Fairfax County is moving forward with a new ordinance change that would step up the preservation of mature trees, shorelines and wetlands.
The change is part of bringing Fairfax County in line with state revisions to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Arena Designation and Management Regulations that were adopted by the State Water Control Board.
The Fairfax County website said it will add criteria regarding:
- the preservation of mature trees
- Coastal resilience
- Adaptation to sea level rise and climate change
Getting into the specifics, the new regulations say mature trees can only be removed where necessary and where trees are removed, they must be replanted “to the maximum extent practicable.”
New provisions for climate change require consideration of sea-level rise and storm surge into land development. According to the County website, that means:
- Require Resiliency Assessment for all RPA encroachments as part of WQIA
- Based on assessment, require conditions based on a consideration of the impacts, including the use of best management practices
The resilience assessment is based on projections for the next 30 years to identify the impacts of sea level rise, storm surges and flooding.
“Based on the Resilience Assessment, the county may require conditions, alterations and adaptation measures,” a staff presentation said.
The changes are headed to the Planning Commission on May 22, then to the County Board this summer. A staff presentation said the plan is to have the new changes in place by this September.
Reston Association has officially filled two key leadership positions, the organization announced last week.
Ed Vroom, a former finance director at a Florida-based technology company, took over as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer last week. Vroom worked as the finance director and controller for L3Harris, a company that offers services for federal, civilian, defense and intelligence customers.
Here’s more from RA on Vroom’s background:
Ed managed a team of 25 personnel supporting the Division with offices in Dulles, VA; Columbia, MD; Nashua, NH; Mount Prospect, IL; State College, PA and Melbourne FL. Before L3Harris, Ed was with CACI for 24 years in roles including Program Management, Business Operations and Finance. Earlier in his career, Vroom served in the Navy as the Weapons Control Officer on the USS KIDD (DDG 993), including in the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
RA also hired its first director of environmental resources and education last week. Michael Reynolds, who worked with the National Park Service for nearly 40 years, will take over the newly created position.
Here’s more from RA on his background:
Reynolds brings nearly 40 years of experience with the National Park Service, where he most recently served as the Deputy Director of External and Congressional Affairs for the NPS based in Washington D.C. He previously held leadership positions throughout the US with the NPS, including Yosemite National Park, Cape Cod, Fire Island and Olympic National Parks with regional office leadership assignments in Denver, Philadelphia and Omaha.
RA created the position in order to implement environmental policy established by the Board of Directors and create goals for the association’s environmental resource education and watershed divisions. Other roles include managing services that impact the environment in Reston and organizing educational opportunities and activities for staff and visitors.
A Taco Bell in Herndon is moving towards final approval for a rebuild.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted unanimously on April 3 in favor of the plan to redevelop the existing fast-food restaurant at 2710 Centreville Road with a larger building and a second drive-thru lane.
The new restaurant will have the company’s modern look and more space. The building area would expand from 2,380 square feet to 2,710 square feet to make space for a larger freezer.
The restaurant’s hours will also expand from 6 a.m. to midnight to 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day — a move that was piqued by demand, according to county planner Andrew Stone.
The two drive-through lanes would wrap around the northwestern side of the building and stack 11 vehicles. Matt Roberts, a Hirschler attorney who represented the applicant, said the current drive-thru lane holds about eight cars.
Braddock District Planning Commissioner Mary Cortina noted that the proposed landscaping along Parcher Avenue, particularly the trees, appeared somewhat inadequate.
“It just looks a little sparse,” she said.
Because the site is leased and not owned, the applicant — the Summerwood Corporation, a fast-food restaurant franchise operator — was limited in its ability to update the site, Roberts said.
The company does plan to increase the imprevious surface area from 88 to 53%.
The application for a special exception to the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan still needs to get approved by the Board of Supervisors, but a hearing date doesn’t appear to have been set yet.
