Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

NEW: Pimmit Hills residents brace for court battle over gas pipeline planned through neighborhood

Published April 13, 2023 at 10:15AM

Pimmit Hills community members rally against Washington Gas' proposed natural gas pipeline in 2020 (courtesy Devin Buries)

Cheers went up after the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) ruled last year that a natural gas pipeline planned through the residential neighborhood of Pimmit Hills will need to be reviewed and approved by the county.

However, even when proposing that decision on Feb. 2, 2022 after a multi-day public hearing, BZA Vice Chairman James Hart acknowedged that the case over the sixth phase of Washington Gas’ Strip 1 Tysons project was likely headed to court.

News

JUST IN: Rumors of student bringing gun to Glasgow MS lead to boost in police presence

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 13, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated April 13, 2023 at 10:54AM

Glasgow Middle School (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 10:55 p.m.) The presence of Fairfax County police and school security has been enhanced at Glasgow Middle School in Lincolnia today (Thursday) in response to rumors that a student might bring a gun.

Fairfax County Public Schools is working with the Fairfax County Police Department to investigate “third and fourth hand anonymous rumors” that a student had threatened to bring a gun to the school today, Glasgow principal Victor Powell said in a message sent to families last night (Wednesday).

News

Dominion Square affordable housing project hopes to start construction by end of year

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 12, 2023 at 2:15PM

A rendering of the proposed Dominion Square affordable housing development in Tysons (courtesy KGD Architecture)

If everything goes according to plan, the all-affordable housing complex planned near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons could break ground this December.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority will issue up to $99 million in tax-exempt bonds to support construction of half of the Dominion Square project, which will deliver over 500 apartments for households earning 60% or less of the area median income (AMI).

News

Funds needed to replace ‘unsafe’ Lake Accotink Park playground

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 12, 2023 at 1:30PM

Lake Accotink Park sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Lake Accotink Park’s playground has seen better days, not unlike the lake itself.

The Fairfax County Park Authority closed the playground at the popular Springfield park in November after an inspector determined the rusting equipment was “unsafe for use,” Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said at a Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

Around Town

Jewelry store Kendra Scott to open at Tysons Corner Center with weekend of giveaways

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 12, 2023 at 11:45AM

The jewelry store Kendra Scott will open at Tysons Corner Center on April 21, 2023 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Jewelry worn by stars like actor Kristen Bell and singer Kelly Clarkson will soon be for sale at Tysons Corner Center.

Texas-based designer Kendra Scott is planning a three-day grand opening to celebrate the arrival of her new, 2,653-square-foot store at the mall, where it’ll be located next to Lululemon.

Countywide

Risk of wildfires elevated today in D.C. area, National Weather Service warns

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 12, 2023 at 10:30AM

Above-average temperatures for April are forecast for the D.C. today (via NWS/Twitter)

Fairfax County and the rest of the D.C. area should be on alert for potential outdoor fire hazards today (Wednesday), the National Weather Service says.

A combination of wind gusts and dry weather has created an “elevated threat” of wildfires throughout the region until the early evening, according to a special weather statement issued just after 9 a.m.

News

Kent Gardens ES to get new trailers, as FCPS continues reviewing possible crowding fixes

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 11, 2023 at 1:30PM

Fairfax County Public Schools is planning to remove seven trailers at Kent Gardens Elementary School and replace them with two new facilities (via FCPS)

Kent Gardens Elementary School is still bursting at the seams, but at least the trailers accommodating the overflow of students will soon get an update.

Seven old, one-classroom trailers behind the McLean school (1717 Melbourne Drive) will be removed and replaced by a four-classroom trailer and one with two classrooms, principal Holly McGuigan and Fabio Zuluaga, an assistant superintendent for Fairfax County Public Schools, recently told families.

Countywide

Poll: Northern Virginia has D.C. area’s best shopping, survey finds. Do you agree?

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 11, 2023 at 9:30AM

Tysons Corner Center remains the biggest and one of the busiest malls in the D.C. area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Northern Virginia is the place to be if you’re shopping in the D.C. area, a recent poll of local residents found.

A handy 61% of respondents favored Northern Virginia when asked what’s the best place to shop in the region by the Washington Post and George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government, which conducted the wide-ranging poll from Feb. 17-27.

News

Vienna could require bicycle parking for multifamily housing with zoning code update

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2023 at 2:15PM

A bicycle rack near Waters Field in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Aware of a growing need for more variety in its housing options, the Town of Vienna is taking a harder look at its standards for multifamily residential development.

Changes currently under consideration include the introduction of minimum parking requirements for bicycles, according to draft regulations for apartments, townhouses, and other residences allowed in a new residential multi-unit (RMU) zone.

News

Fire reported in vacant car dealership near Spring Hill Metro station

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 10, 2023 at 11:40AM

Firefighters respond to fire in an abandoned car dealership at 8546 Leesburg Pike (via FCFRD/Twitter)

A fire broke out this morning (Monday) in an abandoned automobile dealership near the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons.

Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were dispatched to 8546 Leesburg Pike at 10:45 a.m. for a commercial building fire, according to scanner traffic on OpenMHz.