Fairfax County is considering having the Department of Motor Vehicles automatically file vehicle tax returns for residents, potentially saving more than 70,000 residents money.
At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, elected officials authorized a public hearing for Dec. 6 to discuss a possible county code change that would eliminate a step for residents when registering a vehicle.
Currently, when a resident registers a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notifies the county. Then, the county’s Department of Tax Administration (DTA) sends “a courtesy letter” to the resident reminding them to separately file a tax return within 60 days.
If the resident doesn’t register in that time, they face a 10% penalty on top of their owed personal property taxes.
Approximately 72,000 residents do not file tax returns for their vehicles in a timely fashion on an annual basis and are subject to the 10% penalty, a DTA spokesperson told FFXnow by email.
On average, that’s about 54% of residents who either bought a new vehicle or moved one into the county, they said.
If approved, the proposed change would eliminate that extra step. The DMV would automatically file the personal property tax return on the resident’s behalf within 30 days.
The amendment would also get rid of the 10% late penalty “if the vehicle is timely registered with the DMV,” notes the staff report. If approved, the change would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
“This proposed change will make it easier for taxpayers, as well as help them avoid unnecessary penalties,” the DTA spokesperson said. “Many taxpayers who buy a new vehicle or move one into the county don’t understand that they are required to separately file a personal property tax return in addition to registering it with the state Department of Motor Vehicles.”
The proposed amendment would also clarify that taxes on trailers and semi-trailers would be prorated based on when ownership changed during the calendar year.
Getting rid of the late penalty would result in a loss of about $2.4 million in revenue for the county on annual basis.
“The potential loss incurred is a small fraction of the revenues generated from the personal property tax,” the spokesperson noted.
In the current fiscal year 2023, though, the net loss would be about half of that since the change in code would not be retroactive, with January marking the halfway point of the fiscal year.
The adopted 2023 budget already reflects the potential $1.2 million loss, per the staff report.
Personal property tax assessments climbed for about 90% of local vehicle owners this year, prompting the Board of Supervisors to approve relief in the form of a 15% reduction in taxes.
Starting next week, all drivers traveling north on the Capital Beltway through Tysons will share the same exit to get to the westbound Dulles Toll Road.
The existing Exit 45 will be closed around Wednesday, Nov. 16, so construction can begin on a new bridge for the Beltway (I-495) over the toll road ramps, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced Thursday (Nov. 3).
Both general-purpose and express traffic looking to get onto the toll road’s westbound lanes will instead be directed onto a 495 Express Lanes ramp, located about one-third of a mile south of the old exit.
“To facilitate this new travel pattern, I-495 will be reduced from four to three lanes for a stretch of approximately one-half mile near the I-495 and Dulles Corridor interchange,” VDOT said. “…Due to this change, drivers traveling on southbound Route 123 will not be able to access westbound Dulles Toll Road from northbound I-495.”
The new configuration will be in place through early 2025, as work continues on the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project, which is extending the lanes 2.5 miles from Tysons to the George Washington Memorial Parkway interchange in McLean.
The redesigned Dulles Toll Road interchange will include two new ramps from I-495 North, one going east and one going west. Three stormwater ponds are also being constructed inside the ramp from the westbound toll road to the Beltway.
Active construction began on 495 NEXT in late May and is expected to continue into 2026.
