George Snyder Trail

The George Snyder Trail was a planned shared-use path project (VDOT UPC 112816) in the City of Fairfax aimed at improving multimodal connectivity along Fairfax Boulevard. The project received $20.6 million in I-66 Outside the Beltway concessionaire funding. After years of planning, the project faced sustained public opposition. In April 2025, Council voted unanimously (6-0) not to advertise the project in its current configuration and directed staff to explore modifications. In June 2025, Council adopted Resolution R-25-20 (4-2) reaffirming the full project as designed, defeating both a hybrid western-half-only option and a full cancellation motion. By late 2025, construction bids came in $4.6 million over the remaining $16 million budget, requiring a supplemental appropriation from additional concessionaire funds. On January 13, 2026, that $4.6 million supplemental appropriation failed on a 3-3 tie vote, and Council subsequently voted 4-2 to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project in its entirety. Following cancellation, the associated Smart Scale-funded extension component (approximately $9.5 million in FY26 funding) is being reconceived as the Wilcoxon Trail Extension, with a revised alignment utilizing Draper Drive and Beach Drive rather than connecting to the now-cancelled trail's eastern terminus; as of May–June 2026, Council gave consensus to proceed with a feasibility study and public outreach on that revised concept.

In this wiki

• Meeting history — every action, vote, and update, with links to the moment in the meeting video
• Positions & open questions

2024-09-09 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 6a: Request from ABTB Mid-Atlantic, LLC for GDP Amendment, Special Use Permit (drive-through restaurant), and Special Exception (parking landscaping) – Boulevard Marketplace Shopping Center, 10120 & 10140-10160 Fairfax Boulevard (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Planning Commission recommended City Council approve the General Development Plan amendment (GDP dated August 19, 2024) for Tax Map Parcels 47-4-23-000-A and 47-4-23-000-D. Motion carried 7:0. No action taken at this meeting on the Special Use Permit, Special Exception, or Major Certificate of Appropriateness.
• Vote (passed): Motion by Ms. Lockhart, seconded by Mr. Coleman, to recommend City Council adopt the attached resolution approving the GDP amendment for ABTB Mid-Atlantic, LLC at 10120 and 10140-10160 Fairfax Boulevard (Tax Map Parcels 47-4-23-000-A and 47-4-23-000-D). — Feather: yes, Briggs: yes, Coleman: yes, Cunningham: yes, Denton: yes, Lockhart: yes, Rice: yes
• [6a] A 600-sf buffer of new plantings near the George Snyder Trail and a 6-ft wide pathway linking Fairfax Boulevard to the trail were included in the revised proposal.

2025-01-14 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 6: Initial general public comment period (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Ten residents addressed the Council on various topics including opposition to the George Snyder Trail, Country Club Hills Commons Trail, Pickett Road Connector Trail, City Hall Landscape project, and the recent firing of the City Manager.
• [6] Multiple residents spoke in opposition to the George Snyder Trail during public comment. [9] Douglas Willard spoke in opposition to the George Snyder Trail during the second public comment period.

