Fairfax County will introduce speed cameras to school and construction zones early next year.
At a meeting last night (Tuesday), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved amending the county code to establish a pilot program that will install 10 automated photo speed cameras in school and construction zones around the county.
The program is intended to “increase safety for some of our most vulnerable road users, that’s school children and roadway construction workers,” Fairfax County Police Department Traffic Division Commander Alan Hanson told the board.
The cameras will “hopefully” be installed in nine school zones and one construction zone by Feb. 1, staying in place for six months, Hanson said. Enforcement will begin when drivers go 10 miles over the speed limit with fines escalating to a maximum of $100.
Signage identifying speed camera locations will be placed within 1,000 feet of each camera, per state code, with the locations also being posted on the county’s website.
“We’re not trying to trap people,” Hanson said in the county press release.
It’s not immediately clear where exactly the cameras will be installed.
Each camera will cost about $3,000 per month, according to the press release. Adding in associated signage and other equipment, the total cost for the pilot program is around $180,000.
Speeding has become a huge concern, particularly around schools after a teen allegedly driving 81 mph struck and killed two Oakton High School students on Blake Lane in June. A third student was seriously injured. Residents had been seeking safety improvements, including speed cameras, in that area for years.
A pilot work group found that almost 95% of drivers in the school zone at Springfield’s Irving Middle School were driving 10 mph or more above the speed limit during a morning sampling period done last year.
“In the five school zones surveyed, hundreds and sometimes thousands of drivers exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 mph during the sample period,” the county said.
There have been at least 25 pedestrian fatalities in Fairfax County this year, per state data, making 2022 the deadliest year in more than a decade.
During the public hearing portion of yesterday’s meeting, Chris French from Fairfax Families for Safe Streets shared that four pedestrians have been killed since October, most recently near Graham Park Plaza on Sunday (Dec. 4).
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said the goal of the speed camera pilot is to change behaviors.
“There is one reason we are doing this and that is to save lives, and to do that, we [need] to change people’s attitudes and behavior, around schools and around work zones,” he said. “And, hopefully, the program will be successful, not because we collected revenue [from fines], but because people have changed their driving habits.”
The two residents who spoke during the public hearing supported the addition of speed cameras but brought up several concerns.
One is that by levying fines only when a driver exceeds the speed limit by 10 miles, it effectively turns a 25-mph speed limit into 35 mph. The advocates asked for the school zone speed limits to be lowered to 15 mph.
Additionally, they urged the county to consider the locations of the cameras and to alter the fine structure so it won’t more heavily impact communities of color.
However, supervisors noted there are considerable limits on the county’s authority. The state code only allows speed cameras to be placed in school and work zones, and the Virginia Department of Transportation limits when and how localities can change speed limits around schools.
“We don’t have the authority right now, today, to lower the [school zone] speed limit to 15 mph,” Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust said. “We thought we had it. The legislation on its face says we have it, but as our attorneys point out very accurately, there’s a caveat in there that VDOT is hiding behind.”
The board adopted a legislative program on Tuesday for the Virginia General Assembly’s 2023 session that calls on state lawmakers to give localities the authority to lower speed limits and generally structure the speed camera program as the county sees fit.
If the pilot program is successful, speed cameras will expand throughout the county. A first phase scheduled for implementation in the fiscal year 2024 — which starts July 1, 2023 — would add 50 cameras, while a second phase could add 30 more cameras in school zones starting in 2025.
Full implementation of the speed camera program would require four additional positions within the police department and is estimated to cost nearly $4 million annually.
Speed enforcement cameras have already been introduced in Fairfax City, and they’re on the way to Alexandria City and Arlington County.
Fairfax County is still working through negotiations with Comcast for cable service in Reston.
Although discussions are still underway, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an interim agreement that would extend the terms of Comcast’s cable franchise through June 30, 2023.
So far, a long-term renewal agreement has not yet been reached. Federal law — namely the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 — lays out the process by which local communities can renew a cable franchise.
