Updated at 4:05 p.m. — A Coastal Flood Advisory issued for parts of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, will now take effect at midnight, earlier than initially anticipated, the National Weather Service says.
Earlier: It’s going to be a cold and rainy weekend in Fairfax County, thanks to Tropical Storm Ophelia.
Tracking to make landfall in North Carolina today (Friday), the storm is expected to reach Northern Virginia tonight with “heavy rain, high winds, and cool temperatures” continuing into Sunday (Sept. 24) morning, according to the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management.
“Locally, [the National Weather Service] expects 2-4 inches of rain throughout the weekend,” the county said in a post on its emergency information blog. “Since the precipitation will be spread across the weekend, flooding is not a major concern but could cause some localized flooding issues. Wind speeds will gradually increase, peaking around 40 mph on Saturday.”
The storm has already affected some major events, prompting cancellations of the popular Reston Multicultural Festival, the inaugural Fairfax Fiesta in Tysons and a kick-off for National Public Lands Day in Annandale. Other events, like Fairfax City’s Fiesta Fairfax, have been relocated indoors.
@NWS_baltwash predicts heavy rain and high winds this weekend in our county and the Northern Virginia region.
Here’s a list of who to contact if you see a downed tree or wires: https://t.co/i7SQlNMz9f
If there’s an immediate life-safety issue, call or text 9-1-1. pic.twitter.com/TgPlyN72nC
— Fairfax County Government
(@fairfaxcounty) September 22, 2023
The NWS has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory and a Wind Advisory for much of the D.C. area, including Fairfax County.
The flood advisory will be in effect from noon tomorrow (Saturday) to 5 a.m. Sunday:
* WHAT…Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in low lying areas due to tidal flooding.
* WHERE…Fairfax, Stafford and Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park Counties.
* WHEN…From noon Saturday to 5 AM EDT Sunday, especially around the time of high tide.
* IMPACTS…Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Tides one and a half to two feet above normal. The worst flooding will occur with the Saturday afternoon and Saturday night high tides.
The Wind Advisory will take effect at 8 a.m. tomorrow and last until 8 p.m., warning that northeast winds could reach 20 to 30 mph with up to 45-mph gusts. The NWS notes that the “gusty winds” could blow around objects and result in power outages. Read More
Qualtrics, a technology and data research company, has officially opened its doors in Reston.
The company, which provides artifical intelligence-driven software to assist businesses with customer and employee “experience management,” is adding an office to “serve as a hub for AI innovation and public sector growth,” according to a press release.
The office will take up more than 52,000 square feet across two full floors in Reston Station.
“Our expansion in Reston marks a significant milestone in Qualtrics’ growth and commitment to innovation, particularly artificial intelligence and machine learning,” Qualtrics CEO Zig Serafin said.
The office design is based on the Capital Beltway with walking paths around each floor that mimic the highway, according to the company. The office also includes the Blues Cafe, a 40-seat work area that was inspired by D.C.’s historic jazz scene.
The Reston office marks an expansion for the company, which acquired Reston-based Clarabridge in 2021. Started in 2005, Clarabridge provides similar AI-powered text and speech analytics software.
“The opening of Qualtrics’ world-class East Coast office reinforces that Virginia’s tech sector is booming,” Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in the press release. “This new hub in Reston Station will allow Qualtrics to continue to capitalize on the Commonwealth’s pipeline of top talent.”
The company’s cloud-native software is used by more than 600 state, provincial and local government organizations. Its headquarters are in Seattle, Washington, and Provo, Utah, but it has offices around the world.
Fairfax County is considering a pilot program to support more murals in its commercial revitalization areas.
The pilot program, called Paint It! Fairfax, was introduced at a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors economic initiatives committee meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 19).
If approved, the program would allocate $400,000 to complete at least two murals in the county’s Commercial Revitalization Districts (CRD) and Commercial Revitalization areas (CRA).
Richmond Highway would receive $85,000, with the rest spread out between the other CRDs and CRAs in Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners, Lake Anne, Lincolnia, McLean, Merrifield and Springfield, according to Jenee Padmore, a planner with the Department of Planning and Development’s Office of Community Revitalization.
Murals would remain on the property for at least five years, and artists would agree to repair the mural if it’s defaced or vandalized for a minimum of five years.
The program would begin with site identification and an agreement with the property owner, followed by calls for submission. The artist and committee would then work to finalize a concept to be presented to the community for input, followed by approval from the program director.
