Coraggio Consulting
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Place: Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Virginia
Length: 4h 46m (video)
Official meeting video (Fairfax County): https://video.fairfaxcounty.gov/player/clip/4297
Official Board of Supervisors page (Fairfax County): https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/boardofsupervisors/

Machine transcript (speech-to-text) produced by Coraggio Consulting. Not an official county record. Names and numbers may be misspelled; check the video at the timestamp before quoting.
Speech-to-text: whisper.cpp, model large-v3-turbo. Produced 2026-10-26. Timestamps are [HH:MM:SS] into the meeting video.

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[00:00:32] Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our board meeting of October 13, 2026, and we're going to begin the meeting as we always do, with a moment of silence, to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and before I ask those who are able to rise, let me mention a few things and then recognize my colleagues.

[00:00:51] First, I want to, I think all our board members know this, but late last month, we learned the passing of Mike Kirby at the age of 81. Originally from Chicago, Mike lived in northern Virginia for over 50 years. He retired recently. Mike was a congressional liaison for the National Endowment of the Arts.

[00:01:10] Prior to that, he was a legislative staffer for 20 years to Congressman Jim Moran here in Virginia, as well as Bob Matsui and Glenn Anderson from California, working on transportation, military logistics, energy, and environmental issues. Many of us remember Mike as the former chair of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee and a lot of other roles that he played, both in politics, but in particular in Fairfax County.

[00:01:37] With so many of his most famous issues, I think all of us would see Mike just about everywhere that we went. And his passing was a huge loss, I know, to so many of us at this dais, but most importantly to so many people in the community.

[00:01:53] If we could keep Mike, his loved ones and friends, and all those whose lives he touched throughout his lifetime in public service in our thoughts and prayers. And secondly, in just a few minutes, which is obvious to all of us sitting here in the auditorium, but maybe not obvious to everyone at home, will be recognizing the Fairfax County Fire and Rescues Urban Search and Rescue Team, known as Virginia Task Force 1, for their deployments, for international deployments in respect to their efforts earlier this year following the earthquakes in Venezuela.

[00:02:25] However, as we sit here, and this is just a reminder of how important this team is, not just to Fairfax County, but to the world, we currently have a 10-person support team deployed by the State Department in Panama following last week's earthquake, which is made up of some of the same professionals that would probably be here today but are deployed while we recognize the efforts this morning in Venezuela.

[00:02:51] The team's providing extensive reconnaissance and structural assessments throughout the affected region. As of Sunday, October 11th, they had assessed 52 structures since their arrival. The good news is all personnel are accounted for healthy and in good spirits.

[00:03:07] Additionally, USA One family support teams continue to provide direct communication and assistance to the families of those deployed. We focus on this a lot, that when our team is deployed, they leave a lot of family members here and holes in fire stations and other operations locally that have to be backfilled.

[00:03:29] So as they are deployed, as we always do, if we could keep their families, their fellow workmates in our thoughts and prayers, wishing them, as we always do, a safe return home and also wishing them great support in the outstanding work that they're doing in very troubled times, literally saving lives in some cases, but in many cases providing the professional reassurance that areas that are going through very difficult times need during those tough times.

[00:03:59] time. So if we could keep our entire team in our thoughts and prayers, I would appreciate that as well. And with that, let me see if there are other board members who would like to be recognized. Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And just to build off the strong words that you had this morning for Mr. Kirby, a lifelong Mason District resident, his contributions extended far beyond politics. He was a passionate supporter of the arts and advocate for individuals with disabilities, and someone who believed deeply in the importance of civic participation.

[00:04:32] His passion is a tremendous loss for Mason Districts and for Fairfax County, but his legacy will live on through the many people he mentored, the causes he championed in the community he helped build. On behalf of the Mason District community, I want to extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Anne, and his entire family, as well as the many friends and colleagues whose lives he touched.

[00:04:51] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Jimenez. Supervisor Lusk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I am saddened to share the passing of Thomas Gunn on October 4, 2026. Thomas was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross at the intersection of Old Keen Mill Road and Backlick Road.

[00:05:09] Despite his personal struggles, Thomas remained determined to help those around him in similar and more difficult situations. He was a dedicated volunteer at Provision Church, And through his work, he was able to connect the church with a large community who were struggling with housing to provide them support.

[00:05:30] On Monday, October 19th, at 5 p.m., there will be a memorial to celebrate the life of Mr. Gunn. It will be held in the open field adjacent to the Springfield garage. And in light of the circumstances surrounding Mr. Gunn's death, I extend my condolences to his family, friends, and the broader community.

[00:05:49] And second, Mr. Chairman, it is with sadness that I announce the passing of a long-time Franconia District Resident Irene Smith on September 28, 2026. Ms. Smith lived to be 102 years old and resided in Claremont Woods, a community for over 50 years.

[00:06:10] Her chosen occupation was that of a nurse, and she further served her community as a long-standing member of the Claremont Woods Civic Association, where I am told she rarely missed a meeting in over 50 years as a resident of that community.

[00:06:28] Ms. Smith will be truly missed in the community, and I ask that we keep her family, friends, and neighbors within the Claremont Woods Association in our thoughts. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Lusk. If there's no other board members looking to be recognized, if all who are able could rise for a moment of silence to be followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

[00:06:51] And this morning, we have five presentations, and for each one, I will announce the title of the resolution or proclamation,

[00:07:48] invite our designated speaker and anyone else who's here with them down to the podium in front of me. And after our speaker's remarks, we'll pose for a picture from the dais. And first up this morning, as I mentioned a moment ago, we have a resolution to recognize Virginia Task Force 1, also known as USA 1, for its deployment to Venezuela following the earthquakes.

[00:08:10] And our speaker is Robert Schoenenberger, Battalion Chief, Special Operations Division, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. I see Chief Butler and a lot of other folks here as well. And as you would expect, they are making an orderly, making themselves down in front in an orderly fashion.

[00:08:29] And I am going to hand the gavel to Supervisor Vice Chairman Smith so that I can read the following resolution. Whereas Virginia Task Force One, internationally known as USA One, and sponsored by the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, has earned worldwide recognition for its expertise, professionalism, and commitment to providing life-saving assistance to communities affected by disasters.

[00:08:59] And whereas following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela in 2026, 79 members of USA One and six search canines mobilized within hours and deployed for 10 days with specialized rescue and medical equipment to support international search and rescue operations.

[00:09:17] And whereas during more than 186 continuous operational hours, USA-1 triaged 74 sites and conducted operations at 41 locations using specialized equipment and technical expertise to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed structures.

[00:09:36] And whereas USA-1 rescued five people, including a nine-month-old baby, and assisted directly with a sixth rescue, accounting for five of the 14 live rescues conducted by international search and rescue teams during the response, while completing the mission without injury to task force personnel.

[00:09:56] And whereas the Venezuela mission continues USA One's distinguished history of international humanitarian service, including earthquake responses in Turkey, Haiti, Nepal, Japan, Iran, and Taiwan, and its members represented Fairfax County with courage, compassion, and distinction, now therefore be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby recognize and commend the members of Virginia Task Force 1, USA 1, for their outstanding humanitarian service in Venezuela

[00:10:33] and expresses its sincere appreciation for their dedication, courage, and commitment to saving lives and serving communities in their greatest time of need. I'll second that along with the rest of the board. Discussion on the motion? Yes, thank you, Vice Chair Smith.

[00:10:48] One, I did not think this would have a problem with seconds. This is a happy moment for Fairfax County in a lot of ways in times that were anything but happy. And the destruction that we felt here in Venezuela is nothing compared to what you saw on the ground there.

[00:11:09] And as I mentioned earlier, we have a current deployment, which speaks to the value and importance of what every member of this team does and every person in FRD who backfills and supports so that our residents here don't miss a beat in the way of service.

[00:11:27] And, of course, to the families, all of your families that you were away from for that period of time while you were out there serving in such a selfless way is a proud moment for Fairfax County. And I know I've said this before, but seeing the team on local news coverage and what you're doing out there, really is a breath of fresh air, I think, to all of our residents of Fairfax County.

[00:11:53] We are an international community here, and so many of our residents have come up to me, regardless of the deployment that we're engaged in, from many of the countries mentioned in this proclamation with grateful, full hearts that we care enough about other people in the world, not just ourselves, to step up and serve them in such a remarkable way.

[00:12:16] Finally, I want to say I know all these deployments have a story to be told and are deeply rooted in each of you who've had the experience to serve. But having received the team and being, you know, present when you all arrive back here and seeing your families, because it's really an event for your families to reunite with you, seeing that is really emotional.

[00:12:39] But seeing what happened when you came back from Venezuela is something I've not seen before in all my visits, which is seeing so many folks who originally are from Venezuela, who live here locally in our community, taking an opportunity just to come forward and personally say thank you. And I can remember them speaking and cheering you on when you arrived back. And these are individuals whose loved ones may have survived, may not have survived, but certainly saw a physical level of destruction that most of us could never imagine. But they wanted to come here and say

[00:13:16] thank you to you all just because you supported them, you supported their country, but most importantly, how proud they were to live in a county that felt that strongly about the humanitarian work that you do. And I've never seen it as boldly and as presently as what we saw that night when the families came back.

[00:13:36] And so this is really a celebration of all you do, but particular to the efforts in Venezuela and on behalf of all those folks whose lives you changed for being there, we say thank you. And on behalf of Fairfax County, we can't tell you enough how proud we are of the work that you do.

[00:13:54] Thank you. Supervisor Lusk. Thank you very much, Madam Chairman. I am grateful to our Urban Search and Rescue Task Force. The level of work that you have performed is both unique and inspiring. And as was mentioned earlier, you triaged 74 sites and worked on 41 locations in Venezuela this summer.

[00:14:15] That is an incredible response rate. Right now, Task Force 1 is in Panama responding to the recent earthquake, and thank you for that. Their impact, that is their impact, your impact, in Venezuela and Panama is a reminder of what can happen when we invest in public safety.

[00:14:34] We are a safer county. We are a safer country. And the world is safer because of your service. Thank you all for your hard work. And we will continue supporting you and the important work that you do. Thank you. Thank you.

[00:14:49] Supervisor Palchuk, then Alcorn. Thank you. So again, all the accolades that are shared about the work that you do and our beloved six canines. And in addition to the international recognition, this past Friday, right before the deployment, right after, to Panama, I was with some state and federal employees, and they all knew Fairfax County is where it's at.

[00:15:14] You train all year long. I know I and some of us had opportunity to come and see you train with LA2 recently and to see the incredible work that you do every year and lead internationally. But I also want you to know, if you don't already, that here regionally in the greater D.C. area and in our federal employee workforce, they know that when they need to deploy, they can count on USA1 and your team, and that we as a community help ensure that you are funded and trained and don't skip a beat.

[00:15:50] Within hours, your teams are ready to go, and whether it was USAID or now the State Department, you absolutely have the training, the relationships, and the fortitude to get out there and save lives. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts and our community for saving and also representing Fairfax County in our region and across the world.

[00:16:12] Thank you. Supervisor Alcorn, then Jimenez. Thank you, Madam Vice Chairman. I just wanted to underscore something that doesn't get talked about a whole lot, but I know you get a lot of deserved recognition and appreciation internationally. But frankly, having this capability locally for us in Fairfax County and the region is huge.

[00:16:34] You know, it actually, for those of us that have experienced things in life where there wasn't actual response capabilities, you know, at various times, it really brings home to me how much I appreciate your availability, your dedication, your expertise to respond here as well.

[00:16:54] And we thank you for it. Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you so much. I just wanted to quickly say that whether you're in Venezuela, whether you're in Colombia or Panama, you're exemplifying the values and morals of Fairfax County. So thank you so much for all you do.

[00:17:10] We are a stronger county because of your service. Thank you. Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chair Smith. And as I mentioned, we have Battalion Chief Robert Schoenberger here with us.

[00:17:26] Welcome. The floor is yours. Board of Supervisors, Car Chief Butler, Assistant Chief Craven, and Deputy Chief Barlow, thank you for giving me the best job in the world. And I mean that sincerely. Behind me is the ladies and boys and men in blue, and most importantly, some folks from Venezuela.

[00:17:45] Standing here before you, this is not something that we typically do. It's a small group for a reason, and I'll touch on that in a minute. They told me I had three minutes, and I apologize. It's not going to happen. So I came up with three points. The first two are reward and resolve. I'm inspired that most of you kind of have an idea of what we do, because sometimes we wonder.

[00:18:06] They don't really care. Who knows? They don't do it for that reason. But it's very important that you understand a couple of things are very important to us because this is a rare opportunity for me and for us to even be here. Ironically, I don't deserve to be standing here. I had nothing to do with this response. I do serve as the program manager.

[00:18:22] But just days before this quake went off, I surprised my wife with a 25th anniversary trip. And as you can imagine, it rocked my world in more ways than one. So I went into the program office and saw the team out with Chief Craven and Chief Barlow. And Barlow looked at me, and he, of course, knew what was going on in my eyes.

[00:18:39] I got a team to run. And he looked at me and said, they're good. I got it. You need to let go. And that's not an easy thing. Not for me. It's no secret. We're in my emotions on a sleeve.

[00:18:56] We do what we do, not for anybody else, but for what's inside. I swore this wouldn't happen this morning. Either way, my wife, we're on vacation, and I'm on the edge of my seat. They're out.

[00:19:12] They're doing their thing. And we have been through a lot in the past few years, for sure. But I've been fortunate to be on this team for nearly 20 years. I know the deal. I know what goes on. As you all just mentioned. Well, my wife's in it. Like, she's in it to win it because this is a family thing. And as we sat there doing our feed in the water, scrolling, trying to see what's going on, looking to the international feeds.

[00:19:32] A few days in, I get a call with a stream video coming in from John Morrison, our PIO. And I knew right then and there we hit the jackpot. He didn't have to say anything. He's showing me live feed of one of the victims that we're pulling out. And we're here for what a reward, an award for the team.

[00:19:50] And that may all be well and good. But to me, that's what they're here for, to go out the door and save lives. But the irony for me, I wasn't even excited that there was lives saved. I wasn't excited that there was an individual coming out with a mother and a child, a father and a son.

[00:20:09] For me, it was a reward for them. And that's what you all don't see. And that's what nobody sees. And you all are going to give them a plaque and just go on and go on this wall that is now huge with the Venezuela response because of you just said, Chairman McKay. The Venezuelan community continues to show up just two days ago with another huge gift.

[00:20:28] And they're just, they're everywhere. Bracelets, kids, this, that, and the other. And it's our duty to display all that. And it continues. But for me, it's what you all don't see. They put in thousands and thousands and thousands of hours a year.

[00:20:44] The folks that stand before you, this is not something they do nine to five. This is none of their jobs. It's only mine and nine other folks that work during the day. They have careers. Most of them are on duty today. That's why it's a small group. Fifteen percent are volunteers that don't even work for the fire department.

[00:21:01] And they all live on the jagged edge. As you mentioned earlier, sir, within two hours, when an event happens, they have to be ready. That means they have to live ready for a two-hour alert to be wheels up within six hours for a response. That is a lot. They trained at the Lorton Youth Facility that is now the Special Ops Training Facility.

[00:21:18] You've seen it. They've been through a lot of change in the last couple years. But the reward for them was that. And the reward for me was the success that they finally got. I've tasted it. They now believe what they do, and they saw the results. They come in day in and day out with discipline.

[00:21:34] They have the passion, and they have the heart, but discipline is what drives this team. And what goes on with those thousands of hours, every day there's a different avenue that's training that nobody sees. And yes, the world will see it on a feed, but what I saw that day was finally it was like my kid hitting a home run.

[00:21:50] All this practice, they finally saw success. And while we never wish that on anywhere in the world, they get up after work or maybe not after sleeping on a 24-hour shift, and they come to work for me for free. They're not coming for the paycheck. They're coming for the potential, the chance to do something that is rewarding, and it doesn't happen very often.

[00:22:09] We've been fortunate in the last 13 months to deploy four times internationally. We are on a fast track, that is for sure. We've just brought on another 40 personnel within the last month. The team is healthy, and it's because of the support that's behind me and in front of me, and I'm grateful for it. The other thing that I wanted to talk about was the resolve that they have.

[00:22:32] They've avoided the noise. We've lost a change from the USA to the State Department. They didn't care. They stayed focused on the mission. DHS shut down I don't know how many times. We didn't care. We stayed focused because guess what doesn't change? World events. Nobody controls that.

[00:22:47] And we know when the ball drops, they're calling us. We have a duty, and it is to respond. And it happened, of course. When those events happen, they have to figure things out, and they didn't. Up in D.C., that's their wheelhouse, not mine. We're always at the ready. They always show up, and we're always out the door, and we always have the support back home, which we're very, very grateful for.

[00:23:06] The other part of the Resolve that's important to me is this is 225 members strong that it takes to support this team. What they do day in and day out, while I mentioned a minute, you won't ever see. They avoid the noise where on a deployment, I have somebody trying to burn down my training facility, burn down equipment.

[00:23:23] Come back here and ask more from me. As you mentioned earlier, sir, the system, the FEMA system is now beefing itself up for more training. Where do you think they're going to come for the education? While they may have the passion, as you spoke of, ma'am, L.A. County, they get all the earthquake response and all the experience that I'm trying to say to bring home that is invaluable that we bring here at home, locally, nationally, and obviously internationally.

[00:23:50] Lastly, Captain Mike Eddy's here. He was actually the TFL on the mission. He's going to pass out a patch to each and every one of you. and I want to describe this patch. It's very important to me because you're part of this team. When he gives you this patch, I want you to take a look at it. I'm going to describe it to you and why it is what it is because there is a lot of confusion on what team is this, Virginia Task Force 1, USA 1, and how does this actually work.

[00:24:14] So I'm going to simplify it for you this morning because this is something we've taken a lot of pride in in the last couple of years. So there's two patches, but we're the one team. Why a patch? Why this morning? As I walked into here and now before me, it's the county seal.

[00:24:32] The county seal in this government building is massive. Why is it massive? It defines who you are. Every one of you believes in Fairfax County. You spoke of individuals that unfortunately have lost their lives here recently because you care about your people. The seal is what defines Fairfax County. That is one in a million.

[00:24:48] That's it. 1742, it goes on. And that is on our patch, and that is in the center. And if you notice in the center of that patch, behind your logo is the world. That means that this county goes anywhere in the world at any time. You need to take pride in that. In the center of that is a bolt. It's a lightning bolt that defines us, how we come in, effective and strong.

[00:25:05] And you question orange. Orange is a symbol of rescue, and that is why it is orange. Those are the common denominators on that patch. On the outside of that patch is urban search and rescue, which defines what this team is. And that's why there's so many people behind me. And unfortunately, the majority of them are not here this morning.

[00:25:22] But on the outside is two other things. The word VA, which stands for Virginia, and then USA. When we're deployed domestically, we're known as Virginia Task Force One. When we're deployed internationally, we're known as USA One. Two funding mechanisms. State Department versus FEMA, which doesn't matter to us.

[00:25:39] We're a go. Just tell me where and when, and we're there. The other analogy that's extremely important to me, and these guys and gals know it, is the last one at the very top right, and that is the number one. We carry that number loud and proud for many, many reasons. We take it for what it is. We are the first in Virginia, and we are the first internationally.

[00:25:56] It is not a guarantee. These things are always up for bid. This is something that we always have to compete for, and we're getting ready to again. This is not a guarantee. Just because of who we are, it's a legacy thing that we get to pass on. So here shortly, we will have to be redoing that again to prove to the world why we are the best. And we will continue to ask for your support to do that.

[00:26:13] The last thing that I basically want to say this morning is, first and foremost, when we go out and we ask and we look for support, please don't hesitate to ask questions on the why. Everybody that's in this room knows the why, and this mission ultimately showed the world our why, which is why I was so elated to see the rescues.

[00:26:35] It reminded this crew behind me of our why, and that is the only reason, is to save lives, and I'm fortunate to be blessed to do that. So with all that to say to you very much, I'll close this out like I normally do with our team. USA One. USA One! You have a good day. Thank you.

[00:26:51] Thank you very much, Battalion Chief Schoenberger, and any time you need more than three minutes, you got it.

[00:27:28] Well done, and I think we're ready for a photo. If you all could come forward and the board could rise.

[00:27:33] Great. What an amazing way to start the morning. We now have our second presentation, which is to recognize the Gin Dance Company for its artistic and cultural contributions to Fairfax County.

[00:29:36] Our speaker is Shu-Chen Kuff, Artistic Director of the Gin Dance Company. And if anyone is here with you, they're welcome to come on down and join you as well. And while you were doing that, this resolution was sponsored by Supervisor Alcorn and myself.

[00:29:52] I am going to turn to Supervisor Alcorn to read it. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Whereas, for 16 years, the Ruston-based Gin Dance Company enriched Fairfax County and the region through contemporary dance, free and accessible programming, and performances that brought together artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds.

[00:30:12] Whereas, founded in 2011 by Artistic Director Xu Chen Cuff and Executive Director Gary Cuff, Gin Dance Company blended Eastern influences with Western contemporary dance forms, including modern dance and ballet, reflecting and celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Fairfax County and Northern Virginia.

[00:30:31] And whereas, Gin Dance Company performed at renowned venues in events including the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, the D.C. Mayor's Arts Awards, Dumbo Dance Festival, TEDx Mid-Atlantic Fast Forward, and Reston Community Center, while attracting national and international artists to collaborate with the company. And whereas, Gen Dance Company worked to make dance accessible to people of all ages and abilities through partnerships with Fairfax County Public Schools, community centers, and local organizations, offering performances, educational programs, and workshops, including

[00:31:08] more than 250 free virtual dance workshops since 2020, and whereas the company further strengthened the region's dance community through the Aurora Dance Fest, bringing together more than 100 performers from 10 dance companies and showcasing the work of numerous choreographers and concluded its remarkable artistic journey with the final performance at Capital One Hall. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby recognize Gin Dance Company for its outstanding artistic contributions, commitment to accessibility, and lasting impact on the cultural life of

[00:31:48] Fairfax County, and so move. And the chair will second that, along with several others. I heard Supervisor Beerman and Supervisor Palchik. Discussion on the motion, Supervisor Alcorn. Thank you very much. Yeah, this is a little bit bittersweet, but it's certainly something that celebrates all the work that you've done. I mentioned a number of things, all the work with Reston Community Center. I speak to that locally, and this is a great example of folks coming out of Reston and doing things regionally and beyond. And I do want to just highlight as

[00:32:23] Well, one of the things that you did a few years ago, I believe, is you put on a piece called Insight with local senior communities. And my understanding is you cast dancers that were 55 and older.

[00:32:38] And then you also included audio recordings of those seniors' thoughts and experiences from working on the production. So I would just say to my colleagues that are 55 and over, there's still hope. for us if we want to get into this.

[00:32:56] Maybe not for me personally, but maybe for others. But thank you again so much, and we really do so much value your contribution to Fairfax County. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn. And let me also add my thanks.

[00:33:14] This is bittersweet in a lot of ways, but I think it's also indicative of the strength of the arts in Fairfax County and the mission to make sure those arts reach all of our people and you have done that in an exceptional way that is a model for so many others and was mentioned in the resolution you know the outreach that you've done to some of our charitable organizations to our senior centers to the community to teaching at George Mason University so many things that are parts of the roots of our community and you know we say this a lot with the arts

[00:33:50] and I don't think I can say it enough but the arts are the cure for any mental health challenges that so many people face in our community and we don't think about that very often the therapeutic value of the arts and and without you know getting emotional myself I will repeat something I learned myself which is my daughter was is a dancer she started at age four she now dances in college but growing up in a dance community and having a teenager who was living through covid and watching the effects on

[00:34:28] her of not being able to dance uh many people think of this as recreational a nice thing to do this was literally a part of her soul that was missing during covet to not be on stage with her team, with her fellow dancers, expressing themselves, and the effect that has on the mental health of so many people in our community is greatly underestimated. I got to see it firsthand. I wish many more people could see that firsthand. But just celebrating the arts and what they do for our soul in our community is really the only way to describe that. And you have done

[00:35:06] that so well for so long. And on behalf of the countless people who have experienced the arts because of your work, I say thank you to you. With that, I think we're ready for a vote. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries.

