Town Hall with Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman 

Wednesday, June 24 from 7-8 p.m.

Great Falls Library

“The free exchange of ideas is absolutely critical to a functioning democracy and community— so let’s talk!”

Great Falls Citizens Association and Supervisor Jimmy Bierman invite you to a Town Hall on Wednesday, June 24 at the Great Falls Library from 7 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Here’s your chance to ask questions on data centers, traffic issues, crosswalks, Accessory Living Units and any other concerns that impact you and  the Great Falls community. Please join us.

County Reviews Accessory Living Unit (ALU) Regulations

GFCA Reviews Potential Impacts 

Fairfax County is studying potential changes to its zoning rules governing Accessory Living Unit (ALU), a housing option that allows a secondary residential unit on the same lot as a single-family home.

An ALU—sometimes referred to as an accessory dwelling unit—may be attached to or detached from a primary residence and includes independent living facilities with a kitchen and bathroom. The unit cannot be subdivided or sold separately from the main home. Across the country, ALUs have become increasingly common as communities look for ways to provide adaptable housing options without large-scale redevelopment.

County officials have begun public outreach and presentations to the Planning Commission, with a more detailed staff report expected later this summer. Possible action by the Board of Supervisors could follow in 2026.

At its February meeting, the Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) Land Use & Zoning (LUZ) Committee reviewed the County’s ALU study and discussed how expanded allowances could interact with local conditions.

Why the Situation Is Different in Great Falls?

In Great Falls the impact of the proposed ALU regulation changes carries additional considerations. The community is zoned primarily Residential Estate (R-E) and is designated in the County’s Comprehensive Plan as low-density and semi-rural. Many homes rely on private wells and almost all have septic systems rather than public water and sewer infrastructure.

Septic systems are designed and permitted based on bedroom count and wastewater capacity. Adding an ALU could, in some cases, require septic system upgrades or expanded or new drain fields. Depending on lot conditions, this may involve additional land disturbance or tree clearing.

Because most properties are not connected to public sewer, wastewater capacity is a central part of the discussion. Residents have emphasized that infrastructure realities in well-and-septic communities differ significantly from areas served by public utilities.

Detached ALUs are typically located toward the rear of a property. Constructing a new unit of meaningful size could require grading and site disturbance, particularly if the structure includes expanded driveways that attribute to the land disturbance and additional impermeable surface. If grading thresholds are met, a county grading permit may be required which will require stormwater management measures to address additional runoff.

The question has been raised whether these projects will undergo stormwater review comparable to new home construction, including detention or retention systems designed to ensure that post-construction runoff does not exceed pre-construction levels. In a community with sensitive watersheds, a history of runoff concerns, and increased flooding, stormwater management is expected to be a significant part of the broader policy discussion.

Environmental and Watershed Considerations

Committee members noted that limited density in Great Falls is closely tied to environmental protection. Maintaining spacing between homes and preserving wooded lots helps manage groundwater absorption and protect downstream properties.

Great Falls contains substantial tree canopy and environmentally sensitive land such as Resource Protection Areas (RPA) adjacent to streams. Increased clearing or impermeable surface area can contribute to stormwater runoff and sediment entering nearby streams.

Traffic and Community Character

Changes that incrementally increase residential density may also affect traffic patterns, parking, and neighborhood character. Great Falls was intentionally zoned as a low-density community. A higher population density will create more traffic on the area’s historic roads.  It also has the potential to add a larger school age population which could have an impact on the current Langley Pyramid. 

While ALUs may function smoothly in more urban or suburban parts of Fairfax County, the County includes a wide range of community types. Policies applied uniformly across diverse regions may affect some areas adversely depending on local infrastructure and environmental conditions.

Next Steps

The County’s ALU study remains in its information-gathering phase. Additional community engagement opportunities are expected before formal ordinance amendments are drafted.

The GFCA LUZ Committee plans to engage with County staff prior to publication of the summer report to ensure that Great Falls–specific considerations—particularly septic considerations, grading, stormwater impacts, watershed health, traffic, and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan—are included in the analysis.  This is to ensure that the low density, semi-rural, tree canopy rich and dark sky friendly character of Great Falls is maintained.

Residents are encouraged to monitor County updates and participate in future outreach sessions as the process moves forward. For more information visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/zoning-ordinance/amendments/accessory-living-units

Support Crosswalk Projects in Great Falls

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has set a goal to invest $100 million in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements between 2021 and 2027. So far, $82.12 million has been committed, with the remaining $17.88 million expected to be allocated within the targeted timeframe. 

Two projects in Great Falls are being considered for funding:  

•Walker Road/Columbine Street - Improve the existing marked crosswalk on Walker Road that connects the Village Centre shopping plaza north of Columbine Street to the shopping center on the east side of Walker Road by installing upgrade signage and a pedestrian refuge.

•Utterback Store Road/Loran Road - Construct approximately 1,100 feet of Active Transportation facilities on the west side of Utterback Store Road from Leesburg Pike to Loran Drive including a marked crosswalk, upgraded curb ramps, and pedestrian signage across Utterback Store Road at Loran Road near Forestville Elementary School.

To develop priorities for funding, Fairfax County Department of Transportation seeks citizen input on these and other pedestrian and bicycle projects across the county. To participate in on-line meetings to discuss your concerns and to ask questions, join either of two meetings on Wednesday March 11 at 12 noon and Thursday, March 12 at 7 pm. For zoom links visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/bike-walk/100-million-funding/prioritization         

Plastic Jersey Barriers on the Springvale Road

One-lane Bridge over Piney Run

Orange and white plastic barriers showed up recently on either side of the Springvale Road bridge over Piney Run. See photo below. 

Asked about the purpose of the barriers, Sam Fallaha, NOVA District Bridge Engineer with the Virginia Department of Transportation, answered:  “These barriers were placed to shift traffic toward the center of the structure, relieving the exterior beams which are experiencing ongoing corrosion.”

He offered this information on replacement of the bridge, a project which has been identified on VDOT’s web site for some time: “Regarding the bridge replacement, design work has not yet begun and is not expected to commence before 2028 due to funding constraints. Given the typical three-year timeline for design, public involvement, right-of-way acquisition, and Utilities relocation, construction is unlikely to start before 2031. In the interim, we will continue with necessary maintenance and repairs to keep the bridge in safe service until the replacement bridge is constructed.”