Rebecca Makely, director of the county’s Department of Cable and Consumer Services, said that active negotiations are underway to achieve a “mutually satisfactory resolution.”
“Changes in the video service market in recent years, along with potential changes in the law, have impacted cable franchise renewal negotiations around the country. In Fairfax County, as in many other jurisdictions, this has led to a protracted negotiation process,” Makely wrote in a statement.
In the county’s case, the county is negotiating with the cable operate for a new franchise agreement.
Until a final agreement is reached, the limited extension will remain in place.
Comcast announced last month that it plans to expand its network in Reston to include businesses by the end of the year.
Photo via Mike Conway on Unsplash
A dog was shot and killed by Fairfax County police during a search of a house in Herndon this morning.
Officers with the Fairfax County Police Department’s SWAT team were serving a search warrant in the 1500 block of Powells Place Tavern, a neighborhood of single-family homes near Dranesville Elementary School, according to the department.
The team was looking to recover police equipment that had been stolen “from another jurisdiction,” the FCPD said at 7 a.m.
“During the service, at least one officer discharged their firearm striking a dog,” police said. “No other injuries reported.”
The department tweeted at 7:35 a.m. that the dog had died.
“Stolen equipment was recovered & the man was taken into custody. Our Internal Affairs Bureau is responding to the scene,” the FCPD wrote.
The dog was declared deceased. Stolen equipment was recovered & the man was taken into custody. Our Internal Affairs Bureau is responding to the scene.
https://t.co/nOjiQM9BdD— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) December 7, 2022
Photo via FCPD/Facebook
Residents served by Haulin’ Trash, the now-bankrupt private trash collector, will be allowed to use Fairfax County’s waste disposal facilities at no charge for the next month.
The Board of Supervisors moved yesterday to suspend charges for affected individuals who drop off their household trash and recycling at the county’s I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road) and I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road).
“I think everyone was caught off guard completely by this, and it has been difficult for many of the people affected to get a new contract in place,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said when introducing the board matter at yesterday’s meeting.
The facilities open at 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, though there are scheduled closures on Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.
While most recyclable materials are accepted for free, they have fees for trash based on the type of material, volume, weight and number of bags used.
The fee waivers went into effect today and will continue until Jan. 1. A past bill from Haulin’ Trash must be presented for verification by on-site staff to get the discount.
Started in 2017 and based in Leesburg, Haulin’ Trash announced last week that it would permanently close on Dec. 1 after financial and staffing challenges reportedly resulted in lagging and missed collections.
Shared just hours following an earlier email that suggested the company was still trying to find a solution to its service issues, the news forced approximately 3,000 county residents to find a new hauler with essentially no warning.
The fee suspension is intended to hold over residents as they search for a new provider. Many community members had reported overflowing trash cans after Haulin’ Trash missed multiple pickups, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services said.
A list of haulers licensed to operate in Fairfax County can be found on the DPWES website. Questions and complaints can be submitted to the county’s Consumer Affairs Branch by phone at 703-222-8435 or online.
“We are encouraging customers affected by this to sign up as quickly as possible with an alternate carrier in the area,” McKay said.
With trash collection issues proving to be an ongoing headache, county officials have started considering alternative approaches to providing services, which is handled by private companies for 90% of residents.
The Board of Supervisors adopted a legislative program for the General Assembly’s 2023 session calling for the state to give localities “additional authority to manage solid waste collection” and remove “onerous requirements” that limit the county’s ability to develop a different model.
