zoning | FFXnow

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County approved plans in 2025 for townhouse development on part of St. Paul's Lutheran Church's property in Idylwood received Fairfax County's approval (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County staff are beginning preparations for adhering to a new state law loosening zoning regulations on development of affordable housing.

Legislation known by proponents as the “Faith in Housing” bills was enacted by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) earlier this year. Set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, it requires localities to establish a streamlined process for construction of affordable units on land owned by religious organizations or nonprofit groups.

Countywide

Fairfax County hunts for ways to ease zoning rules for home-based day care

By Scott McCaffrey

Published July 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

Student in child care (photo by Gabe Pierce/Unsplash)

Fairfax County supervisors have directed staff to consider ways to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for those seeking to provide child care services in their homes to the public.

Getting approval from the county government “takes way too long,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay said at a Land Use Policy Committee meeting yesterday (Tuesday).

News

Herndon clears the way for Van Buren Office Park redevelopment

By Acacia James

Published July 9, 2026 at 8:30AM

The planned Van Buren Office Park redevelopment along Herndon Parkway (via MV+A Architects/Town of Herndon)

The Herndon Town Council has cleared the way for a redevelopment of the Van Buren Office Park.

The council voted unanimously last month (June 23) to approve a zoning map amendment allowing the office park at 250 Exchange Place to be converted from office and light-industrial uses to a mixed-use community with residential and commercial space.

Countywide

Fairfax delegate’s new law sets statewide ceiling on parking requirements near transit

By Emily Leayman

Published June 5, 2026 at 10:00AM | Updated June 5, 2026 at 2:39PM

A parking lot near the Arrowbrook Centre development south of Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A new law from a Fairfax County state delegate will set statewide limits on minimum parking requirements years after the county completed a major overhaul of its standards.

Del. Irene Shin (D-8), who represents parts of Herndon, Oak Hill and Chantilly, introduced HB 888 to limit the minimum amount of parking that localities can require for mixed-use and residential developments within a half-mile of mass transit facilities or public transportation stations.

News

Divided Fairfax City Council moves forward with public hearing on accessory housing units

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 13, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated May 13, 2026 at 4:09PM

Depiction of an accessory dwelling unit in the backyard of a house (via City of Fairfax)

It’s not clear yet if many Fairfax City homeowners will have the option one day to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — more commonly known as “granny pods” or “in-law suites” — in their yards. But despite some hesitation expressed during a May 12 work session, Fairfax City Council members are ready to hear public comments on the issue.

In a presentation to the council, city staff laid out the implications of a new zoning ordinance that would let significantly more homeowners build detached accessory units in their yards.

News

Herndon leaders plan to withdraw casino zoning proposal

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

Herndon Municipal Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A proposal that would’ve established zoning rules for casinos is expected to be withdrawn when it goes before the Herndon Town Council later this month.

The Herndon Planning Commission indicated at a work session on Monday (May 4) that it will recommend denial of the zoning ordinance amendment, which defined a casino and set parameters for how one could be approved, Mayor Keven LeBlanc confirmed to FFXnow and other outlets, including Patch.

News

Herndon considers creating zoning rules for casinos

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 4, 2026 at 11:45AM

Casino (image via Kvnga/Unsplash)

Casino gaming still isn’t permitted in Northern Virginia, but that hasn’t stopped the Town of Herndon from considering zoning parameters for a potential establishment.

At a work session tonight (Monday), the Herndon Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would add a casino gaming establishment as an indoor entertainment use allowed near the town’s Metro station.

News

‘Bespoke’ data center buildings proposed near Tysons residences

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 24, 2026 at 9:15AM

Conceptual rendering of Serverfarm's Vienna Cloud data centers from the southwest (via Kimley-Horn/Fairfax County)

An office complex in Tysons that currently hosts some data centers could become exclusively devoted to processing digital data, if its current owner secures Fairfax County’s approval.

Serverfarm, a California-based operator that appears to be making its first foray into the D.C. region, applied earlier this year for a special exception that would allow it to replace the existing, “groaning” office buildings at 7990 and 7980 Quantum Drive with a “completely modernized” data center.

Around Town

Fairfax County’s second Sheetz could open in Franconia area

By Jared Serre

Published April 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

A Sheetz gas pump in Haymarket (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A local businessman is seeking to rezone a Franconia property to make way for Fairfax County’s second Sheetz location.

Basim Mansour, who owns the home improvement company Michael and Sons, petitioned county officials earlier this month to approve his plan, which replaces two “underperforming” office buildings with the gas station and convenience store chain.

News

Alcorn suggests revisiting sign brightness levels after Reston Row complaints

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 25, 2026 at 9:15AM

The dimmed sign for JW Marriott at Reston Station (via Comstock Companies)

Comstock Companies has received a green light from Fairfax County to install new signs around its mostly completed Reston Row project near the Wiehle Metro station.

However, the Board of Supervisors’ vote on March 17 to approve revisions to a sign plan for the development might not spell the end of discussions about what kinds of signs should be permitted, as the county seeks to balance the needs of its growing commercial centers with more traditionally suburban neighborhoods.