Skip to content
CouncilHound
← All members
Councilmember

Thomas Peterson

191 × yes22 × no

On the record

Positions recorded in minutes, by topic.

Personnel Matters

At the November 18, 2025 meeting, Peterson congratulated and welcomed Dan Alexander as the new City Manager, echoed colleagues' remarks, and specifically underscored that the search had been a long and difficult process. Peterson noted that the confidential nature of personnel matters causes public frustration because people cannot see what is happening, and acknowledged this is an accepted constraint of elected office.

Housing and Healthy Communities Advisory Board

At the July 28, 2026 discussion on reappointment scheduling, Councilmember Peterson noted that approximately 12–13 of the ~20 people due for reappointment interviews appeared to be HHCAB members, and indicated flexibility on scheduling dates, preferring the 11th or 18th.

Urban Agriculturein progress

At the July 2025 Council meeting, Councilmember Peterson connected the concept of 'yardens' (yard gardens) to the urban agriculture activity stream that began in the Environmental Sustainability Committee, and suggested it might be a good time to pick that conversation back up. Peterson is also credited with having first brought urban agriculture to the ESC's attention when serving as chair of that committee, as noted in February 2026 remarks.

Accotink Creek

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

George Snyder Traildenied

Peterson attended the VDOT meeting regarding the trail in late March 2025. Peterson was the sole yes vote on the June 10, 2025 substitute motion to cancel the project entirely (1-5 failure), and voted no on Resolution R-25-20 reaffirming the full project. Peterson voted no on both the December 2025 introduction of the supplemental appropriation and the January 2026 supplemental appropriation vote.

Old Town

At the July 28, 2026 session, Peterson mentioned having had conversations with restaurant owners in Old Town — including being the last customer at a recently closed Old Town restaurant — suggesting personal engagement with the Old Town business community, though no formal position on any pending matter was recorded.

Andes Drive Pump Station Force Main Liningin progress

On November 18, 2025, Council Member Peterson seconded the motion to approve the contract modification.

Fairfax City Parks Foundationin progress

At the September 9, 2025 meeting, Council Member Peterson asked about the term of the director appointments, confirming they are three-year terms, and noted that these are initial appointments being made to stand up the Foundation.

Capital Improvement Program

On May 5, 2026, Council Member Peterson seconded the motion to adopt the FY2027 budget package including the FY2027–2031 Capital Improvement Program.

Employee Compensation

At the March 3, 2026 session, Peterson asked questions about whether school division compensation costs would stabilize, prompting explanation of CBA-driven compensation trajectories and operating cost drivers. Peterson also thanked the presenter, calling the presentation 'really helpful and clear.'

4010 University Drivein progress

Seconded the motion to approve the February 25, 2025 Special Exception for Pathway Homes at 4010 University Drive, and voted yes.

Small Area Plansin progress

At the July 14, 2026 work session, Peterson raised sustained conceptual concerns about the amendments, questioning whether the transition from existing zoning to a Small Area Plan-driven framework could result in tradeoffs against the public interest — including quality of life and community benefits — that had previously been protected through zoning. Peterson also sought clarification on whether the Small Area Plans' development benchmarks should be understood as goals, and pressed staff on whether a compare-and-contrast analysis of public interest impacts had been conducted.

Appointments to boards and commissions

Consistently requested that the names of appointees be read aloud during public meetings for transparency. On June 24, 2025, Peterson asked that the list be read as had been done for earlier appointments that evening; on July 8, 2025, Peterson again requested the appointments be read and proceeded to read the motion listing the appointees.

City of Fairfax Green Building Policyapproved

At the June 23, 2026 City Council meeting, Peterson seconded Hardy-Chantler's motion to adopt the Green Building Policy.

Willard-Sherwood Community Centerin progress

Voted yes on the May 2025 amendment to defer the project to FY 2027 (which failed 3-3), and voted no on the October 2025 SUP, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness. Voted yes on the April 2026 resolution to proceed to construction (6-0).

Black History Month

At the February 10, 2026 meeting, Council Member Peterson offered a Valentine's Day greeting rather than a specific Black History Month comment; at the March 10, 2026 meeting, he recommended reading 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' as a bridge between Black History Month and Women's History Month, noting Lacks was a Virginian and her story is remarkable.

Davies Propertyapproved

Councilmember Peterson voted no on all three approval motions at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting.

10300 Willard Wayin progress

Councilmember Peterson voted to defer on July 22, 2025 and voted to deny the special exceptions and Certificate of Appropriateness on October 28, 2025; the transcript records Peterson as having seconded the denial motion.

Stormwater Utility

Seconded the motion on May 5, 2026 to approve the ordinance setting the stormwater utility rate at $36.02 per billable unit.

Country Club Hills Connector Trailwithdrawn

Per the April 8 transcript, Peterson seconded Hall's motion to cancel the Country Club Hills Connector Trail.

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

On May 6, 2025, Peterson requested big-picture clarification on budget procedures for the benefit of residents watching and those who had contacted him. Peterson voted yes on the failed deferral motion and all three failed amendments (lower tax rate at $1.75, deferring Willard-Sherwood expansion, and splitting the pay study 50/50 over two years), but ultimately voted yes on the final adopted budget and tax rates.

