The D.C. area is expected to be hit with another round of snow tomorrow (Friday), prompting Fairfax County Public Schools to call for its second snow day this week.
All schools and central offices will be closed tomorrow, FCPS announced at 5:25 p.m. today. The closure includes extracurricular activities, field trips and other events on school grounds.
Classes were also canceled on Tuesday (Jan. 16) and started two hours late Wednesday after the region got more than an inch of snow for the first time in nearly two years.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Fairfax County that will take effect from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. One to three inches of accumulated snow are possible, adding onto the three to five inches that fell earlier this week and have yet to fully melt.
The Virginia Department of Transportation says its Northern Virginia District crews started spot-treating roads with brine today and will continue once snow begins to fall tomorrow morning.
Here’s the full winter weather alert from the NWS:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 7 PM EST FRIDAY…
* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches north of US-50/I-66 with amounts around 1 inch to the south.
* WHERE…Portions of central and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and northern and northwest Virginia.
* WHEN…From 4 AM to 7 PM EST Friday.
* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the morning commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Slow down and use caution while traveling.
When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
Updated at 10:15 a.m. on 1/19/2024 — With the county government closed due to snow, the start of early voting has been delayed to 9 a.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday), the Fairfax County Office of Elections announced.
Earlier: Early voting for the 2024 presidential primary election is set to begin tomorrow (Friday) Saturday (Jan. 20) in Fairfax County, with local party officials and campaign strategists projecting varied voter turnout.
While the Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) anticipates a lower turnout among its members, at least one local Republican strategist expects a strong showing from Republican voters, particularly in support of former president and current GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.
“Donald Trump remains far and away the favorite candidate of Virginia Republicans, including Northern Virginia Republicans, as far as I can tell,” said Nathan Brinkman, founder of the political consulting firm Brinkman Media, whose prior clients include the Fairfax County Republican Committee, as well as other local candidates.
Starting this Friday, Jan. 19 next week, early voting will be available on weekdays at three key locations — the Fairfax, Mount Vernon, and North County government centers, according to the county’s election office.
Voters can cast their ballots at the Fairfax County Government Center from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while the Mount Vernon and North County centers will welcome voters from 1-7 p.m. There is also a 24-hour ballot drop-off box available outside the Fairfax County Government Center.
An additional 13 early voting sites are set to open starting Saturday, Feb. 24, from 1-7 p.m. Early voting will be offered on two Saturdays, including Feb. 24 and March 2, at all sites.
- Burke Centre Library
- Centreville Regional Library
- Franconia Governmental Center
- Great Falls Library
- Herndon-Fortnightly Library
- Jim Scott Community Center
- Lorton Community Center
- Mason Governmental Center
- McLean Governmental Center
- Sully Governmental Center
- Thomas Jefferson Library
- Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library
- West Springfield Governmental Center
Who’s on the ballot
As of today (Jan. 18), Virginia has the following Republican and Democratic presidential candidates on the ballot:
- Chris Christie (R)
- Ryan Binkley (R)
- Vivek Ramaswamy (R)
- Donald J. Trump (R)
- Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)
- Nikki Haley (R)
- President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D)
- Marianne Williamson (D)
- U.S. Rep. Dean Benson Phillips (D)
(Note: Republicans Chris Christie and Vivek Ramaswamy have suspended their respective campaigns, but neither candidate has officially withdrawn from the race in Virginia, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.) Read More
A new dog park is proposed at Russell at Reston Station, an apartment community at 11500 Commerce Park Drive.
The building owner, ST Wiehle LLC, is seeking to build the dog park in place of an open lawn after seeing many community members and residents use the existing park for their dogs.
“Due to the popularity of this activity that has resulted in wear and tear on the open lawn area, the applicant proposed to replace the open lawn area with a formalized dog park,” a land use planner representing the applicant said in a letter to the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning.
The application asks the department to confirm that the “minor design modifications” can be approved administratively, without requiring public hearings.
Located in the mid-block on the north side of Sunrise Valley Drive, the open lawn park is one of three located on the property.
According to the application, the existing shade structures, seating, mosaic area and paving will remain. Additions include artificial turf with drainage, a pet waste area, planters, round stools, solid-form benches and 1,590 square feet of concrete paving at the park’s entrance to match the existing sidewalk.
