A total of 461 residential units will take the place of two vacant office buildings on Worldgate Drive in Herndon.
The Herndon Town Council unanimously approved the redevelopment proposal from Boston Properties on March 26, allowing a five-story apartment building on the western half of the property along with a two-floor parking garage, four-story townhouses and two-over-two stacked residential units.
The project will be located at 13100 and 13150 Worldgate Drive and has been under review by the town for almost two years.
The 10.4-acre site will be accessed from an entrance on Wiltshire Lane and a new right-in only entrance along Worldgate Drive. The development itself includes a street grid of private streets and alleys.
A new trail that is accessible to the public will provide a missing link to the existing trail network that connects Elden Street to the Herndon Metro station.
Two public bus stops will be relocated and upgraded with shelters, benches and trash cans. The stop along Elden Street will also have a bus pull-off bay to minimize the impact on traffic.
Lisa Gilleran, director of the town’s department of community development, told the town council that the housing development will have a significantly lower impact on traffic than the office buildings would if they were fully leased.
“Although they are empty right now, if they were to have tenants in them, [it] would actually create a much more significant traffic issue than the proposed development,” Gilleran said.
A traffic study found that the development is expected to reduce traffic by 1,448 daily trips during peak hours compared to the existing office use.
Boston Properties successfully sought a 15% reduction in the number of parking spaces required for the multi-family building, which will have 359 units. The 49 planned townhouses will be 20 and 22 feet wide for end units instead of the required 22 feet and 24 feet for end units.
David Gill, a land use attorney representing Boston Properties, said the company is excited to create a gateway community in the Town of Herndon.
“We think Worldgate has had a lot of challenges as the office market has changed under its feet,” he said.
Councilmember Donielle Scherff urged the developer to continue to conduct its due diligence as the project moves forward, drawing specifically from her experience with Boston Properties shifting Reston Town Center from free to paid parking.
“I hope that everything that happened in Reston will shed a different light with how you handle Herndon,” she said.
Sean Sullivan, the company’s vice president of development, responded that “lessons have been learned from Reston so we take that to heart.”
The townhouse portion of the project will have 35 visitor spaces allotted on the street. Garage parking is set aside for the multi-family building, whose visitors will receive a temporary key. Bicycle parking, including public racks on the street, will be provided.
Water and sewer rates are set to increase as part of the Town of Herndon’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2025.
Released on Friday (March 29) by Town Manager Bill Ashton II, the proposed budget leaves the real estate tax rate unchanged at $0.26 per $100 of assessed value, though bills are still expected to go up due to rising property assessments.
However, the water service rate is set to increase from $3.47 this year to $4.08 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption in the next budget year, which starts July 1. The sewer rate is set to increase from $8.27 to $8.93 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption in fiscal year 2025.
The changes were spurred by higher supply and treatment costs that have affected the region, the Town of Herndon said in a press release. Town staff have been examining potential increases since 2022.
Ashton emphasized that the state of the economy calls for “fiscal prudence.”
The Proposed FY 2025 Budget allows for continuation of the programs and services valued by our residents and businesses, as well as funding for new initiatives such as previously deferred public works projects as well as work on the town’s Comprehensive Plan, a document that guides our present and future in such elements as land use, transportation, historic areas, community service facilities, public buildings and utilities.
The quarterly service charge for water per bill will be $16.34 under the proposed budget. An additional fee of $6.94 per 1,000 gallons would be charged for all water consumed during peak use periods that’s in excess of the average consumption for the preceding billing periods.
The overall $74 million budget package increases spending by 19.9%. If approved, funding would go toward employee pay raises, increased pension and retirement costs, and capital projects, among other expenses.
Notable initiatives for the coming year include the Herndon Police Department’s plan to re-introduce a dedicated traffic section with motor officers “to enhance roadway safety through education and enforcement.” A second part-time parking enforcement official will be hired to help address parking violations.
“Overall, these changes reflect the town’s commitment to maintaining and improving its infrastructure, public safety, and recreational facilities for its residents,” the budget document says. “These budget changes also demonstrate the town’s responsible financial management and dedication to providing quality services to its community.”
The budget is officially adopted on June 30 following a series of meetings, including public hearings on the proposed budget on April 9 and April 23. Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the Ingram Council Chambers.
