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]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
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).
Statewide Tornado Drill Today — “The 2026 State-Wide Tornado Drill is Tomorrow, March 10th. At 9:45, practice your Tornado Preparedness by getting under a table or desk, going to an interior low-level floor, or bracing and covering your head and neck in an interior hallway.” [Ready Fairfax/X]
Potomac Sewage Spill Could Raise Water Bills — “The battle over who pays for January’s pipe collapse is quickly becoming a regional flashpoint — and DMV residents may not realize they could see the costs show up on their water bills.” Though DC Water is responsible for the repairs, a regional cost-sharing agreement for the 54-mile sewer line would require utilities in Maryland and Fairfax and Loudoun counties to cover part of the estimated $20 million bill. [Axios DC]
Bill Would Allow Lawsuits Over AI Political Ads — “Fairfax Democratic Senator Saddam Salim had hoped to require disclosure on political ads that use artificial intelligence. But a House committee Monday turned his bill into an anti-defamation law that asks courts to quickly review complaints related to allegedly false political ads instead.” [WVTF]
More Leeway Proposed for Rent Payments — “Del. Cia Price (D–Newport News) says legislation that she and other Democrats are behind aims to give renters like Tinsley a little more time to avoid an eviction hearing. HB15 would give tenants 14 days to pay off late rent, not five as in current law, before a landlord can try to evict them.” [VPM Media]
Police Investigating Reston Robbery — The Fairfax County Police Department released a composite sketch yesterday (Monday) of a potential suspect in a robbery that occurred in the Edgewater Townhomes at Reston Town Center on Feb. 16. “The victim reported seeing a man lying on the ground, possibly hurt. When he approached, the suspect jumped up, assaulted him, and stole his credit cards.” [FCPD]
Golf Simulator Maker Boosts Chantilly Presence — “Seoul-based Golfzon is relocating its global business team from South Korea to the U.S. to capitalize on the growing demand for indoor golf experiences stateside in North America and other regions, the company said Monday … Golfzon America CEO Sean Pyun will lead the global business division from 3863 Centerview Drive at Dulles Business Park in Chantilly,” where the company’s U.S. division has been based since 2016. [Washington Business Journal]
N. Va. T-Shirt Company Featured in Oscars Gift Bags — “The 98th Academy Awards are less than one week away, and while not all the nominees will walk away with an Oscar, some of them are guaranteed apparel from a Northern Virginia-based company. Included in this year’s swag-bags given to the nominees will be various clothing items from the Northern Virginia apparel brand Bored Rebel.” [WTOP]
Park Authority Hiring for Summer — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is now hiring hundreds of seasonal team members to support parks, recreation centers, nature centers, historic sites, golf courses and pools across the county … Full job descriptions, qualifications, and details on upcoming open hire sessions can be found online.” [FCPA]
It’s Tuesday — Expect sunny skies and a high near 77, accompanied by calm winds that will shift to the south at 5 to 7 mph later in the afternoon. The night will remain mostly clear, with a low around 61 and a gentle south wind of 3 to 5 mph. [NWS]
Want more local news? Check out our newest sister site, WSHnow, with the latest from across the region.
Vigil Held for Stabbing Victims — “About a hundred people paid their respects at a vigil for the two women who were stabbed to death at their Fairfax home on Feb. 23.” The vigil for Binda and Mamta Thapa was held Friday (March 6) at the Margate Manor Apartments and “organized by Prabha Bhattarai, founder and president of the PKP Tender Hearts Foundation, an organization that supports the Nepalese community.” [Annandale Today]
McKay Doesn’t Plan to Order Casino Referendum — “If Virginia passes a bill to pave the way for a casino in Fairfax County, the chairman of the county board says he won’t put the issue before voters … The bill has not yet made it to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s desk as lawmakers in both chambers still need to address the differences in the versions of the bill that was passed.” McKay says he won’t support a referendum on a casino based on the bill “in its current form.” [WTOP]
Bill on Sexual Abuse Cases Heads to Governor — “In Virginia, the civil statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases runs out 20 years after a survivor is no longer a minor. But what if crucial evidence doesn’t come out until after that? House Bill 1020 gives survivors another chance to have their day in court” by restarting the 20-year statute of limitations if new evidence is uncovered. [WRIC]
Murder Charge Dropped in Stabbing Case — “The family of a man stabbed to death near a bus stop in Groveton last year said they’re disappointed and angry that prosecutors decided not to pursue the second-degree murder case against the suspect … The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office chose to drop the murder charge against Reed, citing a lack of evidence to support a prosecution.” [WUSA9]
Lawsuit Challenges Reproductive Rights Amendment — “At the core of a new Bedford County-based lawsuit challenging Virginia’s pending reproductive rights amendment is an allegation that House of Delegates Clerk Paul Nardo failed to send copies of the amendment to circuit court clerks around the state, as required by law. However, a bill Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed last month retroactively removed that part of state code.” [Virginia Mercury]