[00:35:28] And as I mentioned, our speaker is Xu Chen Cuff, the Artistic Director of Gin Dance Company. Welcome. the floor is yours. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Board of Supervisors. Gary and I and the entire Jindan's company, we are deeply honored to accept this commendation today. We especially want to thank Supervisor Alcorn and the entire board for recognizing Jindan's company's work. Sixteen years ago, when Gary and I started Jindan's company, we truly simply just wanted to accomplish

[00:36:01] our goals and achieve our missions, you know, and we want to create opportunities for artists to create, to grow, to perform, and we want to produce meaningful productions and hopefully make some impact in the community and hopefully, you know, ultimately be able to build a stronger and better community in Fairfax County.

[00:36:25] I never thought one day we'll be receiving such an honor, so thank you so much. thank you, thank you. I mean, this truly means a lot. I want to thank our wonderful, wonderful board of directors at Gin Dance Company, former and current ones. They truly, you know, we're so grateful for their trust, for their commitment, you know, and the passion for the arts and passion for Gin Dance Company and be able to help us keep moving forward and achieve our missions.

[00:36:53] I want to thank our incredible artists and our current and former gin dancers and our guests artists, and several of them are here. Truly, it's a hard, hard, hard work. Like what you say, it's not just recreational. It's truly so much hard, and so they put it in every production and impact a lot of people, touched a lot of people. So from the bottom of my heart, I'm truly grateful for all their work, for all their work. And also, I want to thank our wonderful, wonderful supporters, dear friends and families, dear, dear friends, and, you know, to be able to support us throughout this journey

[00:37:32] so we can keep moving forward. And I also want to thank Reston Community Center, PD, the Director of Arts and Culture. PD didn't come down, but oh, PD's right there. But anyhow, PD and his incredible, incredible team gave us so many opportunities to be able to share our work at the Reston Community Center stage, which is now the Lila Gordon Theater, and in the very early time of Jindan's company, and also gave us a lot of opportunities to be able to collaborate with a lot of multi-discipline artists

[00:38:12] who are renowned artists around the world, and having the privilege to work with them and continuing to grow our artistry and our work. It's unbelievable, definitely shaped Jindan's company. So I am so very, very, very grateful for PD and for Ritz and Community Center so, so, so much.

[00:38:33] And, of course, I want to thank our Arts Fairfax. Arts Fairfax, they didn't come down either. The president, Stuart Hall, and the incredible, incredible team. Of course, they have such a passion and commitment to build and strengthen the arts scene in Fairfax County.

[00:38:51] And they truly did a tremendous, tremendous, remarkable job. and to support the arts organization like us so we can keep moving forward and do what we do best, share arts to the people and to the community in the Fairfax County.

[00:39:07] So, so grateful, so grateful, very, very grateful for Arts Fairfax. Finally, I want to thank my amazing husband, which is our executive director, and to have my best friend to be my mentor, my advisor for all the-- I like to create, and the business side is all him.

[00:39:26] So the things I don't like, he take it all. He truly is amazing. - You get the blame for that. - Yeah, he's my rock, he's my rock. So thank you so much. This truly means a lot. Thank you, Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn. Thank you for the entire board. Thank you for supporting the arts.

[00:39:42] And thank you so much for this honor. Thank you. So grateful.

[00:39:55] - So well said. Thank you very much. And I will encourage our Arts Fairfax. I see Stuart and team, come on down. RCC folks, come on down. I'm encouraging you strongly to take to the stage. Come down to the stage. Come to the stage.

[00:40:13] It's your calling. And with that, we will all take a photo. And Supervisor Alcorner, join me, and the board can rise.

[00:40:33] And next up, we have a proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Pedestrian Safety Month in Fairfax County.

[00:42:08] And, of course, our speaker is Chris French, the president of Families for Safe Streets, who's coming on down. I am going to hand the gavel to Vice Chair Smith so that I can read the following proclamation. Whereas October is recognized nationally as Pedestrian Safety Month, raising awareness of the shared responsibility of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and all road users to help keep our streets safe.

[00:42:34] And whereas pedestrian safety remains a priority in Fairfax County, particularly as daylight hours grow shorter in the fall, And the message, be smart, be safe, be seen, reminds everyone traveling in our community to remain alert, visible, and attentive.

[00:42:50] And whereas Fairfax County continues to advance its safe streets for all efforts to reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries through safer transportation infrastructure, public education, and collaboration among county agencies, community partners, and residents.

[00:43:07] And whereas the county is strengthening these efforts through the development of a countywide safety action plan to identify safety concerns and guide policies, projects and strategies that make our transportation network safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

[00:43:24] And whereas everyone can help prevent crashes by slowing down, avoiding distractions, obeying traffic laws, and remaining attentive to others who walk, bike, drive, or use transit throughout Fairfax County. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim October 2026 as Pedestrian Safety Month in Fairfax County, and encourages all residents to be smart, be safe, be seen, and work together to make our roads and communities safer for everyone.

[00:44:01] I'll second that along with a lot of my colleagues. Discussion on the motion, Mr. Chairman? Yeah, thank you, Vice Chairman Smith. As the proclamation reads, you know, we are launching again our campaign that we have launched before in this county, the Take a Moment campaign.

[00:44:19] Not just take a moment, see and be seen, which is so important. And I think all of us have the experience of traveling around the county and seeing distracted drivers people crossing not in crosswalks people at night not visible so many of folks with their head in their phones instead of on the road that it is very frustrating to all of us that this is something that together we can work on to help prevent accidents from occurring but we have to do it together and it takes a concerted effort of all individuals to do this I

[00:44:58] I was reminded recently that since 2022, Fairfax County has initiated 14 pieces of legislation related to pedestrian safety in Richmond. And thankfully, three of those bills passed that have made a difference in our community.

[00:45:17] And of course, as we know, the board just recently, a few weeks ago, added more money to nearing almost the entire $100 million commitment that we've made to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Fairfax County. I know that our 2025 to 2030 transportation priority plan includes almost $370 million for pedestrian and bicycle projects.

[00:45:42] These are all important numbers and important infrastructure, but as we know, even with perfect infrastructure, too many pedestrian accidents happen because, again, It requires all of us to understand and appreciate it. And I'll just end on a personal note because I've shared this story with several and including on a land use application we just had in the Franconia district recently.

[00:46:08] As someone who likes to get out and go for afternoon runs or morning runs, I myself was hit by a vehicle in a crosswalk, thankfully not seriously injured, but it was a vehicle that was to be stopped on red.

[00:46:23] I had the pedestrian walk signal. That vehicle came around the corner, never did stop, slowed down, never did see me. And I can tell you what that did for me, which is anytime I approach a crosswalk now, unless I make eye contact with the driver in the right lane, I do not move.

[00:46:41] I do not care what that pedestrian signal on the other side of the intersection says. And that cannot happen without awareness, understanding, and unfortunately for me, personal experience. And when I go through that intersection, that intersection means something entirely different to me now than it ever did before.

[00:47:02] And I don't wish that experience upon anyone because these things are preventable. If we all pay attention, take a moment, make sure that we are seen. If you are a pedestrian, attempt to make eye contact with a driver so that they can see you as well.

[00:47:19] And we know that we've had all too many pedestrian accidents in this county recently. And when I read the descriptions of those accidents, they run the course. To pedestrians not crossing in crosswalks, to not stopping, to vehicles not stopping, to people not paying attention, to people using their phones, to darkness, to poorly marked intersections.

[00:47:42] You name it. And I know after those accidents occur, our DOT and our police department does an examination of that area to try to figure out what could have prevented that accident. And increasingly, so many times, it is a lack of attention paid by the people involved in that accident.

[00:48:02] Sometimes it's infrastructure, and when it is infrastructure, sometimes that may be an easier fix than convincing all of our people to pay attention when they're on the roadway. And so this Pedestrian Safety Month, for us, it's truly not a Pedestrian Safety Month.

[00:48:19] It is Pedestrian Safety Day every day in Fairfax County, and we will not stop saying that until we reach our goal of zero pedestrian-involved accidents in Fairfax County. And so this is an important recognition of the work of so many groups, including the people in front of us who also work on this every day, but as a testament to this being a team effort, that we all need to play a role in making sure that our constituents and residents of this county understand how important this is.

[00:48:48] Thank you. I have Supervisor Bierman in Lusk. Thank you. Engineering and education. We need to focus on engineering the roadways to be more pedestrian safe. That's why we're investing all the money in pedestrian improvements.

[00:49:05] That's why we're trying to figure out what road treatments we can work with VDOT on to make it easier to walk around. When I got into office, it was kind of like people sensed new blood. And I had this string of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts who all came to me for their citizenship in the community merit badges.

[00:49:27] And it was either seven or eight of them, and every single one was talking about how they wanted to be able to walk around more, how they wanted that opportunity. And that's the engineering part, and that's what we're working on every day. That's the fight we are constantly in with VDOT for better or for worse, or really it's a dialogue.

[00:49:47] But then there's the education piece, because you can engineer a sidewalk or a crosswalk as well as possible, and somebody can still not look up from their phone or can walk in the wrong place or can drive in the wrong way, and accidents can happen.

[00:50:05] So I think if we focus on those two things, if we work really hard on getting that right, we will start improving things around here. And that's what I think you should know the board is absolutely committed to doing. Thank you. Supervisor Lusk, then Alcorn.

[00:50:22] Thank you, Madam Vice Chairman. I'm grateful to the Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation for their dedication to keeping our roadways and walkways safe for all residents. The FCPT, Fairfax City Police Department, has routinely responded to changing concerns around pedestrian safety, including our most recent Operation Safe Right Turn.

[00:50:47] The continuing success of this program means that we are all more aware of the important traffic safety rules. As the Chairman has mentioned, and I'm also proud of this, the Board of Supervisors has dedicated $368 million to bicycle and pedestrian projects through the six-year Transportation Priorities Plan.

[00:51:06] The Fairfax County Department of Transportation continues to identify pedestrian safety concerns and make improvements using this plan. This month also reminds us that pedestrian safety is shared responsibility. I encourage all drivers to slow down, check for pedestrians, and yield at crosswalks.

[00:51:29] I also encourage all pedestrians to only cross at crosswalks, stay alert when crossing, and stay visible to drivers, especially in low-light conditions. And with that, thank you very much, Madam Vice Chairman.

[00:51:45] Thank you. I have Supervisor Alcorn and Sizemore Hauser. Thank you very much, Madam Vice Chairman. So first of all, I wanted to thank you, Chris, and Mike, and the whole team at Fairfax Families for Safe Streets. This is really an important collaboration, I would say.

[00:52:03] We in county government, we can't do this by ourselves. I mean, this is a whole community effort. And the work that you're doing and have done has been a really, really important contribution to the long-term fixes that we need to do.

[00:52:20] On some issues, you might find one or two board members that are particularly interested. This one you get just about all of us. I mean, this is truly one where, you know, I was going back and looking and the very first month we were on the board, Supervisor Leska and I did a board matter on this.

[00:52:38] And we were reminded that this was not the first time, you know, there had been an effort. And I think Jeremy McKay and Supervisor Faust and maybe Supervisor, I can't remember. And clearly this is a long-term, long-term challenge that we face as a county.

[00:52:57] And I think the solutions are all of the above. This is not just an infrastructure problem. It's not just a traffic safety issue. And now, of course, we're emerging and we're going into a time when new types of vehicles are available.

[00:53:19] And that just raises all sorts of new issues for us to worry about and to try to deal with. So with your help and engagement and push from time to time, we can move the needle. So thank you.

[00:53:35] Supervisor Sizemore Heiser, then Palczyk. Thank you. Thank you for your advocacy and your work. As the newest member of the board, I'm really grateful to the work you have been doing and will continue to do in the partnership. I agree with what my colleagues have said, so I'm not going to repeat.

[00:53:52] Many of this is also a runner who has been almost hit by a car. I always tell people, you might have the right-of-way, but you're going to lose this battle. So, you know, make the eye contact. So it's something I've taught my children to cross the street, make sure you make eye contact. I think, you know, it's interesting having the Braddock Road renovation in my district.

[00:54:13] There's been conversations, and it's a focus on multimodal around that renovation. And there's been some conversations, people are like, well, people don't really walk. Do we need the multimodal? And I think this lifts up why we really do need multimodal. You know, we're retrofitting a county, I think, where there's many areas without sidewalks.

[00:54:31] There's bus stops on Braddock Road that don't have a sidewalk right by them. So I think these are all some of the challenges we face in terms of the engineering and working with VDOT. But as we get more crowded, as we have more traffic, as people are less able to afford cars and gas or able to drive for a variety of reasons, it's more important than ever that we practice It's not just what is appropriate pedestrian safety, but just what is required to win that battle, as I call it, with my kids.

[00:54:59] So thank you for the advocacy you do. I think it's on all of us to keep each other safe. Thank you. Supervisor Palchuk, then Stork. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. I also want to thank you, Chris. We've been working on this for many years, and I know you were as shocked and heartbroken as I was to have a student from our alma mater.

[00:55:23] killed this year, I used to take that same route. And so I know that you've been invested in this. I know that I'm grateful because, yes, we've been working on small projects, right? But now having both you, your team, and our state representatives really focus on the larger structural issues, especially in our older parts of the county. And this is what I brought up at our legislative meeting, and our delegates are very interested in parts that were built between the 60s and the 90s that have lower car ownership, higher vulnerability. I'm thankful my neighborhood

[00:55:59] was built before the zoning ordinance, so there are a little bit more sidewalks. But just outside of that, we know just how treacherous it can be. And I would say that the one piece that was missing, the 30, is enforcement. And that is critical, especially having more authority from the state. And I know you're working on some more. Happy to work with you on that, on how to make it automatic, because we don't want it to be always on our officers out on the streets doing this work.

[00:56:28] But it is, there are areas, and they are interested in helping us target those areas. And there's just one project, and we're working to speed those up, and I appreciate my colleagues' work on that is, I was still on the school board, 2015 Shreve Road Elementary School, and there was a pedestrian fatality and we are finally getting our project in 2027 our safe routes to school crosswalk from the WNOD trail over to Shrevewood Elementary School and so I know it takes everybody but as

[00:57:04] we especially continue to see lower car ownership higher vulnerability and yes lack of attention whether they are tools to help us enforce I know there are cars that have technology as well that help ensure that people are paying attention and that we get your support and your help, as Supervisor Alcorn said, with our community, but also with our state legislature to give us more tools. And honestly, we know $100 million doesn't go a long way, unfortunately. So targeted

[00:57:37] support, whether it's on corridor studies or improvements, we really, really appreciate your support you and the Tire Safe Families for Safer Streets. So thank you. Supervisor Stork, then Harrity. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair, and thank you, Supervisor Alcorn and Chairman, for bringing this forward.

[00:57:58] Whether it's Pedestrian Safety Month or, frankly, we know it's eternally pedestrian safety awareness, and I think we recognize that while we may be better than we were 20 or 30 years ago, we were far, far, far away from where we want to be.

[00:58:14] Whether you call it vision zero, that frankly hasn't been particularly successful in D.C. and other areas. Maybe made a slight difference, but we recognize that there's something else that we have to find and figure out. And I'm here to say that, again, whether it's take a moment, which I think has a lot of the elements, or see and be seen, which has a lot of the elements, none of those are going to be enough because in the end, with our robotaxis or Waymoor or whatever, getting that eye contact will frankly not really be possible anymore.

[00:58:45] So, you know, looking forward to working with you for ways to ensure that those taxis of the future have clarity about and the pedestrian has clarity or the bike rider has or the runner has clarity about whether or not that particular autonomous vehicle truly is seeing them.

[00:59:04] Look forward to doing that. And we also recognize that bus rapid transit system, the one, if you will, while it's going to be a huge, major impact on the highway in terms of mass transit and improving the access that people will have to the corridor, we also recognize it's going to create, in my mind, even more challenges to pedestrian safety because we have a little bit further highway to cross or you have barriers that will make it harder to cross.

[00:59:32] And frankly, where you can cross will not be any more than what it is now, and frankly, will be a little bit less. So there's plenty of opportunities for us to work together and plenty of ways that we can make a difference. But I have no illusions about Vision Zero.

[00:59:49] I have a lot of commitment to trying to find more ways to reduce those pedestrian fatalities and, frankly, encounters, if you will. And you can count on me to continue doing that. So thank you very much for your work. Thank you. Supervisor Herity.

[01:00:05] Yes, let me start by saying thank you for what you're doing, because I think it's important. You know, I'm not going to try to repeat everything that said Supervisor Alcorn said it best. Probably it's going to take an all the above approach. One of the things that I know Supervisor Storks brought up in the past, but making jaywalking back to a primary offense, not so we can find people and put them to jail so our police have a tool to enforce people that are crossing the road where they shouldn't be.

[01:00:35] We've got our legislative hearing at 3 o'clock. I invite you to come back and see if we can get that on our board's legislative agenda. Thank you. Many of you were at the Northern Virginia Transportation Town Hall. I know I saw you there. I fear we have a bigger challenge in front of us that nobody has a really good answer to yet, and I'm looking for one, and that is the e-scooters, e-e-motorcycles.

[01:01:00] And that's going to make our whole pedestrian bike ped infrastructure challenges even that much harder. So we've got a lot of work ahead of us. Thank you for what you are doing, and I appreciate what you do. Thank you.

[01:01:16] I guess I'll say a couple things. And thank you, Chris, for getting to meet you and talk with you last night. I'm really happy that our police department is focused on the right turn on red and the right turns, Because when I think back to my training as a driver, you come up to the intersection, look for cars.

[01:01:34] Nobody ever said look for pedestrians. And I think especially since the pandemic, more people are out there driving. And so that education piece is going to be really important. And with our youth, and, you know, a lot of times you're afraid to say something to somebody if you see them not paying attention.

[01:01:52] And the chairman knows that I told a young person, you know, you need to watch where you're going. And people are looking at their phones. And so it's going to take the community. It's going to take an effort from all of us. But we are up to the job.

[01:02:09] So with no further discussion, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Vice Chairman Smith, and I witnessed her doing what she just said, and I won't tell you what the response back was, but it wasn't good.

[01:02:28] But it was another one of those lessons of, unfortunately, someone was inconvenienced by one of us saying, can you pay attention and put your phone down for a minute while you're walking across the middle of a parking lot? And they were agitated that they were inconvenienced by being told that.

[01:02:44] And I think that speaks to this being an all-in situation. And so I appreciate you bringing that up, Supervisor Smith. With that, we have Chris French, who is here with us today, who, of course, is president of Families for Safe Streets.

[01:03:01] The floor is yours. Welcome. Thank you, Chairman McKay and members of the board, for recognizing October 2026 as Pedestrian Safety Month. On behalf of Fairfax Families for Safe Streets and my fellow board members, Mike, Karen, and Katie, who are here with me today, I just wanted to say thank you for the proclamation and recognizing that pedestrian safety is a serious problem that we need to work together to solve.

[01:03:26] Every day, we walk to school, we walk to work, walk to a bus stop, walk our dogs, just walk for recreation. We are all pedestrians. So in that sense, if anyone in the auditorium would like to join us down here today, you're welcome to do so.

[01:03:42] This proclamation recognizes that safe streets require infrastructure, education, and increased collaboration among county agencies, community partners, and residents. And that word, collaboration, is particularly important to us. And I did not put Supervisor Alcorn up to saying that earlier, but collaboration is particularly important to us.

[01:04:02] We don't see ourselves as an organization standing outside of the process and simply pointing out problems. We want to be a partner in solving them. And we stand ready to help, to bring residents' experiences to the table, to help identify opportunities and work constructively with you towards solutions.

[01:04:25] And there are some exciting opportunities ahead. The General Assembly has recently given you new tools that can help. For example, we've had recent success in the expansion of the speed safety camera program into high crash corridors, as well as now the new ability to install stop sign cameras in our school zones.

[01:04:45] We look forward to both proven safety measures and technologies being implemented soon in Fairfax and working with the county to make thoughtful and effective use of these authorities here in Fairfax. We also look forward to the renewed focus on our Safe Streets for All program and the new countywide safety action plan, and we look forward to the work of the new joint task force that we learned about some last night, tasked with breaking down the barriers that might be preventing us from ensuring the safety of our school children as they move to and from school.

[01:05:17] And we look forward to working with our Fairfax delegation in Richmond, as well as with you, to pursue additional changes to Virginia law necessary to give you and other local officials the tools they need to make our streets safer. There is an enormous opportunity for the board, county staff, neighborhood organizations, schools, businesses, advocates, and residents to work together to identify where people feel unsafe, understand why, and find practical solutions before more people get hurt.

[01:05:52] Those solutions may require improved infrastructure, as you've mentioned. They may require speed management, enforcement, education, or changes in state law. But the most important thing we can do is listen to the people who use those streets every day. And I do want to address one thing that I heard a few board members say.

[01:06:11] These incidents that we're talking about, they're not accidents. Almost without exception, these are preventable pedestrian-involved crashes. I didn't wear it today, but I usually have a pin that says crashes are not accidents. So as we mark Pedestrian Safety Month, we know that making Fairfax County safer won't happen overnight.

[01:06:31] But every safe crossing, every safe street, every person who gets home safely is progress and another tragedy prevented. Thank you very much. Thank you very much, Chris. And you have left us. Did you want to mention something about these items that we have, too, and the importance of them?

[01:06:50] Yeah, I think you have some, like, LED blinkers, safety blinkers, and reflective armbands. FCDOT also often hands these things out. Yes, and important. there you go October is not a coincidence this is the time of year where we have increasing darkness in the morning and evenings and unfortunately we see pedestrian involved crashes and fatalities rise dramatically in October and November of those months we agree, our mantra is you were talking about be seen making eye contact, eye contact is difficult so our usual thing is look wave it's wave, right? Eye contact is difficult

[01:07:29] wave, get a response that's right yep and get that response that's right very well said and then finally before we pose for a photo mr. castrilli is here did you want to say a word about the campaign that we're starting good morning chairman mccain members of the board of the supervisors Tony extremely director of public affairs yeah we are coordinating with the public safety partners and police and fire fcd se dot and other county agencies to

[01:08:03] Coordinate efforts, make sure messaging is focused, and it's a new campaign that is going to include the handouts that you just shared and others, other handouts, stickers, bracelets that reflect the reflectors you saw that could be placed on people or bikes in an effort to get that material to our community centers, libraries, other locations that could be shared with the public to help in this very challenging time regarding this issue that we all agree on.

[01:08:32] Messaging is a key part of it. There's other aspects that are necessary to be successful, but we are looking forward to this campaign and working with the board on that. Thank you. Thank you very much, and thank you for OPA for coordinating that. With that, I think we're ready for a photo, and if Supervisor Bierman and Luss could join me, and the board will rise.

[01:09:48] All right, next we have a proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Fairfax County.

[01:10:51] And this was requested by myself and Supervisor Palczyk. Our speaker is Nicole Wright-Patrick, Mason District Commissioner on the Fairfax County Commission for Women. If you could come down, and anyone else who is here to support this proclamation is welcome to come join you as well.

[01:11:08] And while you are doing that, I will recognize Supervisor Palczyk to read the proclamation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whereas domestic violence is a serious public health and safety concern that impacts individuals, families, and communities nationwide, regardless of age, gender, race, socioeconomic background, or status.

[01:11:29] And whereas nearly one in four women and one in seven men experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime, while many others experience emotional, financial, and psychological abuse. And whereas domestic violence-related homicides have made up about 36% of all homicides in Fairfax County since FY 2024.

[01:11:55] And while overall homicide numbers have remained unchanged during this time, those that are domestic violence-related have increased by 133% from FY 24 to FY 26. And whereas survivors and their families may face significant barriers to safety and stability, including economic hardship, a lack of affordable housing, limited access to services and language barriers, underscoring the importance of accessible and responsive community support.

