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City of Falls Church Gov't Updates for Week of Sept. 4, 2024

City of Falls Church Gov't Updates for Week of Sept. 4, 2024
Entrance to City Hall for the City of Falls Church at 300 Park Ave. Photo by Chris Jones.

The following is based on press releases, social media and website postings from the City of Falls Church.

Fun for All at the Falls Church Festival 

The 48th Annual Falls Church Festival returns Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on City Hall grounds at 300 Park Ave. Find all your favorites, from live music and entertainment to pony rides and other children's rides and inflatables. Enjoy over 90 local vendors, businesses, and civic organizations, as well as a beer garden and the Taste of Falls Church! This event is rain or shine. 

Courtesy Falls Church City.

Admission and Tickets 

Admission to the festival is free, but amusement rides, food, and beer require the purchase of one or more tickets.

Enjoy a full roster of restaurants ready to satisfy your every craving with small bites of delicious local food. Tickets are $3 per "taste" at each restaurant (some tastes may require two tickets). Taste tickets are available for purchase by cash and card at the outdoor ticket booths. Inside the Community Center is credit card only. There is no onsite ATM. No tickets sold after 3:30 p.m.

Taste of Falls Church

Courtesy Falls Church City.

Participating restaurants include

• Badd Pizza 

• Café Kindred  

• Clare and Don's Beach Shack 

• Fava Pot 

• Harvey's 

• Hot N' Juicy Crawfish 

• Mark's Pub 

• Nothing Bundt Cakes 

• One1ea Tea House

• Open Road 

• Taco Rock 

• The Falls 

A previous Taste of Falls Church. Courtesy Visit Fairfax.

Beer Garden

The ROCK STAR realty group beer garden returns to this year's event, with selections from Audacious Aleworks and Solace Outpost. The beer garden will operate from 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. All are welcome to enter the beer garden, but only those with valid identification can purchase and consume alcohol.

Courtesy Falls Church City.

Entertainment for the Entire Family

Main Stage Sponsored by ROCK STAR realty group 

Courtesy Falls Church City.

• 10:15 a.m. – City of Falls Church's 75th Anniversary Closing Ceremony 

• 11:30 a.m. – Flashback  

• 1 p.m. – Mars Rodeo 

• 2:30 p.m. – Ocho de Bastos

Children's Stage Sponsored by Harris Teeter Delivery 

• 11 a.m. – Marsha and the Positrons 

• 12:15 p.m. – Noland's Magic 

• 1:30 p.m. – Marsha and the Positrons 

• 2:45 p.m. - Drew Blue Shoes Magic

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Children's Crafts, Pony Rides and Amusements

Event Sponsors

Thank you to the sponsors of the 2024 Falls Church Festival:  

ROCK STAR realty group - Main Stage & Beer Garden Sponsor  

CommuniKids - Children's Tent Sponsor 

Harris Teeter Delivery - Children's Entertainment Sponsor  

Capital Area Pediatrics 

Center for Dentofacial Aesthetics 

Ello 

Falls Church Comprehensive Dentistry 

Goldfish Swim School 

Kitchen Saver 

Renewal by Andersen 

Stein Sperling Attorneys at Law  

The Falls Church News Press 

The Kensington Falls Church  

TriVistaUSA Design and Build 

Prince William Home Improvement

Road Closures

Courtesy Falls Church City.

• On Saturday, Sept. 14, portions of Little Falls St., between Park Ave. and Great Falls St., will be closed to vehicular traffic for the Falls Church Festival. No vehicular traffic will be allowed onto Little Falls St. from Park Ave. between 7 a.m. and noon. The traffic light at Little Falls St. and Park Ave. will also be on flash during this period.  

• Between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., Little Falls St. at Great Falls St. will only be accessible to Falls Church Festival and Farmers Market vendors. From 10 a.m. to noon, Little Falls St. will reopen to one-way-only traffic from Great Falls St.  

• After noon, Little Falls St. will open up to all traffic in both directions.  

Parking 

• Primary parking for the Falls Church Festival is on select side streets and the Kaiser Permanente Garage. Please do not park in private lots. Dedicated accessible parking for the Farmers Market (8 a.m. to noon) and Falls Church Festival (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) will be located on Great Falls St.


Child Safety Seat Inspections

Courtesy CDC.

The City of Falls Church Police Department will be hosting Child Safety Seat Inspections on Monday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Thursday,
Sept. 19
from 6 to 8 p.m., at City Hall, 300 Park Ave. Residents are asked to please bring all safety seat instructions and vehicle owner manuals with them, and to have already installed the seat to the best of their ability, following the installation instructions.  

