Updated at 1:55 p.m. on 7/24/2023 — Sadly for local taco lovers, a public relations representative for District Taco says the openings for its Springfield and McLean locations will be delayed. No new dates have been provided, beyond that the restaurants are “coming soon.”
Earlier: Fairfax County’s newest District Taco restaurants are almost ready to serve customers.
The regional chain will open a franchise at Old Keene Mill Shopping Center (8432 Old Keene Mill Road) in Springfield on Aug. 3, followed on Aug. 23 by a McLean franchise next to Lidl at 1330 Chain Bridge Road.
The openings will bring District Taco’s Virginia footprint up to eight stores. After starting as a food cart in Arlington, the company is in the midst of an expansion push “to keep up with the increasing demand for its concept,” it said in a press release.
Existing Fairfax County locations include Baileys Crossroads, Tysons, and near the Dunn Loring Metro station.
“We are thrilled that we can continue to expand our footprint in Northern Virginia and serve more communities surrounding the D.C. area,” District Taco Vice President of Franchise Development Tina Gantz said. “Now, with the two new locations, we can keep up with the high demand and enter two vibrant and growing communities. With our unique concept of serving fresh, healthy, and authentic ingredients, we are sure guests will love the new District Taco locations and the overall experience.”
The Springfield and McLean franchises are both owned by Hicham El Abbassi and Isalmou Boussaa, who entered the food service business “by investing in a single hamburger chain store” and now run 11 different franchises, according to the press release.
The pair are District Taco’s first franchisees. They partnered with the fast-casual Mexican restaurant in an effort “diversify their restaurant portfolio” and hope to add more locations in the future, the company said.
“I was truly inspired by the entrepreneurial story of District Taco’s founder, Osiris Hoil, and his pursuit of the American dream,” Boussaa said in a statement. “Hicham and I are living out our own American dreams by opening our two new District Taco locations and we are so excited to begin serving high-quality meals to the local Springfield and McLean communities.”
Based on Hoil’s family recipes, the menu features customizable tacos, burritos, rice and bean bowls, salads and quesadillas, including a couple of breakfast options.
With the Springfield and McLean openings, District Taco will have 16 total locations across Virginia, Maryland, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Co-founder Marc Wallace told FFXnow’s sister site, ARLnow, last year that the company hopes to expand in the mid-Atlantic region and potentially into the Midwest.
Growth in Fairfax County is focused in Tysons, the Dulles Suburban Center and other mixed-use areas.
In addition, growth in multifamily housing units outpaced growth in single-family housing between 2010 and 2023, and office space continues to lead the way in non-residential development potential, county staff said in a presentation at the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s policy plan committee meeting on July 13.
Development in mixed-use “activity centers” like Tysons, the Dulles Suburban Center, the Reston Transit Station Areas and the Richmond Highway Corridor lines up with the concept for future development outlined in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan.
“The plan has a lot of flexibility built in now and plenty of options for new residential development to occur,” Andrea Dorlester, the county’s principal planner, said in the presentation.
The presentation served as a preview of a “State of the Plan” report that will provide a progress update on the county’s planning efforts between January 2011 and December 2022. Building off a similar evaluation from 2012, the report is slated for release at the end of the summer.
The county can support residential growth through at least 2045, according to the comprehensive plan and a forecast from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Overall, the comprehensive plan notes potential for 182,000 additional dwelling units, with 91% of those units being multifamily housing. The MWCOG forecast projects an 80,000-unit increase by 2045, per the presentation.
At the meeting, Braddock District Commissioner Mary Cortina noted that addressing affordability in housing is challenging.
“We know we have a housing problem, we say we have growth, but what is being built is not necessarily addressing affordability,” Cortina said.
Between January 2011 and December 2022, the majority of amendments to the comprehensive plan added to planned new housing.
“Several site-specific plan amendments serve to provide for affordable housing, affordable housing for seniors [and] assisted living,” Dorlester said. “And there were some notable conversions from commercial to planned residential with new planned townhouse neighborhoods replacing portions of old strip shopping centers.”
Dranesville District Commissioner John Ulfelder asked whether permitting a “missing middle” approach like the one adopted by neighboring Arlington — where the county would allow some smaller multifamily units in areas that now only allow single-family housing — could provide an opportunity for additional residential growth.
