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Three county employees were recognized with the A. Heath Onthank Award for Merit, the highest honor awarded by the county to its employees, at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 27. The award recognizes accomplishments of outstanding worth in advancing and improving public service in Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools.

Alisa Brooks
Demonstrating outstanding leadership and initiative, Brooks assisted in the coordination of the Care to Share Program and developed the Care to Share Toolkit dually addressing food waste in schools and childhood food insecurities in Fairfax County. Since its development, food rescue programs have expanded to schools across the county, with PTAs, students, school staff, parents, school nurses and school clubs all getting involved. As a result, hundreds of pounds of food are being redistributed to those in need, making a positive impact on the health of food-insecure individuals in our community.

Gillian Ethridge
To help with a staffing crisis, Ethridge stepped up to supervise and train new 911 call takers receiving on-the-job training during a newly formed training shift covering the busiest hours of the day. The shift’s purpose was to train recruits quickly and increase staffing during busy call times. Ethridge reviewed all daily observation reports and mentored trainees on proper documentation and best practices. She coordinated ride-alongs with field responders to help trainees understand their role and developed games to promote teamwork and camaraderie. The new training shift was successful, resulting in quicker call-answering times and training completion. With new call takers being released from training faster, workloads were normalized and mandatory overtime for call takers and dispatchers was reduced.

Nathalie Washington
Through exceptional collaboration with epidemiology, nonprofits, and the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness, Washington created a more efficient COVID-19 screening and isolation protocol and monkeypox evaluation process for the Homeless Health Program. She led a team of nurse practitioners to provide 1,075 medical care visits, addressing over 1,500 critical health conditions and appropriately referring more than 1,300 individuals to higher levels of care and subspecialty evaluations. Through her dedication and direction, 132 vaccine clinics were successfully organized in locations including shelters and the streets, providing high quality, highly needed care in this vulnerable population.

The A. Heath Onthank Award was established by the Board of Supervisors in 1966 to honor the memory of Colonel A. Heath Onthank (U.S.A. Ret.), the first Chairman of the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission (1957-1962) and guiding force of the county’s career merit system.

Three county employees were recognized with the A. Heath Onthank Award for Merit, the highest honor awarded by the county to its employees, at the  Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 25. The award recognizes accomplishments of outstanding worth in advancing and improving public service in Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools.

Tajweer Beaufort
Beaufort has improved police recruitment using outstanding leadership and initiative. He added onto his development of Police Hiring Expos with a Hiring Expo focused on the 30x30 Initiative aimed at recruiting female applicants, and he launched “The Fairfax Experience,” an initiative targeted at hiring a diverse group of future law enforcement leaders, focusing on college students. His efforts are improving recruitment and hiring and as a result, the fall police academy class had its largest and most diverse cohort.

Leila Gordon
Gordon is a passionate advocate for arts involvement that transforms people’s lives, using her zeal to create a collaborative multi-faceted arts scene. In addition to leading the Reston Community Center in involving almost 99,000 people in 2023 in arts and programming, she chaired the Fairfax County Master Arts Plan: Facilities in creation of the Plan. Another milestone was the acceptance of a proffer of land for a possible arts venue, the culmination of her community engagement efforts in collaboration with Department of Public Works and Environmental Services staff. As chair of the Fairfax County Arts Committee, Gordon led efforts to develop a county COVID memorial and provided input and support on ways for the Original Mount Vernon High School theater renovation might meet its arts goals.

Kim Young
Through exceptional dedication, community outreach and resource utilization, Young dramatically expanded the acreage of native plantings and public education about

The A. Heath Onthank Award was established by the Board of Supervisors in 1966 to honor the memory of Colonel A. Heath Onthank (U.S.A. Ret.), the first chairman of the Fairfax County Civil Service Commission (1957-1962) and guiding force of the county’s career merit system.

The Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink, established at the June 6 Board of Supervisors meeting, will hold their first meeting on Monday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at the Government Center. The task force will produce findings that will inform the Board of Supervisors’ decision regarding the future of Lake Accotink.

Lake Accotink Park attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually with its stunning trails, picturesque picnic areas and engaging waterfront activities. The 55-acre manmade reservoir, which was built by the U.S. Army, has required regular dredging due to sedimentation. However, extensive analysis by Fairfax County staff has led to the recommendation against further dredging due to significant costs, environmental impacts, and difficulties in processing and disposing of sediment. The staff proposes restarting the Park's Master Planning process with a focus on fostering a sustainable future for the lake and the park.

