Draft Long-Range Plan for Great Falls - Possibilities
In 2010, the Long-Range Planning Committee held a meeting of 30 leaders of the numerous volunteer groups and business owners, to again brainstorm ideas for new venues and ventures that would make Great Falls a better place to live, work and play. It was felt that these individuals have vested a great deal of their time and energy in improving the community, and therefore would likely to have good and useful ideas, and indeed this was so. Then a smaller group met several times and drafted a long-range plan document, which attempts to collect in one place all the opportunities for improvement, as well as discussion of options and future actions.

At this point, the ideas are a collection from individuals, and the document has not been approved by any of the groups whose individuals contributed, and is now ready for discussion within Great Falls.  Because this document is about 40 pages in length, it is not practical to send a printed copy to the 5,500 households in Great Falls.  As well as the GFCA Town Forum, advertisement will consist of the GFCA News, placement of a brochure in kiosks in the Community, and announcing availability in the local newspapers.  We also envision smaller meetings of interested groups to focus on various aspects of the plan, including those interested in transportation, arts groups, community center or performing arts center, better access to the existing facilities in Great Falls, playing fields, senior living facilities, historical preservation, and beautification including underground utilities.  We anticipate that next Spring, in 2012, we would have another Town Forum, in which we would focus as a Community on what elements of the Great Falls Plan the community wants to be carried forward to the County Comprehensive Plan.

To view the complete Draft Long-Range Plan for Great Falls, click here; the Concept Map, click here

Update on Wastewater Options for the Great Falls Commercial Center
Following the GFCA Public Meeting on Wastewater Management Issues on March 8th, the Great Falls Business and Professional Association has met with the GFCA Wastewater Committee and said it needs additional information on the cost of a sewer line and requirements for a Sewer District in the Great Falls Commercial Center. The GFBPA explained that the additional information is needed for its membership to better understand the financial commitments, financing arrangements and requirements for a Sewer District, with a sewer line alternative. On April 19, the Board of the GFCA moved to support the request from the Business and Professional Association, and the two organizations will work with the Fairfax County to obtain the additional information. It is not known at this time when the that information will be available. Therefore, a poll of the community has been put on hold.

Wastewater Management and the Future of Central Great Falls
The GFCA Wastewater Sub-Committee is developing information on future alternatives for handling septic system problems in central Great Falls, on both sides of Georgetown Pike, for businesses and governmental entities; at this time residential areas are excluded. Sewer lines were not installed near the center of Great Falls when it began increased development about 40 years ago. It has been of concern, to many in the community, that non-regulated sewer might lead to significant commercial and other development and change the small town nature of Great Falls. Some of the smaller existing septic systems have problems, two have failed. The Great Falls Business & Professional Association (GFBPA) has expressed concern over the viability of businesses should one of the larger systems also fail. Thus, in 2008, GFCA began looking for alternative approaches.

Among the alternatives to be considered are continued on-going use and improved maintenance of existing septic systems, installation of on-site pretreatment to prolong the life of existing and new septic systems, and installation of a sewer main and lines to the existing facility at Difficult Run near Route 7. To help the community better understand the various alternative technologies, their approximate costs and cost effectiveness, their benefits and risks, their possible effect on commercial and residential land use and zoning, etc., five information open public sessions of about one hour duration, including time for questions and answers, are being held and led by GFCA Sub-Committee members, experienced invited experts and companies, and Fairfax County professionals.

September 14 - Wastewater Issues and the Future of Central Great Falls. County Health Department professionals detailed the history and current condition of existing septic systems in central Great Falls. Over half, with good maintenance, are expected to last 15 to 30 years or more. Others, partly because they were contructed more than ten years ago when standards were lower, may need higher levels of maintenance. A few, especially if grease is a use factor, may need extensive care within 15 years. To date, only two have failed; they are being operated via pump and haul maintenance. In the future, due to increased regional Chesapeake Bay and Commonwealth concerns, there may be some mandated increased maintenance requirements. Photo: (Left to Right) John Milgrim, Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD); Martin Thompson, FCHD; Jackie Taylor, GFCA President, Glen Sjoblom, GFCA; Mike Kearney, Great Falls Business and Professional Association; and Marty Shannon, (FCHD). Click here to view Video.

