With the first day of spring drawing ever closer, the McLean Tree Foundation is gearing up for another season of sprucing up the area’s tree canopy.
For a $100 fee, the local nonprofit is offering to help McLean homeowners plant growing native trees in their yards as part of its Neighborhood Tree Program, which is now in its ninth year.
“Native trees increase biodiversity, enhance ecosystems, provide shelter for wildlife, improve our health and the environment, increase property values, and reduce heating and cooling costs for homeowners,” MTF Chairman Carol Wolter said in a news release. “In short, trees contribute to our well-being!”
Launched in 2014, the Neighborhood Tree Program is the only tree-planting initiative in Fairfax County that’s specifically aimed at homeowners, according to the foundation.
In addition to selecting and delivering a 6 to 12-foot-tall tree, volunteers help with the actual planting, give residents information about how to take care of the tree, and check in after a few months to see how it’s doing.
Plantings occur in the spring and fall, but applications are accepted throughout the year, MTF board member Steve Lagerfeld says. Since it began, the program has added 70 trees in McLean.
The McLean Trees Foundation originated in 1964 as a McLean Citizens Association program whose goal was to plant 300 dogwood, oak and maple trees, according to the foundation’s website.
Using proceeds from a community-wide newspaper recycling campaign to fund tree plantings, the program evolved into a permanent MCA committee in 1980 and incorporated as a standalone organization in 2004.
After the recycling campaign ended in 2014, the foundation says it’s now entirely supported by grants and donations. On top of the Neighborhood Tree Program, MTF has tree sponsorships where donors of $500 or more can get one planted at a public park.
The toll lanes on I-66 outside the Capital Beltway have been open for over three months now, but some drivers are still getting tripped up by the accompanying signage.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff on Tuesday (March 7) to prepare a letter asking the Virginia Department of Transportation to clarify the information on its signs about toll prices and exit locations.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, who requested the move, said his office has continued to receive complaints from confused constituents.
“The signage used on these newly opened Express Lanes is not as clear as the signs on I-495 and I-95 Express Lanes,” Herrity said. “The signage does not provide total cost information for the entire length, and it does not give clear information to drivers on locations of exit ramps to general purpose lanes, which is important for drivers deciding whether to pay additional tolls.”
Covering 22.5 miles from the Beltway (I-495) in Dunn Loring to Route 29 in Gainesville, the westward extension of the I-66 Express Lanes became fully operational on Nov. 22, though portions of the overall $3.7 billion project are still under construction.
The signage was developed in accordance with federal guidelines and approved by the Federal Highway Administration, but both VDOT and I-66 Express Mobility Partners (I-66 EMP), the private company that operates the toll lanes, acknowledged that this is “a learning period” as drivers adjust to new signs and traffic patterns.
“We are looking at areas in the corridor where we might enhance or clarify the signage in an effort to help drivers,” VDOT Northern Virginia’s megaprojects section said in a statement.
Because of their length, the new lanes are split up into three eastbound segments and four westbound segments, charging drivers for each segment they take. Signs for the lanes currently show only toll prices for specific sections, rather than the whole corridor.
Nancy Smith, the corporate affairs director for I-66 EMP, says the operator is “aware” that this approach “may present particular confusion” at spots like the I-495 interchange that are complicated to navigate, but it’s ultimately more effective.
“This system provides our drivers with the most accurate rates as well as greater flexibility to determine when to get on and off the lanes,” Smith said. “An end-to-end rate wouldn’t accurately reflect conditions in the furthest segment by the time a driver gets there. Again, it will take time for all drivers to completely familiarize themselves with our segmental tolling system.”
According to I-66 EMP, the average weekly toll lanes usage increased from about 3% to 5% of I-66 users over the past month, suggesting drivers becoming more accustomed to the lanes.
“That’s a very encouraging growth trend,” Smith said.
I-66 EMP has an online trip planning tool that provides toll estimates. Its customer service center at 1-833-643-2867 will also answer questions, Smith said.
