County on the Lookout for Spotted Lanternfly — “Fairfax County Forest Pest Management unit…is asking County residents to help slow the spread of this invasive pest by being vigilant about not moving spotted lanternfly life stages when traveling through known infested areas and to vacuum nymphs and adults with a shop vac and scrape egg masses into a container of soapy water, as well as report sightings.” [DPWES]
Longtime Seven Corners Clothing Store to Move — “After outfitting local healthcare workers for 20 years, Gallo Clothing in the Seven Corners Shopping Center is closing for good. The store’s last day is Thursday, July 27. Meanwhile, just about everything in the store is marked down 25 to 75 percent…The landlord is raising the rent, so Gallo Clothing is relocating, says manager Doris Zelaya.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Playground Fundraiser Hits Halfway Mark — The campaign to raise $400,000 for a new playground at McLean Central Park is halfway to its goal. Upcoming events to support the fundraiser include a sold-out “Barbie” movie watch party tonight (Tuesday), a fitness class on July 29 and a family festival at Shipgarten in Tysons in August. [Patch]
Update on Braddock Road Project Coming — The Virginia Department of Transportation will give an update on its Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements Project tomorrow (Wednesday) at Lake Braddock Secondary School. Planned changes include shared-use paths on both sides of the road and “intersection improvements…at Rolling Road, Wakefield Chapel Road/Danbury Forest Drive, and Burke Lake Road.” [Annandale Today]
Fairfax City Adds New Mural — “With the help of Murals at Mason, artist Lecsi Pillar designed a radiant art installation outside of Big Buns D#*! Good Burgers. Her mural is not only a part of the city’s ever growing partnership with George Mason but also art flourishing and contributing to the city’s attraction.” [Fairfax City Economic Development Authority/Facebook]
Parking Overhaul Will Help Tysons, Local Transit Advocate Says — “If the idea is to take Tysons from a scarred wasteland primarily defined by two 10- to 12-lane roads knifing through its center, the county will need to consider more serious reforms that reduce car dependency. To that end, it has released the details of Parking Reimagined, a plan to significantly lower parking minimums” [Greater Greater Washington]
AT&T Donates to Richmond Highway Nonprofits — The telecommunications company has contributed almost $50,000 to “help boost the digital literacy and learning skills of children and adults along the Route 1 Corridor.” The beneficiaries are Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services, which got $24,000 to support technology training for low-income individuals aged 16-24, and United Community, which got $25,000 to support an online learning program for students. [AT&T Connects]
International Travel Is Back at Dulles — “Latin America and Africa are leading the way as overseas travel to and from Washington Dulles International Airport rebounds, with only Asia lagging in the post-COVID world…Many aircraft plying international routes from Dulles are going out mostly full.” [Gazette Leader]
It’s Tuesday — There is a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, with patchy fog before 9am. Expect mostly sunny conditions, with a high near 89°F. Tuesday night brings a 30% chance of evening showers and thunderstorms, with a low around 67°F. [Weather.gov]
Photo by Fazli Erdem/Twitter
A staple of Reston’s sports scene is embarking on a post-pandemic return.
The Reston Triathlon returns for its 37th year on Sept. 10 after a three-year pause.
The Olympic distance sporting event — known by some as the Reston Triathlon World Championship — was put on pause after the previous nonprofit that managed the event announced that it was no longer able to sustain the event financially and logistically.
Following the 2021 announcement, the CORE Foundation took over the event, which first started in 1984. The event opens with a 1,500-meter, open water swim in Lake Audubon, followed by a 25-mile bicycle ride and a 10K run on area paths.
“We are absolutely thrilled to see the return of the Reston Triathlon and are grateful for the outpouring of support from the athletes and partners to restore this community tradition,” CORE Foundation CEO Taralyn Tharp Kohler said.
Registration is now open online.
CORE Foundation is a nonprofit organization that will use funds from the triathlon for fundraising efforts. The organization aims to support charitable projects that address societal needs, build community and enable positive change, according to a press release.
The overhaul of the Reston Comprehensive Plan is barreling towards approval this fall.