[01:12:28] And whereas Fairfax County is committed to standing with survivors of domestic violence, promoting their safety and well-being, holding offenders accountable, and working collaboratively across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to provide resources, services, and support.

[01:12:50] And whereas the 2026 Domestic Violence Awareness Month theme, Until Everyone is Safe, calls on communities to move from awareness to action by affirming that we will not stop listening to survivors, supporting their needs, and standing together in safety, support, and solidarity until everyone is safe.

[01:13:12] Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Fairfax County and urges all residents to stand with survivors, raise awareness, support prevention efforts, and take action toward building safer homes and communities for all.

[01:13:39] I'm happy to second that motion. Discussion on the motion, Supervisor Palchuk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you all of you here today. I know you represent an even larger coalition of practitioners on the ground, survivors, advocates, and this true partnership and ecosystem we have here in Fairfax County to help reduce incidents and increase awareness, and action. Since FY 2024, domestic violence-related homicides have accounted,

[01:14:11] as I mentioned, for 36% of all homicides in the county. And in 2025, Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence Services served 2,624 clients through its 24-hour hotline, a 27% increase from FY24. Finally, in FY26, calls to the Lethality Assessment Protocol, known as LAP, line increased by 7%. And July 2026 had the highest number of lap calls in the past five years. We know that some

[01:14:45] of it is by increased awareness and advocacy, and it includes all of our partners, whether it be in the courts, in the police, in our nonprofit community, in our communities, to help increase that. We know that we can help by learning to recognize the signs of abuse, supporting survivors without judgment and ensure that those experiencing violence know how to best help.

[01:15:10] Right now, the CDC estimates that more than one in three women and more than one in six men in the United States have experienced violence from a partner. I know many of you from our work with the Council to End Domestic Violence and the efforts you and our community make every single day.

[01:15:28] But as is shared for this year, awareness is not enough. We must all take action, whether it's ensuring access by language or by space or ability to listen to survivors to help support them, support our families, address issues around lack of housing, lack of health care, rising insecurity, especially in our community, as so many have lost their jobs, their livelihood, and are struggling to make ends meet.

[01:16:03] Without the work, I'm scared of how much higher those numbers would be. But I know that every single call we make and really raising the awareness and ensuring that people have a safe place to go. So if you can, be that person for someone this year.

[01:16:18] Ensure that they know they can turn to you and that we have a network of support. So to that, I look forward to hearing from our speaker. And once again, we wear purple for this month, But I know that you're out there every day and ensuring a safe place for our community members.

[01:16:37] Thank you. Supervisor Pouchek, Supervisor Sizemore Heiser. Thank you. I just had to speak up a little bit around this issue. It is so important, but I think it's important to recognize our history. First, thank you for the Women's Commission.

[01:16:52] My daughter was actually a commissioner when she was in high school, so I have a special spot for your heart. And being on the Council to End Domestic Violence now and someone who worked at legal aid before I started law school as well, helping women mostly apply for TROs, restraining orders. It's a space I've worked in.

[01:17:09] But I think it's important to recognize our history also, in addition to the great words that Supervisor Palchuk shared. But until 1993, it was not illegal in all states when a husband raped his wife.

[01:17:26] 1993, that was not that long ago. I think that's really important to recognize that the fight to end domestic violence, While really, I think, first came to light in late 1870s, when some of the first states passed laws banning marital rape, it wasn't really enforced well, and it wasn't banned in all states until 1993, when many of the women in this room were already adults.

[01:17:53] I just wanted to put that fact out there, that when we think we've won this battle or we've come a long way, we have, but we have such a long way to go, and this history is new, and we have to keep working like you all are doing to protect our progress and move forward. It still remains one of the most underreported crimes for men and women. And so it is really important. And I think it's important to point out culturally that there are cultural differences, but also we need to point out in our culture, when we see it in our TV shows, when we see it in things that we revere, I'd say I use this example a lot, but why are we still

[01:18:32] watching the I Love Lucy episode where he beats, where he spanks his wife? Why are we watching that episode still. And I bring that up because I think when we see things like that and don't call it out, it normalizes it. So I just wanted to put that out there. I love the work you are doing. Let's call it out when we see it. Let's call out the fact that this battle is new in the areas that we've won and there's a lot more battles to win. So thank you for your work. Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Great to see so many of you standing before us today. And Nicole, I'm thrilled that you're here today to receive this proclamation as our Mason District appointee to the Fairfax

[01:19:07] Commission for Women, you do an incredible job advocating for women's equality and justice. As you've mentioned to me in the past, 75% of individuals who experience domestic violence identify as female. With Mason District having a predominant immigrant and minority population, those 75% of survivors are typically left unseen or unheard due to fear of repercussion or lack of support. However, due to activism and advocacy efforts from people like yourself and those among you, women in Mason District and across Fairfax County, are not just being thought of,

[01:19:42] but actively fought for. So on behalf of Mason District and myself, thank you for all that you do. Supervisor Stork. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to acknowledge absolutely the importance of your work and the importance of making domestic violence not something behind the scenes, but something that's real, happens all around us and happens within our own families and our own many, many relationships. And having options for those individuals is really what I think this is all about, empowering them, giving them the opportunity to choose to not be a victim, to

[01:20:20] choose ways of moving on from that relationship. And that means having housing and services and very, very pleased with the work that particularly the chairman and I did many years ago, but it still serves the Richmond Highway Corridor well to ensure that we have those kind of resources.

[01:20:39] We still have inadequate amounts of housing. We still have inadequate amounts of resources. The Jerry Highland Center and the South County Center is clearly one of those places. If you're not comfortable calling, you can clearly go to the center and get that support and care. And that came about because of some women in our community who stood up and said, Maddie Palmore in particular, Karen Stone and Lisa Sayles, Those folks recognize that we couldn't stand by and not ensure that there weren't resources in housing and availability locally.

[01:21:13] So throughout the county, we have more to do, but I'm pleased and honored that you all are here to recognize not only the progress that we've made, but also remind us that we have far more to go. So, again, my thanks and appreciation to all of you. Thank you, Supervisor Stork, and thank you for mentioning the last part, because this was one of the first true tests of our One Fairfax policy.

[01:21:35] The idea that there was not domestic violence shelter space available in South County. Thankfully, now when we think about service provisions in this county, we make sure that geographically, no matter what zip code you live in, you have access to services.

[01:21:52] And to that end, I did want to focus a little bit on that because what folks haven't seen yet, and they'll see when we take our picture here in a moment, is just how many people are here that do this work. And I think the most powerful message we can share in the community in moments like now is that we live in a community that has services.

[01:22:14] We live in a community that has people working on this issue. And so the tremendous amount of courage and self-risk in many cases it takes for someone to come forward, you know, rewarding that courage is that we have help for people who find themselves in that situation.

[01:22:32] and continuing the process of not coming forward and getting that assistance can lead to tragedy, as we too well know from the statistics that we have in front of us. And so it is so important not only the work you do, but for us to reiterate that you're out there, that we have angels in this community who will help people through very difficult times, and that's a subset of them are before us here today, and I think we need to remind our folks of that.

[01:22:59] And so we wear purple today. A couple of us wear purple today. But this is like our last proclamation, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month is October. But the work needs to take place every minute of every day. And I think that's an important thing for us to remind all of our residents of.

[01:23:19] So thank you all for being here. The network of people, county employees, nonprofits, advocates, residents, victims, public safety individuals, all of you are necessary in this work. And so thank you. With that, we're ready for a vote.

[01:23:34] All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. And she's been mentioned a few times already, but we have Nicole Wright-Patrick, who is the Mason District Commissioner on the Fairfax County Commission for Women.

[01:23:51] Welcome. The floor is yours. Thank you so much. Good morning, everyone. Thank you so much for the distinct honor of accepting this proclamation. My name is Nicole Wright-Patrick. I'm truly humbled to be standing before you today to represent the Fairfax County Commission for Women and the Mason District.

[01:24:10] The individuals who experience domestic violence are, as Supervisor Jimenez said, estimated to be nearly 75 percent female. And in Fairfax County, five-year trends show that support services such as mental health counseling and housing, are overwhelmingly accessed by women.

[01:24:31] These individuals defy all stereotypes and preconceptions. They come from all demographics, walks of life, and languages spoken at home. But they all have one thing in common. They comprise the very fabric of our community.

[01:24:49] That community is so much more than the sum of its parts. Like a tapestry, we're woven together. Threads of beautiful colors, shapes, and sizes that create something truly special. This year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month theme, Until Everyone is Safe, One Community Interwoven, elevates this idea, and it is also a call to action.

[01:25:15] Domestic violence is a multifaceted, complex issue that demands an equally multifaceted response. Working across disciplines, public health, education, health care, law enforcement, social services, will unite us in the tapestry of our community, in the service of individuals who have experienced domestic violence.

[01:25:39] We must continue to meet them where they are if we are to have an impact on this pervasive issue. The Commission for Women stands with and for individuals who have experienced and are experiencing domestic violence.

[01:25:55] Know that your story is your own. We see you, we hear you, and we support you. This year, let us all build on the tapestry that we weave together as a community, whether we are service providers, the vertical, warp threads that provide the backbone of a tapestry, or individuals with lived experience, the horizontal weft threads, whose bright colors form a complete picture of strength and resilience.

[01:26:23] We all have a vital part to play. Again, please accept my gratitude, sincere gratitude for this honor, as we mark this year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Thank you. Thanks to everybody. Thank you very much, Nicole.

[01:26:48] And with that, I think we're ready for a photo. And if all of you could come forward and face the audience and Supervisor Palczyk and I will join you.

[01:28:01] They're all ready.

[01:28:46] They want to get out of here and get to work. They're community planners. All right. Finally, we have a proclamation recognizing October 2026 as Community Planning Month in Fairfax County. And being community planners, they have planned ahead and they are already assembling, which is wonderful.

[01:29:07] Our speaker, of course, is Tracy Strunk, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development, and this proclamation was requested by myself and by Vice Chair Smith. And with that, I am going to turn to Vice Chair Smith to make a motion. Thank you very much.

[01:29:23] Whereas change is constant in communities, and thoughtful planning helps counties, cities, and towns anticipate change, respond to evolving needs, and make informed decisions about future growth and development. And whereas professional planners help communities navigate change through their expertise in land use, housing, transportation, environmental protection, public facilities, heritage resources, revitalization, urban design, and other areas that contribute to vibrant, resilient, and well-planned communities.

[01:29:59] And whereas community planning provides residents with meaningful opportunities to help shape the future of their communities, and Fairfax County is committed to fostering inclusive and accessible public participation in the planning process. And whereas Fairfax County has a long history of thoughtful community planning, beginning with the adoption of its first comprehensive plan in 1958, and continues to rely on sound planning principles, effective comprehensive plan implementation, and the leadership of elected and appointed officials to guide the county's growth and development.

[01:30:36] And whereas, October is recognized nationally as Community Planning Month by the American Planning Association, providing an opportunity to highlight the importance of planning and to recognize the valuable contributions and continued commitment to public service of Fairfax County's planning and development professionals.

[01:30:56] Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of all residents of Fairfax County, does hereby proclaim October 2026 as Community Planning Month in Fairfax County and encourages all residents to recognize the important role of community planning in shaping a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future for our community.

[01:31:20] I so move. And I'm happy to second that motion, along with several of my colleagues. Let me just say several of them. Discussion on the motion, Supervisor Smith. You know, I just have to smile looking out at our professional staff here.

[01:31:38] You guys do such an excellent job. And it's not easy. You know, when people move somewhere, it's, like, perfect to them. And so to take that job, to visualize the future, to be open to changes, and we've changed our processes over time, and I think we've gotten better at this work, right?

[01:32:00] The community voice is so important in this work, and how do you reach out to more of the community? Really, the proclamation had all the right words in it to encompass what we do. I just want you to know that this Board of Supervisors appreciates the difficulty of your work, the professionalism of your work, and we can't thank you enough for everything you do.

[01:32:21] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Smith. Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, thank you, and I very much appreciate the opportunity to be part of the recognition of this. This is, you know, a lot of thoughts go through my head, but, you know, one thing that jumps out is we had an earlier proclamation for Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month, and there was some discussion of infrastructure there.

[01:32:44] It's a great example of how good planning at least can improve the likelihood that we get it right, and how when we need to go back and replan an area, there's significant potential for improvements in making things safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

[01:33:05] You know, this is something, you know, I think in the long run, thoughtful, good planning wins in terms of a place where people want to work, live, and play.

[01:33:22] And I think that's being proved out, not just here in Fairfax County, but in other places around the country. So it's not just planning itself, and it's not just engagement of the community itself, but it's the thoughtfulness that goes into it and the collaboration that actually creates plans that stand the test of time and actually show results in the long run.

[01:33:48] And a lot of things we do are not looking this far out into the future. And so sometimes, you know, the benefits or the rewards for your work isn't always immediately apparent. But rest assured, what you're doing is critical.

[01:34:07] And I want to join in what the vice chairman said about how much we all appreciate everything that you do. Thank you. Thank you. Supervisor Lusk. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm hearkening back to a conversation I had with then-supervisor Jerry Connolly.

[01:34:29] So Jerry calls me into his office. I was an aide back in 1995, and he says, you know, I'm really tired of looking at those gargoyles on the side of that Johnson automotive.

[01:34:45] I'm really tired of seeing all those U-Haul crane and rental establishments in the heart of Mayerfield. And he goes, we've got to do something about that. And I remember thinking, okay, let me call the planning staff and talk about what we should consider for future development in that area.

[01:35:10] And after many years of process, including working with the business community, working with the residents, we came up with the plan for Mayer Field. And I was so fortuitous on the day that they did the opening for the Angelica movie theater, Jerry and I arrived at the same time.

[01:35:32] So we're walking up to the door and just before we open the door, he pauses and he says, so what do you think about this project? And I looked at him and I said, Jerry, it's so much more amazing than I ever anticipated.

[01:35:50] it. And he said something to me, tapped me on my arm, and he said, remember, you had a hand in that. All of the folks who were standing before me who were here during that discussion of the Merrifield plan, all of you had something to do with that project as well. So I just appreciate the energy and the effort, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness that goes into thinking about how we reimagine places in Fairfax County and it does make a difference. We are trying to do what we think

[01:36:28] is right and I know sometimes it's not always supported. I think we make tough decisions here on this board but when we see the aftermath and we see the products that are the result of that effort it is extremely powerful. So thank you for all that you do. Thank you Supervisor Lusk and And let me also thank you all.

[01:36:48] And that description of that one area is replicated, of course, across the county. And we appreciate all the work that's done regularly to make sure we have a well-planned county. And part of that is constantly rethinking past thoughts about how we plan, whether it's putting pedestrian safety at the forefront, putting affordable housing at the forefront, protecting the environment at the forefront.

[01:37:14] You know, I have this conversation a lot with folks when it comes to revitalization in particular that a lot of our revitalization projects are taking, in some ways, not necessarily mistakes, but shortcomings in the way we plan and the way we deal with the environment and connectivity and making them modern.

[01:37:34] And that is essential to quality of life. And it's not just quality of life. It's pedestrian safety. It's protecting our environment and our planet. but it's making places where people want to live. And let's be honest, there's been a lot of change in where people want to live, the environments they want to work in.

[01:37:53] And that has accelerated rapidly, I would say, in the last few years. And so what I want to thank you all for is the tireless work that's been put into modernizing our comprehensive plan. is not an easy undertaking, to rewriting our zoning ordinance and modernizing it after decades of no changes to it. These are not easy lifts. These are heavy lifts of our staff, heavy lifts of our community, heavy lifts of the board, and I will also add heavy lifts of the Planning Commission, who does a lot of this work in space too. And so when we celebrate

[01:38:29] Community Planning Month, we're celebrating all the pieces that make that happen. Everything from the professional staff to the residents, to the planning commission, to the board, to everyone who plays a part in that. It is so important to have the citizen input, but also to have that citizen input weighed against the professional county staff's judgments and recommendations. The last thing I'll mention is, you know, there's been a lot of talk lately about data centers. And in our role in the Virginia Association of Counties, I can tell you that one of the reasons why

[01:39:04] people like me are suggesting that the state come up with some standards for data centers is not because I'm concerned about the professional judgment of our staff here, because we rewrote our data center standards and made them much stricter. What I am worried about is there are places in Virginia that lack the professionalism, the intelligence, the input that our professional staff has here. We do not take that for granted. There are parts of the state that have planning departments of a couple people who there's no way they have this sophistication level to guide

[01:39:39] the right way to develop their communities in the way that we have here. And that is why partnerships with the state on some of this stuff becomes important because we set a standard. I had people in other counties ask me for our language on data centers, and it wasn't because they thought I was a particularly smart guy. It was because they knew behind the county was a core of professional county staff people that vet these issues. And you can bet that our language is better than just about anywhere else in the state, and you can pull that and use it.

[01:40:10] And so that is a testament to the work that all of you do and that our community does collectively. And so we said earlier all these months that we have are not really months because you do community planning every single day professionally. And so it may be community planning month in Fairfax County, but we know that is every day as well. And we thank you for that. And so with that, I think we're ready for a vote. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed?

[01:40:38] Any abstentions? That motion carries. And I mentioned we had Tracy Strunk, Director of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development in front of us. Welcome. The floor is yours. Thank you. Good morning, Chairman and members of the board. It's a different standing at the dais. We're all used to sitting back in the first rows. But I wanted to thank you all for recognizing Community Planning Month, and more importantly, for recognizing the people who make planning possible. It's particularly true in Fairfax County that change is constant, and good planning helps us navigate that change thoughtfully and intentionally. At its best, planning is about asking fundamental questions. How do we want our communities to grow? How do we make sure there's

[01:41:18] opportunities for people to live here? How do we move around our county? And how do we protect the places and the resources that make Fairfax special and make sure that residents have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of their communities? Fairfax County has understood the value of planning for generations. As you noted, the first comprehensive plan was adopted in 1958, and many of those principles continue to guide us today. Focusing growth in appropriate areas, honoring established neighborhoods, reducing dependence on the automobile, and protecting environmentally sensitive areas.

[01:41:53] But planning is not ever finished. The county that we're planning for today is very different than the county of 1958 or even the county from 1998 when I started working here. Our planners are helping us to respond to that change every day, working on everything from land use to housing to environmental protection, from public facilities to heritage resources, revitalization and urban design, the future of our activity centers, and new ideas that we're bringing up, like suburban village centers.

[01:42:23] Increasingly, planning means finding new and better ways to engage our community. Fairfax County is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth, and our planners are working to ensure that that diversity is reflected in our planning processes. We translate materials and hold workshops in multiple languages, including sign language.

[01:42:42] We provide interpretation at public hearings. We offer both virtual and in-person opportunities for participation. And we've been creating new tools, like our community toolkit, for individual groups to run their own meetings and provide feedback, which brings us into the communities where people are.

[01:42:59] I also want to recognize the many professionals who contribute to this work. Planning is inherently collaborative, and our planners work alongside land use attorneys, engineers, transportation, environmental and historic preservation professionals, community members, other county agencies.

[01:43:18] Our planning commission, I believe Chairman Nijelski-Eichner is here with us today. Thank you. And, of course, the Board of Supervisors. And that's one of the things that really makes planning such rewarding work, in my opinion. We don't do this alone. We collaborate. We listen. We work through the difficult questions, and we ultimately help turn a community's vision into policies, plans, and places where people want to work and live and build their lives.

[01:43:45] So on behalf of the Department of Planning and Development, thank you to the board for this recognition and for your continued support of thoughtful community planning. And to the planners in DPD, those who are with me today and those who weren't able to join us, thank you for the expertise, the creativity, the dedication, and the commitment to public service that you bring to this work every day.

[01:44:05] This work is not always easy, it's not always visible, but it does make an enormous difference to the communities that we serve. The communities that we enjoy today are the results of decades of planning, collaboration, and community vision, and the work that we do today will shape Fairfax County for decades to come.

[01:44:22] It's a privilege to be a part of that work, and I'm very proud to accept this resolution on behalf of DPD. Thank you. Thank you very much, Tracy.

[01:44:39] Well said, and I think we're ready for a photo. I am going to invite the chairman of our planning commission, Phil Michelski-Eichner, down for the photo as well. And with that, if everyone could come forward and face the audience, and Supervisor Smith, then I will join you.

[01:45:36] All right.

[01:46:42] Next up, we have a presentation of the Volunteer Fire Commission Awards and annual report. And for that, we always welcome, and he's on his way down, Sean Stokes, the chair of the Volunteer Fire Commission, who is going to share some thoughts with us.

[01:46:58] Welcome, Chief Stokes. I always get this. Set the wrong direction. Well, good morning, Chairman McKay and members of the Board of Supervisors.

[01:47:14] I am Sean Stokes, fire chief of the Dunloring Volunteer Fire Department and chairman of the Volunteer Fire Commission. The Volunteer Fire Commission, along with our volunteer members, the leadership of Fire and Rescue, and members of staff are here today to provide a short presentation on the volunteer system and honor our volunteer award members.

[01:47:31] We have a joke in my house about me giving one-word answers. Tonight at dinner, my wife will ask, how was the presentation? Fine. We've been married 11 years. She's still trying to get used to it. I'll answer the question of the day here, how is the volunteer system, with good.

[01:47:51] And it is good. But as with everything in life, nothing is ever just a one-word answer. Your volunteers continue to help Fire and Rescue meet its mission to the community, providing high-quality, timely emergency services, supporting community outreach and public education, and being a unique connection to the community unlike any other.

[01:48:12] Operationally, your 350-plus operational members are one of a kind in the county, able to provide additional resources in the system, both whole units and working with career crews, to supplement or maintain staffing. For example, your volunteer firefighters and EMTs stepped up this year to provide staffing during the USAR deployment that we heard about here earlier this morning, when 70 members of the department were out of the country, and the July 4th and 250th celebrations that took place here in DC.

[01:48:43] Later this month, we will support the regional event of the Marine Corps Marathon. We operate additional units to fill in for those that are out of service or covering special events and provide staffing to supplement career units to keep them in service at safe levels. The coordination with fire and rescue has been excellent with adjustments made as needed and stands as a testament to the partnership and leadership of fire and rescue and the volunteers.

[01:49:05] Administratively, we continue to expand our portfolio of community support programs around firefighter rehabilitation, fire and personal safety. Your volunteers, operational and administrative, continue to provide key outreach and training on topics such as CPR, stop the bleed, and general fire safety through education and outreach, like last weekend's open house, and the smoke detector distribution programs.

[01:49:30] And I'd like to add why we saw a lot of the social media from the board members at our open house events. Thank you very much for coming out. It was great to see so many of you there. And of course, our canteen program is a key component of major emergency response within fire and rescue.

[01:49:48] Now, this is normally the point where I mention any concerns that we may have. I'm going to go back to my one-word answer, transition. The last year for the volunteer system has been both encouraging and challenging, and we have a little ways to go. In more than a year, a little more than a year, we've had both members of the volunteer liaison's office retire with 25 years of institutional knowledge leaving in short order.

[01:50:14] That in and of itself is a blessing and a curse. Their knowledge and dedication was an important part of our system. Getting a new viewpoint is helping to reinvigorate the system and allowing us to make changes and make the system better. But at the same time, we need to continue to operate, and that was a lot of institutional knowledge to walk out.

[01:50:32] So it has taken a lot of our focus from more strategic goals to keep things running as smoothly as possible. We are working closely with Chief Butler and his staff and believe the tactical changes will set the stage for moving forward on a long-term strategy for the system once they are in place.

[01:50:48] But transition is more than just the tactics of managing the volunteer system. We recognize that by this time next year, both the deputy county exec for public safety and the fire chief will have retired, and both will have new people in those positions, all in an election year for the board with the potential for transition and change that comes with that.

[01:51:07] It's a lot of moving parts, and while we are a visible cog, we are still just one cog in the system and don't want to be overlooked or left behind. As we navigate all of this transition and the direct impact it can have on us, we want to continue working together strategically to ensure our partnership continues far into the future.