The Town of Herndon is working on the development of a roadway safety action plan that aligns its priorities with federal and state programs.
The action plan, which would run from this year through at least 2028, will use crash data to identify locations that need to be addressed and open up additional funding for transportation improvement projects.
“One of the challenges with the data is there is a lot of it,” Mike Shindledecker, a transportation engineer for Herndon, said at a town council work session on March 19.
He noted that comparisons to the Federal Highway Administration and Virginia Department of Transportation programs should take into account that the Town of Herndon lacks freeways and highways. Its highest speed limit is 35 mph, significantly lower than that of the state.
Problematic hotspots in the town include Elden Street, pinpoints along Herndon Parkway and gateway intersections, he told the council.
Shindledecker also noted that the town’s fatality rate is “trending far better than other similar jurisdictions and far better than the state as a whole.”
A five-year comparison shows that the town had more crashes between 2018 and 2022 that resulted in serious injuries and non-visible injuries than other small towns and cities in Virginia and the state as a whole. Serious injuries stand at 8% compared to the statewide average of 5% and the 3% average in towns of similar sizes.
In Herndon, 53% of crashes led to non-visible injuries compared to 19% in towns of comparable size and 8% in the state.
However, crashes that only involve property damage were lower (34%) than in other towns (60%) and the state (67%). Crashes involving injuries were also relatively lower — 5% compared with 18% in other small towns and 19% in the state.
The roadway safety plan will be developed with community input and identify key corridors for focused study. Once problem areas are identified, the town will develop new “technology-driven solutions,” according to the town staff presentation.
The plan will help the town establish a planning structure for transportation projects and safety analyses while also emphasizing engagement and collaboration, equity and transparency.
The action plan will be completed in 2026, followed by an implementation plan in 2027.
The Town of Herndon is exploring the adoption of new policy that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.
Moved by council member Pradip Dhakal and created by the Herndon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the “One Herndon” policy builds on the One Fairfax policy adopted by Fairfax County in 2016, which commits county and school officials to considering social and racial equity issues when providing services and making policy decisions.
“The time is now to move beyond embracing diversity as an asset and implement a new growth model driven by equity — just and fair inclusion into ‘OneHerndon,’ a community in which everyone can participate and prosper,” the draft resolution says.
At a March 5 meeting, a majority of the council expressed support for the proposal, while cautioning that the council and staff would need to evaluate ways to continue implementing the policy in meaningful and quantifiable ways.
“I’m trying to understand what we want to achieve with the policy beyond statements of equity and inclusion,” Councilmember Keven LeBlanc said.
Dhakal noted that the resolution provides guidance for creating future policies.
“It’s a step-by-step policy,” he said, adding that the policy is intended to be a “high-level guiding resolution” only.
The council plans to continue discussing the resolution at an April strategic planning meeting.
Upgrades to Ferndale Avenue and improvements to police infrastructure are among the new projects proposed in Herndon’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for fiscal year 2025-2030.
The CIP is a part of the annual operating budget and includes funding for transportation, sewer and other public facility projects.
At a work session on Feb. 12, the Town of Herndon Planning Commission recommended the proposed draft to the town manager. It includes 36 projects, the bulk of which cover multimodal transportation and enhancements.
In a report, staff noted that the focus of the plan is to “address current facilities and infrastructure from a health, safety, sustainability, and maintenance perspective.”
The town plans to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety along Ferndale Avenue between Herndon Parkway and Park Avenue, adding sidewalks, curb ramps, and crosswalks that meet current ADA standards.
“Preliminary studies indicate vehicular sight distances are inadequate due to vehicular parking and the curvature of the road,” the proposed CIP says. “Studies also indicated the potential need for additional pedestrian crosswalks across Ferndale Avenue. Initial concept plans include the use of curb bump outs as a feature to shorten crosswalks, define parking areas, and narrow the vehicular travel lanes to current standards.”
The total cost of $545,000 is currently budgeted for fiscal year 2030, which would start on July 1, 2029.
Other added projects include a replacement of an aging, rear motorized security gate and overall improvements for the Herndon Police Department’s station to address building accessibility, physical safety and security, and renovations.