At a July 19 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously approved a new version of the plan, which sets a comprehensive vision for the planned community and culminates more than two years of work by residents, officials and county staff.
The approval came after the commission deferred a decision to July 19 after a public hearings on June 28. The date was pushed back due to changes in public notice and hearing requirements.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider the plan at a Sept. 12 meeting.
The commission lauded the updated plan for its comprehensiveness and ambitious nature, overcoming what Braddock District Commissioner Mary Cortina said were “doubts” that the plan would obtain the commission’s approval.
Hunter Mill District Commissioner Carter added three amendments that were approved by the commission. He later noted that parsing the language of the plan to achieve perfection was likely not “the best use” of the plan.
“We live in the house of reason is what I’m trying to say,” Carter said.
Specifically, he deleted a street connection from American Dream Way to North Shore Drive in response to significant pushback from residents about safety and security for pedestrians and vehicles. The street was also retained as a local street, Carter said.
He also added a reference that calls on planners to consider heritage resources guidelines related to Association Drive — a historic area that is slated for some redevelopment and repurposing.
Carter also removed a sentence that encourages multifamily units within a half-mile of Reston’s Metro stations, noting that multiple attempts to reframe the sentence further obfuscated its clarity.
“This bullet has been edited several times,” Carter said. “The more we edit it, the worse it gets in terms of clarity.”
Underway since 2020, the Reston Comprehensive Plan update lays out the county’s vision for the 6,750-acre area’s development, touching on everything from transportation to density recommendations for the transit station areas and village centers.
The proposed draft was shaped by county staff and a community task force convened by Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn in 2020.
Providence District Commissioner Phil Niedzielski-Eichner lauded Carter and his staff for their work on the plan.
“I think the Reston community knows how much you have invested in getting to this point,” he said.
Other commissioners also praised county staff and Alcorn for pushing the update to the plan through — a significant planning effort that Niedzielski-Eichner compared to community planning for the City of Alexandria, an area comparable in size to Reston.
In follow-on motions, Carter encouraged the county to explore how Site Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) applications for Reston would fit in with the new plan — once it’s approved by the board.
Reston’s SSPAs were temporarily set aside earlier this year due to the ongoing discussion of the comprehensive plan.
Carter also called on the county to improve pedestrian, bicyclist and vehicular connection to Reston’s Metro stations in a comprehensive manner. Suggested areas of study include appropriate bicycle lanes, signal timing, design standards and guidelines, new crosswalk refuge areas, and on-street parking.
Carter said priority areas include Wiehle Avenue, Reston Station Blvd, Town Center Parkway, Sunset Hill Road, Sunset Valley Drive and adjacent local streets. He suggested continuous cooperation between stakeholders like county and state transportation officials, the Fairfax County Park Authority, Dominion Energy and area land owners.
Cortina also praised Restonians for their input on the plan.
Niedzielski-Eichner said that while some chapters were removed from the task force’s version of the plan, that work was not in vain. It will “resonate” in the county’s broader effort to update its overall comprehensive plan.
