Reston | FFXnow - Part 405

After losing Barton Hills appeal, Reston Association seeks tweaks to county zoning ordinance

Published April 27, 2023 at 2:15PM

The Barton Hill Recreation Area in Reston is slated for upgrades (via Google Maps)

Earlier this spring, the Virginia Supreme Court declared Fairfax County’s modernization of its zoning ordinance (zMOD) invalid because it was adopted at virtual meetings.

In light of the pending re-adoption of the new zoning ordinance, Reston Association is pitching a change that would clarify if additions or enhancements require a Planned Residential Community (PRC) plan — a lengthy process that involves the development of detailed plans and public hearings before the county Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.

Countywide

County proposes permanent rules for temporary outdoor dining areas

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 27, 2023 at 11:45AM

Karé Bar in Chantilly has heaters to warm up its outdoor dining area (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Spurred by the pandemic, outdoor dining in Fairfax County is likely here to stay.

The county is considering a proposal to formalize standards and regulations for outdoor dining in parking areas that were first introduced during the pandemic.

News

Boston Properties buys into former Fannie Mae buildings, setting stage for redevelopment

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

Boston Properties has purchased a 50 percent stake in the redevelopment of the former Fannie Mae offices (Image via Google Maps).

Boston Properties Inc. has acquired a 50% interest in the former offices of Fannie Mae in Herndon.

The developer, whose properties include Reston Town Center, paid roughly $17.3 million for the acquisition of 12310 and 13150 Worldgate Drive, according to its first quarter earnings report.

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 27, 2023 at 7:30AM

Deer munches on leaves near the W&OD Trail (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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]

News

Fairfax County board lauds updated draft of Reston comprehensive plan

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 26, 2023 at 2:15PM

The most recent update of Reston’s draft comprehensive plan got a kudos from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors earlier this week.

At a land use policy committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday), board members said the latest version of the plan — which has been under the pen for nearly two years — averts the prescriptive policy language put in place by a community task force that created the first draft of the new plan roughly two years ago.

Around Town

Escape Room Herndon finds a way to expand in Herndon Centre

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 26, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated April 26, 2023 at 12:24PM

The extension of Escape Room Herndon will open in the fall (staff photo by Fatimah Waseem).

Herndon Centre’s Escape Room Herndon has officially outgrown its space.

The business, which will remain at its current location, is creating a new room called Raven’s Nest Escape Room a few doors down from its current location (406 Elden Street).

Countywide

FCPS expands background checks for employees in wake of ex-counselor’s conviction

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 26, 2023 at 9:30AM

The Fairfax County Public Schools administrative center in Merrifield (file photo)

Going forward, all Fairfax County Public Schools workers will be required to undergo regular background checks and notify the school system of any arrests while they’re employed.

The expanded background check policies will be implemented after an investigation last year found “systemic gaps” in the hiring process, FCPS announced yesterday (Tuesday).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published April 26, 2023 at 7:30AM

Capital One Center in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

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]

Countywide

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney candidates trade attacks on local radio show

By Matt Blitz

Published April 25, 2023 at 3:00PM

Steve Descano and Ed Nuttall (staff photo by Jay Westcott and via ABC 7)

The primary for Fairfax County commonwealth’s attorney may be the most cutthroat race on the ballot in a year when local voters will also choose representatives on the Board of Supervisors, school board and General Assembly.

On Friday (April 21), Democratic incumbent Steve Descano and challenger Ed Nuttall appeared together on WAMU’s “The Politics Hour,” the weekly radio show hosted by Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood, and the conversation got spicy.

News

Lake Thoreau pool renovation slated for late summer completion

By Fatimah Waseem

Published April 25, 2023 at 1:30PM

Construction on the project is more than 65 percent complete (Photo courtesy RA).

The massive renovation of Lake Thoreau’s pool is likely to be completed by late August or early September.

Reston Association spokesperson Mike Leone told FFXnow that the renovation is on track to finish later in the summer. If it’s completed by early September, RA’s Board of Directors will determine if the pool will reopen this year, since only a few weeks would remain in the pool season.