 or 2.
  • The entire premise of this September Update is aligned to advancing affordable housing. There is no notable consideration for the present community and the architectural standards as they are clearly defined within the covenants attached to their property deed. Our position, as you know, is not being against affordable housing. It is a matter of not having a structure that is not part of the fit within the Franklin Farm planned community of single family homes.
  • My understanding is the Foundation Board and the ARB remain fully aware and are preparing to address whatever is proposed.
• Might be interesting to pose a standard question or two to the invited candidates as to their personal views on the topic of affordable housing in Fairfax County and across the Commonwealth. I always like to pose the question of "Would you support such an action just the other side of your property line?" and see what the response is.
9. Items of General Interest:
   • Car Tax Payments Due Monday, October 6
     • Personal property taxes, better known as car taxes, are due on Monday, October 6. Bills were mailed this summer, and there are many convenient ways to pay.
     • By state law, the county must assess a vehicle's value as of January 1 based on a recognized, third-party pricing guide. Fairfax County, as well as all Virginia localities, uses the J.D. Power Official Used Car Guide.
     • If you have a question or concern about your tax bill, contact the Department of Tax Administration:
       • Call 703-222-8234 (English or Español) TTY 711, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm (to 6 pm from Sept. 29 - Oct. 3 and Oct. 6)
       • Send an email
       • Visit the tax counter at the Fairfax County Government Center weekdays from 8 am to 4:30 pm (to 6 pm from Sept. 29 - Oct. 3 and Oct. 6)
   • Energy Conservation Assistance Program
   
   • The Energy Conservation Assistance Program provides grants and expert guidance to organizations implementing energy efficiency updates, installing renewable energy solutions or enhancing the resilience of structures and property to withstand the impacts of climate change.
     
   • See the Energy Conservation Assistance Program webpage for more information about the program, the eligibility requirements, and the financial assistance available to your organization.
   • The State of Fairfax
   • One of our community residents, Jamie Boex, has created this site His introduction to the site states "In many ways, Fairfax County is more like a state than a local government. If Fairfax County were a state, its state population would be larger than the District of Columbia and 8 other states in the Union, and its economy would be larger than 17 states. As such, this website considers by considering Fairfax as a State. The ambition of this site is to apply evidence-based analyses to explore important issues related to the governance, administration, public finances, public services, and economy of Fairfax County, the Northern Virginia region, and the rest of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
   • Space shuttle relocation from Udvar-Hazy to Texas
   • Article about BOS sending a letter to the Secretary of Transportation on this, finally (This was kind of a surprise, and maybe too late at this point)
   • Unfortunately it sounds like the shuttle relocation to Texas was already approved by the Secretary of Transportation, weeks before the BOS letter. Sounds very expensive
   • Another article
   • Press release:
   • Earlier article:
   • It isn't clear exactly how they are going to get it out of Fx Co, with wires and poles and overpasses in the way, even if it is going to Texas by barge or something

10. Next Sully District meetings will be held at the Sully Government Facility Meeting Room, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA, 20151 unless otherwise specified
    • The next Sully District Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
    • Topic: Sully School Board Member Seema Dixit
    • This meeting will b held at the Virginia Run Community Center, 15355 Wetherburn Ct, Centreville, VA 20120
    • Next month's Joint Sully Land Use and Transportation Committee is scheduled for Monday, 20 October 2025.
    • 7:00 — Existing service station built in the 1960s between Fair Oaks Public Safety Facility and Fair Ridge Drive
    • Proponent: Kathryn Taylor
    • Proposal Details: Amend certain Proffers and the Approved CDP/FDP as they relate to the Property to permit interim improvements on-site that will upgrade and enhance the existing service station.
    • Location: 12306 and 12310 Route 50 (Tax Maps 46-3 ((1)) 14A and 14B2)

Respectfully submitted,

Jeffrey M. Parnes
Land Use and Transportation Chair
Sully District Council