That would require a policy change, but in the context of the State of the Plan, Fairfax County planner Clara Johnson said that with plan amendments, the county is seeing redevelopment of shopping centers and along major transportation corridors.
Adopted changes to the plan also reflect a transit-oriented approach, according to the presentation.
“In areas where transit is not available or planned, such as the downtown McLean Community Business Center, plan changes focused on improving walkability, creating new public spaces, implementing good urban design and creating bonus height or density incentives to promote revitalization and placemaking measures, such as provision of urban park spaces,” Dorlester said.
County Breaks Ground on Housing Project Near Arrowhead Park — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Michaels Development, members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and other partners celebrated the groundbreaking of The Lodge at Autumn Willow on July 20th, new affordable housing for older adults” at 13090 Autumn Willow Drive. It will have 150 independent living units, outdoor amenities and walkways. [FCRHA]
Six People Displaced by Annandale Apartment Fire — Firefighters were dispatched around 11 a.m. on Tuesday (July 18) to a fire at a three-story building in the Fairmont Gardens Apartments. There were 11 people in the building at the time of the fire, but no one was home in the unit where the fire was started by “an electrical event involving an extension cord,” resulting in an estimated $93,750 in property damages. [FCFRD]
Cheesesteak Restaurant Opens in Belle Haven — “A new cheesesteak and wings restaurant has opened for business at the Kings Crossing shopping center. Charleys Cheesesteaks signed a lease with Rosenthal Properties for the space at 6307-F Richmond Highway last fall and on July 19 held its grand opening.” [On the MoVe]
Man Embezzeled $100k From Fairfax Doctor, Police Say — “On July 18, 2023 City of Fairfax Police arrested a subject in connection with an embezzlement that occurred at the office of Dr. Michael J. Bermel, OD, located at 10640 Main Street Suite #100. On March 2, 2023 it was reported that an employee embezzled over $100,000 belonging to the business.” [Fairfax City Police]
Grocery Store Affiliate Buys Hybla Valley Shopping Center — “An affiliate of Fresh World co-founder Kenneth Kim appears to have acquired the Mount Vernon Square retail center off Richmond Highway…raising the prospect of a new grocer stepping in to replace a Safeway that closed there more than six years ago.” [Washington Business Journal]
Construction on Horizon for Dulles Airport Solar Farm — “Construction is slated to start in October on a major solar farm spread across 800-plus acres at Washington Dulles International, with the effort being up and running sometime in 2025…When fully in operation, the facility is expected to generate the equivalent of the power needed for 25,000 homes.” [Gazette Leader]
Athletes Visit Reopened Local Dick’s Sporting Goods — “Dick’s Sporting Goods reopens in its newly renovated store in Bailey’s Crossroads on Wednesday, July 19, at 9 a.m. The store, at 5417 Columbia Pike in the Crossroads Center, is hosting athlete appearances on Friday and Saturday during its Grand Opening Weekend.” [Annandale Today]
Spanish-Speaking Volunteers Wanted to Help Children — “Volunteer and Partner Services is currently recruiting bilingual volunteers to support our Body Safety Program and our BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program. If you can speak Spanish and English, you are a great candidate to help us make a difference in our community!” [Fairfax County Department of Family Services]
It’s Friday — Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. The night will be mostly clear, with a low around 68. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 3:30 p.m. on 7/24/2023) Tysons residents can now pick up a meal from D.C.-based eateries without needing to cross the Potomac River, thanks to a just-launched “virtual food hall” in Fairfax Square.
The Kitchen Collective has opened a pickup window in the office and retail center at 8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite L160, where it will facilitate takeout and delivery orders for a slate of partner restaurants and food concepts.
Co-founded by Reza Farahani, whose Persian restaurant Joon opened at Fairfax Square last month, the food hall is initially hosting Pizza Serata — which operates out of D.C.’s Crooked Run Brew Pub — and Yasmine, a Lebanese kebab shop in Union Market.
“Yasmine has quickly become D.C.’s favorite Kebab bar and Pizza Serata’s unique focaccia style pan pizza is a pizza lover’s favorite,” said Farahani, who owns both brands. “Both concepts have received a great deal of accolades and we think they’re the perfect partners for us to debut our virtual food hall.”
