GOCA Update Jan 16, 2025
- shelleydeutch
- May 3
- 4 min read
Dear Oakton Neighbors and Friends,
We have an exciting week ahead – Oakton’s first ever Restaurant Week! Also, the County’s review process for deciding the future of the AT&T site is taking some big steps forward. Please read below for details on these topics and other important community news.
Community News
Update on AT&T Site Development
Casino Bill Reintroduced in Virginia General Assembly
GOCA News
Oakton’s First Restaurant Week!
Oakton’s Birthday Celebration
Other Items
Seeking Local Entertainers for Oakton Day
Friends of Oakton Library Spring Book Sale
Invasive Plant Removal
Community News
Update on AT&T Site Development. Fairfax County’s review process for an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan pertaining to the AT&T site is moving forward rapidly. The changes to the Comprehensive Plan have to be finalized before the rezoning process for the site can advance.
Next week, the Planning Commission staff expects to publish their initial draft of the proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan.
Then on Tuesday, January 28th, the public will have a chance to comment at a Zoom meeting to be held from 7 to 8:30 pm. To participate in the Zoom meeting, use this link. Or you can call this phone number-301-715-8592. In both instances, use Meeting ID: 857 7504 8375 and Passcode: 391630. To find additional information on these proposed changes, visit the Planning and Development website.
On Wednesday, February 26th at 7:30 pm, the Planning Commission will hold an in-person public meeting at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway at which Commission members will review the proposed amendment in light of staff and public input.
Finally, the Board of Supervisors has scheduled a meeting to decide the issue on Tuesday, March 18th at 4 pm, also at the Government Center.
We have heard concerns from many of our members about the traffic and density associated with this proposed development and their interest in limiting the density and finding realistic solutions to the traffic issues BEFORE the Comprehensive Plan is changed. If you want to have your voice heard, your participation in these sessions is critical. If you would like to speak to a County Planner, call the Planning Office at: (703) 324-1380. Or if you would like to email your representative, their email addresses are: Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik; Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Jeff McKay; Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith; Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn; and Providence District Representative to the Planning Commission Jeremy Hancock. GOCA would welcome being copied on such communications so we can represent the community’s views as best we can. (Our email address is contact@greateroakton.com.) You are also encouraged to follow developments by visiting the Options for Oakton website or the Options for Oakton/Smarter Growth for Oakton Facebook page.
Casino Bill Reintroduced in Virginia General Assembly. A bill that would start a process to allow a casino in Fairfax County, introduced and sent for further study in the last General Assembly session, has been reintroduced for the current 45-day short session. The bill would need to be approved by the Senate by February 4th and passed to the House for consideration if it is to advance. Opposition groups, spearheaded by the Tysons Stakeholders Alliance and the No Fairfax Casino Coalition, have met with lawmakers in Richmond. Those opposed to a casino have the support of State Senators Saddam Salih and Jennifer Boysko. Among County representatives, Supervisors Walter Alcorn (Hunter Mill) , Kathy Smith (Sully), and Jimmie Bierman (Dranesville) are also on the record as opposing the bill. Providence District Supervisor Palchik has not publicly indicated her views on the issue and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors McKay has indicated he would want to see a better revenue-sharing arrangement with the state before he could support it. Their views are critical because proponents of the casino have said that they will only move forward with the support of the Board. Please consider using the email links we provided above to let the Supervisors know your thoughts.
GOCA News
Oakton’s First Restaurant Week! Come and support your local restaurants from Friday, January 17th through Sunday, January 26th. They’ve created enticing specials just for you that are available this week only. See specials here. This time of year is typically slow for our local restaurants so they will appreciate your business and you might even meet some neighbors!
Oakton’s Birthday Celebration. Join us on Friday, January 24th from 5 - 7 pm at Oakton’s Settle Down Easy Tasting Room to celebrate Oakton’s 142nd birthday. There WILL be cake as well as $1 off flagship drinks.
Other Items
Seeking Local Entertainers for Oakton Day. GOCA is looking for local entertainers to perform at this year’s Oakton Day in the Park. Let us know if you have a suggestion by emailing us here.
Friends of Oakton Library Spring Book Sale. April 30th - May 3rd; for more information, please visit Friends of Oakton Library. For other upcoming activities and events at the Oakton Library, click here.
Invasive Plant Removal at Blake Lane, Difficult Run Stream Valley Park, and Oakton Community Park. Please check our website time to time for updated sessions.
With best regards,
The GOCA Board
Lauren Crum and Shelley Deutch, Co-Chairs Jody Bennett, Linda Byrne, Jackie Davey, Mark Deaton, Janet Kerr-Tener (Founding Co-Chair), Kris Olsen, Robin Thurman, and Gary Wong
See our website at: www.greateroakton.com
GOCA is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, and 100% of your donations go to our community efforts. To donate, please visit our Paypal link. If you would like to become more actively involved, email us at contact@greateroakton.com and we can match you with the right opportunity.
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