Skyline Towers Homicide Suspect Arrested — “Phil Asare Darkwah turned himself in at the warrant desk. He was transported to the Adult Detention Center, where warrants for 2nd Degree Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm were served. He was held without bond.” [FCPD]
Former County Detective Destroyed Rape Kits — “A former Fairfax County police detective improperly destroyed evidence in 10 unsolved sexual assault cases that date from the mid-90s, likely meaning the perpetrators in the crimes will never be brought to justice, an investigation by the department has found.” [The Washington Post]
Prince Edward Reportedly Visited Vienna Country Club — Prince Edward popped over to the Westwood Country Club in Vienna this past weekend for the official opening of the club’s new tennis court facility. The Earl of Wessex supposedly participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony, junior court tennis clinic, black-tie gala, and a “professional exhibition on Saturday before returning to England.” [Washingtonian]
Fairfax City Mayoral Race Gets Expensive — “The race in this community of 24,500 residents — between city council member Sang H. Yi and Catherine Read, a civic engagement strategist — has attracted attention from both major political parties, as Read, a Democratic Party activist, highlights social issues while Yi, a Republican, vies to become Virginia’s first Korean American mayor.” [The Washington Post]
County Shares Plan to Address Trash Service Issues — “In response to a significant drop-off in reliable trash collection service, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) and American Disposal Services, Inc., (ADS) have established a plan to resolve the significant volume of service-related complaints DPWES has received from ADS customers.” [DPWES]
Park Authority Turned to Retirees for Lifeguards — “Nationwide, lifeguards are in short supply. The Oak Marr Rec Center team had to start thinking outside the box to address the shortfall. With that in mind, they looked to retirees – a vast new pool of potential applicants looking for part-time work.” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Facebook]
Winning Powerball Ticket Bought in Reston — “Virginia Powerball players won more than $2.1 million in Wednesday night’s drawing with a total of 188,911 tickets winning prizes ranging from $2 to $1 million. One Virginia ticket won $1 million. It was bought at the 7-Eleven at 2303 Soapstone Drive in Reston, Virginia Lottery officials reported.” [Inside NoVA]
McLean Nonprofit Looking for Volunteer Drivers — “The Shepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church is seeking additional volunteers to support its mission of providing free transportation to seniors for medical and dental appointments or running errands to grocery stores and pharmacies.” [Sun Gazette]
It’s Monday — Clear throughout the day. High of 72 and low of 59. Sunrise at 6:44 am and sunset at 5:03 pm. [Weather.gov]
The weekend is almost here. Before you prepare to turn back the clock on Sunday (Nov. 6) or head to bed for some much-needed sleep, let’s revisit the past week of news in Fairfax County.
Here are the 10 most-read stories on FFXnow this week:
- Black bear filmed strolling by Adaire Apartments in Tysons
- Tysons black bear has also been seen in Vienna, Reston, police confirm
- JUST IN: Wegmans announces opening date for Reston location
- BREAKING: Silver Line Phase II to open in mid-November
- Developer seeks to build affordable apartments near Innovation Center Metro station
- Halloween creeps up on Tysons early with mall trick-or-treating
- Police identify suspected shooter in Skyline Towers shooting
- Business dedicated to stretching opens in North Point Village Center
- County hit with deluge of new voter registrations a week before election
- Police seek persons of interest after man fatally shot at Skyline Towers
Ideas for potential stories can be sent to [email protected] or submitted as an anonymous tip. Photos of scenes from around the county are welcome too, with credit always given to the photographer.
Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans, or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below. Have a great weekend, Fairfax County!
Fairfax County Public Schools might be underestimating future overcrowding in the Tysons area, a new report from the McLean Citizens Association (MCA) says.
FCPS typically forecasts enrollment over the next five years in its annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP). A breakdown of that report alongside analysis of the county’s proffers — developer contributions required to offset the impact of new projects on local infrastructure — suggests higher future population counts in the Tysons area than what FCPS is predicting.
Jim Beggs, chairman of MCA’s Education and Youth Committee, presented the findings at a meeting of the MCA on Wednesday (Nov. 2), starting at the 23:53 mark.
“FCPS staff does projections every year for five years,” Beggs said. “Their projections focused on trends in migration in and out of the county, transfers within our area, and birth rate trends in our area.”
FCPS develops its own density projections to estimate what is going to happen in the schools, but Beggs said the specifics of development around Tysons might get lost in the mix as staff analyzes density countywide.
Part of the county’s proffer analysis includes estimates of a development’s impact on public schools, and Beggs said those numbers don’t always line up with the school system’s projections.
“The Tysons Corner area, we think, is a different animal,” Beggs said. “There’s a tremendous amount of development going on, and we think this analysis should be supplemented by a look at what is going on and how is the development activity looking like it’s going to impact our schools. If we look at that projection, how does it compare to the FCPS staff CIP projection?”
Beggs said comparing the two reports showed seven schools where the impact in the proffers is significantly higher than what FCPS is predicting:
Spring Hill Elementary School
- FCPS projection: 101% capacity in five years
- Proffers data: 136-147% capacity
- Disparity between the two reports: 35-46%
Marshall High School
- FCPS projection: 92% capacity in five years, if the modular units at the school are included
- Proffers data: 109-115% capacity
- Disparity: 17-23%
Kilmer Middle School
- FCPS projection: 89% capacity in five years with modular units included
- Proffers data: 110-116% capacity
- Disparity: 21-27%
Westbriar Elementary School
- FCPS projection: 83% capacity in five years
- Proffers data: 109-134% capacity
- Disparity: 26-51%
Westgate Elementary School
- FCPS projection: 85% capacity in five years
- Proffers data: 134-148% capacity
- Disparity: 50-64%
McLean High School
- FCPS projection: 105% capacity in five years
- Proffers data: 123-124% capacity
- Disparity: 17-19%
Longfellow Middle School
- FCPS projection: 92% capacity in five years
- Proffers data: 108-111% capacity
- Disparity: 16-19%
Beggs said those figures from the proffers data backs up existing concerns in the community about overcrowding in McLean High School.
