News | FFXnow - Part 613

Morning Notes

Published October 17, 2022 at 7:30AM

Fall leaves on a Lake Audubon bridge (photo by Marjorie Copson)

Hunter Mill Road Traffic Stoppages Today — “On Mon 10/17 from 9AM-3PM, Hunter Mill Rd will have full traffic stoppages of up to 10 minutes each between Crowell Rd and Cobble Mill Rd to install beams as part of the Colvin Run bridge project. Expect delays and consider using alternate routes.” [VDOT/Twitter]

Racial Disparities Persist in Virginia Marijuana Arrests — “While marijuana arrests overall dropped in the year since Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize, Black adults accounted for nearly 60 percent of marijuana-related cases before the state’s general district and circuit courts…despite Black people accounting for about 20 percent of the state population.” [The Washington Post]

Town: Comstock would lose money if paused downtown Herndon project restarted right now

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 14, 2022 at 1:30PM

The anticipated groundbreaking has been pushed back several times (Image via handout/Comstock).

Market conditions remain unfavorable for the redevelopment of Downtown Herndon, a public-private partnership that is led by developer Comstock and the town.

At a Herndon Town Council meeting earlier this month, Town Manager Bill Ashton II said Comstock remains committed to pausing the development for up to two years. Currently, Comstock is unable to approve financing for the project and conditions remain economically unfavorable for the project to proceed.

County approves 18-month waiver of fees for installing electric vehicle chargers

By Matt Blitz

Published October 14, 2022 at 11:45AM

An electric vehicle charger has already been installed at the community center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Fairfax County will waive fees for permitting and installing electric vehicle chargers for at least the next year and a half.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted on Tuesday (Oct. 11) to waive all county-imposed permit, installation and signage fees for electric vehicle chargers for a trial period of 18 months. The waiving of fees will go into effect alongside the release of the new Planning and Land Use System (PLUS) on Oct. 31.

County board OKs Somos project to speed up the creation of workforce housing in Tysons East

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 14, 2022 at 9:30AM

Developer SCG has revised its design for Somos to put the main entrance on Lincoln Street (via Fairfax County)

A development expected to significantly increase the availability of workforce housing in Tysons East won the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ approval on Tuesday (Oct. 11).

The board voted unanimously in support of SCG Development’s proposal to replace a six-story office building at 1750 Old Meadow Road with two connected, 8-story residential buildings with 453 workforce housing units.

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published October 14, 2022 at 7:30AM

Clouds behind the condo building at 901 Glyndon Street SE in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Major Earthquake Drill Coming Next Week — “This year’s Great Southeast ShakeOut Day earthquake drill is scheduled for 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. Make plans to join millions of people worldwide who will participate in earthquake drills at work, school or home.” [Fairfax County Emergency Information]

Motorcyclist Dies After Crash in Groveton — “Darrell Hayes, 75, of Alexandria, was operating a 2018 Honda Goldwing motorcycle, making a left turn from northbound Lantern Place to westbound South Kings Highway. Hayes lost control of his motorcycle, laying it down on the roadway. Hayes was taken to a hospital and succumbed to his injuries on Oct. 13.” [FCPD]

Fairfax County proposes developer incentives to encourage street trees

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 13, 2022 at 3:00PM

Trees line Avenir Place in Dunn Loring (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County planners want to cultivate more tree-lined streets, but to make that a reality, some more leeway for developers may be needed.

With a proposed pilot program, the county’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) will let developers in more urbanized areas count street trees as part of their 10-year tree canopy requirements — an option already offered in Tysons.

Donation drive for winter coat closet returns to Reston this month

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 13, 2022 at 2:15PM

The annual winter coat closet returns to Reston this month (Photo via Cornerstones).

Continuing a tradition set by former Hunter Mill District Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, an annual winter coat closet will return to Reston from Oct. 17 through Nov. 10.

Conducted in a partnership with nonprofit Cornerstones, the drive will provide residents with free winter hats, coats, gloves, mittens and scarves.

NEW: Two killed in moped crash on Dulles Toll Road in Wolf Trap

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 13, 2022 at 1:15PM

The Dulles Toll Road exit to Trap Road (via Google Maps)

Two people died in a moped crash on the Dulles Toll Road near the exit to Trap Road last night (Wednesday).

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash with multiple injuries in the toll road’s westbound lanes at 9:40 p.m., MWAA said in a statement to FFXnow.

County board approves funds for hiring bonuses, school stadium bathrooms

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 13, 2022 at 11:45AM

SEIU Fairfax President Tammie Wondong delivered remarks at a public hearing Tuesday (Photo via SEIU Fairfax).

Fairfax County has officially allocated millions of unspent revenue from the previous year’s budget for items like restrooms for school stadiums and a boost of the county’s hiring program.

At a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday (Oct. 11), the board voted 7-1 to allocate $7.5 million in carryover funds to help install permanent restrooms at 15 Fairfax County Public School outdoor high school stadiums.

Ashes start Wolf Trap house fire that displaced five people

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 13, 2022 at 10:15AM

Fairfax County firefighters respond to a house fire in the 1700 block of Fox Run Court in Wolf Trap (via FCFRD)

Five Wolf Trap residents lost their home, at least temporarily, due to a large fire on Tuesday (Oct. 11).

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units were dispatched to the 1700 block of Fox Run Court at 4:35 p.m. after a neighbor in the area noticed smoke and fire on a house’s exterior, prompting them to call 911, according to a report published yesterday (Wednesday).