NEWS, ISSUES, AND RESOURCES

NEWS

UPDATES:
A few updates for our Salona Village neighbors:

Salona Park Trail Proposal: The Fairfax County Public Park Authority has provided plans for the proposed nearby Salona Park Trail. The vision for this nearby trail aims to balance public access, historical preservation and natural resource conservation, allowing the community to enjoy this unique space in a way that complements its character. The proposed concept includes a walking trail of approximately a ½-mile walking trail loop and interpretive signage along the trail to highlight Salona’s historical milestones and unique natural features, offering visitors a chance to learn and reflect. Additional information can be found on the County Public Park Authority website at https://engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/salonapark . Public comments are being accepted until Nov 12th.
Salona Village Annual Picnic: The 2025 Annual Salona Village Picnic was held on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the Franklin Sherman Elementary School gazebo.
We had a wonderful turnout for this event with great food and an opportunity to visit with our neighbors. In addition, we used this event as an opportunity to have a Salona Village Citizens Association meeting to approve a change to the SVCA Constitution to move the Annual General Membership meeting from January to March.

Pedestrian Safety: With the days getting shorter, this is a good time for a reminder of the importance of pedestrian safety.
- When out walking, make sure that you (and children/family members) are clearly visible to vehicle drivers.
- Make sure you can be seen by wearing bright or reflective clothing and carrying a light. (This is relevant not only for walking at night, but also dawn, dusk, rainy days.)
- When walking where there is no sidewalk, always walk facing oncoming traffic so you can see and react to approaching vehicles.
- Make eye contact with drivers and pedestrians at stoplights and intersections before proceeding.
- Stop and wait for school buses to safely load and unload children. Give yourself enough time to allow for students walking and biking to and from school.
- Here is the County’s link to additional information on pedestrian safety - https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/topics/pedestrian-bike-traffic-safety
Stay Connected: Reminder for new neighbors that the Dranesville Dispatch is a newsletter produced by Fairfax County Supervisor John F. Bierman. It provides updates on news and events happening in the Dranesville District and throughout Fairfax County. If you are not currently receiving this emailed newsletter, you can sign-up at Sign-up for The Dranesville Dispatch.

Sincerely,

Sharon Gamble, President

Jack Reutemann, Vice President

Barbara Ryan, Secretary

Laura McAuley, Treasurer

UPCOMING:

Our agenda from January 26, 2025 included the following:

Presentation on Residential Traffic Calming, by a representative of Fairfax County Dept. of Transportation
Approval of the minutes from 2024 Annual Meeting (see attached)
Reports by the Treasurer, President, and Community Organizations
Election of Officers
Open Discussion and Questions

The following were the proposed slate of officers who have agreed to serve for the next two years:

President Sharon Gamble
Vice President Jack Reutemann
Secretary Barbara Ryan
Treasurer Laura McAuley

Additional volunteers to support any SVCA activities would be greatly appreciated. In particular, if anyone would like to volunteer to provide SVCA website support or to coordinate activities to plan for any Traffic Calming activities or anything else, please send an email to SalonaVillageCA@gmail.com.

PUBLIC MEETING. Monday, October 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM. McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Ave. McLean. Learn more about the future of Salona Park in the Dranesville District.

The Salona Village Citizens Association (SVCA) Annual Meeting will be held in March 2026 at 3pm. This meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting with in-person meeting in the Franklin Sherman Elementary School cafeteria and remote access via Zoom. (Zoom information to be provided at a later date.) We hope you will be able to join us.

SCVA ANNUAL PICNIC

SCVA holds an Annual Picnic each year in late summer or early fall. In 2025, the SCVA Annual Picnic took place on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the Franklin Sherman Elementary School gazebo and was well attended.
A motion to move the annual meeting from January to March was voted on and approved.

SCVA ANNUAL MEETINGS

SVCA generally holds its Annual Meeting in March of each year.

SVCA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETINGS

Upcoming SVCA Executive Board meetings are posted here in advance. SVCA Members are welcome to attend and may request the location of the meeting by sending an email to salonavillageca@gmail.com at least two weeks prior to the scheduled date. Please indicate any topics of interest.

ISSUES

Issues that have affected Salona Village include the acquisition of a Salona Village residential property by a corporation operating a medical treatment facility and the McLean Community Business Center (CBC) Study, completed in 2021. If you would like to raise or discuss issues affecting Salona Village, please send an email to salonavillageca@gmail.com and/or plan to attend an upcoming SVCA meeting.

RESOURCES

McLean District Design Guidelines

The McLean District Design Guidelines contain written and visual ideas for the design of streets, lighting, and the area fronting buildings. The guidelines provide design direction to enhance the appearance of the McLean Commercial Revitalization District (CRD). The Guidelines were endorsed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on September 12, 2023.

McLean Community Center (CBC) Study

The McLean Community Business Center (CBC) Study was a land use planning study that reviewed recommendations for future land uses, development intensities, transportation, public facilities and urban design within the CBC. County staff worked with Task Force members and the community at regular meetings to discuss changes to the Comprehensive Plan for the McLean CBC, using the Vision Plan as a primary guide. The McLean CBC is an approximately 230-acre area centered around the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Old Dominion Drive. On June 22, 2021, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Planning Commission's recommendation for Plan Amendment 2018-II-M1.