[01:51:26] With your dedicated volunteers, the majority of which are county residents directly serving their community, combined with the proactive leadership from Chief Butler and his staff, and the support of you, our elected officials, we look forward to continuing our over 120 years of service to the county of Fairfax.

[01:51:46] Before we move on to the awards, Mr. Chairman, are there any questions? Any questions of the board? All right, I think we're good. Okay, then with that, let's meet some of our outstanding volunteers as we recognize them for their exemplary service to the county.

[01:52:02] Mr. Chairman, would you join me and Chief Butler down front?

[01:52:12] Good morning. I'm Assistant Chief Tracy Reed, and I'm honored to be announcing the award winners for the 2025 Volunteer Awards. First up, we have Volunteer Firefighter of the Year, Sebastian Herbelsheimer.

[01:52:35] Sebastian is a member of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and he's honored for his exceptional dedication, leadership, and consistent service to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Over the past year he has trained and mentored probationary firefighters, coordinated engine shift scheduling, led high-quality multi-department trainings, and supported engine brush, plow, and ambulance staffing with unwavering reliability. His professionalism was especially evident during a significant house fire on engine 402 Bravo where he helped knock down the fire and rescue a dog from the home. Widely regarded as as a role model by new members, firefighter Herbal Sharma brings skill, humility, and a willingness to

[01:53:14] help at every opportunity, making him a truly deserving recipient of this honor. Congratulations, Sebastian. Unfortunately, our Operational Officer of the Year had to leave. This is Lieutenant Adam Searle of the Vienna... I thought we were... The Operational Officer of the Year, Lieutenant Adam Searle, had to leave, unfortunately, from the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Lieutenant Searle

[01:53:51] is recognized for his exceptional leadership, operational excellence, and deep commitment to both the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department and the county-wide volunteer system. Lieutenant Searle balances extensive behind-the-scenes responsibilities, overseeing daily operations, staffing, training, apparatus planning, and multiple committees, while also maintaining a strong presence on the engine and mentoring new and aspiring officers.

[01:54:13] He has led monthly volunteer training sessions and supported member progression across EMS and supervision. Suppression. With more than 16,000 operational hours and a reputation for calm, knowledgeable leadership, Adam has made a profound impact on department readiness and member development.

[01:54:28] Congratulations, Lieutenant Searle. The Volunteer EMS Provider of the Year is Maggie Baxter of the Bailey's Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department. Maggie is honored for her exceptional leadership, dedication, and transformative impact on the Bailey's Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.

[01:54:53] Since joining in 2019, Maggie has distinguished herself as a skilled, compassionate EMT, completing EMT school during the earliest months of COVID, and later earning her BLS League qualification. As an assistant training officer, she has rebuilt the station's BLS internship, guided every new member, and created weekly EMS skills programs that have become the backbone of student success.

[01:55:13] Maggie is a constant source of support, organizing training resources, assisting EMT students one-on-one, serving on the membership committee, and shaping the next generation of EMS providers with patience and expertise. Congratulations, Maggie. The Volunteer Basic Life Support Provider of the Year is Ivy Ayala of the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department.

[01:55:39] Ivy is recognized for her exceptional reliability, leadership, and positive presence within the greater Springfield. In just one year, she logged nearly 500 hours, earning her lead qualification through trust and performance, and continued building her skills by completing EVOC and leading high-quality training.

[01:56:00] Ivy strengthens the department beyond her shift organizing social events that boost member retention, support community CPR education, and bring steady enthusiasm that lists every crew she joins. Her professionalism was especially evident during this year's snowstorm, where she flawlessly supported operations and performed as a lead.

[01:56:18] Ivy represents the very best of volunteer service, making this honor truly well-deserved. Congratulations, Ivy. The Volunteer Advanced Life Support Provider of the Year is Brett Lorenz of the Bailey's Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department.

[01:56:37] Brett is recognized for his exceptional commitment, steady leadership, and powerful impact by filling critical gaps and strengthening every crew he rides with. His love of teaching elevates the skills of those around him, and his calm under pressure steadies crews during the most challenging calls.

[01:56:54] One unforgettable example was his compassionate care for a nonverbal, severely autistic child whom he patiently calmed and supported throughout transport until the family was found, a moment that demonstrated his skill, humanity, and unwavering steadiness. Brett's dedication, mentorship, and exceptional presence make this honor truly well-deserved.

[01:57:13] Congratulations, Brett. And unfortunately not present, the EMS Rookie of the Year is Alex Lamb of the McLean Volunteer Fire Department. Alex is recognized for his outstanding dedication, professionalism, and rapid growth since joining the McLean VFD in September of 2025. Arriving with prior EMT experience, Alex quickly embraced the department's high standards and has already earned release as both a BLS lead and driver. He brings a calm presence to every shift, demonstrating critical clinical judgment, exceptional bedside manner, and genuine compassion for patients and their

[01:57:49] families. His teamwork, eagerness to learn, and reliability have made him an immediate and lasting impact on our crews. Congratulations, Alex. The Volunteer Firefighter Rookie of the Year is Christian Igori of the Burke Volunteer Fire Department. Christian is recognized for his maturity, skill, and extraordinary dedication early in his service with the Burke Volunteer Fire Department. Since joining in 2024, Christian rapidly completed his probationary book in about four months, demonstrating focus, initiative, and a strong desire to become a dependable

[01:58:26] operational member. He has contributed more than 2,400 hours to the department, consistently showing up, working hard, and earning the trust of those around him. A former career firefighter in Germany, Christian brings calm, confidence, strong operational instincts, and a deep commitment to teamwork, while also embracing the Fairfax County procedures with humility and discipline. Now pursuing additional qualifications, including ambulance driver, he continues to expand his value to both suppression and EMS operations. Congratulations, The Volunteer Administrative Officer of the Year is Patricia Moynihan of the McLean Volunteer Fire Department.

[01:59:05] Patricia is recognized for outstanding leadership and transformative impact as the president of the McLean Volunteer Fire Department. Under her guidance, McLean has streamlined operations, strengthened governance, and doubled donation revenue, securing a strong and sustainable future for the organization.

[01:59:24] Patricia has fostered strong career volunteer collaboration, expanded community outreach, and elevated McLean's presence throughout McLean. A dedicated mentor and unwavering compassion of service, she has set a new standard for volunteer administration across Fairfax County, making this honor a well-deserved celebration of her achievements.

[01:59:40] Congratulations, Patricia. The Volunteer Administrative Member of the Year is Jonathan Liedenheimer of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department. Jonathan is recognized for his reliability, dedication, and meaningful contributions to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department.

[02:00:03] As the chair of the Bingo Committee, he improved one of Vienna's key fundraising activities by making its operations more efficient and effective. He also supported important grant writing efforts that secured funding for equipment and safety resources essential to the department's mission. In addition, Jonathan consistently steps up at every major community event, such as Open House and Taste of Vienna, helping to strengthen Vienna's public engagement.

[02:00:25] His dependable service and beside-in-the-scenes commitment make this honor truly well-deserved. Congratulations, Jonathan. The Community Emergency Response Team CERT member of the year is Julie Thomas. Julie is recognized for her extraordinary dedication, leadership, and lasting impact on the Fairfax County Community Emergency Response Team.

[02:00:50] Since completing CERT training in 2012, Julie has contributed thousands of volunteer hours, driving major program initiatives such as the Green Helmet Newsletter, the CERT chandeltry, and the financial growth of the CERT Association, where her work as a treasurer helped make the purchase of a CERT-operated canteen truck possible.

[02:01:07] She has a constant and reliable presence at CERT events, outreach activities, moulage trainings, and is a trusted writer, editor, and advisor for key program documents and procedures. As an instructor and mentor, Julie's knowledge, warmth, and encouragement create an acceptable learning environment for students and volunteers alike.

[02:01:23] Congratulations, Julie. The Canteen Auxiliary Member of the Year is Richard Pran. Richard is celebrated for his unwavering dedication, reliability, and uplifting spirit he brings to every call.

[02:01:42] Richard consistently shows up for the toughest, longest incidents, often using his own vacation time to ensure crews are supported, and he keeps the canteen flawlessly stocked and mission ready. As one of the most visible faces of our department in community events and trainings, he delivers virtual outreach, vital outreach with energy and warmth. What truly sets Richard apart is his good humor and genuine kindness, which lift both responders and neighbors alike. Richard gives not just his time, but his heart to the canteen, making this recognition wholeheartedly deserves. Congratulations, Richard. The Fire Chiefs Award goes to Allie Lubov of the Dunloring

[02:02:20] Volunteer Fire Department. Allie has been with the department for four years. During her time with the department, she has provided over 7,000 hours of service as a BLS lead, EMS driver, secretary of the Volunteer Fire Rescue Association, and president of Dunloring.

[02:02:40] Allie is really the lead of the FRA's EMT program, where she has dedicated thousands of hours and helped the program evolve to provide a positive learning experience for our volunteers and a high success rate. Ali is a model volunteer and member of the system and for this reason she is being presented with the 2026 Fire Chiefs Award. Congratulations Ali. The Special Recognition Award goes to Lieutenant Hannah Davis of the Fire Rescue Academy. Lieutenant Davis led the year-long paramedic internship with unwavering commitment, teaching evening workshops,

[02:03:20] mentoring and coaching interns, guiding those enrolled in local paramedic programs and managing extensive administrative requirements. Her steady support, expertise, and advocacy ensured that every intern had the tools and guidance needed to succeed in this demanding process. Lieutenant Davis's contributions have strengthened the volunteer ALS pipeline and exemplify the highest standards of service, making her richly deserving of this honor.

[02:03:42] Congratulations, Lieutenant Davis. And Lily. The special recognition goes to the EMS Training Division of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. This award is for their consistently excellent and enthusiastic training of volunteer EMS providers.

[02:04:11] EMS training staff frequently rearrange their schedules to teach evening and weekends, and they always deliver high-quality content in an engaging manner. The Volunteer Commission greatly appreciates their professionalism and their constant support of our members. Congratulations. And we have one final award. Unfortunately, the recipient is unable to be here, but the Commissioner's Award goes to Jerry Strider. Jerry has been a member of the Bailey's Crossroads for 55-plus years and a significant contributor to the evaluation of the volunteer system in Fairfax County. Jerry recently stepped down from the Volunteer Fire Commission after 43

[02:04:50] years as a commissioner, serving for almost its entire existence from 1983. His contributions cannot be overstated, and his dedication is second to none. For these reasons, the Volunteer Fire Commission has awarded Jerry with the Chairman's Award to honor him for his selfless service to the Fire and Rescue County. His award will be presented at a later date.

[02:05:10] All right. With that, we're going to move on to board matters, and these were compiled digitally.

[02:07:01] We'll go alphabetically by district, following myself and Vice Chairman Smith. I'm going to hand the gavel to Vice Chairman Smith. I do have two board matters. First, I move to approve without objection the proclamation request listed in this document to be presented inside or outside of the boardroom, and that is a resolution recognizing Yvonne Demery for 20 years of service to the Board of Equalization.

[02:07:26] A resolution with Supervisor Alcorn to recognize the 20th anniversary of SPARC. A proclamation with Supervisor Beerman to recognize World Polio Day. A proclamation jointly with Supervisor Sizemore Heiser to recognize Hindu Heritage Month.

[02:07:42] A proclamation with Supervisor Sizemore Heiser to recognize Diwali on November 8, 2026. A proclamation to recognize Filipino American Heritage Month in October. a proclamation to recognize National Adopt-A-Senior Pet Month in November, and finally, a proclamation jointly with Supervisor Lust to recognize Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week in November.

[02:08:04] Without objection, it is so ordered. Thank you. My second board matter is an ordinance establishing a local retail cannabis tax. The Virginia General Assembly adopted the final biennial budget on June 29, 2026 and included language authorizing the establishment of an adult-use recreational cannabis retail marketplace for Virginia, Item 4-14, and Enactment Clause 5, with sales beginning July 1 of 2027, Code of Virginia Code Subtitle 2, Cannabis Control Act.

[02:08:36] These provisions include, one, new local authority to tax retail cannabis sales, and two, expansion of local ordinance authority to prohibit the consumption, possession, or offering of cannabis in any public place or on public school property, and three, authority for localities to adopt ordinances regulating the hours of operation for cannabis retailers.

[02:08:59] The Cannabis Control Authority will develop regulations for licensing of cultivators, processors, and retailers, and other regulated activities during the second half of 2026, with licenses issued in early 2027 and retail sales potentially beginning July 1, 2027. During that time, local governments will be considering how they will exercise their new authority, especially regarding land use and taxing. Localities are required to levy a local tax rate by ordinance on cannabis retail sales, which rate may be set between 1% and 3.5%.

[02:09:39] This tax is in addition to the state's sales use tax on the same product and the state marijuana tax. The state will start with a rate of 6% marijuana tax until July 1, 2029, and a rate of 8% after July 1, 2029.

[02:09:58] The state marijuana tax rate is in addition to any tax imposed under the Virginia Retail Sales and Use Tax Act. In addition to this tax ordinance, the Department of Planning and Development will be separately crafting a zoning ordinance amendment to incorporate necessary local regulations.

[02:10:16] Therefore, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct the Director of Tax Administration to present an ordinance setting the local tax rate on retail cannabis sales at 3.5% and to bring the ordinance before the board for consideration in the spring of 2027 in time for the board to adopt the ordinance after public hearing no later than May 1, 2027.

[02:10:40] The county executive and the Department of Management and Budget are directed to include estimated revenues from this source in the county executive's FY 2028 advertised budget plan. Without objection, it's so ordered. Supervisor Alcoyne?

[02:10:57] Yeah, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for bringing this forward. I know we also got a nip last month on a number of issues, including this one. And I don't know if anybody has the answer to this, but I know the zoning-related things. The state law has some provisions that talk about distances from, for example, daycare facilities.

[02:11:19] And in some of our more mixed-use areas, a thousand feet is a long way. And so I think that's something as a board, and basically my question is the timing on when we might see that.

[02:11:35] I don't know. So, I mean, I see Tracy's there. Part of the issue was waiting for more regulations to come out from the state, and I don't know where that is in the process. But I wrote a note. I'll follow up with that. Okay. But it is in our work program.

[02:11:51] Yes. And just on the timing, do you have any insight, Ms. Brown? We're actually working on a memo to the board right now that you should have in a few weeks with some more information about the potential regulations and how we might need to look at some things in the zoning ordinance.

[02:12:06] So you should have that in the next couple weeks. Awesome. Thank you very much. That's all. Thank you. Okay. It was without objection, so we're good. Okay. Thank you very much. And that is the end of my board matters.

[02:12:23] Next up is Supervisor Smith. Thank you. I have one motion for an expedited hearing. Love Hand Home Health, Inc., the applicant, has filed a special exception, SE, on property identified among the Fairfax County tax map records as 34-4, double circle 13-02.

[02:12:43] The applicant is seeking a special exception to permit an adult daycare center in an existing commercial building. The adult daycare center would provide services for up to 125 participants by combining two existing suites on the ground floor of the existing building.

[02:13:00] Slight modifications are proposed to the existing surface parking lot at the front of the building to create an outdoor recreation area for the daycare participants. No change to the gross floor area of the existing building is proposed. The pending application is scheduled for a Planning Commission public hearing on November 4, 2026.

[02:13:19] To be heard prior to the end of the year, the applicant is asking for expedited hearing so that a public hearing before the Board of Supervisors, the Board, may be scheduled. Therefore, I move that the Board of Supervisors direct the Director of Planning and Development to schedule SE-2026-SU-00012 for a public hearing before the Board on November 17, 2026.

[02:13:44] The applicant understands that the scheduling of a board date in no way relieves it of the requirement to comply with the applicable standards of the zoning ordinance. In addition, the authorization does not dictate that the pending application will be approved, nor does it prejudice staff's review. This motion should not be construed as a favorable recommendation by the Board of the Pending Applications at this time.

[02:14:04] The Chair will second that motion. Is there a discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Supervisor Smith. I'm done. All right. Supervisor Sizemore Heiser. Thank you. I have one board matter.

[02:14:21] It's a joint board matter with me, Chairman McKay, and Supervisor Bierman. And it's recognizing the contributions of Anil Anupama Sharma to the entrepreneurship in Fairfax County. This is related to George Mason University. As many know, George Mason University recently announced the renaming of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at its Costello College of Business in honor of Northern Virginia entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife Anupama Sharma.

[02:14:47] The newly named Anil and Anupama Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship reflects their extraordinary generosity and their commitment to shaping the future of education, innovation, and opportunity in our region. Anil and Anupama Sharma came to the United States 30 years ago as first-generation immigrants with little more than ambition and a willingness to take risk.

[02:15:07] Guided by those values, Anil founded 22nd Century Technologies, now one of the largest privately held government contracting firms in the nation. This year, the Sharma has made a major philanthropic gift to George Mason University as part of its Mason Now Power the Possible comprehensive campaign.

[02:15:23] In recognition of their generosity and longstanding engagement with the university, GMU renamed the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in their honor. Their investment strengthens the mission of the region's flagship public university and expands GMU's role as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and innovation.

[02:15:40] Their contribution will significantly expand opportunities for students, alumni, faculty, and local innovators, helping build a stronger regional entrepreneurial network. This work is especially vital as Fairfax County continues to diversify its economic base, intentionally growing an economy less dependent on the federal government and more driven by homegrown innovation, industry, and talent.

[02:16:00] The Sharma's investment directly supports this vision, empowering GMU to prepare the next generation of leaders who will shape our county's economic future. The Sharma's immigration story continues to inspire their philanthropy. When they arrived in the United States, he faced the same challenge as many new immigrants in Fairfax County still encounter today.

[02:16:18] Limited networks, limited resources, and the need to build opportunity from the ground up. Mr. Sharma credits his success to the freedom to learn, to adapt, and to take risks, which are the opportunities he now seeks to extend to others. Through the newly named Center, the Sharma hopes to instill these same values in the students it serves, ensuring that future generations have the tools and confidence to succeed.

[02:16:39] Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I ask that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honors Anil and Anupama Sharma for their foundational investment in George Mason University, their commitment to strengthening innovation and entrepreneurial opportunity, and their vital role in supporting Fairfax County's economy with a proclamation to be presented in the boardroom at a future date.

[02:16:58] And I'm happy to second that, along with Supervisor Beerman. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Seeing none, that is approved. Supervisor Sizemore-Heiser. Thank you.

[02:17:14] I just wanted to speak. George Mason being in my district, I'm really impressed and proud that the Charmers are bringing a philanthropic gift to our flagship university in the district. I know I share with others as well to bring entrepreneurship and support the next generation.

[02:17:31] This is very much in line with the board matter, Mr. Chairman, that you brought last year on economic initiatives and the work that we are doing here in Fairfax County to expand our economic opportunity, especially on innovation and entrepreneurship. The Sharmers are constituents of my colleagues, Roger Beerman, so I appreciate his joining on the board matter as well and also with Chairman McKay since he represents everybody.

[02:17:52] And so I wanted to take the opportunity with George Mason on our partnership and on my role in FCAB to recognize their foundational involvement and support of building our own economy, reduce the burden on our homeowners and taxpayers and create a future where everyone can thrive.

[02:18:09] So thank you for the support. Thank you very much for that. And you have no other board matters, correct? No, that is a thank you. Supervisor Behrman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One board matter, adoption of the performance auditor to the board's October 2026 quarterly report.

[02:18:24] The performance auditor to the board's draft report for the first quarter of fiscal year 2027 was presented at the October 6, 2026 Audit Committee meeting. The report was entitled Evaluating the Restaurant Permitting Process and reviewed the timeliness, efficiency, and overall experience of the permitting process for restaurants opening in Fairfax County.

[02:18:44] The report observed some lengthy permitting timelines for restaurants opening in the county and identified several key concerns from restaurant owners. To address these issues, the board auditor included three recommendations aimed at making the permitting process easier to navigate, strengthening coordination and consistency across county agencies, and reducing avoidable delays and uncertainty.

[02:19:05] Ultimately, addressing these recommendations will help restaurants open more easily and more quickly in the county. The audit committee concurred with all the recommendations. The report can be found at the committee meeting link below and was distributed to board members electronically. And then the board matter shows the link. Therefore, we move that the Board of Supervisors approve the performance auditor to the Board's October 2026 report. I've heard the motion. It's been seconded by our other members of the audit committee, Supervisors Stork, Herity, and Jimenez. Discussion on the motion, Supervisor Beerman. Yes, I should have led with

[02:19:43] the fact that this was being brought also with the other members of the audit committee. It's being brought by me because Supervisor Stork, our normal chair, was out of the room for that meeting. But it was an excellent meeting, and not just because I was chairing it. Sorry, Supervisor Stork. The audit is really a great report that shows some of the challenges that we have in the restaurant permitting process.

[02:20:07] But what I would say I was actually most encouraged by in the report was the reaction of the people who got audited, which was to look for solutions and to recognize that in this process, the restaurants are our customers. I'm going to call him out for specific positive recognition, Bill Hicks, who's in the room here.

[02:20:29] At one point, we were talking about the feedback mechanisms that, frankly, the report identified as wanting and the fact that we need to work on, for instance, improving our surveys and feedback mechanisms. And I asked Bill, well, when we're doing that, what are we going to do in the meantime?

[02:20:48] And Bill said, well, you know, the first thing you can tell people is you can call 703-222-0801 and you will talk to a real person about the issues that you're having and we will work with you. And then Bill and Brandy Mueller told me after the meeting, you can put that into your newsletter.

[02:21:06] Now, that is a commitment, I think, to improving these systems and improving these processes. It's a very, very detailed and excellent report done by our board auditor, by Jennifer Gerrard and Kara O'Connor. It's worth reading by everyone on the board, but I think it's also worth noting when county staff is ready to step up and continue to improve things.

[02:21:28] So thank you to all parties involved. Thank you, Supervisor Beerman. And I'll just add on that point, I appreciate you mentioning and thanking Bill Hicks because I had said a couple years ago, really at the peak of COVID, that we want to be known to the restaurant industry as the jurisdiction that is the fastest, most responsive permitting organization in the DMV.

[02:21:51] and this audit you know helps point us in that direction we're hopefully soon we'll be able to say that because these are complicated low-profit businesses in most cases and the easier we can make it for them to establish and to be able to have flexibility but most importantly to be able to get through the permitting process as quickly as possible hands-on customer service is appreciated so thank you for that. Other discussions? Let me start with the audit committee members first. Supervisor

[02:22:25] Stork. I just want to first off thank Supervisor Bierman for chairing in my absence. I was out of the country, but this is definitely one of those that if you read the audit report, I encourage everybody to read it, at least read the summary. It's powerful, helpful, useful, and it's really the core of what our office of finance and program auditing is all about and it also I think also connects to the win-win attitude that I've experienced and seen generally with our staff they want what we want and they're looking

[02:23:00] for ways to do that better and it's not it's not as easy as it ever as you ever think it will be but having an audit team that we have to really help break those things apart and shine lights and opportunities to to address some of the challenges we have is a core part of this. So again, I couldn't be happier with report now.

[02:23:20] The real challenge, right, is how do we expedite these? How do we move these along? As a small business person, the best way to kill a small business is to make them run out of money. And the way you help them run out of money is by taking a lot longer than you think before they can open their doors without any revenue and all the expenses that incur from that. So we need to help make this process more efficient and expedited so that we have a few of those individuals running out of money before they even open their doors and giving them the full opportunity to be successful. So thank you for our audit team, and thank you for Bill Hicks and others who

[02:23:59] clearly view this as an opportunity to do better and looking for ways to do better. So thank you. Thank you. Supervisor Herity. And I'm just going to pile on a little bit. Supervisor Bierman took my favorite thing about the meeting is when our Bill Hicks said customers when he was referring to our restaurants and that's for those that are new that's that is kind of a new approach and in one that I think we need across the across the county but to treat our our residents and our businesses here as customers as keys there is a long way to go we're at 300

[02:24:37] and some days to get a restaurant open median so some of the solutions I I've Bill's already got underway, but I also want to join Dan in saying these are refreshing. Our new audit team is producing some really good work, and thank you, Jennifer and team.

