Survey on Accessory Living Units (ACU)

Potential updates to the county’s zoning regulations for accessory living units (ALUs) are under consideration, and the community is invited to weigh-in through an online survey. ALUs are a secondary dwelling area of a single-family detached residence, often known as in-law suites, basement apartments, or guest houses. The Zoning Ordinance contains requirements for ALUs, which include limitations to size, occupancy, entrances, parking and more. Some of these requirements could be updated through an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. The community survey offers county residents an opportunity to submit feedback on potential changes for ALU regulations, which county staff will use alongside their analysis to determine next steps. The survey will be open through February 28.

Take the Survey!

Please Note: Changes to the ALU ordinance may have significant impact on the semi-rural, large lots, tree canopy rich and dark skies friendly character of Great Falls and its environs. A change in this ordinance has the potential to increase the residential density in Great Fall therefore GFCA strongly recommends that members take this survey and share your voice.

New Unified Sanitation Districts 

Transforming Residential Waste Collection

Update:

Fairfax County Invites HOAs to a Waste Collection Forum

The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services is hosting a public forum for HOA leaders to discuss the current state of waste collection (trash and recycling) and the potential creation of Unified Sanitation Districts for residential waste collection services.

This forum for HOA and neighborhood association representatives will provide an opportunity to share input with county staff, leadership, and the community on the future of solid waste management in Fairfax County. The video recording of the meeting will be added to the USD webpage. 

Forum Details

●     Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

●     Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

●     Location: Microsoft Teams Virtual Meeting

●     Join the meeting now (https://bit.ly/HOAUSDForum) Meeting ID: 266 266 918 657 58 Passcode: tX2yZ6Yf

●     Dial in by phone +1 571-429-5982,704878520# United States, Washington Phone conference ID: 704 878 520#

Prior to the meeting, they ask that HOAs complete a brief survey, one response per HOA or neighborhood association, to capture your association’s perspective on waste management (trash and recycling) in your community. Staff will present the aggregated survey results at the forum and allow time at the meeting for HOA leadership representatives to respond and provide additional feedback.  

The survey can be accessed at https://engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/hoa_usdsurvey. They are asking for survey responses no later than January 26, 2026.

If you have any questions about the forum or survey, contact Catie Torgersen at 703-324-5864 or catherine.torgersen@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Please Note: Although this forum is focused on HOA communities, all are invited to listen to the discussion. Residents can also continue to send their feedback on waste collection and Unified Sanitation Districts to trashmail@fairfaxcounty.gov and dranesville@fairfaxcounty.gov.  

Additional information and updates about the county’s Unified Sanitation Districts proposal can be found here:

https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/recycling-trash/unified-sanitation-districts

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) 

School Boundary Public Hearing Update

On January 8, 2026, Dr. Michelle Reid, FCPS Superintendent, presented "her" recommendations, to the School Board, for Boundary changes to be implemented for School Year (SY) 2026-2027. It is basically Scenario #4 with a few options that don't affect Great Falls students. Only 2,200 students will be moved out of a total of 177,100 students countywide. 

The School Board hosted a three-hour "Public Hearing" on the Superintendent's Proposed Changes, Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Luther Jackson Middle School.  There were 90 scheduled speakers. GFCA Special Committee on Schools (SCS) chair, Ed Phillips, was speaker #10 on the original list and delivered remarks consistent with what the SCS approved on Jan 7, 2026.

One of the individuals on the list was Speaker #17, Ms. Melissa Morrison. She was listed as representing "Individual” however when she spoke, she said she was representing the Herndon High School Parent Teachers Association. Ms. Morrison requested that the School Board formally consider redistricting some of the Western Langley High School (LHS) Pyramid to the Herndon High School Pyramid within the next five years. Watch two minutes on You Tube (FCPS) minute 47:50 – 49:44 of Ms. Morrison’s points on school capacity and utilization which are valid and that some residents in the Langley HS pyramid live closer to other High Schools.

The School Board’s mandatory boundary review cycle, started in July 2024, is almost complete. The process included inputs from the community and the Superintendent's Boundary Review Advisory Committee (BRAC). The BRAC had over 100 members. In the end, the Superintendent makes the recommendation, not the community, and not the BRAC; it is Superintendent Reid’s recommendation alone.

On January 22, 2026, the School Board will vote, and pass, a Boundary Change for SY 2026-2027. Some want the decision to be delayed but the School Board will not delay. No Great Falls students will be redistricted.

The next School Boundary Review process has informally started. It was started by the Herndon Pyramid PTA. They have made some unsubstantiated and exaggerated assertions which the Langly Pyramid and GFCA will need to start countering so that they don't take root as valid points. Note: Ms. Morrison has made valid point about capacity utilization---that Langley HS will be at 103% and Herndon will be at 77% in SY 2026 - 2027.

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.”

Update to 1990 Countywide Comprehensive Plan

Long-range planning in Fairfax County is guided by the Comprehensive Plan. The first Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan was adopted in the mid-1950s and updated regularly through an amendment process. It is required by state law to be used as a guide in decision-making for the built and natural environment by the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the public, and staff. The Plan is a living document that responds to the climate of the times.

This strategic update, called Plan Forward, will help the county address emerging trends while ensuring planning remains consistent with Fairfax County’s broader vision. It reflects the county’s commitment to thoughtful, forward-looking planning and to effectively serving its diverse community. To learn more about Plan Forward visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/sites/planning-development/files/Assets/Documents/compplanamend/policy-plan-update/2022-CW-2CP-Staff-Report.pdf

Over the past three decades, Fairfax County has experienced transformation driven by rapid population growth and changing demographics, and a shift from greenfield development toward more complex infill and redevelopment. Once largely suburban in character, the county has embraced a more focused urban development pattern. The county’s priorities have evolved by adopting initiatives such as the One Fairfax Policy and the Countywide Strategic Plan, which reflect a broader commitment to equity, sustainability, and long-term resilience. Additionally, changing land use trends warrant a forward-looking approach to provide additional flexibility to adjust to evolving market conditions.

GFCA recently sent a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission and Supervisor Bierman addressing the important issues that impact our community from the Plan Forward document including maintaining low density zoning, tree canopy, dark skies, traffic limits and impacts and the protection of historic and scenic Georgetown Pike, just to mention a few.  See letter below.

The public hearing before the Board of Supervisors on Plan Forward is scheduled for November 18 at 4:30 in the Government Center: Questions and comments can be submitted by email or directed to Connie Bebek at (703) 324-1237.

2025 Annual Report

Per the GFCA bylaws, the 2025 annual report summary and budget overview is now available:   (click here to access the report)  It was a dynamic and robust year with special attention to the Leigh Mill Road Bridge gas spill and clean up, the Walker Road bridge construction closures and the Potomac Interceptor wastewater pipe break mitigation efforts at Manhole 31. The GFCA welcomed many new members to the board with significant experience with community issues and continued an ongoing and productive engagement with Supervisor Bierman and VDOT on many issues including the recent limit on truck size to forty feet in length on Leigh Mill Road.  GFCA’s Special Committee on Schools continued close collaboration with the Fairfacts Matters Foundation’s mission on the school boundary redistricting initiative currently ongoing by the Fairfax County School Board. The GFCA also expanded communication outlets with our membership and community in an effort to reach a larger audience and share the issues that impact our residents.