zoning | FFXnow

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

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A proposal that would’ve established zoning rules for casinos is expected to be withdrawn when it goes before the Herndon Town Council later this month.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

Countywide

As homes get taller, Fairfax County seeks to clarify longstanding height limit

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 11, 2026 at 2:45PM

A new house in Fairfax towers over its older neighbor (via Fairfax County)

The general height limit for single-family homes across Fairfax County has stood at 35 feet for 67 years. But county officials say that restriction needs clarification so local residents and builders better understand how the calculation is made.

“Simplicity is important for a lot of reasons,” Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay said yesterday (Tuesday) at a meeting of the board’s Land Use Policy Committee.

News

Tech giant Oracle seeks to build more parking on Reston office campus

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 5, 2026 at 1:45PM

A sign for Oracle's office campus in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Oracle wants to provide more parking for employees on its Reston campus.

An attorney representing the Texas-based technology corporation sent a letter to Fairfax County’s zoning administrator in January asking if a surface parking lot could be constructed on the office property at 1900 Oracle Way instead of a previously approved parking garage.

News

Rezoning vote allows apartments to replace Fair Oaks-area office building

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 5, 2026 at 10:00AM

Final design for redevelopment of 3877 Fairfax Ridge Road (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved the redevelopment of a nearly vacant Fair Oaks office building as an apartment community.

The vote on Tuesday (March 3) rezoned the 6.2-acre site at 3877 Fairfax Ridge Road from commercial to a PRM (planned residential/mixed) district, setting the stage for the property owner, Time Equities, to move forward with a site plan application.

Around Town

Bank of America proposes drive-thru ATM at former Merrifield Uno

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 3, 2026 at 3:45PM

The vacant Uno Pizzeria and Grill building at Gatehouse Plaza in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Bank of America is taking over the former Uno Pizzeria and Grill at Gatehouse Plaza in Merrifield.

The shopping center’s owner, an affiliate of the developer Silver Companies, revealed the identity of its new tenant at 3058 Gate House Plaza in a special exception request that Fairfax County zoning staff accepted for review on Feb. 25.