Photo via Google Maps
County Approves Automatic Car Tax Filings — “Effective Jan. 1, Fairfax County will now automatically file personal property tax returns for these residents, a change that will benefit owners of approximately 133,000 vehicles per year…[Residents] still must register their vehicles with the DMV within 30 days or face a 10% late-filing penalty.” [Fairfax County Government]
Police Investigate Homicide in Hybla Valley — A man identified as 26-year-old Jordan Summers from Lorton died Monday (Dec. 5) after a community member found him in the 7900 block of Audubon Avenue with a possible gunshot wound to the upper body. Police say community members reported hearing what sounded like gunshots before 8 p.m. that evening. [FCPD]
County Board Passes on Reston Golf Course Developments — Proposals to redevelop Reston’s two golf courses were left off a list of accepted site-specific plan amendment nominations. Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn reiterated that “any proposal to change the comprehensive plan for properties from their current respective ‘golf course’ designations would need support from surrounding communities.” [Patch]
Metro Proposes Fare Changes to Address Budget Deficit — Facing a $184 million gap in its budget, Metro General Manager Randy Clarke has put forward a budget plan that eliminates peak fares, while increasing the cost of longer trips, topping out at $6.50. No express service on the Silver Line will be considered this year, as the agency gauges ridership on the new 11.5-mile extension. [DCist]
Gastrointestinal Illness Outbreak Reported at West Springfield School — The Fairfax County Health Department “is urging students and parents to remain vigilant and stay home when sick in the aftermath what it’s calling a gastrointestinal illness outbreak at an elementary school last month. In a Nov. 15 email to the Fairfax County School Board…Superintendent Michelle Reid said an increase in GI illnesses was first reported at Keene Mill Elementary Nov. 4.” [WTOP]
Hybla Valley Building Fire Started by Refrigerator — “On Monday, December 5, at 7:07 p.m., units from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and the City of Alexandria Fire Department were dispatched for a reported building fire in the 2900 block of Woodlawn Trail in the Hybla Valley area of Fairfax County…No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.” [FCFRD]
Park Service Shares Details of Proposed GW Parkway Road Diet — The proposed road diet at the Belle View Blvd intersection would turn the right lane into “a pyloned-off through lane toward Old Town Alexandria, while the left lane would become a left-turn-only lane onto Belle Haven and subsequently serve as a dedicated acceleration lane for drivers turning left (northbound) from Belle Haven onto the Parkway.” [On the MoVe]
New Vienna Police Station Not Yet Ready for Move-ins — “The builder still is checking off final details on the ‘punch list.’ Morris said he hopes the department, now ensconced at the former Faith Baptist Church at 301 Center St., S., can move into the new station by year’s end.” [Sun Gazette/Inside NoVA]
It’s Wednesday — Possible drizzle in the morning. High of 59 and low of 50. Sunrise at 7:15 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
Close to 600 racers gathered at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston over the weekend to raise money for the park’s trails.
The annual event, called 2022 Capital Cross Classic, took place on Sunday (Dec. 4) at the park, which is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive.
The Bike Lane, a Reston-based business, took over the race more than 10 years ago, according to Todd Mader, co-owner of the business.
Money raised from the fund is specifically used to restore multi-use trails that surround the parking, Mader said.
“We won’t know the final figure until we see how much grass was ruined and how much we need to reseed, but this was a good year so at least $4,000,” Mader wrote in a statement to FFXnow.
The event is a USA Cycling cyclocross event. It will benefit the Lake Fairfax Sustainable Natural Trail System. Races were divided by time and for different ages.
The Bike Lane is a family-owned bicycle shop that has locations in Reston and Springfield.
Fairfax County is refreshing its website.
A website redesign is currently underway as the county looks to update “the look and feel based on new design trends to serve our community better,” the county’s digital content lead Greg Licamele told FFXnow in an email.
The new website is expected to be launched in early 2023. No interruptions or downtime are expected for the site or services while work is underway, county officials confirmed.
The project is being led by the Department of Information Technology and was laid out in its 2023 adopted plan.
Residents can take a peek at sample designs for both the desktop and mobile versions and can provide feedback via survey until tomorrow (Dec. 7).
Making sure the website is easy to navigate and accessible on mobile devices is a county priority.
“Mobile devices continue to be the main way people see the county website, we’re also conscious of presenting information that works well on smartphones,” Licamele said.
The refresh for both desktop and mobile includes a new color palette and “contemporary” design tweaks.
It will also add a Spanish option for the Fairfax Virtual Assistant, a chatbot that provides automated information on some topics.
Additionally, the IT department plans to integrate some website content with voice assistant devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Beyond updating the design and compatibility, the refresh was also prompted by resident requests to have important services and items accessible on the homepage.
