Fairfax council backs alternate George Snyder alignment, pauses Pickett trail and terminates Country Club connector

Fairfax City Council acted on three trail items added to the regular meeting agenda April 22 following staff presentations and public comment.

Key actions and votes - Submit George Snyder sketch for VDOT review (motion by Council member Peterson): Council voted unanimously to submit a concept sketch for an on‑road/shared‑use alignment for the George Snyder Trail to VDOT for initial review. - Pause Pickett Road Connector (motion by Council member Peterson): The motion to pause action on the Pickett Road Connector so staff could examine alternatives passed by roll call 4–2 (Ayes: Hall, Peterson, Bates, McQuillan; Nays: Amos, Hardy Chandler). Staff said half the proposed Pickett alignment overlaps with a Fairfax Water main rehabilitation and that alternatives merit further study. - Terminate Country Club Hills Connector (motion by Council member Peterson): Council voted unanimously to terminate the Country Club Hills Connector Trail project.

Why this matters: The three votes change the city’s near‑term trail implementation strategy and preserve the city’s ability to work with VDOT on on‑road/shared‑use options that councilors said could better serve connectivity goals while reducing tree and forest impacts. The actions followed months of community engagement and a staff presentation about forest impacts, easement needs and coordination with Fairfax Water.

Representative quote: Council member Peterson moved the first action, asking staff to "submit the concept sketch discussed in the work session this evening revising the proposed alignment for the George Snyder Trail to VDOT for review." The motion passed by roll call and will initiate VDOT’s early review of a proposed alternate alignment.

Provenance: Motions and roll-call votes are recorded in the regular meeting minutes; the trails briefing and community input occurred during the work session earlier on April 22.