Inaugural Meeting Summary - March 26, 2019

SUMMARY

The purpose of the meeting was to inform attendees about the formation of the Greater Oakton Community Association (GOCA), establish a mission statement, and solicit priorities for action.

The mission of GOCA is to create a stronger sense of identity and connectedness among individuals that live, work or are interested in the greater Oakton area. We envision that we will:

• Organize to identify and address issues of concern that affect the Greater Oakton area

• Create mechanisms to share information

• Educate and inform the community about our unique history and resources

• Develop programs and activities of interest to the larger community

• Develop and implement plans for the identification, improvement and maintenance of the community’s character and resources

• Engage local residents, businesses, school communities and other organizations in advocating for action on issues that improve the quality of life.

The organization will not address such issues as specific traffic concerns, and road and lighting improvement.

DISCUSSION NOTES/SUBSEQUENT UPDATES

First, Janet Kerr-Tener, Co-Chair, welcomed nearly 30 attendees that represented a range of communities as well as Oakton United Methodist Church.

Next, Lauren Crum, Board member, explained that the GOCA is now officially a Virginia Non-Stock Corporation and that the IRS has assigned an Employee Identification Number. We will soon submit an application to the IRS to obtain 501(c)(3) or non-profit status, which will be effective January 1, 2019.

The remainder of the meeting focused on soliciting community input for Action Priorities. Patty Reed, Co-Chair, facilitated the group as they discussed the following issues:

• Oakton Roundabout Landscaping and Signage and Working with VDOT

• Utilization of Oakton School House and Working with Park Authority

• Development Concerns (e.g., Assisted Living Facility on Hunter Mill Road)

• Utilization of Oakton Park (e.g., Community Activities and County Funding)

• Historical and Preservation Issues

• Littering and unsightly areas

• Multi-use Path on Hunter Mill Road

• Replacement of historic Gabrielson Bridge in the Difficult Run Stream Valley Park

• Plans for other Roundabouts

• Plans to expand Hunter Mill Road one-lane bridge to two lanes

• Preservation of Virginia Byway/National Registry designation of Hunter Mill Road

Several attendees volunteered to create and work on subcommittees:

ROUNDABOUT LANDSCAPING & SIGNAGE	SCHOOLHOUSE & PARK	HISTORY
Mike Gunnell – Chair	Janet Kerr Tener – Chair	Charlie Balch/ Jim Lewis – Co Chairs
Dennis Somech	Dawn-Marie Singleton
Monique Baroudi	DonnaLyn Adams
Mark Gibb	Mark Deaton
Kris Olsen

The Roundabout Subcommittee will begin work immediately on beautification plans. Additional volunteers are needed, as are business sponsors. Please contact Mike Gunnell at Air Pro Heating and Air Conditioning (mikegunnell@mac.com) for more information.

IMPORTANT UPDATES

Assisted Living Facilities:

•  There is a total of three assisted living facilities planned or proposed in this area: 1) 2347 Hunter Mill Road by the Good Shepherd Methodist Church, at the intersection of Hunters Valley Road; 2) town of Vienna; and 3) near the Vienna metro.

• Information about the proposed facility at 2347 Hunter Mill Road was provided by Linda Byrne, Jody Bennett, Shelia Dunheimer, and Jehanne Arslan. The 86 bed, three-story building is proposed to be placed on low density residentially zoned land and will have private septic. There are many concerns including: not in harmony with low density residential, use of private septic, placement of reserved septic field, and vacating a conservation easement bordering Angelico Creek.

• There are opportunities for members of the public to voice opinions, including writing their County Supervisor or attending a public meeting. The Health Care Advisory Board (HCAB) met on April 8 and heard public comments. Interested parties can send comments to HCAB at sherryn.craig@fairfaxcounty.gov by April 15. The applicant will appear for the third time in front of the Hunter Mill Land Use Committee (appointed by Supervisor Hudgins) on April 16 at 7:30 pm at the North County Government building in Reston (across from the library). The application is to be heard by the Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 12 at 7:30 PM at the County Government Center.

Roundabout:

• The Fairfax County DOT has assumed responsibility for the roundabout from VDOT.

• Once GOCA is ready, the group can assume responsibility for landscaping and maintenance.

Gabrielson Bridge:

• The Gabrielson Bridge was dismantled last September due to safety concerns.

• A public meeting was held on April 1 to discuss plans to replace the bridge. The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) presented the concept design plan, indicated that funding is in hand, and reviewed the anticipated schedule.

NEXT STEPS

GOCA needs:

• A video or other mechanism to tout this very special community: Monique Baroudi and Mark Gibb volunteered to begin this important project.

• To establish a bank account: Lauren Crum volunteered to do this.

• To solicit funds immediately through a GoFundMe Campaign for Roundabout beautification and other activities: Need a volunteer!

• Additional Board members--current members are: Janet Tener, Mark Gibb, Lauren Crum, Jody Bennett, Kris Olsen, Linda Byrne, Shelley Deutch, Mark Deaton and Patty Reed.

• Communications assistance, e.g., website development/maintenance, newsletter, email point of contact, social media, meeting minutes, etc.: Need volunteers!

• Person (s) to act as liaison to other local organizations: Need volunteers!

Please contact Janet Kerr-Tener (jkerrtener@gmail.com) or Patty Reed (reedgoca@gmail.com) if you would like to volunteer to work on any of the priority issues identified at the meeting or the needs above.

No further GOCA meetings are scheduled at this time, although more will be planned in the future.