Fairfax County Public Schools will be closed tomorrow as a spring snow storm sweeps through the region.
Although snow fall is mainly over, the risk of refreezing is possible tonight.
Photo by Michael Piper
Reston will officially become a biophilic city tomorrow (March 22), joining a network of cities that try to make connections to the natural world.
The designation is given by The Biophilic Cities Network, which was founded by Tim Beatley, a professor of urban and environmental planning at the University of Virginia.
“We carry with us ancient brains, and to be happy and healthy and have meaningful lives, we need that connection with nature. And we can’t just get it on a holiday for a week or two during summer. It has to be integrated into our daily lives — everyday nature where we live and work. Nature we experience every hour,” Beatley wrote in a statement.
Doug Britt, a member of Reston Association’s environmental advisory committee, applied for the designation, which has also been given to San Francisco, Portland and Wellington.
Beatley will present the designation at Reston Association’s meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
Here’s more from RA’s draft agenda packet:
At its Regular meeting on July 27, 2017 the Board of Directors received an overview of the first Reston Annual State of the Environment Report (RASER), produced by the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) as a tool for benchmarking the quality of the environment in Reston. Along with the report, the EAC presented several recommendations for Board consideration to advance or improve the quality of various aspects of Reston’s environment.
One of the recommendations proposed by the Environmental Advisory Committee in conjunction with the specific actions to advance environmental management was for Reston Association to apply to become a Biophilic City.
File photo via Reston Association
A 20-story condominium high rise will replace a three-story office building built in the late 1980s on 1801 Old Reston Avenue.
On Tuesday evening, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the project by Renaissance Centro, the developer behind a strip of residential buildings in the area.
The project will include 150 residential units, including 24 for-sale, workforce housing units and 24 bonus units, built atop an underground parking garage.
County officials touted the project for bringing for-sale workforce housing on the market — a rarity in Reston despite the prevalence of residential high rises. Andrew Painter of Walsh Colluci Lubuley & Walsh, the developer’s representative, said the project is the first for-sale condominium in Reston in 14 years.
Painter said Renaissance views the project as a “legacy” development that will transform Reston Parkway from a commuter-cut-through street to an urban parkway. The developer will provide $313,000 for Reston’s road funds and the project is not expected to generate additional traffic compared to the current building, he said.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said the community and the developer worked together to allay concerns. She said the developer is providing green space that will enhance the community space in area on Reston Parkway that serves as an entrance to high density development across from Reston Town Center and at the foot of Metro.
As the project moves forward, Hudgins also said traffic improvements on Temporary Road and Reston Parkway are needed.
“There are transportation issues in this area. No matter what we would have built, it would have been difficult.”
Three residents who testified in support of the project on Tuesday said the project will offer new home ownership opportunities they have awaited for years. One resident opposed the plan because the developer is requesting a waiver for the minimum lot and reduced loading dock requirements. She also questioned why the project’s zoning designation is classified as mixed use, even though the project has no mixed use element.
Previously, a decision on the project had previously been deferred.
The project will include a pool, an outdoor terrace, a penthouse with terrace space, and an eight-foot-wide asphalt trail. Once built, it will tower above The Harrison and other properties built by Renaissance Centro.
“The applicant has a track record of quality development,” Painter said.
Photos via handout
Herndon man arrested in connection with double homicide in Loudoun County — “The sheriff’s office said Brian K. Welsh, 38, of Herndon, was charged with two counts of first degree murder in the shootings in the Aldie area of the county. Officials said the killings appeared to be drug-related.” [The Washington Post]
Chef on Wheels seeks beer and wine permit — The restaurant, which was formerly a food truck, on 1810 Michael Faraday Drive is seeking the license to sell alcoholic beverages. [Reston Patch]
Preparing for the March on Washington — A former teacher who is running for Congress in Virginia’s 11th district is prepping for the march this weekend. [Jonathan Park via Eventbrite]
An argument between a bus driver and parent — A Herndon parent was served summonses for making threats to a school employee, assault and disorderly conduct last Tuesday after the parent boarded a local bus. [Herndon Police Department]
Photo by Ruth Sievers
The D.C. area will be under a Winter Storm Warning from tonight through Wednesday night.
