May 21st Board Meeting Highlights | |
At Tuesday's Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board designated May 2024 as Older Adults and Adult Abuse Prevention Month, Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and Fight the Bite Month.
I presented the following Board Matters:
The Board also took the following actions:
Providence District
- Held a public hearing and approved PCA 79-P-038-03 that allows the continuation of usage of a residential house on 2818 Juniper Street as a commercial site for a towing company.
- Held a public hearing and approved PCA 2011-PR-023-04/ CDPA 2011-PR-023-03 which will allow the conversation of an office building planned for construction along Arbor Row to instead be built as a residential high rise. This will both add new housing stock, add more park space, and contribute to affordable housing within the Tysons Urban Center.
Countywide
- Held a public hearing and approved the proposed amendments to the Police Officers and Uniformed Retirement Systems Ordinances that allows police and firefighters to purchase up to four years of "service credit" for prior active duty military service.
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What's New in Providence? | |
Boards, Authorities, and Commissions (BACs) Vacancies
The Providence District is looking for qualified individuals from our area from all different backgrounds to volunteer on one of our many community-steered advisory boards. As an extension of the Providence District Supervisor’s office, we count on our dedicated appointees to advocate for the needs of our District and the County as a whole.
Currently, we have the following openings:
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Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance Exception Review Committee: To review applications to conduct land disturbing activities within the Resource Protection Areas (RPA). The committee is comprised of an appointee from each of the nine magisterial districts and two at-large members. The main function of the committee is to consider exception requests submitted under Article 6 of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance.
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Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC): To advise the Board of Supervisors on environmental matters through ongoing review of the quality of the County's physical environment and to advocate and promote environmental preservation, protection, and enhancement.
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Tree Commission: To advise the Board based on an annual reevaluation of the experience of the administration and implementation of the provisions in Ch. 104 of the Code and Article 13 relating to vegetation preservation and planting; to provide leadership in developing an understanding of the objectives and methods of tree conservation; and to assist the Urban Forestry Branch in the development and maintenance of technical specifications and guidelines.
To apply, please email your resume to Providence@fairfaxcounty.gov and indicate the BAC you are interested in.
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Library Book Sale
Get ready to discover your next favorite read! Find great deals on a wide variety of books, media, and comics at the Tysons Library Book Sale from May 30th to June 2nd.
All proceeds will support the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library programs and services. Come early for the best selection, and bring your family and friends! The popular Bag Sale will be Sunday, June 2nd where you can fill a brown paper grocery bag for only $10.
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Aging Well for All: Celebrating Our Colors and Diversity
mosaicARTs and Celebrate Fairfax are pleased to present the National Council on Aging (NCOA) Photography Award Contest Aging Well for All —Celebrating Our Colors and Diversity at The PARC (8508 Leesburg Drive). An opening reception with poetry readings, speakers, and artist talks will be held on Saturday, June 1st from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. The exhibition displays many distinguished photographers who celebrate and embrace the diversity of older adults to age well at home and in their community. The exhibition includes the top 19 awarded photos onsite gallery and in a virtual gallery with hundreds of empowering images of older adults in different backgrounds.
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Health and Human Services Updates | |
Teen Suicide Prevention: What Every Parent/Guardian Needs to Know
The Suicide Prevention Alliance of Northern Virginia is a regional coalition of Community Services Boards and community partners working together to raise awareness and share resources to help prevent suicide. Join the upcoming virtual presentation on Thursday, May 30th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm to learn how you can help raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental health in our community.
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Expanding Treatment Options for Youth Using Opioids
Like many communities across the nation, the opioid epidemic has impacted all ages and socioeconomic groups in Fairfax County. To address this, we use a cross-systems, multi-pronged opioid response strategy. A particular focus in recent years has been opioid overdoses involving youth, which have risen sharply in line with national trends.
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Where We Belong Student Art Contest
June is Immigrant Heritage Month! Fairfax County Public Library invites students to celebrate our diverse community by showing off their creativity and participating in a new art contest!
The Where We Belong Art Contest is open to students in grades kindergarten to 12th grade who live or study in Fairfax County. Participants are asked to create artwork in a medium of their choice based on one of the following prompts:
• We all belong in Fairfax County.
• This is my family portrait.
• This is where I am from.
• We celebrate the contributions of our immigrant community members.
The contest is open through Saturday, June 15th.
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Champion of Character Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Award.
The awards program, founded in 2001, honors county youth, coaches and parents in each magisterial district for extraordinary service in pursuing victory with honor on and off the field of competition. Instituted by the Fairfax County Athletic Council, this program aims to support the tradition of amateur athletics in cultivating teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship, and community service. Nominations are due by Thursday, August 1st.
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Land Use and Transportation Updates | |
Fairfax Connector Update
Fairfax Connector buses will operate Sunday service schedule on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27th.
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495 Next Revegetation Conceptual Plan Drop-in Public Hours
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), along with project partner, Transurban, and contractor, Lane Construction, will hold drop-in public hours on May 23 and May 30 to provide information and seek feedback from the public on the 495 NEXT Revegetation Conceptual Plan. No appointment is necessary.
Where: McLean Governmental Center Community Room (1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean, VA 22101)
When:
- Thursday, May 23rd, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
- Thursday, May 30, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
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VDOT Lifts Lane Closures for Memorial Day Weekend
One of the busiest travel times of the year is coming up with the Memorial Day weekend, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants to make your trip to the beach, mountains, or beyond a safe one.
VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 24, until noon on Tuesday, May 28.
While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.
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SmartBenefits® "Plu$50" for Employees
SmartBenefits® "Plu$50" is an incentive program that offers employees a free $50 SmarTrip® card to try transit by enrolling in their employers' monthly commuter benefits program. This program presents an opportunity for local employers such as businesses, non-profit organizations, and associations, to enhance employee benefits while contributing to broader sustainability and transportation initiatives in the region. Whether you are new to transit, are exploring a new route because of workplace or home changes, or are new to the area, you may be eligible for the Plu$50 SmarTrip® card.
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Plan Forward with Fairfax
The county’s new Plan Forward project is an important opportunity for residents to ensure updated Comprehensive Plan policies such as land use, housing, sustainability, and transportation, enhance the quality of life for everyone in Fairfax.
Join an upcoming in-person or virtual meeting, through June 27, to learn more about Plan Forward and help shape the future of Fairfax. You can also share what you see for the future of Fairfax County along with other important feedback by answering the Plan Forward community survey.
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Route 29 Study Community Meeting
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold a second online public meeting on Wednesday, June 5th at 7:00 pm to present at-grade intersection improvements and bicycle & pedestrian comfort and safety proposals on Route 29 from Buckley's Gate Drive/Summit Drive to Jermantown Road. The recommendations to be presented are based on community feedback provided earlier this year.
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Better Bus Network Redesign Project
Metro announced the launch of the next phase of the Better Bus Network Redesign project to create a bus network to meet the transit needs of our rapidly changing region. The public is invited to provide feedback on the proposed new bus routes through July 15th.
The Proposed 2025 Better Bus Network uses current resources to reconfigure bus service, especially on nights and weekends, to make buses more convenient to use. With the proposed service changes there will be some trade-offs, but the result will be routes that are more direct and save existing customers a combined 10,000 hours every weekday. The proposed network also standardizes route names across the system to make bus routes easier to understand.
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