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.
All kids under the age of 12 will soon be able to ride the Fairfax Connector for free.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to change the bus system’s policy to allow any child 12 or younger to ride for free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Metro Worker Fired After Overrunning Innovation Station — “On March 17, safety commission officials said Tuesday, a train operator put his train into [automatic mode] several times during the day. He was caught when his train shot past the Innovation Center station platform in Virginia, triggering a Metro probe into the platform overrun.” [The Washington Post]
Disciplinary Incidents Rise in FCPS — “The number of disciplinary incidents reported in Fairfax County, Virginia, public schools more than doubled in the first semester of the current school year, compared to the first semester of the 2021-22 academic year, according to preliminary county data.” [WTOP]
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.
Network Realty Partners is seeking to redevelop a trio of office buildings in Oakton into a residential development.
In an April 3 application, the Arlington-based company is seeking Fairfax County’s permission to demolish three mostly vacant office buildings in Redwood Plaza (10600 Arrowhead Drive) and turn the property into a 268-unit residential development.
(Updated at 5:10 p.m.) For the first time ever, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee is allowing registered Democrats to vote on which school board candidates it will endorse this year.
The Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) announced yesterday (Monday) that it will hold an open caucus to allow any voter who registers with the party to vote in this year’s nonpartisan races.
(Updated at 5:40 p.m.) Fairfax County transportation planners are considering the possibility of adding a traffic beacon to the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) near Robert Fulton Drive in Reston.
(Correction: This story previously said the beacon is being considered for the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Wiehle Avenue.)
Area Traffic Returning to Pre-Pandemic Levels — “In the ‘inner suburbs’ of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, traffic was 94% of pre-pandemic norms as 2022 closed…Several factors may be contributing to this seeming disconnect — congested highways but half-empty offices — but most eyes have turned to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Canan said.” [Washington Business Journal]
Wolf Trap National Park Brings Back Food Service — “The Fermented Pig, a barbecue-focused food vendor, will return to Wolf Trap’s on-site restaurant Ovations. There will be an updated farm-to-table buffet menu with vegan and gluten-free options as well as a picnic box option and new quick service bar.” Picnic boxes will be available for the first time since 2019. [Patch]
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is going to take a second stab at its ambitious Zoning Ordinance Modernization Project (zMOD) after Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down the prior approval.
The county’s zMOD overhaul involved a variety of sweeping changes to the zoning ordinance, from loosening limits on accessory dwelling units to changes in regulations governing flags and flagpoles.
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.