No Officers Charged in Fatal Shooting of Man Experiencing Mental Health Crisis — “A northern Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office announced that no officers are being charged in the fatal 2022 shooting of a man experiencing a mental health crisis in Fairfax County. Just before 7 p.m. on July 7, 2022, Fairfax County police responded to a home in the 6900 block of Arbor Lane in McLean where callers had reported that a man was having a mental health episode.” [FOX 5]
Bill Pitches Renaming Washington Dulles — “House Republicans have introduced a bill in Congress that would rename Washington Dulles International Airport, located in Sterling, Virginia, near D.C., to ‘Donald J. Trump International Airport.’” [ABC News]
Toddler Storytime with a Cop — Reston Regoinal Library will host early literacy story time with a cop at the library from 10:30-11 a.m. [Fairfax County Library]
Daytime Road Closures in Oakton — “Vale Road (Route 672) between West Ox Road (Route 608) and Fox Mill Road (Route 665) will be closed to through traffic, weather permitting, Wednesday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to replace a drainage pipe, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.” [VDOT]
Scam Jam Returns to Fairfax County — The county is hosting a afree event to educate the community about scams in the area. The event is set for Friday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to noon at the government center. [Fairfax County Government]
It’s Tuesday — There’s a slim possibility of rain after 2pm, with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures reaching up to 76°F. The calm wind will shift to a southward direction at around 6 mph in the afternoon. Precipitation chances stand at 20%. For Tuesday night, rain is more likely, particularly after 8pm. The sky will remain cloudy and temperatures will drop to around 59°F. South winds will continue at 6 mph with a 40% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
The county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services launched a solar panel recycling program last week, expanding upon its November 2022 pilot program.
Daniel Brooks, an environmental services specialist at the county’s Solid Waste Management Program, said this new program falls under their electronic recycling program, which focuses on prevention.
“Many of these devices contain toxic heavy metals,” Brooks said. “We want to keep that out of the waste stream … and going directly to the landfill to prevent groundwater contamination, amongst other things.”
Brooks said in addition to protecting the environment, this program enables people to repurpose and reuse the materials from solar panels. He also said this program is first of its kind in the region.
“[Recycling programs] started with the West Coast and they were years ahead of us, sometimes up to as much as 20 to 30 years in various areas,” Brooks said. “It’s a very growing service as a renewable energy source.”
Since solar panels are relatively new to the area, responsible disposal is too. Brooks said Fairfax County wanted to get ahead of environmental contamination and started the pilot program in November 2022.
According to a 2022 study by the Pew Research Center, 8% of American homeowners said they already installed solar panels within the past year, the majority of which were in the western part of the nation.
The county partnered with PC Recycler, Inc. dba Securis to to refine the recycling process; at the start of the program, 50 solar panels were taken in to figure out the exact process for responsible and reasonable recycling.
“Wanted to figure out the cost metrics, if it was viable to do in-house [recycling], or if we needed to outsource that, and if we outsource that, what measures did we have with those materials?” Brooks said.
Brooks also said this was one step further toward Fairfax County’s sustainability goals, specifically zero waste. He said he’s hoping the county’s work inspires neighboring counties and towns to do the same.
The program is now available to Fairfax County residents only and two drop-off sites are available: the Interstate 66 Transfer Station and the Interstate 95 Landfill.
A man was arrested after firing a gun several times inside and outside of his Reston home today (Monday).
Police arrested Mark Ellsbury, 43, of Reston after what police described as a short standoff outside of his townhome on the 11900 block of Barrel Cooper Court. The Fairfax County Police Department used its helicopter unit to track the suspect, who was outside of his home and appeared to be “under the influence.”
The suspect reportedly fell to the ground and dropped the weapon. Ellsbury was taken to a hospital for treatment for being under the influence of “unknown narcotics,” according to FCPD.
He was taken to the adult detention center upon his release and charged with four counts of reckless discharge of a firearm in or at an occupied building. No injuries were reported.
It’s no secret that the renovations of Lake Thoreau and Shadowood swimming pools were delayed by several months.
Now, with both facilities set to open this pool season, Reston Association says it could have done a better job with communication and investigating existing conditions before commencing with the projects.