The previous lawn would also be converted into impervious turf to allow water to flow through a a layer of gravel before filtration.
A plant bed will be installed on both sides of the dog park to create a landscaped buffer from Sunrise Valley Drive, resulting in a park that totals 2,130 square feet in size.
“The applicant is simply making the space more usable to address resident and community needs,” the application says.
Image via Google Maps
The Town of Herndon is considering the placement of two single-family homes in a floodplain on Monroe Street.
First approved in January 2022, the proposal has returned to the Herndon Town Council after the applicant sought to increase the footprint of the proposed residential structures.
Because the homes are in the floodplain overlay district, the units are subject to additional planning and development criteria.
David Stromberg, the town’s zoning administrator, said the applicant wants to increase the footprint of a house at 1317 Monroe Street from 2,200 square feet to 3,500 square feet and a house at 1315 Monroe Street from 2,850 to 3,680 square feet.
Town staff recommended approval of the project at a council work session on Tuesday (Jan. 16), reporting that the plan won’t result in an increase in flood heights or the size of the floodplain.
Stromberg emphasized that the applicant must also maintain a 100-foot buffer from resource protection areas and use the most up-to-date flood information available to guide stormwater management.
Councilmember Kevin LeBlanc said he was curious to see how the development proposal would affect runoff in the overall neighborhood — a criterion generally not evaluated within the scope of this proposal.
“They still have to meet all the stormwater requirements that are out there as far as making sure the drainage doesn’t go onto an adjacent property…and that you are meeting stormwater quality requirements,” Stromberg said.
He noted that the applicant must comply with all additional zoning ordinances and receive compliance approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The special exception request will get a public hearing and final vote before the Herndon Town Council later this month. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Public Hearing on Chantilly Data Center Coming — The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing next Tuesday, Jan. 23, on a proposal to build a data center or warehouse off of Route 50 in Chantilly. Residents of the nearby Pleasant Valley community told the planning commission in September that the data center would be bad for their neighborhood and the environment. [The Connection]
Grocery Store Under Construction in Hybla Valley — “Renovations have begun at the former Safeway site at Mount Vernon Square, and the projected opening date for the new Fresh World supermarket is mid- to late summer 2024, according to Joshua Kim, a property management representative for Mt. Vernon Square LLC, which purchased the shopping center last June.” [On the MoVe]
County Starts Summer Camp Registration Soon — “Start thinking about fun in the sun by preparing for Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) spring and summer camps. Registration for spring and summer camps opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23. In preparation, FCPA is sharing the full listing of camps, as well as offering multiple ways to search and tools to use that will make enrolling easier.” [FCPA]
Ban on Personal Use of Campaign Money Advances — “Virginia elected officials would be prohibited from spending their campaign funds on personal expenses such as mortgages, vacations or gym memberships under a bill a House subcommittee advanced on a bipartisan basis Wednesday…Currently, lawmakers are only barred from converting campaign funds to personal use once they close out their accounts.” [Associated Press/WTOP]
McLean Candy Company Plans New Factory — “McLean food and pet care giant Mars Inc…announced last week it is building a $237 million baking facility in Salt Lake City for Nature’s Bakery, a maker of fig bars, brownies and oatmeal treats. The 339,000-square-foot facility will create 190 new jobs and is expected to be up and running by July 2025.” [Washington Business Journal]
Metro Lets Riders See Year-End Stats — “For the first time, Metro customers can get a personalized report of their Metro ridership for an entire year. The new website, called Your 2023 Metro report, gives riders detailed information about their use of public transit last year including” trip totals, the number of stations visited and miles traveled. [WMATA]
Tysons Event Planner Makes Acquisitions — “Events planning company Cvent, acquired last year by New York investment firm Blackstone, has made two acquisitions of its own, pushing further into the trade show management business. Cvent has paid an undisclosed sum for San Jose-based B2B automated appointment scheduling company Jifflenow, and an undisclosed sum for Boise, Idaho-based trade show leads company iCapture.” [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — After a mostly cloudy day with a high around 37 degrees, snow is likely tonight, especially after 1am, as the temperature drops to about 28 degrees with light and variable wind. There’s a 60% chance of precipitation and potential new snow accumulation of less than half an inch. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) The new, much-debated state bill to allow a casino in Fairfax County has arrived with some limited but critical changes from its previous iteration.