Despite his concerns about the signage, Herrity called the I-66 Express Lanes project an “impressive feat” that provides new transportation choices and “a quicker commute due to the additional capacity from the toll lanes.”
“I thought a letter from the board might help VDOT encourage the contractor to get that signage done,” Herrity said.
The time has come for Vienna to decide as a community how the former Faith Baptist Church property at 301 Center Street South can best be utilized.
The Town of Vienna launched a survey earlier this week to gather public feedback on potential future uses for the 3-acre site, now known as the Annex.
Open to town residents and non-residents, the community perspective questionnaire is part of a long-term use study that the town has undertaken after hiring the consulting firm Kimmel Bogrette Architecture + Site in November.
“We want to ensure the reimagined Annex property evolves into something the entire community can enjoy,” Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert said. “That’s why it’s important for community members to respond to our survey and let us know what they see as priorities or unmet needs. Their input will help inform the Town Council’s decision on what comes next for the Annex.”
What's next for the Annex? The Town wants your feedback on how the 301 Center St. S. property should be used. Tell us your thoughts at the Community Workshop on Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. in the @VPDVA Community Room or take the online survey: https://t.co/k5QwKZot4T. pic.twitter.com/DnBtWi7xHy
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) March 7, 2023
When the town purchased the former church for $5.5 million in 2020, the acquisition was seen as a fortuitously timed fix to the impending challenge of finding a temporary home for the Vienna Police Department while its new station was under construction.
Now that the police have moved into the new station, however, the town council has been reluctant to commit any funds to the church property, including for repairs, without having a long-term plan in place.
Intended to guide the consulting firm, the community questionnaire asks respondents what activities they value in Vienna and what amenities are currently lacking in the town, from recreational and educational opportunities to public art and retail options.
The survey will be open through May 1. Community members will also get to provide feedback at an in-person workshop that will be held in the new police station (215 Center Street South) at 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28.
The town council will discuss the study’s goals at a conference session on March 20. The consultant is scheduled to present its final recommendations on June 12.
School Board Member Joins Race to Replace Ken Plum — Karen Keys-Gamarra won’t return as an at-large member of the Fairfax County School Board, instead filing to become delegate in Virginia’s new House District 7. She is the fifth candidate vying to succeed Del. Ken Plum, who confirmed last month that he won’t seek reelection after representing Reston for 44 years. [Patch]
County Breaks Ground on New Government Center — “We celebrated the beginning of construction on the new Franconia Governmental Center and Kingstowne Regional Library this week. The new facility — projected to open in 2025 — will provide a safe, convenient and friendly environment for the residents of the Kingstowne area to gather and to access county services in one central location.” [Fairfax County]
Virginia Makes Final Pitch for FBI HQ — “Virginia leaders met with federal officials on Thursday to make their final pitch to bring the…headquarters from downtown Washington, D.C. to Fairfax County…According to Virginia officials the Springfield site offers infrastructure, Metro and railway access that other options do not.” [FOX5]
Students Design Art for Future Route 1 Bus Stations — “Students from three area high schools recently completed design concepts for artwork at seven of the nine future Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations. The preliminary designs will be presented at the BRT Executive Committee meeting March 10 before community feedback is sought” [On the MoVe]
Weather Affects Local Wine Vineyards — “This winter has been one of the warmest in recent years, and Northern Virginia winegrowers say they are worried about how the rise in temperature and a potential drop in temperature could impact the production of grapes and growth of vineyards.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Community Meeting on Pan Am Redevelopment Coming — “The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development will hold a community meeting for residents to learn more about the Pan Am Shopping Center Project on Thursday, March 30th from 7PM to 9PM at the Pan Am Shopping Center (3069 Nutley Street).” [Palchik Post]
Park Service Previews Upcoming GW Parkway Changes — “The George Washington Parkway is in the process of getting some much-needed TLC. In order to rehabilitate the road, drivers will see lower speed limits, changing road configurations and even a reversible lane that would begin operating in just over a month.” [WTOP]
Daylight Saving Time Begins Sunday — “Remember, we move our clocks forward one hour Sunday morning at 2 a.m. Also remember when you change your clock we want you to check your smoke alarms to ensure they work.” [FCFRD]
It’s Friday — Possible light rain until evening. High of 47 and low of 37. Sunrise at 6:29 am and sunset at 6:11 pm. [Weather.gov]
This summer will be Cold Stone Creamery’s last at Vienna Marketplace.
