- The Sully District Council will meet at 7:00 p.m. on 16 November, the third Wednesday, to avoid Thanksgiving, in the Sully District Governmental Center Front Meeting Room, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA, 20151. The meeting will be canceled if Fairfax County Schools or after school activities are canceled due to adverse weather the day of the meeting.
- 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.
The following associations have joined/renewed their memberships in the SDC in 2011:
- Membership Presentations: Development in Loudoun County (PDF PPT), presented by
- Land Use and Transportation presentation:
- 8:30
- Proponent: Shalla Florez
- Action: Special Permit SP 2011-SU-084 to operate a day care facility
- Location: 3245 West Ox Road, Oak Hill, Virginia 20171
The Flores application is a small daycare on West Ox Rd. Rebecca Horner is staff coordinator. BZA public hearing is scheduled for 12-7-11.
- Old Business
- Update on Pohanka Stonecroft Rezoning and Special Exception Application
- Scott Crabtree and David Houston presented their plans to the land use committee at the October 2011 meeting. They stated that the Planning Commission hearing was scheduled for December 15th, but that date has now been moved to January 26th for reasons that were beyond their control (internal planning staff schedule) (copy of the deferral letter). Based on the new hearing date, the Staff Report will likely be published January 12th.
- They also made certain revisions to the application based on discussions with staff. Attached is the revised Statement of Justification that was submitted last week. At the request of Staff, they added a trail waiver request along Stonecroft and a transitional screening and barrier request on the southern edge of the property (adjacent to the existing pond). Both are discussed in the revised Statement. The trail waiver is justified because a trail was proffered and constructed on the west side of Stonecroft by the Auto Park. The Pohanka side of Stonecroft will continue to have a sidewalk along its entire frontage. The screening and barrier is justified because the abutting property is zoned and planned for industrial uses (which if developed, would not require any screen or barrier). Most of this land is in a floodplain, however, and will be difficult to ultimately develop.
- Finally, when they made their presentation in October the question came up about the height of the proposed wind turbine (115') and whether the FAA might have a problem with it. Specific reference was made to a 125' communications tower that was proposed at Westfield High School. Attached is their engineer's analysis of the FAA requirements and his conclusion that the turbine does not need any approval. After additional research it was found that the FCC objected to the Westfield High School tower because there are additional requirements specifically for antenna structures which are not applicable to wind turbines.
- They offered to return to the Committee at either the December or January meetings and provide copies of any other materials - draft proffers, GDP/SE Plat, wind turbine details, etc.
- New Business
- Items of General Interest:
- New Fair Lakes Interchange Detour Coming Soon!
- The second phase of the detour associated with the construction of the interchange of Fairfax County Parkway (7100) with the Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive is set to be in place by 7 a.m. on November 19, 2011. The detour currently in place prohibits through traffic on Fair Lakes Parkway from crossing 7100. The new detour will shift traffic from existing 7100 onto the newly constructed ramps so. As part of this second phase of the detour, left turns from Fair Lakes Parkway to the Fairfax County Parkway will be prohibited; however, all other turns will be allowed and through traffic access from Fair Lakes Parkway across the Fairfax County Parkway will be restored. As part of this phase of the detour, the speed limit on 7100 will be lowered to 40 mph between I-66 and Route 50.
- The switch to the second phase of the detour will require one night (9 pm-7 am) wherein the traffic on 7100 will be narrowed down to one lane in each direction from I-66 to Route 50 and NO ACCESS will be allowed from Fairfax County Parkway to Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive. Fair Lakes Traffic Eastbound and westbound prior to 7100 will be forced to use the Fair Lakes Circle detour. Because the weekend VDOT plans to do the work is preceded by the Veterans Day holiday weekend and followed by Thanksgiving week, in case of inclement weather, the rain date will be the evening of November 19/20 or 20/21. Signs will be in place at least a week in advance warning motorists of the upcoming closures/switches.
