Fairfax County saw solid home sales and increasing prices in February, but the U.S. war in Iran and its potential to exacerbate existing affordability challenges may cloud the springtime market.
Sales countywide for the month totaled 691, up 6.2% from a year before, according to figures reported Tuesday (March 10) by MarketStats by ShowingTime.
Fairfax County Public Schools students will have an unexpected day off this spring, as polling sites take over many school buildings for the upcoming special election on mid-decade redistricting.
FCPS Superintendent Michelle Reid announced yesterday (Wednesday) that all schools will close on April 21 in anticipation of high turnout for the referendum, which asks voters to temporarily amend Virginia’s Constitution so the General Assembly can adopt a new Congressional district map.
Police Increase Impaired Driving Patrols — “Several events throughout March bring increased travel and social gatherings, including college basketball’s March Madness tournament and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. These events can lead to more impaired driving incidents, particularly during evenings and late-night hours when people gather to watch games or attend celebrations.” [FCPD]
Court Rules Felon Disenfranchisement Is Illegal — “On Monday, a federal court reaffirmed a January ruling that found that Virginia’s current practice of disenfranchising all people with felony convictions violates post-Civil War laws that required former Confederate states to guarantee voting rights for newly emancipated Black residents.” [Virginia Mercury]
Fairfax City Sets Tax Rate Ceiling — “Fairfax City homeowners could see their annual real estate bill increase by an average of $633 if the City Council adopts the maximum real estate tax rate it set at its meeting on Tuesday night. The council voted 4-3 to advertise a maximum real estate tax rate of $1.095 per $100 of assessed value for Fiscal Year 2027” — higher than the rate proposed by City Manager Daniel Alexander. [Patch]
N. Va. Impact of DC Minimum Wage Increase Limited — “A ballot measure to substantially increase D.C.’s minimum wage would undoubtedly have major effects on Arlington’s neighbor, but the region-wide impacts are murkier.” George Mason University professor Terry Clower says a proposal to raise D.C.’s minimum wage for tipped workers to $25 per hour “probably won’t mean much for localities like Arlington in the short term.” [ARLnow]
VRE Shares Expansion Plans — “Virginia Railway Express is on track for a big expansion in service by 2030, with its new CEO hoping for a total transformation of the system by 2050.” The train system’s plan for 2050 sets “for adapting to changing travel patterns, maximizing ridership and adding off-peak and weekend service.” [Inside NoVA]
Kings Dominion Nears Start of Season — “With Kings Dominion set to reopen on March 21 and Busch Gardens Williamsburg switching over to its spring celebrations this weekend, it’s time to start planning your next trip. But, before you take a drive down I-95, make sure you know what’s new at both amusement parks.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Afghan Women Celebrated in Reston — “On Sunday, March 8, which was International Women’s Day, the Afghanistan Refugee Rescue Organization (ARRO-USA) celebrated Afghan women, acknowledging that their voices need to be heard in all walks of life.” Held at the United Christian Parish in Reston, the event featured speakers, government and nonprofit resources, and an Iftar dinner accompanied by singer Latifa Azizi. [Press release]
Metro Hiring Bus Mechanics — “Metro will host an invitation-only hiring event on Saturday, March 28, for experienced Automotive Service Technicians (Bus Mechanics) … All interested candidates should complete applications online at wmata.com/careers no later than March 26, at 11:59 p.m.” [WMATA]
It’s Thursday — Rain showers will transition to a mix of rain and snow by 2pm, with temperatures dropping to around 40°F. Expect breezy conditions with winds at 14-21 mph and gusts up to 38 mph. Precipitation chances are 90%, but snow accumulation should be minimal. Night will be mostly clear with a low of 33°F. [NWS]
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Fairfax County’s Stuff the Bus food drive to restock local food pantries will return to sites across the county on Saturday (March 14).
Eight grocery store parking lots will serve as collection points from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each site will benefit a different local food pantry. Residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food or gift cards at the collection sites.
The general height limit for single-family homes across Fairfax County has stood at 35 feet for 67 years. But county officials say that restriction needs clarification so local residents and builders better understand how the calculation is made.
“Simplicity is important for a lot of reasons,” Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said yesterday (Tuesday) at a meeting of the board’s Land Use Policy Committee.