According to a press release, the food hall will soon add more offerings, including:
- Soul Rebel, a health food cafe originally founded in 2015 that serves salads, toast, juices and smoothies, and yogurt, grain and acai bowls
- El Oso, a Mexican street food concept
- San Tokki, a brand-new concept from the collective
- Lucky Danger, the popular American Chinese restaurant from chef Tim Ma with a takeout site in Arlington
The Kitchen Collective says it focuses on concepts “by well-known chefs, made with the freshest and tastiest ingredients.”
The idea for the “virtual” food hall came in response to a surge in demand for delivery and takeout that has remained consistent since the early days of the pandemic, according to Farahani.
The size of Joon’s kitchen and its location in Tysons, which is surrounded by housing, offices and retail stores, made it an ideal place to try out the idea, he said.
“In our large kitchen we can cross-utilize many of our resources ranging from labor and real estate to equipment and utilities to create a business model that requires lower start up and operating expenses, while maximizes sales by allowing multiple brands to generate sales,” Farahani said. “Sure chef-driven brand partners allow consumers to have food from multiple brands delivered to them for lunch or dinner.”
The food hall accepts takeout and delivery orders from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Orders can be placed through its Toast website or in person at the walk-up window by Joon.
A Canadian retailer that specializes in outdoor apparel and climbing gear is ready to brave the wilds of Tysons Corner Center.
Arc’teryx will launch its new Tysons store with a grand opening party on Saturday (July 22), featuring music, food, raffles and giveaways.
The 3,306-square-foot store is located on the mall’s second floor at the Bloomingdale’s end. It’s sandwiched between Adidas and Tempur-pedic, and across the hall from the jewelry shop Kendra Scott.
“We are problem solvers, always evolving and searching for a better way to deliver resolved minimalist design. Good design that matters makes lives better,” Arc’teryx said in a press release, noting that its products are sold at more than 2,400 retail locations around the world.
Initially named Rock Solid Manufacturing, Arc’teryx was founded in 1989 by Vancouver climber Dave Lane, who felt that, using his experience, he could make better climbing harnesses and chalk bags than what was available at the time, according to the magazine Gripped.
Lane soon partnered with another climber, Jeremy Guard, and the company rebranded to Arc’teryx in 1991 as a nod to the Archaeopteryx Lithographica, which was believed to be the earliest bird in existence when it was discovered in 1861.
Still based in Vancouver, the business now sells clothing, backpacks, footwear and accessories, including hats, gloves and belts, along with the climbing gear that was its original forte.
The store’s doors at Tysons Corner Center will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Refreshments will be provided by Urban Chefs Table and the upcoming D.C. bakery Rick’s Cookie Co. There will also be music throughout the day, courtesy of DJ Jerome Baker III and DJ Main Event.
In addition, Arc’teryx is giving away prizes worth $40 to $300 to the first 50 people who RSVP to the event, follow the store on Instagram and attend the grand opening.
This is the company’s first store in Northern Virginia, but its products can be found at REIs in Fairfax and Bailey’s Crossroads as well as Sun & Ski in Seven Corners. Arc’teryx opened a store in the District at CityCenterDC in 2014, its first location on the East Coast.
Memorial Created for Teen Killed in Crash — “The uncle of a teenage girl killed in a fiery crash in northern Virginia said she just left church service and was heading to eat with her brother and friends when the deadly collision occurred. Henry Zarco brought a stuffed teddy bear, flowers and a balloon” to the crash site on Burke Centre Parkway. [FOX5]
Telegraph Road Ramp Closes in Newington — “The ramp from Telegraph Road (Route 611) to southbound Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) will be closed from 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 31 for stormwater pipe repairs…Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
Homeless Resident Advocates Meet in Reston — “Advocates for Fairfax County’s unhoused population joined local faith leaders and elected officials on a wooded hill in Reston last week to show their support to the residents of the homeless encampment located there. It was also an opportunity for the residents to share their personal stories.” [Patch]
Former Herndon Resident Sentenced to Prison — “Former Herndon resident Vincent Sarikey, 35, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 25 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.” [Patch]
On-Road Bicycle Lanes Coming to Reston — “VDOT has notified the county that Glade Drive in Reston is scheduled to be repaved this week, weather permitting, between Sunrise Vally Drive and Reston Parkway. The project includes adding bikes lanes to provide a connection between Sunrise Valley Drive’s side path, the Fairfax County Parkway Trail and the Turquoise Trail.” [Hunter Mill District News]
New Lorton Police Station and Animal Shelter Almost Done — “The new Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter — Lorton Campus are expected to open sometime in September 2023, according to Fairfax County officials. Construction of the $33 million facility…began back in March 2021.” [On the MoVe]
Virginia Allows Blood Type on Driver’s License — “Virginians can now choose to indicate their blood type to include on their driver’s license, an effort designed to assist first responders in the event of an emergency…The new initiative was prompted by legislation, patroned by state Sen. George Barker, that was passed during the recent General Assembly session.” [Gazette Leader]
Wolf Trap Welcomes “Jurassic Park” This Weekend — “Steven Spielberg’s iconic blockbuster ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993) celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer. This Saturday, the National Symphony Orchestra performs the score live for a screening at Wolf Trap.” In an interview, NSO Pops Conductor Steven Reineke marvels at how “the movie holds up so well.” [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — There’s a likelihood of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, despite a predominantly sunny day with highs around 88°F. The odds for precipitation are set at 40%. At night, showers and thunderstorms are possible, mainly before 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F. Precipitation chances rise to 70%. [Weather.gov]
After months of review, the Virginia Department of Education has released a final set of policies guiding public schools on how to treat transgender students — including many that contradict the policies currently used by Fairfax County Public Schools.
