Nearby: Herndon Adds ‘Safe Trade’ Zone — The Herndon Police Department has established of a “Safe Trade Zone” for use by the public as a meeting place to complete online (i.e., craigslist or other bulletin board) transactions. Citizens can conduct transactions in the parking lot of the Herndon Police Headquarters (397 Herndon Parkway) or in the lobby of the police station.

Give A Buck In Honor Of Bob — The Reston Historic Trust has started a fundraising project. The group is encouraging Reston residents to honor founder Bob Simon, who died in September, by donating a $1 for every year you have lived in Reston. [Go Fund Me]

Thanksgiving Travel Up Nationwide, But Flat in DC Area — More than 47 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving 2015. However, AAA says he number of travelers from DC will stay about the same. [Washington Post]

Will More Lanes Ease I-66 Woes? — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday debated the county’s position on when VDOT should build a third eastbound lane between the Dulles Connector Road and Ballston. [WTOP]

Photo of Reston Town Center ice skating rink/Credit: The Avant via Facebook 

Heavy rain is expected to move into Northern Virginia before sunrise Thursday, so be ready for what could be a slow and soggy morning commute.

The same storm system sparked tornadoes in the central U.S. and a blizzard in Colorado should come through the D.C. area, forecasters say, bringing with it about 0.5-1.0 inches of rain, says The Capital Weather Gang.

Models say the heaviest rain will hit western Fairfax County around 4-7 a.m. and will fall east of I-95 from 7-10 a.m. There may be some thunder and a strong wind gust or two (up to 30-40 mph) as well.

So far, there are no flash flood watches, but Reston Now will keep you updated.

Fairfax County Police are investigating two burglaries that took place in the south part of Reston in the last week.

The first incident was in the 12000 block of Greywing Square on Nov. 12. A resident reported to police that someone entered the home and took property sometime between 12 and 9:30 p.m.

The second incident took place several blocks away in the 2300 block of Freetown Court on Nov. 17 at 10:30 p.m. A resident reported someone entered the residence and took property.

It is not known if the two burglaries are related.

In other news from Fairfax County Police’s Reston District Station:

LARCENIES

•  11700 block of Bayfield Court, items from vehicle
• 11900 block of Bowman Towne Drive, bicycle from residence
• 1600 block of Cedar Hollow Way, property from vehicle
• 11900 block of Freedom Drive, phone from residence
• 2200 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, bicycle from residence
• 2300 block of Hunters Woods Plaza, credit card from vehicle
• 9300 block of Juhasz Drive, cash from residence
• 11400 block of Links Drive, toys from vehicle
• 12000 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, wallet from residence
•  1100 block of Dranesville Road, jewelry from residence
•  11800 block of Saint Trinian Court, money from residence
• 12000 block of Sunrise Valley Drive, purse from residence
• 2300 block of Dakota Lakes Drive, laptop computer from vehicle
• 5800 block of Kingstowne Boulevard, merchandise from business
• 5800 block of Kingstowne Boulevard, purse from residence
• 11400 block of Ridge Heights Road, phone from residence

STOLEN VEHICLES

• 12900 block of Centre Park Circle, 2000 Honda Accord
• 2000 block of Royal Fern Court, 2014 Jeep

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors spent several hours discussing the definition of “dog tethering” on Tuesday before ultimately passing a new ordinance aimed at controlling the practice.

Is it considered “tethering” to tie your dog to the deck while you garden? How about to clip the pet to the groomer’s table or simply keep him from running away?

The Supervisors had been seeking a change to the Code of Virginia’s cruelty to animals provisions, which address the definitions and penalties for neglect, cruelty and abandonment of pets.

The Fairfax County rule now makes it illegal to tie a dog up outside for more than 60 minutes in a 24-hour period.

County officials previously said the dog-tethering proposal is modeled after the City of Richmond’s tethering ordinance, determined to be the best fit based on a survey of jurisdictions across Virginia. Several Virginia cities and counties have enacted tethering legislation, including cities of Fairfax and Alexandria and Arlington and Fauquier counties.

There was much discussion Tuesday about what it would mean if the dog was tied up for 61 minutes rather than the allotted 60.

“I never contemplated this would limit the amount of time you could walk your dog,” said Supervisor Michael Frey (Sully), a lifelong dog owner.