Though the bill doesn’t appear to be available online yet, NBC4 reports that state Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35) has filed legislation that would add Fairfax County to the small list of Virginia localities eligible for a casino.
According to NBC4, the bill closely resembles a proposal that Marsden submitted and quickly withdrew last year, but the new iteration includes even more specific criteria for the potential casino site:
The eligible host locality described in subdivision A 6 shall be limited to a proposed site for a casino gaming establishment that is (i) located within one-quarter of a mile of an existing station on the Metro Silver Line, (ii) part of a coordinated mixed-use project development, (iii) outside of the Dulles airport flight path, (iv) within two miles of a major shopping destination containing not less than 1.5 million square feet of gross building area, and (v) outside of the Interstate 495 Beltway.
The addition of proximity to a “major shopping destination” as a requirement narrows the possible locations down to Tysons, specifically a “defunct auto dealership on Route 7,” Marsden told NBC4.
That rules out the possibility of a Reston casino. Patch reported in October that Reston Station developer Comstock was hoping to build a casino near the Wiehle Metro station, a proposal that drew strong objections from Reston Association and the general community.
Arguing that Fairfax County needs to diversify its commercial tax base, Marsden has said he sees Tysons as a more appropriate site, envisioning the casino as part of an entertainment district that could include a performing arts venue and a conference center.
In 2022, Comstock sought an amendment to Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan that would allow a residential and retail development to replace the Koons Chevy and Chrysler dealerships at 2000 and 2050 Chain Bridge Road near Route 7. The proposal didn’t advance, since county planners determined that an amendment wouldn’t be needed.
It’s unclear if that location is the one that Marsden has in mind, since those dealerships are still in operation. The Priority and Sheehy auto dealerships on Leesburg Pike (Route 7) near the Spring Hill Metro station closed up shop last summer, potentially setting the stage for redevelopment.
NBC4 reports that an unidentified, “interested” developer would like to build “a casino paired with a large convention center, hotels, restaurants, office space and residences.”
The Tysons Community Alliance, which released a strategic plan for Tysons in December that includes increased capacity for large gatherings as a priority, says it has no comment on Marsden’s casino proposal.
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn, whose district includes the Koons dealership site, has expressed opposition to a casino on Metro’s Silver Line, though his focus in the past has been on Reston in light of Comstock’s rumored interest.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, who represents other parts of Tysons, says her office hasn’t received any project proposals. In the fall, she told FFXnow she’s open to discussing any proposal brought to her office but was skeptical a casino will materialize, since even if Marsden’s bill is signed into law, it would have to be approved by voters in a referendum.
In a new statement, Palchik says she still has reservations about the proposal, though she supports “increasing local authority in both land use policy and revenue diversification.”
“There are still too many questions that exist around where the income would go and how a location and provider would be selected,” she said. “I have not received any land use proposals, and the site selection and land use processes are not something that are decided at the General Assembly level. This bill was also not requested at the county level. We know that the market has shifted and we continue to review the big picture for the future of commercial and residential real estate, but this specific proposal has not yet provided the necessary data, impact, or outreach to our offices nor to the community.”
In their quest to boost the region’s limited housing supply, Northern Virginia leaders have explored a variety of potential solutions.
Arlington and Alexandria in particular garnered plenty of headlines — and legal scrutiny, in the county’s case — when officials voted separately last year to allow more dense housing in areas previously reserved for single-family detached homes, among other zoning reforms.
Fairfax County, however, has no plans at the moment to follow in its neighbors’ footsteps by eliminating single-family-only zoning, according to Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.
Instead, the county hopes to increase and diversify its housing stock with more targeted policies, such as looser rules for accessory living units (ALUs) and workforce housing requirements, that can accommodate the different character and needs of different neighborhoods.
“Every county and city is different, and so, I’m not in a position to critique what Arlington and Alexandria have done,” McKay told FFXnow. “But we’ve been careful in Fairfax County to make sure that we can grow our affordable housing base and, at the same time, protect the integrity of our single-family neighborhoods…They’re in a different place [in their development schedule], and so, they have reached the point where they believe the only way they can address the ‘Missing Middle’ is to eliminate single-family [only] development. We are nowhere close to that point in Fairfax County.”
