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Councilmember

Rachel McQuillen

186 × yes25 × no

On the record

Positions recorded in minutes, by topic.

Fairfax Circle

At the June 23, 2026 City Council meeting, Council Member McQuillen sought to confirm that the process for reviewing the Small Area Plans (including Fairfax Circle) would involve analyzing current conditions, collecting analyses, and then establishing goals, indicating engagement with the review process structure.

Chain Bridge Road

Voted no on the January 2026 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation; no recorded comments specific to Chain Bridge Road development items.

George Snyder Traildenied

Councilmember McQuillen voted yes to reaffirm the full project in June 2025 but opposed both the introduction of the supplemental appropriation in December 2025 and the appropriation itself in January 2026.

Willard-Sherwood Community Centerin progress

At the May 6, 2025 special meeting, McQuillen voted in favor of the amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget (which failed 3-3), and voted against the SUP, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness at the October 14, 2025 hearing. McQuillen ultimately voted yes on the final April 28, 2026 resolution to proceed to construction.

Norman Avenue Sidewalk Feasibility Studyin progress

At the May 13, 2025 meeting, McQuillen asked staff whether a potential Norman Avenue sidewalk would conflict with or be negated by nearby drainage improvement work on Cobb Road, and received confirmation from staff that the two efforts would be entirely separate and would not negatively or positively impact one another.

10300 Willard Wayin progress

Councilmember McQuillen voted to defer on July 22, 2025 and voted to deny the special exceptions and Certificate of Appropriateness on October 28, 2025.

Providence Elementary Schoolapproved

At the February 24, 2026 meeting, Council Member McQuillen reminded community members of an upcoming Providence Elementary School PTA meeting (February 25 at 6:30 PM) and a bingo night that Friday, indicating active engagement with the school community.

Ordinance Amending Chapter 90 Article VI Section 90-262 (Meals Tax)proposed

Voted against introduction of the ordinance on April 8, 2025.

FY 2026 Budgetapproved

McQuillen voted yes on the motion to defer to May 13, yes on all three failed amendments (lower tax rate, Willard-Sherwood deferral, 50/50 pay study split), and no on incorporating the Budget Change Document. McQuillen ultimately voted yes on final budget adoption.

Move Fairfax City

Voted yes on June 24, 2025 to appoint resident representatives Jason Desai and Emily Rabbit to the Move Fairfax City Steering Committee. Voted yes on January 13, 2026 to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Occupancy

Voted yes on July 22, 2025 to approve Ordinance 2025-06. No recorded verbal comments in the material.

Stacy Sherwood Community Centerin progress

McQuillen voted no on the Special Use Permit and the two special exceptions on Oct. 14, 2025, but voted yes on the Certificate of Appropriateness. McQuillen voted yes on R-26-13 authorizing construction on Apr. 28, 2026.

Affordable Housing Strategic Planin progress

Voted yes on February 17, 2026 to adopt the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan as a strategic framework.

Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding

McQuillen opposed the resolution at both the December 9, 2025 introduction (voting no) and the January 13, 2026 public hearing (voting no).

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority

Voted 'no' on the January 13, 2026 motion to approve the $4,600,000 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation from Transform 66 concession funding.

Beacon Landingin progress

At the July 14, 2026 meeting, McQuillen provided detailed context on the genesis of the grant: explaining that cash-in-lieu funds had sat unused for approximately seven years, that Beacon Landing had 23 financing sources and required city investment to unlock the rest, and that the $700,000 investment yielded 54 affordable units — characterizing it as a well-invested use of funds. McQuillen also noted the lack of a prior formal application process as the impetus for developing new guidelines.

Courthouse Plazain progress

McQuillen voted yes on the July 22, 2025 deferral and voted in favor of denying the special exceptions and Certificate of Appropriateness on October 28, 2025.

Detached Accessory Dwelling Unitsapproved

Councilmember McQuillen voted against the ordinance on July 28, 2026. No specific recorded comments from McQuillen are available in the material beyond the vote.

Warwick Ave /Fairfax Blvd /McLean Ave Intersection Improvementsapproved

Voted yes on April 22, 2025 to award the construction contract to Sagres Construction Corporation. No recorded comments beyond the vote.

Capital Improvement Program FY2026 to FY2030approved

At the May 6, 2025 Special Meeting, McQuillen voted in favor of deferring budget consideration to May 13, reducing the real estate tax rate to $1.75, deferring the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to FY 2027, and splitting pay study implementation across FY 2026 and FY 2027 — all of which failed. McQuillen also voted against incorporating the Budget Change Document. McQuillen ultimately voted yes on the final unanimous adoption of the FY 2026–2030 CIP and budget.

Pickett Road Connector Trailin progress

McQuillen voted no on the April 8, 2025 pause motion and no on the July 22, 2025 motion to reverse the pause, indicating consistent opposition to the pause mechanism while voting no on its reversal as well.

Voting record