Consultant: F.C. May Become National Leader in ‘Sustainability’
The City of Falls Church has an opportunity to become “a leader in sustainability in Northern Virginia and even nationally” with the right provisions included in the current effort to rewrite its zoning code, a consultant in the rewrite effort told a joint work session of the F.C. City Council and Planning Commission Monday night. Chris Dirkson of Clarion Associates said the opportunity is contained in what may become “sustainability provisions” added to the code rewrite, including factors such as green roofs and solar panels.
Consultant: F.C. May Become National Leader in ‘Sustainability’
The City of Falls Church has an opportunity to become “a leader in sustainability in Northern Virginia and even nationally” with the right provisions included in the current effort to rewrite its zoning code, a consultant in the rewrite effort told a joint work session of the F.C. City Council and Planning Commission Monday night. Chris Dirkson of Clarion Associates said the opportunity is contained in what may become “sustainability provisions” added to the code rewrite, including factors such as green roofs and solar panels. He cited a “Model Sustainable Development Code” crafted by a Denver non-profit as something that could provide guidance in the effort as Falls Church’s Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee works with Clarion to bring forward “modules” the rewrite to the City Council and public. It will include form-based overlays for the City Center area, Dirkson said. The rewrite is expected to be completed by mid-February 2010, then subject to public hearings and Council deliberations, and to be finally completed by June 2010.
N-P Declares Deeds Winner of Debate in McLean
The Falls Church News-Press announced last Thursday that it declared Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds the “clear winner” in a head-to-head debate with his GOP rival Bob McDonnell sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce that morning. According to a statement by the N-P owner-editor Nicholas F. Benton, a witness to the debate, Deeds was the winner because he “exhibited passion and empathy and articulated a clear record of achievement in promoting the creation of jobs and support for education in Virginia.” Benton added, “By contrast, former Attorney General McDonnell came across as a cookie-cutter Republican with a well-articulated, but disappointingly passionless agenda for addressing all issues by limiting taxes,” adding, “Deeds won the debate when he stated that he’d find almost any means to fund transportation needs, except, he said emphatically, for measures that would cut education.” Benton also said Deeds excelled in his handling of the issue of illegal immigration. “Deeds conveyed a genuine compassion and concern that was lacking in any of McDonnell’s responses.”
Kaine Appoints Fernandez to State Board
Idalia P. Fernandez of Fairfax County was appointed by Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine to the State Board for Community Colleges, it was announced this week. Fernandez was named president of the Hispanic College Fund in 2007. She is a former employee of the Falls Church-based General Dynamics.
F.C.’s Chef Tennille Survives 2-Hour ‘Hell’s Kitchen’
Falls Church’s Chef Tennille Middleton survived an intense two-hour episode of Fox TV’s “Hell’s Kitchen” reality show aired this Tuesday, and the number of survivors dwindles. The top chef at Falls Church’s Sweetwater Tavern, Middleton met many of her Falls Church fans donating her time as a judge in last week’s Taste of Falls Church.
‘You Lie!’ Congressman Campaigns in Virginia
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who gained a lot of attention for interrupting President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress earlier this month by yelling, “You lie!,” is now campaigning for the GOP with fundraising ads for the Virginia GOP organization.
Arlington Police Investigate Pedestrian Fatality
Arlington County Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred at 7:40 p.m. Tuesday night in the 1000 block of Arlington Blvd. (Route 50) near the George Washington Parkway exit ramp. An unidentified white male was apparently struck by a sedan while attempting to cross Route 50. The sedan driver stayed on the scene and cooperated with police, while the pedestrian died at the scene. No charges have been filed while the investigation continues. Police are asking any witnesses, or persons with information related to the incident or identity of the victim to call 703-228-4240.