The ice cream shop will vacate 205 Maple Avenue by Aug. 31 to make way for fast-casual restaurant Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen, according to a leasing agent for KLNB, which owns the shopping center.
Joined by Chipotle and Noodles and Company, Cold Stone has been a mainstay of Vienna Marketplace since at least 2006, according to Yelp reviews. The 1,315-square-foot space is sandwiched in between the heavily frequented but still relatively new South Block and Crumbl Cookies.
It’s unclear whether the closure will mark an end to Cold Stone’s time in Vienna, or if a relocation is being considered. A media contact for the company didn’t respond to requests for comment by press time.
Once Cold Stone closes in about six months, Taïm will begin its build-out in anticipation of opening later this year.
“Mediterranean cuisine has emerged as a great option for the health-conscious consumer,” KLNB Principal Craig Cheney said. “Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen is a fresh, new, quick-service concept where consumers can build their own meal, and is bound to be a hit in Vienna. We’re pleased they chose Vienna Marketplace to be one of their first locations in Virginia.”
Started in New York City in 2005, Taïm has gained a following for its falafel, chicken shawarma and fries, now boasting 13 locations in the New York and D.C. areas, including one that opened earlier this year in College Park, Maryland.
Before coming to Vienna, the chain will venture into Virginia for the first time with a restaurant at Tysons Station in Pimmit Hills. That location remains on track to open late this spring, according to Phil Petrilli, founder and CEO of Untamed Brands, the restaurant group that includes Taim.
“Fans who have experienced taim in the city continue to ask us to bring our restaurants to more of the places where they’re hybrid working or moving with their growing families,” Petrilli said. “We’re really looking forward to meeting our neighbors and serving each community.”
For Vienna residents scouting out other places to get their ice cream fix, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream opened last week just on the other end of the block in Glyndon Plaza, joining Ben & Jerry’s, Toby’s Ice Cream, Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, and more.
In the meantime, the Vienna Cold Stone remains open from noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Facing financial constraints, Fairfax County hopes to defer some public safety projects as part of its bond referendum plan.
At a Fairfax County Planning Commission meeeting late last month, county staff announced intentions to establish a 2024 bond referendum for the Tysons Fire Station. The move would push a referendum for the Chantilly Fire Station from 2024 to 2030 and plans for the fire department’s well-fit training facility to 2030.
The discussion comes as part of the county’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal years 2024-2028, which was unveiled on Feb. 21 in conjunction with a proposed county budget.
A significant portion of the bond program goes to required contributions toward Metro, county staff say.
“It eats into our capacity for other program areas,” Martha Reed, the capital programs coordinator of the Department of Management and Budget, said.
According to Reed, fire department officials were comfortable with postponing the planned project for a new Chantilly Fire Station. The building, which is currently aging, is surrounded by a new development. She also noted that there are early and preliminary talks to redevelop the fire station.
Public safety officials also said they were comfortable with delaying a referendum for a new police station in Tysons.
The county is considering including a new place for the Criminal Justice Academy in the 2024 bond referendum, which would push out a referendum for Tysons Police Station to 2030.
In other parts of the county, a new Chantilly Library was pushed out from 2026 to 2032.
The Tysons Fire Station is the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department’s top priority, according to a summary of the proposed CIP. The county has money for the project design, but not enough for construction, and funds from proffers were also delayed, Reed said.
The project deferrals reflect challenges with the county’s bond referendum plan — namely backlogs in unsold bonds. After they’re approved by voters, bonds must be sold within eight years unless the courts grant a possible two-year extension.