   
Accessory Dwelling Unites (ADUs) ~ Upcoming Meetings:
City residents are invited to participate in two upcoming meetings on possible updates to accessory dwelling regulations. The first meeting is on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 300 Park Ave. For this meeting, remote participation will be available. The second meeting will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. in the Lower Conference Room at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library at 120 N. Virginia Ave.

What are your thoughts on ADUs? Courtesy American Planning Association.

Board and Commission Vacancies

Courtesy Falls Church City.

September is a great time to get involved with boards and commissions! The City of Falls Church is proud to host over 20 local boards and commissions with a presence on 11+ regional groups. Community members are encouraged to get involved with these groups, whether through volunteering their time to serve, or attending monthly meetings and staying up-to-date on local news. Stop in to find out what the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Transportation is working on, say hello to the Aurora House Citizens Advisory Committee, or get to know members on the Library Board of Trustees.

For a full, updated schedule of board and commission meetings, check out fallschurchva.gov/Calendar!

Trying to Access Documents from the City?

There are multiple ways to see documents at City meetings! Meeting materials are available on the City website which can be accessed at any time and enlarged for easier reading. Community members can also access print copies of materials at public meetings, and city staff can provide written materials in alternative formats upon request.

Courtesy Falls Church City.

The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call 703-248-5004 (TTY 711) or submit a form on the City website. Learn more about accommodations options at fallschurchva.gov/ADA.

Other Lane Closures/Road Work

  • Haycock Road
    • Lane shifts and closures along Haycock Rd. to facilitate the sanitary sewer install for the apartment building at the West Falls Development beginning at 10 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 19.
      • The work is expected to take four weeks to complete.
      • All lanes will be open to traffic by 6 a.m. each morning.
      • No impacts to school operations are anticipated. 

See below for more on the West Falls Development, Falls Church City's Largest in History:

Opening Up: City’s Largest Development Project at West Falls Church
There’s a new Hilton in town! Slated to be fully-open by the end of 2024, the West Falls Development Project – the largest mixed-use residential and retail project in the city’s history, with nearly 10 acres of development from West Broad Street to the West Falls Church Metro Station – is beginning to open up.
‘The Fresh Market’ to Serve as Flagship Grocer for West Falls Development
Specialty fresh food retailer, The Fresh Market, Inc. of Greensboro, N.C. – known for its European boutique market feel, upscale international fare, curated goods, and competitively priced meal packages – announced July 15 the launch of two new locations in northern Virginia in addition to their current stores in Vienna, Alexandria, and Springfield. Reston Station will see one, and the other will be in the West Falls Development in the City of Falls Church.
West Falls Development Adds Two Arts Academies: Levine Music and CityDance
Boldly expanding its presence as an arts and culture hub in Northern Virginia, the City of Falls Church will soon see two more major arts organizations in the West Falls Development: Levine Music and CityDance.

Project and Program Notices

  • W&OD Trail Crossing Project
    • The W&OD Trail Crossing Project will improve the street crossings of the W&OD Trail to enhance safety and urban design. The crossings are at Little Falls St., Great Falls St., N. Oak St., and N. Spring St.. 
      • New All-Way STOP signs are scheduled to be installed at the W&OD Trail Crossings at Little Falls St., N. Oak St., and N. Spring St. Plans can be viewed here
      • Visit the W&OD Trail Crossing Project website for ongoing updates.

Sunset Cinema at Cherry Hill Park

The 21st Annual Sunset Cinema Series Presented by Renewal by Andersen continues on select Fridays and a spooky Saturday in the fall. Movies start at dusk (between 7-7:30 p.m.). Sunset Cinema is located at Cherry Hill Park at 312 Park Ave. next to the barn and playground. Arrive early to get a good spot!

Viewers are encouraged to bring blankets, bug spray, and a picnic. Drinks, popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase (cash and card). In the case of inclement weather, screenings will be rescheduled to the last Friday of the month OR the following Friday evening. 

  • Sunset Cinema: 
    • Friday, September 20, 2024, 7:15 p.m. - Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
People's Choice: The votes are in, and the winner is: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids! Come see the People's Choice film during the September 20 Sunset Cinema. 
    • Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:15 p.m. - Monsters University
      • SweetFrog will be onsite this date selling sweet treats.

City Calendar for September

Planning Commission Meeting

Sept. 4, 7:30-10:00 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Electoral Board Meeting

Sept. 5,  2-5:00 p.m. at Dogwood Room A and B. More Details

RESCHEDULED: Aurora House Girls Group Home Citizens' Advisory Committee Meeting (In-person with Virtual Option)

Sept. 9, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Laurel Room. More Details.

City Council Meetings

Sept. 9Sept. 23, 7:30- 1:00 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period. Sign up to speak at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. Watch the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings and FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV.More Details.

