<sh>Batal Appeal Accepted
<bt>The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals accepted an appeal on Tuesday, March 15 by developer John Batal regarding a stop-work order at the Corbin, or Goat Farm, property. No formal ruling was given on the merit of the appeal. Acceptance simply means that the board will hear the case at a later date which has not yet been scheduled.
The property on the corner of Gallows and Idylwood roads has been the subject of controversy as a result of trees that were to have been saved during the process of construction of 14 homes on the 7-acre parcel.
In January, Zoning Administrator Barbara Byron found that the construction on the site was not in “substantial conformance” with the proffers of the rezoning agreement for the property. She said that areas designated to have been a tree save had been disturbed, and the tree cover that had been part of the agreement had been reduced. Byron, in a memo, stated that Batal must go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for a legislative action to correct the alleged problem.
Following that finding, a stop-work order was issued. It is the stop-work order, not Byron’s finding, that was appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Frank McDermott, attorney for Batal, said that only a court has the authority to issue the stop-work order, not the zoning administrator. “I say to him openly and candidly: Lets go there [to court], but I don’t think the county wants to go there,” McDermott said.
An appeal addressing Byron’s determination has also been filed with the Board of Supervisors and is currently scheduled to be heard on April 4.
In a related matter, Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) has introduced a Board matter that seeks to clarify how the county administers its tree-save areas.
<sh>Oakton Community Park Public Hearing
<bt>The Fairfax County Park Authority sponsors a public hearing on the Oakton Community Park Master Plan on Tuesday, March 29, at 7 p.m., in Oakton Elementary School's cafeteria, 3000 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton. Oakton Community Park was formerly known as the Corbalis property.
The Draft Master Plan proposes the creation of an unlit rectangular field, playground, woodland picnic area, two small pavilions, trail loop and parking, while the northern half of the site is to remain wooded. In addition, the plan proposes a location on-site for an architectural element to help give the park a unique identity. The park, approximately 10 acres in size, is located at 2841 Hunter Mill Road.
The proposed plan is available for review at the Fairfax County Park Authority in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 421, Fairfax or online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
Those interested in speaking at the hearing should contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or via e-mail at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. Written comments can be sent to Lynn Tadlock, Director of Planning and Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 421, Fairfax, VA 22035 or sent via e-mail to Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
<sh>Dessert Reception at Madison High
<bt>Madison High School hosts a Relay for Life dessert reception on Tuesday, March 29, at 7 p.m., in the school cafeteria, 500 James Madison Drive, Vienna. Learn more about the first Vienna Relay for Life, The American Cancer Society’s nationwide fund-raising event and celebration to honor and remember those whose lives have been touched by cancer. The Vienna Relay for Life takes place on June 18-19, at James Madison High School. For information, visit www.viennarelay.org or contact Stacy Capra at 703-255-0995, CapraParty@verizon.net.
<sh>Democrats Cook Up Lasagna Dinner
<bt>The Hunter Mill District Democratic Committee sponsors its annual Lasagna Dinner on Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m. The event takes place at the Reston Community Center at Hunters Woods, 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. For directions, call 703-479-4500. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Opportunities for sponsorships are available and a reception for these benefactors will take place at 6 p.m. Those wishing further details about the evening can contact E. Graves at 703-262-2091.
<sh>Call for Rotary Award Nominees
<bt>The Rotary Club of Vienna sponsors its inaugural Community Employee of the Year Service Above Self Award.
Beginning March 15, local Vienna employers will begin receiving application forms and an outline on what the Rotary describes as the person who most exemplifies the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" and the "Four-Way Test."
The top five candidates will be selected and then read over by a committee of Rotarians who will make the final determination. The Employee of the year Service Above Self winner will be announced at the Rotary's May meeting. For more information, call Denise at 703-281-4868.
<sh>Park Authority, CRS Seek Summer Staff
<bt>The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Department of Community and Recreation Services are hiring staff for children’s programs, teen programs, community centers and therapeutic recreation.
Open hire dates take place May 12 and May 19, from 12-5:30 p.m., at the Pennino Building, 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Applicants must have previous experience working with children or teens in a group setting, must be at least 18 years old (must be 21 years of age for teen centers), a high school graduate and will need CPR and First Aid certification valid through August 2005. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
<sh>Crime Prevention Day March 20
<bt>The Fairfax County Police Department partners with the Allstate Foundation and the Virginia Crime Prevention Association to sponsor a safety and security fair on Sunday, March 20. With the theme "You've Got a Crime Prevention Friend Day," the fair takes between 2-5 p.m., at the Fair Lakes Hyatt Hotel located at 12777 Fair Lakes Circle in Fairfax. Attendees will be able to meet law enforcement officers from across the state; have their picture taken with McGruff the Crime Dog; see a variety of police vehicles, including a state police racing car; and have their children fingerprinted. Other displays and services are available throughout the day. Co-sponsors of the fair also include the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police H.E.A.T (Help Eliminate Auto Theft). For more information, call 703-352-2163.