[02:24:56] Supervisor Jimenez, and then Supervisor Loss. I'll be super quick, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, and I just want to thank our audit team. The work that they do is amazing, and they've been just hit the ground running, and just imagine if we had even more folks on the audit committee team, just how much more we could accomplish.

[02:25:11] So thank you again for that. Supervisor Lusk, I'm trying not to be redundant, but I actually attended the audit committee meeting because I saw the report and I was very impressed with the way that it was structured. And I just appreciated being able to see the interaction, interactions between the staff and the audit team in that presentation.

[02:25:36] And in the end, you know, what we're doing to help the restaurants are going to also help Fairfax County. As we think about the opportunity to get these restaurants activated sooner, that means those restaurants will also be paying taxes sooner to our county.

[02:25:54] So I see this on both sides, and I think this is a recognition of how we can do things a little differently here in Fairfax County. And as a person who worked in economic development, I see the struggles. I've seen them with early-stage new enterprises trying to get launched.

[02:26:14] They have so many difficulties, we shouldn't be adding to them. And with that, I'll conclude. Thank you. Thank you. And I, again, want to thank the members of our audit committee, both our four colleagues on this board, but also the citizen representatives and the team for the outstanding work that you do.

[02:26:31] With that, I think we're ready for a vote. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Supervisor Beard. Well, first off, it's clear that the audit committee is the best committee to be on when we've got members who aren't on it who show up at our meetings, too.

[02:26:52] But no further board matters. Just one brief announcement. The last of my fall town hall series is happening tomorrow night at the Herndon Fort Knightley Library at 7 p.m. Come on out. Bring out your questions. We've had town halls in McLean and Great Falls, and looking forward to tomorrow night as well.

[02:27:11] Thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Beerman. Supervisor Alcorn. Thank you very much. Two board matters. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I checked off beforehand Ms. Supervisor Lusk. Supervisor Lusk, then Supervisor Alcorn. I mean, if I'm going to be passed over for Supervisor Alcorn, that's perfectly fine.

[02:27:30] So with that, Mr. Chairman, I have two announcements. The first is we have a Franconia District Fire and Crime Prevention Town Hall. So I'd like to announce in partnership with Fairfax County's Fire and Rescue Department and the Fairfax County Police Department, who will be hosting a town hall meeting to discuss fire and crime prevention throughout the Franconia District. The town hall will be held on November 5th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hyba Valley Community Center. A free shuttle can be provided from the Franconia District Governmental Center and the Richard Byrd Library, so community members

[02:28:05] who want to utilize the shuttle should call Neighborhood and Community Services at 703-704-6700 by November 2nd. Anyone with fire and crime prevention questions can email them to aaron.campbell at fairfaxcounty.gov by October 24th, and we will provide translation services at that meeting as well. So second announcement, Mr. Chairman, is I would like to recognize the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 7327 for organizing a roadside cleanup on Saturday,

[02:28:40] October 3rd, 2026 in the Springfield area. I had the opportunity to join and it was amazing. This event is one of two biennial highway cleanups conducted along the Franconia Springfield Parkway between Beulah Street and I-95. This cleanup was made possible thanks to the dedication of local students who volunteered their time to improve their own community. Participants were reflected from John R. Lewis to West Springfield, Hayfield, Bishop Ireton, Oxon Hill, John Paul, the great

[02:29:14] high schools, as well as Scout Troop 1344. On October 3rd, a total of 51 volunteers took part and successfully collected 31 bags of trash, which were later retrieved by VDOT. Community-driven efforts like this contribute greatly to making Fairfax County a wonderful place to live, showcasing residents' commitments to maintaining and enhancing our roadways.

[02:29:37] Thank you to VFW Post 7327 for contributing this cleanup and for their continued hard work, along with their sincere appreciation to all the volunteers who helped make this effort a great success. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Luss, now Supervisor Alcourt.

[02:29:57] Thank you. When it was L and it came H, well, anyway, yeah, that was a while. That's right. I do have two board matters. The first is the results of the Reston Community Center preference poll. The Reston Community Center has completed the annual 2026 preference poll election for its Board of Governors.

[02:30:15] The following individuals were elected to serve three-year terms on their board. Paul Berry, William Penniman, and Hunter Wagner. The poll is an annual community event held to guide the selection of members to serve on RCC's Board of Governors, which was established by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

[02:30:33] Therefore, Mr. Chairman, without objection, I would ask that the Board of Supervisors appoint Paul Barry, William Penniman, and Hunter Wagner to serve on the Reston Community Center's Board of Governors in time to be seated at their next board meeting on November 2nd. Without objection, that is so ordered for that good group.

[02:30:49] That's right. Thank you very much. Second is a recognition of Food for Neighbors for their 10th anniversary. Food for Neighbors will celebrate its, I guess it's Diamond Anniversary. I don't know, I can't remember, but 10-year anniversary this month, and this non-profit pantry makes a profound difference for local teens in our community facing food insecurity.

[02:31:10] Unlike traditional pantries, Food for Neighbors focuses on feeding middle and high school students during weekends and holidays. Founded by Hunter Mill resident Karen Joseph, the organization began by assisting 60 families at Herndon Middle School and Herndon High School, which are both in the Drainsville district.

[02:31:29] And thus, this is co-done with Supervisor Bierman. Today, the pantry serves more than 12,000 students at 60 schools across four public school districts, Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun counties, and the City of Falls Church. So this could have had a lot of sponsors.

[02:31:45] They've really grown. The need is real, and so is the group's impact. In Fairfax County, more than 64,000 children, or more than one in three, qualify for free and reduced-price meals. To provide meals after school hours, Food for Neighbors offers meals for students at 40 middle and high schools in the county.

[02:32:04] And since the group's founding, it has distributed more than 850,000 pounds of food. Last year alone, they collected 151,765 pounds of food with 3,400 donors registered with the pantry's signature red bag program.

[02:32:21] Five times during the school year, Food for Neighbors collects non-pressurable food and toiletries from donors who leave items in their branded red bags. Volunteers pick up these bags from a donor's front door, after which the food is sorted and delivered to schools to be discreetly given to students in need.

[02:32:38] Food for Neighbors will once again collect red bag donations on October 24th, and I encourage everyone to request a bag today. It will be delivered to you to fill with nourishing foods. As the Pantry celebrates a decade of giving back, they invite everyone to help with a goal of doubling the number of red bag donors this year.

[02:32:58] Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I ask without objection to the Office of Public Affairs, prepare a resolution to recognize Food for Neighbors' 10th anniversary to present it out of the boardroom on October 24, 2026, and also invite all interest board members to attend. And without objection, that is so ordered, Supervisor Alcorn.

[02:33:16] And that's all. Thank you. Thank you, Supervisor Alcorn. Supervisor Jimenez. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I only have two announcements. No board matters today. We're excited to announce this year's Mason District Arts Festival. The arts festival is an opportunity for residents and visitors to see the rich, creative environment that makes up Mason District.

[02:33:36] The festival is possible due to the efforts and planning by the Mason Arts Council, formed in 2024 in my office. It comprises a group of local artists and supporters in Mason District. The council seeks to increase the role of the arts in our community through activities and events like this.

[02:33:53] This year's festival will include visual and performing arts thanks to the support of groups including Arts Fairfax and the Mason District Supervisor's Office. That's me. This event will be held this Saturday, October 17th at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space in Annandale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine.

[02:34:10] We are hoping for some nice weather this weekend. The second announcement, Mr. Chairman, I want to take a moment to recognize some exciting accomplishments from Justice High School in Mason District. Congratulations to the Justice High School Marching Wolves, who recently won first place at the 2026 Woodbridge Viking Invitational, coming home as grand champions by earning first place in their group.

[02:34:32] I also want to congratulate Justice High School Wind Ensemble, who has been selected to perform at the 2027 Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, taking place April 1st through the 3rd. This is a tremendous honor. The festival brings together some of the nation's most talented student musicians, and Justice High School was selected through a highly competitive application and audition process.

[02:34:58] The success is due to the hard work and dedication of these students, their families, and the school's music program. Congratulations to everyone involved. We are proud of you, and I look forward to seeing you represent Mason District and Fairfax County on the national stage. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[02:35:14] Really excited for Justice High School, so thank you for sharing that. Supervisor Jimenez, well done. Next up is Supervisor Stork. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have just one matter jointly with yourself, and I'm going to read the whole thing.

[02:35:29] I know mostly because people don't know a lot about the Bureau of Land Management and its role in Fairfax County, so I'll take a few minutes to do that. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, as we call it, Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area, SRMA, on the Mason Neck Peninsula.

[02:35:52] Meadowood's 800 acres of protected open space offer residents and visitors the opportunity to hike, bike, ride horses, geocache fish, and simply be surrounded by nature. It is one of Fairfax County's many treasured natural areas, inviting residents and visitors into the sweeping bucolic landscapes that define Mason Neck.

[02:36:12] Once owned by the Lynch family, the land was transformed into the Bureau of Land Management in 2001 through land transactions involving the Lynch family, Fairfax County, and the Department of Interior as authorized by Congress. These efforts preserved critical open space on Mason Neck and prevented future development. Today, Meadowood is managed by BLM Eastern States and supports three core missions, recreation, environmental education, and the management of wild horses and boroughs while protecting natural and cultural resources. Its 15 miles of multi-use

[02:36:49] trails, including a universally accessible trail, serve a wide range of users. It connects the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail with nearby Poet Bay Regional Park and lies within a portion of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. Beyond its recreational and conservation benefits, Meadowood serves as an important economic asset for the Mount Vernon area and Fairfax County, drawing visitors from across the region, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the area's tourism and outdoor recreation economy. A valued part of this landscape is the stables at Meadowood,

[02:37:25] a long-standing equestrian facility that provides boarding, lessons, camps, and access to Meadowood's riding trails. For decades, Allison Mills has been instrumental in preserving equestrian use on the property, ensuring that horses and riders remain a vibrant part of Meadowood's character and community. We also want to recognize the Friends of Meadowood, whose dedicated stewardship and volunteer efforts help maintain trails, support educational programs, and strengthen community engagement with this cherished public land. The Masonic Citizens Association, whose meeting is tonight, has also been a steadfast advocate for Meadowood's continued operation

[02:38:05] while serving as a vital link between residents, local, state, and federal lawmakers. Looking ahead, BLM is developing a new sensory nature trail designed to improve access for individuals on the autism spectrum and others with sensory processing differences. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027. Today, we thank the BLM, the Friends of Meadowood, the stables at Meadowood, volunteers, and all who have contributed to making Meadowood a place where residents and visitors can connect with nature. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, we ask with unanimous consent that the

[02:38:40] Board direct the Office of Public Affairs to prepare a resolution recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area to be presented at its 25th anniversary celebration on October 17, 2026. You've heard the motion without objection.

[02:38:59] That is so ordered. And thank you, Supervisor Stork, for telling that story, because you're right. A lot of people don't know it, and it's quite a success story. So thank you, Supervisor Stork. And Mason Eck is one of those compilations not only of federal property, BLM, State property, we have a state park there, Masonic State Park.

[02:39:18] We have a regional park there, and we have obviously lots of county parks and facilities nearby. And that ties into one of the things I'm proud of, is this is our 11th anniversary of the Tour to Mount Vernon, and it will be held on Halloween.

[02:39:34] I know it's scary enough to ride 20 or 40 miles, but if you wear the right outfit, you could actually win an additional award. In terms of just finishing the race, you could actually be acknowledged for that. So it's on Halloween Day, which is Saturday, October 31st.

[02:39:50] And hopefully you all have a chance to come out and ride and enjoy not only the ride, but also the camaraderie and everything that goes along with it. And we are riding out. We're starting at the Workhouse Arts Center, and we're riding out Mason Neck, and we'll be riding to really buy all the items, all the areas I just mentioned, on our way back across the Jerry Connolly Trail and ending up.

[02:40:15] So, special invitation, sign up, join us, and thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yeah, thank you. Supervisor Stork, always a good event. Let's hope for good weather. Yes. And next up is Supervisor Palchik.

[02:40:31] No board matters, Mr. Chairman. Just want to thank Neighborhood Community Services, especially Jim Scott, Peru, and Magali, my office, and everyone who helped us have a very successful third fall fest. There were hundreds of families showed up, and it was really a wonderful, beautiful weather day.

[02:40:49] And we are also getting ready for Green Fest, the first annual in Tyson's at MITRE 4, this coming Monday, October 19th, from 2 to 6.30 p.m. And if you have not registered yet, there's still a little bit of time. And we will have panels on urban greening, resilience, and transportation.

[02:41:09] And then finally, love the 25-year anniversary. I got to study Mason Neck and its soil content when I was a freshman IBET class and very much loved and fell in love with it. So I think the more attention we bring to it and have it be a known resource to our community, it really is an incredible, incredible achievement.

[02:41:29] So thank you for bringing that up. Thank you, Supervisor Palcik. Supervisor Herity. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I've got one quick board matter, and I'll try to summarize it. but this is the retirement of Arnie Decks from full-time volunteering. He's served 28 years of active duty service with the United States Army and the Military Police Corps.

[02:41:54] But he's gone on to, and I'm just going to summarize some of the stuff he's done, 16 years of service to organizations within the armed forces. He works closely with the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and the National Park Service with bike patrols on the C&O Canal.

[02:42:11] Towpath, Washington and Old Dominion, trail cleanups in Herndon and Alexandria. He works with Fairfax County Parks, leading recycling drives. But he's also been very involved in Honor Flight Chicago, which brings veterans back to see our memorials and gives them a real day.

[02:42:30] He's overseen the morning greeting for the last eight years. Each month, about 110 veterans visit the memorials built in their honor, and he makes sure they have a great visit and a great experience.

[02:42:46] He's a member of the Fort Belvoir Retirees Council. He regularly welcomes veterans at USO. Welcome Center at Dulles assists TSA with everything from covert explosion testing programs to other security issues.

[02:43:04] Actively working with the Fairfax County Police Department, he chaired the Citizens Advisory Committee and is an FCPD honorary member. I could go on and on with Reese Across America Free Library Program. He is, I ask without objection, the board direct staff to prepare a resolution recognizing retirement of Colonel Arnie Dex for his volunteer work and thanking him for his 16 years of exceptional service to many organizations in Fairfax.

[02:43:33] And we're going to present that outside the boardroom at the Dulles Airport honor flight on October 28th, which is his last official honor flight. And without objection, that is so ordered, Supervisor Herity. And he specifically, he doesn't know this is coming.

[02:43:50] I guess he does now. He specifically wanted me to invite members of the board to go. If you haven't been, it's a hell of a program. Our police department supports it. It is an outstanding program. If you need details, please let me know.

[02:44:05] But it's October 28th, coming up soon, about 8.30 at Dulles Airport. Excellent. Thank you, Supervisor Herity. And with that, we're going to move on to administrative items. And let me ask Supervisor Smith, do you have a motion for admin items 1 through 7?

[02:44:22] I move approval of admin items 1 through 7. Second. You've heard the motion and the second. Are there any items board members would like to have pulled for a separate vote or who have questions on? Mr. Chairman. Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, I have a question, and I think I want a separate vote on admin 4.

[02:44:40] Okay, Admin 4 is authorization to advertise a public hearing on a proposal to vacate and abandon Red Skin Drive in the Sully District. Let me ask, first, let's go ahead and vote on Admin Items 1 through 3 and 5 through 7.

[02:44:56] The Chair will second that motion. Is there any discussion on those? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries. Admin 4, again, is authorization to advertise a public hearing on a proposal to vacate and abandon Redskin Drive in the Sully District.

[02:45:14] Supervisor Alcorn. Thank you. Yeah, this is an abandonment of a road that basically serves two projects. One is a special exception. The other one is a buy-right project that is just within 200 feet of residential in the Hunter Mill District.

[02:45:33] So I will likely be abstaining on this. But I do have a question just about the process, and I think I know the answer to this, but this is going through the traditional vacation and abandonment process for a road, and I know that it says it has no historic value.

[02:45:53] Is there any other process for the county or the state to acquire value in a dedication such as this, or is pretty much the code the code and we have to do vacation or abandonment? Good morning. Jeff Edmondson, Fairfax County Department of Transportation.

[02:46:14] When you say acquire value, do you mean compensation for the land? Correct. Yes. Perhaps the county attorney's office could speak more to that, but my understanding is that the county has the ability to charge for the land, but we process-wise have not in the past.

[02:46:33] Okay. I'm not going to hold up or suggest we hold up, But I would ask that, especially as we have some of these older redevelopments that are happening, and sometimes the land, the underlying land, is actually going to be extremely valuable. So maybe it's a policy issue.

[02:46:49] I would suggest that at some point we come back and look at that, even if we've never done it before. Is that allowed within the code, I guess, is my question. Jeff Edmondson, I believe so. I don't think there's anything that prohibits it.

[02:47:06] And I was always told by Pam Pelto that it's something that is possible. So, as a follow-up on that, why don't we get some information from the county attorney's office on that? Because we obviously don't want to talk about the legalities of that here. But it would be helpful to the board to understand what the code requirements are and what the instances are where compensation for abandonment occurs or doesn't occur and the reasons behind that.

[02:47:33] Because I appreciate that, you know, staff here may not be readily able to answer that, but we do want to get an answer to that. And again, this is, Admin 4 is just authorizing a public hearing on this. And so, you know, we'll get that information, obviously, in advance of the public hearing. Okay, thank you.

[02:47:49] Okay. That being said, let me turn to Supervisor Smith to make a motion for Admin 4. I move approval of the county executive's recommendation to hold a public hearing on November 17, 2026, at 4 p.m.

[02:48:06] And the chair will second that motion. Any further discussion on that motion? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Alcorn abstains. Alcorn abstains, and that motion carries. And that brings us to our action items. And action item number one is approval of a master credit agreement and revolving line of credit.

[02:48:29] I'm going to turn the gavel over to Vice Chair Smith, and I'm going to move that the board adopt the resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a master credit agreement with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and Wells Fargo Bank National Association, providing a revolving line of credit of up to $110 million, and delegating to the chairman, the vice chairman, the county executive, and the chief financial officer authority to determine details and execute and deliver documents.

[02:48:59] and agreements relating to this transaction. I'll second that motion. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing in here, oh, Supervisor Stork. I just want to take a moment of context for this because this is something we've been working, and this is not new to the board at all, but where we're going with this is just enabling us to have some additional money if it's needed.

[02:49:22] And the core of what we've done is to use state tax credits, historic tax credits, to frankly lower the cost of renovating a civilian conservation corps 1939 built high school which has obviously clear historical value and historical we have a historical responsibility to that so i'm going to credit the county executive for his work on this and his really his foresight to bring the different pieces together to be able to renovate this facility and to continue to move this project forward so i just want to provide some context for that so thank you thank you Seeing no further discussion, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye.

[02:50:00] Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? That motion carries, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Supervisor Smith. And action item number two is approval of the second amended and restated the memorandum of understanding between the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Convention and Visitors Corporation.

[02:50:19] And I understand this is being deferred. Vice Chair Smith. I move to defer action item 2 to the next board meeting on October 27, 2026 and the chair will second that motion Is there any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none all those in favor, please say aye aye any opposed any abstentions that motion carries and Before we break for closed session understand. There's a couple deferrals So why don't I first allow board members before we make a motion for closed session to announce?

[02:50:50] Their intent to defer any applications this afternoon Supervisor Behrman. Thank you. Mr. Chairman. I intend to defer our Z 2025 - D R - 0 0 0 21 Seek as homes limited due to an affidavit issue. Thank you Okay, and that is the one two three fourth public hearing that's being deferred Are there any other deferrals board members would like to announce? Okay?

[02:51:22] And let me ask the county executive, did you want to be recognized? Ah, got it, and that's the one. Okay, very good. That being said, I am going to turn the gavel over to Vice Chair Smith for a motion to bring us into closed session, and we will determine the time after that motion.

[02:51:43] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Board of Supervisors recess and go into closed session for discussion and consideration of matters enumerated in Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 and listed in the attached agenda for this meeting. And in addition, one is permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711A7 and 8, Jeffrey Payne v. Sergeant Joshua Moser, case number 1-24-CV-398, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and two, legal briefing regarding Dominion-Next-Era State Corporation Commission proceeding

[02:52:21] and legal analysis regarding Senate Bill 530 from the 2026 General Assembly regular session. All is permitted by Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711A8. And you've heard the motion. It's been seconded by Supervisor Beerman and the Chair.

[02:52:39] First discussion on the motion, let me ask the county attorney how long we need for closed session. Mr. Chairman, I estimate approximately 30 minutes 30 minutes And so if this motion does succeed we will report for closed session at exactly 2:30 p.m Is there any other discussion on the motion seeing and hearing none all those in favor, please say aye Any opposed any abstentions that motion carries the board will take a break and report to close session at 2:30 p.m

[02:53:11] From closed session, and our first item of business is to recognize Supervisor Smith to bring us out of closed session.

[03:00:27] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Board of Supervisors certify that, to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements by virtue of Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion by which closed session was convened, were heard discussed or considered by the Board of Supervisors during the closed session.

[03:00:48] You've heard the motion. It's been seconded by Supervisor Pouchik. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. And that brings us to our public hearings this afternoon. And just a few reminders. Individuals wishing to provide testimony have a number of ways to do that.

[03:01:12] At the designated point in the public hearing, I will call for any speakers from the speakers list, and they will either come forward or their video will be shown, or they will be connected by telephone. There will then be an opportunity for anyone else who would like to speak to the matter to come down to the podium or to call in at 703-324-1020. Speakers testifying by video must have signed up and submitted their video no later than 9 a.m. on the day prior to the public hearing.

[03:01:40] For public hearing testimony, you're given three minutes to speak as an individual. If you're the spokesperson for a group, you are given five minutes. And our first public hearing today is a public hearing to receive comment from residents on the proposed state and federal legislative program.

[03:01:57] And before I turn to staff for a brief presentation, let me first turn to the chair of our board's legislative committee for comment, Supervisor Mendez. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. First and foremost, I want to recognize and thank our outstanding legislative team, led by Jennifer Van Ey, for their tremendous work in putting together this year's proposed legislative program.

[03:02:18] I also want to thank the residents, community organizations, and advocates who have taken the time to join us today and share their perspectives on the issues that matter most to Fairfax County. Before we begin, I want to remind everyone that today's hearing is an opportunity for public input.

[03:02:34] We are here to listen, hear your priorities, and consider your feedback as we continue developing our legislative package. That said, I'd like to remind everyone that we will not, we will not be voting on or adopting the legislative program today.

[03:02:50] To begin, I want to briefly highlight the priorities we have identified for the upcoming General Assembly session. At the heart of our legislative program is the importance of a strong state-local partnership. Fairfax County is responsible for delivering many of the services our residents depend on every single day, and we need the flexibility, the resources, and the authority to meet the needs of our community. Education funding remains one of our highest priorities. We continue to advocate for structural reforms to Virginia's K-12 funding formulas so that state support better reflects

[03:03:25] the actual cost of providing a quality public education, particularly in high-cost regions like Northern Virginia. Transportation and transit funding are also critical. We need sustainable long-term investments in systems like WMATA and the Fairfax Connector, as well as additional resources to improve pedestrian safety, including streetlights, crosswalks, and safety improvements around our schools. Housing affordability continues to be a major challenge. We are advocating for greater state investments in affordable housing, including support for preserving manufactured housing communities while maintaining the local land

[03:04:05] use authority necessary to respond to the unique needs of our neighbors. We are also focused on protecting essential human services, particularly as federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP create new challenges for residents and local governments. Therefore, we're committed to strengthening our partnership with the Commonwealth so that these additional costs are not shifted onto localities, allowing these programs to still remain accessible to our communities. Finally we continue to advocate for greater local flexibility and sustainable revenue options so Fairfax County can meet its responsibilities without placing an ever-increasing

[03:04:43] burden on local property taxpayers. These are just a few of the priorities including our proposed legislative program and today's hearing is an important opportunity to hear directly from the community about these and other issues. I look forward to hearing everyone's testimony and appreciate the time you've taken to participate in this process. With that, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[03:05:03] Thank you very much, Supervisor Jimenez, for those comments and for your work as chair of the board's legislative committee. And I echo all of your positive thoughts about our team and the outstanding work that they're doing. With that being said, let me ask them if there's any comments they would like there, they would not. So at this time, we will move straight into the public hearing, and I do have four speakers who have signed up in advance to testify this afternoon.

