Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of public policy issues and headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth, and Capitol Hill.
by Danielle Finley, Associate Director of Political Engagement
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines. In this Issue: 1. Boosters, critics of Fairfax County casino gird for 2025 legislative battle 2. Arlington County Board votes to appeal judge’s decision to limit multi-family housing 3. Falls Church could be next Virginia locality to take up ranked-choice voting 4. Five Candidates Line Up for House Democratic Primary 5. Planning Commission Balks at Data Center Location Restrictions.
Boosters, critics of Fairfax County casino gird for 2025 legislative battle
By SCOTT MCCAFFREY, FFXnow
With just seven weeks before the start of the 2025 General Assembly session, supporters and opponents of a proposed casino operation in Tysons are dusting off their arguments and ramping up their efforts. In the latest round in the fight, advocates on both sides of the issue used a public hearing on the county’s draft 2025 legislative priorities and the public comment period at the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (Nov. 19) to focus attention on the matter. “We do not want a casino,” William Comerford, a 46-year resident of Vienna, said, arguing that gaming operations “threaten the very essence of our county.”
Arlington County Board votes to appeal judge’s decision to limit multi-family housing
By ITTAI SOPHER, WUSA-TV
In a 5-0 vote on Tuesday, the Arlington County Board tasked a lawyer with appealing a decision by a circuit court judge that would limit the amount of multifamily homes that can exist in areas zoned for single-family houses. The decision from Judge David Schell came in September, a year after the Arlington County Board had voted to allow the missing middle home zoning plan, which would essentially expand multifamily housing into designated single-family areas.
Falls Church could be next Virginia locality to take up ranked-choice voting
By SCOTT MCCAFFREY, ArlNow
Is 2025 the year Falls Church follows neighboring Arlington in enacting ranked-choice voting to elect its governing body? It’s a question that will be answered in coming months by the seven-member City Council, whose members will have to address both logistical and philosophical issues before coming to a decision and setting the timetable. And now, with campaign season 2024 in the rear-view mirror, it’s a discussion that may soon be held. “The City Council has said they want to consider it,” Falls Church Electoral Board secretary Renee Andrews said on Tuesday (Nov. 12), as Electoral Board members were putting the finishing touches on completing tallies for the 2024 election.
Five Candidates Line Up for House Democratic Primary
By HANNA PAMPALONI, LoudounNow
Five candidates have registered to run in Saturday's primary for the Democratic nomination to fill the 26th District House Seat being vacated by Kannan Srinivasan. Loudoun County School Board Vice Chair Arben Istrefi (Sterling), JJ Singh, Lakesha Gorham-McDurfee, Sam Nandi and Ibraheem Samirah are vying for the nomination.
Planning Commission Balks at Data Center Location Restrictions
By HANNA PAMPALONI, LoudounNow
A conflicted county Planning Commission is continuing to grapple over a proposal sent to them by the Board of Supervisors to remove data centers as a by-right use in the county. In July the board expressed support for Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance amendments that would remove data centers as by-right and core uses in various places throughout the county and would require all new proposal to go through a legislative application process, allowing the projects to be reviewed by both the commission and county supervisors before a final decision is made.