2025-01-28 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 15: Council Comments and Committee reports out (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Multiple council members offered comments, including welcoming new City Manager Bryan Foster, community event announcements, and discussion of the upcoming George Snyder Trail presentation scheduled for March 11, 2025.
• [15] Councilmember Hall inquired about the George Snyder Trail presentation; City Clerk Shinaberry confirmed it is scheduled for March 11, 2025. Councilmember Hall requested that the cost of canceling the project be included in the future presentation.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-03-11 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 10a: Work Session: Discussion and update on the George Snyder Trail project (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Discussion held during work session. No formal council action taken. Multiple members of the public spoke in opposition during general comment periods. Councilmember Bates stated his support for canceling the Country Club Hills Connector Trail and moving the Pickett Road Connector Trail to the west side; Councilmember Hall also requested more information on those connector trails and Jermantown Road CIP improvements.
• [10a] Council received a discussion and update on the George Snyder Trail project during the work session; no formal action was taken, but significant public opposition was expressed and council members requested further discussion.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-03-24 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 10: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff provided updates on recent and upcoming City Council meetings and other planning matters, including the Five Chimneys proposal, Mantua townhouse proposal, Courthouse Plaza redevelopment, George Snyder Trail, Chain Bridge Road/Eaton Place intersection public hearing, budget discussions, Transit Development Plan, Small Area Plan zoning ordinance amendments, the Budget Open House, Commissioner Kevin Denton's resignation, the Safety Action Plan, and safety training schedule.
• [10] George Snyder Trail was the subject of a City Council work session on March 11, 2025, as reported by staff.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-03-25 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 14: Council Comments and Committee reports out (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Councilmembers offered comments including support for arts funding, Transgender Day of Visibility, and an upcoming Budget Open House. Councilmember Peterson requested a future work session on boards and commissions. The Mayor confirmed that Councilmembers Peterson and Bates would attend an upcoming meeting with VDOT regarding the George Snyder Trail.
• [14] Councilmember Peterson noted the Council is working toward a permanent resolution; the Mayor confirmed that Councilmembers Peterson and Bates would attend an upcoming meeting with VDOT and city staff to discuss the project.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-04-08 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 4a: George Snyder Trail (GST) Advertising Cancellation and Project Modification Process (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Council voted unanimously (6-0) that the City shall not advertise the George Snyder Trail project in its current proposed configuration, and directed City staff to work with the City Council on exploring possible modifications, noting a VDOT deadline of December 31, 2025 to advertise for construction.
• Vote (passed): Motion that the City shall not advertise the George Snyder Trail project in its current proposed configuration and that City staff be directed to work with the City Council on exploring possible modifications, noting a VDOT deadline of December 31, 2025 to advertise for construction. — Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: yes, Peterson: yes
• [4a] Council unanimously voted not to advertise the George Snyder Trail project in its current configuration and directed staff to explore modifications; VDOT has set a December 31, 2025 deadline to advertise for construction.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-04-22 — City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting

Agenda item 1e: Work Session: Discussion and update on trail projects (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Discussed in work session. Actions arising from this discussion were taken under agenda item 4a.
• [1e] A revised alignment concept sketch was discussed during the work session, leading to Council action under item 4a. [4a] Council approved 6-0 that the city submit the concept sketch revising the proposed alignment for the George Snyder Trail to VDOT for their review.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-05-13 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 12f: Work Session: New Proposed Alignment for the George Snyder Trail

• Outcome: Rescheduled for the May 27, 2025 meeting. Not discussed at this meeting.
• [12f] Work session discussion and update on the new proposed alignment for the George Snyder Trail was rescheduled to May 27, 2025; multiple residents spoke during public comment in opposition to and in support of the project.
• Status after: deferred

2025-05-27 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 13c: Work Session: Discussion on the George Snyder Trail

• Outcome: Extensive public comment was heard both before and after the work session, with the large majority of speakers opposing the trail. During Council Comments following the work session, four councilmembers reached consensus to direct staff to ask VDOT whether constructing only the western half of the trail remains an option. Councilmember Amos requested related financial information be provided via email rather than presented at the next meeting. No formal resolution was voted on at this meeting.
• [13c] The trail was discussed extensively in a work session and drew large public comment (predominantly in opposition). Four councilmembers reached consensus to direct staff to ask VDOT whether building only the western half of the trail is still an option; financial repayment structure information was requested via email. No vote to cancel or proceed was taken at this meeting.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-06-03 — City Council Work Session