“For years, we’ve heard people’s desire to have important services highlighted, which is what our current homepage provides with the Find, Pay, Report and Register section at the top,” Licamele said. “The proposed refreshed design keeps our laser focus on those top tasks people want to find easily, as well as spotlighting a few more priority items such as the county’s Strategic Plan.”
The county’s website was last redesigned five years ago, in 2017. There will be no additional costs associated with the new website update, the county says.
A new Greek restaurant is officially serving up meals in the Town of Herndon.
Knossos Restaurant will host a grand opening ceremony on Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. to celebrate its opening at 150 Elden Street.
The first 50 customers will get 50% off their total purchase during the ceremony and 15% off all purchases.
The eatery was previously located in Leesburg, but that location closed in 2006. Items on the menu include gyros, subs, burgers, falafel and platters.
“We have been diligently working to train staff and get ourselves ready for a grand opening,” said owner Sarfraw Naza.
The restaurant, which had a soft opening earlier this month, is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Fairfax Health District saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases in Thanksgiving’s wake, a reminder that the coronavirus hasn’t disappeared even if the face masks and other health protocols aimed at limiting its spread mostly have.
The district, which includes Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, is averaging 238 cases per day for the past week, as of yesterday, according to Virginia Department of Health data.
Cases remain far below previous winters or even the surge seen in late May fueled by omicron subvariants, but there has been an increase since Nov. 19 after a plateau through most of the fall. This is the first time the weekly average has exceeded 200 cases since Sept. 15.
In addition, the district is averaging 1.7 deaths per day from Covid. During the pandemic, it has reported 251,405 cases, 5,149 hospitalizations and 1,702 deaths.
Though past years suggest cold weather exacerbates Covid transmission, Fairfax County is set to close its mass vaccine clinics and mobile testing sites next week.
Citing “low demand,” the Fairfax County Health Department confirmed Friday (Dec. 2) that the startup Curative will stop operating in the county after Thursday, Dec. 15, as first reported by DCist. The partnership launched in July, bringing Curative’s vans with no-cost PCR tests to six locations in the community.
With rapid at-home testing more widely available now, albeit not necessarily for free, residents can find Covid testing options using VDH’s online search tool, calling health care providers directly or contacting the Fairfax County Call Center at 703-324-7404.
“Call takers will discuss their individual situation and what options may work best for them, which could include an appointment at one of the Health Department’s District Offices,” an FCHD spokesperson said. “We also continue to work on establishing additional options for distribution of rapid COVID-19 tests with our community partners. Many testing options are available in the community and the Health Department remains committed to helping residents find an option that works for them.”
According to its website, the county health department offers testing for individuals who have Covid symptoms, lack access to testing options in the community, are identified as close contacts, or have returned from traveling outside the country.
The county will also close its vaccine clinics at the South County Government Center on Wednesday, Dec. 14 and the Fairfax County Government Center on Saturday, Dec. 17. The operating hours for both sites have been reduced since early November.
The increased availability of vaccinations from private health care providers, pharmacies, and other locations has resulted in fewer people seeking shots from the county-run clinics, FCHD says.
“We sincerely appreciate the support from residents who have made the effort to get vaccinated and to stay up to date on their vaccinations by receiving recommended booster doses,” the spokesperson told FFXnow by email. “The more people who are vaccinated, the better the overall protection for our entire population.”
Health officials say getting vaccinated and boosted when eligible is especially critical now, as higher-than-usual levels of other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), have been reported, straining capacity at hospitals.
As of yesterday, 1,015,959 Fairfax Health District residents — or 85.8% of the population — have gotten at least one Covid vaccine dose, including 93% of people 18 and older. 940,669 residents, or 79.5%, are fully vaccinated with at least two Pfizer or Moderna shots or a Johnson & Johnson dose.
However, just 21.5% of kids aged 4 months to 5 years old have received a shot, and only one out of every four people eligible for the omicron-targeting booster has actually gotten it, according to FCHD.
