Plan for service disruptions this weekend on all Metro lines. Track work will cause especially long delays on the Red, Orange, Silver and Blue Lines.

Silver Line trains will run every 24 minutes. The last Silver Line train from Wiehle-Reston East will leave 24 minutes earlier than usual.

On Saturday, the train will leave at 11:52 p.m. and at 9:52 p.m. on Sunday.

Trains will only run between Ballston and Wiehle-Reston East. Riders traveling to or from other stations should use the Orange or Blue Line to complete their trip. At Ballston, Metro users should transfer between Silver and Orange line trains on the same platform.

For a list of all planned service adjustments, visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s website.

The Chick-fil-A at 1494 North Point Village Center is expected to open in late March or April, a company representative told Reston Now.

A tentative grand opening date  is set for March 28, according to a post on the store’s Facebook page. At the event, “First 100,” the first 100 people to enter the store will be in for a “crazy night of games, food, [and] fun for the entire family,” according to the Facebook event.

They will also receive a year’s supply of regular chicken sandwich meals.

“We can at this time confirm our newest location will open this spring in Reston,” said Brenda Marrow,  a spokeswoman for Chick-fil-A, Inc.  “We look forward to continuing our growth and expansion in the Reston community and serving all of our customers delicious food in an environment of genuine hospitality.”

The new Chick-fil-A replaces the Burger King building, which was razed last year. Electrical permits for the new restaurant were issued on Jan. 8.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the new Chick-fil-A in March 2016. Another Chick-Fil-A in Reston sits just 2.5 miles away at 12160 Sunset Hills Road.

For more information, like the Chick-fil-A North Point Village Facebook page.

Photos by Fatimah Waseem

Decision on 20-story Condominiums Set for Today at 7:30 p.m. — The Fairfax County Planning Commission will vote on a plan to replace an office building on 1801 Reston Avenue with up to 150 residential units and a parking garage today. A decision on the Renaissance Centro project was deferred by the commission in December. [Fairfax County Planning Commission]

New Traffic Procedures at Herndon-Monroe Park and Ride — Beginning on Jan. 29, the sidewalk next to the old surface lot will be closed as the new garage is built, cars will be restricted to one lane into the complex. Pedestrians should use a temporary sidewalk as construction continues. [Fairfax County Government]

Enjoy a ‘Groundhog’s Day Out’ on Sunday at 2 p.m. –The program at Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road) includes a visit to a groundhog burrow, games and the change to make a groundhog friend to take home. Tickets are $8 per person. Register online. [Fairfax County Government]

Fairfax County Sheriff Ends Agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — Termination of the agreement on May 23 no longer requires the sheriff’s office to hold inmates past their release date, unless a request by ICE to continue detention is accompanied by a court-given criminal detainer. [Fairfax County Government]

(Flickr pool photo by vantagehill)

Reston has been recognized by Money Magazine as the best place to live in Virginia.

Each year, the magazine releases its picks for the best places to live in the country.  Top localities in each state were selected based on Money’s data and analysis of jobs, standard of living and education.

Here’s what the magazine said about Reston:

Reston was once just an idea. In the early 1960s, architect and economist Robert E. Simon mapped out a vision for a community that upheld open space, recreational facilities, and aesthetic beauty. Today, the thriving Washington, D.C., suburb includes expanses of parks, lakes, golf courses, and bridle paths.

The magazine also notes Reston Town Center’s unique role as a “community hub” and as the home of a Google office and five of the largest venture capital firms in Virginia. It also touted the community’s Metro rail station.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors deferred a decision on a proposal to bring a 91-unit assisted living facility to 11501 Sunrise Valley Drive amid backlash from residents neighboring the project.

At a Tuesday night meeting, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said she wanted to work with residents and the developer Kensington Senior Development to tackle concerns raised by residents over several months.

During the meeting, residents continued to protest the location of the two-to-three story building, which they said was shoehorned onto 1.8 acres. The new structure, which would replaces Good Beginning School, a child care facility, is more than eight times larger than the current building. The facility would include up to 125 beds and up to 91 rooms.

Responding to residents’ concerns about limited privacy and the overwhelming nature of the plan, Hudgins said the application was “difficult” even though “the zoning is what the zoning is.”

“The zoning change has been made and it is an acceptable development in the center,” she said. “It’s just difficult for the neighbors to accept as far as the size and the screening that is provided.”

The board will vote on the project on Feb. 6 at 3:30 p.m — a delay that allows Hudgins says allows the stakeholders to settle concerns.

The developer’s representative, Mark Looney of Cooley LLP, pointed to the “evolution” of the plan since it was originally proposed. After back and forth with county entities like the Design Review Board, the developer scaled back the plan by reducing the number of stories from five to either two or three stories.

In a November staff report, the county’s Department of Planning and Zoning recommended approval of the plan.

Photo via handout

After years of discussion, Fairfax County officials are finalizing long awaited plans to tackle traffic backups on Hunter Mill Road near the Dulles Toll Road.