Size matters
The D.C. metropolitan area ranks 10th in the U.S. for “pent-up housing demand” due to a lack of supply and elevated mortgage rates, according to the National Association of Realtors. The tight supply fuels high prices that are expected to keep rising in 2024, peaking in June at a median of $935,930 for a single-family house, per a Northern Virginia Association of Realtors and George Mason University forecast.
Faced with limited space for new development, proponents of Arlington’s “Missing Middle” zoning changes and Alexandria’s “Zoning for Housing” initiative argued that opening up single-family-exclusive lots to different types of housing, such as duplexes and townhouses, will allow more units to be built, easing market pressures that have sent median single-family sales prices soaring over $1 million in both localities.
Though those measures didn’t exactly pass with ease, eliminating single-family-only zones in a place of Fairfax County’s size would be “a little bit more challenging,” says Jill Norcross, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance (NVAHA).
“There’s just a lot more people, a lot more housing units and communities,” she said.
Of the 426,412 housing units in the county as of 2022, 46.1% are single-family detached houses, while 29.6% are multi-family residences and 24.2% are single-family detached homes, per the county’s most recent demographic report. In comparison, Arlington and Alexandria, respectively, are about 70 to 75% multi-family housing.
Parts of Fairfax County are dominated by single-family houses, which range from the mansions of McLean and Great Falls — the kind that Arlington leaders have said they’re trying to avoid — to older, smaller ranch-style or split-level homes like those found in Annandale or Groveton. Then, there are areas like Reston, where more than 80% of homes are townhouses, apartments or condominiums, according to Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn.
That variety means “a one-size-fits-all answer here is no good,” McKay says. Read More
A new future is brewing for Elden Street Tea Shop, as the local business sheds its address of more than six years and moves from Herndon to Reston.
The business expected to open at Lake Anne Plaza in the spring.
Rachel Eisenfeld, co-owner of the business, said the tea shop outgrew its current location, especially for tea party events, with more local tea enthusiasts visiting more regularly after the pandemic.
“We would have liked to stay in our current location and opened a second location,” Eisenfeld said by email. “However, we were not able to come to a resolution on our new lease terms with the landlord. We are excited to bring a little bit of Historic Herndon to Historic Reston!”
The Herndon location at 714 Pine Street is expected to close on Saturday, Jan. 27.
The shop will reopen in Reston by March or April of this year, according to Eisenfeld. During the interim, the tea shop will offer online purchases and pickups at Lake Anne and tea parties in Tysons in February.
The tea parties in Tysons will be hosted at The Tower Club in Towers Crescent (8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Suite 1700), but access is by ticket or appointment only.
The Reston location will feature full tea service options and more themed tea events, such as yoga and tea meditation, paddle board tea time, open mic night and literary tea hours.
“We are excited to have a space to continue new and unique tea events in and provide the cozy communitea we are known for,” Eisenfeld said.
The tea shop is expected to celebrate its big move at the Northern Virginia Tea Festival on May 4 and 5.
FCPS Delays Classes After Snow — “All Fairfax County public schools and school offices will open two hours late tomorrow. Central Office employees may report two hours later than their regular scheduled time, but no later than 10 a.m…Central offices will open to the public at 10 a.m.” [FCPS]
Man Arrested for Impersonating Police Officer — “A 31-year-old Georgia man is facing charges after City of Fairfax police said he impersonated a law enforcement officer and deceived four people into paying him money. Officials said they were made aware of multiple cases of fraud in June 2023.” [WJLA]
County Recognizes National Day of Racial Healing — The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), Board of Supervisors and Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) leaders proclaimed Jan. 16 a National Day of Racial Healing. “The event recognized the partnership between NCS and NOVA to promote racial healing and upward mobility that will secure a more equitable, just and inclusive community.” [NCS]
More Capital Bikeshare Stations Proposed — “The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will host a virtual meeting on expanding the Capital Bikeshare network in the Mount Vernon District at a virtual meeting on Thursday, Jan. 18″ at 7 p.m. Twelve new stations are proposed around the Huntington Metro Station, Fort Hunt Park and Mount Vernon Trail. [FCDOT]
Vote on Reston AC Service Planned — The Reston Association Board of Directors approved a referendum starting Feb. 16 on whether to repeal a deed provision requiring Lake Anne customers to obtain air-conditioning services from RELAC. “There will be two public hearings held on Feb. 5 and 12 for RELAC customers to provide feedback and learn more about what the referendum entails.” [Patch]
State Lawmakers Debate Raising Minimum Wage — “Among the first bills to draw such partisan debate was legislation that would raise the minimum wage in Virginia, which currently sits at $12 per hour. Under the bill, the minimum wage would increase to $13.50 per hour in 2025, and then rise again to $15 in 2026. The bill passed through the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor Monday by a 9-6 vote, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed.” [WTOP]
Blood Drive Coming to McLean — “January is National Blood Donor Month and the McLean Volunteer Fire Department encourages local residents to participate in its blood drive on Friday, Jan. 26. The fire department, in partnership with Inova Blood Donor Services, will hold the event from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at its station, located at 1455 Laughlin Ave.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Wednesday — Expect sunny skies with a high near 29 and a west wind ranging from 7 to 13 mph. As the night progresses, there will be increasing cloud coverage and a low temperature around 19. Winds will shift to the southwest, blowing at 3 to 6 mph. [Weather.gov]
A local family is seeking financial support after a late December pedestrian crash critically injured a mother and her son on Elden Street in Herndon.
