[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6210160,"mediaKeyId","3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92","parentId",3722789,"title","Falls Church quarterly CIP update: 12 projects marked red; South Washington/Annandale intersection scope trimmed amid $2.5M shortfall","audioSeconds",1163,"startMs",3232000,"endMs",4395000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92&start=3232&end=4395","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92/thumbnail_3232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210160/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Falls-Church-quarterly-CIP-update-12-projects-marked-red-South-WashingtonAnnandale-intersection-scope-trimmed-amid-25M-shortfall","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210160-abb7fd93e23fabe7207756e3cb6d7bcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208346&Signature=orQZRXCGCZqRSjPq0McnkSER8P0tXCZo0SAyjiJX9fQ-Kghv4BDUBUyejceKgZHGiibpULsKFs9ruS2N347PRLYDCLi5JHjIBzwiixh5hleU0662HjgXzyh5Yu22xvS~P0UPjr25j5ALp98R7qx90Nw0-BfyyUYNcMtECq-lS4QZgdzZdsFRhCGZwkQdGpdOXi98ie7Q2lITwPKPZls3gdiIAm2QvLgQmg9Wi1n2GsbgjSzuHUIqNGc1CV-ddWpsN4M7K6bQIZoaSdzXg4U31Rldn6dNtjHLHgEcFA9LsAiGC-Fl0jhHPU5xdPwu0fhVMTg8Kqybean-qgpOfYMimw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Falls Church Government","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","City staff presented the quarterly capital improvements program (CIP) update to Falls Church City Council on May 27, reporting active project counts, delivery performance, funding issues and several project‑specific problems that are delaying delivery.

Key numbers: Caitlin Sabzi, the city’s CIP coordinator, said there are 38 active CIP projects; 23 are “green” (on target), 3 “yellow” (at risk) and 12 “red” (behind target or long overdue). Over the past four quarters the program completed 14 projects and maintained an overall on‑target rate of about 69%.

Transportation and intersection work: Staff and council focused discussion on a transportation project at South Washington and Annandale that faces a significant funding shortfall. Sabzi said the project has existing grant funding but requires local match; the full project estimate is higher than anticipated and staff is considering a descoped approach that focuses on signal mast‑arm replacement and ADA upgrades rather than the original, larger scope. The shortfall was characterized in the meeting discussion as roughly $2.5 million; staff said they have about $950,000 in current funding and are seeking VDOT review to refine scope and cost estimates.

Other delivery and partner constraints: Multiple council members and staff flagged external partners — especially Dominion (utility) and state grant timing — as recurring causes of delay. Staff said many red projects are either nearing construction or already in construction and some are “permanently red” because they are far behind original schedules.

Grants and funding pipeline: Council asked staff to continue aggressively pursuing federal and state grants (including NVTA and SmartScale opportunities) and to provide an annual look‑ahead at grant applications. Staff reported two pending federal community‑project funding requests (each for about $3 million) for a flow equalization basin; those requests had proceeded to the next committee step but were tentative and would be awarded only if federal appropriations include them.

Project completion and cost transparency: Council members asked staff to improve reporting on whether completed projects came in under or over budget and to show that information when projects close. Sabzi said staff can add information about budget variances at project completion and will consider changes to how completed projects are reflected in quarterly trend summaries.

Operations and small projects: The update included routine operational items and facility needs, including the Meridian stadium turf replacement (completed) and a pending concession‑stand project that is on a later timeline. Sabzi also noted planning and project‑development improvements intended to reduce downstream delivery challenges.