[03:05:30] Our first speaker will be Maureen Molly McGrath. Are you here? Okay. And if you can come on down to the podium, following you will be Kanchana Thumurthy, and following her will be Monica Tierney. If I called your name and you're here, please be ready to testify. Welcome, Ms. McGrath.

[03:05:53] Thank you very much, and thank you for letting me speak today. I appreciate it. All of your time. I am here to talk about the public safety and the use of technology and the appropriate guardrails and transparency as part of your legislative program.

[03:06:09] Specifically, I wanted to talk about our support of flock safety and the ALPR license plate readers and the program, which you might not hear a lot of support lately, which is why I'm here. So this is my first time speaking before the Board of Supervisors.

[03:06:25] I'm not a regular. But I have been asked, with a bunch of communities that have come together as this issue has evolved-- so I'm here representing 400 signed homes right now, but we're in upwards of 500 in the last couple days-- of communities that are in support of the ALPRs.

[03:06:45] And I also wanted to be here to support our police department, as I know Chief Davis is in support of the ALPRs. So my primary point is we don't want to let Fairfax get caught up in the national debate.

[03:07:00] And we want to focus on strictly Fairfax and our safety here. Not interested in mobocracy and TikTok videos and scare tactics for the midterms, but more what happens here at home. You have an opportunity, we all do, to show thoughtful leadership on how to approach this and not just respond quickly and really understand the impacts.

[03:07:24] So that's what I'm hoping to-- doing my time here and not open the door to criminals publicly like they have in Fairfax and Alexandria and others, where they've said, hey, we're discontinuing the program and criminals are watching. And that's an open door. So we hope to not have that happen.

[03:07:42] Really quick, I got involved in leading security for my neighborhood after a rash of home invasion burglaries in nearby communities. We formed groups. We started working with the police. We were having crimes every weekend, three in one night, out while walking a dog, out to dinner.

[03:07:59] High-value crime, some upwards of $250,000. So we are a ripe target. We had flock cameras at the time. We were among the first. But it wasn't until the private-public partnership with the police and with Fairfax County that we saw the deterrent of crime come through.

[03:08:18] So our little cameras didn't do anything. It wasn't until the police got involved. I know that we had packed board and town hall meetings. Fairfax County invested heavily. They developed a gold standard program. And crime almost nearly stopped for us.

[03:08:35] And they moved elsewhere. Keep an eye on my time. We don't want the surveillance state. We don't want data loss and data sharing. None of us want that. We share the same concerns of the board. We've read the board matter. We've read the letter, Jeff Kaye's letter, to Flock.

[03:08:53] and we've worked with FLOC, what we want to do is have a balance of our gold standards that's been in place in FCPD, along with giving the tools that the police need to keep us safe. And our group in that end has done many things, but also spoken with FLOC government affairs representatives to understand.

[03:09:14] And so I wanted to just answer a couple of quick questions that I know were on the board's mind. The one is, who owns the data and how can they access the data? So from my understanding, and to clarify, this is coming from FLOC and interviews and meetings that we've had with them.

[03:09:31] Only FCPD gives access. This could be a closed system if you want. You could lock out access to everyone else. I know there's a Mountain View, California case that's of concern that they had MOUs in place, but the data still got shared. We spoke with FLOC about that.

[03:09:47] And actually, there was a feature that they had turned on for a national lookup, And that's how that data got out and overridden. FLOC has implemented-- it had a toggle switch there, but it's made it much more prevalent, and it was a training issue. And we don't have that issue in Fairfax County.

[03:10:04] The other thing is the data can only be shared one level. So they come in and they can see the data, but it's not like we're transferring images and files to people that can then get rid of it. They could just log in. The only way they could do that is by misuse and downloading the data.

[03:10:23] I know I'm running low. Fox has added in built-in content moderation. They have no facial recognition available. In Fairfax, we use the classic version, has no AI on it. It is just the license plate, and it's image analysis.

[03:10:40] They also added in some additional audit features, which we were already doing in Fairfax County. Fairfax County uses private cameras, But the officers can't access that, and they can't-- it looks like I ran out.

[03:10:56] They can't access the private camera data without the use. And the private cameras don't give them the same access that they do. And just-- I'm over. We just want to-- we wrote a letter to the board with 13 questions of an impact that we'd like answered.

[03:11:13] And we also can commit that FLOC said they are coming and willing to work and put in any requests that you have to tighten the system, be an example and gold standard to others. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Speaker number two is Kanchana Thanimorthy, to be followed by Monica Tierney. Is anyone else here present who wishes to testify on this matter? Okay. Welcome. If you can come on down. You will be speaker number two. Welcome. Thank you, Chair McKay and members of the board. My name is Kanchana Thanimorthy.

[03:11:48] I'm an attorney with the Legal Aid Justice Center. I'm here today to ask the board to support anti-rent gouging policy as a tenant protection in Fairfax County. All Fairfax County families, no matter their race, income, or neighborhood, deserve to be able to afford a future in their communities. But renters in Fairfax cannot sustain severe and compounding rent increases that far outpace inflation and wage gains. Fairfax County faces the critical shortage of rental homes affordable to people earning 60% of AMI or below. Rents in Fairfax County have increased 40% since 2015.

[03:12:28] I regularly work with renters facing evictions in Fairfax. What I hear most from my clients here is that they cannot afford the rent increases as their apartments fall into worse disrepair. They face impossible choices of moving in with extended families into already crowded apartments, uprooting their children from school mid-year to potentially move out of Fairfax County, or facing a punishing commute to work.

[03:12:53] Our immigrant and undocumented neighbors, in particular, are already constrained to fewer housing options because of their status. Private landlords are exploiting this vulnerability to price gouge undocumented families and take advantage of their vulnerability. Anti-rent gouging policies are an immediate solution to this problem.

[03:13:12] And here's how the proposed legislation works. This critical tool empowers local governments like your own to mitigate evictions and prevent displacement by limiting yearly rent increases. It balances desperately needed protections for renters with predictability and reasonable return on investment guarantees for landlords.

[03:13:32] It's optional. If enabling legislation is passed at the General Assembly, localities can then decide if and how anti-rent gouging fits their housing market. It's also cost effective. These measures preserve affordable rents far more widely than subsidizing construction or funding vouchers.

[03:13:51] Currently, Fairfax County is ending up paying high rents on the private market for voucher holders, and an anti-rent gouging bill would put a cap on those rent increases. To implement an anti-rent gouging policy, Fairfax County would be able to assign implementation to an existing agency or create a new rent board to implement and administer exceptions.

[03:14:14] While there is an administrative cost, it's far more cost effective than current expensive subsidy programs. Crucially, in practice, these protections do not constrain housing supply. The bill exempts new supply for the first 10 years.

[03:14:31] These protections work in parallel with efforts to increase housing supply. They ensure that tenants can stay in their communities while more supply comes online. It's also flexible. Fairfax County would be able to tailor any exemptions to meet the local needs of the county.

[03:14:47] And finally, it guarantees a fair return on investments. If landlords have operating costs that justify higher rents, such as needing to make major property improvements, they are required to be exempted. This means that landlords who do right by their tenants will be able to upkeep the property and be able to continue to make a reasonable profit.

[03:15:09] This priority aligns very well with Fairfax County's legislative agenda for 2027, which already supports improving housing affordability, strengthening tenant protections, and preserving existing affordable housing options.

[03:15:26] These policies are proven to stabilize long-term communities, leading to economic prosperity, diverse neighborhoods, better educational outcomes, and healthy families. Please consider supporting these policies to ensure that renters can continue to stay and thrive in Fairfax.

[03:15:41] Thank you. Thank you very much for your testimony. Our next speaker is Monica Tierney.

[03:15:57] Good afternoon, Chairman McKay and members of the board. My name is Monica Tierney, and I'm here as a Fairfax County resident.

[03:16:14] I grew up in the Dunloring area and moved back five years ago. And just in the past two years, I've watched the landscape around Idlewood change dramatically, particularly with the loss of so many mature trees. We've seen trees removed along the local bike trail by Dominion Energy at Rexdale Park and most recently at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

[03:16:36] And today, two large oak trees near the Dunn-Loring Center are being cut down to make room for an updated school. I've reached out to county officials several times, and I'm repeatedly told how important mature tree canopy is. I appreciate hearing that, but there's a disconnect between what we're being told and what we're actually seeing in our neighborhoods.

[03:16:59] I know I'm not alone. I've spoken with neighbors and other residents who are deeply upset by these losses. I'm encouraged that the proposed 2027 legislative program already calls for greater authority to strengthen tree preservation requirements. But I believe we need to go further. We focus too much on canopy percentage and not enough on mature trees we're losing.

[03:17:26] A sapling cannot replace a tree that has taken 50 or 100 years to grow. At a time when cities are increasingly recognizing the value of mature trees and keeping communities cooler during hotter summers, I worry that removing so many established trees is a step backwards in how we're planning and developing our neighborhoods.

[03:17:47] I'm asking the board to consider three changes. One, first, significantly strengthen minimum tree preservation standards, Placing greater emphasis on protecting existing mature trees rather than relying on future canopy projections.

[03:18:04] Second, require stronger oversight of tree removal during utility and public infrastructure projects, including documented approval and consideration of reasonable alternatives. Third, adopt a preservation-first approach during development planning, requiring greater transparency about removal decisions.

[03:18:26] Nearby counties, Arlington and Montgomery County, already have tree protection and approval processes we can learn from. Finally, I believe mature tree preservation also belongs under the Housing and Neighborhood Livability in the 2027 Legislation Program, not just under environmental priorities.

[03:18:46] Because these trees are part of what makes our neighborhood feel like home. And for those of us watching them disappear, it feels like we're losing a part of our home. Thank you. Thank you. Speaker number four is Keith Henning, who has submitted video testimony.

[03:19:03] When I grew up here in Fairfax County, our schools were some of the best in the country. But now they're failing. Teachers are leaving, classrooms are crowded, and our kids are not prepared for the world anymore.

[03:19:20] You guys are in a really tough spot. I know you want to fully fund all county services, including our schools, but the money simply isn't there. Right now, Fairfax County is begging rich men for money every single budget cycle.

[03:19:36] You've heard the saying, give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime. It's time to actually be allowed to fish. Instead of asking the state for handouts every single year, Fairfax County needs to request local revenue authority from the General Assembly.

[03:19:55] The strongest solution we could use? A land value tax or an LVT. Right now, property taxes actually penalize you for building on your land. Under an LVT, we tax the land higher and the buildings and homes lower.

[03:20:12] Look at these massive parking lots right next to a metro station. Speculators sit on them for years, paying low taxes while doing nothing. An LVT shifts the math overnight, incentivizing development, using surface lots for new purposes, and creating prosperity for everyone.

[03:20:31] Even better, an LVT reduces the burden on low-income homeowners while asking single-families, sprawling neighborhoods to finally cover its fair share. Solution number two would be a targeted county income tax. But here's the key.

[03:20:48] Tie it exclusively to those earning above 150% of the county median income. High earners contribute directly to improving schools and services without squeezing working families. If we want top-tier schools and thriving communities, we need the money to make it happen.

[03:21:07] Your top priority should be getting this power from the state. Thank you. Thank you very much for that. Let me verify that there is no one else present who wishes to testify on this matter. Seeing and hearing no one, let me ask the clerk if there are any additional callers.

[03:21:26] There are no callers. No additional callers. Any closing comments from staff or Supervisor Jimenez? I do have closing comments. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to again thank everyone who took the time today to participate in our public hearing. We greatly appreciate hearing directly from our residents, community organizations, and advocates about the issues that matter the most to them.

[03:21:50] Your feedback is valued and is an important part of this process. You all play a critical role in helping inform the priorities we bring to Richmond on behalf of Fairfax County. To close this out, I want to briefly discuss next steps. The Legislative Committee will reconvene on December 1st to continue reviewing and finalizing our proposed legislative program ahead of its adoption by the full board on December 8th.

[03:22:16] That will put us in a proactive position to begin our advocacy efforts before the General Assembly, which convenes on January 13th. Finally, I want to again recognize Jennifer Vanee and our entire legislative team for their hard work, preparation, and continued dedication to representing Fairfax counties interest in Richmond we truly appreciate your efforts thank you again to everyone who has joined us today and thank you mr. chairman thank you very much for that supervisor Jimenez and again we are not adopting the program today we will be and we will keep the record open if we get any additional

[03:22:55] comments moving forward before adoption all right with that we're going to move on to our next item which is a public hearing on SC - 2026 - BR - 0 0 0 0 7 extra space properties 1 2 4 LP in the Braddock district that's right in the Braddock district and at this time if we could please have the applicant reaffirm the affidavit sir chairman supervisors my name is David Schneider with Holland tonight, and on behalf of the applicant, I reaffirm the affidavit dated October 1, 2026.

[03:23:34] Thank you very much. Are there any disclosures from board members? Any disclosures from board members? Seeing and hearing none, I will now recognize county staff for a staff presentation. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. I'm Brandon McCadden from the Department of Planning and Development. The subject property is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Fairfax County Parkway and Fred's Oak Road, approximately 800 feet east of the interchange with Ox Road in Burke.

[03:24:00] The site is approximately 4.2 acres and zone I-5. The site is developed with four self-storage buildings and a small two-story office building. Access is provided from a single driveway from Fredscope Road just north of the intersection with the parkway. Parking is dispersed around the perimeter of the site in several clusters.

[03:24:19] The applicant requests to demolish the two northernmost self-storage buildings and construct a single, larger self-storage building. The two southern buildings and office would remain. Overall, the total gross floor area would increase from 89,149 square feet to 164,719 square feet, and the FAR would increase from 0.49 to 0.89.

[03:24:39] In the I-5 district, the maximum permitted FAR is 0.5, but an increase to 1.0 is permitted by special exception. The number of provided parking spaces would increase from 32 to 38, including three loading spaces. No changes to the site access are proposed. The applicant has agreed to dedicate right-of-way and make a monetary contribution for the future extension of a paved trail along the site's Fairfax County Parkway frontage.

[03:25:03] Elevations of the proposed building are seen here. The facade will include gray and white concrete blocks, synthetic stucco, metal trim, and green roll-up doors. The building will be 91,750 square feet, four levels, and 49 feet tall. That concludes my presentation, Mr. Chairman.

[03:25:19] Thank you. Thank you very much. This time we'd recognize the applicant for an applicant's presentation. Chairman, thank you very much. supervisors, again, David Schneider with Holland and Knight. It's a privilege to be the first land use case after this morning designating this Community Planning Month, and it's only appropriate for it to be a Braddock District case. With that, I want to thank staff, Mr.

[03:25:47] McHatton, Mr. Krasner, Supervisor Sizemore-Heiser, and Commissioner Cortina. There were a lot of things that we needed to wrestle with this one, but we ended up, I think, in a very good spot. So I'll be brief. Staff did a very good job. The property is zoned I-5. It is surrounded by the parkway, and then a lot of county industrial and civic uses between a library and a wastewater treatment facility.

[03:26:09] As staff said, we're proposing to demolish the back two buildings here and construct a new, one new temperature-controlled building. It's important, this property zoned I-5, the use is permitted by right. We are seeking the SCE for additional GFA, not to allow a use that would need a special exception to be established, and it is already an established self-storage facility here.

[03:26:31] This exact type of model is consistent with the land use policy plan, which even before Plan Forward had this policy, which specifically contemplates, it recognizes that there's minimal transportation impact with self-storage, and there are benefits of aggregating the use onto one parcel as opposed to developing multiple parcels that are planned industrial with this use.

[03:26:59] And so this is exactly what we're bringing forward here today. We chose to develop the back of the site because it sits 14 feet below the grade of the parkway, and it sits 200 feet back from the parkway, plus it has two two-story buildings in front of it.

[03:27:15] So between being lower in grade and the distance, it'll be well-screened. You'll see here, staff shared these elevations. No one will see these unless you're standing on the property. This gives a little bit of an architectural rendering of what that could, if approved, look like on the site.

[03:27:31] And I can see eyes struggling to see it, and that's the point. I think that the applicant has gone above and beyond here. We are making right-of-way dedication for future flexibility and escrowing the cost of a construction of a trail that it would be located.

[03:27:49] It's located in limited-access highway. And we're also constructing missing sidewalk connection on Fred Oaks Road, including a portion on county-owned property. We're not in an area of expectation under the environmental policy plan, but we're still committing to green building certification and electric vehicle charging.

[03:28:06] Now, we have five parking spaces, but it was important to still honor the commitment. So with that, happy to answer any questions and ask for your approval. Thank you very much for that. Let me ask if there are any questions of staff or the applicant.

[03:28:24] Seeing and hearing none. This is a public hearing, and I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter. Is there anyone here present who would like to speak? This is a public hearing. Seeing and hearing no one. Let me ask if we have any callers. There are no callers.

[03:28:40] There are no callers. The applicant waives rebuttal. Closing comments and a recommendation from county staff. On September 23, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the application subject to the proposed development conditions dated September 9, 2026. Staff concurs with the recommendation of approval.

[03:28:56] Thank you very much. Any questions from board members? Seeing and hearing none. I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Sizemore Heiser for a motion. Thank you. Before I make the motion, I just want to make a couple comments, if that's okay. I just first want to thank the Planning Commission, thank Planning Commissioner Cortina, the accounting zoning evaluation staff, FCDOT, VDOT, and the applicant for their work in coordinating work with the applicant through the special exemption.

[03:29:24] I know it's been a lot of work, especially given the limited access highway and many other factors. So I really appreciate the collaborative work. As noted in the proposal, while the extra storage is planning on demolishing two one-story buildings, given the slope of the property, the four-story building consolidating the extra storage is going to have a minimal impact in terms of the sight lines.

[03:29:46] And so it's really a great project to add more space without impacting the sight lines as well. I really appreciate that ExoStorage is committed to keeping the new tolerance structure within the surrounding visual character. And really, especially on the green building certification, preserving 10 times the number of trees required for an industrial property and the electric charging.

[03:30:06] I think this is all going to be a really great thing for the community as well. And I really appreciate staff's work in working through some very challenging and difficult aspects of this project. I also wanted to say I appreciate the conversations that county staff, FCDOT, VDOT, and the applicant engaged in around the discussions around the portion of dedicating the portion of the applicant's property to be used for that trail as well as funding for that trail.

[03:30:33] So I think the applicant's agreement to dedicate land and fund a trail recognizes the importance that the applicant feels to the county's comprehensive plan for making connections and pedestrian improvements along the parkway. So I really appreciate staff's work in getting that, the applicants' work, VDOT, the Planning Commission, for their efforts on this proposal.

[03:30:53] And I think it's going to fit very well within the Braddock District and provide a much-needed service and some green space and environmental-friendly features as well. So with that, Mr. Chairman, I request that the applicant confirm for the record its agreement to development conditions dated September 9, 2026.

[03:31:11] David Schneider, on behalf of the applicant, agreed to the development conditions dated September 9, 2026. Okay. I move that the Board of Supervisors approve SC-2026-BR-0007 subject to the development conditions dated September 9, 2026.

[03:31:28] And I further move that the Board of Supervisors approve the waivers and modifications listed in the handout dated September 23, 2026, which we made part of the record. And the Chair will second that motion. Discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

[03:31:44] Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. Thank you. Next, we have a public hearing on PCA-2003-PR-022-04, CDPA-2003-PR-022-002, Victor Vianna R35-LC in the Providence District, and could the applicant please reaffirm the affidavit?

[03:32:12] Mr. Chairman, members of the board, my name is Andrew Painter with the law firm of Walsh-Colucci, and I reaffirmed the affidavit dated August 31, 2026. Thank you very much. Disclosures from board members. Supervisor Herity. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I disclosed John Peterson donated in excess of $100 to Friends of Pat Herity.

[03:32:32] I also disclosed that I attended the ANOVA Life with Cancer Lobster Fest, hosted by the Peterson Family Trust. Thank you, and I would disclose that a complimentary ticket to the Inova-Peterson Life with Cancer event valued in excess of $100 was provided to me by the Peterson Family Trust in my capacity as chairman of the board.

[03:32:52] Are there any other disclosures? Seeing and hearing none, I will now recognize county staff for a staff presentation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. I'm Kathy Lewis with the Department of Planning and Development. With these applications, the applicant is requesting a proper condition amendment concurrent with a conceptual development plan amendment.

[03:33:13] The application site is the approved location for Building 18 within the larger Metro West development, which is located south of the Vienna Metro Station and I-66. As part of the original rezoning in 2006, the subject 1.83-acre property depicted a 105-foot-tall residential building with retail and a child care center on the ground floor.

[03:33:37] The plan text for Metro West specifically states that a child care center should be provided within the development to serve both the residents of the community and transit riders. This slide prepares a comparison of the building layout from the approved to the proposed.

[03:33:53] Both concepts provide a multifamily building with ground floor retail, private courtyard, daycare center with private playground, and garage access along Sprague Avenue, as well as a public courtyard at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Royal Victoria Drive.

[03:34:09] With these applications, the applicant proposes to increase the dwellings from the current 244 units to 269 units, the height from a maximum of 105 feet to 114 feet, and an increase in overall gross floor area by approximately 36,000 square feet.

[03:34:30] The additional height is requested to accommodate the 27 affordable dwelling units, which will be provided within the proposed building. The FAR for the PRM portion of Metro West would remain unchanged at 2.24 FAR. Building 18 would vary in height with a maximum height of 114 feet at the corner of Sprague Avenue and Royal Victoria Drive.

[03:34:54] The building would then taper down to a maximum height of 74 feet along Bastille Street and Hammersmith Lane. In this way, staff finds that the proposed building provides a transition between the lower-density townhomes to the south and west to the higher-density mixed-use residential development that is planned to the north and east.

[03:35:15] Vehicle access to the parking garage, along with the retail and residential loading access, would be provided along Sprague Avenue. A majority of the building's parking would be located in the parking garages with 195 spaces, 5% of which would be designated for Level 2 EV charging stations.

[03:35:34] An additional 26 spaces would be provided as on-street parking. This concludes staff presentation. Thank you. Thank you very much. At this time, we'd welcome the applicant's presentation. Mr. Chairman, thank you again. Andrew Painter with Walsh Colucci. And I want to express my appreciation to Ms. Lewis, as well as our DPD project planner, Tabitha Cole, on this.

[03:35:54] They've been excellent to work with. I see Jeremy Cohen with FCDOT up in the audience as well. This is an important step in realizing the long-planned vision for Metro West and the delivery of the long-planned Building 18, which was approved for this block more than 20 years ago.

[03:36:09] It will provide 269 units in a transit-rich environment. It will deliver much-needed child care uses and ground floor commercial uses. And I think, Mr. Chairman, in stepping back, I think it's important to remember, and I think it's easy to forget, that Metro West, when it was first approved in 2006, was highly controversial.

[03:36:27] This was the first time that Fairfax County had genuinely thought about taking underutilized land next to one of its Metro Rail stations and transforming it from what was always seen as a commuter hub into the county's first genuine transit-oriented development. I think it was a visionary for this time. This building has long been planned for a substantial apartment building.

[03:36:44] It's in the core area, which contemplates taller buildings and heights as you move towards the Metrorail station. And there were conceptual-level drawings which accompanied prior approvals, but no one had yet been able to crack the code to create a financially viable building. And unfortunately, at the same time over those ensuing years, the Vienna Metrorail station, which was once one of the highest ridership stations on the system, It saw a precipitous drop from about 13,000 riders per day in the 2010s to less than 5,000 today.

[03:37:17] Peterson purchased the site in 2025. It immediately set about trying to find a way to thread the needle and deliver the project. As staff mentioned, there are a few tweaks and refinements related to the reallocation of units and building height, but I think that's common with any project, especially one that has been sitting vacant for 20 years.

