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GFCA Conducts Town Hall Webinar on
Proposed Dark Sky Preserve
On Monday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m., GFCA conducted its second Webinar on a proposed amendment to the County's Outdoor Lighting Ordinance. The event described several proposed concepts under consideration by County planners and offered residents in the vicinity of the Turner Farm Park an opportunity to review and comment.
Guest Speakers included: Hon. John Foust Dranesville District Supervisor,Tammy Schwab, Manager Education and Outreach, Fairfax County Park Authority,Dr. Jeffrey Kretsch, Analemna Society,Carmen Bishop, Deputy Zoning Administrator, Fairfax County Zoning Administration Division,Dr. Peter Plavchan, Associate Professor, Physics & Astronomy and Director of Observatories, George Mason University,Katy Defoe, Master Police Officer, Crime Prevention Specialist, Fairfax County Police, and Bill Canis, President of the Great Falls Citizen Association.
Watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/jWmpIx9J8ps
View the Webinar's Program Presentations Here:
Light Pollution GMU Presentation 9.19.2022.pdf;
FCPA and Analemma Society Dark Sky Brief 9.19.2022.pdf;
FCPD Lighting Presentation 9.19.2022.pdf;
Outdoor Lighting - Turner Observatory - Town Hall - Fairfax County Zoning 9.19.2022.pdf
Read the Zoning Administration Documentation:
Preliminary Concept Paper
County Zoning Ordinance Amendments Page
Driving Rules Near School Buses
Fairfax County Public Schools runs more than 1,600 buses daily.
And if you drive, there’s no doubt you will encounter FCPS and private school buses. The rules are pretty simple if you encounter a school bus with flashing red lights.
Drivers must stop in both directions, unless separated from the bus by a median. Please remember, it is considered reckless driving - a criminal offense - if you pass a stopped school bus unloading children. It is not worth getting to your destination a few seconds faster when you are risking the safety and lives of others.
Pay attention to school zones, especially where they start and end. Those slower school zone speed limits are there for a reason. Follow the speed limit when the lights are flashing. It’s important to add more time into your commuting schedule so you’re not in a rush and perhaps decide to pass a school bus or speed through a school zone.
Crossing Guards
Heeding the whistles and waves of our dedicated crossing guards is yet another way you can ensure the safety of students. Pay attention in crossing guard zone areas as you drive. | County Approves Extension of the Agricultural & Forestal District for Leigh Mill Parcel The Agricultural and Forestal (A&F) District program is designed to preserve and protect open spaces, forested areas, and agricultural lands in Fairfax County. There are several A&F Districts in the Great Falls community.Properties included in an A&F District qualify for reduced land use taxes. Other criteria that may apply to designation of A&F Districts are:
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Town Hall re: Proposed Dark Sky Preserve at Turner Farm Park Observatory Town Hall re: Springvale Rd. Bridge Replacement - Deer Management Presentation -
The Great Falls Citizens Association is an
all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)4 organization that advocates solutions and
government actions that benefit Great Falls. Since Great Falls is not an incorporated municipality like the Town of Vienna, or City of Falls Church, we lack a town/city government to represent our local interests. The GFCA acts in an unofficial capacity to represent the voices of the citizens of Great Falls on these matters, and works with county, state, and national government to get things done. On Great Falls issues, no other organization has GFCA’s influence with elected leaders at the County and State level, or is as respected by them. Our charter calls for GFCA to "serve as a community organization to promote all aspects of community interest accruing to a common good and, in general, to preserve the historic, low density, semi-rural character of Great Falls and its natural resources."
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GFCA News
Fairfax County has proposed two new fire stations which will service our community. They will acquire 12 acres at the corner of Beulah Road and Rt. 7 and 14 acres at the corner of Reston Ave. and Rt. 7. The Executive Committee of GFCA has voted to support the location of these fire stations but have expressed concern about what the County plans to do with the additional acreage over and above the 5 acres needed for the station on each site.
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