Challenges include restrictions on annual bond sale amounts, changes to projects after voter approval, and project delays, Reed said.
Additionally, the county has factored in a roughly 10 to 12% buffer to project costs due to inflation and escalating costs in construction bids.
A report by a joint county and schools CIP committee recommended devoting one penny on the real estate tax rate toward debt service payments.
The report, completed in 2021, also recommended gradually increasing the limit on annual General Obligation bond sales from $300 to $400 million. Bonds are typically what finance most capital projects.
The county is also exploring other sources for project funding. The old Mount Vernon High School redevelopment, for example, will be supported by Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority bonds. The Tysons Community Center relies on a partnership with the Dominion Square developers.
Bonds by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority are expected to be sold in fiscal year 2024, which begins on July 1.
But Dranesville District Commissioner John Ulfelder said he was concerned about the Tysons police station’s deferral “in light of current events” in the area, namely the recent fatal police shooting at Tysons Corner Center.
“My concern is there is a fair amount of crime in Tysons, or certainty it gets publicity,” Ulfelder said.
The county will revisit its CIP with the commission on March 29, followed by public hearings before the Board of Supervisors on April 11, 12, and 13. The final version will be adopted on May 2.
The Town of Vienna intends to lower its real estate tax rate for a third consecutive year, as home values continue to soar.
Released on Monday (March 6), the town’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 — which will begin on July 1 — cuts the real estate tax rate by a quarter of a cent, decreasing it to 20 cents per $100 of a property’s assessed value.
If the proposal is approved, the town will have reduced its property tax rate by 2.25 cents — or 11% — during the pandemic. Cuts were also approved last year and in 2021, which had represented the first rate decrease since 2013.
Even with the quarter-cent rate reduction, however, Vienna homeowners should brace for a big jump in their tax bills.
“The average residential tax bill is estimated at $2,041, an 8.6 percent increase over last year, due to a 10.0 percent increase in assessed value of existing…properties,” Town Manager Mercury Payton said in his budget proposal. “The increase in commercial and residential assessments generates a revenue increase of $884,000 after the real estate tax rate reduction.”
Calculated annually by Fairfax County, this year’s real estate assessments found that the average value of residential properties in Vienna is now slightly over $1 million, with the biggest group falling in the $500,000 to $800,000 range. Residential properties valued at over $1 million, including a few that exceeded $3 million, make up 29.9% of the town’s properties.
With increased revenue also reported from business licenses and the meals and sales taxes, the proposed budget totals $50.1 million — an increase of $1.4 million or 2.9% from the current budget.
Those funds will be used to increase compensation for town employees by 5%, with sworn public safety workers getting an additional 0.5% step increase. The increases are partly intended to assist with rising costs due to inflation, which hit a 40-year high last fiscal year.
Payton has also proposed continuing to offer a $2,000 signing bonus to commercial licensed drivers, an incentive introduced last year to address staffing shortages in the public works department.
“The program is budgeted at $65,000 in the general fund, and has already had a positive impact in recruiting and retaining qualified drivers,” Payton wrote.
The budget adds two full-time staff positions: a senior compliance officer in planning and zoning, and a civil and capital project engineer, who will help manage infrastructure and sidewalk projects while also reviewing single-family housing and commercial redevelopment applications.
To cover some of the salary increases and increased water purchase and sewer treatment costs, the budget proposes increasing water and sewer rates by 10%, raising service charges for residents from $32.80 per quarter to $35.00 per quarter.
The average customer’s bill would go up by $20.25 per quarter, or $80 a year.
“This proposed budget is based on direction from the Town Council early in the process and recommendations from the staff budget committee over the course of the last few months,” Payton said in a news release. “The result is a legally balanced proposed budget that addresses priority operational concerns, and provides continued support for day-to-day operations in all Town departments.”