Tysons Contractor Will Settle Fraud Lawsuit — “Defense contractor Booz Allen Hamilton has agreed to pay $377 million to settle a long-standing Justice Department lawsuit alleging that the Northern Virginia-based company overcharged the U.S. government to help cover losses in other areas of its business, federal authorities announced Friday.” [The Washington Post]
Burke Residents Call for Traffic Light After Fatal Crash — “A petition garners over 1,100 signatures for Fairfax County to install a stoplight at the site of Tuesday’s fatal crash along Burke Centre Parkway. Police said that speeding was likely a factor, as man driving a car, collided with four teens. The driver, Rebekah Zarco, 17, was killed immediately.” [DC News Now]
Cyclist Injured in Fairfax Station Area Crash — “A cyclist has life-threatening injuries after a crash in Fairfax County Saturday afternoon. Fairfax County Police responded to the serious crash at Route 123 and Canterberry Road in Fairfax Station” [ABC7]
Land for New Sewer Pipe Needed in Merrifield — “The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on July 25 is slated to set a public hearing for Sept. 12 discuss the use of eminent-domain powers to acquire land rights needed for construction of about 563 linear feet new gravity-sewer pipe…The project aims to alleviate the risk and add capacity to accommodate the growing population upstream of the pipes in Merrifield, officials said.” [Gazette Leader]
Feral Cat Colony Reported to Vienna Police — “A resident reported she has been trying to “Trap-Neuter-Return,” the feral cat colony in her neighborhood. TNR, is a program where feral cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, vaccinated, and given necessary veterinary care, then returned to their outdoor homes. The resident reported her neighbors are feeding the cats, making it difficult for her to trap them.” [Vienna Police]
Osprey Rescued at Lorton Park — “Grateful to Animal Protection Police officers, @ffxfirerescue and @FairfaxCountyPD for their work to safely rescue an osprey stuck in a tree at Laurel Hill Park. After an attempted first flight, the bird could not fly and is being treated by a nearby veterinarian.” [Fairfax County Park Authority/Twitter]
Fairfax County Public Library Catalog Down for Today — “FCPL’s catalog system will be undergoing maintenance Monday, July 24. Because of this maintenance, the public catalog including Libby and Overdrive will be unavailable to the public from 8 a.m. to approximately 5 p.m.” [FCPL/Twitter]
Nearby: Dulles Greenway Fare Hike Proposed — “For drivers who stick with the Greenway, a smooth commute through the heart of one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties could soon cost more: The road’s owner is seeking the approval of state regulators to increase rates up to 40 percent. The request has angered drivers, county leaders and some state lawmakers” [The Washington Post]
It’s Monday — There is a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with patchy fog clearing by 10am. Expect mostly sunny skies and a high of around 84°F, with low will around 69°F at night. [Weather.gov]
A proposal to add long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport has officially failed, to the relief of area representatives who feared it would undermine Dulles International Airport.
The House of Representatives rejected the proposal — which was included in a package of changes to the Federal Aviation Administration’s policies that passed overall — by a 229-205 vote on Wednesday (July 19).
Pitched by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah), the proposal, which would have increased the number of flights that travel beyond 1,250 miles from National Airport, attracted significant pushback from local and regional officials.
In late May, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said the move would increase flight delays and have a detrimental impact on the local economy, arguing that the Arlington airport lacks the capacity of Dulles Airport just over the Loudoun County border.
The legislation pushed by the Capital Access Alliance, a coalition of business groups, continues a long-running battle over slot and perimeter rules originally enacted in the 1960s.
Rep. Don Beyer (D) called the defeat of the proposal a win for the region.
“This strong bipartisan vote of opposition should make it clear, as the Senate takes up their own FAA authorization, that proposals to weaken DCA’s slot and perimeter rules do not have majority support in the Congress,” Beyer wrote in a statement.
Fairfax County Board Chairman Jeff McKay lauded the county’s congressional delegation for defeating the proposal.
“It’s clear that this would have been an intrusive and unwelcome addition to DCA and appreciate the bipartisan approach to supporting residents of Fairfax County,” McKay said.
The Board of Supervisors had argued that the proposed changes would disrupt the balance between the region’s two major airports.
Sen. Mark Warner said he was happy to see “sanity win” in the House.
“I’ll continue fighting these changes — which would exacerbate delays and ruin folks’ travel plans — as we consider this legislation in the Senate soon, too,” Warner tweeted.
Glad to see sanity win in the House last night as they defeated chaotic changes to slot rules at DCA! I’ll continue fighting these changes – which would exacerbate delays and ruin folks’ travel plans – as we consider this legislation in the Senate soon, too.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) July 20, 2023
(Updated at 12:30 p.m.) A gas leak has closed Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) at Beulah Road and Forestville Drive in the Wolf Trap area.
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units are currently at the scene and expect to be there for “an extended period of time,” the department said at 11:39 a.m.
“Leesburg Pike is closed in both directions. Please seek alternative routes,” the FCFRD said.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the closure may last “several days” as crews make repairs.
A Washington Gas representative says “a third party” hit one of the company’s 6-inch main lines. The location of the line required the intersection to close for repairs.