A Site and Artist Selection Committee would manage the program.
Elizabeth Hagg, deputy director of the community revitalization office, said that the program was developed at the board’s direction.
“If the board should confirm that this proposal is on target, our intention would be to come back to the board to seek funding through the economic reserve fund,” Hagg told the committee.
Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity encouraged staff to leverage students and community members to create and design the murals.
Overall, the board said they were supportive of the program. Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, for example, noted that the addition of a mural at The Boro in Tysons is a significant asset. Some developers choose to install murals without specific direction from the county.
“I’m just in awe of it every single time. And I’ve looked at it so many different times,” Lusk said.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik encouraged staff to consider adjusting the program timeline so that community input was prioritized earlier in the process.
“My big concern about this is the order,” she said.
Another fast food option will soon be open in Great Falls.
Jersey Mike’s Subs is slated to open in at Seneca Corner (1024 Seneca Road) tomorrow (Sept. 23). The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
The opening will kick off with a day of giving in support of Lowes Island Elementary School. All sales on opening day will be donated, according to the company.
Franchise owner Chris Brown said he wanted to support students and start the school year off on a strong note.
“Jersey Mike’s has maintained community involvement as its core value since the very beginning, and it is in that spirit that we’ve decided to donate all opening day sales, not just profit, to Lowe’s Island Elementary School,” Brown said. “We couldn’t think of a better way to announce to the community that we are here, and we want to help, all the while serving up the best submarine sandwiches.”
Items on the menu include cold and hot subs, with options like ham and provolone and California chicken cheese steak.
Jersey Mike’s has more than 2,500 locations across the country.
The sub shop will join CVS and Domino’s Pizza at Seneca Corner. A Five Guys is also slated to open in the newly constructed shopping center sometime this year.
Early Voting Begins in Fairfax County — Three locations will open for early voting, starting with the Fairfax County Government Center at 8 a.m., and more will follow on Oct. 26. The Nov. 7 general election ballot includes all local and state races, along with a $435 million school bond referendum. [Fairfax County Government]
Coastal Flood Watch Issued for Saturday — “A Coastal Flood Watch is effective late Saturday night. The worst flooding will be with the Saturday afternoon and evening high tides. Turn around, don’t drown. More than half of all flooding deaths occur in vehicles!” [Ready Fairfax/Twitter]
Plan for Housing at Former Topgolf Site Revived — The Fairfax County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Wednesday (Sept. 27) on a proposal that would allow 174 residential units on the Kingstowne property, which now hosts a Rudy’s golf facility. EYA’s project has been scaled back after previous plans that included retail and more housing got shelved in response to “community concerns.” [Washington Business Journal]
Hunter Mill School Board Candidate Faces Lawsuit — “In the middle of a contentious election year, Fairfax County School Board candidate Harry Jackson is facing a lawsuit from a fellow Republican parent who wants him out of the race. Stacy Langton filed an $850,000 defamation lawsuit against Jackson over a fake Twitter account” that she says he created after she expressed opposition to his candidacy. [WUSA9]
Potential Federal Goverment Shutdown Looms — “More than 3.5 million federal employees and military personnel — many in the Washington, D.C., area but also scattered across the states and around the globe — are bracing for another partial government shutdown.” Congress must pass at least a short-term budget bill by midnight on Sept. 30 to avoid a funding gap that could affect over 140,000 federal workers in Virginia. [Virginia Mercury]
Metro Expands Lost and Found Accommodations — “Metro this week announced it will now keep a wider list of lost items left behind on trains, buses, at stations, and other Metro facilities. The new policy updates changes made due to pandemic-related budget constraints in 2021 that restricted Metro’s lost and found storage to wallets and electronics such as phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras only” [Inside NoVA]
County Rec Centers Will Be Free for a Day — “On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers will be opening their doors to everyone for free…Enjoy free Rec Center admission all day, but visit between 4 and 7 p.m. to participate in special programming and fun events.” [FCPA]
Restored Gunston Hall Gardens Set to Open — “Gunston Hall’s fully restored, 18th century Riverside Garden — scheduled to open to the public Sept. 29 — may have taken just four years to construct and grow, but it took four decades to fully realize…Other construction projects are also in the works at the historic property.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Friday — Expect partly sunny skies during the day with a high near 74°F. At night, rain is likely after 2 am, and the weather will be cloudy, with temperatures dipping toward 60°F. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts could range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. [Weather.gov]
The Reston Multicultural Festival — which was set for this Saturday (Sept. 23) at Reston Town Center — has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
The annual festival, which is organized by Reston Community Center, will not be rescheduled. With a tropical storm projected to make landfall in the mid-Atlantic, high winds, cool temperatures and heavy rain are expected from around 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday morning.