Ending: Council asked staff to return with additional details on funding options and grant strategies, and emphasized the need for a public communications plan this summer to explain the many projects that will be under construction or starting soon.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Falls Church City Council Meeting May 27th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported 38 active capital projects: 23 green, 3 yellow and 12 red. Several long‑running transportation projects are in construction or nearing it; the South Washington and Annandale intersection project is being descoped because the city lacks roughly $2.5 million in local match for the full scope.","taxTitle","Falls Church City, Fairfax County, Virginia","taxId",59817,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210165,"Falls Church staff brief council on 2025 General Assembly session; dozens of state code changes flagged for local action",716,2954000,3670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92&start=2954&end=3670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92/thumbnail_2954000.jpg","/articles/6210165/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Falls-Church-staff-brief-council-on-2025-General-Assembly-session-dozens-of-state-code-changes-flagged-for-local-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210165-1f8918973748780930be36b6b49e4c18/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208346&Signature=PY~tyGoAvM~28ywqBpQN6PObbyop66h7kwEvbsCJDNPD8nHSfVrlZP-Q1Kqop8GQuyfab191KA7NQaEDf3C6u50TP71wX2iKiXeI-XkuxztYUh~b~6rUMlFEf9JGsdaVSJmT85K3J-T34m06hyBhtonCE6wNAOgtK4DqP07mJN92dD0bqZaoggXpeApF9kgf8n0uAB0agCTH1ctZ-AUgKH-V9SknN3C0P1BmEls5JT0ECwpKauINVHgkP8wFojoASGN86-EAGrfIKq52CZvF9tZkg0rE6SfeXkOyX8e9Zbu-kltMbw1GX23TdgbyZzVA77vfROW78UlUf-lwQtuvgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff provided a post‑session briefing on May 27 on the 2025 Virginia General Assembly session and the state actions that will affect Falls Church operations and codes.

Overview: Alex Lee, the city’s legislative analyst, told council staff tracked about 230 bills of particular interest to the city; roughly 80 of those passed and were signed by the governor, and the remainder failed or were vetoed. Staff described several enacted measures that either increase local authority or impose mandated state‑code changes requiring local implementation.

Notable outcomes and local implications: Staff highlighted an enacted bill the city had sought that expands local authority for an affordable dwelling unit (ADU) program; staff said House Bill 2137 (2025) was signed and allows the city to adopt an ADU program under state code language referenced by staff. Staff also called out other enacted changes that will require local attention:

• Subdivision and site‑plan approval: State code changes now allow approval by a designated agent rather than automatically by planning commissions. Staff recommended the planning director be designated and said an ordinance to implement that change will come to the June 2 work session.

• Stormwater grant language and local match: Staff reported the city’s request to clarify a state budget item about stormwater grant allocations was ultimately implemented administratively and that the Department of Environmental Quality and Senate Finance worked outside the budget process to resolve the issue.

• Tenants’ notice: House Bill 1867 was signed; among other provisions, it requires a 60‑day notice for landlords that do not intend to renew a lease for landlords who own more than four rental units, a change staff noted has limited applicability to smaller local landlords.

• Other bills flagged for local implementation: Staff identified around 33 enacted bills that amend state codes and will affect local policy or city code implementation; these include changes touching eminent domain procedures, real‑estate tax exemption calculations for surviving spouses of fallen service members, and tree canopy funding options for developers who cannot meet on‑site canopy requirements.

Staff process and next steps: The city‑wide tracking log prepared by staff will be used by department leaders to identify what code changes, implementation steps or work‑plan adjustments are required. Staff said they have already provided the tracking log to department heads and will bring recommendations — including any ordinance drafts — to council (the subdivision/site‑plan agent designation is slated for the June 2 work session).

Council reaction and priorities for 2026: Council members pressed staff to continue advocating for local authority on traffic enforcement (stop‑sign and speed enforcement technologies), tenant protections, funding for schools and other local needs, and to coordinate regional messaging ahead of a possible September reconvened session on federal funding matters. Staff also noted that some bills that the city supported (such as stop‑sign video enforcement bills) did not pass this year.

