For the second week in a row, Fairfax County Executive Anthony Griffin pitched his proposal to locate a family shelter near the intersection of Route 29 and Stringfellow Road, just west of Meadows Farms Nursery.
And once again, the idea generated a storm of angry words from nearby homeowners essentially saying, "Not in my backyard." Griffin spoke at Tuesday night's meeting of the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee.
"There are two main concerns," said Dan Kurtenbach, of Fair Lakes Glen. "One perception is that we may have an increase in crime. The other perception is that we could have a decrease in property values because we'll be known as 'the community next to the homeless shelter.'"
Homeless shelters are in three other parts of the county, but none in western Fairfax. "There clearly is a significant need [here] and a significant waiting list," said Griffin. "We're trying to address a critical concern."
The shelter would house up to 20 families and mainly serve single parents with children — 90 percent in elementary school or younger. Two transitional housing units, each serving three families, are also planned. County architect John Payne said the building exteriors would mix brick and siding "to give it a homey feel and make it warm and welcoming."
The shelter could be as large as 20,000 square feet, with the transitional buildings 3,000 square feet each. Cost isn't yet determined, but it's county land and the Board of Supervisors appropriated $1.2 million toward the shelter, in addition to a $1 million proffer from a Tysons Corner developer.
And HomeAid, a group that coordinates such projects, has offered its services. Said Griffin: "[That] will help us build it for about half the cost because they get a lot of donated materials and labor."
Access is anticipated from Route 29, but Equity Homes is building 49 homes in an adjacent subdivision, so access might instead be via a new road in that community.
WFCCA's Jim Hart asked about pedestrian connections to a bus stop or other means of transit, and Griffin admitted that transportation is a drawback. But he said many of the people will have cars and a van will get parents to their jobs. "We'll also see if bus service can be run down Route 29 to it," he added.
"Transportation is very important, or these people are going to feel very isolated," said Hart. "And I don't like the idea of another direct entrance onto Route 29; sometimes traffic from Stringfellow Road and Route 29 backs up to there."
WFCCA's Richard Smith asked about the shelter's management and occupant turnover. Kathy Froyd, with the county's Department of Family Services, said it would have a community advisory board and the average stay is 90 days.
Then local residents spoke. London Towne's Mike Lannes applauded the county's efforts, but nearby Fair Lakes Glen homeowners were upset. "My home is an investment," said Walt Banit. "I'm concerned about future resale value in an area where the least-expensive homes are $500,000." Griffin said the other shelters have caused no such problems.
"The people can't walk to a store to get stuff, and there's no sidewalk," said Fair Lakes Glen's Harris Arlinsky. "It seems like you're leaving out the human part to facilitate the county's bottom line."
Griffin said it is a consideration: "Taxpayer money is paying for this, and we want to make sure we're as effective as we can be." As for crime, he said neighbors always expect it, but that hasn't been the case with the county's shelters.
Willow Springs' Claudette Ward said the shelter could adversely affect the environment: "It's a terrible location — this area should be left undeveloped."
But Frank Ojeda of Sully Estates said, "We should help our brethren. I'd personally trade this homeless shelter for what's going next to my community — nine, lighted soccer fields." Besides, he added, "If your property values go down, your property taxes will go down with them."