The Fairfax County Dept. of Transportation plans to realign Sunset Hills Road to Crowell Road, with a roundabout as the intersection control, according to a proposal filed last month. The Fairfax County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the plans today at 7:30 p.m.

Hunter Mill Road would be widened to four lanes between the intersection of Crowell Road and Sunset Hills Road to the Dulles Toll Road’s westbound ramps. The four-lane section would use existing right-of-way and pavement along Hunter Mill Road.

The plan departs from six alternatives discussed during six community charrettes since 2014. County officials found that no alternative would adequately reduce congestion during peak hours, according to the proposal.

Originally, the county hoped to shift the Sunset Hills Road intersection by moving it opposite the westbound off-ramp for the Dulles Toll Road and relocate the on-ramp to begin at Sunset Hills Road west of Hunter Mill Road. But a Metrorail track power substation is now being built at that site.

A second option would have relocated Sunset Hills Road by bringing the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Hunter Mill Road as close as possible to Reston Presbyterian Church. That option would not provide enough space between the intersections. A third option with roundabout in the area  would have required the church to relocate.

The proposed solution would address traffic congestion and the roundabout feature meets the community’s desire to “calm” traffic to the north of Crowell Road, according to the plan.

The road realignment was prompted in response to increased traffic congestion driven by new development.

Currently, morning and afternoon traffic along Sunset Hills Road near the westbound Dulles Toll Road causes daily traffic congestion at the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Hunter Mill Road.

A hearing before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is set for March 6 at 4 p.m.

Photo via Fairfax County Department of Transportation

Red Cross Blood Drive at Reston Regional Library Today — The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the library (11925 Bowman Towne Drive) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. [Fairfax County Government]

Creative Response Set for Thursday — At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Artist Zoë Charlton will present a creative response to the Paulina Peavy exhibit, which is on view in the gallery of the Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market Street). The event, called a creative response, allows presenters to comment on work through an innovative presentation. [Greater Reston Arts Center via Facebook]

Reston Association Board of Directors Meets Thursday — The board will meet tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. to consider several motions, including the addition of two residential projects to Reston Association’s deed and covenants. Two community members will also present their analysis of the Lake House purchase, a year-long undertaking. [Reston Association]

Reston Town Center Broker Joins Joins Transwestern — Joe Ritchey, a broker who leased the office space at RTC, is joining Transwestern after representing Boston Properties for nearly three decades. Ritchey “achieved rents up to $20/SF higher than nearby properties. It has famously been 100% occupied for years.” [Bisnow]

Photo via Flickr pool @vantagehill

The 17-year-old Lorton teenager charged with murdering a Reston couple in late December is now being held at the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center.

The unidentified suspect remained in the hospital after the Dec. 22 shooting, during which he shot and killed Scott Fricker and his wife, Buckley Kuhn-Fricker in their home on Black Fir Court. The teenager then turned the gun on himself, police said.

Over the last week, three burglaries at three homes kept local law enforcement busy.

The Fairfax County Police Department responded to a report about two home burglaries on Sunday. At around 5:30 p.m., several items were stolen from a house on the 12400 block of Margaret Thomas Lane.

A few hours later that same day, a burglary was reported on the 13200 block of Rolling Plains Court between 7 and 8:30 p.m. Money and property were taken, police said.

In a separate incident, police said someone entered a house on the 11700 Stratford House Place on Tuesday and stole a grey 2006 Honda Accord and other items. Police are investigating the incident, which took place between 7 a.m. and 7:15 p.m.

One robbery case was laid to rest by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. In an announcement late last week, the office announced it arrested two teenagers  in connection with a robbery and attempted robbery in Sterling last month.

As we reported last week, Jordan McNally, 18, of Herndon, and an unidentified juvenile from Centreville were charged in connection with the incident.

LARCENIES:

2300 block of Bally Cairne Court, guitar from residence

1800 block of Fountain Drive, merchandise from business

11900 block of Freedom Drive, watch from vehicle

2500 block of John Milton Drive, merchandise from business

11700 block of Karbon Hill Court, bag from vehicle

1800 block of Oracle Way, copper wiring from building

13100 block of Parcher Avenue, beer from business

11200 block of Roger Bacon Drive, cash from business

11800 block of Spectrum Center, beer from business

STOLEN VEHICLES:

12000 block of Trossack Road, 1969 MG MP

Anyone with information about any of the crimes reported by FCPD should call 703-691-2131 or 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or text “TIP187” plus the message to CRIMES(274637).

Foodies can enjoy discounted prix fixe meals through Sunday, Jan. 28 during this year’s Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week.

More than 250 restaurants in the District, Maryland and Virginia are participating in the event, which kicked off on Monday.

In Reston, four eateries are also taking part. Restaurants will offer three-course lunch and brunch menus for $22 and a three-course dinner for $35. The annual event is sponsored by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.