The “large volume” gas line was hit during construction work on the roadway, according to the FCPD public affairs bureau.
“Due to the scope of the repair ahead, it is estimated that the repair will take several days,” Sgt. Jacob Pearce told FFXnow.
Construction to widen Route 7 from Reston Avenue to Jarrett Valley Drive just north of Tysons has been underway since 2019.
#FCFRD units are on scene of an outside gas leak at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Forestville Drive in the Great Falls area. Crews will be on scene for an extended period of time. Leesburg Pike is closed in both directions. Please seek alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/fAP7Dj6nac
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) July 21, 2023
The road is expected to be closed for several days while the repairs are completed. Please use an alternate route. #FCPD https://t.co/TLmPpuwkKi
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) July 21, 2023
Growth in Fairfax County is focused in Tysons, the Dulles Suburban Center and other mixed-use areas.
In addition, growth in multifamily housing units outpaced growth in single-family housing between 2010 and 2023, and office space continues to lead the way in non-residential development potential, county staff said in a presentation at the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s policy plan committee meeting on July 13.
Development in mixed-use “activity centers” like Tysons, the Dulles Suburban Center, the Reston Transit Station Areas and the Richmond Highway Corridor lines up with the concept for future development outlined in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan.
“The plan has a lot of flexibility built in now and plenty of options for new residential development to occur,” Andrea Dorlester, the county’s principal planner, said in the presentation.
The presentation served as a preview of a “State of the Plan” report that will provide a progress update on the county’s planning efforts between January 2011 and December 2022. Building off a similar evaluation from 2012, the report is slated for release at the end of the summer.
The county can support residential growth through at least 2045, according to the comprehensive plan and a forecast from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Overall, the comprehensive plan notes potential for 182,000 additional dwelling units, with 91% of those units being multifamily housing. The MWCOG forecast projects an 80,000-unit increase by 2045, per the presentation.
At the meeting, Braddock District Commissioner Mary Cortina noted that addressing affordability in housing is challenging.
“We know we have a housing problem, we say we have growth, but what is being built is not necessarily addressing affordability,” Cortina said.
Between January 2011 and December 2022, the majority of amendments to the comprehensive plan added to planned new housing.
“Several site-specific plan amendments serve to provide for affordable housing, affordable housing for seniors [and] assisted living,” Dorlester said. “And there were some notable conversions from commercial to planned residential with new planned townhouse neighborhoods replacing portions of old strip shopping centers.”
Dranesville District Commissioner John Ulfelder asked whether permitting a “missing middle” approach like the one adopted by neighboring Arlington — where the county would allow some smaller multifamily units in areas that now only allow single-family housing — could provide an opportunity for additional residential growth.
That would require a policy change, but in the context of the State of the Plan, Fairfax County planner Clara Johnson said that with plan amendments, the county is seeing redevelopment of shopping centers and along major transportation corridors.
Adopted changes to the plan also reflect a transit-oriented approach, according to the presentation.
“In areas where transit is not available or planned, such as the downtown McLean Community Business Center, plan changes focused on improving walkability, creating new public spaces, implementing good urban design and creating bonus height or density incentives to promote revitalization and placemaking measures, such as provision of urban park spaces,” Dorlester said.
Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar opens in Reston Town Center on Monday (July 24), the company has confirmed.
The Peruvian restaurant takes over space at 1871 Explorer Street that was vacated by Vapiano in 2019. It has two locations in Florida and one in D.C.
According to its website, the restaurant will be open from 11 a.m to 10 p.m on Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight on Friday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, according to its website.
While the location has not yet released its menu, the D.C. location serves ceviche, tostones, and papas a la Huancaina.
Official representatives for the company and Boston Properties, which owns Reston Town Center, did not immediately return a request for comment from FFXnow.
