Residents urge Fairfax City to cancel George Schneider Trail, dispute repayment claims tied to VDOT agreement

Dozens of Fairfax City residents used the council’s public comment periods on Sept. 30 to urge the city to cancel the George Schneider Trail — frequently cited in testimony as the George Schneider Trail (GST) or the Georgetown Trail — arguing the project would harm wetlands and forested stream corridors and that council was misinformed about repayment obligations under the project agreements.

At least five speakers addressed the trail during general public comment, repeating claims first raised in local coverage and neighborhood advocacy: speakers said the 2018 agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) governing the project contains a section that allows cancellation without the city repaying concessionaire funds already expended, and they said public statements that the city would face a $3.7 million repayment obligation were incorrect.

Why it matters: The project footprint runs near the North Fork of Accotink Creek and through forested open space. Opponents say the trail design would add impervious surface, damage wetlands and require removal of trees. The disputed repayment amount — if owed — could influence council votes by raising estimated taxpayer costs. Several residents told council that the executed VDOT agreement (2018 GST agreement) includes a…