[03:37:35] There is an emphasis on larger units to house families. As staff mentioned, 27 of the proposed units, a little over 10%, are going to be affordable dwelling units. We have introduced a universal design proffer for all universal design elements, or excuse me, all units to have universal design elements.

[03:37:52] Still have commitments to high-quality architecture and design. And as staff mentioned, we are carrying forward the prior commitment for a 10,000-square-foot child care center to serve 150 children. And that is something that's sorely needed in northern Virginia. If you look at the proffers, there is also an emphasis on prioritizing Metro West, the children of Metro West residents as well.

[03:38:15] In terms of transportation and parking, the building will be served by a two and a half level, two and a half below grade garage, which, as board members know, is rarely constructed outside of the Beltway and is frankly one of the reasons why it's taken so long to deliver this building. We are requesting a loading dock waiver from three spaces to two, which we have provided justification for in our statement of justification.

[03:38:38] We are continuing the build out of the street grid because getting people to transit relies upon a dignified and safe access to transit. And so we're happy to provide that additional block. In terms of our environmental approach, we either meet or exceed our open space and tree canopy requirements.

[03:38:56] We have introduced a series of new environmental commitments, which are shown on the screen. And just to walk through a couple of graphics, I know staff did this, but what you're looking at here is the corner of Sprague Avenue and Royal Victoria Drive. This is the tallest portion of the building closest to the Metrorail Station.

[03:39:12] And then zoomed in here is the main plaza, and my hat's off to the architect and our engineer for figuring out a way to work with the grades and also meet the streetscape with the storefronts and having sort of that porosity between those two zones. This is the southeastern corner of the building.

[03:39:29] What you're looking at here is the corner of Arroyo Victoria and Bastille Street, and you can see the street entrance for the proposed child care use. And my appreciation to Supervisor Pouchik's office for making a recommendation that we relocate our commercial uses along Royal Victoria Drive to be opposite the planned commercial uses that Pulte is constructing, because we want to have a strong retail street to ensure the viability of retail as much as possible.

[03:39:54] This is the other wing of the building where we are proposing our residential lobby entrance. The buildings that are on the left-hand side that are sort of ghosted in, those are the future town center buildings. And I wanted to just focus here because you can see how the building steps down from a maximum of 114 feet down to 74 feet opposite the stack townhomes and our neighbors to the south and west, as staff mentioned.

[03:40:16] I like these images because, again, it shows how the building steps down and tapers down to be more mindful and contextually sensitive to our neighbors. But you can also see how it ramps up as you approach the metro rail station. And then this is the interior of the building that has the 5,200-square-foot outdoor play area for the child care center.

[03:40:35] And Mr. Chairman, just in closing, I would just like to express my appreciation to members of the community that offer constructive feedback during this process and criticisms as well. And I appreciate Supervisor Palczyk's office for encouraging us to work through some of those issues. What we've sought to do is in listening to the community and some of the very real lived experiences that they have is introduce measures intended to reduce the impacts of future construction and reduce the potential for overflow parking in the neighborhood.

[03:41:02] And just final close, Mr. Chairman, I shared this with the Planning Commission and might get a chuckle here, but I did find a quote from the former president or former CEO of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce when this was originally approved. And he said, quote, the inescapable and inevitable fact is that we, this county, will continue to grow.

[03:41:21] But the county must grow differently than it has. This is the right project in the right place at the right time built to the right scale. And I would submit that 20 years after this project was first approved, this is still the right project of the right scale. And Building 18 certainly delivers housing supply and affordable housing supply in a transit-rich environment.

[03:41:38] So our team is here to answer any questions, and we appreciate your consideration. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any questions of staff or the applicant? Yes, Supervisor Palcic. Thank you, and thank you to staff and the applicant and your work with the community. I know you went through it fairly quickly, and it was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission, but we know parking is very limited in this area, right?

[03:42:02] And so if you could walk us through just a little bit, clarify how the parking you're proposing is divided again between the residence, retail, child care, all the things that we want. making sure, as you mentioned, there's no overflow into the community. Certainly. So we have 100, first of all, we're parking to code.

[03:42:20] We have 195 parking spaces in the building. 135 of those will be used for residential purposes, and we're not seeking a reduction on that. 32 of those spaces will be fully parked for the retail, not seeking a reduction there. 14 spaces for the child care center. And then the proffers require an additional 14 unassigned visitor spaces.

[03:42:40] So from a retail or child care perspective, we are actually over-parked within the garage. And then around the perimeter of the property, we are going to be building 26 at-grade spaces, on-street spaces. Two of those would be potentially used for short-term pickup and drop-off by the lobby entrance and then two for the child care entrance.

[03:42:58] And then if you look at the proffers, what we've sought to do is to have notification of building residents, restrictions on the on-street parking spaces, a loading dock coordinator and more to reduce the greatest extent possible that people are going to be parking in the neighborhood. Thank you.

[03:43:17] Other questions? Supervisor Alcorn. Yeah, just to follow up on that last point, I know you're trying to make a retail-facing street. Is that, and I haven't been able to find it in the staff report, is that a public or a private street? These will be private streets. Okay, good, because if you try to do short-term parking on public streets, I found it to be a lot more difficult.

[03:43:36] So thank you. Okay. If there are no further questions of staff or the applicant, this is a public hearing. And I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter. Is there anyone here present who would like to speak on this specific subject? Anyone present who would like to speak on this specific matter?

[03:43:54] Seeing and hearing no one, let me ask if we have any callers. There are no callers. No callers. The applicant waives rebuttal. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. On September 30th, 2026, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the subject application subject to the executed proffers now dated October 6th, 2026, as well as the requested modification of the loading space requirement.

[03:44:18] Staff concurs with those recommendations. Thank you. Last check. Questions from board members? Seeing and hearing none, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Palchuk for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will make very brief remarks. First of all, I just want to thank Tabitha in absentia and Kathy and Jeremy for their work on this.

[03:44:38] As was mentioned, the community has been waiting for over 20 years for retail and this space that was supposed to be an innovative, multi-mixed-use space for the community right on the Vienna Metro. I'm partial to Dunloring. That's where I grew up.

[03:44:54] But I'm very excited to see Vienna Metro really starting to move forward. And Block 18 has been part of this approved plan, as was mentioned, since 2008. Ever since I first ran for office, I've heard from the residents here who want retail in Metro West.

[03:45:10] Fortunately, some of the other options are not moving forward yet, but Block 18 is giving us the opportunity. It will provide the retail, the child care, open spaces, and some parking, and I think really bring a little bit more vibrancy.

[03:45:27] We all need a coffee shop in this area, but it really is important to move forward. In addition, I really appreciate the 27 affordable dwelling units and the universal design. As we move into mixed-use developments, we also know that there are seniors and people with mobility issues that are wanting to live close to metro and close to these walkable areas.

[03:45:49] The separately approved grocery store, which was an issue for a long time, is planned for the core area to the north. There's also a grocery store down the street, and so I hope the success of this retail helps bring future grocery and other retail to this community and encourage the rest of the core area to move forward.

[03:46:08] I very much appreciate realigning the retail so that it can be successful and trying to find some appropriate uses that will be able to pencil out and move forward for the residents here, existing and future. I very much appreciate the work by staff, by the applicant, by the community, by my staff, and to address the compatibility issues that are there, the setbacks and the heights focused on the existing residential, as well as having the higher heights closer to the future commercial spaces and closer to the core of the metro.

[03:46:43] So I do think this is a pretty big step forward, a little bit of retail, but the first that we're finally seeing being produced here in the Metro West community. So those who've been waiting for a very long time, I know there's never a perfect application, but this at minimum will give us something real to move forward with and place the greatest emphasis on metro-oriented development, on connections and improvements to the street grid for here, for the existing community center and existing communities.

[03:47:16] So with those comments, I am pleased to make my motions. I have two. I move that the Board of Supervisors approve PCA-2003-PR-022-04 and accompanying CDPA-2003-PR-022-002, Subject to the executed proffers dated October 6, 2026, and that the board adopt the proposed zoning ordinance amendment reflecting approval of these applications.

[03:47:50] Further, I move that the Board of Supervisors approve the modification and waivers listed on the cover of the staff report dated September 16, 2026. You've heard the motion. The chair will second that. Seconded also by Supervisor Bierman. Discussion on the motion.

[03:48:09] further discussion on the motion seeing and hearing none all those in favor of the motion please say aye aye any opposed any abstentions and that motion carries thank you our next public hearing understand is being deferred but let me call it public hearing on RZ 2025 - dr - 0 0 0 2 1 Seekas homes limited in the drainsville district supervisor Beerman I move that the board supervisors defer the public hearing for RZ-2025-DR-00021 to a date certain of

[03:48:44] October 27th 2026 at 3:00 p.m. you've heard the motion the chair will second that motion discussion on the motion seeing and hearing none all those in favor please say aye aye aye any opposed any abstentions that motion carries thank you. Thank you. Next, we have a public hearing on AF-2026-DR-00001, Orchard Spring in the Drainsville District. And could we please have staff give us a staff presentation? Thank you,

[03:49:22] Mr. Chairman. My name is Sophia Fisher with the Department of Planning and Development. This is the Orchard Spring Agricultural and Forestal District. It requests to reestablish the Agricultural and Forestal District. The property is approximately 27.82 acres, and it's located on Georgetown Pike and Old Dominion Drive. The Agricultural and Forestal District was originally established in 1992. It expired in 2026, but there have been no changes

[03:49:53] to the district since the expiration. The property is zoned residential estate and is located in the difficult-run watershed. There's extensive EQC on the site, primarily in the northwest corner.

[03:50:13] The area forester inspected the property and determined that it was appropriate to continue the 2009 forestry management plan and offered recommendations on invasive species management. The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District determined that there's no need for a water quality conservation plan at this location because there's not active agriculture. The proposed reestablishment satisfies all of the applicable Group A and Group B criteria and satisfies the intent of the ANF district. Thank you. Thank you very much. Let me ask if there's

[03:50:48] any questions of staff. Seeing and hearing none, I will give the applicant an opportunity if there's anything you'd like to share with us. You don't have to. Hi, my name is Tracy Augustine on behalf of the applicant. Good afternoon. I just want to take a moment to thank the staff and the entire county representatives that we've worked through this process with they've been very very helpful and what can be somewhat a complicated process at times as well as the Planning Commission and the advisory board as well so thank you we think it's a good project we think it's good for the community and we really like to do it again excellent thank you for that this is a public

[03:51:28] hearing and let me ask if any speakers are here to speak on this specific item this is a public hearing anyone wishing to testify seeing and hearing no one let me verify we have no callers there are no callers applicant ways rebuttal closing comments and a recommendation from County staff thank you just a note before I provide the recommendations I apologize I mixed up the acreage of this district with the next district this district is thirty three point seven seven acres in the next district is twenty eight point seven acres so my apologies I work on them both at the same time the agricultural and forestal

[03:52:08] district recommended approval of the reestablishment at the district there July 15th, 2026 meeting. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the reestablishment at their September 16th, 2026 public hearing, and staff concurs with both recommendations. Thank you.

[03:52:26] Thank you for that. Questions from board members? Seeing and hearing none, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Behrman for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I request that the applicant state on the record their acceptance of the provisions contained in the proposed ordinance dated October 13th, 2026. On behalf of the applicant, I accept. Thank you.

[03:52:50] I move that the Board of Supervisors adopt a district ordinance reestablishing the Orchard Spring Local Agricultural and Forestry District to be codified in Appendix F of the County Code as proposed in AF 2026-DR-0001, pursuant to Chapter 44 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia and chapter 115 of the Fairfax County code as set forth in the proposed ordinance dated October 13th 2026 and the chair will second that along with Supervisor Herity and Supervisor Smith discussion on the motion

[03:53:29] Supervisor Beerman just wanted to thank County staff and thank you for doing this. Yes, absolutely With that all those in favor of the motion, please say aye aye any opposed any abstentions and that motion carries. Thank you Next, we have a public hearing on AF-2026-DR-00002, Cornfield, in the Drainville District.

[03:53:55] And if we could please have staff give us a county staff presentation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm still Sophia Fisher with the Department of Planning and Development. This application is located off of Arnon Chapel Road. It's 27.82 acres.

[03:54:12] It requests to reestablish the cornfield local agricultural and forestal district. This district was originally established in 1983. It expired at the end of 2005. And like the other one, there have been no changes to the district since the expiration.

[03:54:29] The property is zoned residential estate. It's in the difficult-run watershed. There's just a small amount of floodplain in the corner. The area forester inspected the property and determined that it is appropriate to continue the 2007 Forestry Management Plan, and offered recommendations on invasive species management.

[03:54:51] The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District determined that there is no need for a soil and water quality conservation plan at this location, again, because there's no active agriculture. And the proposed district satisfies all of the applicable Group A criteria and one of the criteria in Group B, and meets the intent of the Agricultural and Forestal District program.

[03:55:14] Thank you. Thank you very much. Are there any questions of staff? Okay. Again, if the applicant would like to share a few thoughts. Welcome back. Thank you. Again, Tracy Augustine will be up to the applicant. Again, same comments. The staff was fantastic to work with.

[03:55:30] Appreciate the process and appreciate the county doing this. Thank you very much. This is a public hearing, and I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter. Is there anyone here present who would like to speak? This is a public hearing. Anyone who would like to testify on this matter?

[03:55:47] Seeing and hearing no one, let me verify we have no callers. There are no callers. The applicant waives rebuttal. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. Thank you. The Agricultural and Forestry District Advisory Committee recommended approval of the reestablishment at their July meeting.

[03:56:03] The Planning Commission recommended approval of the reestablishment at their September 16th public hearing. And staff concurs with both recommendations. Thank you. Thank you very much. At this time, I will close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Beerman for a motion.

[03:56:20] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I once again request that the applicants state on the record their acceptance of the provisions contained in the proposed ordinance dated October 13, 2026. Thank you.

[03:56:33] I move that the Board of Supervisors adopt a district ordinance reestablishing the Cornfield Local Agricultural and Forestry District to be codified in Appendix F of the County Code as proposed in AF 2026-DR-00002, pursuant to Chapter 44 of Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia and Chapter 115 of the Fairfax County Code as set forth in the proposed ordinance dated October 13, 2026.

[03:57:02] Chair, we'll second that along with Supervisor Smith. Discussion on the motion? Once again, thank you for doing this, and thank you to county staff. And once again, thank you for that. And all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions?

[03:57:19] And that motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. I was here, Mr. Pete. I always like to go like this. And next, we have a public hearing on proposed plan amendment SSPA-2023-3-4UP, Discovery Square in Land Unit D-3 of the Dulles Suburban Center in the Sully District.

[03:57:44] And at this time, I would recognize county staff for a staff presentation. Good evening, Mr. Chairman and members of the Board of Supervisors. My name is Samantha Archibald, and I am joined today by Clara Johnson.

[03:58:01] We are with the Department of Planning and Development, and we're here to present the Discovery Square Plan Amendment. Also with us today is Thomas Burke from FCDOT. Before I begin my presentation, Clara will provide a brief explanation on how a plan amendment differs from a zoning case.

[03:58:20] Thank you. This is for our viewing audience, so that they can appreciate this is a little bit different than a zoning case. Today's hearing is on the conference of plan amendment. However, there is a zoning application that is under review concurrent with this.

[03:58:37] A plan amendment and a rezoning are related, but they address a different set of considerations. A plan amendment considers whether a proposed use, development pattern, and level of density or intensity are appropriate as a matter of long-range planning policy.

[03:58:53] A rezoning considers the specific zoning change and development proposal within that planning framework, including detailed site design, zoning requirements, environmental constraints, infrastructure, transportation impacts, and other applicable regulations and policies.

[03:59:09] Plan amendment will establish the broader planning framework, the subsequent rezoning review, which is subject to a separate public hearing process. At a later date, we'll evaluate and commit to the specific design elements and mitigation measures to implement the guidance.

[03:59:27] Samantha. Thanks, Clara. The subject property for this plan amendment is 8.08 acres and is located within the Dulles Suburban Center at Centerville Road and Wall Road. The property is the final undeveloped portion of the Discovery Square planned amendment.

[03:59:47] The surrounding area contains residential, recreation, and self-storage uses. The adopted plan recommends high-quality campus-style office uses at 0.5 and 1.0 FAR, with optional training or hotel conference uses.

[04:00:07] The plan also includes a mixed-use option of up to 0.7 FAR that allows a mix of office, retail, recreation, and residential uses. In October, sorry, in April 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized consideration of a site-specific plan amendment for Parcel 6C1 to add an option for residential and retail uses.

[04:00:33] In February 2025, the authorization was updated to evaluate multifamily residential development up to 0.8 FAR. The proposed plan amendment would add an option for residential and retail uses, allowing up to 108 multifamily dwelling units and approximately 31,460 square feet of neighborhood serving retail, up to 0.8 FAR.

[04:01:04] Staff's analysis considered the proposed land use mix and intensity, site design and compatibility, housing opportunities near services, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, parks and open space, and transportation impacts.

[04:01:20] This concludes my presentation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much for that presentation. Let me now recognize the agent for the nominator, which, of course, is Lynn Strobel. Welcome. Thank you. thank you mr. chairman members of the board my name is Lynn Strobel I represent the nominator I really don't have a lot to add to staff's presentation I think this is straightforward I will just note that this undeveloped eight acres is the last portion of Discovery Square that was originally over 66 acres that were rezoned in 2007 and over the years of course things have

[04:02:00] evolved there's been less office more residential that's been approved as part of Discovery Square and that is not dissimilar to what's before you this afternoon because the property is planned for office and retail in order to have this developed and become an integrated part of Discovery Square the option is to allow residential we do have a development plan for residential and retail development that will be coming to you next month and we're continuing to work with staff in that process but we think that this plan amendment is a wonderful first step to getting us there.

[04:02:34] So I would be happy to answer any questions that you have. Thank you. Thank you very much for that presentation. Are there any questions from board members of staff or the nominator? Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing.

[04:02:50] And I have, let's see, one speaker signed up in advance to testify on this matter who is joining us by phone, Lucas Renfrew. Can you hear me OK? Yes, I can hear you. Welcome, the floor is yours.

[04:03:05] All right. Good afternoon, Board of Supervisors. Thank you for holding this hearing. So basically, I'm a local resident, right? I live in the neighborhood across from the-- basically, the site that's being talked about.

[04:03:28] And I would say that most of us, most of the people I know who live in the neighborhood, we've been keeping our eyes on that piece of land that's just been conspicuously grasped for like the longest time.

[04:03:48] And you know, we've been asking each other like, you know, when are they gonna build something there? You know, what is it zoned for? Is it zoned for commercial? Is it zoned for something else? But basically, I wanted to voice my support for the amendment because I think it's in the best interest of the residents, not just in my neighborhood, but in Discovery Square to have that sort of close-by, walkable retail space.

[04:04:18] None of us really jump for joy every time they build a new office building in the area because, like, you know, we've watched them go up over the years, and a lot of them feel really imposing and they're, like, fenced off. I'm more specifically referring to Dulles Discovery.

[04:04:36] So having something, you know, that the community can engage with, you know, have a retail capacity and you know houses are good I like I like it when they build new houses even if I think some of them don't look that great they kind of look like all the same but you know a house is a house I'm not really here to judge but yeah if Ryan Holmes is listening please you know I would just recommend a little more variety but other than that you know I love

[04:05:14] the amendment. That's pretty much all I have. Thank you very much for your testimony. And let me ask if there's anyone else here present who would like to speak on this matter. This is a public hearing. Anyone else who would like to testify? Seeing and hearing no one. Let me verify there are no other callers. There are no other callers. No other callers. Final check questions from board members. Seeing and hearing none. We'll now close the public hearing and recognize Vice Chair Smith for a motion. I'm going to make my motion and then make a couple of comments.

[04:05:46] Mr. Chairman, we haven't done the staff recommendation. Planning Commission and staff recommendation. Did we skip that? Ah, okay. Please. Yeah, thank you. Give us your recommendation. Actually, and I said we were to close the public hearing, but we'll reopen the public hearing for the purpose of hearing the staff recommendation. Please. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[04:06:07] On September 9, 2026, the Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt Plan Amendment 2023-3-4-UP as shown on pages 16 and 17 of the August 19, 2026 staff report.

[04:06:26] The recommendation adds an option for residential and retail uses up to 0.8 FAR with provisions for parks, public gathering spaces, and improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, including upgraded crossings.

[04:06:44] Staff concurs with the Planning Commission recommendation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much for that. I will now close the public hearing and recognize Vice Chair Smith for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Planning Commission recommendation for SSPA 2023 Roman numeral 3-4UP to add an option to allow a mix of residential and retail uses up to 0.8 FAR as shown on pages 16 and 17 of the staff report dated August 19, 2026.

[04:07:20] You've heard the motion. The Chair will second that. Discussion on the motion. So the proposed plan amendment provides an opportunity to expand housing opportunities and access to neighborhoods serving retail within the Discovery Square community. This is consistent with the Dulles Suburban Center's vision for an integrated mix of housing, employment, and services.

[04:07:41] The amendment encourages improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and publicly accessible urban parks that provide opportunities for community gathering. And I'm happy Clara is part of this because she remembers when we did the Dulles Suburban Comp Plan back in the 2017 area.

[04:07:59] And the community around here back then thought they were getting a town center. And that didn't happen over time with more residential coming in. And I think now we have this plan with the Comprehensive Plan to ensure that retail comes to this community.

[04:08:17] We've heard a lot from the community. The retail is an important piece of what they expect there, and I think the language for the comp plan will be helpful for that. So I am very supportive of this, and I look for my colleagues' support. Thank you very much for that.

[04:08:34] Is there any additional discussion? Seeing and hearing none, all those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. Thank you. Next, we have a public hearing on proposed plan amendment 2024-2-1FC Fairfax Center area land unit K planning study in the Springfield District.

[04:08:58] And as soon as they are ready, we would recognize county staff for a staff presentation.

[04:09:29] Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. My name is Sahar Hamdard. I'm joined tonight by Graham Owen from the Department of Planning and Development, as well as Tom Burke from FCDOT. The planning study is focused on Unit K of the Fairfax Centre area, and it's one of four planning studies that have been scheduled for Board of Supervisors hearing in the next few months.

[04:09:51] The area covered in this presentation is outlined in red. The second area is subunit G1 and G2 outlined in blue dashed line, which will be heard tonight immediately following this item. The third area, outlined in yellow, is a study of the Fairfax Intercore area and is scheduled for a board hearing on October 27.

[04:10:13] Finally, the fourth area, shown in green, is a study of Fair Lakes and is scheduled for a board hearing on February 2, 2027. Land Unit K contains approximately 129 acres, located south and east of Interstate 66, north of Route 50 and west of the city of Fairfax.

[04:10:32] Land Unit K is developed with office, light industrial, hotel, and multifamily residential uses. The area is surrounded mostly by residential and commercial uses. Land Unit K has been undergoing a phased planning study since 2023.

[04:10:48] Phase 1 was adopted by the board on November 18, 2025 and introduced mixed user development options for two sites, the Fairfax Ridge Road and Fair Ox Business Park sites, with recommendations for area-wide sewer capacity enhancements which are needed to support residential development in this area.

[04:11:07] The associated zoning cases were subsequently approved and included proffers to upgrade the area's sewer pump station to support the broader redevelopment potential in the area. The current Phase 2 study focuses on the remaining portions of Land Unit K and provides recommendations related to land-use transportation in parks.

[04:11:27] The adopted plan for Land Unit K of the Fairfax Centre area recommends office use at 0.25 FR at the baseline and 0.5 FR at the overlay level. Also, Land Unit K have been planned and developed under the site-specific residential plan options at various intensities to support multifamily development.

[04:11:48] The proposed amendment considers a mixed-use scenario for the areas shown in yellow on the map, including residential, office, retail, services, hotel, and self-storage uses. The scenario envisions up to 1,341 multifamily mattress residential units, 20,000 square feet of retail use, and to reduce the non-residential potential to 405,000 square feet of office use.

