WASHINGTON — Fairfax County is considering whether to regulate how frequently people can host large gatherings in their homes.
“Party after party after party. It’s been a real nightmare,” says a county resident whose comments were captured by FOX5 at a community meeting on the matter Wednesday evening.
Homeowners fed up with constant parades of people, cars and noise in their neighborhoods were far out-numbered at the meeting by residents against proposed limits, says FOX 5.
The Group Assembly in Residential Dwellings measure being considered by Fairfax County lawmakers would limit the number of people who can visit a home to 49 per day, and no more than three over-sized gatherings could occur within 40 days.
Also, it would specify the nature and types of gatherings that would be exempt from the proposed restrictions.
“I think this is unconstitutional — 100 percent,” says Peter Demetri recorded by FOX5 at the meeting.
Demetri said he worries his large family gatherings are in danger.
“We meet every single Sunday for Sunday dinner,” he says.
At least one county supervisor is on the record against the proposal.
“It is government poking its nose where it doesn’t belong,” County Supervisor Pat Herrity tells FOX 5.
Another resident speaking at the meeting said he agrees.
“What you cannot do is regulate individuals’ right to assemble within the privacy of his own home,” he says.
Herrity says he believes passing the proposal would open the county to lawsuits.
Residents are invited to offer comments at two additional community meetings:
- Monday, May 12, 2014 from 7 – 9 p.m. at Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Va., in the Board Auditorium
- Monday, May 19, 2014 from 7 – 9 p.m. at Lemon Road Elementary School, 7230 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, Va., in the school cafeteria.
Watch the Fox5 video below:
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report. Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.