County Breaks Ground on Housing Project Near Arrowhead Park — “The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Michaels Development, members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and other partners celebrated the groundbreaking of The Lodge at Autumn Willow on July 20th, new affordable housing for older adults” at 13090 Autumn Willow Drive. It will have 150 independent living units, outdoor amenities and walkways. [FCRHA]
Six People Displaced by Annandale Apartment Fire — Firefighters were dispatched around 11 a.m. on Tuesday (July 18) to a fire at a three-story building in the Fairmont Gardens Apartments. There were 11 people in the building at the time of the fire, but no one was home in the unit where the fire was started by “an electrical event involving an extension cord,” resulting in an estimated $93,750 in property damages. [FCFRD]
Cheesesteak Restaurant Opens in Belle Haven — “A new cheesesteak and wings restaurant has opened for business at the Kings Crossing shopping center. Charleys Cheesesteaks signed a lease with Rosenthal Properties for the space at 6307-F Richmond Highway last fall and on July 19 held its grand opening.” [On the MoVe]
Man Embezzeled $100k From Fairfax Doctor, Police Say — “On July 18, 2023 City of Fairfax Police arrested a subject in connection with an embezzlement that occurred at the office of Dr. Michael J. Bermel, OD, located at 10640 Main Street Suite #100. On March 2, 2023 it was reported that an employee embezzled over $100,000 belonging to the business.” [Fairfax City Police]
Grocery Store Affiliate Buys Hybla Valley Shopping Center — “An affiliate of Fresh World co-founder Kenneth Kim appears to have acquired the Mount Vernon Square retail center off Richmond Highway…raising the prospect of a new grocer stepping in to replace a Safeway that closed there more than six years ago.” [Washington Business Journal]
Construction on Horizon for Dulles Airport Solar Farm — “Construction is slated to start in October on a major solar farm spread across 800-plus acres at Washington Dulles International, with the effort being up and running sometime in 2025…When fully in operation, the facility is expected to generate the equivalent of the power needed for 25,000 homes.” [Gazette Leader]
Athletes Visit Reopened Local Dick’s Sporting Goods — “Dick’s Sporting Goods reopens in its newly renovated store in Bailey’s Crossroads on Wednesday, July 19, at 9 a.m. The store, at 5417 Columbia Pike in the Crossroads Center, is hosting athlete appearances on Friday and Saturday during its Grand Opening Weekend.” [Annandale Today]
Spanish-Speaking Volunteers Wanted to Help Children — “Volunteer and Partner Services is currently recruiting bilingual volunteers to support our Body Safety Program and our BeFriend-A-Child Mentoring Program. If you can speak Spanish and English, you are a great candidate to help us make a difference in our community!” [Fairfax County Department of Family Services]
It’s Friday — Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 5 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. The night will be mostly clear, with a low around 68. Northwest wind 8 to 10 mph. [Weather.gov]
Local police have arrested a 20-year-old Woodbridge man in connection with a Father’s Day shooting in in the McNair neighborhood.
Zaire Davis was arrested on June 29 for a robbery that happened in Annandale on June 25 — a process during which a detective noticed a “striking resemblance” to a sketch released to the community related to the June 18 shooting.
“Based on the investigation and evidence recovered, detectives determined Davis was involved in the shooting that occurred on Cornelia Road,” the Fairfax County Police Department announced today.
Detectives then secured a search warrant and found a handgun, revolver, ammunition and electronic devices.
Davis was charged yesterday (Wednesday) with malicious wounding and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the shooting. He is being held without bond.
For the Annandale robbery, he faces charges of robbery, malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
According to police, a man was found in the 2500 block of Cornelia Road on Father’s Day morning with a gunshot wound to the upper body. His injuries were initially described as life-threatening, but his condition later stabilized while he was in the hospital.
The FCPD says detectives are still looking for a second suspect in the shooting, which they believe started when the men attempted to break into the victim’s vehicle. The other suspect is described as being in his early 20s with brown hair.
A new gift shop that sells clothing, accessories and collectibles is gearing up for its grand opening in Herndon this weekend.
Add 2 Cart is set for a grand opening on Saturday (July 22) at 1 p.m. at 795 Center Suite in Suite 5B.
Owners Tiffany Yalung and her husband said their business grew out of a love for reselling items online and finding unique, functional and vintage items.