Belle Haven Fire Started in Bedroom — “On Wednesday, March 4, at 4:13 a.m., the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department responded to reports of a house fire in the 2600 block of East Side Drive … Fire investigators determined the fire originated within the wall of a second-floor bedroom as the result of an electrical event.” No injuries were reported, but the fire caused an estimated $20,129 in property damages. [FCFRD]
Temporary Music Venue Planned in Annandale — “Johnny P, a local entrepreneur, has big plans for the two vacant buildings on Columbia Pike that were damaged in a fire in 2023. He hopes to use the building that formerly housed the Thai Sushi Eats restaurant as a temporary live music venue called ‘Music Flavor’ – until the building is torn down and the property is redeveloped.” [Annandale Today]
Blood Drive Today in Chantilly — “Inova is experiencing a critical blood shortage. Join us for the Sully District Blood Drive on Monday, March 9. Help make sure that life-saving blood products are available.” As of last night (Sunday), four time slots remained available for the blood drive, which will take place at the Sully Government Center from 2-6 p.m. [Fairfax County Government/X]
New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks license to manufacture and sell alcohol on/off-premises. [Public Notices]
It’s Monday — Expect sunny skies and a high temperature near 72 degrees, accompanied by a calm wind shifting to the south at around 5 mph in the afternoon. As night falls on Monday, the sky will remain mostly clear, with the temperature dropping to a low around 48 degrees and the wind remaining calm. [NWS]
Fairfax County is continuing its recent push to trim costs, pursuing budget cuts that are less drastic than the ones proposed last year but could still result in some notable programming changes.
Released on Feb. 17, County Executive Bryan Hill’s advertised fiscal year 2027 budget plan would reduce spending by $32.9 million and eliminate 107 positions, bringing the total amount of cuts since FY 2024 up to $124.5 million.
Cherry Blossoms Peak Bloom Predicted — “The cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin are predicted to reach peak bloom from March 29 to April 1, 2026, the National Park Service announced at a National Cherry Blossom Festival press conference on Thursday.” The festival is scheduled to begin on March 20 and continue through April 12 with events across the D.C. region. [Washingtonian]
FCPS Considers Policy to Punish Deepfakes — “A disturbing trend in which some students are using AI to make fake nude images of their classmates is leading Fairfax County School Board members to consider changing the school system’s discipline policy.” Under the proposed policy, students who create the fake images could face a suspension of up to five days with referrals to the superintendent and law enforcement. [NBC4]
Fairfax Station Road Changes Still Pending — More than three years after two teens were killed in a crash on Lee Chapel Road, their families are still waiting to see improvements. Construction on a project to eliminate two hills between Fairfax County Parkway and Ox Road is expected to begin in 2027, and “officials are also working with the Virginia Department of Transportation to install a roadside memorial along the stretch of road.” [WUSA9]
Bill Would Protect Public Education for Immigrants — “Virginia lawmakers are on track to codify a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision that protects a child’s right to an education regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. The move comes amid ramped up immigration enforcement, federal policy changes and related legal challenges.” [Virginia Mercury]
Senate Rejects By-Right Housing Bill — “A bill seeking to permit by-right multifamily development in commercial zones was defeated in the Virginia Senate [on Wednesday, March 4] despite limitations proposed by Arlington’s state Sen. Barbara Favola (D-40). The Senate voted 17-22 on HB 816 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-10),” while the House of Delegates sent a companion bill to a committee. [ARLnow]
Va. Could Ease Restaurant Liquor Sales Rule — “Gov. Abigail Spanberger may soon put her pen to one of the most notable changes to Virginia’s liquor license laws in more than three decades. The House of Delegates and Senate both passed legislation last month that would reduce the ratio of food-to-alcohol sales for restaurants in the commonwealth from no less than 45% to at least 30%.” [Washington Business Journal]
Mural Takes Shape on Vacant Annandale Building — “The long-vacant building at 7219 Columbia Pike is in the process of being covered with designs in preparation for painting. Fairfax County land records show Annandale Social LLC is renovating the building to establish a restaurant/carryout. An ABC license for beer, wine, and mixed beverages is pending.” [Annandale Today]
Participants Wanted for Reston Cultural Festival — “The Reston Community Center is preparing for the 25th anniversary of its Multicultural Festival, a signature event that draws thousands to Reston each fall. Applications are currently open for performers, artisans, culturally inspired businesses, and community organizations interested in participating in this milestone celebration.” [Patch]
New Legal Notice — Applicant seeks mixed-beverage restaurant license; objections due within 30 days. [Public Notices]
New Legal Notice — Public hearing on advanced academics center, March 19, 6:45 p.m. [Public Notices]
It’s Friday — Showers may occur after 4pm, with foggy conditions clearing up before 11am. Expect a mostly cloudy sky with a high near 54 degrees and an east wind blowing at 5 to 8 mph. The chance of precipitation stands at 20%. For Friday night, showers could occur after 7pm, and a low temperature around 45 degrees under a mostly cloudy sky with east winds at 5 to 8 mph and a 30% chance of precipitation. [NWS]
