Vienna accepts Fairfax County sewer easement, secures tree‑replacement and $107,224 compensation

The Vienna Town Council voted March 24 to grant Fairfax County land rights for a sanitary sewer easement at Moorfield Park and to accept $107,224 in total compensation to cover land impacts and tree mitigation.

Brad Baer, director of public works, presented the project as a Fairfax County construction effort to increase sanitary-sewer capacity in northern Fairfax County. Staff displayed maps showing a proposed 6,500-square-foot easement along Moorfield Park's southern property line and described how the offer includes compensation for tree impacts and a proposed 2-for-1 replanting to be implemented by the town's Department of Parks and Recreation.

Baer said the county's initial appraisal showed a much lower figure but that negotiations and an updated impact inventory led to the $107,224 total offer, which staff recommended as fair and reasonable. Council members asked whether the town would retain fee title (staff confirmed the town keeps fee simple ownership and only grants limited easement rights) and sought clarity on appraisal and tree-replacement details.

Council member Baldwin asked who on town staff secured the higher negotiated amount; Baer credited Parks & Rec staff and named Leslie Herman and Jeremy Edwards for their work on the tree inventory. The council moved and approved the motion to grant the easement and accept the sum by roll call.

Key details: the easement crosses Moorfield Park (described in staff exhibits), is intended for Fairfax County sanitary improvements (project W W 000032-007 / Accotint Gravity Sewer Improvements), and staff said the compensation includes funding for a 2:1 replacement of impacted trees to be planted elsewhere in Moorfield Park or in locations determined by Parks & Rec.

Next steps: staff will finalize easement documentation with Fairfax County and implement tree mitigation plans in coordination with Parks & Rec.