[04:12:17] These proposed uses are not assigned to any specific parcel or application, but are envisioned unit as a floating pool of intensity in the yellow area. No land use changes are proposed for green or teal areas. The proposed land use framework for Land Unit K guides future redevelopment as an activity node while preserving established residential neighborhoods and incorporating recently approved amendments. The illustrative rendering are for conceptual proposals only.

[04:12:49] The mixed-use multifamily option represents a planned intensity in line with the full built-out of the mixed-use scenario, and the mixed-use townhouse option represents a planned intensity that is lower than the full built-out of the mixed-use scenario. Phase one and phase two, recommendations generate a need for approximately six acres of publicly accessible on-site urban park space and associated programming. A signature park at the intersection of Wappers Mill Road, Pender Drive, and Fairfax Ridge Road, as well as linear park connecting the areas to the surrounding

[04:13:23] uses are key elements of the redevelopment. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation conducted a multimodal comprehensive transportation analysis for the study, which demonstrated that the proposed land use scenario can be accommodated by the existing road network and targeted intersection and signal improvements to improve capacity and reduce congestion. Trip generation from the proposed use and scenario and introduction of residential mixed use is expected to generate fewer trips than either the existing conditions or adopted

[04:14:00] plan. Recommendations also focus on improving sidewalk, landscape buffer, and crossings to enhance pedestrian comfort, accessibility, and connectivity. The proposed plan include a future two-lane local connection between Waples Mill Road at Fairfax Ridge Road and Pender Drive, a new inter-jurisdictional connection to the city of Fairfax, which could be sited in two alternative locations was previously adopted with Phase 1. The area's sewers are served by Depender and High Ridge Sinitary Sewer Pump stations, which currently have capacity only

[04:14:37] for existing uses, and upgrades are required for the proposed plan amendment density. The need to support the planned future density and intensity was recognized during the Phase 1 study, and a recommendation to address future capacity has been incorporated into the plan. Thank you.

[04:14:55] Thank you very much for that presentation. Are there any questions of board members any questions seeing and hearing none? This is a public hearing and I have no one signed up in advance to testify on this matter Is there anyone here present that would like to speak on this matter? Please come on down all the way down Is there anyone else here who would like to speak on this specific matter? Okay?

[04:15:20] Let me ask while she's coming down if we have any callers no callers Okay, if you are here to testify on any of the remaining public hearings and have not signed in Please make sure you come down and see the clerk to sign in If you could say your name and address for the record and then sign in with the clerk over here to my right when you're finished welcome Hi everyone. My name is Diana luck. I am a homeowner on Waples Mill Road Do did you say to state my address? Yeah, if you could say your name and address if you're comfortable if not You can sign in when you're completed as well

[04:15:57] Yeah, this is my first time coming to a public hearing, but like I said, I'm a homeowner on Wheat Bulls Mill Road, and I live half a mile from the proposed development. And I came here with an open mind to mainly learn more about this development and to share some thoughts on behalf of myself and my neighbors.

[04:16:18] So I just want to say that I support the proposed mixed-use development and the opportunity it brings to our community. I've looked over the proposal and in the zoning images shown in the presentation and the proposal, my house and my neighborhood are on the left of the development and it's just always just on the edge of the area, like just cut off from the image.

[04:16:44] So the residential community on the right of the I-66 overpass are included in this plan And I am so glad to see that there are plans to include more transportation accessibility for pedestrians and for bikers in this.

[04:17:06] But I urge the board to also consider the residential community on the left of the I-66 overpass as well. So consider-- if you could consider investing in sidewalks walks throughout the surrounding neighborhoods as part of this growth.

[04:17:23] Community development should be so much more than just where we live, shop, and work, but it should also be about how we safely and easily connect with one another. My doctor's office is less than a 15-minute walk away from my home, yet because there's no safe pedestrian route along Weples Mill Road, I have to get in my car and burn fossil fuels to drive more just two minutes to travel the half a mile.

[04:17:53] So sidewalks would make everyday destinations more accessible, support healthier, and more sustainable transportation choices, and help create a neighborhood where people of all ages and abilities can safely get around.

[04:18:08] So I ask the county and the Board of Supervisors to please consider this broader pedestrian infrastructure to include the community on the left side of the I-66 overpass as well as part of the planning for our community's future. Thank you.

[04:18:24] Thank you very much. Appreciate your testimony. And the clerk is right over here. If you could just sign in, we would appreciate that. And let me verify that there are no other speakers present for this public hearing that wish to testify. Seeing and hearing none. We'll check again if we have callers.

[04:18:41] No callers. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. Thank you. On September 24, 2026, the Planning Commission voted 10 to 0 to recommend the Board of Supervisors the adoption of Plan Amendment 2024-2-1 FC, as shown in the staff report, dated September 3, 2026.

[04:19:03] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. Last check, questions from Board members. Seeing and hearing none, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Herity for a motion. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Before I start, I want to thank our speaker for coming out and sharing her thoughts.

[04:19:19] Thanks, staff. Thanks, Springfield Land Use Committee. The Fairfax Center Area Land Unit case study is the second phase of the review in this area. The board adopted Phase I on November 18, 2025, with two specific site plan amendments. That initial phase included recommendations to upgrade the sewer pump stations that serve the area to accommodate full belt out of the land unit as envisioned in the broader study.

[04:19:44] along with transportation improvements, including a future inter-jurissectional connection to Germantown Road in the city of Fairfax. The proposed plan for Phase 2 adds a land-use framework and mixed-use development option for the balance of the land unit, including residential, office, hotel, retail, and self-storage uses, while emphasizing coordinated site design, open space, inter-parcel access, and supporting infrastructure.

[04:20:11] These plans have all really come about as a result of I-66. It increases the development potential of a keynote along I-66 and Route 50. The development intensity allows flexible site designs and protects a mix of uses at each specific parcel.

[04:20:30] I want to thank staff for the hours they've spent on working in the amendment and the consideration they've put into assessing the transportation network and allowing for the feasibility of the development. I look forward to seeing how this lane area develops and how Fairfax County continues to prioritize the new commuter opportunities along I-66.

[04:20:51] According to you, Mr. Chairman, I move the Board of Supervisors adopt Plan Amendment 2024-2-1FC as shown in the staff report dated September 3, 2026. So moved. Chair, we'll second that motion.

[04:21:07] Discussion on the motion. Any further discussion on the motion seeing and hearing none all those in favor, please say aye aye any opposed any abstentions and that motion carries All right Our next public hearing is a public hearing on proposed site specific plan amendment 2023 - 2 - 2 F phase 1 Fairfax area subunits j1 and j2 planning study in the Braddock District and at this time I would recognize County staff for a staff presentation.

[04:21:42] Thank you. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and members of the board. Again, I'm Sahar Hamdart. I'm joined tonight by Graham Owen from the Department of Planning and Development as well as Tom Borg from FCDOT. As we discussed in the previous item, this planning study focused on subunit G1 and G2, which is one of the several amendments scheduled for board hearing.

[04:22:04] Fairfax Center area subunit J1 and J2 are located south of Route 50 and southeast of the intersection of Interstate 66 and Route 50. The area is surrounded mostly by residential office and commercial uses. Subunit J1 is currently developed with office use with one parcel is vacant.

[04:22:24] Subunit J2 is developed with retail use in the Fairfax Court Shopping Center and a portion of the site is located in the city of Fairfax. The subunit G1 is currently planned for office use at 0.15 FAR at the baseline and 0.7 FAR at the overlay level.

[04:22:42] And subunit G2 is planned for retail use up to 0.15 FAR at the baseline and 0.35 FAR at the overlay level. On April 11, 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized a small planning study for the VFX Center area subunits G1 and G2.

[04:23:01] The intent of the authorization was to study the planned land use mix for the area. Since the adoption of the work program, staff have coordinated with the property owners in the area on potential land use changes. Two of those property owners at 4035 Richtop Road and 11301 Route 50 have requested site-specific land use changes to facilitate future development applications.

[04:23:27] Other sites in the study area, including the Fairfax Court Shopping Center, have expressed long-term interest in land use changes. However, there are no specific proposals at this time. Given this, the Board reiterates the study on April 14, 2026 with a phased approach, which is considering land use changes on the two active sites, while allowing a future phase once circumstances warrant in the future.

[04:23:55] The 1435 red stop road site is 6.8 acres and currently developed with 8 storey with 196,000 square feet of office use, surface and structure parking. The proposal is to recommend residential use up to 20 dwelling units per acre, which is anticipated to facilitate a future development application for 128 stacked and traditional townhouses.

[04:24:22] The 11301 Route 50 site is about two acres and located at the southwest intersection of Route 50 in Wapes Mill Road. The site is currently vacant. The proposal is to consider self-storage use at an intensity up to 0.7 FAR.

[04:24:42] Given the mix of surrounding townhouse uses, residential development at 1435 Red Stop Road site would be compatible with the established development pattern. Future development should incorporate site design that appropriately responds to the surrounding neighborhood, including building scale and orientation, transition in building height, and connectivity.

[04:25:05] The two-acre site at 11301 RAV50 could be constrained by future intersection right-of-way needs, limiting the ability to implement the adopted office use or a potential residential use. Recommendations for self-storage include design guidance consistent with recently approved and under-construction self-storage along Route 29 while emphasizing high-quality architecture and site design with less industrial character.

[04:25:33] An active street frontage, including opportunities for ground floor and community-serving non-residential uses, could help strengthen the character of the area and contribute to an active street escape. In considering transportation, the estimated trip generation for the proposed uses indicates a pretty significant decrease in daily trip compared to trips anticipated by the adopted plan.

[04:26:00] The adopted transportation plan map shows a planned interchange at the intersection of Route 50 and Waples Mill Road. As the 11301 Route 50 site is adjacent to this intersection, any future development application will need to provide adequate right-of-way and design the site access to accommodate planned improvement.

[04:26:22] Vehicular access are limited to a right-in only on Waples Mill Road, shown in black circle, with egress-provided inter-parcel access onto Random Hill Road, as shown in green circle. In the interim, recommendations are provided to ensure a high-quality building, inside design, ground floor uses, and pedestrian pathways along Wappers-Melrod.

[04:26:45] Thank you. Thank you very much for that presentation. And we have agents, two agents here for the nominators. I would welcome either one of you if you'd like to provide some input. Hello there.

[04:27:04] Good afternoon. Andrew Gregg with Bean, Kinney, and Corman for the nominator, Crown Ridge LLC. I would like to thank staff for developing the phased approach to this planning study and for Supervisor Sizemore Heiser for April motion reauthorizing the study in two phases which allowed 4335 ridgetop a timely review in phase one today we request adoption of the residential plan option for the property we presented the

[04:27:38] proposal at the June and September community meetings and the July blue committee meeting those discussions focused on parking parks phasing and neighborhood connections on September 24th the Planning Commission recommended adoption by a 10 to 0 vote staff also supports the residential option the illustrative ultimate concept shows 128 townhomes 54 stacked homes and 74 attached townhouses the plan option allows up to 20 dwelling units per acre subject to the area-wide guidance and site-specific conditions staff finds

[04:28:18] this housing compatible with the surrounding development pattern the final layout remains for rezoning and cycling review the interim phase retains the office building and garage while introducing 54 stacked homes on the and the on-site public park the residential parking stands on its own with 124 spaces in the concurrent concept separate from the office parking final parking allocation will be reviewed at rezoning the recommended plan language requires a clear demonstration of how this interim condition will integrate

[04:28:57] with later develop redevelopment so the initial phase must function on its own the park arrives during that interim phase while the office remains the The current tabulation shows about half an acre with play, lawn, and seating areas.

[04:29:18] The recommendation calls for a functional, publicly accessible park space throughout redevelopment. The frontage improvement is an off-street shared use path with a landscape buffer along Ridgetop Road. Offsite connections, including a connection into Ridgewood, require coordination and necessary communication with the adjacent property.

[04:29:41] park amenities and engineering remain for review we asked the board to adopt the residential plan option recommend by the Planning Commission subject to the area-wide guidance and site-specific recommendations that framework addresses the interim phase timely park delivery and compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood thank you and happy to answer any questions you may have thank you very much and let me make sure that's good for both both agents did you want to provide any commentary as well just want to make sure I give you that

[04:30:15] opportunity yes good afternoons chairman members of the board my name is Bernie Sugiacito I'm a land use planner with Walsh Colucci on behalf of the nominator for the property known referenced as 11 301 route 50 nominator is Arklund and like to express appreciation to staff for their hard work on this plan amendment and also to thank supervisor Sizemore Heiser for challenging us to think creatively to accommodate a mixed-use element to the property and to provide an engagement engaging piece to this corner of Fairfax Center we

[04:30:55] believe that with how the staff described our intent to provide an activated element on the ground floor with intent to reach out to area artists to provide an artist studio for this location, Incorporation Urban Park Space, contribution to additional right-of-way along Route 50 for the plant intersection there, intersection improvements, and along Waples Mill Road.

[04:31:25] We believe that with the forthcoming entitlement application, we'll be able to address all of the staff's comments and their proposed plant text for the site. So with that, I'm available to answer any questions you may have.

[04:31:40] Thank you. Thank you very much for that. Are there any questions of board members? Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing. And I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter. Is there anyone here present who would like to speak on this specific subject?

[04:31:57] This is a public hearing. Anyone who would like to testify? Seeing and hearing none, let me ask if we have any callers. There are no callers. No callers. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. Thank you. On September 24, 2026, the Planning Commission voted 10-0 to recommend to the Board of Supervisors the adoption of Plan Amendment 2023-2-2F as shown in the staff report dated September 3, 2026 and as further modified in the Planning Commission handout dated September 24, 2026 included in the board item.

[04:32:33] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. Let me ask if there are any questions from board members. Seeing and hearing none, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Sizemore Heiser for a motion. Thank you. Just a couple comments and then a motion. I just want to thank staff, the applicant, and the Planning Commissioner Cortina for their hard work, and especially for being willing to be challenged and thinking creatively.

[04:32:57] I know there are many, there's two different parts to this plan, amendment, and study. This is part of sort of related to the previous applicant K or section K as well. All part of the sort of the envisioning of the Fairfax core area as a mixed use residential with placemaking and walkability.

[04:33:16] So it was really important to me that these parcels fit that. So I'm really excited to have, you know, the idea of the townhomes, which we desperately need housing on a underutilized office parking lot area with an urban park that's open to the public is a really important feature to that.

[04:33:32] to me as well. And then this other area that's currently vacant on Route 50 has a lot of challenges over the years, especially with the VDOT buy right away. It's very difficult to put residential there. But I really wanted to have some activation element on that busy corner. So I love that the applicant was willing to think creatively with staffs as well around that urban park, around the seating area, and some green space for people who are walking by to utilize, as well as some activation space inside for artist studios as well.

[04:34:01] I think that'll fit very well with the visioning for the Fairfax core area. So thank you for the creativity. I'm excited about this application. And with that, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors adopt site-specific plan amendment 2023-2-2F, as shown in the staff report dated September 3rd, 2026, and as further modified in the Planning Commission handout dated September 24th, 2026, included in the board item.

[04:34:25] You've heard the motion in a lot of seconds. Discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none. those in favor of the motion please say aye aye any opposed any abstentions and that motion carries thank you we next have a public hearing on a proposal to vacate and abandon a portion of Forest Hill Drive in the Braddock district and

[04:34:49] as soon as they are ready we would welcome staff presentation good afternoon mr. chairman and members of the board my name is Jeff Edmondson with the Department of Transportation and I'm here to present the proposal to vacate and abandon a portion of Forest Hill Drive in the Braddock District.

[04:35:24] The applicant, James Blevins, is requesting that a portion of Forest Hill Drive be vacated under 15-2-2272, Part 2, and abandoned under 33-2-909 of the Virginia Code. The applicant is seeking to vacate the right-of-way to gain ownership of the driveway and unbuilt portion of road that is adjacent to his property and to avoid the possibility of the right-of-way being used for an additional access to the large Trinity School property to the south.

[04:35:54] The Trinity School has written a letter to Mr. Blevins indicating that they do not object to this proposal. The subject portion of Forest Hill Drive south of the intersection of Forest Hill Drive and Warren Lane is partially improved with a gravel driveway that is used solely to access Mr. Blevins' property.

[04:36:13] The subject portion of Forest Hill Drive is not in the VDOT secondary system of highways. However, there is a segment of Forest Hill north of the proposed area that is and will continue to be in VDOT's secondary system of highways. The subject vacation area would vest back to Mr. Blevins pursuant to section 1522274 of the Virginia Code. And that ends my presentation. Thank you very much for that presentation. Are there any questions of staff? Any questions of staff seeing and hearing none? This is a public hearing. I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter. Is there

[04:36:51] anyone here present who would like to speak on this subject, this is a public hearing. Anyone who would like to testify? Are you signed in? Okay, please come down. And if you could provide your testimony, and then please see the clerk off to my right to sign in when you're completed with your testimony. Welcome. I appreciate this time. Thank you very much.

[04:37:22] My name is Lydia Hart, and I live on Forest Hill Drive, and I live beside James Blevins. There's only two houses on Forest Hill Drive, so you know that's how long it is, two houses. There's my house and then his house. I'm lot two and he's lot three. And then there is an unofficial driveway that comes off of Forest Hill Drive. It's like a secondary driveway of another home. So I don't oppose Trinity using our road. Believe me, I don't want the traffic on our road just as much as James does not. But I do want to clarify some items and I want to make sure that I have a better

[04:37:59] understanding also. So what I want to make sure is that we all know that even though 4th Hill Drive is a short road, that the portion that's not vacated and abandoned would be maintained by VDOT. It would still have state maintenance on it.

[04:38:15] And that that's not a questionable thing two years down the road because it is only one house now. Who cares? I don't want it to be a question down the road. And also just want to make sure that I understand about the 10 there's a buffer like a 10-foot buffer want to make sure exactly where that is and who's going to maintain that how is that handled in the future the buffer area and I also just wanted to sorry verify that about the proposed vacate and

[04:38:50] abandon exactly that it's the gravel portion past the state maintenance sign on the road and then some woods also possibly to make that amount up and I I also want to have explained in this Administrative 7 on the first page, page 121 in all the minutes, but it says that the vacation and abandonment would not harm any properties.

[04:39:22] No public necessity exists for the continuance of the right-of-way. The right-of-way is not necessarily used for a public secondary system, and the right-of-way has no historic value. Well, I want to make sure I understand what harm means, because I know harm can mean different things, And because I've been through that before.

[04:39:40] So I just wanted that explained also better so that we all know what harm means. And I believe that might be-- let me just-- so I think those are my points. There are about four points about the VDOT, about that it won't be harmed, about the location of the buffer and how it will be handled, and about just to make sure the location of the proposed vacate and abandonment.

[04:40:05] And again, I'm not really opposing this because, again, It is a small road, and I would not like it to be heavily traveled, for sure. But I would like to know that I am protected. So if we could address those items, please, and thank you very much.

[04:40:24] Thank you very much. Let me ask if there's anyone else present who would like to speak on this matter. Seeing and hearing no one, let me verify we have no callers. There are no callers. There are no callers. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. Staff recommends board adoption of the attached order and ordinance.

[04:40:45] Thank you very much. Questions from board members. Supervisor Seismorheiser. Thank you, and I appreciate the opportunity. Just a couple of questions to clarify. I wanted to make sure that the portion that is not abandoned will still be maintained by VDOT.

[04:41:01] That is correct, yep. Good, thank you. And then the 10-foot buffer is being maintained also? Yeah, that's essentially the start of Mr. Blevins' driveway. It's just a straight shot. There's no turnaround. So it's just the pavement ends, gravel begins, and it's Mr. Blevins' driveway.

[04:41:19] He would maintain that. Okay, that would make sense. I just want to clarify for the record. And then the gravel portion is what's being abandoned. The rest of the road is being kept. Gravel and there's a significant amount of wooded area that's not built. Thank you. And then can you just define the harms question, just to make sure we have that on the record?

[04:41:37] Yes, my understanding of harm, it's in the state code. I believe it means financial harm, possibly restricting lot access. So these would not happen to Mrs. Hart's property. She would continue to have VDOT maintained road along her frontage and access via Warren and Forest Hill, as it is today.

[04:42:00] Thank you very much. Thank you. If there are no further questions at this time, I will close the public hearing and recognize Supervisor Sizemore Heiser for a motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The applicant, as we know, is requesting vacation abandonment of a portion of Forest Hill Drive.

[04:42:20] I appreciate staff's answers to the questions that we have and for the speaker to come speak and ask the questions. The subject portion of Forest Hill Drive provides access solely from Mr. Breland's property, from my understanding. So therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board of Supervisors adopt Attachment 3, Vacation Ordinance, and Attachment 4, the order of abandonment of the subject right away.

[04:42:42] And I'm happy to second that motion, along with Supervisor Palchuk, Supervisor Lust. Discussion on the motion? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor of the motion, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. All right.

[04:43:00] Next, we have a public hearing. This is our final public hearing, a public hearing to terminate a lease with STC-3 LLC, an affiliate of Crown Castle for a telecommunications monopole at 3721 Stonecroft Boulevard in the Sully District, and could we please have a staff presentation?

[04:43:21] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My name is Mike Lambert. I am the Assistant Director of Real Estate Services for the Facilities Management Department. The board is the owner of a 128-acre parcel located just south of Douglas Airport at 3721 Stonecrop Boulevard and identified by tax member number 34-1, Subdivision 1, Parcel 5.

[04:43:40] The property serves as the site of the Fairfax County Police Department training facilities, which include an emergency vehicle operations driving track, firearms and canine training centers, and a rifle range. Currently, telecommunications provider STC3 LLC, an affiliate of Crown Castle, leases 650 square feet of the property near Stonecroft Boulevard to operate a 57-foot monopole and related equipment cabinets.

[04:44:04] The term of Crown Castle's lease would extend to 2051 if all options to renew were exercised. As part of the county's capital improvement plan, the Department of Public Works has been tasked with the redesign of the Stonecroft Training Campus. The facility will have a new racing track with an adjusted east-west realignment, as well as service the home of the relocated Criminal Justice Academy building.

[04:44:27] To accommodate the expanded footprint on the campus, the county needs Crown Castle to remove the monopole and equipment cabinets from the parcel, which means that the county must exercise its right to terminate the lease. According to the terms of the lease, the county can exit the agreement if the board makes a determination at a public hearing that the site is needed for public use and that is incompatible with the telecommunications use and that such a decision is not being made for financial considerations.

[04:44:53] If the board decides at this public hearing to exercise its right to end the lease agreement to enable the redevelopment of the police department training facility, Crown Council will have until October 2027 to remove the monopole and related equipment from the property. It should be noted that Public Works has directed its architect to identify potential options where a future monopole installation could be placed on the property that could provide localized telecommunications services and generate revenue for the county.

[04:45:19] This concludes the staff report. Thank you very much. Are there any questions of staff? Seeing and hearing none, this is a public hearing. I have no speakers who have signed up in advance to testify on this matter. Is there anyone here present who would like to speak? This is a public hearing.

[04:45:35] Anyone who would like to testify? Seeing and hearing no one. Let me ask if we have any callers. There are no callers. No callers. Closing comments and a recommendation from staff. Staff recommends that the board exercise its right to terminate the lease agreement with STC-3 LLC, an affiliate of Crown Castle, to facilitate the reconfiguration of the police department, racing track, and other training facilities, and the co-location of the Criminal Justice Academy.

[04:46:02] Thank you for that. Last check, questions from board members. Seeing and hearing none, I will now close the public hearing and recognize Vice Chair Smith for a motion. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Board exercise its right to terminate the ground lease between the Board and STC-3 LLC, an affiliate of Crown Castle, for a telecommunications monopole located at Board-owned property with an address of 3721 Stonecroft Boulevard and identified by tax map number 0341-01005.

[04:46:34] And the Chair will second that motion. Discussion on the motion. Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? And that motion carries. Thank you. That also brings us to the end of our board meeting of October 13, 2026. The board is adjourned.

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