North Springfield Civic Association PO Box 1007 • Springfield, VA 22151 www.facebook.com/groups/NorthSpringfieldVA www.nscivic.org In This Issue President’s Message www.facebook.com/groups/NorthSpringfieldVA www.nscivic.org/contactForms/EMailNotification.htm NSC NSC Uniting North Springfield Since 1956 North Springfield Civic Association North Springfield Civic Association 1 The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designated March 2016 as Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Month. As some of you know, North Springfield has three group homes that provide housing for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. The homes on Long Pine and Heming are both administered by the Hartwood Foundation. The home on Gresham Street is administered by Marian Homes, an organization affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and their business partner Chimes. Being a fellow Knight myself, I am proud Marian Homes chose North Springfield. I have said time and time again that our residents are of a very high caliber, and each group home has signed the County’s Good Neighbor Agreement, which, in part, says they “welcome opportunities for neighbors to get to know our residents . . . as they would other neighbors.” I was fortunate to recently visit with the residents of the Marian Homes North Springfield location. One of them, Donald, was very proud to tell me about his job, and how he volunteers at a local retirement home, setting and bussing tables. He was quick to tell me that he loves the Redskins, Wizards, and Orioles. I asked him what he liked best about living in North Springfield, and his answer was the people of the community. He enjoys his interactions with his neighbors, and the House Manager said people have been very helpful, assisting with yard work and taking out the trash. Our Marian Homes and Hartwood Foundation neighbors are part of the story of North Springfield, helping all to build a diverse, supportive, and flourishing community. Very Respectfully, Ken Balbuena Civic Association President APRIL 2016 April 5 North Springfield Elementary School Kindergarten Orientation April 6 General Membership Meeting Topic: Cultural Festival April 16 North Springfield Swim Club Spring Cleanup April 20 North Springfield Swim Club Annual Meeting May 4 General Membership Meeting Topic: 60th Anniversary Social June 11 Annual NSCA Clean Up Day Announcements/Upcoming Events: Who Do I Contact If…? ............................................................ 2 Traffic Calming Vote & Next Steps........................................... 3 April 6 Civic Association Meeting ............................................ 3 Bicycle Rodeo ........................................................................... 3 Youth Awards Program Sponsored By Eagle Bank ................ 3 60 Th Anniversary Donations ..................................................... 4 Time Capsule ............................................................................ 4 Nominating Committee ........................................................... 4 PTA Swap Meet & NSCA Yard Sale Day ................................... 4 North Springfield Elementary School PTA Update ................. 4 CSA Ravensworth Farm Location ............................................ 5 Mulch Sale To Benefit Annandale HS Graduation Event ........ 5 North Springfield Swim Club Update ...................................... 5 VDOT Work ............................................................................... 6 Clean Up Day Volunteers ......................................................... 6 Grass Height ............................................................................. 6 Commercial Lawn Service Needed .......................................... 6 Reading Check .......................................................................... 7 May 4 Civic Association Meeting ............................................. 7 Living Well, Aging Well Summit 2016....................................... 7 Fairfax County Fy17 Budget ..................................................... 7 Correction On Law Enforcement Staffing............................... 8 Lake Accotink Master Plan Revision ....................................... 8 Talkin’ Trash .............................................................................. 8 Child Care Central ..................................................................... 9 Recommended Neighborhood Standards .............................10 NSCA 2016 Membership Drive ................................................ 11 NSCA 2016 Volunteer Drive ..................................................... 11
Transcript
North Springfield Civic AssociationPO Box 1007 • Springfield, VA 22151www.facebook.com/groups/NorthSpringfieldVAwww.nscivic.org
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designated March 2016 as Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Month. As some of you know, North Springfield has three group homes that provide housing for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. The homes on Long Pine and Heming are both administered by the Hartwood Foundation.
The home on Gresham Street is administered by Marian Homes, an organization affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, and their business partner Chimes. Being a fellow Knight myself, I am proud Marian Homes chose North Springfield. I have said time and time again that our residents are of a very high caliber, and each group home has signed the County’s Good Neighbor Agreement, which, in part, says they “welcome opportunities for neighbors to get to know our residents . . . as they would other neighbors.”
I was fortunate to recently visit with the residents of the Marian Homes North Springfield location. One of them, Donald, was very proud to tell me about his job, and how he volunteers at a local retirement home, setting and bussing tables. He was quick to tell me that he loves the Redskins, Wizards, and Orioles. I asked him what he liked best about living in North Springfield, and his answer was the people of the community. He enjoys his interactions with his neighbors, and the House Manager said people have been very helpful, assisting with yard work and taking out the trash.