The task force will review past studies about dredging and ensure comprehensive exploration of all options to preserve Lake Accotink in the most sustainable, equitable and cost-effective manner. It will identify crucial questions to be addressed if the board decides to explore a managed wetland or hybrid option. The group will also consider the environmental impact, effects on surrounding communities, recreational park usage and financing implications, including ongoing maintenance.

“This task force will enable community members to be at the table to ensure that options are thoroughly explored, and that questions from the public are answered,” said Braddock District Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw.

Former Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova will lead the task force, and it will include representatives from the community, environmental groups and nonprofit organizations.

The task force meeting schedule is below. Learn more about Lake Accotink on the Public Works and Environmental Services webpage.

Meeting Schedule at the Government Center (Conference Rooms 2 and 3)

• Monday, June 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Monday, July 10, 7 to 9 p.m.
• Monday, July 24, 7 to 9 p.m.

A staff report with recommendations for Reston’s Comprehensive Plan is available for public review and feedback ahead of public hearings for the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. Prepared by county staff, the recommended plan text includes changes to the plan’s guidance for topics like land use, affordable housing, open space, community health and more.

Last updated in 2015, the Reston Comprehensive Plan is the guiding document for land use and development decisions in Reston. The Plan Amendment, detailed in the Reston Comprehensive Plan Staff Report, was informed by input from staff analysis, a two-year community task force and public feedback in more than 50 task force meetings and seven post-task force public meetings.

The Planning Commission public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. Those who wish to share their views in-person should sign up as a speaker online. Ahead of the public hearing, comments may be submitted to the Planning Commission by phone, in-person, email or recorded video.

If the Planning Commission recommends moving forward with the Plan Amendment, then the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 25. Following the public hearing, the Board of Supervisors will take action on the recommended Plan Amendment text.

To review the Reston Comprehensive Plan Staff Report and get additional information about the study and the public hearings, visit the Reston Study webpage.

Fairfax County will start accepting submissions for the James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards on Monday, May 19. Established in 1984, the awards program celebrates outstanding planning and projects with design features that enhance the experience of site users and visitors. The program aims to raise awareness of both public and private projects.

Design submissions should meet some or all of the following criteria:

• Exemplifies a superior work of architecture.
• Incorporates outstanding site design and landscaping.
• Takes into account the context of the project design in relationship to its surroundings.
• Applies energy, and water conservation, and other green building practices.

Projects completed in Fairfax County within the last five years, since January 1, 2020, are eligible for submission. Submissions must be received by email or mail by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17. More information about submission categories, requirements and the entry form are available on the awards webpage.

Awards are granted in three categories: honor, merit, and honorable mention. A jury of design professionals, including architects, will select the winners and announce them in August.

The James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards program is sponsored by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and administered by the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development, in cooperation with the county’s Architectural Review Board and the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

For more information, questions or assistance, contact the Department of Planning and Development at 703-324-1281, TTY 711.

VIEW THE 2024, 40 ^th ANNIVERSARY WINNERS!

At an in-person hearing on Tuesday, May 9, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) readopted the Modernized Zoning Ordinance (zMOD), originally adopted in 2021 and subsequently amended over the next two years. This action comes after the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the virtual adoption method used in 2021 was invalid. While the board has asked the Supreme Court to reconsider the ruling, the readoption takes effect immediately and allows residents and businesses to move forward with zoning applications free from the uncertainty that followed the March court ruling.

zMOD is a comprehensive update to the county's 1978 Zoning Ordinance. The aim of zMOD is to make the ordinance easier to understand and navigate while modernizing land uses, including the establishment of new, more general zoning use categories.

The county developed zMOD with extensive community input that informed the final product. County staff held numerous in-person and virtual meetings over the course of more than three years to engage the community and gather feedback on the proposal. A complete list of outreach events, community meetings and hearings dating back to 2017 is available on the county’s Planning and Development webpage.

"Fairfax County is committed to serving the needs of our residents and businesses. zMOD represents a significant improvement over the 40-year-old Zoning Ordinance that it replaces and will help make our community more livable, sustainable and inclusive,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “Engagement from our residents and businesses was crucial in developing the final version of zMOD that was readopted today and in ensuring that the new regulations meet the needs of our community."

Learn more about zMOD on the Department of Planning and Development webpage.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) and the Fairfax County Continuum of Care (CoC) were recently highlighted in a national publication of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Emergency Housing Voucher Success Stories highlights the personal journeys and success stories of two Fairfax County residents who are receiving federal rental assistance through Emergency Housing Vouchers. The story describes the importance of partnerships between the FCRHA, CoC, the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development and nonprofit organizations — as well as the perseverance of the residents. Fairfax County and the FCRHA’s commitment to equity is also highlighted in the article, noting the importance of One Fairfax and how this was used as a foundation to equitably assist households. 

