Supervisors propose a 3.5 percent tax on marijuana sales
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a motion on Oct. 13 to consider a 3.5 percent sales tax on recreational marijuana. The biennial budget adopted by the Virginia General Assembly in June authorized the establishment of a cannabis retail market with sales beginning July 1, 2027. Retail licenses would begin to be issued in … Continued
New alert system warns property owners of real estate fraud
Fairfax County property owners can now receive alerts whenever any documents are filed in connection with their real estate records. The Fairfax Circuit Court Property Alert Notification System was launched Oct. 9 by the Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in collaboration with the Fairfax County Department of Tax Administration and the Department of Information Technology. … Continued
Fairfax County assures voters that election security measures are in place
With Election Day just three weeks from today – and early voting already underway – Fairfax County wants the public to know that strict security measures are in place to protect ballots and voting machines. Members of the U.S. Senate and House are on the Nov. 3 ballot, along with three constitutional amendments and two … Continued
Sidewalk and fence installed at Justice Park
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has completed the $900,000, 825-foot sidewalk on Peace Valley Lane next to Justice Park. The sidewalk had been bitterly opposed by nearby residents, who complained that the funds could be better spent on more worthy projects. Among other issues, they argued the sidewalk wasn’t needed because, since it was … Continued
George Mason Friends installs bin for book donations
While the George Mason Regional Library closes for renovations for two years, beginning Oct. 23, George Mason Friends plan to continue raising funds for library activities. The Friends groups will resume collecting new or gently used books, CDs, and DVDs at a donation bin on the southwest side of United Baptist Church, 7100 Columbia Pike, … Continued
Residents urge Virginia to impose a data center moratorium
About 200 people – young activists, older adults, and parents with strollers – came out to a rally and march on Oct. 10 to show their support for a moratorium on data centers in Virginia. The event took place outside the Plaza 500 site in the Bren Mar Park community where Starwood Capital is planning … Continued
Weekly crime report – Oct. 4-11
The following incidents in the Annandale/Mason District area are from a Fairfax County Police Department report. Oct. 4 Larceny – 7500 block of Kingman Drive, Annandale Drunk or profane in public – 7200 block of Columbia Pike, Annandale Fraud (identity theft) – 6200 block of Seven Corners Center Trespassing on private property – 3556B S. … Continued
FXCO wants to make it easier to provide home-based childcare
A proposed Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance amendment would reduce the regulatory barriers for home-based daycare facilities with the goal of expanding access to childcare. The Department of Planning and Development is hosting three virtual community meetings on the changes: at 7 p.m. on Oct. 14, 12 p.m. on Oct. 15, and 12 p.m. on Oct. … Continued
Planning Commission approves Seven Corners water tank
Fairfax Water promises to assist the families displaced by a new water tank in Seven Corners. The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Oct. 7 approved a 2232 application and recommended approval of a zoning special exception for a new water tank within the Seven Corners Apartments, a few blocks from the existing water tank. Fairfax … Continued
Streamlined ALU rules proposed
Fairfax County Zoning Administration Division staff have drafted new rules on accessory living units that streamline the approval process and relax the rules on parking, lot sizes, and other standards. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment for ALUs on Oct. 29. An ALU is a secondary dwelling … Continued
Planning Commission defers decision on Gallows Road project
Following an Oct. 7 hearing on a rezoning proposal to allow a housing development on Gallows Road, the Fairfax County Planning Commission voted to defer a final decision to Oct. 14. The developer, Madison Home, wants to demolish 11 homes across from Woodburn Elementary School and replace them with 32 single-family homes. The Board of … Continued
Spirit Halloween pops up in Sears building
This year’s pop-up Spirit Halloween store in Mason District is located in the Sears building at 6211 Leesburg Pike in Seven Corners. Spirit Halloween sells costumes for kids, adults, and pets; costume accessories, such as wigs, makeup, and props; outdoor and indoor decorations; animatronics; inflatables; decorations for the bathroom; and much more. Among the costumes … Continued
Mason District Restaurant Week starts Saturday
The third annual Mason District Restaurant Week, hosted by Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez, kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 10 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 17. Jimenez says Restaurant Week offers residents the opportunity to “eat around the world” by finding special deals at 19 restaurants throughout Mason District, “the cultural hub of Fairfax County.” “This … Continued
Join the community at an Art Festival Oct. 17
By James Albright, chair of the Mason District Arts Council The second annual Mason District Art Festival hits Annandale on Saturday, Oct. 17. The signature event of the Mason District Arts Council, the festival will fill the ACCA Child Development Center parking lot at 7200 Columbia Pike from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organized and … Continued
Stormwater facility in Annandale slated for repairs
The stormwater retention pond on Americana Drive next to the Vista apartments in Annandale is no longer working, so the Stormwater Management Division of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is preparing to develop a project to fix it. The structure is damaged, there is erosion, and sediment is collecting on … Continued