Meals Tax, Accessory Living Units: Key Items Head To Vienna Council

VIENNA, VA — Vienna Town Council has a busy agenda Monday with notable items like the meals tax and accessory living unit public hearings.

Town Council's meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Many of the notable proposals aren't expected to get final action until Dec. 9. Patch will provide coverage of notable decisions by Town Council in the days following.

Here are previews on the notable proposals at Monday's meeting.

Meals Tax Proposal For Pool and Fitness Center

Vienna Town Council is discussing a temporary 1 percent meals tax hike as a way to fund an indoor pool and fitness center facility. The indoor pool and fitness center is the top resident preference for the annex property, which the town bought in fall 2020 from Faith Baptist Church at 301 Center Street S.

The 1 percent meals tax hike would be on top of the 3 percent already charged. Town government believes meals tax revenue would fund the project sooner — by 2030 —rather than 2040 under the normal capital project funding process. The proposal calls for the temporary tax from Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2034. The town used a temporary meals tax from 2002 to 2008 to fund the Town Green.

Monday marks the public hearing where residents will share input on using a meals tax to fund the project. Residents have also been sharing input by emailing the council at council@viennava.gov, taking an online survey, calling 703-255-6304, or sending a letter to 127 Center Street South, Vienna, VA 22180.

A tax increase would require a supermajority vote of 5-2, or supermajority of those present. Town Council will make a final decision about the meals tax proposal on Dec. 9.

Meals Tax Collections at Special Events

That's not the only meals tax proposal on the table. Town Council will consider a code amendment to charge an upfront flat meals tax to food trucks at town-sponsored special events like Viva Vienna and Oktoberfest. The proposal stems from frustrations about tax collections for organizations and staff for food trucks without a physical location in town. According to the town, parks and recreation as well as event organizers support the change.

Like the other meals tax proposal, it would require a supermajority to pass. Town Council will make a final decision on Dec. 9.

Accessory Living Units

After a Vienna Planning Commission public hearing, Vienna Town Council will hold its public hearing on accessory living units. Accessory living units, which are independent residential units on a standalone residential property, are not currently permitted in any zoning area in the Town of Vienna. The proposal calls for allowing accessory living units in areas zoned for single-unit detached homes, which are RS-16, RS-12.5 and RS-10.

The Vienna Planning Commission has recommended the proposal to Town Council. However, the commission wants the minimum lease period for accessory living units to be increased from 30 days to 12 months to promote a goal of serving long-term tenants. Other recommendations by the planning commission were not requiring a separate exterior entrance to accessory living units, prohibiting in-home daycare operations for accessory living unit applicants, and not allowing the units to be converted to condominiums.

Even if an accessory living units policy isn't adopted, the town is monitoring Virginia legislation that could be reintroduced in 2025. State Sen. Saddam Salim, who represents the Town of Vienna in the Virginia Senate, proposed legislation would make accessory living units by right in residential zoning areas. In 2024, the Virginia Senate passed the legislation 22-18, but the House of Delegates did not take action.

Town Council may direct staff to make any desired amendments to the policy and return with an updated proposal for a vote on Dec. 9.

Halloween Parade Winners

On a more lighthearted note, Town Council will recognize winners of the Vienna Halloween Parade, held on Oct. 23. Parade floats and entertainments were eligible for parade awards, including Youth Band, Float with Music, Float without Music, Youth Performers, Adult Performers, and Antique Vehicles. This year's parade theme was "Party Like it's 1999."