The Vienna Town Council will discuss the proposed budget in conference sessions on Saturday (March 11) and Monday (March 13) before advertising the package, including tax rates, on March 23. Public hearings are set for April 10 and 24, with a final vote coming on May 15.
High School Students Will Get Free Virtual Mental Health Services — “Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Hazel Health, giving some 61,000 students access to the service, according to the county’s contract…A pilot program was expected to launch by the beginning of January but was delayed. Access to Hazel Health’s services is expected to be available later this spring” [WTOP]
Doctor Gets Prison Time for Prescribing Drugs in Fatal Overdose — A federal judge sentenced Dr. Robert Cao, 39, of Lafayette, Louisiana, to 15 months for “illegally prescribing controlled substances to a man who died of an overdose” in Fairfax in May 2021. A former Falls Church resident, Cao wrote prescriptions for oxycodone and hydrocodone to the victim at least five times despite not being his doctor. [NBC4]
Health Clinic in Groveton Plans Expansion — “Thanks to an $800,000 federal grant, Neighborhood Health is in the process of renovating and expanding its medical facilities at 6677 Richmond Highway, according to Dr. Basim Khan, the nonprofit’s executive director and a primary care physician.” The project is expected to finish by the end of the year. [On the MoVe]
Traffic Change Coming to Baron Cameron — Starting around next Wednesday (March 15), the “two right-turn lanes from Baron Cameron Avenue to eastbound Route 7 will convert from a stop condition to a single free-flow right-turn lane while crews continue reconstruction of the intersection. After turning right onto eastbound Route 7, drivers will use a 1,000-foot acceleration lane to merge with eastbound traffic.” [VDOT]
Parking Still an Issue With Justice HS Expansion — “Justice High School staff expressed strong concerns about the lack of parking during the construction of a new addition and beyond…FCPS has worked out a temporary arrangement with the Church of Christ, located a quarter of a mile from the school, to share their parking lot with Justice staff and students, said Heather Dietz…at a March 7 community meeting.” [Annandale Today]
County No Longer in Proposal to Lift Emissions Rules — “After opposition during a public hearing and comment period, Virginia regulators are scaling back a proposal to allow data centers in Northern Virginia counties to run diesel generators over a three-month period to alleviate potential electric grid strains…On Monday, DEQ restricted the variance to facilities in Loudoun.” [Virginia Mercury/Inside NoVA]
Peraton Leases Office Space in Springfield — “The privately held Reston government contractor, which won a deal in December worth up to $342.7 million over five years to provide IT services to the Transportation Security Administration, has inked a 6,000-square-foot lease at 6700 Springfield Center Drive. The new TSA headquarters is just steps away” [Washington Business Journal]
Mount Vernon Ice Skating Classes Relocate — “When the Mount Vernon Rec Center closed for renovation, the Fairfax County Park Authority remained committed to finding opportunities to offer ice skating programs. The exact same classes, with the same coaches are now available at The Ice House, located within the St. James in Springfield.” [FCPA]
It’s Thursday — Clear throughout the day. High of 53 and low of 31. Sunrise at 6:30 am and sunset at 6:10 pm. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 12:10 p.m. on 3/9/2023) A plan to reconfigure the West Falls Church Metro station’s parking and bus facilities in anticipation of redevelopment will soon be finalized.
The finance and capital committee of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Board of Directors is set to vote tomorrow (Thursday) on whether to accept a staff report recommending the proposed changes, which would significantly reduce the number of parking spaces and bus bays at the station in Idylwood.
Based on feedback from an online survey and a public hearing in October, staff concluded that no revisions to Metro’s original plan are needed, according to the report, which was posted on WMATA’s website in February.
“Staff recommends approval of the proposed changes to the West Falls Church Metro Station needed to facilitate joint development adjacent to the Curtis Memorial Parkway (I-66),” the report says. “Staff finds that there should be no revisions to the proposed transit facility changes as a result of the Compact Public Hearing and staff report analysis.”
The developer group FGCP-Metro LLC intends to replace the station parking lots at 7040 Haycock Road with over 1 million square feet of residential, office and retail space, a project that supporters hope will bolster ridership and revitalize the community with new amenities.
