Committee advises Jimenez on creating a greener Mason District
The Greener Mason Advisory Committee, a group set up by Supervisor Andres Jimenez, is developing recommendations for making the environment of Mason District more sustainable, greener, healthier, and more attractive.
The committee formed three subgroups – on community engagement, biodiversity and development, and clean energy and sustainability.
Much of the work will be done by the subgroups, said committee chair Ken Sandler. The full committee will meet once a quarter to review the work done by the subgroups.
Sandler said the goal of the Greener Mason Advisory Committee is to come up with specific, practical environmental policy and program proposals for Jimenez’s consideration. The group plans to issue a report in January 2025.
When thinking about “the environment” in Mason District, Sandler said the group should consider “not just green areas like the parks, but also developed areas, because all the buildings and infrastructure present both environmental impacts and opportunities for improvement.”
At the committee’s July meeting, John Morrill, director of the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination described the OEEC’s priorities and programs, including:
- Making county operations greener.
- Providing incentives for the community.
- Supporting climate action initiatives, such as Carbon-Free Fairfax, Solarize Fairfax County, EV charging stations, Resilient Fairfax, and the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan.
The OEEC’s Green Business Partners Program invites businesses to help create a carbon-neutral economy through collaboration and learning opportunities that advance climate action.
Members of the partners program from Mason District include General Dynamics in Fairview Park, the Bawadi restaurant in Seven Corners, and Nothing in Between, a sustainable self-care salon in Falls Church.
The OEEC and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District collaborate on the Energy Conservation Assistance Program, which supports energy audits and energy-efficient projects for HOAs, nonprofit organizations, and places of worship.
The program has completed energy audits in Mason District for the Annandale United Methodist Church and Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Dozens of homeowners in Mason District have signed up for Solarize Virginia and Solar Switch, programs that provide free solar assessments and discounted prices.
Morrill said energy efficiency projects in Mason District include solar for the Seven Corners and Edsall Road fire stations, an efficient lighting retrofit project for the Bailey’s Community Center, and new insulation and storm windows at the house in the White Gardens, although that house was subsequently demolished.
According to Morrill, 43 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions in Fairfax County come from transportation, 25 percent come from energy use in commercial buildings, and 23 percent are from residential energy use.
16 responses to “Committee advises Jimenez on creating a greener Mason District”
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How about a plan to pick up trash and enforce the laws? All of these nice-to-haves in the article should take a back seat to the most obvious and impactful problems facing Mason.
Excellent point! But not glamorous enough or expensive enough. And if I might add — protecting the current tree canopy, instead of allowing developers to slash entire plots of land and get away with planting little scraggly trees that — if they live — will take decades to absorb the carbon dioxide and provide homes for the bird population that their predecessors had.
Law and Order is the most pressing thing for Mason district. We cannot live in a society without it – fix that first
We can only do one thing at a time?
Just a question of priorities. Time and money are scarce.
Yes. The county has proven they cannot walk and chew gum. So let’s have them focus on what we really pay them to do. Once they fix that they can go about doing their pet projects.
This initiative is out of touch with day-to day reality. The Mason District needs a strong advocate for more and better law enforcement, gang control, improved transportation, economic development and a comprehensive education strategy that brings ESOL students up to speed before putting them into mainstream classrooms. If those things get addressed, this valuable swathe of FFX County will actually realize the potential of its desirable geography. Ignore these issues and we will continue to see Western FFX County jurisdictions attract the lion’s share of private investment.
^^^ this
How about opposing a data center and electric substation to power it constructed within yards of a neighborhood in Mason District?
Nowhere did I read about a comprehensive survey of parcels of undeveloped land and how to preserve it. There’s a huge parcel inside of 395 S off of Edsall Road. How can MD preserve this parcel and others using FFC funds and grants from the various non profits that have this as their mission?
What incentives are available to finally get a comprehensive plan to finally redevelop the mishmash of derelict and empty buildings in and around the Annandale post office and the Giant supermarket.
What can be done to require owners of large parking lots to plant more trees on these lots. Require tree planting between each row of parking divisions
What can be done to have VDOT trim back vegetation that is over
taking over many of the right lanes, blocking sidewalks and obscuring traffic signs.
What can be done to get VDOT to clean the curbs? Some have been completely taken over by vegetation and others with dirt and sand.
How can we get FFC. And VDOT to enforce the recently enacted bamboo law?
How can we get the FFC PD to enforce the muffler law? 7 corners, Baileys Xroads, and Columbia pike should be target zones between 4-6 pm. What happens to the cops on motorcycles after 4 pm? They would be an excellent resource to enforce the muffler ordinance.
Mason district park is the poor stepchild in the system. The children’s playground is ancient and too small.
How do we get Jimenez to COMMUNICATE in all languages to the citizens he purports to represent. At least Penny sent out a newsletter of ancient happenings.
To have VDOT trim back vegetation in any VDOT right of way, like right lanes, sidewalks and traffic signs, just call them at (800) 367-7623 or go to https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/ and put in a request.
we need more trees!!!
How about enforcing the junk car laws and clean up the area? Junk cars are found in many yards and just bring down the area. It could also help the environment as well.
Anything that helps the environment and/or adds a little greenery to Annandale is ok with me. We just came off the 4 hottest consecutive days on record since 1872. I’m sure the Mason district leaders have other arrows in their quiver that they will work on as well but they are not noted in this articles specifics. Go green and keep the children and their futures in mind while doing so.
Plant trees. That can start today and costs very little and makes a world of difference. What Jimenez is doing is paying questionable people millions of dollars to do studies about studies that will maybe have recommendations that will take years to implement if they ever are. So dumb imho.
About about this horrific tattoo place in Bailey’s cross roads that just open up across the street from Culmore. Shopping center It was a great safe immigrant shopping center till this tattoo shop came bringing unruly customers to this area from other parts of Fairfax driving open containers loud noise cigarette butts everywhere. How could they allow this to happen to a family originated neighborhood very disgusted