RA Capital Projects Director Chris Schumaker dove into several lessons learned from both projects at a Board of Directors meeting on March 26 — a practice that is routinely conducted at project closeout.
He said RA could have done a better job communicating information about project delays to the public.
First approved by the board in 2018, the Lake Thoreau pool renovation was once expected to begin in 2020, prompting the facility to close that year. However, rising material costs and limited contractor availability created delays that continued into 2022. Construction finally began that August and ended in December 2023.
Construction on the Shadowood pool renovation was expected to begin in early 2023 and take four months. Instead, construction began in May 2023 and ended in November 2023.
“The capital department and communications department now hold regular meetings to discuss project progress and communications with the membership,” Schumaker said.
RA hopes to step away from project phasing and build time for permitting and site issues into existing project schedules, staff said.
Lake Thoreau’s delays were attributed partly to permitting starting five months later than anticipated. For Shadowood, RA discovered several pool beam damage, delaying the project schedule. The project was also planned in phases, which extended the life of the project, Schumaker said.
RA also plans to complete tasks like advanced site evaluation and destructive testing before creating a project schedule. Severe rot found inside Lake Thoreau pool’s bathhouse resulted in unanticipated work, and inadequate soil — an issue that didn’t surface in a geotechnical study — ultimately delayed the construction of a retaining wall.
At Shadowood, more than 80% of the pool beam and shell was damaged, requiring extensive and unplanned repairs.
Both facilities are expected to open up for the 2024 pool season, which is set to begin in mid-May.
Solar Eclipse Descends Today — A solar eclipse will be visible in Maryland and Virginia with up to 90 percent of the sun blocked out today between 2 and 4:30 p.m. The maximum eclipse is expected at 3:20 p.m. [NBC News]
Virginia to Allow Only-only News Sites to Publish Legal Notices — “Virginia has become the first state in the nation to approve the publication of legal notices in online-only local news sites.” [ARLnow]
FCPS Named Top Community for Music Education — “Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) has been honored by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education.” [FCPS]
Performance Troupe Celebrates 30 Years in Tysons — “It’s been three decades since Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas conceived “Stomp,” a groundbreaking theatrical production that transformed ordinary objects into percussion instruments, creating captivating and entertaining sounds. Today, “Stomp” is one of the most beloved and widely performed shows, with numerous troupes captivating audiences worldwide.” [Fairfax County Times]
Reston’s Virginia Spine Institute Shifts Brand — “ Virginia Spine Institute is now VSI. After three decades of treating over 100,000 patients, the independent medical center at the forefront of advanced spine care is revitalizing its brand to reflect its unparalleled success as a pioneer in innovative spine solutions and its growth as a destination of choice for patients worldwide.” [ABC News]
Master Gardeners to Offer Free Clinics — “As spring blooms, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Master Gardeners extend a warm invitation to all gardening enthusiasts for a series of free Vegetable Garden Plant Clinics.” [Fairfax County Government]
First Beaver 1040 5K Run Set for April 13 — “Lace up your running (or walking) shoes and join the Friends of Lake Accotink Park for their inaugural 1040 5k at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, April 13. Enjoy a scenic trip around the Lake Accotink Loop at your chosen pace and find out how you can be an active participant in the Friends of Lake Accotink Park community.” [Fairfax County Government]
It’s Monday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high near 68, as calm wind picks up to 5-9 mph from the south in the morning. The night will be partly cloudy, with lows around 52, accompanied by a gentle south wind of 3-6 mph. [NWS]
Red Kimono in Herndon appears to have closed.
The Asian restaurant at 790 Station Street, which served up sushi, ramen and barbecue, did not return multiple requests for comment from FFXnow. Based on reports from customers and a look at the facade of the business, the restaurant appears to be closed.
The website of the restaurant was also taken down, and third-party companies like GrubHub are no longer accepting orders from the restaurant.
It’s unclear what will take over the restaurant. Readers tell FFXnow that requests from the business have been unresponsive for several weeks.
Red Kimon was typically closed for most of the day and opened between 3 and 10 p.m.