“With artists, vendors, community organizations, and event staff and volunteers coming from various areas affected by this tropical storm, organizers do not want to put people at risk of injury in trying to reach or attend the festival,” RCC said in a statement. “People are urged to stay off the roads on Saturday. This annual event is cherished by the community, and event planners appreciate everyone’s understanding that people’s safety is their highest priority.”
RCC said it was thankful to Reston Town Center Association and host BXP for their help in coordinating the event. Reston Association also provided support.
This year would have been the organization’s largest festival to date, with additional performance stages and strategic partnerships with national organizations.
“The partnership among these civic, nonprofit and business organizations allowed for the most ambitious Reston Multicultural Festival plan ever. All partners are looking forward to 2024 and doing it again under sunnier skies,” the organization wrote.
A Darden and Friends concert will still take place as scheduled at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Friday) in the Pavilion at Reston Town Center, according to RCC.
Herndon’s business community expressed overall levels of satisfaction with the town in a recent survey, but some say they want the town to focus more on expanding support for businesses.
Presented at a Herndon Town Council work session on Tuesday (Sept. 19), the results were gathered from a business survey by Priority Metrics Group (PMG), which included 155 respondents, the average of which has been in the town for 17 years.
At the work session, council members emphasized the need for the town to more actively support businesses and expand town events that draw customers — two themes of improvement from the survey.
“They want a more business-friendly government,” Councilmember Donielle Scherff said. “We’ve talked a bit about customer service-centric leadership and staff, and this just sort of buttresses into that.”
Most respondents say they chose Herndon because of its location.
“They like being here. There are amenities and attributes that are here that they like,” said John Barrett, owner of PMG.
Overall, sentiments about the town’s general business environment dipped only slightly since the last survey was conducted in 2018.
Business owners said they were drawn by the access to airports — which expanded last year with the opening of Metro’s Silver Line extension — as well as the overall quality of life and the image of the town. Top concerns included licensing, taxation, regulations, crime rates, traffic and the quality of new development.
Many business owners said they wanted to see more special events in the town — a move that Councilmember Cesar del Aguila said emphasizes the need for the council to focus extra attention on event development.
“What I’m hearing here solidifies my personal belief that we’re on the right track,” del Aguila said, noting a need to focus on branding for the town. He said it was “painful” to hear that some business owners did not feel noticed by the local government.
So far, use of the Mason Enterprise Center — a business accelerator program from George Mason University that launched earlier this year — appears limited, according to the survey. A little over 80% of respondents said they had not heard about the center.
Most respondents — 77% of businesses — said the Metro Silver Line has had no impact or a neutral impact on their businesses.
PMG also recently completed a survey of town residents, who flagged traffic as a top concern.
Photo via Google Maps
The Fairfax County Courthouse will soon lend a helping hand to visitors intimidated by the prospect of navigating the legal system on their own.
The county’s new Self Help Resource Center will officially open at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 with a kick-off event in the courthouse law library (4110 Chain Bridge Road, Room 115), the Fairfax Bar Association recently announced.
Supported by $96,000 in county funds, the center will offer free legal assistance and resources to anyone who has to deal with the court, particularly those who are representing themselves either by choice or because they’re unable to hire a lawyer.
“Access to justice for self-represented litigants is a significant issue facing the legal community today,” the Fairfax Bar Association said in a press release. “…Barriers faced by self-represented litigants include cultural and language barriers, procedural hurdles, and general difficulty navigating the court process and understanding legal terminology, from what forms to file, to where and when to appear, and what to say in court.”
The association says it began exploring the possibility of opening a self-help center after the Virginia Access to Justice Commission approved the creation of a pilot program on Dec. 9, 2021.
Created by the Virginia Supreme Court in 2013, the commission found in a 2019 report that the volume of cases where a litigant is representing themselves is high and may be increasing, reflecting general economic challenges and increased online media access.
Surveys of judges and clerks indicated that individuals representing themselves appear to often be low-income and have limited education, according to the report. Judges stated that people generally opted for that approach “because they cannot afford to hire an attorney and cannot obtain representation from legal aid.”
