<sh>City Council Minutes
<bt>The Fairfax City council discussed and decided on the following items Tuesday:
*The council approved unanimously a special exemption for Cho’s Enterprise, to allow a ground-mounted sign that is greater than six feet in height and exceeds the maximum square footage allotted, and to allow reduction of the sign’s required setback. The sign is for Cho’s Garden at 9940 Lee Highway.
*The council voted 5-1 to rezone approximately 1.29 acres at the request of Rocky Gorge Homes, in order to develop, in conjunction with a 37-unit townhouse development on the adjacent property in Fairfax County, ten residential townhouses at 10527, 10529, 10531, 10533, 10535 School Street. Concurrent with this application was the request for an amendment to the approved Comprehensive Plan that would recommend low-medium to medium density for the subject site with an option for mixed use development. The applicant had withdrawn the request for a special exemption to allow overhead utility lines; instead, the applicant will underground the utility lines.
Council members Joan Cross, Jeff Greenfield, Gary Rasmussen, Scott Silverthorne and Patrice Winter voted to approve the motion, while Gail Lyon voted against it.
*The council approved unanimously an ordinance amending Chapter 110 of the Code of the City of Fairfax to adopt a new set of regulations to permit temporary and permanent outdoor display, storage and sale of goods associated with retail.
*The council approved unanimously an ordinance amending Article II, Division 13, Chapter 110 of the Code of the City of Fairfax to provide for accessory dwelling units and establish appropriate performance standards and procedures for approval of accessory dwelling units, within single-family residential structures. The city had been discussing regulations for these units, commonly known as “mother-in –law suites” since May 1998. These units are separate additional living units, including separate kitchen, sleeping and bathroom facilities, attached or detached from the primary residential unit on a single-family lot. The unit can be a restored garage, basement or similar space.
“I’m sorry it’s taken us five years, but at least we have a much better product because of it,” said council member Scott Silverthorne.
*The council approved unanimously an appropriation resolution in the amount of $1,350,000 to purchase property at 9985 Lee Highway, owned by Rebel Run, LLC, for open space and public park purposes. After the vote, applause erupted from the five citizens who spoke publicly in favor of the purchase.
*The council approved 5-0, with Rasmussen absent, the ordinance amending Sections 90-126, 90-132, 90-133 of the Code of the City of Fairfax pertaining to a partial tax exemption for substantially rehabilitated structures.
*The council approved an appropriation resolution in the amount of $100,000 authorizing expenditures for costs which directly relate to open space acquisitions.
*The council heard public testimony from nine citizens in support of various items with the Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2003/03 to 2007/08. Almost all the citizens spoke in favor of funding the five historic items, particularly the renovations of the Blenheim estate and the Ratcliffe cemetery, and of funding an engineering study of Old Lee Highway. One citizen read a letter from Del. J. Chapman Petersen (D-37th) to support the five historic items. Two citizens also spoke in favor of efforts to enhance dead-end streets as set forth by the community appearance committee.
The proposed adoption for the CIP is set for April 8, 2003.
<sh>Man Shot in Attempted Robbery
<bt>At 12:45 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, a 22-year-old Fairfax-area man was shot after two men asked for money. According to Fairfax County police, the man was walking near the intersection of Ellenwood Drive and Talking Rock Drive when he saw a white, four-door vehicle, possibly a Nissan Maxima, with a missing front bumper. Two men got out of the car and approached the victim, and one man pointed a handgun and demanded money. The victim resisted, and a struggle ensued. The victim was shot in the upper body. Both suspects got into the car and fled.
The suspects are described as olive-complexioned, 20 to 23 years old, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. One weighed 150-155 pounds and wore a black baggy jacket, blue jeans and a black hat. The other weighed 180-200 pounds and wore a black leather jacket and black jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 703-691-2131, or Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 1-800-673-2777.
<sh>Potato Pour
<bt> Fairfax County police arrested and charged Jan Feuchtner, 23, of 9411 Lee Highway, Apt. 1205, for throwing an object from higher than one story (Class 6 felony). On Tuesday, Jan. 21, at about 1:05 a.m., Feuchtner allegedly used a potato gun to propel potatoes from his 12th-story balcony. A projectile struck a 21-year-old woman who was unloading her car. She was not injured. Feuchtner was taken to the Adult Detention Center, where he was held on $2,500 bond.
<sh>Fairfax Teen Is Stabbed at Party
<bt>Fairfax County police are looking for whoever stabbed an 18-year-old City of Fairfax man, Saturday, at a local home. The incident occurred Jan. 25, around 1:30 a.m., in the 13100 block of Peach Leaf Place.
Police say the victim and several other people were attending a party at the home, when an altercation broke out that involved several guests. During the course of the melee, someone stabbed the teen in the upper and lower body.
The victim was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital and underwent surgery for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect is described as an 18-year-old Asian man, 5 feet 8 inches and 180 pounds. He had short, spiked hair and wore a blue sweater and jeans.
Police spokeswoman Jacqui Smith said it's not yet known what the fight was about, but no one else was injured and it "didn't appear" that the victim and assailant knew each other.
Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect is asked to call police at 703-691-2131 or Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 703-691-8888.
<sh>City Hosts Stream-Monitoring Volunteers Meeting
<bt>Fairfax City will begin a stream-monitoring program, where volunteers will help gauge the health of the city's streams. A staff member from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District will run the informational meetings, which will take place on Jan. 30 and Feb. 27. Both meetings will start at 7 p.m. at City Hall. For more information, call 703-385-7816, or e-mail afremont@ci.fairfax.va.us.
<sh>Talking to Teens about Sex
<bt>Mothers of Youth (MOY) has invited an expert in sex education and communication to advise parents how to talk to their children about sex.
Deborah Roffman, a noted human-sexuality teacher and the author of "Sex & Sensibility," will speak Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., in the Franklin Middle School auditorium, 3300 Lees Corner Road, Chantilly. The public is welcome; cost is $10. To R.S.V.P., e-mail mothersofyouth@aol.com.