December 2021 Civic Affairs Committee Report

by | Dec 2, 2021 | Civic Affairs

Upcoming Sully District Council of Citizens Associations meetings: (http://www.sullydistrict.org)

  • 15 December: Dulles Airport Status
  • 26 January 2022: I66 HOT Lanes Reconfiguration Status

Upcoming Joint Sully District Land Use and Transportation Committee meetings: (http://www.sullydistrict.org)

  • 20 December, 17 January 2022: Topics to be determined

Upcoming  Fairfax Federation activities: (http://www.fcfca.org)

  • 16 December: Fairfax County Resiliency Planning / Climate Planning and Action program

Transportation:

 

  • Everything You Need to Know About VDOT (RSVP)

    Don’t miss out on the Alliance’s upcoming Policymakers Breakfast, “Everything You Need to Know About VDOT,”  on December 16 at the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®! Space is filling up fast and is limited to the first 100 participants to register!

    We will be joined by VDOT NoVa’s new District Administrator, John Lynch, and VDOT’s Chief Deputy Commissioner, Rob Cary.

    This event is a must for contractors, transportation companies, engineering firms, builders and developers.
    Date: December 16, 2021
    Time: 8:00 a.m.
    Location: Northern Virginia Association of Realtors®
    8407 Pennell Street, Fairfax, VA

    Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. The program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

 

  • Virginians for High Speed Rail 2021 Town Hall Review & Feedback

 

If you missed one of the Town Hall’s or want to re-watch them, you can find them here:

  • Metro to Maintain Reduced Rail Service Levels Through End of Year

Metro customers can expect to see reduced rail service levels through December 31, Metro announced on Monday, November 22.

 

With no timeline established to return the 7000-series fleet in the interest of safety, and 6000-series railcars awaiting parts due to global supply chain challenges, incremental service improvements will be made during December as parts arrive for older model railcars.

 

Nearly 75 percent of Metrorail stations have trains arriving at least every 10-12 minutes, as many stations are served by multiple lines. More frequent service depends upon available railcars meeting safety standards, while Metro continues to test new inspection protocols for its newest 7000-series railcars, which were sidelined in October.

 

Lear more by visiting Metro’s website.

 

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold a virtual meeting on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at 7 p.m., to update the community on the status of the Route 28 widening project, upcoming construction activities, and to discuss the project land acquisition schedule and process.

Please note current Right of Way plans are available on the project webpage. The Right of Way data sheet on page 4 shows proposed right of way and easements required from each property in the project corridor. Staff from FCDOT and Shirley Contracting Company will be available to respond to questions.

Meeting Registration Information
Contact the Project Team

To submit comments, questions or feedback, please contact FCDOT:

    • Online via the red feedback form link at the bottom of the project webpage
    • Email Jim Beall, Project Manager
    • In writing to: FCDOT, Attn: Route 28 Widening Project, 4050 Legato Road, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22033
    • By phone: 703-877-5673; TTY 711

For more information, visit the project website at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/projects/route28-widening.

 

 

Land Use:

 

  • Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force Meetings 

The Reston Comprehensive Plan Study Task Force weekly meetings continue this month. Information on upcoming meetings is below. To learn more about the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study and the task force, visit the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study webpage. Meeting details and agendas will be found here. You can watch live streams of the meetings on YouTube Live, as well as the video archive of all past task force meetings.

  • Monday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. Use this linkto attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 2330 639 5433.
  • Monday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Use this linkto attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to listen to the meeting on your phone, call 1-844-621-3956 and use access code: 2334 432 4633.

 

  • Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process Survey Open Through Dec. 10 

The county is evaluating potential changes to the Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process (SSPA) and wants to hear from you. A community survey is open now through Friday, Dec. 10 and is an opportunity to share your thoughts and priorities for future long-range planning studies for individual sites. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Korean, and many other languages. Take the survey now.

 

  • Hunter Mill Land Use Committee Virtual Meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Discussion will be on SE-2021-HM-009. The meeting is hosted on the Webex platform. Use this link to attend and participate in the meeting. You will be prompted to register with your email address and ZIP code before logging into meeting. If you prefer to only listen to the meeting, you may call 1-844-621-3956 and use code: 2343 958 3841. For information, contact Jose Delcid, 703-478-0283.

 

Public Safety:

 

  • A reminder from the Fairfax County Police Department to take precautions to prevent the theft of holiday packages being delivered to your doorstep.
    • Sign up for delivery alerts (including from Post Office) to know when the items are delivered.
    • Don’t leave delivered packages unattended. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for the packages and offer the same in return.
    • Require a signature delivery for packages you ship to friends and family.
    • Set up alternative delivery options. Check your delivery service’s website for details.
    • Many retailers allow you to purchase items online and pick up in store or at a locker, where they’ll be safe until you can pick them up.
    • See if it’s possible to have packages delivered to your workplace for the holiday season.
    • Going out of town? Have the Post Office hold your mail and packages

 

  • How to Avoid Scams During the Holidays 

Fairfax County’s Silver Shield Program has put together tips for older adults on how to avoid being scammed this holiday season as we are bombarded with donation requests and holiday-related offers. Learn more.

 

  • How to Ensure Safety of Your Decks
Collapses and failures of decks, porches and balconies accounted for about 2,900 injuries across the nation between 2016 and 2019, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Jay Riat, Fairfax County’s building official, answers a few questions to help you ensure your decks are safe. “The health, safety and welfare of you and your family should never be compromised,” said Riat.