Our Marian Homes and Hartwood Foundation neighbors are part of the story of North Springfield, helping all to build a diverse, supportive, and flourishing community.
Very Respectfully,
Ken Balbuena Civic Association President
APRIL 2016
April 5 North Springfield Elementary School Kindergarten OrientationApril 6 General Membership Meeting Topic: Cultural Festival April 16 North Springfield Swim Club Spring CleanupApril 20 North Springfield Swim Club Annual MeetingMay 4 General Membership Meeting Topic: 60th Anniversary SocialJune 11 Annual NSCA Clean Up Day
Announcements/Upcoming Events:
Who Do I Contact If…? ............................................................ 2Traffic Calming Vote & Next Steps ........................................... 3April 6 Civic Association Meeting ............................................ 3Bicycle Rodeo ........................................................................... 3Youth Awards Program Sponsored By Eagle Bank ................ 360Th Anniversary Donations ..................................................... 4Time Capsule ............................................................................ 4Nominating Committee ........................................................... 4PTA Swap Meet & NSCA Yard Sale Day ................................... 4North Springfield Elementary School PTA Update ................. 4CSA Ravensworth Farm Location ............................................ 5Mulch Sale To Benefit Annandale HS Graduation Event ........ 5North Springfield Swim Club Update ...................................... 5VDOT Work ...............................................................................6Clean Up Day Volunteers .........................................................6Grass Height .............................................................................6Commercial Lawn Service Needed ..........................................6Reading Check .......................................................................... 7May 4 Civic Association Meeting ............................................. 7Living Well, Aging Well Summit 2016 ....................................... 7Fairfax County Fy17 Budget ..................................................... 7Correction On Law Enforcement Staffing ...............................8Lake Accotink Master Plan Revision .......................................8Talkin’ Trash ..............................................................................8Child Care Central .....................................................................9Recommended Neighborhood Standards .............................10NSCA 2016 Membership Drive ................................................ 11NSCA 2016 Volunteer Drive ..................................................... 11
WHO DO I CONTACT IF…?1. I smell natural gas (inside or outside of the house)?
• Call Washington Gas at (703) 750-1400 or (800) 752-7520 immediately.2. A street sign has fallen or isn’t facing the right direction?
• Street sign only: Call Fairfax County at (703) 877-2800 or fill out a form online at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/utilities/streetsignform.htm
• All other signs (e.g. stop signs, dead end signs, speed limit signs, etc.): Call VDOT at 1-800-FOR-ROAD or fill out a form at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/
3. I want to call the police for a non-emergency?• Call Fairfax County Police’s non-emergency number at (703) 691-2131.
4. A street light is out or the power is out?• Call Dominion Power at 1-866-DOM-HELP or fill out the form(s) https://www.dom.
com/residential/dominion-virginia-power/outage-center/streetlight-outages/outdoor-lighting-concern (Street lights) and https://www.dom.com/residential/dominion-virginia-power/outage-center/report-and-check-outages (Power outages)
5. I see an animal (wild or domestic) roaming around?• Call Fairfax County Animal Control via the Police’s non-emergency: (703) 691-2131.
6. I want to report a code violation to the County [after I have spoken to the resident] (e.g. high grass, junk in a neighbor’s yard)?• Call the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance at (703) 324-1300 or fill out
a form at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/.7. I suspect there is a boarding house in the community?
• See question #6 above (Property Maintenance section of the online form).8. There is a bad pothole in the road or if there is an issue with the sidewalk?
• Call VDOT at 1-800-FOR-ROAD or fill out a form at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/9. A sewer cover is missing or cracked?
• If in the middle of the road or labeled with Fairfax County markings, call Fairfax County’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (Wastewater Collection Division) at (703) 323-1211.
• For all other manhole covers and sewer inlets, see question #2 above (VDOT).10. A tree has fallen in my yard?
• Homeowners are responsible for the removal of fallen trees and their debris, including trees fallen from land owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA).
• Call FCPA at (703) 324-8594 if a tree on their land is hanging over your property, hasn’t yet fallen, but poses a danger to the property.
• Call VDOT at 1-800-FOR-ROAD for fallen trees and debris in public roadways.11. I want to check when my street will be snowplowed?