Among other ways to make the court system more transparent and accessible, such as the launch of a self-help website, the report recommended initiating self-help centers staffed by pro bono attorneys or qualified non-attorneys who can provide information about the legal process and court policies and procedures.
Fairfax County’s Self Help Center will be the first one to open in Virginia, according to the office of Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, who was a top advocate for the facility as chair of the Board of Supervisors’ public safety committee.
Here’s more on the new center from the bar association:
The Fairfax Bar Association in partnership with the Fairfax County Courts, Fairfax Law Library, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, Office of the Fairfax Public Defender, Office of the Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, particularly the Office of Supervisor Rodney L. Lusk, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, and law firms in Fairfax County collaborated in the creation of a self- help resource center located in the Law Library in the Fairfax County Courthouse Complex.
The Center will be open to the public and available for all individuals who are interacting with the judicial system as litigants, prospective litigants, witnesses, or who simply have business with the court. The Center will serve the large number of self-represented individuals, and would assist them in navigating the court process, providing legal information and forms to allow them to represent themselves in a meaningful way. The Center will serve as an alternative option for those who are unable to afford legal services and for whom pro bono help is not available. The types of assistance provided include the provision of legal information, referrals, forms, and resource materials on topics related to various court matters.
Wiseguy is set to open in Herndon this fall (courtesy Thompson Hospitality)
Wiseguy Pizza is slated to replace Herndon’s Big Buns Damn Good Burgers.
Big Buns closed its location at 1142 Elden Street on Sept. 4 — less than a year after opening in late 2022.
Both restaurants are brands of Thompson Hospitality.
Thompson Hospitality Chief Operating Officer Alex Berentzen says the company chose to pivot to Wiseguy Pizza because of the location’s proximity to another Big Buns five miles away at Reston Station. There is also a Big Buns close to Chantilly in the Franklin Farm Village Center.
“This strategic move aligns with our commitment to expanding our dynamic portfolio throughout the DMV region,” Berentzen wrote in a statement. “Additionally, this particular location is ideally suited for Wiseguy Pizza, as their performance excels in venues with limited seating and grab-and-go capabilities.”
Wiseguy is expected to open in the fall. The restaurant serves cheese, pepperoni and specialty pizzas, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
This will be Wiseguy Pizza’s first location in the Fairfax County area. Started in 2012 by a Turkish immigrant who sought to bring a New York City-style pizzeria to D.C., the business can currently be found in the District and Arlington. It will arrive in Maryland this month with a stall in the Wheaton Mall food court.
Gallows Road Study Identifies Safety, Traffic Issues — “The Gallows Road Multimodal Study is exploring ways to make the seven-mile corridor safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users, while reducing traffic congestion…FCDOT found most of Gallows Road is uncomfortable for pedestrians, due to the large number of lanes, the 35 mph speed limit, and narrow buffers between the sidewalk and roadway.” [Annandale Today]
D.C. Area Healthcare Workers Authorize Strike — “Some 3,800 union healthcare workers in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., are threatening to go on strike at the end of this month if the leadership at Kaiser Permanente and the union cannot agree to a new contract addressing staffing shortages and low pay for workers.” The company’s facilities include medical centers in Fair Oaks and Burke. [Maryland Matters]
Inova Adds Urgent Care Center in Lorton — “A new urgent care center jointly operated by Inova Health System and GoHealth Urgent Care opened Sept. 18 at Lorton Marketplace…Inova-GoHealth Urgent Care will provide treatment by Inova clinicians for common, non-life-threatening health concerns in adults and children ages six months and up.” [On the MoVe]
FCPS Gets Extension for Special Education Services — “Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia has received an extension to finalize meetings with families of students who may be eligible for extra help in the aftermath of the pandemic…Superintendent Michelle Reid said the county has already held meetings about eligibility for 30,656 students, or 96.7%, and expects to be finished by next month.” [WTOP]
Vienna Town Council Candidate Drops Out — “An already competitive Vienna Town Council race has gotten more interesting in recent days, as candidate Elizabeth Korondy dropped out of contention and the Vienna Transportation Safety Commission (TSC) chairman decided to seek a Council seat via a write-in campaign.” [Gazette Leader]
Fairfax Corner Celebrates 20 Years — The shopping center is marking its 20th anniversary with a social media contest for a $100 gift card to one of its retailers or restaurants. “To enter, like this post and comment one of your favorite Fairfax Corner memories with us! One winner will be randomly selected by Monday, September 25” [Fairfax Corner/Instagram]
Chili Cook-Off Coming to Tysons — “The Boro…is excited to host Cushman & Wakefield’s annual chili cook-off! This year’s competition benefits the Boulder Crest Foundation and will feature 15 to 20 teams vying for the grand prize. Cushman & Wakefield employees will judge the competition. All are welcome to stop by and enjoy” [Tysons Today]
Acorns Wanted by Virginia Forestry Department — “As it does every autumn, the Virginia Department of Forestry is encouraging Virginians to help collect acorns and nuts to be planted at its Augusta Nursery.” Fairfax County residents can drop off donations at the department’s Northern Virginia office in the Herrity Building (12055 Government Center Parkway). [Gazette Leader]
It’s Thursday — The weather forecast for Thursday is mostly sunny with temperatures reaching around 79°F, accompanied by a gentle north wind at 6 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with lows near 59°F, and a 6 mph northeast wind. [Weather.gov]
Reston Row will soon welcome two new restaurants: Noku Sushi, a Virginia-based fast casual sushi and ramen restaurant, and Tous les Jours, a bakery chain.
