Update 3/8/2024
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The Rose Hill Coalition LLC provides current information on land use issues in the Rose Hill Planning District which lies within Franconia District in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Coalition supports full transparency in land-use issues directly affecting local residents. The Coalition publishes updates as necessary. To unsubscribe from our email list or manage your subscription, link on the links at the top of this page.
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Franconia Governmental Center
Community Meetings Scheduled
- Saturday, April 13, from 12 pm - 2 pm (Community Input)
- Monday, April 22, from 6 pm - 8 pm (Community Input)
- Monday, May 6, from 6 pm - 8 pm (Report to Community)
Supervisor Lusk's Response to Community Leaders' 2/25/24 Letter
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Dear Mr. Lamarche and Community Members,
Thank you for reaching out to my office regarding the process that will be undertaken to obtain community input on the potential redevelopment of the current Franconia Governmental Center. With the deferral of the decision to transfer the property to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority until May 21, 2024, we have the opportunity to have a thoughtful conversation about the future of the site. To that end, I am convening a series of three community meetings in partnership with a variety of County agencies including Neighborhood and Community Services and my office. The meetings will be held at John Lewis High School on the following dates:
As I have mentioned previously, the meetings will be led by a skilled outside facilitator to help ensure that the perspectives of the entire community can be heard in a welcoming, respectful environment. The meetings will allow residents and stakeholders the opportunity to express their ideas and vision. In a subsequent meeting those who participate will receive feed back on their proposed ideas, the development processes, and concepts. These in-person community conversations, along with an online engagement platform option are also intended to increase public understanding of affordable housing and other community needs, and general knowledge to inform decision-making.
Additionally, I would like to acknowledge concerns expressed to my office regarding the proximity of the Franconia Governmental Center to multiple gas stations and the potential effects of benzene on residents or employees located near or in the building. I have attached a copy of the Virginia Department of Health’s 2015 Suspected Cancer Cluster Analysis of the Franconia Governmental building site. This analysis was requested by the Fairfax County Police Department to determine the health impacts of this location. The Fairfax County Health Department will participate in the community meetings and will be able to speak more about the findings of this report.
From the perspective of equity, we are including considerations in our planning and decision-making, informed by data, that will help county leaders to look intentionally, comprehensively, and systematically at barriers and issues that create gaps in opportunity. The very nature of inequity is complex, and the remedies are multi-layered, often yielding both benefit and burden. Throughout this process, our analyses and engagement of the community and key stakeholders will help us to understand the impacts associated with proposed actions and will inform strategies that mitigate unintended negative consequences and ensure benefits are more broadly shared, and mechanisms will be in place to evaluate impact and adjust strategy as necessary.
I look forward to these community meetings and hearing from residents and stakeholders to make the best decision for the future of this site. Thank you in advance to all of those who plan to participate in this community engagement process.
Sincerely,
Rodney L. Lusk
Franconia District Supervisor
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Deferral of BOS Vote on the Transfer of Property to May 21
At the BOS March 5, meeting, Supervisor Lusk formally requested a deferral of the vote on the transfer of the Franconia Governmental Center to the Fairfax County Housing Authority. The vote for or against the transfer will be held on May 21, 2024. Although the meeting will be public, no public comments will be heard for this "decision-only" vote.
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Top Golf Site Rezoning: Public Hearing and Approval
At its March 5, meeting the Board of Supervisors held a Public Hearing to rezone the former Top Golf site to 174 single-family attached dwellings and to permit proffers and site design modifications as noted in Conceptual Development Plan in the Franconia District. Includes presentation on the County traffic study and addresses concerns of the Franconia Land Use Committee. The BOS approved the rezoning.
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EYA Rezoning (Video of Staff Report and Public Hearing: Forward to hour 3:02)
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In The News
FY 2025 Fairfax County Budget Town Hall Meeting (Franconia District)
Friday, March 22, 2024, 6:00 pm (Virtual)
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Virginia House Bill to Allow More Accessory Living Units Delayed
State Sen. Saddam Salim’s (D-37) proposal to expand the availability of accessory housing units in Virginia will have to wait until 2025. Salim proposed requiring localities to allow ALUs in residential districts “by right,” meaning the property owner wouldn’t need a special permit that often comes with added fees and public hearings.
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The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors discussed the bill at a legislative committee meeting on January 26, during which County staff recommended opposing it for encroaching on local authority to govern land use.
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Older Americans Act Re-authorization: Congressional Hearing
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March 7, 2024 (video and written testimony)
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"OAA services are effective in helping millions of older adults stay in their own homes and
communities instead of having to enter long-term care facilities."
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"The OAA programs provide a range of community-based services to help older adults age in
place, which is the preference of the vast majority of older adults, and to maintain their health
and engagement in their communities. These services include home-delivered and congregate
meals, support for family caregivers, preventive health services, personal and home care
services, transportation, senior centers, legal assistance, elder abuse prevention, and so much
more. In addition, the OAA provides ombudsman services for people who live in long-term care
facilities. The OAA programs reach nearly one in five adults in the United States."
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Testimony by Alison Barkoff, J.D., Principal Deputy Administrator, performing the delegable duties of Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator of the Administration for Community Living Department of Health and Human Service
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District Supervisors' Newsletters
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Important Dates
- March 21 Dept of Tax Administration: Tax Relief Workshop (Franconia)
- March 22 Franconia Town Hall on FY 2025 County Budget (virtual):
- April 5 Dept of Tax Administration: Tax Relief Workshop (Franconia)
- April 16-18 FY 2025 Fairfax County Budget Public Hearings
- May 7 FY 2025 Fairfax County Budget Adoption (vote)
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The Rose Paper
Coalition Founder Sharada Gilkey published The Rose Paper in April 2023 to provide background information on local, state, and national issues that affect land use in Franconia, Virginia. Although researched and written with regard to the redevelopment of Rose Hill Plaza, much of the paper is relevant to other local land use issues.
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Stay In Touch!
Updates are only sent to residents in the Rose Hill Planning District. Emails are kept confidential and not shared. You can request to be removed from the list at any time.
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Copyright 2024 Rose Hill Coalition LLC
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