• Visit VDOT’s online status tracking to see current snow plow activity: http://novasnowplowing.virginia.gov/.
• Refer to how VDOT prioritizes subdivision clean up and view other relevant information here: http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/resources/snow/NOVA_Snow_Fact_Sheet_2014-15.pdf
12. Ask for a special trash pickup collection (for bulk items)?• Republic Services (formerly AAA Trash): Call (703) 818-8222 or fill out a form online
at http://www.republicservices.com/residents/bulk-waste (Service fees apply). • American Disposal Services: Call (866) 884-8700 or fill out a form online at https://
www.americandisposal.com/customer-support/request-a-pickup (Service fees apply).• Bates Truck Trash Removal: Call 301-773-2069.• NSCA also coordinates an annual bulk collection day called Clean Up Day each May
TRAFFIC CALMING VOTE & NEXT STEPSThe March NSCA meeting featured Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) staff who discussed the proposed traffic calming plan for Leesville Blvd. It was filled with lively debate, alternating questions and comments
between residents who favored traffic calming devices and those who opposed them. Though passionate, each resident who spoke was civil and respectful of one another. It was a proud moment for anyone living in North Springfield and was a reflection of the caliber of people living in the neighborhood.
Ultimately, the measure passed by a vote of 55 to 48. The next step in the process is to send ballots to each of the 220 homes in the FCDOT-designated ballot area. A 50% response rate and a 60% approval rate (of that 50%) is required to officially place the plan on a meeting agenda of the Board of Supervisors as an administrative item for their final approval.
Anyone interested in seeing what the plan would look like implemented should make a trek to Middle Ridge Rd near Lee-Jackson Hwy (Rt. 50) and the Fairfax County Parkway. Like Leesville Blvd, Middle Ridge Rd is a neighborhood street roughly the same length that is connected to a main artery at one end and the interior of the neighborhood on the other. It has five speed tables (as opposed to bumps, humps, lumps, etc.), which is the same number of tables proposed for Leesville, and a stop sign at its midpoint.
APRIL 6 CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGWe originally announced having a cultural festival at our April 6 meeting, but the NSCA Board decided to postpone that event until fall. Our April meeting will now feature two speakers. First, Crime Prevention Officer Allie Eggers of the Franconia Police Station will share a report on crimes in North Springfield over the last several months and will also answer safety questions. Second, Meghan Walker, President of the Friends of Lake Accotink, will provide updates on the park, including the revisions to the master plan and a public bond referendum. Membership meetings take place at North Springfield Elementary School (NSES), 7602 Heming Ct., and begin at 7:30 pm.
BICYCLE RODEONSCA remembers Mark Slough with our first Bicycle Safety Rodeo April 23 from 9 to 11 am in the NSES parking lot. All residents who ride a bicycle, children and adults, are invited to participate. Bicycle technicians will be on hand from 9-10 to check bikes for safety and proper operation as well as provide information about the laws and local cycling resources. There will also be a cycling course to test your riding skills. At 10 am there will be a brief ceremony with speakers and entertainment; cyclists will then be safely guided through a parade route in the community. Parade participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes.
YOUTH AWARDS PROGRAM SPONSORED BY EAGLE BANKAs part of NSCA’s 60th anniversary, the civic association is reviving and expanding a youth awards program that was offered from 1975-1985. The original program was called the Teenager of the Year award and high school juniors and seniors were the only eligible applicants. This new program will be expanded to include elementary and middle school categories. This program will be based on academic and community achievement, most likely in an essay format.
NSCA is refining the criteria for this award and details will be posted on our website, on Facebook, and via an email blast once they are finalized. There will be one recipient per category and all recipients will be awarded with an official NSCA recognition and a cash prize tiered by category. The revival of this program is made possible by a generous corporate sponsorship by Eagle Bank (www.eaglebankcorp.com), and we are grateful for their support.
Public, private, and home school students living in the community served by NSCA will be eligible for these awards. Please be on the lookout for the announcement about the criteria and application/essay submission deadlines.
60TH ANNIVERSARY DONATIONSNSCA still has a few events left for the planned 60th anniversary celebrations, and donations are still being accepted. Since the campaign kicked off last May, we have raised $2,708 and have enhanced our contribution to the annual Community Day at the Pool event and National Night Out event. We will once again be enhancing this year’s Community Day at the Pool with live entertainment and will be burying a time capsule next month (as referenced in this newsletter) in addition to reviving and expanding a Youth Awards program. Donations can be made via cash, check (payable to NSCA), or online at mkt.com/nscivic. Thank you for your generosity.