Both businesses will take up ground-level space at 1800 Reston Row Plaza, the first of two office towers under construction.
The Reston location is the second for Noku, which originates in Leesburg. Founded in 2004, Tous les Jours has locations across the country, including in Annandale, Chantilly and Sterling.
“We are thrilled to welcome Noku and Tous les Jour to the Reston Row neighborhood,” said Timothy Steffan, chief operating officer for developer Comstock. “They join the growing list of best-in-class dining options at Reston Station, which already includes Founding Farmers, Ebbitt House, and so many more. These iconic restaurants, along with a wide range of on-site amenities and local conveniences, have made Reston Station one of the most sought-after destinations in Northern Virginia for office tenants, residents, and consumers alike.”
Other tenants in the development include VIDA Sport & Fitness facility, which is set to open next year. Ebbitt House and Puttshack will open in adjacent buildings.
Proposals for several major land use changes in Reston’s transit areas are now moving forward.
The move comes after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an overhaul of Reston’s comprehensive plan last week.
The Reston-related applications submitted via the countywide Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process were set aside in the spring as work on the plan continued.
Leanna Hush O’Donnell, director of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development, says, now that the comprehensive plan is in place, the SSPA applications have been prioritized for review in the top tier of the county’s work program.
“Staff is in the process of developing a schedule for review as well as an inclusive community outreach plan for review of the amendments,” O’Donnell wrote in a statement. “Updates will be shared through the Comprehensive Plan Amendment listserve, our website, and social media.”
Most nominations in Reston’s transit area pushed for more residential uses in lieu of or in addition to office uses.
The Hunter Mill District received the highest number of SSPA nominations for 2022-2023. Overall, the county received 75 nominations — 36 of which were ultimately added by the Board of Supervisors to the county’s comprehensive plan amendment work program.
The SSPA process kicked off in July 2022, allowing the county to review proposed land use changes for individual sites. This was the first year to follow a revised process that allowed sites anywhere in the county to be nominated instead of alternating between north and south.