Between four and eight inches of snow is expected in the region. Local snow accumulation may be lower.
Fairfax County Public Schools has canceled all afternoon and evening activities on school campuses. A decision on tomorrow’s possible closure is expected by 9 p.m. today.
Forecasters encouraged residents to be wary of difficult travel conditions and limited visibility. If travel is mandatory, drivers are encouraged to keep an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle incase of an emergency, according to the National Weather Service.
NEW/BREAKING: Washington’s biggest snowstorm of the winter likely Wednesday, starting before dawn, winter storm warning issued for entire region. Details: https://t.co/NJjdPJyEfZ
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) March 20, 2018
The snow could really rip for a time in the DMV Wednesday AM to early PM. A very heavy band of snow could set up & dump somewhere – perhaps producing isolated double digit totals. Exactly where is the big question. We favor N or E of DC but moving target. https://t.co/NJjdPJyEfZ pic.twitter.com/ZSf8PyMhff
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) March 20, 2018
Photo by Twitter user @MrErrett
A fire on the outside of a two-story, garden-style apartment building on 11600 Ivystone Court was put out around 2:15 p.m. today.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to the report of a fire in the afternoon. The fire was visible at the front of the building. No injuries were reported.
Initial reports indicate the fire was concentrated in the electrical entrance to the building. The building was evacuated as a precautionary measure and residents were allowed back in around 3 p.m.
Dominion Energy also responded to the scene as firefighters cleared the ventilation system. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This story has been updated. Photo by Fatimah Waseem.
Cause of Reston house fire unknown — A single-family home on the 12100 block of Quorn Lane sustained roughly $37,500 in damages on Saturday. An investigation is ongoing. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]
OVHcloud hovers in Reston — The global hyper-scale cloud provider celebrated its grand opening ceremony yesterday. [OVHcloud]
If you have ideas to improve the I-66 corridor — 17 projects are up for funding by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. You can give your thoughts on what projects you think should be funded today at the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce. [NVTC]
After months of discussion, Reston Association’s Board of Directors will consider a move Thursday to strengthen its procurement controls and policies in response to a third-party review of RA’s controversial $2.65 million purchase of the Tetra property.
The rewrite of RA’s purchasing and procurement policies — which were last updated nearly six years ago — was recommended by StoneTurn Group, the forensic accounting firm contracted by RA to review the controversial purchase and cost overruns linked to the buildin’s renovation. A recent presentation by two RA members also flagged multiple concerns.
“As a result of the Tetra Property Purchase Review by the StoneTurn Group several recommendations were made that the Association should strengthen, and the better document the Association’s policies and practices related to procurement and purchasing,” wrote board president Sherri Hebert in the draft proposal. Hebert was not available for comment.
The move expands RA’s current policies by building in more internal controls, stricter financial checks to avoid sole source contracting and seek competitive bidding, and improved documentation. Major purchases above $25,000 require board approval, among other levels of scrutiny.
If approved, the policies would address four broad areas: procurement rules, competitive procurement and purchasing, re-competing for services and rules governing sole service providers.
Before we head off into St. Patrick’s Day weekend, let’s take a look back at the biggest stories on Reston Now in recent days.
- Updated: Lockdown Lifted at Three Reston Schools After Police Investigate Report of Student with a Gun
- Roughly 800 South Lakes High School Students Participate in Walkout to End Gun Violence
- Op-Ed: Multiple Resignations from the Reston Association Elections Committee
- Fairfax County Board Unanimously Approves Sunset Hills Road Realignment
- The Bike Lane Plans to Relocate to Sunset Hills Road in May
Feel free to discuss these topics, your weekend plans or anything else that’s happening locally in the comments below.