 

Review tips from County staff on ensuring the safety of your deck

Human Services:

 

  • Hypothermia Prevention Program Begins Today

For 15 years, the Hypothermia Prevention Program has provided shelter for our most vulnerable residents during the winter months. Every winter the program serves over 1,000 individuals who are experiencing homelessness and are exposed to the harsh and dangerously cold weather. This year’s Hypothermia Prevention Program will operate now through March 31.If you see someone who is unsheltered and you think is at risk of hypothermia, please contact our non-emergency public safety phone number at 703-691-2131.For additional information, visit the Hypothermia Prevention Program website or contact the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness at 703-324-9492, TTY 711, or OPEHGeneralMail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

  • Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax 2021 Annual Meeting )Thu, December 2, 2021 (9:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST)

 

Social isolation and loneliness (SIL) are significant risk factors for a number of behavioral and physical health issues across the lifespan. So how do individuals promote social engagement and connectedness in order to prevent social isolation and loneliness in the first place?

 

One way is to join the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax for an overview of SIL and a discussion on how policy, systems, and environmental changes can help promote a more socially connected Fairfax County. A keynote presentation from Healthy Places by Design, a Fairfax-focused panel discussion, and the sharing of new tools and resources will all be part of the event. Register for the free event today.

 

Questions? Contact Susan Sanow, Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax Coordinator at susan.sanow@fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

  • Food Access Program Funding Opportunity

 

The Food Access Program (FAP) is intended to aid the community in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Community based organizations and Houses of Worship (501(c)3 organizations located in or serving Fairfax County) can apply for funding in three different lanes to ensure that our local food system remains strong and sustainable:

o    Lane 1 is for the direct food assistance in the amount of $1.5 million and will be proportionately allocated according to regional need. This lane will support program proposals for new and existing food programs to purchase of food.

o    Lane 2 will be in the amount of $500,000 for innovative models in food service delivery. This lane is designed to support food providers in creating innovative ways to respond to hunger in Fairfax County

o    Lane 3 is to provide $1.5 million in infrastructure investments for food storage, delivery and enhanced client supports, such as refrigerated food storage, heavy duty shelving, cargo vans, lifts, etc.

 

An initial investment of $3.5 million is available, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds may be subject to federal regulations. This will not be an RFP process but rather an informal application. Funding is for direct client assistance and infrastructure needs of community programs; staffing and overhead costs are not permissible. The deadline to apply is December 10, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.  For more information and to fill out the DocuSign application, visit the Neighborhood and Community Services Community Impact Unit website.

 

For additional questions and to receive the application in Spanish, contact NCSFAP@fairfaxcounty.gov
  • Stay Informed about COVID-19

 

Fairfax County is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. Residents are strongly encouraged to utilize the resources listed below:

 

 

Parks and Recreation:

  • Ride Through a Holiday Light Show at Frying Pan Farm Park

Feel the magic of the season on a mile-long drive featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations and farm animals, when Holiday Lights on the Farm returns to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. Be sure to buy tickets early as this event sold out last year. More information.

 

  • Cultural Explorers: Hanukkah, Dec. 4 

Learn about the Jewish Festival of Lights through stories and crafts (virtually) with the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia on Dec. 4, 11 to 11:45 a.m. Registration is required and a Zoom invitation will be emailed to all registrants one day before the event.

Learn more.

 

County Finance/Budget:

 

  • Fairfax County real estate tax payments are due Monday, Dec. 6.
    • Most homeowners pay Fairfax County’s real estate tax as part of a monthly mortgage payment. Your mortgage company then sends the taxes directly to the county. However, some homeowners must pay their real estate taxes directly.
    • The annual deadline for tax payments is Dec. 5, but this year’s deadline has been extended to Monday, Dec. 6,since Dec. 5 falls on a Sunday. For payment options and to learn more, visit http://ow.ly/Emhe30kZM4f.

 

  • Public Hearing on Expanding Real Estate Tax Relief Program

 

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a public hearing on December 7 to consider expanding the real estate tax relief program for seniors and people with disabilities.

 

If approved, the expanded program would raise the income/net worth threshold levels, add a new 75% tax relief bracket, and offer a new option to defer property tax payments. Increasing the net worth threshold will allow more retirees with 401ks and other retirement accounts to participate in the relief program. The senior tax relief program was last updated in 2006.

 

These changes would be adopted in two phases during the next two years if approved in December.

 

Would you like to testify during the hearing? Visit Fairfax County’s website and sign up now. Learn more about this program by visiting Fairfax County’s News Center.

Environment:

  • Milestones and Markers: CECAP’s Interim and Sector-Specific Goals

CECAP is the County’s roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2050. As it is a plan for the entire community, it contains a variety of suggested routes to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. From actions that can be taken by individuals, to those that will require legislative change in Richmond or at the federal level, it is a comprehensive document that showcases a wide breadth of approaches to help reach the County’s goal.

 

As with any major goal, it’s important to recognize the component parts and milestones that will make progress possible and allow everyone to celebrate achievement along the way. Fairfax County has an ambitious goal for 2050, but they also have interim goals and sector-specific goals to help us get there.

 

INTERIM GOALS

 

The CECAP Working Group made a conscious decision to define two interim target year goals for our community. They aim to achieve a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. They also want to achieve a 75 percent reduction in emissions by 2040. Achieving these goals will help us to know that Fairfax County is on track to achieve overarching goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

 

Learn more about CECAP and its goals by visiting the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination’s website.

 

Enjoy,

Jeffrey M. Parnes
Chair, Civic affairs Committee
Chantilly Highlands Homes Association
703.424.2956 (P)
484.307.2552 (F)
jeff.parnes@chha.org

Chantilly Highlands

@chhaweb
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