Anti-Casino Effort Joined by Sully, West Fairfax Community Groups

Jeffrey M. Parnes, President of the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations, and Stephen Chulick, president of the Western Fairfax County Citizens Association, sent out the following joint resolution to their state and local elected officials stating their groups' opposition to legislation seeking to facilitate the building of a casino in Fairfax County.

SULLY DISTRICT, VA — WHEREAS the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations (“SDCCA”) and the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (“WFCCA”) Joint Land Use and Transportation Committee (the “Joint Committee”) recognizes the importance of citizen engagement in the land use decision making process, and preserving the quality of life in Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS both SDCCA and WFCCA, and their respective member associations, have long supported the protection of established residential communities from development impacts, and strongly support the long-standing tradition of robust citizen participation in local land use decisions; and

WHEREAS many Sully District residents live and work in proximity to, and are regular patrons of, the Metro Silver or Orange Line stations, and are affected by ongoing development activities along the Silver or Orange Lines; and

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WHEREAS legislation (HB2499) authorizing a referendum in Fairfax County regarding land use approvals for a casino or casinos in proximity to the Metro Silver Line stations was introduced in the 2023 regular session of the Virginia General Assembly, but was withdrawn; and

WHEREAS it is anticipated that similar and expanded legislation will shortly be introduced in the Virginia General Assembly at the 2024 regular session, authorizing a referendum in Fairfax County regarding land use approvals for a casino or casinos, and related public entertainment venues, in proximity to the Metro Silver or Orange Line stations; and

WHEREAS the Fairfax County Executive, Mr. Bryan Hill, has already determined that the adopted comprehensive plan and Fairfax County zoning ordinance need not be amended for a local casino development to go forward, and that a casino may already be a potential “by right” development classified as a “public entertainment” use on some sites in Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, the Joint Committee recognizes that other area umbrella groups, including the Reston Association, the Reston Citizens Association, the McLean Citizens Association, the Vienna Town Council, and many local citizens, strongly oppose the concept of casino legislation for Fairfax County, even though the 2024 legislation has not yet been introduced, and the specific details remain undisclosed; and

WHEREAS after careful consideration, the Joint Committee has many concerns and objections to the proposal for casino development along the Silver or Orange Lines, including the detrimental impacts of such development on the surrounding communities, and the potential effects on transportation infrastructure, as well as crime and the environment, and the character of the local neighborhoods, including those in Sully District near the Metro Silver or Orange Line stations; and

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WHEREAS, the Virginia General Assembly is already in session for 2024, and given the meeting schedule for the Joint Committee and the General Assembly’s likely timeline for action on legislation, the communication of the Joint Committee’s concerns on these issues at this time cannot wait;

Now, therefore, in view of the foregoing, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:

1) The Joint Committee in the strongest possible terms opposes the potential action by the Virginia General Assembly authorizing a Fairfax County referendum for the consideration of any casinos and related “public entertainment” developments near any transit station along the Metrorail Silver or Orange Lines.

2) The Joint Committee in the strongest possible terms opposes development approval or construction of any casinos and related “public entertainment” developments near any transit station along the Metrorail Silver or Orange Lines.

3) The Joint Committee endorses the previously expressed concerns and opposition of the Reston Association, the Reston Citizens Association and the McLean Citizens Association regarding the proposed legislation.

4) The Joint Committee respectfully requests that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors oppose any and all consideration of the proposed casino legislation in the Virginia General Assembly, and communicate that opposition in the strongest possible terms promptly to the local delegates and senators who represent the residents of Fairfax County in the Virginia General Assembly.

5) The Joint Committee respectfully requests that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decline to authorize any local referendum on the casino proposals, even if the legislation passes.

6) The Joint Committee respectfully requests that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors promptly direct County staff, the Planning Commission and other agencies to evaluate and study appropriate amendments to the currently adopted Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance, to define a casino type use, and preclude it from being considered to be a “by right” use in any zoning district, to preserve opportunities for public comment and citizen engagement, in advance of any specific casino proposal, and report back promptly to all residents of Fairfax County.

7) The Joint Committee may offer additional comments, at such time as specific legislation or amendments may be introduced in the Virginia General Assembly.

8) The co-chairs of the Joint Committee are authorized to speak for the body, and/or designate representatives, at any appropriate committee or subcommittee meeting, legislative session, or other public forum.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be communicated forthwith to all members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Executive, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC), as well as the local senators and delegates in the Virginia General Assembly, and the Governor of Virginia.

This resolution was approved by the Joint Committee at its 15 January 2024 meeting:

Submitted by:

Jeffrey M. Parnes
President
Sully District Council of Citizens Associations
@SullyDistrict
President2023@SullyDistrict.org

Stephen Chulick
President
Western Fairfax County Citizens Association
stephen.chulick@gmail.com