Ending: Staff encouraged council to review the tracking log and provided a copy to councilors. Several council members said they want to convene earlier in the fall to identify priorities for the 2026 session and to coordinate outreach to state legislators and regional partners.","City staff summarized the 2025 Virginia legislative session, reporting that the city tracked roughly 230 bills (about 80 passed and were signed), and flagged more than 30 mandated state code changes that will require local code updates or implementation work before July 1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210169,"Aurora House advisory committee reports program growth, audit results and needs; seeks community supports",1000,1607000,2607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92&start=1607&end=2607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92/thumbnail_1607000.jpg","/articles/6210169/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Aurora-House-advisory-committee-reports-program-growth-audit-results-and-needs-seeks-community-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210169-46c912ac05f37940c874aae512299828/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208346&Signature=UZ0GUm8CaamxKpcz811xlM9sHv20osezJpZw6eDVTh5dutgANuHVyiFf7RBG7qTrMmHx6yQXmE2~-wqWoEnMhsIR7BuKeGNYndg-~wotePOr7HJLuNwcqVBDBTh1u0Ni48DWnRATqc96mN-hQu64zdJKCdscfxMG9q-7TTr-pgIe9AvMkD8taUJptaJWp5wKkbv8yetcmnfu6i5CDstKkqZtoOAwN7n~uex4COPZia5D7bU1VSiJnHEvdwqepqSTwWX6UQgH4DiuPURdp9HIy8dTGzm5s4EoLDtK2AsfzTPKOAEtZ7HoxgGVt-PJbdQ~yzS1XypsbHvBKS4W7FKixQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aurora House advisory committee presented its annual report to Falls Church City Council on May 27, outlining program activity, staffing changes, audit results, and community needs.

The report: Mariam, chair of the Aurora House advisory committee, said the residential program — which serves females aged roughly 13 to 20 — had served 20 young women since January, and that bed occupancy was the largest seen since before the pandemic when two‑thirds of beds were full last September.

Why it matters: Committee members and councilors highlighted Aurora House’s role in providing short‑term residential services and community supports for young people, noting that successful audits and volunteer engagement strengthen the program’s capacity.

Key program and staffing notes: Mariam said Aurora House hired a new group home manager and promoted a residential supervisor; staff added a substance‑use component in collaboration with Fairfax County and stakeholders. The program reported two successful audits this past fall, including a three‑year Department of Juvenile Justice audit that produced a 100% result.

Funding, donations and scholarship activity: The committee reported three alumni scholarships awarded since January — including a vocational award — and that the family and estate of the late Christina Goodwin donated $15,000 with additional memorial gifts of about $1,700. The advisory committee manages an alumni scholarship fund through a 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner.

Facility and operational needs: The committee described ongoing facilities challenges, including replacement of kitchen appliances (a freezer arrived in January; an oven remained on order). The group requested items to support daily life and programming: small kitchen equipment (rice cooker, pressure cooker, cutting boards), two collapsible picnic tables, gardening supplies to support a new gardening curriculum, and help arranging low‑cost summer activities for residents.

Health and medical access: The committee asked for help identifying a medical provider who could meet on‑call or walk‑in needs for insured and uninsured youth for physicals, TB testing and medication forms, because transport to external providers is often difficult when girls are in residence.

Community engagement and volunteers: The committee said volunteers and local businesses have supported the program through activity trips, exercise classes and holiday baskets, and that staff were finalizing vetting of six new volunteers.

Council response and offers: Council members praised staff and volunteers, noted interest in volunteer partnerships with senior facilities and local businesses, and offered to follow up on possible medical contacts, community connections, and fundraising outreach (including Amazon wish list and quarterly donor updates).

