GOCA Update Mar 30, 2024 (contains time-sensitive information)

Dear Oakton Neighbors and Friends,

We hope that Spring and the holiday weekend have you in good spirits.  We are writing to call your attention to the following:

Meetings starting this coming week about the re-development of the AT&T Site. For those of you who did not receive the notice, we wanted you to be aware that the prospective developer of the AT&T site, EYA, will be holding a new round of public meetings, both virtual and in person, to brief the community about its revised plans for the site based on initial County staff feedback and progress on key themes raised by the community. The virtual meetings will take place Wednesday, April 3 at 7 pm; Thursday, April 4 at 7 pm; Friday, April 5 at 12 pm, and Monday, April 8 at 12 pm. The in-person meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 18 at 7 pm - the location is still being finalized, but likely at a local school. Signup for these sessions is required. Please register here.

Representatives of the GOCA Board, together with members of Options for Oakton, met with EYA yesterday. EYA representatives briefed us on the results of the preliminary study of the traffic impact for the development and told us that the schools are still working on their own impact study. They laid out some changes to their plans to try to address various community concerns, including traffic and pedestrian/bike safety, retail options, amenities, design, open space, affordable housing, and parking.

We highly recommend you consider attending one of the sessions mentioned above, as chances to influence choices will only diminish as the process moves onward. EYA told us that after interim steps, including another round of community briefings in late summer, they hope to submit for comprehensive planning modification in late 2024, for zoning change approval in early 2025, with construction beginning in 2026.

Celebrate Earth Day Weekend and Oakton’s birds with GOCA on April 21st. GOCA will host two events on Sunday, April 21st, and we hope you will join us! Please note, separate signups are needed for each.

• Breakfast with the Birds in Oakton Park, 8:30 - 10 am. Master Naturalist and experienced birder John Wilson will lead a birding walk through Oakton Community Park on Sunday, April 21st from 8:30 - 10 am. John will guide us as we look and listen for different birds. You'll likely find some new birds and improve your birdwatching skills. Plus, we'll visit the bluebird houses installed last year around the meadow. Stick around after our walk to chat with other Oakton neighbors over coffee and breakfast treats. All ages are welcome to this free event. Sign up here.

• Build a Birdhouse, 2 - 4 pm. Join local residents Michelle Fisher and Nick Newberry to learn how to attract birds to your yard and build a birdhouse to greet them! This event will also take place inside the schoolhouse on Sunday, April 21st, from 2 to 4 pm. This program is for ages 8 years and older (parents must accompany children under 12 years old). A fee of $15 will cover materials, which will be provided by GOCA. Please register by signing up here.

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

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.