Social Safety Net, Metro Funding Top 2026 Legislative Program
City Council establishes the City’s legislative priorities and positions for the upcoming General Assembly in Richmond.
Plans and Policies
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Council Advocates Return of Site Plan Authority to Planning Commission
Update: City Council makes return of site plan approval authority to the Planning Commission part of its 2026 legislative program.
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FY2027 Guidance: Budget Increase to be Financed by Higher Taxes from Single-Family Homeowners
In the City’s FY2027 guidance, the budget increase relies on a 6% projected increase in single-family home assessments and higher car taxes, while other properties and revenues remain flat. FCCPS staff are to receive a 5% salary hike.
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Council Mulls Proposed Process to Redevelop Virginia Village
The Council discussed a staff proposal to redevelop the nine quadplexes it owns in Virginia Village with the expressed goal of creating more affordable housing.
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Housing Commission, Staff Stress Preservation of Expiring ADUs
While the City added 99 affordable dwelling units (ADU) in 2025, 111 ADUs at Pearson Square and The Fields are set to expire between 2027 and 2029.
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Growth in the Little City and a Tax Base Still Dependent on Single-Family Homes
From 2013 to 2025, the City added 1,987 housing units in mixed-use developments. City leaders wanted to expand the tax base that was heavily reliant on single-family homes. Our analysis shows that strategy had limited success.
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Increasing the City’s Tree Canopy
City Council endorsed a proposal to require a minimum of 10% tree canopy onsite for new developments in business zones. If approved, it will be the first time that developments will not be able to take credit for the canopy of street trees.
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City’s FY2025 Budget Year-End Report Reveals Slowing Economic Activity
The FY2025 year-end results showed a $2.3 million surplus. Sales tax and meals tax receipts were much lower than expected. Staff recommended using the surplus to shore up reserves and for small projects.
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Falls Church City to Adopt Vision Zero Strategy to Eliminate Traffic Fatalities
The Department of Public Works is following the principles of Vision Zero in its approach to roadworks projects and working with the Police and Planning Departments to address safety through engineering design, enforcement, and education.