Options for obtaining a Covid vaccine can still be found at vaccines.gov. Eventually, the county sees the process becoming routine, like getting an annual flu shot.
“Closing the Health Department clinics is a step in the transition to residents accessing vaccines as they do for other vaccine preventable diseases, utilizing sites such as their doctor’s office, a pharmacy, grocery store, Urgent Care Center, or other site in the community,” the FCHD spokesperson said.
Woman Charged in Bailey’s Crossroads Pedestrian Crash — Yaraliza Rivera Rosado, a 26-year-old Alexandria resident, has been charged with felony hit and run for fatally striking 40-year-old Elise Ballard on Leesburg Pike near the Carlin Springs Road intersection on Oct. 26. Police say Rivera Rosado drove to a parking lot before calling for help, and Ballard was subsequently hit by a second car before officers arrived. [FCPD]
Route 7 Traffic Changes in Wolf Trap Start Today — “On or about Tuesday, Dec. 6, drivers on Route 7 eastbound will experience a lane shift to the south (away from the median) and access changes between Lucky Estates Drive and Lewinsville Road…On or about Dec. 15, the median crossover at Wolftrap Run Road will close permanently, and the median crossover at Lucky Estate Drive will open.” [VDOT]
Fairfax City Street Name Changes Approved — Last week, the Fairfax City Council approved new names for 14 streets that had monikers with connections to the Confederacy. Set to take effect on Jan. 1, the changes include official renamings of Lee Highway and Old Lee Highway becoming Blenheim Blvd. [City of Fairfax]
GMU Studying Possible Cricket/Baseball Facility — “Major League Cricket and its Washington D.C.-based investor, Sanjay Govil, will work with George Mason University to study the ‘feasibility’ of a new multi-purpose cricket and baseball facility. The ballpark would be designed to host Major League cricket matches, Mason baseball games, and other events, with the goal of being operational by 2025.” [Inside NoVA]
D.C. Area Schools See Some Enrollment Recovery — “Fairfax County Public Schools, the state’s largest school system, boasts a student population of 180,127 this year, per Virginia Education Department data. Although it represents an increase from the previous two school years, it falls far short of the last pre-pandemic enrollment numbers” [The Washington Post]
Faith Leaders Call for Mental Health Services Funding — “Faith leaders in Northern Virginia are urging lawmakers to invest more heavily in the state’s mental health system. On Sunday, some of the faith leaders involved with Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) gathered at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon.” [NBC4]
Real Estate Company Acquires Local Multifamily Housing — “The Milestone Group (Milestone) has announced its acquisition of a three-property, value-add, multifamily portfolio totaling 870 units in Fairfax County…The purchase price was not disclosed.” The acquired properties are The Elipse at Fairfax Corner, Windsor at Fair Lakes and the Townes at Herndon Center. [PR Newswire]
Herndon Hosts Annual Holiday Crafts Fair — “Holiday shoppers descended on the Herndon Community Center on Sunday for the 43rd Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show. Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation Department hosted the one-day event, which brought artisans and crafters from around the region to sell their wares.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Rain throughout the day. High of 53 and low of 37. Sunrise at 7:14 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
The owners of Sully’s Pour House, a gastropub in the Town of Herndon, is disappointed over the handling of prosecution against a man who allegedly fired a gun in the business on Nov. 6 last year.
In a scathing Nov. 30 Facebook post, the owners said the justice system failed the business and the community by not taking a tougher stance on the case, accusing the office of Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano of trivializing “a stressful, frightening, and unsafe situation.”
“Where is MY PROTECTION? I didn’t ask your office to move mountains. I expected your office to PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. There were MULTIPLE FELONIES committed that night. I only asked for ONE TO stick. One FELONY,” the business wrote in the post.
The defendant, De’Quinn Le’Charn Hall, 29, has been indicted on a felony charge of discharging a firearm in an occupied building. A plea deal was offered but hasn’t been officially accepted by the court. A Fairfax County Circuit Court grand jury will take up the matter on Dec. 22.