Released Tuesday (July 18), the “model policies” generally direct schools to require that students use names, pronouns and facilities, such as bathrooms, based on their legal sex as designated in their official school records. All local public school systems are obligated by state law to adopt a version of the policies.
FCPS, which has provided protections for students based on their gender identity since 2020, says it’s now “reviewing” the new policies from the state.
“FCPS remains committed to an inclusive learning environment for each and every student and staff member including those who are transgender or gender expansive,” FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a statement. “Our schools will continue to be safe and respectful learning spaces.”
Rolling back rules issued by the state in 2021 that let students use names, pronouns and facilities matching their gender identity, the new policies require school employees to refer to students by the name and pronouns corresponding to the sex displayed on their official school records.
Employees can use a different name or pronoun if a parent provides written permission, but even with a parent’s consent, the name and sex in school records can only be changed if a legal document, such as a birth certificate, passport or driver’s license, is provided.
The document says the use of bathrooms and other facilities must also be based on sex, even as it acknowledges that an appeals court found denying students access to bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity to be discriminatory.
Participation in school activities, including athletics, will also be determined by sex, though the state law requiring the VDOE to develop the model policies on transgender students explicitly excluded athletics from consideration.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin lauded the policies as affirming the importance of parents being engaged in their children’s lives.
“The VDOE updated model policies reaffirm my administration’s continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing, and care,” he said in a statement. “Public comment, input, and concerns were carefully evaluated and assessed to formulate the updated model policies.”
All children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect.
I am committed to ensuring that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing and care.https://t.co/eywLB6h15n
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) July 18, 2023
The policies are largely the same as an earlier draft released last fall that spurred student protests across the state in support of transgender rights and drew over 70,000 public comments.
The Pride Liberation Project, a student-led LGBTQ advocacy group that organized the protests, blasted the final document as “Don’t Be Trans” policies — echoing the “Don’t Say Gay” moniker used by critics for a Florida law that banned discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.
The VDOE policies represent “an attempt to force LGBTQIA+ students back into the closet,” the PLP said, urging school districts to reject them.
“Don’t Be Trans would have prevented me from graduating,” said Bas Rawat, a current George Mason University student who graduated from high school in 2022. “School was the only place where I could be myself because my household wasn’t supportive. These guidelines will deny thousands of Virginia students the chance to be themselves.”
When the draft policies came out, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution opposing the proposals as harmful to students and the county, while the school board issued a statement affirming its commitment to supporting transgender and other gender-nonconforming students.
Providence District School Board Representative Karl Frisch, the county’s first and thus far only openly gay elected official, called the model policies “unconscionable and dangerous,” noting that the Virginia Department of Health recently removed pages with resources for LGBTQ youth from its website.
“We must do everything we can to protect, support, and affirm transgender and nonbinary students so they can focus on learning rather than being distracted by the weight of other people’s hate,” Frisch said. “That starts with standing up to careless political leaders who should know better than to bully children.”
The policies were also criticized by Stella Pekarsky, who currently represents Sully District on the school board and is campaigning for a state senate seat this November.