Frey added wording to the new code, which states the 60-minute limit “unless the dog is under direct supervision of his owner or a custodian.”

The motion, and the overall rule, passed.

The supervisors heard from about a dozen citizens and animal groups representatives in the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Gina Lynch of the Humane Society of Fairfax County called enacting the rule “a momentous accomplishment.”

“This will really send a message to those who would possibly abuse an animal — not today; not ever.”

County animal control officials said the ordinance is aimed at educating and stopping dog owners who would leave dogs tethered outside constantly. Tethering is bad for dogs and can cause them harm, such as in an accidental hanging or inability to defend themselves against other animals, the said.”

Not all animal advocates were in favor of the rule.

Alice Harrington of the Federation of Virginia Dog Clubs and Breeders, said “this assumes all tethering is bad, and this is not true.” She cited groomers and “dogs who are escape artists” as situations where tethering would help the pets.

“How do you cite someone for animal cruelty if there is no harm to the dog?” she said.

Said Frey: “This is not intended to solve every single problem that occurs with tethering but a section that will apply in unique circumstances, The bottom line: judgment is always going to be key in enforcing laws.”

Fines and penalties for violating the tethering provision:

• First violation — Class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $500.
• Second violation (whether or not involving the same dog) within one year of first violation — Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $1,000 and penalty of up to six months in jail.
• All subsequent violations within one year of first violation — Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by fine of up to $2,500 and penalty of up to one year in jail.

Photo: Petfinder

Get ready to run before you feast.

The Turkey Day 5K takes place early on Thanksgiving Day at South Lakes High School.

The race features something for all ages.

The full 5K starts at 8 a.m. There is a one-mile fun run/walk that starts at 8:50 a.m. And for the youngest participants, a 100-yard tot trot at 9 a.m.

The race starts and finishes on the track at the SLHS stadium. The course will be run on trails and paths near the school. Roads will not be affected.

Potomac River Running, organizers of the race, is partnering with One Warm Coat this holiday season. PR Races will be accepting clean, gently used coats at this year’s Turkey Day 5K. OWC will collect the coats on race day and get them to people who need them.

Online registration is $35 through Nov. 23. Online registration closes on Nov. 23 at 8 p.m. Race-day registration ($40) may be available, but organizers expect the race to sell out.

Kids’ fees are $25 for the 5K ($30 on race day); $20 for the fun run ($25 race day); and free (sign up at the race) for the tot trot.

Photo: Turkey Trot 2014/Credit: PR Races

Better wrap up that raucous party by 11 p.m. Under a new Fairfax County noise ordinance passed on Tuesday, you could face civil or criminal charges if the neighbors complain.

After more than a year of discussion, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday finally passed a new ordinance that gives guidelines on how noisy citizens (and their pets) can be before neighbors have a legitimate complaint.

“This may have been one of the most challenging things we have dealt with in the development process,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Sharon Bulova. “I thought we would never get to this point, with competing views and complaints all over the place.”

The new code replaces an interim code, which was adopted in 2013 after a Virginia Supreme Court ruling forced change to all noise codes.

At public hearings last spring, residents had concerns about acceptable noise levels and the methodology to measure them in new noise rules that cover everything from garbage collection to loudspeakers to lawn mowing. The Supervisors deferred decision until staff could better examine the methodology of measuring noise.

Supervisor Jeff McKay said Tuesday the new regulations will still have issues for trash collection, and that there is inconsistency among school loudspeaker systems.

“Not all not all [FCPS] schools get new PA systems,” he said. “Some of our schools are way closer to [homes] than other schools in the county. I hope the schools go down the path in making systems consistent and noise levels are controlled.”

Some of the new regulations include:

Making noise that can be plainly heard in another person’s home with the doors and windows closed between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, or between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and the day before a federal holiday.

Using dog parks Monday through Friday before 7 a.m. or after dusk or before 8 a.m. or after dusk on Saturday, Sunday or the day before a federal holiday.

Barking, howling, meowing, squawking or quacking animals between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. when it can be heard inside a home with its doors and windows closed, or if these sounds can be heard 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. for more than five minutes consecutively or non-consecutively during a 10-minute period.

