Your barking dog may earn you a misdemeanor fine if a proposed noise amendment moves forward in Fairfax County.
The county will hold a series of public hearings this month to get community feedback on changes its noise ordinance. The county zoning department says the goal of the proposed noise ordinance is to “minimize nighttime noise and guarantee residents a certain level of quietness within their homes.”
The proposed new noise ordinance would replace both the existing Noise Ordinance (Chapter 108), which went into effect in December, and the existing Excessive Sound Generation in Residential Areas and Dwellings provisions (Article 6 of Chapter 5 of the County Code).
This may be good news to five homeowners on Longwoood Grove in Reston. The group recently filed an injunction against Reston Dogs and the Fairfax County Park Authority about excessive noise at the off-leash dog area at Baron Cameron Park.
Under the proposed new noise ordinance, “noise from animals that is plainly audible and discernible for more than 10 consecutive or nonconsecutive minutes in any 30 minute period (1) across property lines, (2) across residential unit partitions, or (3) a distance of 50 feet or more from the noise” may be a ticketable offense, if approved.
However, dog parks are considered “recreational grounds,” so barking dogs in a dog park would be permissible from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., a county spokesman says.
The new noise ordinance also has guidelines for trash collection, motor vehicle noise, band practice, construction equipment and lawn mowers, among other situations. See the full list of amendments. Misdemeanor fines are $500 for a first offense.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new nuisance ordinance in late 2013.
But the most recent ordinance deals mainly with loud parties. The proposed amendments break down noise by individual situations.
Regarding big, raucous parties, the county is also seeking feedback on adding language to its zoning ordinance concerning large group gatherings. The county would like to limit group assembly in a home to 49 people at a time, and limit large group gatherings to fewer than three times in a 40-day period. Read More
Saturday is Junior Golf Day at Reston National — Reston National Golf Course will host its annual Junior Golf Day Saturday, May 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. The free event will feature instructional clinics conducted by PGA professionals, contests and prizes, and “Golfzilla,” a 19-foot tall inflatable dinosaur. Golfers can also demo the latest Nike Golf clubs on Reston National’s driving range.
Multicultural Festival Needs Performers — The 2014 Reston Multicultural Festival is Sept. 27. The annual event is still in need of performers, so if you have a dance troupe, storytelling corps, music group or other appropriate entertainment act, applications are being accepted through May 16. [Reston Community Center]
Sneak Peek — Take a look at at plans for Innovation Center, the 1.65 million-square-foot mixed-use development planned for the Route 28 Metro Station, part of Phase 2 of the Silver Line. The plans go before the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors later this month. [Washington Post]
Vote Today — Voting for the Best Reston Business Awards continues. New polls up today will be Best New Business (9 a.m.), Best Pet Care (12 p.m.) and Best Burger (3 p.m.).
Is there an emerging black market for Reston Association pool memberships?
Over the weekend, RA staff noticed a posting on Craigslist.com offering pool passes for sale.
The poster said he owns a few homes in Reston and wants to recover the transfer fee of $260 he recently paid when closing on his most recent property.
“I’ve paid for the yearly fees already,” the poster writes. “A single or family pool pass set can be purchased if you email me with your contact info and your address. The Reston Association loophole allows renters with a valid lease … get a pass for the year of 2014. The term of the rental can be a day, or weekend or any time period. I am thinking $100 per adult. $75 rental and your $25 pass fee.”
Laura Kowalski, RA’s Deputy Director for Recreation, says there is no loophole and the passes are nontransferable. She said RA is investigating taking action against the would-be seller.
RA annual assessments are now $634 per household and pool passes are $25 ($10 for under 18) for each family member. RA also has non-member pool memberships available. Those prices vary, but generally range from $365 (individual member) to $625 (family pool and tennis).
Kowalski said that even with rising prices, RA has not seen potential scalpers very often.
RA’s heated pools at North Shore and Ridge Heights open for the season this Saturday. The rest will follow Memorial Day weekend.
Photo: Ridge Heights Pool/file photo
Residents who live in the Hunters Woods section of Reston have been notified about plans for a new cell phone tower that may be built on the edge of Hunters Woods Park.
The proposal is for a 115-foot monopole that would be located in the wooded area behind the soccer field at the park off of Reston Parkway. The equipment will be located in a fenced-in and secured shelter at the park, which is part of Reston Association.
The proposal comes from AT&T and Milestone Communications, a Reston firm that develops partnerships between cell phone companies and landowners (such as schools and towns) for tower locations.
There will be a public meeting on the subject at 7 p.m. on May 12 at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods.
Milestone has teamed with local entities many times over the last several years. There are several hundred existing cell phone poles on Fairfax County Public Schools land, including at South Lakes High School, Herndon Middle School, Madison High School and Carson Middle School, to name a few.