All of these schools are impacted by new residential development on going in the Tysons area, Beggs said, adding that he mostly wants FCPS to just double check the math on the student population projections for the area.
“I’m saying, ‘We’d like you to take a look at these four or five schools that are heading to trouble,” Beggs said. “You’re looking at 198 [schools]. We’re asking you to focus on four or five in our area. In general, capacity issues can be solved by border adjustments, capital renovation, or putting a modular in. At the end of the day, we’re recommending staff go back and take a second look.”
If the proliferation of major developments planned around the West Falls Church Metro station is making your head spin, an upcoming community meeting may provide some clarity.
The developers seeking to redevelop the Metro station property and expand Virginia Tech’s nearby Northern Virginia Center campus will present their proposals and answer questions at an informational meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Sponsored by Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust’s office and the McLean Citizens Association, the event will take place at Longfellow Middle School in McLean. It will start at 7 p.m. with an open house, where attendees can look at informational boards and talk directly to the developers.
The main meeting will last from 7:30-9 p.m. and include presentations on both projects, an overview of Fairfax County’s zoning review process, and a Q&A period.
“Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions and remote participants will be able to submit written questions or comments during the meeting,” Foust’s office said in a community notice, noting that a Zoom link for those who want to follow virtually will be provided a week before the meeting.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors opened the door for mixed-use development in the West Falls Church Transit Station Area (TSA) with an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan in July 2021.
Applications for the Metro station redevelopment and Virginia Tech expansion were submitted for county review in March and September, respectively:
The FCGP-Metro Development (RZ-2022-DR-00006) application by EYA, Hoffman and Associates, and Rushmark Properties proposes to rezone the 24-acre West Falls Church Metrorail Station (7040 Haycock Rd, Falls Church) to the Planned Residential Mixed Use zoning district. The proposed development would include up to 810 multifamily units, 90 townhomes, and a 110,000 square feet office building with up to 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail.
The Converge West Falls (RZ-2022-DR-00018) application by HITT Contracting and Rushmark Properties proposes to rezone the 7.5-acre Northern Virginia Center (7054 Haycock Rd, Falls Church) to the Planned Residential Mixed-Use zoning district. The two-block mixed-use project consists of three buildings totaling 820,000 square feet of development and includes a six-floor office building that would serve as HITT Contracting’s corporate headquarters, a 440-unit residential building, and a 2,000 square foot one-story retail kiosk. The office building would include the approximately 40,000-square foot National Center for Smart Construction laboratory space to support Virginia Tech university’s mission as an academic and research institution.
The prospect of approximately 1.8 million square feet of new development — plus the separate West Falls project that’s already under construction in Falls Church City — has some in the community worrying that navigating the area by car and foot or bicycle could become untenable.
In the hopes of finding solutions, the county has been studying the TSA’s pedestrian and bicycle network. The most recent community meetings on the study were held Oct. 26 and 27, and an advisory group met for a seventh time on Wednesday (Nov. 2).
Metro is also accepting public comments until next Thursday (Nov. 10) on its proposal to overhaul the West Falls Church station’s parking lots, which will be partly replaced by the FCGP-Metro development.
