McLean’s housing supply will expand in the coming years as a result of two very different development proposals approved last week by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
The board voted unanimously on March 17 to rezone the McLean Office Center at 1368 Beverly Road from a commercial district to a planned residential mixed-use district, paving the way for a 56-unit apartment building to replace the existing pair of two-story office buildings.
Two school board members have proposed a new way for Fairfax County Public Schools to add revenue: selling the naming rights to school athletic facilities.
Introduced as “new business” last week, a motion directing Superintendent Michelle Reid to develop a plan to accommodate such negotiations is set to be voted on by the full Fairfax County School Board at its meeting tomorrow (Thursday).
Fairfax County officials finalized the purchase of a Chantilly property earlier this month to support an expansion of care for adults seeking mental health treatment.
The property, located at 14554 Lee Road, currently operates as Connections Chantilly, a 16-bed, short-term residential treatment center. It will soon be reclassified as a Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Center, meaning it will “provide an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization … and will offer treatment for those who also need safe withdrawal from substances.”
After reviewing its third-quarter financial picture, the Fairfax County government has identified about $52 million in additional funding that local leaders could spend or save, as they desire.
“There’s a number of good news stories in here,” Board Chair Jeff McKay said after a March 24 staff presentation to the Board’s Budget Policy Committee.
Comstock Companies has received a green light from Fairfax County to install new signs around its mostly completed Reston Row project near the Wiehle Metro station.
However, the Board of Supervisors’ vote on March 17 to approve revisions to a sign plan for the development might not spell the end of discussions about what kinds of signs should be permitted, as the county seeks to balance the needs of its growing commercial centers with more traditionally suburban neighborhoods.
Offshore Wind Turbine Now Operating — “Dominion Energy’s major Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is now sending surges of power to the grid, after its first commercial turbine was switched on Monday. It is the largest offshore wind project in America. The single turbine, separate from the structure’s two pilot turbines that have been operational since 2020, is producing 14.7 megawatts” off the coast of Virginia Beach. [Virginia Mercury]
Pedestrian Killed on I-395 — “A pedestrian was found dead in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 395 in Alexandria today (Tuesday), according to Virginia State Police. The crash happened around 6:12 a.m. on northbound Interstate 395 near the Duke Street exit.” [ALXnow]
Man Sentenced for Metro Station Assaults — “A Fairfax County man has been sentenced to one year in connection with assaults and attempted abductions near Metro stations in Alexandria last year, according to court records.” The man was sentenced last Friday (March 20) to 10 years in prison, with nine of them suspended, on charges of assault, sexual battery and attempted abduction. [WJLA]
Beware of Unpaid Toll Text Scam — “Residents have reported receiving fraudulent text messages stating they owe unpaid toll charges and must make an immediate payment to avoid penalties or legal action. The messages claim to be from the General District Court for Fairfax County in an effort to appear legitimate and pressure recipients into responding.” [FCPD]
Lawmakers Advocate for Underground Power Lines — A state senator and a delegate both representing Loudoun County “asked the State Corporation Commission last week to consider burying high-voltage transmission lines, after bills that would initiate a pilot program for the proposed lines passed the General Assembly.” [Virginia Mercury]
Va. Could Ease Ban on Voting Under Guardianship — “Disabled Virginians under guardianship may be able to vote under a new law waiting for Governor Abigail Spanberger’s signature.” The bill, led by Fairfax Del. Kathy Tran, “would ask courts to make an additional finding, one of their competencies to vote, when someone is put under guardianship.” [WVTF]
Centreville Man Charged With Armed Robberies — “A 19-year-old has been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies in Arlington last month.” Arrested at his home last Friday with the FBI and Fairfax County and Herndon police assisting, the man “faces a total of 20 charges stemming from four incidents on Feb. 24 and 25.” [ARLnow]
New Leasing Team for Towers Club Building — “Stream Realty Partners has been awarded the leasing assignment for 8000 Towers Crescent Drive, a 481,007-square-foot office tower in Tysons, according to a March 24 announcement.” Current occupants of the building include the recently renovated Tower Club and Chima Steakhouse. [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of about 59°F and a south wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph. Wednesday night will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 49°F and a continued south wind at 7 to 9 mph. [NWS]
There’s more local news to explore. Check out WSHnow, with stories from around the region.
As Fairfax County Public Schools officials develop a policy regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, some parents worry the division is already too reliant on technology.
Several parents expressed concerns about technology use to the Fairfax County School Board during its meeting last Thursday (March 19).
A new look is in store for the water tower that looms over the Route 123 and Route 7 interchange in Tysons.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted last week (March 17) to support the Tysons Community Alliance’s plan to replace the existing sign on the water tower with an updated “Tysons” logo introduced last spring.
Fairfax County Public Schools is planning its own investigation separate from the police into allegations that a Fairfax High School student groped multiple female students, Superintendent Michelle Reid announced.
In a letter sent on Monday (March 23) to families, Reid said that FCPS had retained the services of “an independent outside law firm to conduct a comprehensive review of this matter.”
Another rabid cat has been identified in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Health Department is urging community members to reach out if they or a pet might’ve come into contact with the cat, which reportedly attacked “multiple” people last Thursday afternoon (March 19) in the Huntington area.