TIME CAPSULENext month, NSCA’s year-long 60th anniversary celebration will be coming to an end, and what better way to culminate things than by burying a time capsule. Details are still being planned as to the location, contents, and open date, but the time capsule will be buried on Sat, May 21. All residents are welcome to attend, and finalized details will appear in the May newsletter. Funds for the time capsule were made possible through donations to NSCA’s 60th anniversary fund by Todd & Nancy Kaegi (in honor of Maureen McGarey) and Frances Kurtz (in honor of Frederick Kurtz).
NOMINATING COMMITTEEPer the NSCA bylaws, a Nominating Committee is required to be formed prior to officer elections at the May meeting. The committee is appointed by the NSCA President and is confirmed by members in attendance at the April meeting. This year’s appointees include Chet McLaren (NSCA’s Parks Committee Chair), Heidi Miller (1st Vice President of the North Springfield Elementary School PTA), and Ki Hatch (North Springfield Swim Club Board Member).
PTA SWAP MEET & NSCA YARD SALE DAYThe North Springfield Elementary School (NSES) PTA will be hosting a Vendor Fair and Flea Market on Sat, May 14 8 am-noon in the NSES parking lot. Residents and outside businesses are invited to sell business products, wares, and yard sale items for a $25 fee. Space is limited to 30 spots, and the initial registration
deadline (including payment) is April 30. Make checks payable to NSES PTA. Items for sale must be legal and child appropriate. The PTA reserves the right to book first paid and refuse booking for multiple spaces.
Please contact Heidi Miller at [email protected] or (703) 774-8269 for a registration form and questions. (NOTE: NSCA will not coordinate an annual yard sale day this year. Those who wish to hold a yard sale are encouraged to support this PTA fundraiser.)
NORTH SPRINGFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PTA UPDATEKindergarten Orientation is coming up! All children who will start kindergarten in the fall at NSES and their families are invited to Orientation on Tues, April 5 at the school, with doors opening at 5:30 pm More information is at http://bit.ly/1nZI7kA.
The spring membership drive is through April 8. All parents and NSES faculty are encouraged to join, and membership is only $10 per person! There are class prizes as well as NSES spirit wear raffled off at the April 5 meeting and half off of a North Springfield Swim Club membership raffled off on May 3. All paid PTA members in attendance at the meeting will be entered into the drawing. Need to join? Membership forms are available at http://www.nsespta.org/.
As you are spring cleaning, please remember that there is a --Thrifty donation box in the school parking lot that accepts clothes and shoes. A portion of the proceeds benefit the school. If you would like a donation receipt, please stop in the school office.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA) RAVENSWORTH FARM LOCATIONCome pick up organic fruits, vegetables, meat, chicken, eggs, and more through our weekly Saturday delivery to the Ravensworth neighborhood on Inverchapel Road. Summer 2016 season is 26 weeks, from the week of May 1 through Oct 23. Fruit shares equate to $10/week, and there are two sizes of vegetable shares ranging from $23-$31 per week. Full season registration deadline is Friday, April 22 or until the site is full. For more information, visit http://www.lancasterfarmfresh.com. Please select the “North Springfield Site” on Inverchapel Road when registering. Questions? Contact Jennifer Auble (703) 922-9353 or [email protected].
MULCH SALE TO BENEFIT ANNANDALE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EVENT You can order your mulch online at http://www.annandalehsptsa.org/. The proceeds will help fund the high school’s All Night Graduation Celebration (ANGC) June 20. Since the inception of the ANGC, not one AHS graduate has been involved with an alcohol or drug related accident on graduation night. The order and payment deadline is April 10; mulch can be picked up or delivered April 16.
NORTH SPRINGFIELD SWIM CLUB UPDATEWe look forward to seeing our ‘summer friends’! Current members should have received the annual spring newsletter by now—electronically. If you have not or do not have an email address, contact Dana Cibulski, [email protected] or (703) 642-0375. You are welcome to visit the site at Leesville Blvd. and Earlehurst St. The contractor asks us to stay behind the fence. The latest photos are on our website: ns-sc.org. Our annual meeting is Wed, April 20, 7 pm at St. John’s Methodist Church (Donaldson Hall), 5312 Backlick Road. Sat, April 16 is our first spring cleanup date! We are there most Saturdays (10 am-2 pm) and Sundays (2-5 pm). Note new Saturday hours. For the full schedule, see our newsletter or website.