Collecting trash or recycling within 100 yards of a residence between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The operation of leaf blowers is prohibited between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Noise from athletic fields is permitted between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, or between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or the day before a Federal holiday. However, loudspeaker use remains prohibited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Using a loudspeaker or amplifier between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

See a full list on Fairfax County’s website.

Violators of the ordinance can face both criminal and civil penalities. Criminal penalties for violation, a Class 2 misdemeanor, can be include jail time (up to six months) and/or a $1,000 fine. There can also be civil penalties of $250 (and $500 for subsequent offenses).

Some noises are excluded from regulation, including generators used in emergencies, snow removal, cars on the road, Metro trains and police or fire sirens. Citizens and businesses can also apply for temporary waivers.

New Branding For Washington Airports — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority unveiled a new logo and passenger pledge Tuesday as part of an effort to focus on enhancing customer service at Washington’s Reagan National and Dulles International airports. The new tagline “Your Journey Begins with Us” recognizes that an enjoyable travel experience begins when a passenger arrives at the airport. [MWAA]

Kudos For VDOT — The Virginia Department of Transportation has received a National Roadway Safety Award for road diets that created bike lanes on Soapstone Drive and Lawyer Road in Reston. [Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling]

Help Others This Thanksgiving — Reston Community Center’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit Cornerstones runs through Nov 23. There are more than a dozen drop-off points, including RCC at Lake Anne and Hunters Woods, Reston Association, the YMCA and various businesses. [Reston Community Center]

Reston Town Center ushers in the holiday season on Friday, Nov. 27 with its 25th annual parade, tree lighting, and fun for the whole family.

Here is what you need to know:

The parade, with Macy’s-style balloons, marching bands, dancers, the Washington Nationals’ Racing Presidents, and Santa and Mrs. Claus, kicks off at 11 a.m. on Market Street. The parade will happen rain or shine.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Susan Ungerer, founder of nonprofit Kids R First, which helps outfit thousands of needy kids with school supplies each year.

The Junior Grand Marshal is Joseph Dagbe, an eighth-grader at Langston Hughes Middle School. Dagbe, selected by LHMS principal Aimee Monticchio, is a straight A student and a member of the basketball club.

Masters of Ceremonies are NBC Washington anchor Angie Goff and chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer. They will announce the Reston Holiday Parade from podiums at two locations on Market Street, opposite the VIP grandstands at Fountain Square and Library Street.

After the parade, the celebrations continue. Santa and Mrs. Claus will stay for visits and photos and a mini-train will be offering rides on Market Street until 4:30 p.m.

Any donation for a 5 x 7 photo will benefit South Lakes High School Chorus.

The Clauses will return at 6:00 p.m. for the Tree Lighting in Fountain Square, which is followed by a half-hour Christmas sing-along.

Horse-drawn carriage rides begin at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit local charities. Departure point is in front of Talbots on Market Street. $5 per person; children 5 and under ride free with adult.

Prior to the parade, the kids’ Gingerbread Man Mile will take place. Visit PR Races for registration and more information.

Reston has a new co-working space that features more than 40,000 square feet for collaboration and innovation.

MakeOffices — the company formerly called UberOffices — opened it’s fifth D.C.-area location recently at 12110 Sunset Hills Road.

The new location takes up the sixth floor of JBG Companies’ RTC West, which will soon add a variety of restaurants and other mixed-use amenities to the ground floor of the complex.

MakeOffices is also in walking distance of Reston Town Center and the future Reston Town Center Silver Line Metro station.

The Reston location will hold an open house Wednesday at 5 p.m. featuring food from American Tap Room, as well as beer and wine.

“We are very excited to open our Reston Town Center location,” said MakeOffices founder Raymond Rahbar. MakeOffices also has locations in Tysons Corner, Rosslyn, Bethesda and Dupont Circle.

“Reston was the natural next step in our DC area expansion, given the growth in businesses and startup activity in the area, as well as the lack of affordable, flexible options to serve the Reston community. We are confident that startups and businesses large and small will appreciate our approach to co-working, and consider our offices to be the place where productivity meets collaboration,” said Rahbar.

Rahbar says the company, founded in 2013, is rebranding with the new name in order to have an new identity as the company grows. It has plans to open spaces in Philadelphia and Chicago soon.

