While the Fairfax County has worked on boosting affordable housing, local officials are wary of state bills that would reduce local zoning authority over residential development in commercial zones.
HB 816 by Del. Dan Helmer (D-10) and SB 454 by state Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-16) would require local zoning ordinances to permit by-right multifamily and mixed-use residential development on a portion of commercial or business zoning district land.
Apartment hunters across most of Fairfax County are seeing lower rental rates than they were at this time last year, but higher costs are likely come springtime, according to new data.
Six of seven Fairfax communities included in Apartment List’s March rental report for the D.C. area showed year-over-year declines in median asking rents during February.
Every dog owner knows that greeting — the steady, joyful welcome that makes even the longest day feel worth it. At Giving Tree Pet Resort, we’ve built our daycare and boarding programs around that same devotion: consistent, structured care that feels safe, calm, and genuinely attentive.
We are not a high-volume, drop-off facility. We are a relationship-based pet resort designed for families who want more than supervision — they want peace of mind.
What Sets Giving Tree Apart
As the pet care industry has grown rapidly across Northern Virginia, Giving Tree was built around clearly defined operational standards rather than trends. (more…)
After decades of serving his community, a longtime Reston resident and advocate for people with disabilities is now in need of that same community’s help.
Family friends of former Reston Accessibility Committee (RAC) chair Kenneth Fredgren are seeking to raise $75,000 through GoFundMe so he can stay in an assisted living facility.
The Fairfax City Council was briefed Tuesday (Feb. 24) on two proposed redevelopments — a revised pitch for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center and an office-to-residential conversion.
Council members received pre-application presentations on the multi-phase mixed-use development for the Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center at 10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Blvd as well as a potential conversion of an office building into a six-story multifamily residential building at 10340 Democracy Lane.
A McLean man admitted yesterday (Thursday) to threatening the life of a government official and longtime ally of President Donald Trump.
Scott Allen Bolger, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of making an interstate threat after sending a message on Dec. 23 to special presidential envoy Richard Grenell threatening to shoot him in the head.
Evacuated Homes Could Be Cleared Soon — “Nearly two weeks after a gas leak sparked a home explosion in the Centreville area of Fairfax County, families who were forced to evacuate are finally preparing to return home.” The number of evacuated homes “has now dropped to 19, and officials say those remaining families are expected to be cleared to return as soon as late Thursday night or early Friday morning.” [DC News Now]
Water Activities to Return to Potomac River — “DC Health is set to lift the advisory against recreational contact with the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., weeks after a sewer line ruptured and spilled more than 240 million gallons of raw sewage and wastewater into the waterway. Beginning Monday, residents can boat, fish and let dogs splash along the shoreline in the D.C. section of the river (swimming is not permitted in D.C. waters).” [NBC4]
Bank Moving Corporate HQ to Tysons — “Freedom Financial Holdings Inc., the parent company of the Freedom Bank of Virginia, is relocating its corporate headquarters from Fairfax city to 1750 Tysons Blvd. next month, President and CEO Joe Thomas told me in an interview this week. It’s also opening a new branch there.” Freedom’s home of more than 20 years at 10555 Main Street will still serve as its bank HQ with a branch and operations center. [Washington Business Journal]
Lane Closures on I-395 in Springfield — “Weather permitting, the northbound and southbound I-395 general purpose lanes and 395 Express Lanes will have lane closures at Edsall Road (Route 648/Exit 2) Friday night, Feb. 27; Saturday, Feb. 28; and Sunday morning, March 1, for bridge work … Drivers are reminded to use caution when traveling in active work zones.” [VDOT]
Police Raise Alarm About Home Burglaries — “Police are investigating a string of home burglaries targeting Asian Americans in Fairfax County. The thieves have reportedly taken half a million dollars in cash, jewelry, clothing, handbags and even gold bars. According to the Fairfax County Police Department, the eight burglaries happened within the last two months.” [WUSA9]
Bill to Clarify Legislative Language Finds Support — “HB1299 defines the word ‘shall’ in state code to mean something is mandatory, not just ‘directory,’ or a suggestion. Bill patron and Fairfax Democratic Delegate Karrie Delaney said the bill was needed in the wake of state court rulings that downgraded ‘shall’ to not being required, and, after being in the chamber for almost a decade, she was sick of it.” [WVTF]
Former Federal Workers Reflect on Past Year — Since President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January 2025, “more than 300,000 people left the government through a combination of firings, layoffs, and resignations … The 51st spoke to seven former federal workers to hear how their job losses affected them, what they’ve been up to since, and where they hope to go next.” [The 51st]
FCPD Taps New Communications Director — “Chief Kevin Davis has promoted Alaina Gertz to Director of Communications for the Fairfax County Police Department.” Serving as deputy communications director since joining the FCPD in 2023, Gertz previously worked for D.C.’s police department, managing media relations during major events like the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021 and the 2019 World Series championship festivities. [FCPD]
Bailey’s Crossroads Car Wash Advances — “The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Feb. 25 recommended approval of a proposal to add a carwash facility at Radley Acura in Bailey’s Crossroads. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposal on March 17.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Friday — Expect a mostly sunny day with highs around 53°F and calm winds becoming southerly at 5 mph in the afternoon. The evening will be mostly clear with lows near 38°F and south winds between 3 and 6 mph. [NWS]
A plan for mixed-use redevelopment on a small but key parcel in downtown McLean has won the support of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Commission members voted 10-1 yesterday (Wednesday) in support of Reston-based Cypress Real Estate Company’s plan to construct 56 residential units with 2,120 square feet of ground floor retail on a 0.56-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Beverly Road and Elm Street.
Millions of dollars in federal funds are coming to Fairfax County after a minibus funding package was signed into law earlier this month.
Approximately $7.7 million has been allocated for six different projects, including $3.1 million for a traffic safety initiative focused on Springfield.
If Fairfax County approves the Prosperity Business Campus’ transformation into a residential neighborhood, townhomes will likely be the first element of the project to materialize.
PM Home Associates, an affiliate of the developer EYA, hopes to build 156 townhouses, including 20 affordable dwelling units, as the first phase of its overhaul of the 41-acre industrial office park in Merrifield, according to a final development plan submitted to Fairfax County on Feb. 20.
