Online Meeting Today, Nov. 10 On Seven Corners Plans
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has an online meeting tonight at 7 p.m to present the findings of efforts to upgrade Seven Corners. The forum, to be held on Nov. 10, will look at the four phases being proposed to upgrade the challenging transportation crossroads.
They are: • Phase 1: Construction of a ring road on the west side of the interchange between Route 50 and Route 7. • Phase 2: Continuing the ring road on the south side of the interchange between Route 7 and Route 50. • Phase 3: Reconfiguring the central interchange above Route 50 (Route 7 and Wilson Boulevard/Sleepy Hollow Road). • Phase 4: Completing the ring road on the east side of the interchange between Route 50 and the intersection of Wilson Boulevard/ Roosevelt Boulevard.
Tonight’s event will be held at 7 p.m. For information on how to sign on, the public is invited to the following website: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/study/seven-corners.
Public Rides on New Silver Line Extension Begin Nov. 15
The public’s chance to ride the first train on Metro’s Silver Line Extension is next Tuesday, Nov. 15 at about 2 p.m. when the first train departs the Ashburn Station headed for Downtown Largo. With the completed extension, customers in Loudoun County will now have convenient access to Metrorail and Washington Dulles International Airport will be an easy train ride away for people across the region.
The start of passenger service will commence following a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting at the Washington Dulles International Airport Station to recognize this generational infrastructure investment.
Fuel Assistance Now Offered Through Monday
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) is currently accepting applications for fuel assistance online and at all local departments of social services through Monday, Nov. 14. Applications may also be submitted by telephone by contacting the Enterprise Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. at (855) 635-4370.
The Energy Assistance Program is funded by the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program federal block grant to provide state support to assist low-income households in meeting their home energy needs such as electricity, natural and liquid propane gas, oil, kerosene, coal and wood.
Assistance may also be available for delivery and installation charges as well as connection or reconnection fees. To qualify for fuel assistance, the maximum gross monthly income for a one-person household must not exceed $1,699. For a household of four, the maximum gross monthly income is $3,469
East End Small Area Plan Presentation Set Nov. 19
Saturday, Nov. 19, at 9 a.m. at Columbia Baptist Church, 103 W. Columbia Street. The City of Falls Church invites the community to attend a meeting and take a survey about the Draft Small Area Plan for the East End of the City. City staff and officials will present the plan, and then attendees can share ideas in breakout sessions. The survey asks about the importance of various goals, like preserving the Eden Center culture and identity, preserving, and providing housing, and which urban designs — if any — to add, like pocket parks and public art. The survey closes on December 1, 2022.
Full House Attends Briefing On Proposed T-Zone Shift
Last Wednesday residents and business owners packed the F.C. City Council chambers to overflowing to hear about the proposed transition zoning (T-1 and T-2) changes for land mostly along Park Avenue and Washington Street.
The land currently requires lower impact development as a transitional buffer between the high density of commercial zoning and the residential neighborhoods. The proposed changes would allow for higher heights, increased lot coverage and smaller building set-back requirements.
Those commenting said that changes can allow high density buildings directly across the street from a single-family neighborhood (along Park Ave), or within 15 feet of a backyard of a home that backs up to a T-zone, such as on Lawton Street.
Village Preservation Society and League of Women Voters members were out in force , although all spoke as individuals. Residents of the Broadway condos (502 West Broad) were present. They said proposed changes could allow a new building on Park Avenue with a height of 50 feet, nearly the height of Broadway at 54 feet, and that would ensure their only view be a blank brick wall as close as 20 feet from their windows.
Other issues were that the proposed ordinance permits the building to have 80 percent lot coverage, precluding a tree canopy and that the concept conflicts with the City’s development of Park Avenue as a Great Street.
The F.C. Planning Commission will hold a work session on December 7 to consider public comments and on December 21 will hold a public hearing and vote on its recommendations. The City Council is scheduled to have its second reading for passage during the first quarter of 2023.