“We at HCD are thrilled by the progress Carl and Harold, and many others facing similar challenges, are making with the help of our EHV program,” said Tom Fleetwood, director, Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development. “The bravery of our program participants, coupled with the compassion and creativity of our staff, are producing results of which we can all be proud,” 

Guided by our strategic plan, the county’s work with these residents shows our commitment to providing reasonably priced housing and healthy, livable communities for the residents of Fairfax County.

Read more about Carl and Harold and their stories of securing permanent housing. 

On Tuesday, April 11, the Board of Supervisors (BOS) is expected to set public hearings to consider readopting the Modernized Zoning Ordinance (zMOD), originally adopted in 2021, and subsequent amendments. This action follows a Virginia Supreme Court ruling last month that the virtual adoption method used in 2021 was invalid. The ruling addressed solely the adoption process and did not address the content. The current situation has created some uncertainty related to previously approved and in process applications, so time is of the essence in mitigating that uncertainty.

Hearings on readoption of zMOD will likely be scheduled for the Planning Commission on Wednesday, May 3, and the BOS on Tuesday, May 9, if the Planning Commission has reported its recommendation.

Fairfax County updated its 1978 Zoning Ordinance after extensive in-person and virtual public outreach. The multi-year project was launched in 2017 to make the ordinance easier to understand and navigate, and to update and modernize land uses, including the establishment of new, more general zoning categories.

County staff held numerous in-person and virtual meetings over the course of more than three years to directly engage the community on the proposal. The new zoning ordinance was developed in multiple installments, allowing residents to provide feedback that helped staff develop the final proposal. A complete list of outreach events, community meetings and hearings dating back to 2017 is available on the county’s Planning and Development webpage.

“The board will consider readopting the updated zoning ordinance at a public hearing. zMOD was approved during the COVID pandemic through the electronic meeting policy,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “The ordinance was built on a foundation of thorough and comprehensive public input over three years. As we all learned during the pandemic, electronic meetings increased public engagement by allowing more people to participate from any location. When zMOD was originally approved, 70 speakers participated in the Board of Supervisors’ public hearing, which was open to the public and broadcast live, as are all public hearings.”

Residents and business owners can learn more at the Zoning Ordinance webpage. 

Media Relations Contact: Tony Castrilli, Anthony.Castrilli@fairfaxcounty.gov

Following a public hearing today, Tuesday, March 21, the Board of Supervisors approved a compensation increase for members of the board and the chairman, effective Jan. 1, 2024. The increase will apply to the board members and chairman elected on Nov. 7, 2023. This is the board’s first compensation increase since 2016.

Currently the chairman’s annual salary is $100,000 and board members’ annual salary is $95,000. Beginning next year, the chairman's salary will be $138,283 and board members will receive $123,283. The salary adjustment is calculated based on the market rate adjustments and average increases county employees received since the board last adjusted its salary.

The timing of salary adjustments is established by state law, which mandates that increases can only be approved after a public hearing is held and no later than April 15 of any year in which there is an election for board members. In this case the increase will apply for board members taking office on Jan. 1, 2024. 

Gabriel M. Zakkak has been appointed director of the Department of Code Compliance (DCC). He succeeds Jack Weyant, who retired this month.

Zakkak began his career with Fairfax County government in 2004 as an engineering technician and went on to serve in roles with the county’s Land Development Services agency and the Department of Planning and Development, including as a senior zoning inspector and permit applications center supervisor, before taking a position with DCC as a code compliance investigator in 2011.

In 2015, Zakkak was promoted to serve as DCC’s intake supervisor and records manager. Since 2017, he has held the position of administrative services manager with DCC, responsible for the direction and management of the agency’s four business areas while providing leadership and supervision in all areas of financial and budgetary analysis, procurement and contract administration, human resources management, information technology and customer service.

Zakkak has a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Phoenix and a master’s in public administration from George Mason University. He also holds numerous certifications in building inspections, property maintenance, human resources, and records management.

The Department of Code Compliance investigates neighborhood quality of life complaints involving most zoning, noise, property maintenance, building, fire, blight and grass. The department consolidates many of the county’s code enforcement activities into a single agency.

DCC responds to more than 8,000 complaints each year related to outdoor storage, multiple occupancy, property maintenance, unpermitted construction and other zoning and building code violations. Its mission is to promote, protect and maintain a healthy and desirable living environment in Fairfax County.

To learn more about the agency, visit the DCC website.