Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The decision came after a 5-hour long council meeting Tuesday evening.
The Fairfax City Council approved a developer’s plans to replace the Layton Hall garden style apartments with a 360-unit complex. Councilmembers, developers, and residents debated on the issue in a five-hour meeting Tuesday evening before the council ultimately approved the plans despite passionate pleas from current residents who resisted the move. “I hope that the current residents can see that we are doing what we can to keep you in the city,” Councilmember Dan Drummond said. “As many of you know, I’m the son of a single mother, so when I hear those comments they don’t fall on deaf ears.’” The council raised concerns on everything from affordable housing, to the impact on Accotink Creek, to adequate bike storage. The current Layton Hall…
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Exemptions given for 10 years.
- GOVERNMENT
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Saturday, May 11
Residents who plan to substantially upgrade their older residences may be eligible for a partial real estate tax exemption, the City said recently. The exemption amount is based on the increased value of a single-family home or a duplex built at least 15 years ago that has been substantially rehabilitated, renovated or replaced. Exemptions are given for a 10-year period. Improvements must increase the assessed value by at least 15 percent. The homeowner must obtain appropriate building permits and inspections during the home improvement process. Interested applicants must apply for the exemption before any construction begins. For more information, call 703-385-7840. - By the City of Fairfax What do you think of this program, …
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
The City warns that changes to the National Flood Insurance Rate could mean a rate hike of as much as 20 to 25 percent, for around 20 percent of policyholders.
- GOVERNMENT
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Wednesday, May 8
Since Congress passed the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, changes are being implemented to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Those changes include possible rate changes that remove "artificially low rates" and discounts that were set nearly half a century ago, when the plan was implemented and grandfathered in some rates. Owners of primary residences in special flood hazard areas (SFHA) may keep their subsidized rates until they sell the property; the policy lapses; the property suffers severe, repeated flood losses; or a new policy is purchased. Subsidized rates for non-primary or secondary residences are already being phased out, and others will be eliminated over time, beginning later this year. Increases will be …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
The City invites all to two public meetings to discuss a shared vision for the future of local parks and recreation opportunities.
Whether you've been a longtime resident, or you just recently moved to the City of Fairfax, the City wants to talk to you about local parks and recreation. The City is getting ready to reshape the entire vision for the Parks and Recreation department and its offerings to residents - and it needs feedback to ensure they end up with something the majority of all residents are happy with. Therefore, the City is inviting all to two upcoming workshops to do just that. These open, public, family-friendly workshops on the Parks and Recreation Department's Strategic Plan will take place this week. "Join your neighbors at one or both of the following public workshops as the City of Fairfax develops the future vision for its parks, recreation, …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Fairfax City officials say they want the regional authority to stay out of the gun control debate.
The City of Fairfax joined Frederick County and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in urging the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) to withdraw a resolution calling for an assault weapons ban and other gun control measures. However, Mayor Scott Silverthorne said the March 20 letter was not a ratification of the anti-gun-control movement. The city council voted unanimously in favor of the letter because the city wanted the regional authority to stay out of the gun control debate. Further, Fairfax City will not withhold dues to the regional organization. Loudoun approved a resolution to withhold its dues for Fiscal Year 2014 until MWCOG repeals its support of the weapons’ ban that was endorsed by the International …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The council approved a $67,000 redevelopment contract Tuesday to study, expand and improve development in a main stretch of Fairfax City.
In preparation for future commercial redevelopment along Fairfax Boulevard, the Fairfax City Council unanimously approved a $67,000 consulting analysis to help the city expand the range of businesses that locate along one of the city’s main thoroughfares. The analysis will look at what is available along the boulevard and how the city can convince future developers into building retail space or office facilities in addition to apartment buildings, said Geoff Durham, the city’s economic development manager. The contractor, Streetsense of Bethesda, Md., was selected from a field of nine bidders and will deliver its analysis later this year, Durham said. Councilman Jeffrey Greenfield questioned whether this contract was really necessary …
Monday, March 11, 2013
City continues to weigh deal with Fairfax Water.
Fairfax City is continuing to weigh a new offer from the state's largest water utility that would put the city out of the water business, but potentially save it upwards of $45 million in upgrades, and in a few years, cut down on residents' water bills, to. The City issued a new brochure late last week — 'At a Crossroads: The Future of the City of Fairfax Water System' — to answer residents' questions about the sale ahead of a public input meeting March 21. See a copy of the PDF at right. Currently, Fairfax City operates its own water and sewer services serving over 8,000 city customers and 3,000 county customers. Some of those customers are within city limits; others are in Loudoun County, where the city's water facilities, Goose Creek …
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
City offices closed at noon today.
City of Fairfax government offices announced they would close at noon today due to the snowstorm. Fairfax is expected to get an additional 3-5 inches of snow today. The closure includes the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, Green Acres, Sherwood Center, Young at Heart Senior Center, and Blenheim, which will not open during its regular hours. CUE Bus is scheduled to provide regular service, but riders can call 703-385-7859 for more information. Yard waste scheduled for collection today will be collected as soon as possible tomorrow. Residents can call 703-385-7837 for more information. To check hours for the General District Court, call 703-385-7865. The City of Fairfax website will be updated with new information as needed throughout …
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Watch this live radar of the Northern Virginia snowstorm. Patch will keep you updated about delays and closings Wednesday.
Update - 3/6, 6:10 a.m.: All Fairfax County Public Schools are closed and after-school events and activities are canceled. Federal government offices are closed, while Fairfax County's government offices are open with unscheduled leave allowed. Employees should use their best judgement when deciding whether or not to report to work. Fairfax County's courts are closed and the Fairfax Connector is operating on a Sunday schedule today. City of Fairfax government offices will open on time today with liberal leave in effect for city employees. CUE Bus will operate on a normal schedule and trash and recycling will be collected as scheduled. Visit the City of Fairfax's website for more information on other city government closures. Fairfax …
Monday, February 25, 2013
Fairfax Water would be responsible for water and customer service in the city limits.
The state's largest water utility has made Fairfax City a new offer — and now council members are turning to residents and business owners again to see how they feel about joining Fairfax Water. The council will have until April 9 to make a decision. This isn't the first time Fairfax Water approached the City of Fairfax. Water became a campaign issue in 2012, with council members and the public split on the best route for the city. If the city goes all in, selling its water system piping and property within the city limits and opting for full service with Fairfax Water, residents and business owners could start to see savings in three years. Currently, Fairfax City operates its own water and sewer services serving over 8,000 city …
Elsa
9:47 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013
I thought businesses are supposed to cater to people, as opposed to engineering neighborhoods to support businesses... more ›