Search for Suspect in Fatal Mount Vernon Shooting Continues — “Officers conducted a manhunt the afternoon of Nov. 3 for a wanted person reported to be in the basement of a home in the 8700 block of Millbrook Place…A subsequent Tweet from FCPD identified the man as Kyjuan Omar Braxton Trott and said the suspect was not found in the home that was searched.” [On the MoVe]
County Finishes Processing Flood of Voter Registrations — “Thanks to 15-plus hour days by our elections staff, we’ve processed the 11,000 voter registration applications from this summer that the state delayed sending us until Monday. Notices are in the mail!” [Office of Elections/Twitter]
Emails to Governor’s School “Tip Line” Shared — “Youngkin created a national uproar just days into his administration when he launched the tip line, urging parents to report schools teaching ‘inherently divisive concepts’…One Fairfax County parent copied Youngkin on an email to local school administrators complaining about a free online tutoring program offered by the district.” [Axios D.C., NBC4]
Police Investigate Batch of Centreville Shootings — “Detectives from our Major Crimes Bureau are currently investigating a series of overnight shootings in Centreville. The six incidents below are believed to be related. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported as a result of these shootings, despite two homes and one vehicle being struck.” [FCPD]
New Reston Steakhouse Impresses Critic — “Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse at Reston Metro Plaza, which opened November 2, indulgently caters to guests’ every whim…Save your pennies to dine here, but expect a bucket-list experience that delivers an elegant setting with masterful dining.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
McLean Office Building Adds New Tenants — “McLean Plaza, the office complex at 6862 Elm St. in McLean, has a host of new tenants, bringing it up to 95% occupancy, according to information from Newmark.” The new leases encompass 19,817 square feet of space and include Long and Foster Real Estate, a mental health counseling practice, and financial companies. [Washington Business Journal]
Junction Bistro and Bar Opens in Merrifield — “NOW OPEN! @junctionbakery is an American bistro featuring an eclectic lunch and dinner menu as well as craft cocktails. Located in between @districtdumplings & @urbanomosaic!” [Mosaic District/Twitter]
Cows Will “Race” at Frying Pan Park Today — “Get set, get ready and root for your favorite cow when Frying Pan Farm Park hosts its third NASCOW Race on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022. That’s right. This Friday, the fun returns with a chance to virtually support your favorite bovine and help provide financial support for the care of all animals on the farm.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Taxi Fuel Surcharge Up for Public Hearing — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 to determine whether to authorize a new emergency surcharge for taxi rides of $1 per trip to mitigate rising fuel prices. The board has approved surcharges twice this year, first in April and again in June. If passed again, the fee would be in effect from Dec. 30 through June 30. [Sun Gazette]
It’s Friday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 69 and low of 50. Sunrise at 7:40 am and sunset at 6:06 pm. [Weather.gov]
Santa Claus is coming to Tysons this November, giving kids plenty of time to put in their gift requests for Christmas.
Tysons Corner Center announced Tuesday (Nov. 1) that Santa will arrive on Nov. 11 for photo sessions at the mall’s Fashion Court, located on the first floor of the Nordstrom wing.
Advance scheduling is now open. The mall recommends pre-booking a session “for the best experience” and to get a free, personalized call “from Santa.” Visitors who also purchase a photo package will get a “free, personalized video from the North Pole after the visit.”
Santa will be at the mall on most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 24, though his hours will vary. There are pet nights on Mondays from Nov. 14 to Dec. 5, and the 9-10:30 a.m. slot on Sunday, Dec. 4 will be exclusively for children and families who need a sensory-friendly environment, according to the event webpage.
All sessions are free, but the professional photo packages range in cost from $39.99 to $49.99.
St. Nick — presumably played by a different person — will also take up residence at Tysons Galleria from Nov. 18 to Dec. 24, including for pet nights and a Santa Cares Day on Dec. 4 for kids with disabilities.
In addition, Tysons Galleria’s Neiman Marcus will host a “Breakfast with Santa” event at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Tickets are currently available through Eventbrite, costing $65 for adults and $55 for kids aged 3-12.
The department store made waves last year by inviting its first-ever Black Santa. The event proved so popular that it morphed from a three-hour storytime to two days of photo sessions with hot chocolate and cookies provided to those waiting in line.
In other events, the Town of Vienna will usher in the winter holiday season with its annual Church Street Holiday Stroll at 6-8:30 p.m. on Nov. 28. The festivities will include a tree lighting, music and deals from local businesses, though it’s unclear whether Kris Kringle will be in attendance.
Local police officers are using at hand-held remote device to restrain individuals from a distance of up to 25 feet.
The Fairfax County Police Department announced yesterday (Wednesday) that it is piloting the BolaWrap, which releases an 8-foot-wide tether to entangle uncooperative suspects or individuals experiencing a mental health crisis from a distance.
The device works best at a distance of between 10 and 25 feet, according to the police department, which says it is intended for situations involving individuals displaying “passive or active resistance.” The new tool is excepted to help take an individual into custody before an incident escalates.
In the news release, Major Brooke Wright, director of the county’s Criminal Justice Academy, said BolaWraps add another tool to the police department’s toolbox for taking individuals into custody.
