June 2023 Civic Affairs Committee Report

by | Jun 17, 2023 | Civic Affairs

Sully District Council of Citizens Associations

  • Sully District Council is Social!
  • The tentative Sully District Council of Citizens Associations schedule for 2023 (subject to change) (agendas may not be available until the week/day of the meeting):
      • The SDCCA meets the fourth Wednesday of the month starting at 7 pm at the Sully Government Facility unless otherwise indicated. You may choose to join us virtually.
      The agenda has the necessary details

    • 26 April: Forum on Hate Crimes in Fairfax County
    • 24 May: General Assembly Report by Delegates and Senators representing Sully in Richmond
        Participating Legislators:

      • Representative for Delegate Dan Helmer (40th District)
      • Delegate Irene Shin (86th District)
    • 28 June: State of Sully from Supervisor Smith
    • 27 July and 24 August — No Summer meetings currently scheduled
    • 27 September: Joint Candidates night with the League of Woman Voters of the Fairfax Area (county positions)
    • 25 October: Joint Candidates night with the League of Woman Voters of the Fairfax Area (state legislative positions)
    • 15 November: TBD
    • 20 December: TBD
  • The Joint Sully District Land Use and Transportation Committee meets the third Monday of each month starting at 7 pm at the Sully Government Facility unless otherwise indicated. Topics posted the week of the meeting, agenda available late on the day of the meeting
    • 15 May 2023 meeting: First consideration of Proposed data center or, alternatively, a warehouse on property located immediately to the west of Chantilly Auto Park. The property is bordered by Route 50 to the north and approximately 67 acres of RPA to the west and south.
    • 19 June 2023 meeting: Second consideration of Proposed data center or, alternatively, a warehouse on property located immediately to the west of Chantilly Auto Park. The property is bordered by Route 50 to the north and approximately 67 acres of RPA to the west and south.
    • 17 July 2023 meeting: Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan – Public Facilities Policy Plan Update (PFPP)

Fairfax Federation

Primary Elections

  • Early Voting underway for Democratic Primary
      Early voting is underway for the June 20 Democratic primary election. Primary candidates for these offices and districts will be on the ballot:

      • Board of Supervisors: Chairman, Dranesville District, Mason District, Mount Vernon District and Springfield District
      • Commonwealth’s Attorney
      • Sheriff
      • Virginia House of Delegates: 7th, 15th and 19th districts
      • Virginia Senate: 33rd, 35th, 36th and 37th districts
    • Sixteen locations will be open for early voting. Learn more. The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Fire and Rescue

    • Portable Outdoor Fireplaces Safety Information

Portable or stationary fire pits have become very popular and are used all year. The Fairfax County Fire Department provides information to help prevent unwanted fires resulting from the unlawful or unsafe operation and/or storage of portable outdoor fireplaces. If you have any questions, contact the Fire Inspections Branch at 703-246-4849 weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more.

Health and Human Services

    • What You Need to Know About the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan
        Last month the Board of Supervisors adopted the SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan 2023-2028. Over the next five years, this plan will guide Fairfax County, along with the City of Fairfax and the City of Falls Church, and community-based organizations in meeting the needs of older residents now and in future years.

Read more

    • .

Fairfax County Public Library

    • Fairfax Library Foundation Hosts 2023 Children’s Reading Festival at the Chantilly Library

    • Fairfax Library Foundation is excited to announce the launch of an exciting new event which will kick off Fairfax County Public Library’s summer reading program this year. Their inaugural “Children’s Summer Reading Festival” is designed to encourage young readers to continue their enthusiasm for reading straight into summer vacation. Last year more than 11,000 children, ages zero to 17, participated in FCPL’s annual summer reading program, and as a result of this new kickoff event that number is expected to skyrocket.
    • The community is invited to attend these FREE festivals held on Saturday, June 24, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, at Chantilly Regional Library,
      4000 Springfield Road, Chantilly, VA 20151
    • The festival will feature a wide variety of fun activities for children of all ages, including games and crafts, a bounce house, a mini zoo, snacks, facepainting, a live deejay, food trucks, and a photobooth.
    • For more information about the event or the Foundation, contact Cheryl Ann Lee at 703-324-8300 or events@fairfaxlibraryfoundation.org.

Parks and Recreation

    • Friday Night Live!
        Mark your calendars for every Friday through August 25. Concessions open at 6:00pm. Band starts at 6:30pm.

 

      • Herndon Town Green at the rear of the Herndon Municipal Building, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon

 

      • You can RSVP and invite your friends to the Facebook events at

facebook.com/FridayNightLive/events

      • .