Dwight Avenue Improvementsin progress

On September 9, 2025, Councilmember Peterson moved to adopt the updated resolution (R-25-27) approving the city's submission of the three projects—including Dwight Avenue Improvements—to VDOT for Revenue Sharing Funding.

Plastic Bag Tax and FY26 Priorities

Council Member Peterson was addressed on July 8, 2025 in the context of a separate agenda item (Pickett Road Trail) immediately before the plastic bag tax presentation; no recorded comments or positions from Peterson on the plastic bag tax or FY26 priorities are captured in the available material.

NVTA Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Action Plan

On June 24, 2025, Councilmember Peterson briefed the Council that the NVTA Planning Coordination Advisory Committee was set to vote on endorsing the BRT Action Plan on June 25, 2025, and noted that the proposed plan includes the City of Fairfax. No position for or against the plan was recorded.

Fairfax City Purchasing Resolutionapproved

At the June 23, 2026 meeting, Councilmember Peterson requested a brief staff summary of the purchasing resolution changes for the benefit of members of the public listening, and was directed to the procurement director for that explanation. Peterson also moved adoption of the resolution as recommended by city staff and as attached to the agenda item.

Conflict of Interest

At the November 18, 2025 session, Peterson raised questions about whether conflict of interest disclosure obligations apply after a vote—specifically in situations where a member later engages in activity enabled by a vote they participated in. At the April 28, 2026 meeting, Peterson expressed reluctance to move forward with pending commission appointments, preferring to resolve the ethics and conflict of interest issues first.

Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvementsapproved

On April 28, 2026, Peterson seconded Hardy-Chandler's motion to award the construction contract to Fort Myer Construction Corporation.

Stacy Sherwood Community Centerin progress

Peterson voted no on all three land-use motions at the Oct. 14, 2025 meeting (SUP, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness), consistently opposing the approvals. Peterson voted yes on the Apr. 28, 2026 resolution to proceed to construction.

Legislative Programin progress

On December 9, 2025, Council Member Peterson seconded the motion to adopt the 2026 Legislative Program resolution.

Affordable Housing Strategic Planin progress

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

FY 2027 Financial Policies and Council Budget Guidelinesapproved

On November 18, 2025, Councilmember Peterson pulled the item from the consent agenda to allow for separate discussion before the Council voted on it.

Transform 66 Outside the Beltway Concession Funding

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

Pickett Road

At or around the 2026-02-24 meeting, Peterson connected the regional transportation safety report to the Pickett Road safety effort, describing Pickett Road as a 'poster child' for addressing regional road safety issues, and expressed appreciation for the city's efforts while noting much more work remains to be done.

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority

On June 24, 2025, Councilmember Peterson briefed the Council on NVTA's BRT Action Plan, noting the Planning Coordination Advisory Committee would vote on endorsement the following day and that the proposed plan includes the City of Fairfax. At the February 10, 2026 meeting, Peterson was referenced by a colleague as likely knowing more about which BRT corridors might run through the city. Peterson voted 'no' on the January 13, 2026 George Snyder Trail supplemental appropriation, contributing to the 3-3 failure.

Translation Services for City Council Meetings

Peterson was present at the April 7, 2026 work session when translation services were discussed, but the transcript excerpt records only a personal aside (wishing his mother a happy birthday) rather than any substantive comment on the translation services item.

Special Use Permitapproved

At the July 28, 2026 meeting, Peterson asked about the full list of permits required for a detached ADU and noted that detached ADUs have proximity implications for neighbors that differ from attached ADUs, suggesting this distinction is relevant to the SUP question.

Courthouse Plazain progress

Peterson voted yes on the July 22, 2025 deferral and voted in favor of both denial motions on October 28, 2025.

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 deferral to May 13, the $1.75 tax rate amendment, deferring Willard-Sherwood, and the split pay study amendment; voted against the Budget Change Document amendment. Ultimately voted yes on final budget adoption including the CIP.

Pickett Road Connector Trailin progress

Councilmember Peterson voted yes on the April 8, 2025 pause. On July 22, 2025, she voted no on reversing the April 8 pause but was the primary proponent of the unanimous motion directing staff to hold a public outreach meeting, citing approximately 1,200 residents of Foxcroft Colony and Scout on the Circle — roughly 5% of the city population — who she said had transportation safety concerns and limited awareness of the trail project.

Solid Waste Management Plan Updateapproved

On May 12, 2026, Council Member Peterson seconded Council Member Hardy-Chandler's motion to adopt the resolution approving the Solid Waste Management Plan update.

Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendmentsin progress

At the January 13, 2026 work session preview, Peterson noted that the upcoming agenda was packed in terms of information load and quality, and flagged the volume of reading required in advance. In June 2026, Peterson asked how the small area plan zoning ordinance amendments related to the separate June 23 discussion on small area plan reviews and updates, seeking to understand how the two processes connect and unfold.

Voting record