Jeff McKay | FFXnow

Legal issues, staff review could delay ‘ambitious’ rewrite of Reston’s comprehensive plan

Published October 11, 2022 at 10:15AM

The area surrounding te Reston Town Center Metro station is slated for more activity and development (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A major rewrite of Reston’s central planning document — the Reston Comprehensive Plan — could take additional time for review due to pending legal issues and concerns flagged by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

At the board’s land use policy meeting last week, county staff noted that the update to the plan — which was led by a 31-member task force over the last two years — contains language that is at odds with some countywide policies. The county’s attorneys office is reviewing the draft, which was written by the task force, for legal issues.

Countywide

Virginia’s limits on local authority are becoming “more intrusive” for Fairfax County, board chair says

By Matt Blitz

Published October 6, 2022 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay (file photo)

Fairfax County deserves more local authority, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay says, calling Virginia’s Dillon Rule “increasingly more intrusive” in day-to-day operations.

The Dillon Rule dictates that localities only have the authority to create laws, set guidelines, and wield power if the state expressly grants it to them.

Countywide

County plans to get more HOAs on board with electric vehicle chargers, starting in Reston

By Matt Blitz

Published October 4, 2022 at 3:40PM | Updated October 4, 2022 at 4:08PM

Electric vehicle chargers in a parking garage (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) Fairfax County is looking to charge up a new electric vehicle charging station program and pilot it in Reston.

At last week’s Transportation Committee meeting, the Board of Supervisors discussed a new “Charge Up Fairfax” program, where the county would provide support to homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and multi-family communities to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in common areas.

News

Fairfax County must pay MWAA another $40M for Silver Line Phase II

By Matt Blitz

Published October 3, 2022 at 2:30PM

With the Silver Line Phase II opening still in flux, Fairfax County is being asked to pay another $40 million.

At its transportation committee meeting on Friday (Sept. 30), the Board of Supervisors got an update on the ramifications of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) agreeing in July to increase the budget for the Silver Line extension by $250 million.

Countywide

NEW: McKay believes “safe legal ground” if FCPS defies state’s draft policies on transgender students

By Matt Blitz

Published September 29, 2022 at 3:00PM | Updated September 29, 2022 at 3:50PM

Students wear and wave Pride flags at Fairfax High School's walkout (photo by Carys Owens)

(Updated, 3:20 p.m.) Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay believes the county will be on “safe legal ground” if it chooses to not follow Virginia’s recently-proposed model policies that would limit the rights of transgender and other gender-nonconforming students.

Based on conversations with the school board, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and legal experts since the draft policies were unveiled earlier this month, McKay senses the school system will ultimately stick with its current policies, he told FFXnow yesterday (Wednesday).

Countywide

Countywide campaign aims to tackle traffic-related deaths, injuries

By Fatimah Waseem

Published September 28, 2022 at 1:30PM | Updated December 9, 2022 at 1:58PM

The announcement took place at a busy intersection in Reston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Steve Steiner, a 73-year-old cyclist who lives in Reston’s Hunters Woods neighborhood, nearly lost his life when he was cycling from Leesburg nearly four years ago.

Steiner was hit by an SUV that was turning right through a red signal onto Fairfax County Parkway at the exit for the Dulles Toll Road. Despite trying to veer to the right, he was struck by the car, suffering a concussion, several broken ribs and other serious internal injuries, he said.

Countywide

Trash troubles pile up with the county out of trash cans until later in fall

By Matt Blitz

Published September 16, 2022 at 1:30PM

Emptied trash and recycling bins by the street (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Trash troubles keep piling up with the county out of trash cans for at least another two months.

Fairfax County has “exhausted” its inventory of trash cans and won’t be able to provide new ones to residents until later this fall, Dept. of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) spokesperson Sharon North told FFXnow.

Countywide

Trash troubles persist in Fairfax County, with residents reporting missed pick-ups

By Matt Blitz

Published August 30, 2022 at 3:45PM

An American Disposal truck in Fairfax County (staff photo by Matt Blitz)

Fairfax County is still having trash troubles.

Earlier this month in his weekly newsletter, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay wrote that he was “aware of multiple complaints” about the performance of some contracted trash collectors in the county.

Countywide

County invites businesses to make their pitch with new portal

By Fatimah Waseem

Published August 16, 2022 at 9:30AM

The Fairfax County logo is shown on the front of the Fairfax County Government Center building at 12000 Government Center Parkway (Staff photo by David Taube)

Local entrepreneurs now have a direct line to do business with Fairfax County.

On Aug. 1, the county launched an online portal that allows businesses to pitch a business idea, product or service to county agencies, departments and Fairfax County Public Schools. County agencies and departments can in turn take advantage of pitches that have already been vetted within the portal.

Countywide

NEW: As Fairfax County heats up, advocates seek more options to cool off unhoused residents

By Matt Blitz

Published August 11, 2022 at 3:00PM

Sun glare with clouds (via Ritam Baishya/Unsplash)

With the D.C. area’s summer heat in full swing, local organizers worry that there are too few options for unhoused residents in the county to cool down.

Last month, the Fairfax County NAACP approved a resolution calling on Fairfax County to improve heat relief services for low-income residents and those experiencing homelessness in the county.