The proposal to put the pole on RA-owned land would have to go through RA’s Design Review Board., says Larry Butler, RA’s Parks and Recreation Director. It would also go through the Fairfax County Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
There have been two proposals in the past to build a tower on RA property, says Butler. One request was dropped by the carrier; the other was not approved by the DRB.
RA would benefit financially from the arrangement. The cell phone companies pay the landowners to lease the pole space. FCPS, for instance, has made more than $4 million from the arrangement over the last six years, FCPS officials said.
Milestone collects rent from the wireless carriers on its towers, 40 percent of which goes to FCPS. Schools receive $25,000 each time a tower is built, and then $5,000 from each wireless carrier that leases space on the tower.
Milestone says schools and parks are ideal locations for these towers because they often have existing structures, such as field light poles, in place. Many Milestone towers are disguised as trees, so lots of times they go unnoticed.
The alternative is putting them in more prominent places, he said, and pouring that money into a privately-owned property, instead of into the schools, Milestone CEO Len Forkas has said.
As citizens add more wireless devices to their collections, wireless traffic is expected to grow exponentially. Milestone estimates that data traffic in 2015 will be 56 times the volume it was in 2009. What’s more, the poles must be located close to the people (and the devices) they are serving.
FCPS has done studies on cell phones being located on school grounds and has determined the practice is safe.
To read more information on the potential Hunters Woods cell tower, visit HuntersWoodsWirelesspole.com.
Photo: Proposed cell phone pole/Credit: Milestone
Military, Police Team Up For Motorcycle Safety — May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, so Fairfax County Police partnered with military members at a training session last week at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. [Fairfax County Police]
McAuliffe On Virginia Business — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe was at Herndon’s Volkswagen of America headquarters on Friday highlighting his efforts to bring more international investment to the Commonwealth and diversify the economy. [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
Best Reston Business Voting Begins — Each day this week, Reston Now will have three posts featuring polls that are now open for voting in our Best Reston Business Awards. Vote today for Best Gym, Trainer or Fitness Business (posts at 9 a.m.), Best Outdoor Dining (12 p.m.) and Best Real Estate Agent (3 p.m.). These polls will be open through May 12.
Former Reston Association CEO Milton Matthews has been named the new President of the Columbia Association, the organization announced Friday.
Matthews has signed a two-year contract and will make a base salary of $200,000 and will be eligible for a bonus of up to 7.5 percent of his salary.
As part of his contract, Matthews will have to relocate to Columbia from Rockville, Md., where he currently resides. Matthews’ wife is Rockville’s city manager, which led to his decision to leave Reston, which also has a residency requirement.
“I have known for a long time that Columbia is a special place,” Matthews said in a statement. “Columbia Association has a reputation for providing quality, innovative and responsive services and programs, and I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of this exceptional organization. I look forward to working with the CA Board of Directors and the staff at CA and the 10 villages, and becoming involved with the Columbia community.”
Matthews will begin his job June 2. He replaced former CA President Phil Nelson, who served the last five years in the post. Nelson stepped down on April 30 after his contract was not renewed.
Matthews left his post with RA last May after an eight-year tenure. He was replaced by Cate Fulkerson, who was promoted from within RA.
Andy Stack, the chairman of CA’s Board of Directors said the similarities between RA and CA will help Matthews acclimate to the job. Similar to Reston Association, the Columbia Association is a $65 million mega-homeowner’s association that operates Columbia’s open space, outdoor pools, pathways and fitness facilities.
Matthews was a finalist for the CA job in 2009, when Nelson was hired.
More than six months after the Lakeside Inn closed its doors at Reston’s South Lakes Village Center, renovations for future tenant Red’s Table have finally begun.
Lakeside Inn left the space in October 2013 after 22 years as a popular, but slightly worn-around-the-edges, watering hole.
The space is currently being gutted, and Red’s Table owners Ryan, Pat and Matt Tracy have ambitious plans for their business.
The Tracy brothers, all of whom grew up in Reston, are planning an open space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Lake Thoreau. The closed-off bar area will be gone. The new restaurant will have an Aerican Regional Cuisine menu, an open kitchen and two outdoor patios, Ryan Tracy said.
“The place will look totally different than before,” Ryan Tracy said in a previous interview with Reston Now. “It will have a rustic feel, taking advantage of its space by the lake. I think it will be a huge hit. People can sit out on the lake and really enjoy it.”
Tracy say he is planning to open later in 2014.
The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has established Tobacco-Free Play Zones in the county parks. Coming this summer: signage that will notify the public of this new designation and thank residents for their voluntary cooperation.
The signs will request that park visitors refrain from tobacco use at skate parks, playgrounds and athletic fields. Partial funding for the signs is anticipated from the Live Healthy Fairfax initiative funded by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Transformation Grant, says the FCPA.