Some of the features at MakeOffices Reston:

• 112 private offices
• 50 open desks
• 9 conference rooms
• soundproof studio space
• 12 private call rooms
• 10 huddle booths

Perks include massage chairs; free coffee, tea, water, wine and beer (from Vienna’s Caboose Brewing Co.); a large kitchen/eating space; wellness room for nursing mothers; and great views of the Reston Town Center.

There are a variety of monthly rates that begin at $300 for desk space. For more information and prices, visit MakeOffice’s website.

Editor’s note: MakeOffices is a Local News Now advertiser.  

Northern Virginia’s snow removal budget has increased by $20 million for this winter. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will likely need the money as it spent more than double its allotted amount last winter.

VDOT has $70.7 million for snow removal and road maintenance for 2015-16. Last winter’s budget for Northern Virginia was about $50.5 million and $128.5 million was spent, VDOT officials said last week.

The region’s snow budget is part of VDOT’s statewide maintenance budget of approximately $1.5 billion.

“Each year, we strive to improve our winter operations both on the road and behind the scenes,” Branco Vlacich, VDOT’s maintenance engineer for Northern Virginia, said at the agency’s annual snow briefing last week.

Vlacich said high-tech tools, such as a real-time map on VDOT’s website that shows the progress of plows, continue to be a good resource for citizens. This will be VDOT’s third winter with the map.

“Over two years, we’ve seen hits to the site increase while customer calls decrease, as residents check road conditions, locations of our trucks and the progress of our crews,” Vlacich said.

When it snows more than two inches, residents can enter their address at www.vdotplows.org to see whether plowing is underway, completed or not yet started in their neighborhood. They can also track the location of plows in relationship to their house. The site is refreshed every five minutes.

VDOT is responsible for 17,737 miles of road in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties (Arlington County maintains its own secondary roads). About half of those miles are highways or high-volume routes, and half are neighborhood streets. During winter weather in northern Virginia, crews remove snow on both networks concurrently.

In Reston, main roads such as Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston Parkway, Sunset Hills Road, Lawyer Road, Fairfax County Parkway and Glade Drive are VDOT-plowed roads. Most neighborhoods, especially clusters, have private snowplowing contracts. Reston Association is not in charge of plowing Reston roads, though it does plow the 55 miles of paths, and will team with Fairfax County to plow several county-owned paths that will improve pedestrian access this winter.

VDOT is not responsible for sidewalks, even on VDOT-plowed roads, which continues to be a source of discussion and frustration among Reston residents each winter.

VDOT will have more than 3,500 contracted trucks and plows on the available this winter. Special equipment for some trucks will include a jet-powered snow melter for Park-n-Ride lots where snow piles can block spaces; seven high-pressure flush trucks clear snow and ice around the bollards separating the I-495 Express Lanes and regular lanes; two front loaders with 20-foot blades plow interstates during severe storms; speed-activated anti-icing equipment puts the right amount of material on the road.

VDOT file photo

Staying Safe Here In Fairfax — In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, most cities and other municipalities, even in the United States, are increasing security. Fairfax County officials are reminding residents to remain aware and speak up if they see anything suspicious. [Fairfax County]

Speeding Up Development Applications — Fairfax County has streamlined the process — mostly by eliminating paperwork and taking the initial steps online — for development and rezoning applications. [Fairfax County]

Ethics Day Still Needs Help — The Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce’s annual Ethics Day with South Lakes High School seniors is Nov. 24. Volunteers to facilitate small-group discussions are still needed (and training will be provided on Nov. 18). [Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce]

Who is ready for a little bicycling before feasting?

Reston Association is organizing its annual Thanksgiving Day Bike Ride. Want to take part? Here is what you need to know.

Ride starts Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Day) at 9 a.m.

The main ride meets up at at South Lakes Village Center, 11120 South Lakes Drive at 8:30 a.m. RA also encourages you to organize your own group of riders leaving from your neighborhood.

All rides converge at Starbucks at Reston Town Center.

Contact [email protected] or call 703-966-6182 for more information and to connect with a ride coordinator in your neighborhood.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will revisit three ordinances that have been discussed for much of 2015.

The county is seeking to enact new rules on noise, tethering of pets and clothing collection boxes.

