From the President

 

Dear MCA Membership:

 

February thoughts normally revolve around winter (which most of us have had enough of by now) and red for Valentine's Day. But some are seeing red because the Casino bill has returned, and MCA members have responded by spending several days in Richmond providing data to our legislative representatives, as well as to businesses. Currently, we are waiting for the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee to vote on the proposed bill.

 

McLean Community Center (MCC)'s Alden Theatre is presenting “Year of the Red Fire Horse Lunar New Year Celebration’ on February 18. This is also the season of Board nominations. If you're considering running for the MCC Governing Board or for the MCA Board of Directors or MCF Board of Trustees (see article, below), this is the month to contact these organizations.

Please frequent our McLean businesses and restaurants, and remember that some deliver so you don't have to drive in inclement weather. Also, the McLean Art Society changes their art selection each month, so check out the new offerings at their Chesterbrook Shopping Center location.

The MCA committees are busy. Budget and Taxation is preparing comments on the County and FCPS budgets; Planning and Zoning sent a letter on a prominent project (see below) and is working on comments to proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance on Accessory Living Units. Education and Youth is looking into McLean High School overcrowding and getting ready for MCA's annual Youth Jobs Fair; Environment, Parks and Recreation is studying the County's proposed Unified Sanitation Districts; Transportation and our Tysons liaison group met recently with FCDOT personnel (see below); our Public Safety & Seniors liaison group is putting finishing touches on the annual Senior Safety Summit; and, of course, our liaison to the No Casino Coalition is working with other grass-roots groups opposed to the casino to fight the imposition of a casino on our community (see below). Our Membership Committee -- supported by the rest of us -- is always looking for new members, so please encourage your relatives, friends, and neighbors to join MCA and let their voices be heard.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter.

 

Warm Regards,

Camille

The McLean Citizens Association (MCA) is seeking candidates for positions on the 2026-2027 MCA Board of Directors. Directors on the 40-member Board serve either as a Homeowners/Citizens Association Representative, or At-Large. This is an opportunity for members of the community to become more involved with this effective and influential citizens association that advocates for the interests of residents of the greater McLean area.

If you are interested in serving our community as a member of the MCA Board, please complete the Application - MCA Board of Directors (2026)and submit it via e-mail to nominations@mcleancitizens.org (preferred) or by U.S. Mail to the address below, at your earliest convenience, but not later than March 8, 2026. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Nominating Committee at the above email address.


MCF Trustee Openings
The McLean Community Foundation (MCF) is also seeking candidates for open Trustee positions on the 2026-27 MCF Board of Trustees. MCF was formed by MCA as a 501(c)(3) organization, and its Trustees serve 3-year terms and must be members of the MCA. Click here to view more information about joining the MCF Board.

If you are interested in serving, please complete the Application - MCF Board of Trustees (2026) and submit it via e-mail to MCFnominations@mcleancitizens.org (preferred) or by U.S. Mail to the address below, at your earliest convenience, but not later than March 8, 2026.

For additional information, contact hello@mcfonline.org.

Thank you for supporting the McLean Citizens Association with your membership.

-- MCA Nominating Committee

    P.O. Box 273, McLean, VA 22101

 

At it's February meeting, MCA approved a letter in support of an important early project located in the heart of the McLean Community Business Center (CBC), a plan to redevelop an approximately half-acre site currently occupied by two former houses and surface parking with a seven-story, mixed-use residential and retail building.

 

The building will contain up to fifty-six dwelling units and approximately 2,313 square feet of ground floor retail, along with garage parking. Consistent with both the McLean District Design Guidelines and the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan's vision for the McLean Planning District, the Beverly and Elm corner will include a plaza for gathering and outside dining.

 

The developer was unable to acquire adjacent properties and thereby fulfill the two-acre minimum lot size, requiring a variance from the zoning ordinance. MCA supports granting this variance, given the developer's efforts to address the balance of issues raised by staff and community members.

Fairfax County is considering updating its zoning regulations that pertain to accessory living units (ALUs). An ALU is a secondary dwelling area of a single-family detached residence, which can be either attached to the residence like a basement apartment or detached like a guest house. The current Zoning Ordinance contains requirements for ALUs, which include limitations on size, occupancy, entrances, parking, and more. Any of these requirements could be updated through an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance.

 

On January 13th, the Greater Tysons Citizens Coalition (GTCC) and MCA's Transportation Committee held a joint meeting via Zoom with representatives from Fairfax County's Department of Transportation (FCDOT). Division Chiefs from three FCDOT divisions -- Site Analysis & Transportation Planning, Special Projects, and Transportation Design -- gave a presentation responsive to submitted questions and answered questions from the attendees pertaining to several subjects, including:

Watch the video here.

 

GTCC's next meeting, held on March 5th at 7pm via Zoom, will focus on the challenges of achieving the Tysons Comprehensive Plan guidance for Tysons parks and recreational facilities. Contact GTCC Chair/MCA GTCC Liaison, Sally Horn, for more information.

 

The Transportation Committee's next meeting will be held on February 10th at 7pm via Zoom. Contact Committee Chair, Glenn Harris, for more information.

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