The post by Sully’s includes allegations that additional charges were not pursued in order to avoid impacting the defendant’s commercial driver’s license. It also states that the case was not handled seriously because no one was killed in the incident.
“HE jeopardized LIVES and your office cared about his job?!” the post says. “We still have people traumatized, but why would you care about them.”
Laura Birnhbaum, a spokesperson for the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing. She also disputed some statements in the post, including its characterization of how one of the assistant commonwealth’s attorneys interacted with the victim and the police department.
“This case is ongoing and no final resolution has been presented to or accepted by the court,” she said. “CA Descano is reviewing this case and will determine the proper path forward. We want this community to know that we take these types of crimes seriously and will always seek final outcomes in line with the seriousness of the alleged conduct.”
Photo via Google Maps
The Dranesville District seat on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has its first candidate for next year’s election.
Jimmy Bierman, a Democratic McLean resident, announced his candidacy last night. Current Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust will not be running next year, FFXnow previously reported.
So far, five incumbent supervisors have confirmed they will seek reelection next year.
Bierman — who describes himself as a progressive activitist and local community leader — was the former chair of the Dranesville District Democratic Committee. He has served on the county’s Police Civilian Review Panel since April 2019.
“My priorities include promoting trust and accountability in our local government, ensuring that Fairfax County remains the safest jurisdiction of its size in the country, developing a workforce equipped for a dynamic and evolving economy, fully funding our public schools, and investing in smart and sustainable development,” Bierman wrote in a statement.
In a statement to FFXnow, his campaign manager further identified the following top priorities:
Ensuring that County government acts with speed, consistency, and predictability to support the diversification of our local economy and expand our 21st-Century knowledge-based workforce.
Mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change through investments in infrastructure to support and promote green jobs and a green economy.
Fight for the most vulnerable in our community and connect those in need with much-needed food, housing, rent, reproductive health, and mental health resources.
Create viable transportation options to relieve gridlock through enhanced transit, bicycle, and pedestrian amenities.
Bierman graduated from Williams College and Stanford Law School. He previously worked as an attorney advisor to the Department of Homeland Security.
“I want to thank Supervisor Foust for his many years of service to our District,” Bierman said. “John has served our community with distinction since 2007, and I’m running to build upon his success addressing issues concerning County residents. Few people work as hard as John, but I’m going to try.”
He commended Foust as “a noted leader” in the county’s “economic development, affordable housing, and LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts.”
The Dranesville District covers McLean, Herndon and Great Falls. The general election is slated for Nov. 7, 2023 following a June primary.
Reston Association is seeking to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of board member Glenn Small.
In a late November statement to the Board of Directors, Small wrote that he would not be able to continue with the position after examining his personal and professional commitments.
“This RA board service was always a ‘stretch assignment,’ both in terms of bandwidth and association board experience,” he wrote in the statement. “I had only the desire to see if I could be helpful and to bring an outsider perspective. I think I’ve learned a lot and could be helpful going forward, but in looking at my personal and professional commitments, I’m not able to continue as a board member.”
Small joined the board in April for a three-year term.
Recently, a shuffle for seats on the board has not been uncommon — particularly this year.
One day after new members took their seats in April, the board was faced with the vacancy of former at-large district director Tim Dowling. Caren Anton, the board’s former president, then submitted her own letter of resignation the same day Dowling’s seat was filled by the board.
Four other seats are also open for the next election, which takes place in March. Open seats include an at-large director for a three-year term, an at-large director for a two-year term, an at-large director for a one-year term, a Hunters Woods/Dogwood district director, and an apartment owner’s representative. The latter two positions are three-year seats.
Members can submit applications to fill Small’s seat by 5 p.m. on Dec. 30. The board will select a new at-large director to serve until the upcoming election in March.
