FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Tom Peterson supported postponing votes on the accessory dwelling unit ordinance and Highlands at Mantua, then supported approval after those delays failed. He also backed the 2026 meals-tax increase and cancelation of the George Snyder Trail.
Peterson is running for mayor in the Nov. 3 election. This review examines he votes he cast while serving on the city council in 2025 and 2026.
SEE: How Four Fairfax Candidates Voted On Taxes, Trails, Housing And Willard-Sherwood
Peterson supported the fiscal 2026 budget adopted May 6, 2025, and thefiscal 2027 budget adopted May 5, 2026. Both overall budget votes were unanimous.
On May 5, 2026, Peterson supported setting the meals-tax rate at 4.5%, effective July 1. The measure passed 4-2, with Hall and McQuillen opposed.
Peterson supported the separately adopted real estate tax rate of $1.0725 per $100 of assessed value. In July, Peterson also supported requesting a November referendum on a sales tax of up to 1% for school and/or public transportation capital projects. That was a request for a referendum, not council approval of the tax.
Peterson opposed all six October 2025 land-use and design approvals for the Willard-Sherwood city and county sites.
In April 2026, Peterson supported proceeding with construction, excluding the optional performing-arts renovation and addition at Sherwood, and amending the joint development agreement. The authorization passed unanimously.
The October votes concerned land-use permissions and design. The April vote concerned moving ahead with construction under the stated scope. Comparing them requires keeping those separate decisions in view.
On Jan. 13, 2026, Peterson opposed appropriating an additional $4.6 million for George Snyder Trail. The motion failed on a 3-3 council split.
After the measure failed, Peterson immediately made a motion to cancel the trail in its entirety. Cancellation passed 4-2. Those votes concern this specific project and do not establish a position on every trail or bicycle proposal.
Peterson supported adoption of the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan in February 2026 as a framework, with future actions subject to resources and council approval.
On July 28, Peterson supported postponing the accessory dwelling unit ordinance until Sept. 8. After the deferral failed 3-3, Peterson supported the original ordinance motion. It passed 4-2.
In 2025, Peterson opposed the Davies property rezoning and development plan. Later that year, Peterson supported denying both the Combined Courthouse special exceptions and its certificate of appropriateness.
Peterson proposed postponing the Highlands at Mantua decision until Oct. 13 to allow more time to review information and residents' concerns. He cited questions involving trees, street access and an alternative layout proposed by neighbors.
Hall and McQuillen joined Peterson in supporting delay. Amos, Billy Bates and Stacey Hardy-Chandler opposed it, and Mayor Catherine Read voted against postponement after the 3-3 council split. Peterson then supported rezoning and the associated development plan.
The Council Reporter records 4-2 approval of rezoning and design, naming Hall and McQuillen as opponents.
The separate Highlands comprehensive-plan amendment passed unanimously. The project approvals and the earlier postponement request were distinct motions.
This review covers selected votes in 2025 and 2026 on four issue areas. It draws on city minutes, the Council Reporter and Patch reporting. It examines four incumbent candidates, not every candidate in either race. Research is current through Sept. 23, 2026.
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