The final new project would bring the town in compliance with new Environmental Protection Agency regulations for lead and copper in drinking water by identifying service lines that don’t meet requirements. Expected to start at the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1, the project would implement new testing requirements, including the first-ever ones for schools and childcare facilities, and replace service lines as needed.
The planning commission will hold a public hearing on the CIP on Monday, Feb. 26, and the town manager will release the proposed operating budget and CIP by May 1.
This year, town staff categorized capital projects by their readiness: imminent for ones with an established scope and funding, priority for ones that have a scope but aren’t fully funded, and future priorities for unfunded projects that haven’t been defined in detail.
The plan calls for $205.3 million in total capital costs.
Staff noted that minor adjustments may be necessary when the town manager finalizes the proposed operating budget.
Image via Google Maps
Herndon Town Council members remain concerned by cut-through traffic and spillover from development in neighboring jurisdictions following a recently released traffic study.
At a town council meeting on Feb. 13, consultant Gorove Slade reported that cut-through traffic declined overall from 2019 to 2022, but several key intersections are operating beyond their capacity loads.
The study kicked off in 2022 after former council member Sean Regan asked the town to specifically study how the Dulles Toll Road affects cut-through traffic in Herndon. The scope of the study was later expanded to the entire town, Herndon Community Development Director Lisa Gilleran said.
Still, Councilmember Donielle Scherff cautioned that more study is needed to guide meaningful policy decisions.
“It toggles the pandemic, which is just this blip we can’t all explain…I hate to say it but it almost feels like we need to continue this for two more years,” she said, noting concerns about traffic along Spring Street, Van Buren Street and some parts of Herndon Parkway.
She argued the study offers a snapshot in time and should be extended to provide more comprehensive information, particularly as more people return to work and the new Silver Line stations are used more frequently.
Overall, the study found that cut-through traffic exiting and entering the town accounted for 34% of overall traffic in 2019, dipping to 26% in 2022. The most common origin was the intersection of Sterling Road and Old Ox Road, and the most common destinations were Elden Street and Sunset Hills Road.
Overall, cut-through traffic to and from the toll road only accounted for around 8% of all cut-through traffic in 2019 and 6% in 2022.
Gorove Slade also studied capacity between April 25 and May 2 at key intersections. The consultant found that four intersections are operating beyond their set levels of service or queue lengths:
- Dranesville Road and Herndon Parkway (in the a.m., p.m. and midday)
- Herndon Parkway and Spring Street (a.m. and p.m.)
- Van Buren Street and Herndon Parkway (p.m., midday)
- Sterling Road and Crestview Drive (p.m.)
Burgeoning development at Rivana at Innovation Station in Loudoun County — which is planned for 3,700 residential units and 3.5 million square feet of office space — is expected to increase traffic. Councilmember Keven LeBlanc said the development is concerning since it’s “right on our border.”
Gilleran noted that the town expects to see traffic “increase significantly” on the Old Ox Road portal into town as a result of development.
Town Manager Bill Ashton II noted that the town is well aware of the potential impacts of neighboring development on town roads.
Ashton II said state transportation officials are not analyzing the issue from a holistic persepective and instead taking an approach that foucses mostly on Loudoun County. The town is analyzing ways to improve congestion on Sterling Road, he said.
The challenge is that the town is unable to add lanes as easily as Loudoun County — where development is newer and less dense — due to the presence of established neighborhoods, Gilleran said.
“When you come to the town line, of course, we have established neighborhoods, and so, the prospect of adding lanes is not something that the town has ever considered to be a desirable solution,” she said.
Another town council member has thrown his name in the mix in the race for Herndon mayor.
Councilmember Pradip Dhakal, who has served on the council for three consecutive terms, is running for the position. His colleague, Councilmember Keven LeBlanc, announced his intention to run earlier this week.
“Herndon deserves a leader who can collaborate with everyone, foster open discussions for new ideas, and introduce initiatives to propel our town forward,” Dhakal said. “I am committed to working tirelessly to make Herndon an even better place for all our residents.”
Dhakal says he has the “majority support from the current town council,” adding that he hopes to champion diversity if elected.
“It’s crucial for Herndon to have leadership that mirrors the diverse background and demography of our community, ensuring inclusivity and representation for all,” Dhakal said. “If elected, I will be the first-ever mayor of color from the town of Herndon and I believe that will be historic milestone for the town.”