Mayor's Agenda Meeting with Staff

Sept. 11, 8:30 -9:00 a.m at Oak Room. The Mayor will meet with staff to determine the agenda schedule for future City Council meetings. Other members of City Council may also participate in this meeting. More Details.

Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation Meeting

Sept. 11, 7:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting. More Details.

Architectural Advisory Board Meeting

Sept. 11, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks

Sept. 11, 7- 9:00 p.m. at Art Room. Regular monthly meeting of the Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks. More Details.

City Council Appointments Committee Meeting

Sept. 11, 8-9:30 p.m. at Oak Room. The City Council Appointments Committee will meet to interview candidates for boards and commissions and conduct exit interviews. More Details.

CANCELLED: Solid Waste Management Plan Advisory Committee (SWMPAC) Meeting

Sept. 11, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Oak Room. More Details.

Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) Meeting

Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Quarterly Meeting of the Retirement Board

Sept. 12, 6-9:00 p.m. at Dogwood Room A and B. More Details.

City Council Work Session

Sept. 16, 7:30-11:00 p.m. at Dogwood Room A and B. City Council Work Sessions are held the first and third Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. These meetings are open to the public and are conducted to allow Council Members to discuss upcoming legislation and policy issues; the public is not generally invited to speak. Watch the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings or FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. More Details.

Economic Development Authority Meeting

Sept. 17, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Dogwood Room, City Hall (adjacent to main entry) 300 Park Ave. Regular monthly EDA meeting. More Details.

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Sept. 18, 6-8:00 p.m. at Upper Floor Conference Room. Regular Library Board Meeting. More Details.

Urban Forestry Commission Meeting

Sept. 18,  7:30 -9:00 p.m. at Dogwood Room A and B. Regular monthly Urban Forestry Commission meeting. More Details.

Planning Commission Meeting

Sept. 18,  7:30-10:00 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Mayor's Agenda Meeting with Staff

Sept. 18, 8:30-9:00 a.m. at Oak Room. The Mayor will meet with staff to determine the agenda schedule for future City Council meetings. Other members of City Council may also participate in this meeting. More Details.

Arts and Humanities Council of Falls Church Meeting

Sept. 19, 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Dogwood Room A and B. Regular meeting of the Arts & Humanities Council of Falls Church. More Details.

Environmental Sustainability Council & Energy Transition Subcommittee Meeting

Sept. 19, 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. More Details.

Housing Commission Meeting

Sept. 19, 6-7:00 p.m. at Laurel Room. More Details.

Human Services Advisory Council Meeting

Sept. 19, 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Dogwood Room A and B. More Details.

City Council Budget and Finance Committee Meeting

Sept. 20, 8:30-9:30 a.m at Oak Room. More Details.

City Council Meeting

Sept. 23, 7:30-11:00 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of the month, with the exception of August and December when only one meeting is held. The public is welcome to address the City Council on any topic during the public comment period. Sign up to speak at www.fallschurchva.gov/publiccomment. All members of the public may view the meeting at www.fallschurchva.gov/CouncilMeetings. The meeting may also be viewed on FCCTV (Cox 11, RCN 2, Verizon 35). Video will be available after the meeting both online and on FCCTV. More Details.

City Council Economic Development Committee Meeting

Sept. 24, 1- 2:30 p.m. at Oak Room. More Details.

City Council Government Operations Committee Meeting

Sept. 25, 9-10:00 a.m. at Oak Room. More Details.

Mayor's Agenda Meeting with Staff

Sept. 25, 8:30-9:00 a.m. at Oak Room. The Mayor will meet with staff to determine the agenda schedule for future City Council meetings. Other members of City Council may also participate in this meeting. More Details.

Historic Architectural Review Board Meeting

Sept. 26, 7-9:00 p.m. at City Hall. Dogwood Room A and B. More Details.

Historical Commission Meeting

Sept. 26, 2024, 7-9:00 p.m. at Dogwood Room A and B. More Details.

Citywide Notices

Court Day (General District Court)

Sept. 4Sept. 11, Sept. 18, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. Court day in Council Chambers/Courtroom. More Details.

Court Day (Juvenile and Domestic Relations)

Sept. 10Sept. 24, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. More Details.

Court Day (General District Court)

Sept. 11, 2024, 8-2:00 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. Court day in Council Chambers/Courtroom. More Details.

Court Day (General District Court)

Sept. 18, 2024, 8-2:00 p.m. at Council Chambers/Court Room. Court day in Council Chambers/Courtroom. More Details.

Court Day (Juvenile and Domestic Relations)

Sept. 24, 2024, 8-2:00 p.m.


By The Falls Church Independent