Ending: Council thanked the advisory committee and staff for their work and asked staff to follow up on the items requested in the committee’s needs list.","The Aurora House advisory committee told Falls Church City Council the group served 20 girls since January, passed two audits including a Department of Juvenile Justice review (100%), added a substance‑use component to programming and has staffing vacancies and small equipment and volunteer needs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210174,"Neighbors ask Falls Church City Council to pause South Lee Street rezoning over stormwater, schools and parking concerns",329,1226000,1555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92&start=1226&end=1555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3722789-4ce9258fef948c814768598dffde4a92/thumbnail_1226000.jpg","/articles/6210174/Falls-Church-City/Fairfax-County/Virginia/Neighbors-ask-Falls-Church-City-Council-to-pause-South-Lee-Street-rezoning-over-stormwater-schools-and-parking-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210174-0e27486c4816941efc43887711200ee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771208346&Signature=bsmd~9JFzf6BGPasfXRjlJ-crfymiXTHrebGrW0WG7XrdDWZeKoLHvYH9PXZZd0bDTr~budXlugk-n2lRe-e916OPFyxVmodZeoyKFlAaP0w4FCtZVAQuAvB8ZQNr919sCjKx2slJJLcEB0OWJVozh8c5Sjw9A5EvYie7uPoqE1iIYjeUn51QB4wKaJPKlbfhr0eJISOzP7s3vfMyVB2E5WXBbkKzmZ5PNVUwn9kHnPTJtRyxRbcZ5ntcbg4futh9wAF3tsCsrJ7hVwNO3sa8UZgNG3tYpBKSQISCc6S31UTTmfi6-FRT7a67-sDcLoQieBv5OxIe0mlIqsRrPOCcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents from South Lee Street told the Falls Church City Council on May 27 they want the council to hold off on a developer’s rezoning request that would allow demolition of two single-family homes and construction of a 12-unit townhome project.

The comments came during public comment. Eunie Doe, who lives across from the affected lots, said, “This zoning change directly impacts me as it is across the street from my home,” and asked the council to consider a comprehensive approach rather than “piecemeal plot-by-plot rezoning.”

Why it matters: Residents said the request would set a precedent for similar spot rezonings and would add demand the neighborhood’s infrastructure is not prepared to handle. They pressed the council to require a neighborhood- or city-level study of cumulative effects before approving individual rezoning requests.

What residents told council: Doe and nearby resident Andy Kim said stormwater is a particular concern on the narrow block that already flooded in February 2019. Doe noted that existing storm and sewer systems there “are known to be inadequate,” and said additional development would introduce new risks.

School capacity and student estimates also drew criticism. Doe and other neighbors said Falls Church City Schools are already planning to add more than 100 seats next year; they disputed the developer’s assertion that a new townhome project would bring only three to four school‑aged children. “It grossly underestimates the number of school‑aged children,” Doe said.

Traffic and parking were additional concerns. Kim described South Lee as “sandwiched” between Broad Street and Oak Street Elementary and said traffic already funnels down Lee Street because of the signal at Lee and Broad; adding ten net homes, he said, would reduce on‑street parking and worsen safety for students who walk or bike to school.

Community ask and next steps: Neighbors said more than 40 households on South Lee and adjoining South Oak Street cosigned a letter to council asking that the council withhold granting the rezoning until an in‑depth study gauges impacts on stormwater, traffic, parking, school capacity and other neighborhood systems. The petitioners specifically asked council to consider a neighborhood‑scale rather than parcel‑by‑parcel approach.

What the record shows: Written comments read into the record included a letter from Neil Kumar of Rushmark Properties raising design concerns and a comment from Bike Falls Church asking that bike lanes on South Mabel not be removed for additional parking. The council did not take a vote on the rezoning during the meeting; public comment was noted for the record.

What’s next: The applicant’s rezoning remains under council consideration. Residents asked council to require a cumulative‑effects study before deciding; the council did not announce a deadline or formal direction at the meeting.

Ending: The public comment period closed for the evening after those remarks. Council members and staff will have the written comments and public testimony available as part of the official record for any future action on the South Lee Street rezoning request.","Residents and nearby property owners urged council to withhold approval of a requested rezoning at 106–108 South Lee Street, saying a by-right 12-unit townhome project would strain stormwater, school capacity, traffic and parking and that a neighborhood-wide study is needed before piecemeal rezonings proceed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Falls Church quarterly CIP update: 12 projects marked red; South Washington/Annandale intersection scope trimmed amid $2.5M shortfall

Falls Church staff brief council on 2025 General Assembly session; dozens of state code changes flagged for local action

Aurora House advisory committee reports program growth, audit results and needs; seeks community supports

Neighbors ask Falls Church City Council to pause South Lee Street rezoning over stormwater, schools and parking concerns