A bill to raise Virginia’s minimum wage got the ax in Richmond despite the support of three Fairfax County state senators.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed legislation on March 28 that would’ve increased the minimum wage from $12 to $15 an hour by 2026. Sens. Jennifer Boysko, Saddam Salim and Adam Ebbin, who all represent parts of Fairfax County, were among several Democrats to sponsor the bill.
The governor also struck down a bill sponsored by Ebbin (D-30) that would have legalized the sale of recreational marijuana in Virginia.
Ebbin said he was “disappointed but not surprised” by the decisions and sees no reason to believe Youngkin will change his mind in future years.
“We need a Democratic governor to sign these bills,” the senator said.
The minimum wage bill would’ve boosted the rate to $13.50 an hour starting Jan. 1, 2025 before reaching the full $15 in 2026. Youngkin argued that his veto protects small businesses in parts of Virginia outside of the D.C. suburbs.
“The free market for salaries and wages works,” the governor said. “It operates dynamically, responding to the nuances of varying economic conditions and regional differences. This wage mandate imperils market freedom and economic competitiveness.”
A minimum wage increase “may not impact Northern Virginia, where economic conditions create a higher cost of living,” Youngkin added.
Salim (D-37), whose district includes Tysons, Vienna and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, disputed Youngkin’s claims, calling the veto “deeply disappointing and detrimental to the well-being of workers and struggling families across Virginia.”
“Our current minimum wage is not a living wage, particularly here in Northern Virginia,” he said. “I believe that every worker deserves a living wage. By rejecting this bill, the governor is essentially endorsing policies that grow economic inequality and hardship.”
Democrats in the Virginia Senate will continue to fight for a minimum wage increase next legislative session, Salim said.
Boysko (D-38), who represents Reston, Herndon, Great Falls and McLean, argued that the current minimum wage is part of a “cruel system” that forces many people to “scrounge for benefits” from the state and nonprofits, contributing to Virginia’s workforce shortage.
“Many businesses are not paying a living wage,” Boysko said. “If employers cannot figure out how they would live on what they pay their employees, we have an economic problem and a moral problem.”
For the marijuana bill veto, Youngkin pointed to adverse health effects associated with the substance. He argued that even medical cannabis has had “perverse and dangerous consequences” akin to opioids.
“Attempting to rectify the error of decriminalizing marijuana by establishing a safe and regulated marketplace is an unachievable goal,” he said. “The more prudent approach would be to revisit the issue of discrepancies in enforcement, not compounding the risks and endangering Virginians’ health and safety with greater market availability.”
Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana possession in 2021 after then-governor Ralph Northam, a Democrat, signed a bill intended to set the stage for recreational sales to adults starting in 2024. Proponents characterized the move as a necessary corrective to address racial disparities in the enforcement of marijuana crimes.
Ebbin, whose district includes Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners, argued that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and that preventing its legal sale only encourages people to turn to illegal sources.
“It’s an adult choice that some adults make, and we don’t need a black market,” he said.
The Town of Herndon is conducting an external review after the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Training Academy said it will stop sending graduates to the Herndon Police Department.
The move came after Herndon Police Chief Maggie DeBoard reportedly took issue with graduation certificates that were signed in Chinese by the academy’s director, Major Wilson Lee, who is Chinese American.
“This is not acceptable for my agency,” she wrote to Lee in an email, according to a report by the Washington Post. “I don’t want our Herndon officers to receive these.”
In a statement released yesterday (Thursday), Herndon Town Manager Bill Ashton II said the town is reviewing the incident to “determine intent by all parties.”
“Our objective is to restore our mutually beneficial working relationship with the county but also — and more importantly — to convey without qualification that officers of the Herndon Police Department are steadfast in their commitment toward protection and public safety for all members of our community,” Ashton wrote.
According to NBC4, which first reported the dispute, Lee has signed the certificates in Chinese since becoming director of the training academy a year ago. But after seeing the signatures prior to a March 7 graduation ceremony for 61 law enforcement trainees, DeBoard asked the academy to reissue the certificates for Herndon’s incoming officers.
