Tarter, Snyder Vote Against Adoption of F.C. Energy Plan
A resolution to adopt a Community Energy Action Plan that was months in the making passed by a 4-2 vote Monday night, as last minute objections to a section that promotes higher density in the inner City to permit much greater environmental benefits to a wider contiguous area were aired by Mayor Davisd Tarter and Councilman David Snyder, The Section 4.2 of the plan mentions the promotion of smaller backyard Accessory Dwelling Units, or “in-law apartments.”
Despite “no” votes from Tarter and Snyder, the plan was adopted by a 4-2 vote (Hiscott absent).
F.C. Registrar Confirms Official Election Result from Nov. 7
According to Falls Church Voter Registrar David Bjerke, the final official tally from the Nov. 7 election showed no change in winners from what was reported. “I want to note that, after accounting for provisional ballots and voters who were inactive but are now active voters, our total Active voters for the City on Nov 7th was 10,315. With 5,263 ballots cast, we had an Active Turnout of 51 percent,” he said.
“The Final Results include a few corrections. 83 provisional ballots were accepted out of 86 cast. 47 by-mail ballots were received between polls close and noon on Monday. The Electoral Board and I would like to congratulate all of the candidates for their willingness to serve our community.”
Bjerke confirmed that Erin Flynn, Justine Underhilld and Letty Hardi were elected to the F.C. City Council and Bethany Henderson, Jerrod Anderson and Amie Murphy were elected to the School Board.
N. Va. Home Sales Down Slightly for October: NVAR
Northern Virginia home sales declined only 5.6 percent while prices rose 3.1 percent from the previous October, showing more moderation than recent months, reported the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors.
“We saw a few promising signs in October. Declines in home sales were less dramatic this past month while supply grew, inching closer to the five-year average. This means that homebuyers had more choices than a year ago. If mortgage rates dip, we will likely see more activity since buyers and sellers have both been waiting for better rates,” explained NVAR Board Member Arshia Kia with KW Metro Center.
The month’s supply of inventory for October 2023 was 1.23 months, up three percent from October 2022 but down from the five-year average of 1.3 months of inventory. October’s inventory figures were slightly higher than September’s 1.22 month’s supply of inventory.
Tight supply meant that houses were snatched up quickly. The average days on the market in October 2023 was 17 days, down 32 percent from October 2022, but unchanged from September 2023.
With few options, median sold prices continued to increase but at a slower clip than in recent months. October’s median sold prices rose 3.1 percent compared to a year ago, reaching $670,000. This was also 3.1 percent higher than September 2023 when median home prices were $650,000.
Road Closures Announced for F.C. This Sunday, Nov. 19
On Sunday, November 19, a number of road closures and parking restrictions will be in place for a charity race. From 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., the streets noted below will be closed and parking will not be permitted. The closures are as follows:
N. Maple Ave between Great Falls St. and W. Columbia St.; N. Maple Ave between W. Columbia St and W. Jefferson; W. Jefferson St between N. Maple Ave and Little Falls St.; Little Falls St. between W. Columbia St and N. Four Mile Run Dr.; Great Falls St between Pennsylvania Ave and Lincoln Ave.; N. Oak St. between Fulton Ave and Lincoln Ave.; N. Spring St between Fulton Ave and Lincoln Ave.; N. West St between Park Ave and Lincoln Ave.; Grove Ave between N. West St and Chestnut St.
The above streets and designated blocks will be closed for the duration of the race. The City of Falls Church Police Department appreciates the public’s cooperation with the road closures, helping to ensure the safety of the race participants and volunteers. Roads will reopen at approximately 9:30 a.m.
New GrillMarx Steakhouse Coming to Falls Church
A 10,000 square foot upscale steak house is coming to the City of Falls Church next year, Becky Witsman of the City’s Economic Development Office reported in a meeting of the City’s Economic Development Authority Tuesday.
GrillMarx Steakhouse and Raw Bar will be located on the ground floor of the 455 Tinner Hill mixed-use building on S. Maple, and will fully utilize the outdoor area and all the building’s end-cap interior space, including mezzanine. It will seat 180.
The steakhouse already has three operating locations in Maryland, in College Park, Olney and Columbia.
The ownership group is partnering with the owner of the 455 Tinner Hill building on this venture and the deal is 98 percent done, according to Witsman.
A premium dining operation, the restaurant bills itself as “one step below Ruth’s Chris and three steps above Outback.”
“Tons of credit to the City’s Economic Development Office staff for persistently and patiently pitching this ground-floor space to the market for several years,” F.C. Councilman Phil Duncan, who chairs the City Council’s Economic Development Committee, said. “We welcome the GrillMarx partners to the City’s ever-growing dining scene, which now includes more than 160 restaurants offering a variety of cuisines at a range of price points.”
Witsman also noted that the former Target site at the other end of the same building is also showing considerable potential and an announcement on that space is expected by February.