If you have ideas on stories we should cover, email us at [email protected] or submit an anonymous tip. We’re also looking for photos of Reston submitted by readers. Have a safe weekend.
A 61-year-old Reston man was arrested and charged with shooting his dog in the head and leaving the body at an archery range near Fountainhead Regional Park.
Animal Protection Police charged Mark Cochrane, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer, with torture of an animal causing death, discharging a fire arm in a prohibited area and littering.
Police tracked Cochrane by executing several warrants. Evidence uncovered during searches connected the Reston resident to the incident, which occurred on July 15, 2017.
The dog, a shepherd mix, was found at the Northern Virginia Archers Club Range.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a plan to redevelop a three-story office building on 1801 Old Reston Avenue into a 20-story condominium building.
The board will consider Renaissance Centro, a 150-unit project that includes 24 units for workforce housing in exchange for 24 units in bonus density, on Tuesday. A public hearing is scheduled for around 3:30 p.m.
On Feb. 22, the Fairfax County Planning Commission passed the project with a 10-0 vote and two abstentions. Concerns about the intensity of development on the 1.5-acre site as well as the distribution of workforce housing and associated parking surfaced from members.
If approved, the project would line Old Reston Avenue with three adjacent residential buildings, including Harrison at Reston Town Center and Stratford Condominiums.
Get ready for spring break — Limited space is available for Reston Association’s Spring Break Camp. Sign up today. [Reston Association]
In local student-athlete news — South Lakes High School student Hannah Waller capped her first high school indoor track season by finishing fifth at the New Balance Nationals Track and Field Meet.
Another reminder about Metro delays — Expect Metro delays on the Silver Line today. Workers are busy repairing a crack in concrete under rails between Benning Road and Capitol Heights stations. [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
Photo by Ruth Sievers
In a joint venture, Wurzak Hotel Group, a Philadelphia-based company, and DoveHill Capital Management have acquired Sheraton Reston Hotel (11810 Sunrise Valley Drive).
DoveHill plans to renovate the 298-room hotel, including all guest bathrooms, the lobby, a new pub, upgrades to the meeting space and a redesign of the building’s exterior.
In a statement, Jake Wurzak, DoveHill’s founder and managing member, said the company looks forward to “redeveloping the hotel into one of the top hotels in the region.”
“We are thrilled to expand into the suburban Washington D.C market. The Sheraton enjoys tremendous benefits associated with its strategic placement between Washington, DC and Washington Dulles International Airport,” he said.
The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Photo via Sheraton Reston Hotel
An Inova Urgent Care center is coming to 1488 North Point Village Center, roughly 1.7 miles away from Reston Hospital Center.
The center, which is certified by the Urgent Care Association of America and is open everyday, is “coming soon,” will provide adult and pediatric urgent care.
It is expected to open in June or July this year, according to Roger Raker, a spokesperson for Inova.
Inova is moving into the former location of Ravel Dance Studio, which left its home of 20 years to relocate to a larger studio at 1763 Fountain Drive.
Centers are located throughout Northern Virginia, including Vienna, Fairfax, and Chantilly.
Photos by Fatimah Waseem
The healthiest county — Fairfax County was ranked the third healthiest county in Virginia, following Loudoun and Arlington counties. [WTOP]
Heads up for tomorrow’s Metro commute — Silver Line trains will operate every 24 minutes to due to concrete structural repairs. [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]
‘Cat On a Hot Tin Roof’ hits the roof — The play by Reston Community Players is listed as the top show of the week by one online magazine. [Maryland Theatre Guide]
A generous donation — Brandon Guyer, a former member of the Reston Herndon Little League and a baseball outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, donated bats to the league. [Reston Herndon Little League]
An oops moment — Good Morning America incorrectly stated a major walkout near a highway happened at South Lakes High School yesterday. Have doubts? Check out the tweet for yourself. [Good Morning America]
Flickr pool photo by vantagehill