Participating Reston restaurants include:

• McCormick & Schmick’s (11920 Democracy Drive)
• Morton’s The Steakhouse (11956 Market Street)
• The Melting Pot (11730 Plaza America Drive)
• Passion Fish (11960 Democracy Drive)

An attempt by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to charge for parking on Saturdays at the Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station was shot down by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors today.

The board unanimously voted to keep Saturday parking free at the 2,300-space, county-owned garage. Officials said parking charges would discourage Metro ridership on weekends, especially as the Silver Line extension project continues.

WMATA planned to charge a $2 fee for Metro users who park in the Metro garage or lot through a six-month pilot beginning Feb. 5. But because the county owns the garage, it must approved parking changes before they are instituted.

Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins said continuing free parking on Saturdays was necessary to continue to introduce people to the rail, noting that she did not object to charging for weekend parking at other stations.

“Typical economics would lead to charging for parking when usage is in high demand and supply is low, rather than the reverse,” officials wrote in a statement.

The $2 fee could have generated between $30,000 and $40,000 in revenue over the six-month pilot period, an estimate that does not include lost rail revenue driven by parking fees, according to county staff.

Although Saturday parking fee was rebuffed, the hours during which parking fees are collected will be extended. Beginning Feb. 5, charges for parking on weekdays will begin at 7:30 a.m. instead of 9:30 a.m. On Fridays, fees will continue through 2 a.m. instead of 1 a.m.

File photo.

Modernization of Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance Underway — Last year, the county launched a major initiative to update its 40-year-old zoning ordinance. The first community meeting on the project, “zMod,” is set for tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway). [Fairfax County Government]

Teenager Charged in Killing of Reston Couple Taken to Detention Center — The 17-year-old Lorton teenager charged with killing a Reston couple in late December and then turning the gun on himself has been transferred from the hospital to Fairfax County’s juvenile detention center. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Smoke Alarm Alerts Occupants to Herndon Townhouse Fire — Local firefighters contained a townhouse fire on the 2400 block of Corn Crib Court in Herndon on Sunday. Seven occupants in the house at the time of the fire safely evacuated the house. Damages are estimated at $50,000. [Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department]

Get your costume and a warm towel ready for the 11th annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip on Feb. 3 at Lake Anne Plaza.

Proceeds from the event will help send children with life-threatening illnesses and their families for a retreat in Casco, Maine. Camp Sunshine’s fundraising goal is $100,000 for this year, enough to send 40 families from the area to attend the camp.

The community event draws hundreds of spectators to Lake Anne Plaza to watch “dippers” take plunges into the lake in the middle of the winter.

Eight other Polar Dips will take place nationwide this year. The initiative was founded in 2008 by the Toth family of Oakton, whose daughter, Jennifer, battled cancer. She first attended Camp Sunshine in 1996.

The event in Reston will kick off at noon. The dip will begin at 2 p.m. Participants who raise at least $100 will receive an “I DID IT” event shirt.

For more information, visit the event website. Participants can register online.

File photo by Don Renner

A section giving guidance on how to control the impact of traffic-related noise in Reston’s Transit Station Areas was accidentally deleted from Reston’s Comprehensive Plan. At a meeting tomorrow, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider a plan to reinstate the language.

The county’s Planning Commission unanimously approved adding the language back in November. The update is merely editorial, as the language previously passed through the public hearing process and was adopted by the board.

“We couldn’t just say ‘oops’ and put it back… into the plan without going through the whole process again,” said Planning Commissioner Frank de la Fe.

Generally, the plan discourages new residential development in areas with projected highway noise exposure above 75 decibels.

But in Reston Station Areas near highways and Metrorail, new residential development could be appropriate if noise impacts go beyond 75 decibels, so long as specific noise mitigation methods are in effect.

The language requires a noise study during the development review process, as well as after the development is completed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of noise mitigation procedures. If noise impacts are above 75 DBA, disclosure statements detailing potential noise impacts are necessary.

Graphic via handout

Planning Commission Set to Vote on Renaissance Centro Plan — On Thursday, the body will consider the proposal to build 20-story condominiums at 1801 Old Reston Ave. A vote was deferred from last month as county staff and the developer continued to disagree over how to incorporate workforce housing in the project. [Fairfax County Government]

Contemplate Creativity at a Meditation Workshop Today at 7 p.m.— This workshop at Greater Reston Arts Center (12001 Market Street) will help attendees use the tool of contemplation to explore “truth, perspective and different realities,” according to its organizers. Its topic is inspired by Paulina Peavy’s work, which is currently on display at the center. Email [email protected] to register.

Parking Fees on Saturdays at Wiehle-Reston East Metro Station Up for Debate — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider a measure to continue free parking on Saturdays at the Metro station. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority plans to charge $2 for parking on Saturdays at all Metro Stations beginning Feb. 5.  The board meets tomorrow. [Fairfax County Government]

Flickr pool photo by Vantagehill