- To view a map of the long term detour as well as more information on the temporary closures that are scheduled to take place overnight on November 18-19, view VDOT's fact sheet at Springfield Supervisor Herrity's web site or VDOT's website
- At its 15 November 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission (TAC) was briefed on
- Plans for Automated Traffic Management on I66 (PDF)
- Preliminary results from the Tysons Metrorail Station Access Management Study Report, Sections 6 (Preferences Obtained Through the Public Outreach) and 7 (TMSAMS Advisory Group Recommendations) (PDF)
- At its 18 October 2011 meeting the Transportation Advisory Commission was briefed on Base Realignment and Closure activities in and near Fairfax County PPT PDF
- On 18 October 2011 the Board of Supervisors appointed Tom Biesiadny as the Director of the County's Department of Transportation
- Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance held its 7th Annual What You Need to Know About Transportation Seminar on September 28, 2011
Topics and Speakers:
- Northern Virginia's 2040 Plan by Marty Nohe, Chairman, Northern Virginia Transportation Authority
- Metro's Rebuilding Process by Richard Sarles, General Manager & CEO, WMATA
- What's Happening at VRE by Dale Zehner, CEO, Virginia Railway Express
- New Northern Virginia Highway Projects by Helen Cuervo P.E., District Construction Engineer, VDOT Northern Virginia
- Dulles Rail Construction by Pat Nowakowski, Executive Director, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
- I-95 & I-495 HOT Lanes, Telegraph Road, BRAC by Steve Titunik, Communications Director, VDOT Regional Transportation Projects
- New Mileage Standards Impact on Travel Trends by Erin Morrow, Transportation Engineer, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
- What We Also Need to Know About Transportation by Bob Chase, President, Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance
- Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Unveils New Interactive Exhibits
- Two new interactive areas are now open to the public at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park’s Walney visitor center. Visitors of all ages can explore the park’s natural and cultural history through hands-on exploration and discovery.
- Younger children can read illustrated books, play with nature-themed puzzles and games, and dress up like a farmer from the late 1700s. In the Investigation Playce, older children and parents can search through drawers full of objects that help interpret the park’s long history and the abundance of natural resources found there.
- The exhibits will change over time to highlight seasonal activities and program themes at the park. Objects in the discovery drawers will also change.
- The exhibits were funded by the Ellanor C. Lawrence trust fund, which was established at the time the parkland was donated in 1971. Site staff built and installed the exhibits.
- Ellanor C. Lawrence Park is located at 5040 Walney Road in Chantilly, VA. The Walney visitor center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays) and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free.
- For more information, call 703-632-0013 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ecl.
- Free Digital Subscriptions to the Connection Newspapers
- An easy way to sign up for a free digital subscription to CentreView and the Connection.
- Anyone can click on the "FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS" icon (on the top left just under the date) and fill out the form.
- Scheduled Meetings/Activities:
- The 53rd Green Breakfast – Saturday, November 12 – 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Briton’s Grille in Fairfax.
- Topic: Urban Stormwater Management in Fairfax County
- Speaker: James Patteson, Director, Department of Public Works and Environmental Management
- This will be a great opportunity to hear the Director of DPWES discuss Fairfax County’s Stormwater Program and the impacts of current state and federal regulatory initiatives.
- Briton’s Grille: 10621 Braddock Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032 – located in the University Shopping Mall (Braddock Road and Route 123) across the street from the Roanoke River Road entrance to George Mason University.
- Cost: $10.00 for the Buffet, which includes tax and tip. Cash is preferred.
- Note: You may bring fliers about your organization's events and activities. There will be time for announcements.
- If anyone wants to come and just have coffee, please email or call the conservation district at 703-324-1460
- Reston Master Plan Meeting Set for Nov. 16
- Fairfax County Supervisor, Catherine M. Hudgins, and the Department of Planning and Zoning will host an informational meeting on Nov. 16 about Phase 2 of the Reston Master Plan Special Study. The meeting will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. at South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Drive, Reston, Va.
- The meeting will include:
- A 15-minute open house to review maps and other materials.
- An outline of the process for reviewing and updating the existing Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan guidance for preserving residential neighborhoods throughout Reston and for four of Reston's five village centers.
- Information about the Reston Master Plan Special Study Task Force, the Vision and Planning Principles adopted by the Task Force, and how they will be used in Phase 2.
- For further information about the Reston Master Plan Special Study, including announcements about future meetings, please visit the study website
- Make Room for Trees: The Urban Forest Continuum, November 18, 2011
- Algonkian Regional Park Conference Center 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling VA 20165
- Agenda and registration information available at: http://www.treesvirginia.org/joomla/Roundtable/Make%20Room%20for%20Trees.pdf
- Presentations will include:
- Trees are Infrastructure, Pushing Boundaries; Looking Forward – Dr. William Elmendorf, Penn State University
- Space at a Premium: Tyson’s Corner Case Study - Lucia Hall, Fairfax Co. Office of Revitalization, William Caldwell, and Hugh Whitehead, Fairfax County Urban Forestry, Tracy Strunk, Fairfax Co. DPZ
- The Vibrant City of Tomorrow with Room for Trees – Monica Lear, DDOT, Washington D.C.