“We were simply walked home after grocery shopping when a driver ran off the road and hit my five year old son, my wife and me,” Armando Verduo in a message for a GoFundMe campaign.
As of today (Tuesday), the campaign has raised nearly $17,500 of a $50,000 goal. The funds will be used to pay for medical bills and other expenses, Verduo said.
A driver hit the family on Herndon Parkway near the Elden Street intersection on Dec. 28. The boy was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital, and the woman was taken to Reston Hospital. The driver remained at the scene.
Verduo, who suffered minor injuries, said public safety personnel extricated his wife from underneath a car that was pinned on top of her.
“Neither of us can work and the medical bills and expenses are adding to the catastrophe we are now living,” he wrote in the campaign.
The Herndon Police Department has not publicly released any additional information related to the crash.
“The case is still under investigation,” HPD spokesperson Lisa Herndon said.
Taim Mediterranean Kitchen has officially opened its doors at Plaza America.
The restaurant opened at 11692 Plaza America Drive in Reston on Dec. 6. To celebrate, Taim offered a feast on the house that was attended by over 800 people, according to a company representative.
“We’ve received many requests to bring authentic Mediterranean food to the area and are excited to bring taim to the Reston community so they can experience the many great flavors and dishes from the Mediterranean,” said Phil Petrilli, the D.C.-based founder of Untamed Brands, which owns Taim.
The opening in Reston was first reported by The Burn.
Known for its falafels, Taim kicked off in New York City’s West Village in 2005 and has since expanded to several locations in New Jersey, Maryland and D.C., including Pimmit Hills and Fairfax.
The chain is in line to take over Vienna’s former Cold Stone Creamery, but the company representative said they had no updates on when that location is expected to open.
Customers can build a bowl, pita and salad. Sides include hummus and seasoned pita, baklava and tzatziki.
Health officials are cautioning the public about a possible measles exposure in Northern Virginia.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, someone who traveled through Northern Virginia from abroad was confirmed to have measles.
“Out of an abundance of caution, VDH is informing people who were at various locations, including Dulles International Airport on January 3, 2024, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 4, 2024, that they may have been exposed,” the department said in a news release on Saturday (Jan. 13).
The health department will identify people who may have been exposed — including by contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.
The exposure window at Dulles Airport was in the international arrivals area of the main terminal between 4 and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3, and at National Airport in terminal A between 2:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4.
Measles is a highly contagious illness that is spread through coughing, sneezing and contact with droplets from the noise, mouth and throat of an infected individual.
VDH says anyone who has two doses of a vaccine against measles is protected. Those who have one dose of the vaccine are likely protected, but the department suggests contacting a health care provider to schedule a second dose to ensure full protection.
Anyone who is not vaccinated against measles or has contracted the disease should contact the Fairfax County Health Department at 703-246-2411 or a health care provider.
In the first stage of the illness, people have a fever of more than 101 degrees, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. The second stage begins around the third to seventh day with the appearance of a rash on the face that could spread over the entire body.
