News | FFXnow - Part 589

Economic vision for Lake Anne area coalesces, but buy-in still needed from property owners

Published June 16, 2023 at 2:15PM

A consultant is working on a final report on Lake Anne's economic vision (Photo via Street Sense).

In the future, Reston’s Lake Anne neighborhood should chase an economic vision where it will blossom into a local destination with a regional draw, according to a presentation by a Fairfax County-hired consultant.

At a community meeting on June 8, consultant Street Sense laid out the economic vision for the Lake Anne Commercial Revitalization Area following months of surveys, interviews and meetings with the community. The final report is expected to come out sometime this month, according to the county’s website.

Vienna Police called after man grabs boy for interrupting baseball game

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 16, 2023 at 1:30PM

A late afternoon baseball game at Waters Field in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Assault charges could be on deck for a Vienna man who allegedly chased and grabbed a boy during a youth baseball game earlier this week.

Vienna police officers were called to 133 Maple Avenue East at 8 p.m. on Wednesday (June 14) after getting a report of a man grabbing a juvenile at Waters Field (300 Cherry Street), according to the police department’s crime round-up for the week of June 9-15.

Planning Commission defers decision on Reston Comprehensive Plan overhaul

By Fatimah Waseem

Published June 16, 2023 at 11:45AM

The Reston Town Center expansion (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously deferred a decision on the Reston Comprehensive Plan overhaul at a public hearing Wednesday (June 14) night.

The move — which delays a vote to June 28 — came as public testimony at the hearing centered around a challenge facing Reston: navigating growing pains as it chases a new transit-oriented future while also trying to preserve its past.

Plans for a skating rink at the Mosaic District put on hold indefinitely

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 16, 2023 at 11:00AM

The Mosaic District's roller rink in summer 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Mosaic District is hanging up its roller and ice skating plans — at least for now.

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) agreed Wednesday (June 14) to indefinitely defer Rink Management Services Corporation’s request for a special permit that would allow it to operate a skating rink in the Merrifield neighborhood on a seasonal basis.

Tuesday’s primary could decide key Fairfax County, General Assembly races

By Matt Blitz

Published June 16, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated June 16, 2023 at 12:23PM

Early voting is underway at the Providence Community Center (file photo)

(Updated at 12:25 p.m.) Tuesday could be among the most consequential days in recent Fairfax County election history.

Tuesday, June 20 is primary election day, though early voting began in early May. While the general election is set for November, the county is overwhelmingly Democratic, so the candidates who win the primaries will be favored this fall.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published June 16, 2023 at 7:30AM

Construction site in the Reston Station area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Deal Would Allow More Long-Distance Flights at National Airport — “Leaders of a Senate committee reached a tentative deal Thursday to add four long-distance flights at Reagan National Airport, dealing a setback to D.C.-area lawmakers and the airport’s management, which have campaigned to leave current restrictions in place.” [The Washington Post]

Free Lunches Available for Kids This Summer — “School systems in Fairfax, Prince William, Loudoun, Stafford and Manassas are providing free breakfast and lunch to children under 18 through the summer…In Fairfax County, most summer meal programs begin June 20, offering breakfast and lunch at [select] schools and community centers” [Inside NoVA]

County will officially rename Lee and Lee-Jackson Memorial highways next month

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 15, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated November 16, 2023 at 4:31PM

A Lee Highway road sign (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County can officially retire Lee Highway and Lee-Jackson Memorial Highway as its names for routes 29 and 50.

The highways will be renamed after their route numbers effective July 5, the county announced today (Thursday).

Anti-LGBTQ incidents reported at Falls Church, West Potomac high schools

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 15, 2023 at 2:15PM | Updated June 16, 2023 at 12:44PM

Falls Church High School entrance (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 12:45 p.m. on 6/16/2023) As Pride Month got underway, a pair of hate incidents targeting the LGBTQ community shook up Falls Church and West Potomac high schools.

At Falls Church High School (7521 Jaguar Trail) in West Falls Church, a student admitted to stealing a rainbow Pride flag from the school and burning it, principal Ben Nowak said in a message to the school community on June 6.

Commonwealth’s Attorney unveils dashboard documenting gun removal cases

By Vivian Hoang

Published June 15, 2023 at 11:45AM

Fairfax County residents will now be able to access some data related to local temporary gun removal cases.

On June 13 (Tuesday), Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano released to the public a continuously updated digital dashboard that tracks ongoing and past Emergency Substantial Risk Orders — known more commonly as Red Flag Orders — as well as view demographic breakdowns of those subjected to ESROs by race, gender and age.

County recommends survey of family cemetery at Pan Am Shopping Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 15, 2023 at 11:00AM

The Thompson Family Cemetery is adjacent to the Pan Am Shopping Center in Merrifield (photo by Amy Woolsey)

Before the Pan Am Shopping Center in Merrifield gets redeveloped, Fairfax County staff say the adjacent, centuries-old cemetery should probably get examined.

The Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development released a staff report last week recommending that mixed-use development be allowed at the shopping center, opening the door for property owner Federal Realty to build 585 residential units and expand its retail.