November 9 - Sewer Line Alternatives, including costs, controls on access, implications, etc. County Health Department officials participated. Sewer line alternatives for central Great Falls, costing between about $7.5 million to $10 million, were presented by Fairfax County Public Works Department professionals at the Grange on November 9. The open public meeting was the second in a series of five sponsored by the GFCA Wastewater Subcommittee of Long Range Planning and Development.All three potential sewer routes would utilize a pressurized system with pump stations and force mains. The probable preferred and lowest cost system from Georgetown Pike in central Great Falls would be 10,500 feet along Walker Road; the other route possibilities are via Leigh Mill Road or Old Dominion Drive. Since Great Falls currently is not within the County’s sewer-service area, the community might have to present engineering studies and other data to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration and approval. Direct County funding might be an issue during the current budget shortfalls but adding the cost to a bond issue is a possibility. The repayment of costs and maintenance comes from hook-up charges and sewer rates.

After approval by the Board of Supervisors, plan design and actual construction would take at least three years. If easements had to be obtained, the time period would be longer. During the public discussion, Wayne Foley was concerned about the lack of community action even though some septic systems already had failed. Ralph Lazaro said continued septic system failures may force public action on sewers. Stella Koch stated that all the facts had not yet been heard. Join us for the third of five GFCA series on this subject, at the Grange on Tuesday, January 11, when pre-treatment and on-site technology alternatives to sewer lines will be covered. Photo: GFCA board members, Wayne Foley (left) and Glen Sjoblom (right) welcome Fairfax County Public Works Department and Environmental Services speakers Shahrarm Moshenin and Ahmed Rayyan to the Great Falls Grange.

January 11 - On-site Technology Alternatives, including costs, implications, etc. County and State officials together with private company experts will participate.
February 8 - Potential for effects on commercial and residential development densities by the various alternatives, and, effectiveness of zoning controls. County zoning experts will participate.
March 8 - Summary and Discussion by GFCA Sub-Committee members with GFBPA participation, followed by extensive time for community input, opinions, and questions.

Beautification - This Sub-Committee will search to identify areas that will enhance the visual appearance of Great Falls. Although continuing to concentrate on the central shopping center areas, it also will work cooperatively with beautification ideas and opportunities encompassing other organizations, clubs, and local businesses throughout the community.

Senior Citizen Services - Will continue following potential independent living and assisted living facilities that might be established in Great Falls, especially if their primary benefit is to enable our elder citizens and/or parents of local residents to live within the community.

Community Centers/Meeting Places - Actively working with the Park Authority (FCPA) to reestablish the Old Forestville Schoolhouse as a Monday-Thursday evening virtually free meeting place for Great Falls non-profit organizations per informal agreements made in 1983. It also is cooperating with FCPA to increase community center activities at the Grange and to provide disabled citizen access and improvements without changing the exterior design of the “historic” building; both were envisioned during the 1978 FCPA purchase. Long range plans for a potential new community center and/or renovation of the “historic” Mark Turner building and facilities, purchased during 2010 with bond money, are possible future activities.

Master Plan and Archives - May be reestablished, to update and add new concepts to the 2020 Vision Plan completed in 2007. How will we get from today to a vision for our community in the year 2020 or beyond? Our vision generally aligns with the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan. However, sometimes there are disconnects between the Comprehensive Plan and the goals mapped out by other organizations and public authorities (such as Zoning and VDOT, etc.). Under GFCA's charter to "promote all aspects of community interest accruing to a common good" we may examine other aspects of our community that are pivotal to the future.