COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA SUITE 530

County of Fairfax
12000 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA 22035-0071
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TELEPHONE: 703-324-2321
FAX: 703-324-3955
TTY: 711

chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov
SHARON BULOVA
CHAIRMAN

April 22, 2019

Gerald E. Connolly
11th District, Virginia
2238 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressma/Connolly: ( .---,e, wy .

Thank you for reaching out to express your concerns with the Fairfax County Public Schools"
proposal to construct a new elementary school at the site of the current Blake Lane Park. I
certainly appreciate hearing from you about this. I agree with the importance of preserving open
green space in our community and acknowledge the value of the dog park, something that I
know you worked with the community on to make happen during your time on the Fairfax
County Board of Supervisors.

As you know, the Blake Lane Park has been designated as a site for a future Fairfax County
Public School since 1977. Since that time, the surrounding landscape and community has
experienced significant changes, and open green space has been increasingly difficult to identify
and preserve. At this same time, schools have seen rising enrollment rates and a solution to
increase capacity of schools in this area is needed. Based on feedback received at the January
19th community meeting held by FCPS, it is clear that more time is needed for FCPS to evaluate
the merits of the Blake Lane Park site, explore alternatives and gather additional public
comment. I understand that FCPS will use the next year to weigh the options for building a new
elementary school in this community.

Following the vetting of this site, should FCPS wish to pursue the Blake Lane Park site for a new
elementary school, County staff will need to perform a 2232 Public Facilities Review of this
proposal. A full staff report and analysis of the site, as well as public hearings before both the
Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors will take place during this process.

Thank you again for reaching out, Gerry. I will be following this process carefully.

Sincerely

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Sharon Bulova
Chairman

CC: Dalia Palchik, Providence District School Board Representative