“The Youngkin Administration’s Transgender Model Policies send a cruel message to some of our most vulnerable children,” Pekarsky said in a tweet from her campaign account. “As a parent, my heart breaks that anyone could target kids that are already dealing with so much in their young lives. They deserve love & acceptance.”
The Youngkin Administration’s Transgender Model Policies send a cruel message to some of our most vulnerable children. As a parent, my heart breaks that anyone could target kids that are already dealing with so much in their young lives. They deserve love & acceptance.
— Stella Pekarsky (@Stella4Senate) July 19, 2023
A 2023 national survey by The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides crisis support services to LGBTQ youth, found lower rates of attempting suicide among transgender and nonbinary youth who reported that their schools affirm their gender identity, the ACLU of Virginia noted in a statement opposing the model policies.
“Not only does VDOE’s decision dismiss the will of the majority of Virginians it’s meant to serve, it willfully disregards evidence-based best practices and existing law,” ACLU of Virginia Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla said. “These policies recklessly endanger the safety of trans youth across the Commonwealth, who deserve to learn free from fear, stigma, and discrimination.”
The policies appear to conflict with state and federal law as well as Virginia High School League eligibility criteria, according to the legal organization, which represented Gloucester County student Gavin Grimm in his case over his school’s policy requiring him to use a separate restroom.
For now, the ACLU chapter said it will wait to see how local school boards approach the policies before taking any action.
“We are analyzing the model policies and will be watching to see how school boards implement the policies and whether that implementation harms transgender and nonbinary students,” an ACLU of Virginia spokesperson told FFXnow.
Centreville’s Meat Project is preparing to fire up a grill at Halstead Square in Merrifield.
The all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant is expanding for the first time to The Lofts apartment building at 2727 Merrilee Drive, where it has leased a 3,456-square-foot, ground-floor space, per a site plan from retail broker Rosenthal Properties.
Construction has begun on the new location, Meat Project owner Sam Kim says. The business is aiming to open in early December.
“We are an all-you-can-eat, Korean meat-focused place,” Kim told FFXnow. “There’s places that have a la carte, there’s places that have different Korean food, but for us, it’s more so that people can try different things when they just pay per person. It gives them the opportunity to try different things.”
The possibility of expansion wasn’t guaranteed for Meat Project, which opened at 5825 Trinity Parkway in Centreville in July 2020 — right as Virginia was easing restrictions imposed on businesses to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Kim and his mother, Grace, created the restaurant to expand their reach after gaining a foothold in Annandale as the longtime owners of Rainbow Food Catering and Manoa Bakery Cafe, Northern Virginia Magazine reported at the time.
Launching in the middle of the pandemic, pre-vaccinations, “was very hard for us,” Kim says, but after two rocky first years, the business has now settled down.
“Now, we’re getting more regulars. We’re getting more people in, so we felt like now is a good time to expand,” he said.
Located across the street from Lost Dog Cafe in the former Gama Chicken & BBQ space, Meat Project’s Merrifield restaurant is smaller in size than its standalone Centreville location, but the menu and bar will have more items, according to Kim.
In Centreville, the menu features a variety of beef, chicken, pork and seafood options, from staples of Korean barbecue like bulgolgi and galbi (short ribs) to more unusual items like honey butter octopus. The bar will serve “cocktail items and stuff like that,” Kim says.
The restaurant charges a flat $30 per person for all-you-can-eat meals, though kids shorter than 4-and-a-half feet can eat for $20 and kids under 3 feet are free.
Kim says the Merrifield location will likely follow the same operating hours, opening at noon every day and closing at 11 p.m. or midnight.
Korean barbecue options are limited in Merrifield, at least compared to Centreville. Right now, the closest restaurant to Meat Project’s upcoming site is Puzukan Tan in Yorktowne Plaza Shopping Center at 8114 Arlington Blvd.
(Updated at 7:10 p.m.) Permanent closures are coming for three auto dealerships near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons.
The Priority Nissan and Mazda shops, which share a building at 8525 Leesburg Pike, will close at the end of this month with either July 31 or Aug. 1 as their final day of business, a customer service representative told FFXnow.
Next door, Sheehy Infiniti of Tysons is set to leave 8527 Leesburg Pike on Aug. 10, an operator confirmed.
(Correction: This article originally misstated the closing date of Sheehy Infiniti as July 10.)
