Following one-on-one negotiations over the weekend, City Council reached key compromises on setbacks and owner occupancy requirements. Mayor Letty Hardi called for an ADs 2.0 review in a year to see if new provisions need to be relaxed.
In response to condo owners who say that they are not getting a service paid by their taxes, some on Council have pushed staff to implement a fee-based trash service in FY2026 despite the City Manager saying more time was needed. The larger community has yet to weigh in.
The FY2026-2031 CIP budget continues prior years’ capital projects plus a new sewage flow equalization basin that will require a bond issue in FY2026. The six-year $148 million budget covers over 40 projects. $26 million will be spent in FY2026.
A 10.5% real estate assessment increase allowed the City to initially propose a 2.5c (2%) decrease in real estate taxes from $1.21 to $1.185 in the FY2026 budget proposal. The latest data show economic uncertainties putting that reduction at risk.
The City has a stormwater system that is under capacity for even a once-every-2-years storm. We need to evaluate the impact of new development and climate change and build a long-term investment plan to protect our community from flooding.
Council Members lined up 3-3 with contrasting positions on the one remaining issue to be discussed in April: the permissible side and rear setbacks for ADs from the property line. Other elements of the code were also contentious.
Falls Church and Fairfax County have agreed to key terms for the City’s purchase of sewer capacity to meet development and peak flow demands that anticipates building a $10+ million sewage retention tank under Cavalier Park.
The 2025 Community Survey showed residents liked life in the City, valuing its walkability and small-town feel. Taxes, traffic, and road infrastructure were top issues. While they were satisfied with City government, they were least satisfied with how growth and development, and road infrastructure are being managed.
Update: The Quinn site plan was approved on March 19, 2025. The latest site plan moves the Quinn loading dock from S Maple to S Washington. The sanitary sewage will be pumped to Arlington County’s treatment plant.