- A vibrant forest canopy in urban, suburban and urbanizing areas faces many challenges. Some of these we are well acquainted with but continue to struggle with. New challenges await us on the horizon. Join us for a full day of exploration, discussion and motivation as we frame the issues and discover solutions for the next 100 years of Urban Forest Canopy in Virginia.
- Congressman Gerry Connolly’s Open Season Workshop for Federal Employees/Retirees on Nov. 19 - Open Season for FEHB Plan Changes Ends on December 12
- To help federal employees and retirees navigate through the many changes in the 2012 Federal Employees Health Benefits plans, dental and vision insurance programs, and flexible spending accounts, Congressman Gerry Connolly will hold an Open Season Workshop on November 19, 2011. Open Season runs from November 14 to December 12.
- Connolly’s Open Season Workshop for Federal Employees and Retirees will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center on Saturday, November 19, 2011, from 10 am to 2 PM. The address is 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA, 22035.
- The program will include presentations by FEHB experts. Representatives of various health plans and Medicare will be available to discuss their programs with participants.
- “Most FEHB plans have benefit and rate changes for 2012 so it is important that federal employees and retirees know the details on how their current plans are changing and whether or not there is another option that better suits their needs,” Connolly said. “Some plans are changing their coverage options or service areas, while others are dropping out of the FEHB program so it is important that every federal employee and retiree review the status of their current coverage.”
- Connolly urged every federal employee and retiree, as well as survivor and former spouse annuitants to make sure they review their FEHB plan coverage and other benefits before Open Season ends on December 12. “Federal employees, retirees, and annuitants who have questions or want to make sure that they have the coverage they need and want under the FEHB plans are welcome to attend my Open Season Workshop on November 19,” he said.
- Congressman Connolly’s Open Season workshop schedule is as follows:
- 10:00 am – 11:00 am - Fairfax County Government Center Board Auditorium
Featured Speakers:
- Dean Schleicher, the Office of Personnel Management’s project leader for the FEHB program annual Open Season and an expert on health plan performance and quality
- Walt Francis, an economist and policy analyst who has authored CHECKBOOK’s Guide to Health Plans for Federal Employees for three decades and worked for the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Health and Human Services.
- 10:00 am – 2:00 PM - Fairfax County Government Center Conference Rooms 2-3, 4-5, 7 and 8
Representatives of various FEHB health plans and Medicare will be available to provide information and answer questions concerning plan offerings for 2012
- Federal employees seeking further information about FEHB plans can visit OPM’s FEHB Open Season website at: http://www.opm.gov/insure/openseason .
- The OPM website contains detailed information about FEHB plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, and flexible spending accounts for federal employees and dependents. The site also provides links to frequently asked questions and other information that federal employees and retirees might need to help them make decisions about their current and future coverage.
- Federal employees, retirees, or annuitants seeking more information about the Open Season workshop may call Connolly’s District Office at 703-256-3071.
- Congressman Connolly has held an Open Season event each year since he took office in January 2009.
- Comments on Herndon Town Council review of Metro Stop Master Plan by Jasbinder Singh, Councilmember
- During the Oct 25th public hearing, many residents just wanted the Town Council to approve the master plan, as presented. Quite a few said that the high density of the development does not matter; financial feasibility shouldn't even be considered; and 15 story buildings along Herndon Parkway will be good for Herndon. Still others implored us to not worry about traffic impacts and the lack of playgrounds. If all these and other normally important things do not matter, then one might ask, "Why are we going through the planning process?". Perhaps, they did not have all the facts or do not understand the broad aspects of the plan.
- The Plan did not provide easy-to-grasp basic information. Therefore, for the benefit of common residents, I have prepared the attached Fact Sheet. It may guide discussions amongst residents and help to communicate your concerns to the Council. Please take a quick look at the information, write down your questions, come to the TC public hearings on Nov. 22nd and let the Council know what matters to you. You may also attend the TC work-session on the 15th when an updated version of the plan will be presented. Alternatively, you may contact me directly to ask questions or to express your opinions.