From the park authority:
In June 2011, the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax conducted a Community Health Status Assessment. That report found that 20 percent of Fairfax County residents listed tobacco use as the most important health-related issue for this community.
With that in mind, reducing tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke became a priority item for the county and this Park Authority program was initiated. This initiative is being implemented in coordination with the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax and the Fairfax County Health Department.
Smoking increases risk for disease, disability and death for smokers and those who are exposed to second-hand smoke throughout their life. Besides the apparent health benefits any reduction in second-hand smoke or primary tobacco-use provides, there are also benefits to the environment. The reduction of cigarette butt litter will improve the health of local streams, lakes and rivers into which they migrate. Cigarette butts contain carcinogenic materials that also pose a danger to wildlife which may ingest them.
FCPA parks in Reston include Baron Cameron Park and Lake Fairfax Park.
In 2013, the Reston Association Board of Directors voted to extend no-smoking zone near Reston facilities and to install signage encouraging people to consider quitting. There is no smoking within 50 feet of RA facilities such as bike paths, pools, tennis courts and and tot lots. The previous zone was 25 feet.
RA has said there is no way to police the ban, but hopes residents will comply out of respect for non-smoking neighbors.
Photo: Baron Cameron Park/File photo
More than 200 artists and artisans will line the streets of Reston Town Center May 16-18 as the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival returns for its 23rd year.
The festival benefits the Greater Reston Arts Center, which provides exhibits, outreach programs and programming for all ages here in Reston.
The festival is open Friday, May 16 from 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 17, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Rain or shine. Suggested donation for entry is $5. Children under 18 are free.
Some festival highlights:
Opening Night Party — Friday at 5 p.m. The upscale party in the pavilion will feature creative cuisine and cocktails, as well as a silent auction. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased online.
Wide Range of Works — The festival will feature paintings, sculpture, jewelry, furniture making, as well as other mediums. This is a juried show with artists from all over the country. Visit the festival website to see the full list of artists.
Volunteers Needed — The festival still could use your help. In return, you will get discounts at Reston Town Center restaurants and the opening night party. Find out more about what’s needed on the festival website.
Entertainment Abounds — There will be many performing acts, including the South Lakes High School band, jugglers, unicyclers, hoopers and face painters. Click here for the full schedule.
Children’s Fun — There will be art-based activities for kids, as well as a public art project for all ages.
For more festival info or to purchase advance admission, go to NorthernVirginiaFineArtsFestival.org.
Photo: Sculpture at 2012 Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival/File photo
Drinking Season Brings Increased Awareness — May has been designated as Parents Who Host, Lose the Most Month by the Fairfax County School Board and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in support of a countywide initiative that aims to reduce underage drinking as prom and graduation season approaches. [FCPS]
How Much Rain Fell Wednesday? — A lot. More than six inches in some Virginia spots. [WTOP]
Triathlon Still Needs Volunteers — The Be Amyazing YouthTriathon is May 11. The organizers could still use some volunteers. [Amy’s Amigos]
Shop For Prom and Save — The FCPS Prom Shop, operated by marketing students from Centreville High School and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall, opens its Prom Dress Shop Friday. The Prom Dress Shop is located on the upper level of Fair Oaks Mall in the former Champps Restaurant between the Corner Bakery and Texas de Brazil. Students from any area high school who are in need of a prom dress, and do not have the funds to purchase one, can come to the Prom Dress Shop. They must show a valid student ID, or other form of school identification in order to select a free dress. The shop is open limited hours through June 1. [FCPS]
The Pet Fiesta returns to Reston Town Center on Saturday, so grab Fluffy and Spot and head for the more than 100 booths offering pet supplies, pet services and pets for adoption.
This is the 10th annual event, and it recent years it has drawn more than 10,000 visitors. The fiesta runs from 10 a.m. to 4 pm. and admission is free. The event is organized by and some of the proceeds benefit GoodDogz.org, a nonprofit that supports rescue groups and other pet services.
Some of the highlights of the day:
The Tails on Trails Dog Walk, 10 a.m. — Take a walk with your dog for charity.
Dog House of Style Fashion Show, 12 p.m.
Pet Costume Contests — Enter your dog in the Best Dressed, Best Trick, Best Howl/Bark or Fastest Frosty Paw Treat Eating contests. They can win a doggie swag bag, and your $10 donation will help GoodDogz. 12:30 p.m. Sign up in advance here.
Kids activities such as balloon animals and face painting, all day.
File photo/2012 Pet Fiesta
South Lakes High School will induct eight new members into its Sports Hall of Fame.
The hall of fame was established in 2006 to honor those people whose contributions helped create and sustain Seahawk pride and sportsmanship, the school says.