I-66 HOV Change Starts Today — “The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reminds travelers that starting Monday, Dec. 5, vehicles will need three or more occupants to qualify as a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) on I-66 in Northern Virginia. This change from HOV-2+ to HOV-3+ will apply across the entire I-66 corridor in Northern Virginia from Haymarket to the D.C. line.” [VDOT]
FCPD Officer Arrested for DUI — “An officer assigned to the Mount Vernon District was arrested in Prince William County for driving under the influence. The officer was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle at the time of the arrest. PFC Nathan Jones, an 8-year veteran, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs Bureau investigation.” [FCPD]
Driver Crashes Into Vienna Restaurant — “Maple Ave Restaurant in Vienna was impacted by a vehicle crash Thursday, according to the owners…No injuries were identified from the crash. A photo showed the damage to the outside wall, which just missed the restaurant’s main gas line.” [Patch]
Remains Found in Centreville Identified — With help from the private genetic testing lab Othram, Fairfax County police have identified Sharon Kay Abbott Lane as the woman whose skeletal remains were found at the base of a cedar tree in Centreville on Dec. 6, 1993. The department is now looking for information that may help find a suspect in her killing. [WTOP]
FCPS Announces Snow Day Plan — “Like last year, the first five inclement weather days will be traditional ‘snow days’…Once these five days have been taken, FCPS will use the flexibility provided by the General Assembly to have unscheduled virtual learning days, wherever possible, to maintain continuity of learning.” [FCPS]
Police Turn to Student Recruiting — “On Monday nights, after most students are long gone from the tiled halls of West Potomac High School, one classroom is left open. It’s the room where Capt. Wilson Lee and other Fairfax County police officers meet about 35 high school students in the public safety cadets program — a pipeline, officials hope, that will one day fill their dwindling ranks.” [The Washington Post]
Squirrel-Focused “Storybook” Trail Opens in Chantilly — “This new trail at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park combines the opportunity for a healthful walk, the chance to share and interact with your favorite little one, and it provides a cost-free outdoor adventure. Your child will love running like a squirrel from sign to sign along this 0.15-mile path to read a story about a squirrel and a chipmunk in their natural habitat” [Fairfax County Park Authority]
Voting Underway in Vienna Holiday Decorating Contest — “Now through Friday, Dec. 9, at noon, vote for your favorite holiday display! Snap a photo of a display, share it on social media using #ShineBrightVienna and tag us at @TownofViennaVA & @ExploreViennaVA for a chance to win gift cards!” [Town of Vienna/Twitter]
Groveton School Gets Winter Clothes Donations — “A local group of crocheters put smiles on the faces of many Mount Eagle Elementary School students Nov. 14 when they delivered over 400 handmade hats, scarves and mittens to the school. According to school principal Jean Consolla, the children were allowed to pick out their new winter accessories during the first recess, with staff getting second dibs.” [On the MoVe]
It’s Monday — Mostly cloudy throughout the day. High of 49 and low of 31. Sunrise at 7:13 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
Upgraded lighting is no longer a component of upgrades to the Barton Hill tennis courts in Reston.
Reston Association will not challenge the Oct. 26 vote by the Fairfax County Board of Appeals upholding an earlier decision to require additional approvals before lights can be installed at the facility.
Board of Appeals member Daniel Aminoff emphasized that the county’s current ordinance does not specifically indicate that lighting-related upgrades are considered exceptions to a requirement for an amendment to Reston’s existing Planned Residential Community (PRC) plan.
“Had the Board of Supervisors intended to include lights, they would have specifically delineated in that case,” said Aminoff.
The board agreed with a county zoning administrator that a PRC plan amendment is required for the proposed upgrades in addition to a site plan.
RA had argued that it only needs a sports illumination plan to move forward with 23 LED light poles, which would stand 26 feet tall. RA also said the approved development plan for the area describes the courts as a recreational area and, as a result, allows for greater flexibility in planning.
The project will still include refurbishment and replacement of the existing tennis courts. RA’s board removed roughly $381,000 from its budget after the lighting component was dropped, according to RA spokesperson Mike Leone.
Leone declined to provide a response on the association opting not to appeal the county’s decision.
The proposal includes renovation of four courts and striping for tennis and pickle ball. RA previously anticipated the project would be ready by the end of the year, but the new timeline has not currently been finalized.
Photo via Google Maps