Boy Scout FundraiserNeed Your House Number
Painted on Your Curb?Call Boy Scout Troop 990
(703) 644-1311(Will be done when the weather warms up)
North Springfield Elementary School PTA Fundraiser
Do you shop at Giant? If so, you can help NSES PTA fund school activities
by purchasing Giant Grocery Cards.
Use the cards like cash at Giant. The school gets 4% from Giant for every dollar purchased.
Buy $20, $50, or $100 cards. They never expire!
Contact Lisa Pritt at [email protected] to purchase the cards. We will deliver them to your door.
VDOT WORKVDOT is repairing the concrete support columns underneath the 495 underpass on Heming. While the support is structurally sound, the large chunks have fallen from the columns onto the pavement below which is a safety hazard for pedestrians. Work should be completed soon. Additionally, VDOT informed NSCA that Axton, Elgar, Ferndale, Glenallen, Heming, Leesville, Long Pine, Queensberry, and Ravensworth have been added to the repaving schedule. They should be repaved sometime by the end of 2016.
CLEAN UP DAY VOLUNTEERSFairfax County will provide refuge trucks in the North Springfield Elementary School, 7602 Heming Ct, main parking lot between 8:00 and 11:30 am on June 11. Please pay strict attention to those times. This is a great opportunity to get rid of old appliances, sheds, tires, lawn mowers, lumber, and other kinds of junk. This service is free. The County will not accept: explosive materials, business construction materials, paint, or any dangerous items.
The County usually does not accept and reserves the right to reject any yard waste, dirt, glass, or wood used in fire places. Check www.rbrc.org for the locations of local stores that will recycle your used rechargeable batteries. You can take old/unwanted cell phones to the nearest police station. To learn about Hazardous Waste disposal you can listen to a recording at (703) 324-5068 or check the website www.fairfaxcounty.gov.
GRASS HEIGHTAs lawns once again are filled with lush green grass, NSCA wants to give residents a friendly reminder that Fairfax County code states grass should not exceed a height of 12 inches. The County is able to fine property owners who do not comply with this code. Oversimplified, the role of the NSCA is to protect the interests of residents and to maintain the community’s appearance. To that end, we just want to remind everyone of the County code.
NSCA keeps an updated Teens Job List on our website, which can be found at www.nscivic.org/teenjoblist.pdf. These neighborhood youth charge reasonable rates to cut lawns if residents are unable to do so themselves.
The County has an online Code violation reporting system, and any resident can file a report by visiting http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code/ or calling (703) 324-1300. Before filing a report; however, NSCA requests that complaints are first reported to us (via email if possible), so we can try to resolve the matter directly with the resident prior to involving the County. If you file a report yourself, we also ask that you inform NSCA, so we can follow up with the County accordingly.
COMMERCIAL LAWN SERVICE NEEDEDNSCA is in need of a commercial lawn care service, and we are looking for recommendations. Many of you may know John Everett and his company JPE3 Lawn Service. For years, he has done a fabulous job cutting the grass on the hill at Heming & Leesville and also along the Leesville Blvd. soundwall. John plans to retire, which leaves a big gap in our neighborhood’s beautification efforts since VDOT only cuts these areas twice a year between March-November. We are extremely grateful for John’s dedication to our community, and we will miss him. Ideally, the new company we use will be owned by a resident of North Springfield, but we are also open to other vendors. Please contact Ed Stock, NSCA’s Beautification Committee Chair, with recommendations at (703) 256-8174 or [email protected].
READING CHECKYour NSCA Board likes to believe that everyone reads the newsletter that is hand-delivered to each household in the North Springfield Community. This article is simply a check to see who actually does. If you are reading this, please contact Ken Balbuena, (703) 851-8505 or [email protected], and let him know what street you live on. All residents who respond will be entered into a raffle to be drawn at the May NSCA meeting (need not be present to win).
MAY 4 CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETINGThe May 4 NSCA meeting will have minimal business items and will primarily be a catered community social as North Springfield’s year-long celebration of our 60th anniversary begins to wind down. Several currently elected officials and possibly even some former elected officials will attend with a few giving remarks. Among those speaking is Virginia Delegate Vivian Watts who will present NSCA with a special resolution approved by the General Assembly at their latest session. Mark your calendars, and help us celebrate 60 great years of a great community.