His top priorities are increasing affordability and workforce housing, implementing traffic calming initaitives, and increasing overall safety and security in the town.
In his campaign announcement, LeBlanc included a statement of support from current mayor Sheila Olem, state Sen. Jennifer Boysko, Del. Irene Shin and former mayor Lisa Merkel. He said he would be the first person openly from the LGBTQ community to serve as Herndon’s mayor, if elected.
The Town of Herndon is officially opening up its coffers to support community cultural festivals.
A Community Cultural Festival Donation Program launched this week, allowing local organizations to request funds for free, public cultural events, the Town of Herndon announced Monday (Feb. 5).
The goal of the program is to “support a variety of events…that celebrate and share the cultures represented in the community, are open and welcoming to all, and bridge parts of the community…to build understanding,” the town says.
The town council approved a policy to create the program on Oct. 23, shortly after agreeing to contribute $2,015 for a Pakistan Heritage Day event. Council members said the town needed clear guidelines and protocols for future funding requests.
Under the newly created program, nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations must meet several criteria to receive funds. The organization must be in good legal standing and funding requests should not exceed 50% of the total event budget or $10,000, whichever number is lower.
In addition, the program is intended for new events, so the requested event can’t have been held in the town within the last five years.
The organization also can’t receive a prior donation within a fiscal year. More information on how to apply is also available on the town’s website.
This fiscal year, the Town of Herndon has allocated $70,000 for the program — an amount that will vary on a yearly basis based on the council’s direction, town spokesperson Anne Curtis says.
Herndon Town councilmember Keven LeBlanc announced his candidacy for town mayor yesterday (Tuesday).
If elected, LeBlanc says he would be the town’s first-ever mayor to openly be part of the LGBTQ community. No other candidates have officially announced their intentions to run.
Herndon Mayor Sheila Olem didn’t immediately return a request for comment on her future plans, but in his campaign announcement, LeBlanc included a joint statement apparently endorsing him by Olem, state Sen. Jennifer Boysko, Del. Irene Shin and former mayor Lisa Merkel.
“As fellow residents who are raising our families here, we care deeply about Herndon’s future,” the statement said. “Keven understands the need to nurture Herndon’s loyal community spirit while bringing fresh economic energy to our town. His integrity and inclusive vision make him ideally suited to lead Herndon into its next chapter.”
LeBlanc said his top priorities are balance and sustainable growth. Building the stock of affordable housing will also be a key part of his plan for the town.
“I am dedicated as Mayor to leading with empathy, while driving us forward,” he said. “My priority is pursuing balanced and sustainable growth that preserves what we cherish most about our hometown, while propelling Herndon into an inclusive and vibrant future.”
He says his background as an executive and engineer makes him well-suited for the position. His candidacy statement highlights his work negotiating tax decreases for residents, pushing for economic development and spearheading events like the Herndon WinterMarkt.
The town plans to issue a formal release of candidates in June, following filing deadlines.
The Town of Herndon is laying out a new plan for the final resting place of nearly 4 acres of Chestnut Grove Cemetery (831 Dranesville Road).
At a Herndon Town Council work session last Tuesday (Jan. 16), town staff laid out a new plan for the final set of undeveloped land on the property, which was transferred to the town as a gift in 1997.
The town intends to work with consulting firm The Tribute Companies on a revised master plan for the undeveloped northwest corner.
Randy Schell, chief program and project manager, said the new master plan is intended to bring the development up to new trends for burials and customs.
“The cemetery is running out of plots for burials, and burials customs have changed through the years,” Schell told the council at the meeting.
The plan will include an updated stormwater management facility, ground slopes and changes to the road infrastructure to address longstanding drainage issues on residential property west of the cemetery.
The master plan for the cemetery was created in 1999.
Construction on the project would begin in the fall, with completion anticipated sometime in the summer of 2025. Buffer landscaping would wrap up in the fall of that year.
The revised layout increases the number of columbarium spaces from 920 to 1,450 and reduces the number of cremation garden sites from 600 to 190. The number of mausoleum crypts is also significantly slashed from 940 to 352.
Image via Town of Herndon
