Countywide

Almost a year after ending its state of emergency for COVID-19, Fairfax County is expected to codify new rules for outdoor dining that were introduced in response to the pandemic.

A proposed zoning ordinance amendment will automatically let restaurants, bars and other food service establishments set up temporary seating areas where patrons can eat and drink outside, unless the area is in a parking lot, in which case an administrative permit will be needed.


News

The new year may bring changes to how water is provided in and around the Town of Vienna.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Dec. 5 to begin discussions with the town and Fairfax Water about the future of public water delivery service in areas currently served by Vienna Water.


Around Town

A new gym is slated to open soon at Fox Mill Shopping Center in Herndon, giving residents another option for fulfilling their fitness-related New Year’s resolutions.

Anytime Fitness will occupy a 6,000-square-foot space at 2551 John Milton Drive in Herndon, according to the center’s leasing website.


News

The Oakton office campus that has hosted AT&T for decades is poised for a transformation.

An affiliate of developer EYA, CB Oakton Associates LLC submitted a plan to Fairfax County in late November that would replace the aging, 440,000-square-foot office building with up to 1.4 million square feet of mixed-use development, including townhomes, multi-family residential buildings and retail.


Countywide

Person Killed by Train Near Reston Metro Station — “A person was struck and killed by a Metro train after police determined they were trespassing on Silver Line tracks in Fairfax County, transit officials wrote on social media Monday. The incident occurred near Reston Town Center and was announced shortly before 9:45 a.m., but officials did not say when the person died or how the individual gained access to the tracks.” [Washington Post]

I-95 Crash Injures Woman and Child — “A woman and a child were seriously injured in a crash on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County, Virginia, early Sunday morning. A spokesperson with Virginia State Police told WTOP that officers went to the northbound lanes of I-95 at the 165-mile marker where the crash occurred at 1:50 a.m.” [WTOP]


Around Town

The final weekend of 2023 is near, which means it’s time for FFXnow to wrap up our first full year of operations since launching in February 2022.

The past 12 months brought plenty of change to Fairfax County, from a pivotal election cycle that reshaped the local school board and General Assembly delegation to Lego Discovery Center’s anticipated arrival at Springfield Town Center. The future became a little clearer for areas like Reston, Annandale and the West Falls Church Transit Station Area, as plans for development solidified.


Around Town

A Merrifield bakery that specializes in poffertjes — a traditional Dutch snack that resembles puffed-up pancakes — has closed up shop.

Poffy ceased operations during the weekend after Thanksgiving, opening its doors in the Mosaic District (2985 District Avenue, Suite 170) for the last time on Nov. 25, the business announced on Instagram.


Countywide

To kick off the new year, the Fairfax County Park Foundation is offering hikers gift cards ranging from $75 to $100 for their best photos of local trails.

This upcoming Monday, Jan. 1, hikers are invited to snap pictures while exploring any of the county’s 334 miles of trails.