By OLIVIA DIAZ and MARC LEVY Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Nearly two decades ago, Virginia gave tech companies a tax break on equipment and software, and they began to build. The state became a data center hub, and they kept building. Residents bemoaned the noise while they built some more. Artificial intelligence boomed, and the power grid strained — still, more building.
Fairfax County officials are seeking input on how to allocate millions of dollars in funding for improvements to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) unveiled a list of proposed projects last month and is now actively accepting survey responses until 4:30 p.m. on March 31.
Fairfax County is teaming up with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away free trees to residents as part of its efforts to nurture the local tree canopy.
Starting today (Tuesday), all county residents can sign up online to receive up to two one-gallon trees that will be delivered directly to their homes, according to the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services’ (DPWES) Urban and Community Forestry Division.
Assault Weapons Ban Heads to Governor — “Virginia is one step closer to enacting an assault weapons ban. The Senate is sending a bill to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s (D) desk on Monday that would make it illegal to sell, purchase, import, manufacture or transfer assault weapons in Virginia starting on July 1, 2026, with some exceptions.” [WRIC]
Gambling Commission Push Stalls — “A Virginia Senate committee killed a House bill that would create an independent body to regulate various gambling industries Monday, as state lawmakers seek to corral the sprawling industry.” A separate Senate bill currently being negotiated by members of both General Assembly chambers would instead hand most regulatory authority over gaming to the Virginia Lottery. [VPM Media]
Rarely Seen Bird Spotted in Great Falls Park — “Since a birder named Phil Kenny first discovered a female red-flanked bluetail in a tree just off the Capital Beltway on New Year’s Day, crowds of visitors have flocked to Great Falls Park — where the bird has been living for the past three months — to try to catch a glimpse. Locals young and old, plus bird nerds from as far away as Minnesota, Nevada, Texas, Michigan and Florida have all showed up with binoculars in tow.” [Washington Post]
Va. Could Clear Way for Plug-In Solar Panels — “Bills allowing for portable solar generation devices are nearing the finish line to be sent to the governor’s desk.” Led by Fairfax State Sen. Scott Surovell and Del. Paul Krizek, the bills prevent landlords with “more than four rental dwellings from prohibiting the use of balcony solar panels.” [Virginia Mercury]
Annandale Masonic Lodge for Sale — “The Elmer Timberman Masonic Lodge is selling its building at 6911 Columbia Pike in Annandale. The Masons only use it for monthly meetings. They own the building but they’re finding it hard to keep up with maintenance expenses” after a slowdown in event rentals post-Covid. [Annandale Today]
Vietnamese Eatery Launches at Tysons Galleria — “At his upscale restaurant Moon Rabbit, chef Kevin Tien and his team reimagine Vietnamese food with modern dishes like mochi beignets with fresh eel or green-curry sponge cake. But at his new fast-casual spot, Chao Ban, in Tysons Galleria, Tien is focusing on more familiar staples like pho and banh mi — albeit with some of his usual cheffy twists.” [Washingtonian]
Vienna Steakhouse Aims for Spring Opening — “Electric Bull is slated to open this spring at 176 Maple Ave. West. It began as a basic idea: a neighborhood grill and butcher shop centered on great meat and live fire. Somewhere along the way, that vision attracted an elite group of chefs and partners whose combined experience is helping shape it into something much bigger.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Fairfax City Schools Take Cautious Approach to Budget — “City of Fairfax school leaders say they are building a cautious Fiscal Year 2027 budget that preserves student programs and staff support while budgeting for a lower tuition bill than the roughly $77 million figure initially projected by Fairfax County Public Schools.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — There’s a 50% chance of rain with partly sunny skies, and a high near 82 degrees. South winds will range from 6 to 11 mph, gusting up to 22 mph. Evening brings a 70% chance of rain, along with cloud cover and a low around 51 degrees. [NWS]
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The Fairfax County Police Department is moving forward with plans to partially seal off its radio communications from the public.
The department has proposed encrypting its “main channels” to both limit the disclosure of sensitive information and prevent “someone’s worst day from being used for entertainment,” officers told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a Safety and Security Committee meeting this afternoon (Tuesday).