Here’s more from VDH on what to do if you may have been impacted by an exposure:
If you have never received a measles containing vaccine (either the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine or a measles only vaccine which is available in other countries), you may be at risk of developing measles. Anyone who was exposed and is at risk of developing measles should watch for symptoms until January 25, 2024. If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home and away from others. Contact your healthcare provider right away. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the health department. This will help protect other patients and staff.
If you have received two doses of a measles containing vaccine, or were born before 1957, you are protected and do not need to take any action.
If you have an immuno-compromising condition, please consult with your healthcare provider if you have questions or develop symptoms.
If you have received only one dose of a measles containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low. However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.
D.C. Area’s Snow Drought Is Over — “It’s official! Over 1” of snow so far in DC & Baltimore, first time in approx. two years we’ve had this much snow! Through 7 PM,” Dulles International Airport had recorded 1.8 inches of snow, surpassing 1 inch for the first time in 673 days, while the same amount at National Airport broke a 728-day drought. [National Weather Service/Twitter]
Vienna Cancels Morning Classes for Snow — “Due to inclement weather, Vienna Parks and Rec. classes and programs scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 16 are cancelled until 1 p.m. at the Community Center and Bowman House. Essential Town employees must report as scheduled. Liberal leave is in effect for all other Town employees.” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]
Teen Fatally Stabbed in Annandale — “A 17-year-old boy is dead and two others are wounded following a stabbing in Annandale, Virginia, on Saturday. The killing marks what police say is Fairfax County’s first homicide of the year. It happened at around 11:30 p.m. in the 4200 block of Wadsworth Court, according to Fairfax County police.” A 14-year-old and an 18-year-old were hospitalized. [WTOP]
Stuff the Bus Food Drive Underway — “Beginning Jan. 13, 2024, and continuing every Saturday through Feb. 17, 2024, a Fairfax County Fastran bus will visit local grocery stores to collect donated food and household items. Since launching in 2011, the campaign has collected more than 281,500 pounds of food to benefit local non-profit food pantries, resulting in 200,000 meals for those in need.” [Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services]
County Staff Propose Data Center Regulations — “Fairfax County planning staff issued a report on data centers that recommends additional requirements to address the potential negative impacts on the environment and nearby residential communities.” Recommendations include requiring that all facilities get special exception approval, which involves public hearings by the planning commission and Board of Supervisors. [Annandale Today]
Man Arrested for Stabbing Dog in Falls Church — A 25-year-old from Broadlands was arrested by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) police in a traffic stop near Dulles Airport at 11 a.m. yesterday (Monday). He will “face charges by the City of Falls Church for stabbing a dog that resulted in the animal being euthanized” on Sunday (Jan. 14). [City of Falls Church]
Report Highlights Impact of Arts on County’s Economy — “ArtsFairfax officials announced Jan. 10 that Fairfax County’s nonprofit arts-and-culture industry generated $260.3 million in economic activity in fiscal year 2022, according to the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6), a study conducted by Americans for the Arts.” [Gazette Leader]
Lorton Church Celebrates 250th Anniversary — “Known as the home church of George Washington and George Mason, Pohick Episcopal Church in Lorton is celebrating the 250th anniversary of its Georgian-style building and location in 2024. According to the church’s rector, Rev. Lynn Ronaldi, a series of anniversary events have been scheduled throughout the year, starting…with the Jan. 14 bell ringing ceremony.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Tuesday — Expect snow until 1 pm, followed by cloudy skies and a high of 33 degrees. The northeast wind of 5-15 mph will shift to the northwest in the afternoon, with possible gusts reaching 22 mph. There is a 50% chance of precipitation. For Tuesday night, the weather will be mostly clear and feature a low of 16 degrees. [Weather.gov]
Fairfax County Public Schools is using up its first snow day of the year, canceling all classes and other activities on school grounds tomorrow (Tuesday) as flurries continue to blanket the D.C. area.
Affected activities include extracurricular programs, sports practices, field trips, outside recreation classes, adult education classes and the School Age Child Care (SACC) centers.
FCPS has 11 snow days built into its calendar, and unlike in the past couple of years, students don’t need to fear a shift to virtual classes after the first five days.