The 2014 inductees include:
- Mike Dixon, Athlete
- Becky Hayter Slaight, Athlete
- Greg Long, Athlete
- Adam Orton, Athlete
- Marc Severin, Athlete
- Richard Smith, Athlete
- John Sullivan, Athlete
- Thomas Fleeter, M.D., Community Member
The Inductees will be honored at a banquet to be held at Hidden Creek Country Club on June 6 at 6 p.m.
The Induction Banquet is open to the public. Proceeds will go to the SLHS Hall of Fame Scholarship Program.
For ticket info, contacts: Irvin Greene, Chairperson 703/715-4548, [email protected] or Elizabeth Knapp, Co-Chairperson, 703/715-4500, [email protected].
Visit South Lakes’ Athletics website to see the hall of fame’s full membership list.
The Silver Line received final approval Thursday of nearly $1.9 billion in Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans, paving the way for Phase 2 of the rail project to be built with a lower impact to Dulles Toll Road users.
This will be the largest loan in the TIFIA program’s history, said members of the Virginia congressional delegation.
“Today’s final approval of the TIFIA loan is great news for the future economic growth of Northern Virginia,” Senator Mark Warner (D) said in a statement. “Our bipartisan congressional delegation has been unified in pushing to get this critical piece of financing, which will provide welcome and meaningful relief for commuters using the Dulles Toll Road. This is a huge step forward for a project that has been decades in the making.”
The loan is expected to close in the coming weeks. TIFIA is a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation that provides federal credit assistance to finance major surface transportation projects of national and regional significance.
Construction of Phase 2, which will run from Reston’s Wiehle Avenue to Reston Parkway, Herndon, Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County, should begin later this year.
Phase 1 of the $5.6 billion project will likely open this summer. Construction on Phase 1 has been deemed complete. MWAA and Metro are conducting final testing, but no opening date has been set. Phase 1 is currently running about seven months behind schedule.
While Phase 1 of the rail line received $900 million in federal funding, Phase 2 received none, and many observers predicted a large spike in tolls to make up the difference. Tolls have risen the last three years, but now will remain frozen for five years, MWAA officials said. Phase 2 will also receive $300 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
In a statement, MWAA called the loan approval “a victory for users of the Dulles Toll Road, whose toll payments help fund construction of the Silver Line extension of the Washington region’s Metrorail public transit system.”
“The Airports Authority’s objective has always been to keep tolls on the Dulles Toll Road as low as possible, and the TIFIA loan is a major factor in meeting that objective. Thanks to the favorable interest rates the loan provides, as well as $300 million committed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Airports Authority will be able to hold tolls at current levels through 2018 and to limit future toll increases.”
Phase 2 is expected to begin operations in 2018.
Photo: MWAA/File photo
Hunters Woods Village Center management rearranged the parking lot and gave the shopping plaza a cosmetic facelift about a year ago. But a deeper problem remains: the perception that the center is not a safe place.
There have been recent complaints of panhandling and other nuisance, but not necessarily criminal, activity at Hunters Woods, Fairfax County Police said. This spring, residents of the Hunters Woods Condo Association, which borders the plaza’s Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, say they have noticed a new neighbor — one who lives in a tent in back of the church.
The tent was a subject of a recent condo association meeting. It is sure to come up again on May 7 and 10, when police and representatives from Reston Community Center, Cornerstones and FCPD will meet with the community to talk about what’s being done to improve safety at Hunters Woods.
Katy DeFoe, crime prevention specialist for FCPD’s Reston District Station, say community leaders have been meeting for about a year to discuss — and make changes at — Hunters Woods.
“I hear from the community ‘I don’t want to go to Hunters Woods. There are people hanging out there,’ ” says DeFoe. “But the stories I hear are not backed up by [crime in the] police reports.”
The police did not have updated crime stats for Hunters Woods available.
DeFoe says several plans have been implemented to work on improving safety (or the perception of safety) at Hunters Woods.
Among them:
- Making sure the community knows who to call when they see criminal activity or they are being bothered by someone.
- Adding visible police presence.
- Improving lighting on the Reston Association paths near the village center. RA will pay for this.
- Improving visibility on the plaza between RCC, the church and the retail shops. This area formerly had tall bushes where people could congregate or hide. Vegetation is now lower and sparser.
Fifty Years of Reston — If you missed Monday’s Symposium “Reston at 50: Looking Back at Forward Thinking,” here is a recap from co-sponsor George Mason University. [GMU]
MWAA’s Nowakowski to Long Island — Pat Nowakowski, who announced several weeks ago he was leaving his post as head of the Silver Line project, will be new president of the Long Island Railroad. [Washington Post]
Golden Parachute — How much did former Leidos COO walk away with when he left his post? Plenty. [Washington Business Journal]
FCPS Will Have to Revisit Its Budget — How is the school system going to make up the $17 million gap between what they asked for from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and what they got? [Fairfax Times]
New at GRACE — Incubator exhibition will be on display until July 5. [Reston Connection]
Photo courtesy of Reston Town Center via Facebook