Agenda item 1b: Update on the George Snyder Trail project (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Update presented to Council during the work session. No vote or formal action recorded.
• [1b] An update on the George Snyder Trail project was presented to City Council during the work session. No vote or formal action was taken.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-06-10 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 9a: Consideration of a resolution on the George Snyder Trail (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Three motions were considered. Motion to build only the western half (hybrid option, segment A1 only) failed 1-5. Substitute motion to cancel the project entirely failed 1-5. Main motion to adopt Resolution R-25-20 reaffirming the full project as designed passed 4-2 (Hall and Peterson opposed).
• Vote (failed): Adopt a resolution to modify the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) to remove segments east of Fair Woods Parkway (segments B, C, and D) and construct segment A1 only (hybrid/western half option), with understanding that repayment of project expenditures for removed segments will be required. — Bates: yes, Amos: no, Hall: no, Hardy-Chandler: no, McQuillen: no, Peterson: no
• Vote (failed): Substitute motion: Adopt a resolution to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) in its entirety, with full repayment of project expenditures (estimated at $3.7 million) and identification of financing and savings to cover repayment. — Peterson: yes, Amos: no, Bates: no, Hall: no, Hardy-Chandler: no, McQuillen: no
• Vote (passed): Adopt Resolution R-25-20 to reaffirm previous approval of the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) as designed. — Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: yes, Hall: no, Peterson: no
• [9a] Council adopted Resolution R-25-20 (4-2) reaffirming previous approval of the George Snyder Trail Project (VDOT UPC 112816) as designed in its entirety; motions to build only the western half or to cancel the project both failed.
• Status after: approved

2025-06-23 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Agenda item 7: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff provided informational updates on recent and upcoming City Council meetings and planning activities. No action taken.
• [7] City Council held a work session on the George Snyder Trail at the June 3, 2025 meeting, as reported by staff.

2025-10-27 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 10: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff reported on several recent and upcoming items, including City Council actions, ongoing plans, and commission vacancies.
• [10] An update on the George Snyder Trail Project was scheduled to be presented at the October 28, 2025 City Council meeting.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-10-28 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 12d: Work Session: Update on the George Snyder Trail

• Outcome: Discussed during work session; no formal action taken. Significant public comment in opposition was received during the general public comment periods.
• [12d] Status update on the George Snyder Trail presented during the work session. Multiple members of the public spoke in opposition during the general public comment periods; no formal action was taken at this meeting.
• Status after: in_progress

2025-11-04 — City Council Work Session

Agenda item 1c: Follow-up Discussion on the George Snyder Trail (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Follow-up discussion held at work session. No formal vote recorded.
• [1c] A follow-up discussion on the George Snyder Trail was held at this work session; no formal action or vote was recorded.

2025-12-09 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 6i: Introduction of a grant supplemental appropriation resolution in the amount of $4,600,000 for Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Approved 3-2-1 (McQuillen and Peterson opposed, Hall abstained). The supplemental appropriation resolution was introduced, first reading waived, and public hearing set for January 13, 2026.
• Vote (passed): Introduce the supplemental appropriation resolution of $4,600,000 from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail, waive the first reading, and set the public hearing for January 13, 2026. — Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: abstain, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: no, Peterson: no
• [6i] The Council approved introduction of a $4,600,000 supplemental appropriation resolution from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail, with the first reading waived and a public hearing set for January 13, 2026. The city previously received $20.6 million in concessionaire funding and construction bids exceeded the remaining $16 million budget by $4.6 million.
• Status after: in_progress

2026-01-12 — Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Agenda item 9: Staff Report (watch the moment)

• Outcome: Staff provided updates on upcoming meetings and items, including: a January 13, 2026 City Council public hearing on the Fern Street Connector Project and consideration of additional funds and contract award for the George Snyder Trail; a January 26, 2026 Planning Commission meeting featuring the CIP public hearing, Urban Forest Masterplan presentation, and Annual Report/Implementation Guide updates; and a February 9, 2026 joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority.
• [9] City Council was noted as scheduled to consider additional funds and a contract award for the George Snyder Trail on January 13, 2026.