Her email to Lee argued that the certificates should be signed in English, which is “the language that they are expected to use as an officer,” the Post reported.
The Fairfax County Police Department declined to reissue the certificates, and DeBoard’s request “led to a heated discussion” between her and Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis at the graduation ceremony, according to the Post. DeBoard told NBC4 that Davis “inappropriately accused me of being racist and made other disparaging remarks to me.”
According to the Post’s report, Deputy County Executive Thomas Arnold notified DeBoard in a March 18 letter that he was terminating the Town of Herndon’s affiliation with the academy, effective June 1, calling DeBoard’s actions “inconsistent with the culture of Fairfax County and our One Fairfax Policy.”
Adopted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2017, the One Fairfax policy dictates that all government officials consider racial and social equity issues when providing services and creating public policy.
In the statement, Ashton said inclusiveness and respect for all members of the community are “operating tenets” of the HPD.
“It is unfortunate that Chief DeBoard’s recent interaction with Fairfax County’s Criminal Justice Academy has been viewed as discriminatory,” Ashton said. “I have personally known Chief DeBoard for over 12 years and this interaction is completely inconsistent with the dedicated public servant that I know, who has served this town and Fairfax County with honor and distinction for many years.”
When contacted by FFXnow, the FCPD said it did “not have comments on this topic at this time.”
Here’s what the department wrote to the Post:
“Our last several recruit classes are majority minority as we make historic strides to better reflect the community we serve. Any expressed sentiments that appear to take issue with these realities are unfortunate and not reflective of Fairfax County’s commitment” to its One Fairfax policy.
DeBoard became the first female police chief in Northern Virginia when she was appointed to lead Herndon’s department in 2012. She served as head of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police in 2020 and 2021.
Established in 1985, the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy provides training to recruits who go on to serve the FCPD, the Fairfax County sheriff’s and fire marshal’s offices, and the Herndon and Vienna police departments.
In just three days, the moon will cross right in front of the sun, creating a total solar eclipse that will be visible from more than a dozen states.
Virginia isn’t one of those states, but in Fairfax County, an estimated 87.4% of the sun will still be blocked when the eclipse peaks around 3:20 p.m. — a bigger percentage than the 2017 event, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.
The prospect of a total solar eclipse that scientists say could be even more exciting than the last one has sparked tourism booms in rural towns and states in the path of totality, which is home to about 31 million people. At least one projection suggests that as many as 3.7 million people will travel to see the total eclipse.
Splurging on a rare celestial event comes with risks, though, as forecasts currently indicate that storms may obscure the eclipse in the central U.S.
County residents who decide to stay local will have plenty of viewing options, including events at county parks, Reston Station and the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly. Students at Daniels Run Elementary School will take an “Eclipse Walk.”
We’re curious about how you’re preparing for the solar eclipse on Monday (April 8). Have you snagged a pair of the glasses needed to safely watch a partial eclipse, or are you opting for a pinhole projector? Is anyone traveling into the path of totality?