“FCPD continues to seek the latest advancements in our profession to prepare our officers for situations they encounter,” Wright said. “Every day officers utilize verbal skills and de-escalation tactics to resolve situations peacefully. The Bolawrap device provides another potential tool for officers to safely take someone into custody when individuals present harm to themselves or others. We look forward to continuing this pilot and identifying other ways to aid our officers, keeping them and the community safe.”
Police Chief Kevin Davis told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors this spring that the department had started deploying Bolawraps in April.
The department now has 30 BolaWraps throughout its district stations and its crisis intervention team. The pilot program will end in April of next year and carries a cost of $46,000, the FCPD said.
All officers using the devices will receive training from the Criminal Justice Academy before using the devices, the department says.
WRAP, the company behind BolaWrap, touts the device as effective at de-escalating situations that are “usually chaotic.”
“Instead of waiting for an encounter to unfold and escalate, the use of the BolaWrap can effectuate an arrest quickly, safely and humanely — ending the situation and facilitating a positive outcome that doesn’t result in injury or use of force,” the company’s website states.
The company suggests using the devices for emotionally disturbed individuals, passively resistant subject, mentally ill individuals, persons in crisis and people under the influence of alcohol and drugs, among other scenarios.
More than 500 police agencies across the country use the devices.
This sponsored column is written by the team at Arrowine & Cheese (4508 Cherry Hill Road in Arlington). Sign up for the email newsletter and receive exclusive discounts and offers. Experience Arrowine’s Tastings & Events. Have a question? Email [email protected].
I’m trying not to bore you by getting too technical. But it is critical to your enjoyment of wine to understand how straightforward yet complicated wine-making is.
Something to keep in mind: remember, in grade school, the three reading groups? Accelerated, on-par, and the group needing extra encouragement and or attention? Let’s say you were born in the Village of Pommard. Of its 300 souls, the vast majority have something to do with the wine trade. If you are lucky enough to be landed and the offspring of a wine-producing family, guess what you will do as a career?
Now go back to my grade school reading group illustration and think about it. Wine-making is one of the world’s most complex occupations, and if “Jean-Claude” isn’t in the accelerated reading group, Mom and Dad may start to worry. They might decide to sell the Domaine. But there goes the “family legacy.” A legacy can be a burden.
Now back to decisions that must be made, often on the fly and under duress. The growing season determines everything. First, do you inoculate with a select strain of laboratory-cultivated yeast (a sure thing, but it imparts a “flavor profile”) or use the indigenous yeast from your vineyard?
If you work organically or biodynamically, you have been cultivating your native yeast population to the point that it should be healthy enough to carry the fermentation to complete dryness. But there are no guarantees. I think native yeast is more transparent and yields a more complex wine. If you bottle and have unresolved sugar, the wine could become “sparkling wine,” or the bottles might explode!
The all-important maceration time with juice on the grape skins isn’t something you can look up on Wikipedia. You have to make the call: too much extraction and the wine is coarse, too little, and it’s wimpy. So you want to pull the wine off and press at the sweet spot. Then off to your barrels.
New wood is expensive, as much as $1,200 or more per barrel. Most of my folks are at a 20-33% rotation, meaning you replace that percentage of your barrels yearly. And not all barrels are the same. The forest dictates the kind of oak, the tightness of the grain, the porosity, and the actual “flavor” profile. You can even request a certain toasting level or degree of internal char. Decisions, decisions.
Most winemakers experiment with anywhere from two to five or more barrel makers until they are satisfied with the mix and the results. And you better be friendly with your barrel maker or broker, or you could end up with the barrels that were going to go to Outer Mongolia.
Once the wine is in the barrel, you monitor its progress through alcohol (we are talking about a fine wine here) and then malolactic fermentation. I will explain the difference at a latter-date.
So let’s see, you have many barrels in the cellar, 200? Guess what you will be doing? Tasting, topping off every barrel regularly, and being vigilant. You watch every barrel like a hawk, tasting, smelling, and testing for and fixing any problems.
Wine of the week, you asked for an Autumnal suggestion, and boy, do I have a delicious one.
- 2021 Domaine Serol Eclat de Granite Côte Roannaise — $24.99
I adore this wine, and it will surely be on my Thanksgiving Table! With 1/2 hour of air, Eclat exhibits a super-sexy silkiness. Its 100 Gamay is an absolute joy to drink. It pumps out ultra-pure flavors of raspberries, strawberries, and mineral spice with a long palate cleansing finish. It’s brilliant!
Cheers,
Doug
Photo (top) by Vince Veras on Unsplash
The preceding sponsored post was also published on FFXnow.com