 

      • Check out the

Frequently Asked Questions

      • for information on rain cancellations, what to bring and what NOT to bring, and more.

 

      • Learn more at the

Friday Night Live! website

      • .
    • Celebrate Juneteenth at Fairfax County Parks
        Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, holds immense historical and cultural significance as a celebration of African American freedom and achievement. The Fairfax County Park Authority will host various events on and around Juneteenth to bring communities together and commemorate this day:

To learn more about the Park Authority’s Juneteenth celebrations or to register for programs, please visit the Juneteenth webpage.

    • Virtual Meeting, Open House Set to Discuss Future of Mount Gilead of Mount Gilead
        The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a virtual public meeting on

Tuesday, June 20 at 7 p.m

      • ., to discuss the future of the Mount Gilead property located at 5634 Mount Gilead Rd. in Centreville. This meeting will provide a broad overview of the Park Authority’s

Resident Curator Program

      • and discuss the future uses and considerations for the Mount Gilead property as part of the program. There will also be an in-person open house on June 24 for those interested in touring the property. The meeting access link and additional information are available on the

Mount Gilead webpage

      • .

 

      • Mount Gilead consists of a 6-acre parcel and an eighteenth-century vernacular-style house that was originally built as a combined residence and tavern. It was purchased by the Park Authority in 1996 and has been a part of the Resident Curator Program. The Program aims to preserve Fairfax County’s historic buildings by offering long term leases, without charge, to private citizens or organizations in exchange for their financial commitment to rehabilitate and maintain the property in accordance with established preservation standards.

 

    • One Month Left to Apply for ArtsFairfax Ticket Subsidy Grant
      • Local arts organizations have until this June 30 to apply for Ticket Subsidy Grants from ArtsFairfax. This program funds free / reduced-price tickets and transportation costs for performances, workshops, classes, and camps for those who may not have regular access to such opportunities. Each application may request up to $5,000 for activities taking place before June 30, 2023. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 30 or until available funds are expended. Organizations can apply more than once, but can only receive one grant per 12-month period.Previous recipients include Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO), NextStop Theatre Company, and Virginia Chamber Orchestra (VCO), among others, whose community engagement and arts education programs serve economically disadvantaged areas or parts of the County with limited access to professional arts programming. For more information, please review the video recording of the information session from this past January.

 

    • Explore the Great Outdoors this Month
        The Fairfax County Park Authority owns and manages 420 parks on more than 25,000 acres of land and more than 335 miles of trails. During National Great Outdoors Month, you are invited to enjoy some of the many amenities available at our county parks, including biking, fishing, boating, hiking and many more.

Learn more

      • .

 

    • Elly Doyle Park Service Awards Nominations

      • There are thousands of individuals and many organizations that volunteer each year in local parks and support the many programs
        and initiatives of the Fairfax County Park Authority. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to operate our park system without
        volunteers. Making sure that their service is recognized is very important.
      • The Annual Elly Doyle Park Service Awards, established in 1988, recognize those who have made outstanding contributions over the
        last year. These are individuals and/or groups who have given of their time or expertise to the Fairfax County Park Authority for the
        advancement of recreational and/or educational opportunities for the protection of natural, cultural, or historic resources in Fairfax County.
      • Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Elly Doyle Park Service Awards and will close on Friday, June 23. Individuals may be nominated for multiple awards, but each nominee may only receive one Elly Doyle Park Service Award per year. Nominations are being accepted for the following awards:
        • Elly Doyle Park Service Award & Youth/Student Award
        • The Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award
        • The Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award
        • The Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award
        • The Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award

        Award recipients will be honored later this fall. Check here for more information on the awards.

 

  • Innovations In Flight 10 am to 3 pm, Saturday, 17 June 2023 at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia
    • See over 50 unique aircraft, flown in for one day only, at this annual event at the Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
    • This event is free but timed tickets are required to attend. Parking is $15 per car.
    • Reserve Free Tickets
    • Explore the engineering and design innovations that have taken place during the last century of flight. Talk with pilots of vintage and modern aircraft, on display outside the Museum for one day only.
    • Inclement Weather Policy: If there is inclement weather, it may not be possible for the aircraft to reach the Museum, in which case the event will be cancelled. Depending on weather forecast, the event could be cancelled as late as Saturday morning.

Planning and Zoning

    • Proposed Sign Regulations Part II Community Meetings

Are you interested in learning more about proposed changes to the County’s sign regulations?