Five Vehicles Crash on Route 123 in Lorton — Non-life-threatening injuries were reported in a five-vehicle crash on Ox Road near Silverbrook Road in Lorton, Fairfax County police reported at 7:18 p.m. yesterday (Thursday). One lane in each direction was open, but police advised drivers to use an alternate route. [FCPD/Twitter]
Case Against Suspect in 1994 Murder Advances — “Prosecutors argue that [Stephan] Smerk fatally slashed Robin Warr Lawrence, 37, in her West Springfield, Va., home in November 1994. On Thursday, Judge Gary H. Moliken in Fairfax General District Court found probable cause that Smerk killed Lawrence and allowed the case to proceed to a grand jury.” [Washington Post]
New Crosswalk Planned on Route 1 After Fatal Crashes — “This spring, VDOT is slated to install a new signalized crosswalk under the traffic signal at the intersection of Buckman Road/Radford Avenue and Richmond Highway.” Fairfax County is also reviewing whether an “existing utility pole at the intersection of Belfield Road and Richmond Highway in Belle Haven can be retrofitted with a streetlight fixture to improve local lighting.” [On the MoVe]
Vienna Road to Partly Close for Sidewalk Construction — “Beginning April 8 at 9 a.m., there will be no through traffic allowed on Beulah Road NE between Church Street and Ayr Hill Avenue due to the construction of a Robinson Trust sidewalk project. Traffic will be detoured and parking on Ayr Hill Avenue will be restricted. The work will take place 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday, and is expected to last until mid-June.” [Town of Vienna/Instagram]
Herndon Company to Expand Satellite Network — HawkEye 360 “has scored a $40 million investment to increase the constellation of satellites it uses to detect and convert radio frequencies on Earth into geospatial insights for defense and commercial interests.” After successfully launching 21 satellites, it hopes to “have 60 satellites…orbiting at about 360 miles above Earth’s surface by 2025.” [DC Inno]
Spring Cleaning Begins at County Parks — “Cleanups have been scheduled at various locations throughout the county and offer a diverse array of activities to be involved in. From collecting and bagging trash to tackling other projects, volunteers will have the chance to contribute to the beautification and preservation of our natural spaces.” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Vienna Businesses Partner for Boozy Book Fair — “Bards Alley Bookshop and Caboose Brewing Co. in Vienna will join forces this weekend for Books ‘n Brews, an inaugural boozy bookfair full of books, beer, and literary fun. The event is set for 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at Caboose Tavern.” The fair is scheduled to return on June 2 and Sept. 8. [Northern Virginia Magazine]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with a high of about 54 degrees and a 20% chance of showers after 3pm. In the evening, the sky will be mostly clear, and the temperature will drop to around 37 degrees. The 11 to 14 mph northwest wind is expected to gust as high as 21 mph. [NWS]
Reston Regional Library is slated for a complete renovation as part of the overall redevelopment of Reston Town Center North.
But after the potential RTC North developer unexpectedly withdrew from the project last year, Fairfax County is now looking at making some interim upgrades to the library at 11925 Bowman Towne Drive. The improvements are expected to extend the building’s lifespan for the next seven to ten years.
“While the planned future Reston Regional Library is still in the land acquisition and design phase, this brief and necessary refresh will enhance library visitors’ experiences and complete important facility modernizations to ensure that it remains useable, clean, and safe for the duration of the building’s lifespan,” Fairfax County Public Library Deputy Director Kevin Osborne told FFXnow.
According to a permit application, the library’s bathrooms will be demolished, removing the existing floor, tile, toilets, toilet partitions and lighting. The renovated bathrooms will be up to county standards, including automatic flush toilets, LED lights, hand dryers and drinking fountains.
The redesign is also intended to minimize “unwanted behavior” by removing doors and improving lighting.
FCPL also plans to replace the library’s front and rear entry carpet. LED lighting is planned throughout the building to reduce the library’s energy costs and increase its light levels.
There’s no established timeline yet for when construction might begin, and Osborne noted that the scope of the interim renovations might change.
RTC North’s redevelopment lost steam when developer Folger-Pratt pulled out from the project in February 2023. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors then created a task force to come up with a new plan and asked the county executive to expedite a land exchange with Inova Health System to move the project forward.
Inova owns parcels in RTC North that are currently developed with an emergency room, the North County Human Services Center and Sunrise Senior Living.
The redevelopment project will replace the library and the Embry Rucker Shelter, which will be supplemented by affordable housing. The RTC North task force released a plan in November that also recommended sites for a future school, athletic field and recreation center.
During a media call last week, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn reported that county staff and Inova “are working to start pulling together the documentation” needed to submit a zoning application for the redevelopment.
Designs for the new homeless shelter and library will be shared with the task force for feedback, he pledged.
“That’ll be the next step, but there’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes,” Alcorn said. “Frankly, I’m pushing the county because our new shelter and that permanent supportive housing couldn’t come too soon, and the library, that’s important as well.”