A Winter Weather Advisory is currently in effect for the county through 7 a.m. tomorrow. The National Weather Service projects that this storm could result in two to three inches of snow accumulation, along with possible freezing rain and drizzle, according to the Fairfax County Department of Emergency Management.
“Snow intensity will increase this evening before tapering off overnight,” the NWS said, warning that the “hazardous” road conditions could still affect tomorrow’s morning commute.
In anticipation of the roadways becoming a challenge, Fairfax Connector will reduce service starting at 8 p.m. today (Monday). The bus system will continue running several routes on a holiday weekday service, but some will end at or around 8 p.m.
Fairfax Connector will operate reduced service tonight beginning at 8 p.m (1/15) and will operate Saturday service tomorrow (1/16). Our call center is also open 5AM-10PM, M-F. Stay safe! More details: https://t.co/z6kTBDOUeK pic.twitter.com/0VUqOCluVD
— Fairfax Connector (@ffxconnector) January 15, 2024
Tomorrow, the Connector will implement a Saturday service schedule. A list of the specific routes that will be provided can be found on the Fairfax County Department of Transportation’s website, and minute-by-minute status updates will be available through BusTracker.
The George Washington Memorial Parkway has been temporarily closed in the McLean area. Due to ongoing construction, the National Park Service previously announced that the section from I-495 to Spout Run in Arlington would close if two or more inches of snow are forecast.
Here’s the full message from the NPS:
The George Washington Memorial Parkway, from 495 to Spout Run, is closed due to the forecasted severe winter weather in the area. This closure is necessary to ensure the proper treatment of the roadway and to restore the parkway to safe travel conditions. Crews will work diligently to treat the road for safe passage of drivers. Drivers should anticipate delays in reopening the northern section of the parkway as crews are required to use smaller equipment than usual to accommodate the lane widths and configurations. Please plan to use alternate routes.
A follow-up alert will be distributed once the parkway has reopened. Thank you in advance for your patience.
In an effort to amplify its voice on land use issues, Reston Association’s Board of Directors voted earlier this month to create a land use committee that will advise it on planning and zoning issues.
The board formalized the creation of the committee on Jan. 4 after tweaking its scope and overall purpose. The committee will create draft positions on relevant issues and provide recommendations to the board.
A majority of the board touted the proposal as a way to elevate the voice of RA and its membership on development and land use decisions, which have become a top focus of the community following Fairfax County’s adoption of an updated Reston Comprehensive Plan last year and anxiety about the possibility of a casino.
Board president John Farrell noted that members would be able to provide their recommendations directly to the land use committee.
Board director Jennifer Jushchuk said the committee addresses a concern about the effectiveness of RA’s advocacy on land use issues that she often hears in the community. Board member Jalal Mapar agreed that the committee allows RA to project its power.
“The number one thing that stands out for me is that RA needs to be forward-leaning and RA needs to be involved 1,000 percent,” he said. “The game has changed. It’s 2024. We’ve learned our lessons from the developments that were done where RA did not really have a strong voice.”
In the past, Larry Butler, RA’s longtime chief operating officer who retired last year, attended many land use committee meetings and was the point-man on relevant issues.
“Larry’s gone and so, things have changed,” Laurie Dodd, the board’s North Point district representative, said. “It’s time for [us to] formalize the voice of RA, and this is a way to do with a group that is responsive to the board and to the association.”
But the move was met by some consternation from three board members who voted against the proposal.
Board member Robert Petrine, RA’s treasurer, said he was concerned about the amount of time and resources that would go into maintaining the committee.
At-large board director Trevor Grywatch said he was unsure if an advisory committee constituted “the voice of our membership.”
Margaret Perry, the board’s apartment owners representative, also noted that RA needed more time to hash out the specifics of the committee.
“I don’t think we are there,” she said.
The committee will be composed of up to seven voting members with three-year terms. They’ll be supported by a land use planner and subject matter expert — a position funded in RA’s recently adopted budget.
RA CEO Mac Cummins, who supported the overall effort, said the board should ensure the committee’s work is not simply rehashed when issues are discussed by the board.
“If you’re gonna have a committee do all this work and you’re gonna re-litigate it all again till 2 a.m., you haven’t necessarily gained,” Cummins said.
The board of directors is now seeking candidates for the new land use committee, asking anyone who’s interested to contact Board Liaison Brittney Copeland at [email protected].