    • Join County staff at an upcoming virtual community meeting to learn more. The meetings are scheduled for Thursday, June 22 at 12:00 p.m. and Wednesday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. and will be held on Microsoft Teams. Agenda items include an overview of the changes, along with discussion and time for questions and comments to be addressed. Links to join the meeting are included on the Signs Part II website under “Upcoming Meetings.”
    • A cover memo and draft text have been released and are open for public review. Topics include:
      • Revision of the maximum nighttime brightness limitations for electronic display signs;
      • Consolidation of the current Comprehensive Sign Plan (CSP) and Special Exception (SE) sign applications into one SE application type. This SE would include revised review criteria and new submission requirements;
      • Review of size limitations for signs in reserved parking spaces;
      • Allowance of an illuminated or electronic window sign;
      • Addition of a requirement that a subdivision sign be located only at major vehicular entrances and within an easement recorded for signage purposes or a common area;
      • Allowance for multifamily buildings to have a building-mounted sign instead of a freestanding sign;
      • Exemption for ordering boards associated with a restaurant with drive-through from the overall maximum freestanding sign regulations (up to 20 square feet in size); and
        Reduction of the appeal timeframe for minor signs.

Public Works and Environmental Services

    • New Drop-off Hours for Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Waste at the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex

Starting May 1, there will be new hours when household hazardous waste and electronics waste can be dropped off at the I-66 Transfer Station and the I-95 Landfill Complex. The following are the new times for these categories at the I-66 Transfer Station:

      • Monday – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Tuesday – noon to 5 p.m.
      • Wednesday – closed
      • Thursday – noon to 5 p.m.
      • Friday – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Saturday and Sunday – 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The new hours for the I-95 Landfill Complex and additional details can be found in the official announcement.

    • Join the Green Business Partners Program
        Are you a Fairfax County business interested in or already taking actions to adopt climate-friendly, sustainable business practices? Then the Green Business Partners program is for you—join today and enjoy these benefits:

        • Get Recognition – Green Business Partners will be listed in the county’s directory, receive a certificate and window decal, and have use of program logo, which can strengthen your reputation with employees, customers and the community.
        • Enhance Your Sustainability Efforts – Network with other Fairfax County businesses to share success stories and learn from each other through webinars and peer exchanges.
        • Save Money and Time – Discover ways to finance clean energy, emissions reduction and sustainability efforts through tax credits, incentives and other financing options.

Through the Green Business Partners program, Fairfax County is recognizing businesses that are actively engaging in or interested in sustainable business practices that advance climate action and will help create a carbon neutral economy. Participation in the Green Business Partners program is free! Learn more and sign up

    • Resilient Fairfax Plan Recognized with APA Virginia Award
        Fairfax County’s

Resilient Fairfax Plan

      • was adopted last November and contains strategies to address the effects of changing climate on residents, critical infrastructure, public services, and natural resources. The Plan received the Award for Excellence in Sustainability by the American Planning Association (APA) this past April, and has been honored for a second time –  this time by the APA’s Virginia Chapter.

 

      • The APA’s Virginia Chapter annually highlights the best in planning throughout the Commonwealth with its annual Awards Program. The Chapter awarded Fairfax County with its 2023 Resilient Virginia Community of the Year Award, which recognizes a community’s effort and commitment to building resilience through responsible planning practice and innovation. An award ceremony will be held at APA Virginia’s annual conference on July 18.

Learn more

Sully District

    • Sully District Governmental Center 20th Anniversary Open House Set for June 24

Sully Open House Poster

      • The Sully District Governmental Center will host an open house to celebrate its 20th anniversary on

Saturday, June 24

      • , from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The building is located at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, but attendees are encouraged to park at the nearby Sully Station Shopping Center (5053 Westfields Blvd).

 

    • The free event will feature police and fire displays, a DJ, games, therapy dogs and food trucks. It is sponsored by the Sully District Police Station and the Sully District Board of Supervisors Office, both of which reside in the building.

Transportation

    • Metro Silver & Orange Lines Impacted During Orange Line Construction Shutdown, June 3-23
        If you take the Silver or Orange lines into Arlington or D.C., please note that from June 3 to 25 there will be no Metrorail service at or through these Metro stations: Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church and East Falls Church. During these weeks there will be no Metrorail service between McLean and Ballston on the Silver Line, and no Orange line service west of Ballston. Metro is providing free shuttle service for both Silver and Orange line commuters, but plan for increased travel time. Metro is replacing the original 40-year-old steel rail between Ballston-MU and Vienna stations and installing fiber-optic cable to modernize communications.

Learn more

    • .

Enjoy,

Jeffrey M. Parnes

Civic Affairs Committee Chair

Chantilly Highlands Homes Association

703.424.2956 (P)

484.307.2552 (F)

chhacivicaffairs@chha.org

Chantilly Highlands

@chhaweb

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