“Often times, especially when we are traveling to different countries, we see these products and think, ‘Why don’t we have this here in the U.S.?’” Yalung told FFXnow. “We thought that the quirkiness, innovation and overall distinction of these products, in addition to our vintage collection that we continuously procure, deserve to be showcased.”
The couple launched the brick-and-mortar store with the hope of sharing unique items with the public.
The business is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to its website. The business is closed on Sundays.
A pet resort has officially opened its doors to cats and dogs in Reston.
Giving Tree Pet Resort, a nearly 13,000-square-foot facility on a 1.7-acre piece of land on Association Drive, offers group daycare, individual daycare, getaway boarding and a day camp.
Owners can choose between tiered rooms like a presidential suite — which includes a 55-inch 4k Television, premium bedding and two forest walks — and a forest view deluxe room.
The business began when one of the owners adopted Dori, a mini schnoodle, but when the owner, Young, and his wife had to return to work, they struggled to find a place for their furry friend to spend during the days.
“Unfortunately, there was a serious lack of facilities nearby and the quality of the facilities that were available was not impressive,” a Giving Tree spokesperson told FFXnow. “Hence, him and his brother-in-law, Han, started to do some market search and found out that Reston had a pressing need for a pet resort — not [just] any, but one that will meet the standards of care of pet owners in Northern Virginia while being conveniently located.”
The owners settled on a location at 1912 Association Drive. The site was structured to accomplish the owners’ vision of serving the community and offering interactive and enrichment programs.
The business opened on July 1. It also offers grooming services, cat boarding, and a chauffeur pet taxi.
The pet resort could add an outdoor component if Fairfax County approves Giving Tree’s recently submitted request for a special exception. The business anticipates that the outdoor areas will be used by about 20 dogs at a time out of the 60 dogs expected at the facility, on average, each day, according to the application.
Memorial Created for Teen Killed in Crash — “The uncle of a teenage girl killed in a fiery crash in northern Virginia said she just left church service and was heading to eat with her brother and friends when the deadly collision occurred. Henry Zarco brought a stuffed teddy bear, flowers and a balloon” to the crash site on Burke Centre Parkway. [FOX5]
Telegraph Road Ramp Closes in Newington — “The ramp from Telegraph Road (Route 611) to southbound Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) will be closed from 10 a.m. Thursday, July 20 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 31 for stormwater pipe repairs…Drivers are asked to follow posted detour signs.” [VDOT]
Homeless Resident Advocates Meet in Reston — “Advocates for Fairfax County’s unhoused population joined local faith leaders and elected officials on a wooded hill in Reston last week to show their support to the residents of the homeless encampment located there. It was also an opportunity for the residents to share their personal stories.” [Patch]
Former Herndon Resident Sentenced to Prison — “Former Herndon resident Vincent Sarikey, 35, was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 25 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.” [Patch]
On-Road Bicycle Lanes Coming to Reston — “VDOT has notified the county that Glade Drive in Reston is scheduled to be repaved this week, weather permitting, between Sunrise Vally Drive and Reston Parkway. The project includes adding bikes lanes to provide a connection between Sunrise Valley Drive’s side path, the Fairfax County Parkway Trail and the Turquoise Trail.” [Hunter Mill District News]
New Lorton Police Station and Animal Shelter Almost Done — “The new Lorton District Police Station and Fairfax County Animal Shelter — Lorton Campus are expected to open sometime in September 2023, according to Fairfax County officials. Construction of the $33 million facility…began back in March 2021.” [On the MoVe]
Virginia Allows Blood Type on Driver’s License — “Virginians can now choose to indicate their blood type to include on their driver’s license, an effort designed to assist first responders in the event of an emergency…The new initiative was prompted by legislation, patroned by state Sen. George Barker, that was passed during the recent General Assembly session.” [Gazette Leader]
Wolf Trap Welcomes “Jurassic Park” This Weekend — “Steven Spielberg’s iconic blockbuster ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993) celebrates its 30th anniversary this summer. This Saturday, the National Symphony Orchestra performs the score live for a screening at Wolf Trap.” In an interview, NSO Pops Conductor Steven Reineke marvels at how “the movie holds up so well.” [WTOP]
It’s Thursday — There’s a likelihood of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm today, despite a predominantly sunny day with highs around 88°F. The odds for precipitation are set at 40%. At night, showers and thunderstorms are possible, mainly before 2am. The night will be mostly cloudy with a low around 71°F. Precipitation chances rise to 70%. [Weather.gov]
After months of review, the Virginia Department of Education has released a final set of policies guiding public schools on how to treat transgender students — including many that contradict the policies currently used by Fairfax County Public Schools.