LIVING WELL, AGING WELL SUMMIT 2016Make plans now to attend this summit on Sat, April 16 to learn about the latest in transportation, technology, health and wellness resources in our community. The free event is from 9 am to 3 pm at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Va. To register and to get more information including opportunities to volunteer or be a sponsor, go to http://www.livingwellfairfax.org or call (703) 324-7647 TTY 711. For additional questions, email [email protected].
FAIRFAX COUNTY FY17 BUDGETThe Fairfax County Board of Supervisors have proposed a $0.04 tax increase for the real estate tax rate. This would bring the real estate tax to $1.13 per $100 of assessed value. Each penny increase is approximately $23 million in revenue, according to the County Executive. Homeowners should have gotten an assessment statement a few months ago. Property values have gone up, so this proposed tax increase will create more revenue for the County (which already has limited tax authority per the Dillon Rule) but also higher taxes for homeowners.
The County Executive said the average homeowner bill will increase by $303.86 if approved at the Board of Supervisors April 26 meeting. The County says a tax increase is needed to offset modest economic and revenue growth, lingering effects of sequestration, and a high commercial vacancy rate. This increase will allow the County to address many unmet requirements for the FY17 budget.
There are several community meetings each District Supervisor has planned, and there are public hearings on the budget scheduled for April 5-7. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/budget for more information and to sign up to speak at a public hearing. NSCA is not taking a position on this, and the Board of Supervisors have had some lively debates, particularly centering around the real estate tax rate.
CORRECTION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT STAFFING by Ken BalbuenaAt the March NSCA meeting I reported that the Franconia District Station (that serves North Springfield) has only 24 law enforcement officers while the 7 other stations have between 106-135 officers. My source was the Fairfax County Police Department’s 2014 Annual Report. Subsequent to our meeting, Supervisor John Cook’s office checked the staffing numbers. However, the Annual Report had a grossly overlooked typo. Rest assured, the Franconia Station has a better staffing situation with 124 sworn officers, but their service area remains the 2nd largest geographically from tip to tip with one of “the fastest growing residential communities in the county and a developing hub of urban development.” As such, it is not feasible for law enforcement officers to be everywhere every time to catch everything.
LAKE ACCOTINK MASTER PLAN REVISIONIn 1993, President George H.W. Bush transferred executive power to President Bill Clinton, the Holocaust Memorial Museum opened, NAFTA came into existence, Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor were born, Arthur Ashe died, and the master plan for Lake Accotink was last updated. The Fairfax County Park Authority seeks community input in the development of a new plan. The first meeting was held on March 14 and about 100 people attended.
The next meeting is May 16 at Kings Glen Elementary School, 5401 Danbury Forrest Dr, from 7-8:30 pm The Park Authority will present the results of a year-long lake study. The entire process is expected to take 18 months. NSCA’s Parks Committee Chair, Chet McLaren, is representing the community at these meetings, but all residents can attend. Visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/plandev/lakeaccotink.htm for more information.
TALKIN’ TRASHThere are several options available to North Springfield residents for trash removal and recycling. NSCA does not endorse one company over another. Quarterly costs include weekly services of
two trash pickups, one recycle pick up and one yard waste pick up. You can reach Republic at (703) 818-8222 or republicservices.com. You can reach American Disposal at (703) 368-0500 or americandisposal.com. Mention you are a North Springfield resident to get a special rate. Bates Trucking Trash Removal, (800) 840-6454 or batestrucking.com. Each may be willing to honor another company’s rate. Days services are performed vary by company.GRAPHICS PROFESSIONAL FOR SALE OR HIRE
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CHILD CARE CENTRALYour online resource for child care info in Fairfax County – www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc. Learn about child care options; search for providers; find out if you are eligible for financial assistance; learn how to apply for a home child care permit; and discover development opportunities for child care professionals.
1. GRASS: Fairfax County Code §119-3-1 restricts grass or lawns from exceeding a height of 12-inches. It is recommended that grass be cut frequently, so lawns do not look unsightly, particularly during the months of March-November.
2. LANDSCAPING/GREENERY: Residents are encouraged to keep bushes and other greenery trimmed to a reasonable height. This is especially important with regard to invasive plants such as ivy along property lines. Residents are also asked to periodically drain standing water in things such as bird baths, wading pools, and clogged gutters since they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
3. VEHICULAR PARKING: Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance 11-100 does not permit grass parking in the front yards of homes, and driveways on lots the size of those in North Springfield may not exceed more than 30% of the front yard. Parking must be done in surfaced areas such as driveways and or the street. Additionally, Virginia Code 46.2-889 requires that vehicles must be parked facing the direction of the travel lane. Inoperable motor vehicles may not be kept uncovered outdoors, per Fairfax County Code §110.