- Watershed Management Plan Community Update Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:00 PM
- The public is invited to a watershed management plan community update on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in conference rooms 9/10 at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Reservations are not required.
- A series of comprehensive watershed management plans have been developed to help Fairfax County and its residents restore and protect streams and other vital natural resources. With assistance from residents and other stakeholder groups, staff of the Fairfax County Stormwater Management Program identified more than 1,700 projects to improve the health of local watersheds.
- County staff will present an update on several watershed management topics including:
- Introduction to the stormwater management program
- Overall perspective of the watershed management plans
- Status of project implementation and infrastructure reinvestment
- Non-structural policy and action recommendations
- Regulatory compliance with the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits
- Partnership opportunities and how residents can become more involved.
- For more information call 703-324-5821, TTY 711 or email SWPDmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
- Check out the county web sites on watersheds or stormwater for more information.
><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...><((((º>¸.·.¸. , . .·´`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´`·.¸.·´¯`·...><((((º>
- Fairfax Federation Seeks Nominations for Fairfax County 2011 Citizen of the Year
- The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations is soliciting nominations for its 2011 Fairfax County Citizen of the Year. Each year, a selection committee of county-wide organizations meets to review nominations for the Federation's "Citizen of the Year" and merit awards. The winners are honored at our annual banquet, planned for 25 March 2012
- Both the Citizen of the Year Award and the Citation(s) of Merit recognize and honor those citizens whose voluntary contributions of time and talent resulted in major accomplishments that have enhanced the quality of life for citizens of Fairfax County.
- Eligibility:
- Nominees must be current residents of Fairfax County.
- Elected officials and full-time county or commonwealth employees are ineligible for consideration if their contributions are related to their full-time positions.
- The Citizen of the Year is recognized for voluntary acts that are not related to employment.
- Criteria:
- Contributions and accomplishments must have countywide rather than local significance.
- The nominee's achievements can be either:
- General, such as multi-year community service with one or more organizations or activities with cumulative impact over the years of current importance or with positive implications for the future, or
- Specific, including intense efforts as the major promoter of a single program or project completed in a finite period of time.
- Persons whose contributions of time and talent resulted in major accomplishments that have enhanced the quality of life for citizens of Fairfax County, who do not meet the published eligibility standards for the Citizen of the Year consideration, may still be honored by the Federation. Please submit information about these nominees on the nomination form, indicating that this is an alternative nomination.
- Nominations will be accepted from 1 December 2011 until 31 January 2012. The nomination form is available online from the Federation’s website, http://www.fairfaxfederation.org.
- The Citizen of the Year event is again generously supported by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). “Encouraging the volunteer engagement of Fairfax County citizens, including the thousands of our employees and their families here, is a major objective of our community relations,” said Douglas Koelemay, SAIC vice president.
- The Federation, established in 1940, is the countywide voice for homeowner, civic, and community associations. An all-volunteer organization, the Federation works on issues that impact Fairfax County residents, including education, transportation, environment, human services, land use, county budget, and county, state and federal legislation.
- Contact Jeff Parnes, Awards Committee Chair, phone 703-424-2956.
- Next Membership Meeting:
- Scheduled for 15 December (Third Thursday due to winter holiday conflict) - Interstate 66 -
- Automated Traffic Management plans by Kamal Suliman, VDOT-NRO-TE
- Outside the Beltway Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement from I-495 to U.S. Route 15 Jaak Pedak, Senior Transportation Planner, Transportation Planning Division, FCDOT
- Land Use and Transportation presentations:
- 8:30
- Proponent: Tracy L. Anderson, Associate, Donohue & Stearns, PLC for the Trustees of the Centreville United Methodist Church (“Owner”) and New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC
- Action: Special Exception Amendment to allow for the modification of existing Special Exception SE 2009-SU-002 for the construction and operation of a wireless telecommunications facility
- Location: 6400 Old Centreville Road Centreville, Virginia 20121
The facility will be designed as an 88’ bell tower so as to conceal the panel antennas, associated cables and equipment. The site will have a 20’x 80’5” equipment area that will be screened by an 11’ split face screen wall to match the existing and adjacent church walls and landscaping.
Jeffrey M. Parnes
First Vice President
Sully District Council