May 13 – 19, 2021
FA LLS CHUR C H, V I R G I NI A • WW W. FC NP. C OM • FR EE
FOU N D E D 1991 • VOL. XXXI NO. 13
T�� C��� �� F���� C�����’� I����������, L������ O���� N�������� �� R�����, S������ N. V�������
New Noise Ordinance in F.C. in Search of Balance
Council Agrees on 65 Decibel Limit for Weekends
BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Falls Church City Manager Wyatt Shields called the City Council’s adoption of modifications to the City’s noise ordinance made this Monday “more than many other communities do” to provide for outdoor entertainment. As the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent bans on indoor dining and other activities have cut deeply into local restaurant and entertainment venue incomes the last 15 months, attempts by some key City businesses to move their activities outdoors and to attract additional customers with live music has created a major dust-up in the Little City. In particular, citizens in their residences adjacent such locations have complained loudly about the impact of the noise on their homes. F.C. Police have been repeatedly called with complaints and the City
Council has taken months to craft a legal compromise that respects the residents as well as acknowledges the burden on local businesses to stay open through the tough times. Shields was referring to the latter point, noting that many jurisdictions simply respect the demands for peace and quiet by residents and shut down any activity that interrupts that with music or other noises. Falls Church has taken a different tack, led by Council member Ross Litkenhous and others, to craft a more nuanced noise ordinance that would allow for outdoor music to continue as an option the City values. The first step was to acquire a noise decibel meter, and when it was finally set up, for members of the Council and City staff to attend a demonstration with the meter at
Continued on Page 5
F.C. CITY BUSINESS OWNERS and City Council members attended a noise demonstration in Cherry Hill Park last week. The soothing tones of Jethro Tull were played at various volumes and distances to give both parties an idea of what the decibel levels looked like under the City’s new noise ordinance. (P����: N���-P����)
F.C. School Board Unanimously Adopts FY22 Budget, Bringing Raises for Teachers BY NICHOLAS F. BENTON
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
Falls Church City Public Schools School Board unanimously approved a $53.6 million operating budget for the Fiscal Year 2022 commencing July 1 at its meeting Tuesday night. The budget is balanced, provides
a wage increase for school employees, and provides additional supports for students. For the third year in a row, the financial plan falls within Falls Church City Council’s budget guidance presented last December. The budget adoption, which was fully expected, came as the board learned that the (George Mason now,
but Meridian as of July 1) high school’s prom is set for a week from Saturday, on May 22, as an outdoor event and the high school’s Class of 2021 graduation is set to occur outdoors on the high school athletic fields on June 2. The school system’s morning bulletin Wednesday announced that Gov. Ralph Northam
has been invited to deliver the commencement address, but it is an invitation that has yet to be responded to. The F.C. School Board’s initially-agreed upon request for funding from the City, submitted in February, was embedded into City Manager Wyatt Shields’ recommended budget in March and adopted in full by the
Council on April 26. The Council included the requested amount despite moving to lower the real estate tax rate by 3.5 cents to $1.32 per $100 assessed valuation. “Rebounding from the impact of Covid‐19, the focus of the FY 2022 Budget is employee compensation, allowing FCCPS to attract, hire, and retain an exceptional, diverse staff to
Continued on Page 4
I����� T��� W��� M������ C����� S���� I� N����� P��� O� M������ S�����
Providence Players of Fairfax has taken on the creative challenge of continuing theater productions with streaming short productions online and now live with “The Parking Lot,” debuting under the stars on Thursday evening at the Italian Café in Falls Church. SEE STORY, PAGE 3
M������� F������� T��� CL���� C�-D������� T���� �� C���� S�����
The Mustangs football team had one of their winningest seasons in recent history during the Covid-altered “fall” season this spring, ending the shortened season with a 4-2 record and being declared co-champions of the Northwestern District as well. SEE STORY, PAGE 19
R��������� S��������: B����-G T������ M��’� C�����’
For a family from Turkey who loves Falls Church, one good sale deserves another. Based on their success at the F.C. Farmers Market, the Kaygusuz family has extended their reach from Park to Maple Avenue by opening their gourmet shop, Borek-G, or “Turkish Mom’s Cookin.’” SEE STORY, PAGE 14
INDEX
Editorial............................................... 6 Letters................................................. 6 Comment ................................ 7,12,13 Crime Report .................................... 12 News & Notes.............................10-11 Business News ................................. 15 Calendar .....................................16-17 Classified Ads ................................... 20 Comics, Sudoku & Crossword ......... 21 Critter Corner.................................... 22
