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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.

Accotink Creek

Voted no on the January 2026 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation; no recorded verbal commentary on Accotink Creek specifically.

Fairfax High School

At the July 14, 2026 meeting, Councilmember McQuillen echoed praise for the event, commending the city manager's decision to cancel the parade and noting that the fireworks at Fairfax High School were a success despite rain, describing attendees as 'happy wet people' and praising the band and fireworks as showcasing community resilience.

George Snyder Traildenied

McQuillen voted yes on Resolution R-25-20 reaffirming the full project on June 10, 2025, and no on both the western-half-only and full cancellation motions. McQuillen voted no on the introduction of the December 2025 supplemental appropriation and no on the January 2026 supplemental appropriation vote.

Willard-Sherwood Community Centerin progress

Voted yes on the May 2025 amendment to defer the Willard-Sherwood community center expansion to the FY 2027 budget (which failed 3-3), and voted no on the October 2025 SUP and special exceptions (4-3). Voted yes on the April 2026 resolution to proceed to construction (6-0).

Davies Propertyapproved

Councilmember McQuillen voted no on all three approval motions at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting. A July 2026 transcript excerpt attributed to McQuillen raises concerns about density levels generally, citing the Davies approval at 103.8 units per acre as one data point in a broader pattern the speaker finds difficult to understand.

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 constituents with children at Providence Elementary School of an upcoming PTA meeting and bingo night, reflecting ongoing community engagement with the school.

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 failed motion to defer to May 13 and yes on all three failed amendments (lower real estate tax rate, deferring Willard-Sherwood, and splitting the pay study), but voted no on incorporating the Budget Change Document. McQuillen ultimately voted yes on the final adopted budget and tax rates.

Stacy Sherwood Community Centerin progress

McQuillen voted no on the Special Use Permit and the two special exceptions at the Oct. 14, 2025 meeting, but voted yes on the Certificate of Appropriateness (the only one of the three dissenting members to do so). McQuillen voted yes on the Apr. 28, 2026 resolution to proceed to construction.

Affordable Housing Strategic Planin progress

Voted yes on February 17, 2026 to adopt the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan. No recorded commentary beyond the vote.

Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding

McQuillen voted no at both the December 9, 2025 introduction and the January 13, 2026 final vote, consistently opposing the appropriation.

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority

Voted 'no' on the January 13, 2026 motion to approve the $4.6 million George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation.

Beacon Landingin progress

At the April 28, 2026 budget work session, Councilmember McQuillen explicitly expressed appreciation that Beacon Landing was 'retained' in the budget scenario under consideration, describing it as 'a critical thing that is protected.' She also raised questions on March 10, 2026 about whether the grant could be structured differently — for example, as a bridge — and noted that the Beacon Landing discussion raised broader questions about what the city might be committing to in future years for affordable housing.

Courthouse Plazain progress

McQuillen voted yes on the July 22, 2025 deferral and voted in favor of both denial motions 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 verbal comments.

Capital Improvement Program FY2026 to FY2030approved

On May 6, 2025, 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 50/50 across FY 2026–2027; voted against incorporating the Budget Change Document. Ultimately voted yes on final budget adoption including the CIP.

Pickett Road Connector Trailin progress

Councilmember McQuillen voted no on the April 8, 2025 pause and no on the April 22, 2025 pause (opposing both pauses). On July 22, 2025, she voted no on reversing the April 8 pause.

Voting record