4. OUTDOOR STORAGE: Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance 10-100 does not permit outdoor storage of items (junk, debris, or otherwise) in the front yard, including under carports. Storage must be done in accessory structures (i.e. sheds) located “on the rear half of the law, screened from the view from the first story window of any neighboring dwelling, and the total area for such outdoor storage [must] not occupy more than 100 square feet.” Curbside trash must also be disposed of within a week, per Fairfax County Code §109.1-3-1. This may require a special collection arrangement through your private trash collector.
5. FENCES: Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance 10-100 restricts fence height to no taller than seven (7) feet from the highest point on the side and rear of the yard with the exception of corner lots, which are restricted to a height of four (4) feet.
6. BUILDING PERMITS: The Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services provides a list online of when permits are needed for construction projects. They should be consulted before any additions or work to your home is done in order to avoid costly penalties on top of construction costs.
7. DAMAGED AND BLIGHTED PROPERTY: Part III of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code requires that the interiors and exteriors of homes be maintained. Damaged homes that include broken windows, fallen gutters, missing siding, and significant damage to the inside can be reported to the Fairfax County of Code Compliance. Similarly,
blighted properties (i.e. properties in a dilapidated condition or no longer regularly maintained) should also be reported.
8. OCCUPANCY: Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance 2-500 regulates the number of occupants in a home. Suspected boarding houses should be reported to the Department of Code Compliance. Generally speaking, the following is permitted:
Option 1: A married or blood-related family with any number of children provided there are no more than two occupants per room.
Option 2: Two (2) single parents or guardians with not more than a total of six (6) of their dependent children provided there are no more than two occupants per room.
Option 3: A group of not more than four (4) persons not necessarily related by blood or marriage.
Option 4: An elderly and/or disabled resident, a live-in caretaker (one or both of whom own the dwelling unit) plus one (1) family
9. ANIMALS: Fairfax County Code §41 and Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance 2-512 regulate the kinds of animals residents may own. Residents are encouraged to stay within the parameters of these governing documents. Wild animals should not be fed.
10. NOISE: Fairfax County Code §108 regulates the level of noise residents can make and the hours when noise-producing activities (i.e. cutting grass, loud music, etc.) can be done. Depending on the activity, quiet times are required to be between 9 or 10pm and 6 or 7am.
11. HOME-BASED BUSINESSES: North Springfield is first and foremost a residential area. Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance 10-300 details acceptable home-based businesses and includes regulations such as a prohibition on customer traffic and only one commercial vehicle. Fairfax County Code §82-5.7 prohibits commercial vehicles from street parking with the exception of one (1) taxi or limousine.
12. SNOW: While Fairfax County does not require residents to shovel snow from their driveways and sidewalks, residents are encouraged to do so. Several children walk to school, so slipping on ice is a safety issue. Neighbors are asked to assist senior citizen and/or disabled residents who may not be able to shovel by themselves. NSCA produces a Teen Jobs List of area teenagers who can help with or charge a small fee for shoveling services. Residents are also asked to clear the area around fire hydrants.
Recommended Neighborhood Standards March 21, 2016
Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance: (703) 324-1300 • www.fairfaxcounty.gov/code
The North Springfield community has been a well-kept neighborhood for over 60 years because of the pride its residents have taken in making it an ideal place to live. Yards have been maintained, and properties have largely been kept free of clutter. When the community was originally founded in 1955, covenants were put in place to protect the “value and desirability” of the homes in the neighborhood. The covenants reflect Fairfax County zoning laws at the time they were written. Since these covenants are frequently no longer conveyed during home sales as they were originally intended to be, NSCA is establishing a list of recommended neighborhood standards that we are asking residents to live by.
Other Committees: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
North Springfield Professional Center7009 Backlick Court
Springfield, VA 22151-3903(703) 354-2124
Since 1962 We’re on the right, headed south toward downtown
Springfield, the same place we’ve been since this center was built. We’re a small, family owned business taking care of our annual clients with perhaps a wee bit more complexity than
they care to input into Turbo-Tax.
Our primary business has taken care of the same clients through two –and sometimes three – generations.