Released Tuesday (July 18), the “model policies” generally direct schools to require that students use names, pronouns and facilities, such as bathrooms, based on their legal sex as designated in their official school records. All local public school systems are obligated by state law to adopt a version of the policies.
FCPS, which has provided protections for students based on their gender identity since 2020, says it’s now “reviewing” the new policies from the state.
“FCPS remains committed to an inclusive learning environment for each and every student and staff member including those who are transgender or gender expansive,” FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid said in a statement. “Our schools will continue to be safe and respectful learning spaces.”
Rolling back rules issued by the state in 2021 that let students use names, pronouns and facilities matching their gender identity, the new policies require school employees to refer to students by the name and pronouns corresponding to the sex displayed on their official school records.
Employees can use a different name or pronoun if a parent provides written permission, but even with a parent’s consent, the name and sex in school records can only be changed if a legal document, such as a birth certificate, passport or driver’s license, is provided.
The document says the use of bathrooms and other facilities must also be based on sex, even as it acknowledges that an appeals court found denying students access to bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity to be discriminatory.
Participation in school activities, including athletics, will also be determined by sex, though the state law requiring the VDOE to develop the model policies on transgender students explicitly excluded athletics from consideration.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin lauded the policies as affirming the importance of parents being engaged in their children’s lives.
“The VDOE updated model policies reaffirm my administration’s continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing, and care,” he said in a statement. “Public comment, input, and concerns were carefully evaluated and assessed to formulate the updated model policies.”
All children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect.
I am committed to ensuring that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child’s education, upbringing and care.https://t.co/eywLB6h15n
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) July 18, 2023
The policies are largely the same as an earlier draft released last fall that spurred student protests across the state in support of transgender rights and drew over 70,000 public comments.
The Pride Liberation Project, a student-led LGBTQ advocacy group that organized the protests, blasted the final document as “Don’t Be Trans” policies — echoing the “Don’t Say Gay” moniker used by critics for a Florida law that banned discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools.
The VDOE policies represent “an attempt to force LGBTQIA+ students back into the closet,” the PLP said, urging school districts to reject them.
“Don’t Be Trans would have prevented me from graduating,” said Bas Rawat, a current George Mason University student who graduated from high school in 2022. “School was the only place where I could be myself because my household wasn’t supportive. These guidelines will deny thousands of Virginia students the chance to be themselves.”
When the draft policies came out, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution opposing the proposals as harmful to students and the county, while the school board issued a statement affirming its commitment to supporting transgender and other gender-nonconforming students.
Providence District School Board Representative Karl Frisch, the county’s first and thus far only openly gay elected official, called the model policies “unconscionable and dangerous,” noting that the Virginia Department of Health recently removed pages with resources for LGBTQ youth from its website.
“We must do everything we can to protect, support, and affirm transgender and nonbinary students so they can focus on learning rather than being distracted by the weight of other people’s hate,” Frisch said. “That starts with standing up to careless political leaders who should know better than to bully children.”
The policies were also criticized by Stella Pekarsky, who currently represents Sully District on the school board and is campaigning for a state senate seat this November.
“The Youngkin Administration’s Transgender Model Policies send a cruel message to some of our most vulnerable children,” Pekarsky said in a tweet from her campaign account. “As a parent, my heart breaks that anyone could target kids that are already dealing with so much in their young lives. They deserve love & acceptance.”
The Youngkin Administration’s Transgender Model Policies send a cruel message to some of our most vulnerable children. As a parent, my heart breaks that anyone could target kids that are already dealing with so much in their young lives. They deserve love & acceptance.