Local and State Candidate Forum Tonight — “The South County Federation, a non-partisan umbrella group of homeowners, civic and citizens associations in the greater Lorton area, plans to hold an in-person and virtual candidate forum Sept. 20 for several general election races…All 20 invited candidates said they would participate.” [On the MoVe]
Charges Dropped in Sexual Battery Case — At a preliminary hearing Monday (Sept. 18), a Fairfax County judge dismissed sexual battery and abduction charges against a 20-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Chantilly in July, saying there wasn’t probable cause for a trial. The man remains in jail on separate charges in Loudoun and Prince William. [WUSA9]
Lincolnia Restaurant Featured on TV Is Closing — “Foxfire Grill, which underwent a dramatic makeover on the reality TV show, Restaurant Impossible, will close at the end of October. The restaurant on Little River Turnpike in Fairfax County has indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a full bar. Its last day will be October 31.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
McLean Contractor at Risk of Bankruptcy — “Just two years after going public and raising $267 million from investors, McLean cybersecurity contractor IronNet Inc. appears to be on borrowed time…It’s not the first time IronNet has warned of a potential bankruptcy, but the board’s decision to furlough almost all employees and suspend operations on Sept. 5 has made its situation especially dire.” [Washington Business Journal]
McLean HS Hires Fairfax Girls’ Basketball Coach — Four-time state championship winner Pat Deegan has taken over as head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team at McLean High School. The former Fairfax High School coach was chosen to succeed “Jen Sobota, who recently stepped down after 10 seasons and winning more than 100 games to become the assistant director of student activities at McLean.” [Gazette Leader]
Dulles Chamber of Commerce Seeks New CEO — “Friday was Melissa McKenna’s last day as the president and chief executive officer of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, according to the organization’s weekly email newsletter…Chamber Chair Joe Malabo and Vice Chair Mike Williams are working out the details of a search committee to find a new president and CEO.” [Patch]
N. Va. Coalition Assists People With Public Transportation — “The Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA) is working with Centreville Immigration Forum and other organizations to remove some of those barriers. Their pilot program is training 55 participants, all of whom are low-income and do not speak English fluently. Each person received a transit card worth $100 for their training trips.” [DCist]
For Principal, Working at FCPS Is a Family Affair — “Since 2000, Edison High School Principal Amanda Burke has been a familiar face at Fairfax County Public Schools. She started her career teaching at the high school she now leads. Today, Principal Burke’s infectious enthusiasm for education reflects in her two children, who also work for FCPS.” [FCPS]
It’s Wednesday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high near 79 degrees and a light northwest wind of 3-6 mph. The evening will be mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to around 60 degrees and a gentle northeast breeze. [Weather.gov]
Seven homes will be showcased in Reston Museum’s annual Reston Home Tour.
The 21st iteration of the event is set for Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants will have the chance to take part in self-guided tours with volunteer docents at each of the seven homes, which are related to the theme, “A Style All Their Own.”
“Starting with the original architectural elements of their homes, each homeowner thoughtfully created new designs and spaces – and added unique features – to make the home their own,” Reston Museum Executive Director Alex Campbell said. “We hope everyone enjoys all the delightfully personal pieces and meaningful artwork showcased throughout the tour. Each homeowner beautifully integrated their style – and we are so thankful they agreed to share their home with us.”
Lake Anne Coffee House and Wine Bar will host a bites and bubbles event from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. that day, and there will be a wine tasting and appetizer samples at The Wine Cabinet in North Point Village Center from 1 to 5 p.m.
Early bird tickets are now on sale for $30 through Oct. 3. Tickets can be purchased at Reston Museum (1639 Washington Plaza) or online.
An office building near the Innovation Center Metro station is on its way to becoming 348 apartment units.
Last week, the Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a plan to replace the ePlus headquarters at 13595 Dulles Technology Drive in McNair with a new residential building.
It would be up to six stories tall with a partial basement and 41 workforce dwelling units. A 418-space parking garage is planned on the site, along with a 4-foot-wide pedestrian pathway next to the apartment building.
At the Sept. 14 public hearing, several residents testified against the development proposal, criticizing its density, impacts on environmentally protected areas, and other neighboring developments.
The area surrounding the proposed apartments has been the focus of increased residential development, including Stanley Martin’s Overlook at Dulles Tech project.
Kathryn Taylor, a lawyer for Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh who represented developer H/F Techpointe, said the project creates a distinct community.
“The proposed development has been thoughtfully designed with high quality architecture, well landscaped public spaces, the preservation and restoration of onsite environmental features, an improved sidewalk and roadway network that enhances connectivity and facilities safe and convenient access to the Innovation Metro Station,” Taylor said.
But several residents said they were unconvinced of the project’s value to the community.
The Dulles Technology Building Association plans to seek a restraining order to stop the project if it moves forward, according to president Carl Strauss. He expressed concern about improper notification of the project, widening of a road that he said would encroach on eminent domain of his office building next door, environmental damages, and other issues.
He called the requested reduction in parking “stunningly disrespectful.”
His testimony was echoed by another resident who lamented the loss of environmental areas — including a runoff lake — caused by neighboring projects and the buildout of housing in the area.
“It’s like Moscow there,” one resident said, referring to the number of new residential units in the area.
Taylor emphasized that the proposal protects environmental areas and preserves as many trees as possible.
“The proposal will not encroach on any environmentally sensitive areas at all,” she said.
The commission approved the application after considering a motion to defer. Staff noted that a deferral would push a decision by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to January.
Braddock District Planning Commissioner Mary Cortina said several of the problems voiced by residents were linked to other surrounding projects.
“The damage has already been done on this other area,” Cortina said.