On the noise ordinance, residents had concerns at public hearings last May and June about acceptable noise levels and the methodology to measure them in new noise rules that cover everything from garbage collection to loudspeakers to lawn mowing. See the entire proposal on this chart from the county.

Some of the revisions since last spring:

County staff revised the “impulse sound” definition to include the duration of the sound and the measurement methodology.

Revised the daytime plainly audible standard for animal noise by extending the amount of time the sound can be heard in any 10-minute period from two minutes to five minutes.

Distinguished between daytime and night time maximum sound levels in mixed-use areas by lowering the maximum allowable night time sound levels from 65 to 60 dBA and lowering the maximum night time impulse sound levels from 100 to 80 dBA.

Revised the provisions for the use of loudspeakers in conjunction with activities on recreational grounds. After much discussion, the county said that noise from high school athletic events will follow the same ordinance as the county in general: that all mounted loudspeakers would be prohibited at night (from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.)

Criminal penalties for violation, a Class 2 misdemeanor, can be include jail time (up to six months) and/or a $1,000 fine. There can also be civil penalties of $250 (and $500 for subsequent offenses).

Citizens can apply for waivers to the ordinance.

The drop-off box issue was discussed by the supervisors in June, but voting was deferred in order to give staff time to respond to questions.

The proposed amendment provides standards (i.e., location, number) for the boxes, which are commonly used by charities to collect clothing for needy families.

Finally, the dog tethering public hearing, originally scheduled for Oct. 20, was deferred until this week.

At issue: How long is too long to keep a dog tied up in a yard? This proposed amendment adopts a one cumulative hour tethering limit in a 24-
hour period. The provisions are incorporated into a cruelty to animals ordinance based on the current version of the cruelty to animals provisions in the Code of Virginia.

The public hearings on all three subjects begin after 3 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center. Sign up to speak in advance on the Fairfax County website.

Developer Bozzuto last week showed Reston residents updated plans to redevelop St. Johns Wood — currently 262 garden-style apartments — into two five-story buildings with 512 units, as well as 46 townhomes.

The meeting was for residents in the general North Point neighborhood. Current residents of St. Johns Wood will have an additional meeting of their own, Bozzuto reps said.

Here are some of the details:

The plan includes an additional traffic entrance/exit from the community located at Reston Parkway and Center Harbor Road. An exit on Center Harbor has been added to the current one at North Village Road.

Twelve percent of the units would be set aside for affordable housing, as required by law.

The townhomes will be located along Center Harbor Road. The two five-story buildings will be located along the north end of the 14-acre property.

The redevelopment had been planned for as many as 625 units in three buildings, but earlier input from Reston Association’s Design Review Board and Fairfax County led to Bozzuto downscaling the scope. RA has commented that the new design is more in keeping with the natural and already built environment of the neighborhood.

The plans have been submitted to the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning. There will be a planning commission review and Board of Supervisors vote, both with public hearings.

The developers expect the planning phase will take about two years and construction another two years.

About 40 residents were at the community meeting to voice some of their concerns.

Traffic. Bozutto said their traffic impact study showed minimal impact. However, residents said they are concerned there will be an increase in accidents and traffic congestion since the new exit lies opposite the entrance/exit of the Hampton Pointe Condominiums and a few hundred feet from the intersection of Reston Parkway/Center Harbor.

Schools. Aldrin Elementary School principal Shane Wolfe voiced concerns that the traffic is already a concern with keeping kids safe as they walk to and from school.

Mature Trees. Several speakers were concerned about the loss of large, mature trees that are in the middle of the property.

To see additional maps and renderings, see this presentation on Reston Association’s website.

An 11,000-square-foot house was destroyed by fire early Monday morning in Great Falls, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue investigators said.

Units responded to the fire 151 River Park Lane about 1 a.m.

When they arrived, firefighters encountered a large one-story home fully involved with fire. The home is located in a non-hydrant area of Great Falls, and fireighters called for additional tankers and resources. It took units several hours to bring the fire under control, fire officials said.

The six-bedroom, 8.5-bath home was for sale and not occupied. One firefighter was transported for a non-life threatening injury.

The home is a complete loss and the fire is under investigation.

Photo courtesy Fairfax County Fire and Rescue