Blog posts are the personal views of Letty Hardi and not official statements or records on behalf of the Falls Church City Council

Dear Friends,

It’s been another busy week with a marathon 4 hour work session, our final one on Accessory Dwellings, ahead of our scheduled vote in April. As pedestrian improvements are the top requests I field, did you know we have a missing links sidewalk program and a sidewalk repair program? Finally, if you too are ready to see the intersection upgrades complete at the West Falls project and Haycock/Mustang Alley/Rt 7 – read on, we’re getting close! And if you missed the resource fair for federal workers or contractors last weekend, more information is below.

My next office hours will be next Friday, March 21 at 12 pm at Clare and Don’s – support a local business and share what’s on your mind. And with the Falls Church Fitness Challenge beginning in 2 weeks (new and improved from previous years – no more minutes tracking and instead, complete challenges for physical and mental health to earn prizes), join me for walking office hours again during April. Full schedule is below, but of course I’m happy to visit your building or neighborhood too, just reach out.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Letty

PS – Want to get involved locally or curious how local government works to make your voice heard? Falls Church Forward is holding a Civics Bootcamp next weekend. Details and RSVP here.

What Happened This Week

(1) Federal Resource Fair

Last weekend’s resource fair had 900 people turn out at Wakefield High School. I’m grateful to staff from the city’s Housing and Human Services department and the schools who were there to provide resources, along with surrounding jurisdictions, Congressman Beyer and his team, and various non profits. We heard heartbreaking stories from federal employees who have recently lost their jobs or were worried they would be soon, inquiries about unemployment benefits (applicants should apply in the state where they were employed, not where they reside), health insurance, how to break a lease, rental assistance, and mental health support. If you missed the event, you can find more information here.

(2) Accessory Dwellings

We held our final work session on Accessory Dwellings, reviewing the recommendations from the Planning Commission who had their own lengthy meeting where they recommended adoption of the updates by a 5-2 vote last week.

Since last spring when we kicked off the effort, there have been 23 public meetings and multiple opportunities for public engagement with open house sessions and most recently a postcard mailer, advertising the date of the final public meeting, links to the webpage with more info, and an opt in survey. This final outreach step is more than we’ve ever done. This is on top of staff work on researching national best practices and learning from our neighbors who adopted and iterated on accessory dwelling ordinances before we did. You can tell from the 62 page staff report and all of the available documents online that the work by staff has been thorough, professional, and thoughtful.

In the coming weeks ahead of our final vote on April 14, I’ll continue listening, reading, and digesting the comments we’ve received. I plan to compile a FAQ based on what I’m hearing and my thoughts. You can share your comments with us by emailing all of us or giving public comment live or virtually at our regular meetings.

(3) Sidewalk Programs

Did you know we have a Missing Links sidewalk program, meant to help connect short stretches of missing sidewalk? And a sidewalk repair program. We reviewed the list of missing links and their prioritization based on accessibility/ADA, streets with no sidewalks at all, commercial and high usage areas, and lastly residential only streets. Staff offered recommendations on 3 sidewalk projects (Crane, Madison, Broadmont Terrace) that can be completed in the coming year with $650K allocated. If you know of public sidewalks that need to be repaired (or other maintenance issues like trash, signal issues, etc) – you can submit easily online at: fallschurchva.gov/request

Letty’s Thoughts: I offered additions to the missing links and repairs lists based on community feedback I’ve received, such as Noland (between Midvale), N Virginia, Whittier/Hillwood. I’ve learned over the years that adding sidewalks are more complicated and more expensive than many think! Among the considerations – right of way availability, property owner willingness, on street parking, and stormwater and utility issues. I will continue to advocate for dedicated funding in our annual operating budget for sidewalks so we can keep working to evolve Falls Church from a car oriented city to a safer, more pedestrian friendly one. I would also love to see us have a more formal bottoms up process where residents can request new sidewalks when there is majority support in the neighborhood, similar to the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program. Given limited funds – prioritization and neighborhood support will be important.

(4) West Falls Construction Update

Highlights from the map below, which was shared at the community meeting the development team holds quarterly – the Commons (the 1 acre open space in the middle of the development) will be open in late March and early April, new traffic signal at Mustang Alley will be operational in April, and new signals at Haycock/Rt 7 will be operational in May.

What’s Coming Up:

Monday, March 17 – City Council Work Session* (Community Survey, Tree Canopy, Sewer)

Monday, March 24 – City Council Meeting* (Budget Presentations)

Wednesday, April 2 – Ask the Council Office Hours (City Hall, 9 am)

Monday, April 7 – City Council Work Session*

Monday, April 14 – City Council Meeting* (final vote for Accessory Dwelling ordinance)

*Mondays (except 5th Mondays and holidays) at 7:30 pm. You can access the agenda and livestream here, including recordings of past meetings

Letty’s Office Hours:

Friday, March 21 – 12 pm (Lunch at Clare and Dons)

Friday, April 11 – 12 pm AND 5 pm (Walking Office Hours – meet at Broad St entrance of Howard Herman Trail)

Wednesday, May 21 – 5 pm (Walking Office Hours – meet at Cherry Hill Park)