2026-01-13 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 7e: Public Hearing and Council Action on a Grant Supplemental Appropriation Resolution – $4,600,000 from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail

• Outcome: Motion failed 3-3. The $4.6 million supplemental appropriation from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail was not approved.
• Vote (failed): Approve the supplemental appropriation resolution in the amount of $4,600,000 from Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding for the George Snyder Trail — Amos: yes, Bates: yes, Hall: no, Hardy-Chandler: yes, McQuillen: no, Peterson: no
• [7e] The motion to approve a $4.6 million supplemental appropriation to cover construction bids exceeding the remaining $16 million project budget failed 3-3. [9a] Following the failed supplemental appropriation vote, the City Council voted 4-2 to cancel the George Snyder Trail Project in its entirety.
• Status after: denied

2026-05-26 — City Council Meeting

Agenda item 11a: Wilcoxon Trail Extension Connectivity Study Briefing

• Outcome: Mayor and Council gave consensus to move forward with a feasibility study of the proposed alignment modification using already-appropriated City funds, and to initiate public outreach on the updated concept.
• [11a] The George Snyder Trail project's associated shared-use path component, funded by approximately $9.5 million in FY26 Smart Scale funding, is being reconceived as the Wilcoxon Trail Extension with an alternative alignment under study.

Open questions

• What will the final design of the Wilcoxon Trail Extension be (shared-use path continuation vs. cycle track/two-way bike lane on Draper Drive)?
• Will VDOT approve the proposed alignment modification for the Wilcoxon Trail Extension within Smart Scale parameters?
• How will the city achieve broader multimodal connectivity that the George Snyder Trail was intended to provide, including connections toward Cardinal Road, Fairwoods Parkway Neighborway, and Fairfax Circle?
• What, if any, repayment obligations to VDOT resulted from the project cancellation (the estimated $3.7M repayment figure was discussed but no final resolution on financing was recorded)?

Member commentary

• Hall — On January 28, 2025, Councilmember Hall inquired about the scheduling of the George Snyder Trail presentation and requested that the cost of canceling the project be included in that future presentation. Hall voted against reaffirming the full project in June 2025 (R-25-20) and abstained on the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction, ultimately voting no on the $4.6M appropriation on January 13, 2026.
• Peterson — Councilmember Peterson noted in March 2025 that the Council was working toward a permanent resolution. Peterson sought a CFO repayment structure analysis for the potential $3.7M VDOT repayment at the May 2025 work session. Peterson was the sole vote in favor of outright cancellation in June 2025, voted no on the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction, and voted no on the $4.6M appropriation on January 13, 2026.
• Bates — Councilmember Bates stated in March 2025 his support for canceling the Country Club Hills Connector Trail and moving the Pickett Road Connector Trail to the west side. Bates attended the VDOT meeting in late March 2025 alongside Councilmember Peterson. Bates was the sole vote in favor of the hybrid western-half-only option in June 2025, voted yes on the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction, and voted yes on the $4.6M appropriation on January 13, 2026. In May 2026, Bates thanked staff for their proactive approach on the Wilcoxon Trail Extension and expressed hope for a future connection to Chambers Road and the I-66 trail.
• Amos — At the May 2025 work session, Councilmember Amos indicated that the question of a CFO repayment structure analysis should wait until a cancellation decision is made. Amos voted yes on reaffirming the full project (R-25-20) in June 2025, yes on the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction, and yes on the $4.6M appropriation on January 13, 2026.
• Hardy-Chandler — Councilmember Hardy-Chandler voted yes on reaffirming the full project (R-25-20) in June 2025, yes on the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction, and yes on the $4.6M appropriation on January 13, 2026. Hardy-Chandler made the motion to cancel the project on January 13, 2026 (per the transcript, the cancellation resolution motion was made by Hardy-Chandler and seconded by Peterson, passing unanimously). Hardy-Chandler was also noted as emphasizing the use of all boards and commissions, including Village in the City, in discussions about ADA accessibility and walkability in the context of the trail's cancellation.
• McQuillen — Councilmember McQuillen voted yes on reaffirming the full project (R-25-20) in June 2025 but voted no on both the December 2025 supplemental appropriation introduction and the $4.6M appropriation on January 13, 2026.