— Stella Pekarsky (@Stella4Senate) July 19, 2023
A 2023 national survey by The Trevor Project, a nonprofit that provides crisis support services to LGBTQ youth, found lower rates of attempting suicide among transgender and nonbinary youth who reported that their schools affirm their gender identity, the ACLU of Virginia noted in a statement opposing the model policies.
“Not only does VDOE’s decision dismiss the will of the majority of Virginians it’s meant to serve, it willfully disregards evidence-based best practices and existing law,” ACLU of Virginia Senior Transgender Rights Attorney Wyatt Rolla said. “These policies recklessly endanger the safety of trans youth across the Commonwealth, who deserve to learn free from fear, stigma, and discrimination.”
The policies appear to conflict with state and federal law as well as Virginia High School League eligibility criteria, according to the legal organization, which represented Gloucester County student Gavin Grimm in his case over his school’s policy requiring him to use a separate restroom.
For now, the ACLU chapter said it will wait to see how local school boards approach the policies before taking any action.
“We are analyzing the model policies and will be watching to see how school boards implement the policies and whether that implementation harms transgender and nonbinary students,” an ACLU of Virginia spokesperson told FFXnow.
A Fairfax County proposal to overhaul parking regulations has attracted opposition from a local citizens group.
In a letter to the county, the Reston Citizens Association, a nonprofit citizen advocacy group founded in 1967, said the Parking Reimagined proposal does not fully consider the impact of the changes on Reston and the county overall.
“The RCA strongly urges that this proposal be withdrawn until at least such time as its conformity with the letter and the spirit of the One Fairfax Policy, the ADA, and other guiding principles can be achieved,” the letter states.
Specifically, two-page letter asserts that the changes will “significantly and adversely impact low-income, blue-collar workers, minorities, the elderly and disabled citizens.”
The effort kicked off in August 2021 when county staff began exploring ways to update an article of the zoning ordinance that regulates off-street parking and loading. Overall rates and regulations haven’t been comprehensively reviewed since 1988.
The initiative is intended to modernize those requirements and generally analyze parking and loading supply, demand factors, and loading trends.
On July 12, the county released a staff report on the issue ahead of Fairfax County Planning Commission hearings planned on July 26 and a Board of Supervisors hearing on Sept. 26.
“Significantly reducing unnecessary parking requirements in Metrorail station areas creates a return on the County’s investment in rail transit by aligning non-auto transportation options with transit access,” the staff report reads. “Reducing unnecessary parking supports placemaking as identified in the strategic plan and fosters a built environment where members of the community want to gather and where businesses can grow.”
If approved, the changes would go into effect on Jan 1.
The most significant change is a tiered framework that sets parking requirements based on factors like the availability and type of transit and the allowable density of development. County staff say it’s the “most critical new component” of Parking Reimagined.
Suburban centers have a proposed rate of 90% of the base parking requirement for nonresidential uses and multifamily units, while revitalization areas have a proposed rate of 80% of the base rate. Transit Station Areas and the Tysons Urban Center have a by-right rate of 70%, while transit-oriented development areas have a 60% rate. Some areas within those categories vary.
The proposal also allows the county to approve shared parking reductions and transit-based reductions of up to 30%.
In response, RCA asserts that the proposal doesn’t take into account a full range of transportation factors, including planning for future road, bus and rail routes and changes in employment and retail configurations.
RCA also calls the premise of the proposal — lower resident vehicle usage — “unrealistic” for the next 20 to 25 years, along with the minimum parking rates for multifamily units in revitalization areas, transit station areas, and transit oriented developments.
The organization also disputes the county’s rationale that reducing off-street parking will improve the environment, noting that the proposal doesn’t require developers to add green space and trees in exchange for off-street minimum parking.
The letter also flags the Reston Town Center area as not having enough access for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.
“The RCA appreciates the significant work staff has put into this proposal and the outreach they conducted, and we stand ready to continue to work with staff to develop a proposal that will serve the citizens of Reston and Fairfax County in the years ahead,” the memo states.