“All our services will be transferred to Chantilly,” the operator said, referring to the Sheehy Infiniti dealership at 4145 Auto Park Circle.
While unsure of the reason for the closures, the Priority representative said warranties for vehicles purchased in Tysons will continue to be honored, and customers can access services at other locations. The closest dealership is the Safford Brown Mazda and Nissan (11010 Fairfax Blvd) in Fairfax.
According to the Sheehy Infiniti operator, there are plans to build apartments on the site.
The roughly 12-acre parcel south of Route 7 near the Vesper Trail is part of the massive Dominion Square redevelopment plan approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2017.
Split into “east” and “west” portions along Spring Hill Road, the proposals from then-property owner Capital Automotive Real Estate Services (CARS) collectively envisioned replacing the existing auto dealerships with as much as 3.6 million square feet of mixed-use development.
About 2 million of that will be in Dominion Square East, which includes the Sheehy and Priority dealerships. The plan calls for six buildings, including multifamily residential, office, hotel and retail space, as well as new streets and recreational amenities, such as a public trail connection from the Old Courthouse Spring Branch Stream Valley to the Spring Hill Metro station.
CARS sold the land for $60.2 million in 2019 to LHL Dominion Square LLC, an apparent affiliate of the New York-based apartment developer Algin Management.
It’s unclear what the impending dealership closures mean for the future development. Algin didn’t return a request for comment by press time, and no new applications have been filed with the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development.
“[DPD staff are] not aware of any proposed development,” a county public information officer said.
While there has been little movement on Dominion Square East since the development was approved, construction on at least part of the 7.6 acres to the west could begin as soon as December.
That’s when the nonprofit Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing anticipates breaking ground on two 21-story, all-affordable residential buildings at 1592 Spring Hill Road. The plan, which includes a community center for Tysons, was approved by the Fairfax County Planning Commission in February.
Hat tip to Adam Rubinstein. Correction: This article originally misstated the closing date of Sheehy Infiniti as July 10, and apologies to Adam Rubinstein for the initial misspelling of his name. Images via Google Maps (photo, map)
The coming winter’s leaf collection season might be Fairfax County’s last.
The Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has proposed terminating the leaf vacuum services it provides to thousands of residents after each fall, citing rising costs and “operational issues.”
A survey seeking public input on the recommendation has launched and will remain open until Aug. 18.
“During the 2022-2023 season, the program experienced numerous setbacks including collection delays, staffing shortages, a larger volume of leaves than normal, and inclement weather,” DPWES said in a news release. “After assessing the service, County staff propose to discontinue vacuum leaf service when the upcoming season concludes, along with the tax imposed for the service.”
Approximately 25,000 residents get leaf collection service through the county, according to DPWES, whose Solid Waste Management Program staff works with private contractors to vacuum up leaves from the curb three times a season, typically between November and January.
The collection areas are established through resident petitions and supported by a special tax based on property values. The eight areas that the county currently has are concentrated in the east, including parts of McLean, Idylwood, Bailey’s Crossroads, Lake Barcroft and Fort Hunt.
Last year, the county encountered delays in its leaf collections as it wrangled with staff shortages, equipment issues and an earlier-than-usual leaf fall.
DPWES says those issues could affect its ability to provide reliable service going forward, and customers have also raised concerns about lingering leaves disrupting public safety, including by:
- Blocking storm drains, creating flooding concerns
- Contributing to pedestrian and vehicle conflicts when pedestrians are forced to walk in streets
- Creating fire hazards from vehicles parked on leaves
- Presenting slip-and-fall hazards from people walking on slippery leaves
- Reducing on-street parking
Other considerations include increased costs and environmental issues. DPWES grinds up the collected leaves into mulch that’s distributed at various sites for free.
From the press release:
The County is facing increased costs to provide vacuum leaf collection. Due to the need for an additional contractor, overtime for County employees and temporary contractors support workers, it is estimated the 2023 season will incur an approximate $900,000 deficit and another predicted $400,000 deficit at the end of fiscal year 2024. The service also conflicts with the County’s adopted sustainability policies to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
The upcoming 2023-2024 collection season will take place as scheduled, since residents were already charged back in January, DPWES says.
In addition to filling out the survey, residents can weigh in on the proposal to end services by leaving a voicemail or texting “leaf collection” to 703-890-5898, Project Code: 2159.
A final decision will be made this fall by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
