Scott McCaffrey | FFXnow

Fairfax County seeks nearly $91 million in federal transportation grants

Published January 17, 2025 at 2:30PM

The Fairfax Connector bus fleet has a growing number of electric buses (courtesy FCDOT)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Tuesday (Jan. 14) to make federal grant requests totaling nearly $91 million to fund eight transportation projects.

The application for fiscal year 2031 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding now goes to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), where it will be scored against applications from other jurisdictions in the region.

News

Planning commission backs new Dunn Loring Elementary School

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 16, 2025 at 2:30PM

Dunn Loring Elementary School front entrance rendering (via Fairfax County Public Schools)

Fairfax County Public Schools won the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s support yesterday (Wednesday) for construction of a new Dunn Loring Elementary School.

The zoning recommendation, which now goes to the Board of Supervisors, will help support “decades of [student] growth to come,” Providence District Commissioner Jeremy Hancock said.

News

Revised redevelopment plan for Commons of McLean approved by county board

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 15, 2025 at 2:30PM

The proposed McLean Crossing redevelopment and its surroundings in Tysons (via LCOR and Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an updated conceptual development plan yesterday (Tuesday) that will replace the Commons of McLean apartments (1640 Anderson Road) with a new McLean Crossing mixed-use complex.

The unanimous vote allows property owner LCOR to start moving toward final development plans for an 11-building compound that could add up to 2.72 million square feet of residential, commercial and retail space near the McLean Metro station.

Countywide

Fairfax home sales, prices went up from 2023 to 2024

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 15, 2025 at 9:00AM

A row of townhouses in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s homes market saw year-over-year upticks in sales and prices in 2024.

A total of 11,787 properties changed hands during the year, according to preliminary figures reported by Bright MLS, the region’s multiple-listing service.

Countywide

Now more experienced, Fairfax County casino opponents resume lobbying efforts

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 14, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated January 14, 2025 at 6:27PM

The No Casino Coalition with Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn in 2025 (courtesy Hunter Mill District Office)

As the No Casino Coalition embarks on its second year of lobbying, it has learned some lessons in political realities.

Among them: Be careful when accepting help from anonymous sources.

Countywide

VDOT’s snowstorm cleanup gets critical reviews from Fairfax County board

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 14, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated January 14, 2025 at 6:33PM

Snow and ice cover Rupert Street in McLean on Jan. 8, 2025 (courtesy Jennifer Myers)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking answers to what it feels was an inadequate response to last week’s Jan. 6 snowstorm by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

“Planning, execution and communication fell far short of the service level that our residents demand and deserve,” supervisors said in a joint board matter adopted at the governing body’s meeting today (Tuesday).

Countywide

Senate majority leader to champion Tysons casino bill in Richmond

By Scott McCaffrey and Angela Woolsey

Published January 13, 2025 at 3:45PM

A lobbying flyer shared with state lawmakers in January 2025 includes a rendering of Comstock's envisioned casino development in Tysons (via Access Point Public Affairs)

Advocates for a referendum to allow a casino in Tysons have a formidable ally in the General Assembly this year.

State Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (D-34) is carrying the 2025 bill to add Fairfax County to Virginia’s short list of casino-eligible localities, taking over from Sen. Dave Marsden (D-35), who introduced legislation in 2023 and 2024.

News

Proposed housing projects near Jermantown Road win planning commission support

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 13, 2025 at 11:15AM

A&A Flint Hill development proposal (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave its blessing last Wednesday (Jan. 8) to two proposed projects that could replace aging commercial buildings with housing on adjacent Oakton parcels.

The proposals to redevelop Redwood Plaza (10600 Arrowhead Drive) and a portion of the Flint Hill Office Park (10530 Rosehaven Street) will now go to the Board of Supervisors. A similar request for a parcel immediately to the north is in the pipeline and will be considered later this year.

Countywide

Planning Commission defers vote on revised rules for special events, food trucks

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 10, 2025 at 1:15PM

Stands serve food at the 2024 Mosaic District Fall Festival (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Proposals to streamline the process of applying for community special event permits from the county government won the Fairfax County Planning Commission’s general support on Wednesday (Jan. 8).

However, with a number of details left unresolved, members deferred final action on whether to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the changes to next Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Countywide

Voting rights bill for adults in guardianships gets support from local residents

By Scott McCaffrey

Published January 8, 2025 at 2:30PM

Conner Cummings speaks to the Fairfax delegation to the General Assembly (via Channel 16 screenshot)

Under current Virginia law, adults placed into a guardianship or conservatorship are automatically deemed ineligible to vote. One Northern Virginia legislator, backed by a key advocacy group and a number of affected individuals, is working to change that.

State Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40) has introduced legislation that would eliminate the automatic stripping of voting rights of those who come under a guardianship.