morning notes

Arlington Residents Suing Over “Missing Middle” Look to zMOD Ruling — “The Virginia Supreme Court forced Fairfax to revert to an older zoning code because of this procedural misstep prior to the new laws taking effect. The 10 plaintiffs in the Missing Middle suit say it is a point in their favor, arguing the state Supreme Court signaled it takes seriously procedural violations.” [ARLnow]

New Signage Installed on GW Parkway — A temporary traffic pattern on the George Washington Parkway “has led to some confusion among drivers.” The National Park Service said new signs and barriers would be added to address issues, mostly in the afternoon rush hour, with northbound drivers trying to use the new center lane. [WTOP]

Housing a Focus of County Board Chair Race — Primary challenger Lisa Downing “cited as her chief concern the shortage of homes in the county that are large enough and also affordable to middle-income families in the region.” Chairman Jeff McKay says there are 4,000 units of affordable housing “in the development pipeline and in the past year invested $94 million toward its goal” of 10,000 new units by 2034. [Washington Post]

County Resident Arrested in Alexandria Shooting — “A 28-year-old Fairfax County man wanted for a Jan. 4 shooting incident faces numerous charges after allegedly striking an Alexandria Police Department cruiser in the Landmark area earlier this month.” [ALXnow]

Narcan Distributed at FCPS Opioid Town Hall — “At Woodson High School on Monday night, health officials, educators, and police addressed the issue at a town hall…Additionally, families were trained in how to use Narcan, and then dozens lined up outside the town hall to receive their own doses.” [DC News Now]

New Plan to Reduce Helicopter Noise Announced — “Helicopters will fly at higher altitudes and flight paths over Northern Virginia will soon be altered to reduce helicopter noise, US Representative Don Beyer announced Tuesday alongside representatives from the federal government, the aeronautics industry, and elected officials from Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, and Fairfax.” [Washingtonian]

Reminder: County Libraries Closed Today — “All FCPL branches will be closed…Friday, April 21 for Staff Day so all FCPL employees can participate in professional development. Regular hours will resume Saturday, April 22.” [FCPL]

New Social Studies Standards Approved for Virginia Schools — “After more than eight months of debate, the Virginia Board of Education reached a compromise and approved new guidance for what students will learn in history and social studies classes from kindergarten through 12th grade…The standards will require, for the first time, that Virginia students to be taught about racism” [The Washington Post]

Preparation for Delayed Southbound GW Parkway Closure Begins — “To prepare for the traffic shift, crews will begin to install temporary lane dividers on April 20. Motorists should expect single lane, northbound closures from 8 p.m. on April 20 to 2:45 p.m. on April 21 during these preparations. Crews will implement the new traffic pattern between 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 22.” [National Park Service]

New Dining Options Coming to Local Airports — “Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport announced a new slate of concessions, including spinoffs of some notable DC restaurants and brands. The phased rollout will begin later this year, and more than 80 new dining and retail options are expected open across both airports by 2026.” [Washingtonian]

Local Firefighter Rescues Cat in Tree — “Cat-astrophe avoided! Firefighter Austin Cole and crew from Tower 424, Woodlawn, C-Shift recently resc-mewed a cat who’d been lost for a few days. W/ safeties tied to ladder, Firefighter Cole climbed and warmed up to Asha w/a treat. Tears of joy shed upon reunification.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Lawyer Criticizes Grand Jury Decision in Police Shooting — “Carl Crews, an attorney representing the family of Timothy McCree Johnson, said in a statement that Fairfax County detectives ‘tanked’ the presentation of evidence to the panel considering whether to indict Sgt. Wesley Shifflett…A defense attorney for the officer noted [Crews] was not present during the proceedings.” [The Washington Post]

Beacon Center Wendy’s Misses Opening — “Dozens of excited people lined up outside the restaurant’s doors located at 6634 Richmond Highway in the Beacon Center shopping center for the Wendy’s location’s opening. However, no one from the restaurant showed up to open the doors, leaving everyone quite disappointed.” [ABC7]

Northern Virginia Losing Economic “Mojo,” Researcher Says — “[Terry] Clower, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, provided an overview of the region’s economy for the more than 100 attendees at the breakfast, at Belle Haven Country Club. He noted that while the Northern Virginia economy is resilient and the unemployment rate is low, there are headwinds.” [Inside NoVA]

Person Trapped in Car in Annandale — “Approximately 10:45 a.m., [Sunday] units were on the scene of a car overturned in the 5000 block of Backlick Road. One occupant was trapped. Extricated by Rescue Squad 426, Edsall Road, and transported to hospital with minor injuries.” [FCFRD/Twitter]

Innovation Station Development Nears Vote — Loudoun County supervisors discussed the latest draft of the Rivana at Innovation Station project last week, scheduling a vote for May 16. Straddling the Fairfax County border, the development “could include more than 2,700 apartments or condominiums, 450 hotel rooms, 2.4 million square feet of office space, 347,000 square feet of commercial space and 127,000 square feet of ‘civic uses,’ the last of which could include a performing arts center.” [Loudoun Times-Mirror]