To accommodate the development, Metro has proposed:
- Eliminating the south parking lot, which will drop the park-and-ride capacity from 2,009 to 1,350 spots
- Replacing the kiss-and-ride lot, reducing its capacity from 64 to about 20 spaces
- Reducing bus capacity from eight bays to four bays
- Eliminating 68 paid on-street metered parking spaces
The station’s 1,200-space parking garage will stay. A future phase of development will replace the north parking lot with office and residential buildings, but that construction isn’t expected for another decade.
According to the staff report, WMATA received a total of 170 public comments on the proposal, all but two of them through its online survey or comment portal. Those two comments came at the Oct. 19 public hearing.
Echoing testimony shared at a Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing on Feb. 8, about half of the comments (51%) were in favor of the redevelopment, saying it will benefit the neighborhood more than the existing, “underutilized” parking lots.
An environmental evaluation commissioned by Metro found that the West Falls Church station has seen a 35% drop in utilization of its park-and-ride facilities since the Silver Line’s first phase opened in 2014.
Other commenters expressed concern about the parking and bus bay reductions. Some opposed eliminating any parking spaces, while others advocated for keeping more kiss-and-ride spots or suggested building a garage so parking can be retained without taking up as much land. Read More
Though they won’t appear among the best director nominees at the Oscars this Sunday (March 12), female and gender non-conforming filmmakers will be celebrated tonight (Wednesday) at the Mosaic District.
The Merrifield neighborhood’s Angelika Film Center (2911 District Avenue) is hosting Lunafest — a traveling film festival that showcases movies by and about women — to mark International Women’s Day.
With doors opening at 6 p.m., the festival will screen seven short films from 7-9 p.m. The screenings will be preceded by a “social hour” with light hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a raffle, according to the event page.
All proceeds will go to Girls on the Run Northern Virginia (GOTR NOVA), a nonprofit based in Fairfax that offers running programs designed to teach girls life skills like teamwork and self-confidence.
“We love hosting Lunafest each year because it allows us to bring our community together to celebrate new perspectives and be inspired by the ideas of what our program participants could become and achieve,” GOTR NOVA Development Manager Catherine Reeves Keller said. “All of the proceeds from the event go back to GOTR NOVA to fund our programming and empower our participants.”
Lunafest was created in 2001 by Luna, a brand of Clif Bar & Company that makes a nutrition bar targeted toward women. Since then, the festival says it has raised over $7 million for nonprofits, featured 175 filmmakers, and hosted over 2,900 screenings in the U.S. and Canada.
The festival lineup includes a mix of live-action and animated films:
Reclaim Your Water: Natasha Smith — As a member of the Ebony Beach Club, Natasha Smith surfs, skates, and makes her own waves.
Miss Chelove: From Java to the Streets of D.C. — As she paints a mural, artist Cita Sadeli (aka Miss Chelove) opens up about her life, her cultural heritage, and how she fell in love with grafti in the 1980s.
Pete — The true story of Pete Barma explores gender identity, Little League Baseball, the people who inspire change by being themselves, and the superheroes who champion that change.
This Is Beth — As celebrated rock climber Beth Rodden grapples with her body image, she rediscovers the love of her sport… and herself.
More Than I Want to Remember — After her southeastern Congo village is bombed, 14-year-old Mugeni sets out on a remarkable solo journey across the globe, determined to reunite with her lost loved ones and lift up the Banyamulenge people.
Syed Family Xmas Eve Game Night — All cards are on the table when Noor, a queer Pakistani Muslim woman, brings her Puerto Rican girlfriend, Luz, home for the rst time on the family’s annual game night.
Swimming Through — Amid a brutal Chicago winter and the global pandemic, Deirdre, Helen, and Jennefer’s friendship grows as they commit to a daily sunrise plunge together in Lake Michigan.
Tickets to the festival cost $30 and can be purchased online.
