As Fairfax County pines for a better tree canopy, county staff is hoping a credit program expansion can spruce up the area’s street trees.
While developers could already a 10-Year Tree Canopy Credit for trees built on-site, trees in the public right-of-way aren’t eligible despite positive impacts on the environment and site development. At a meeting last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors raised no objection to an information item expanding eligibility to include trees.
The change in urban design guidelines across Fairfax County makes street trees eligible for that 10-Year Tree Canopy Credit and implements a new set of standards, along with minimums and maximum tree sizes, for street trees.
“These changes give the Urban Forestry Management Division (UFMD) authority to have long-term oversight of street trees that are included in ten-year tree canopy calculations,” the agenda item said. “Perpetual maintenance and replacement agreements by the applicant are required to due to the potential for the removal of trees in rights-of-way and easements.”
Per a county news release, the new guidelines apply to developments in more urbanized activity centers:
- Tysons Urban Center
- Annandale
- Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners
- Huntington
- Lake Anne
- Lincolnia
- McLean
- Merrifield
- Reston
- Springfield
- West Falls Church
Those areas tend to some of Fairfax County’s most notable “heat islands” and tend to be areas with lower area median incomes than the county average, according to the county.
“The result is intended to increase the number of street trees and associated tree canopy to improve environmental, social, and economic outcomes,” the agenda item said. “Trees planted will be monitored for success and adjustments to the planting details will be made as necessary.”
An office building adjacent to Freedom Hill Elementary School is the latest commercial property in Tysons to be considered for housing instead.
The owner of 8221 Old Courthouse Road has submitted a proposal to Fairfax County that would convert the existing three-story office building into 55 one and two-bedroom apartment units, including six designated as workforce housing.
Filed on Friday (Feb. 10), the application says the conversion will address the need for housing to serve Tysons’ growing population, while revitalizing an “underutilized” site, as the office market continues to cool.
“With pressure from newly delivered office space with high quality amenities growing, older office space in the Tysons office-heavy market is declining as demand for multifamily continues to increase,” Robert Brant, a legal agent for the property owner, wrote in a statement of justification. “The proposed office-to-residential conversion will infuse the neighborhood with some new renewed foot traffic.”
Built in 1986, the office building is on a 87,472-square-foot site owned by 8221 Old Courthouse Road LC, an affiliate of the housing developer Dittmar Company, according to county property records.
Current tenants include Northern Virginia Foot & Ankle Associates, an Atlantic Union Bank and the software company Armedia. However, vacancies “are expected to increase dramatically in the next few years,” the application says.
Renovations are also needed, but the owner has determined they’re “not viable” based on “the current and future outlook for the office market.”
“However, the property is well suited for residential use, being located on the edge of Tysons and adjacent to an elementary school site,” Brant said.
According to the application, the shell of the existing building would be retained, along with a 5-foot-tall brick wall separating the property from Freedom Hill Elementary. No changes to the building footprint or height are proposed.
However, the developer is seeking to eliminate 90 spaces from the surface parking lot, leaving 66 total spaces to serve the new residents.
The parking reduction will allow for a 7,000-square-foot, publicly accessible park along Old Courthouse Road, featuring “a meandering trail,” benches and gardens. The applicant also intends to provide approximately 8,400 square feet of private, outdoor amenity space for residents, including outdoor seating and grilling stations.
According to the submitted plan, the project will reduce the amount of impervious surface, which currently covers 81% of the property, and add landscaping, including an 8-foot-wide buffer between the street and sidewalk on both Old Courthouse Road to the north and Lord Fairfax Drive to the west.
As part of the project, the applicant says it will widen the sidewalks on Old Courthouse and Lord Fairfax to 8 feet wide and 6 feet, respectively.
“New pedestrian paths in the public park space, around the building, along the southern Property line, and to the building entrances at the front and rear…will be provided,” the application says.
The rezoning application hasn’t yet been formally accepted for review by the county.
Photo via Google Maps
(Updated at 5:50 p.m.) A former Fairfax County prosecutor who now practices as a private defense lawyer has joined the commonwealth’s attorney race.
Ed Nuttall launched a campaign yesterday (Monday) to challenge incumbent Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano for the Democratic nomination, which will be determined by a primary election on June 20.
“I have spent the last twenty six years living in and trying every kind of case imaginable in Fairfax County. I know how a courtroom works, how to run an effective office, and how to bring people together to keep our communities safe,” Nuttall said in an announcement in front of the Fairfax County Courthouse. “My opponent has shown over the last three years that he clearly doesn’t — that’s why I’m stepping up to run.”
According to his campaign, Nuttall has worked as a trial lawyer for over 26 years.
He joined the county’s commonwealth’s attorney office in 1999, prosecuting criminal and traffic cases, before becoming a member of the Tysons-based firm Briglia Hundley in 2003. In 2015, he launched the private firm Carroll & Nuttall with John Carroll — also a former prosecutor. The firm handles criminal, civil and family law.
During his announcement, Nuttall and his supporters argued that Descano’s “idea of justice for all abandons victims of crime and ignores community safety,” criticisms that have been frequently leveled at Descano and his counterparts in Arlington and Loudoun since they were all elected in 2019 on promises of progressive reforms.
In a statement on Nuttall’s announcement, Descano lambasted his opponent as having “spent the last 20 years of his career defending bad cops that give our good police departments a black eye.”
Nuttall has “represented law enforcement in over twenty police shooting cases since 2002, serving as General Counsel to the Fraternal Order of Police Fairfax Lodge 77,” according to his official bio.
“In a time when Democrats nationwide are grappling with the need for police reform, to have the police union’s on-the-payroll defense attorney pretend to be an independent actor when it comes to holding bad cops accountable is a farce that Democrats in Fairfax County will see through,” Descano said. “My relationship with the police is a good one because they know I’m a trustworthy partner in public safety and that I won’t hesitate to hold bad cops accountable which is something all good officers want.”
Descano confirmed to FFXnow that he will run for reelection in December and officially launched his campaign last month.
Nuttall announced yesterday that he has already won the support of Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid and State Sen. Chap Petersen (D-34), who are both seeking reelection this year.
In statements, Petersen commended Nuttell as “an experienced trial lawyer that understands how the courtroom works,” while Kincaid said “he has the experience and the integrity needed to do the job.”
“We are living in a time where criminal justice reform is on everyone’s mind,” Kincaid said. “It’s not enough to simply talk about progress. It’s important that we make progress. To make progress, you have to have the competence to get real things done.”
Photo via ABC7
Key Tysons Developer Dies — “Theodore N. ‘Ted’ Lerner, a self-made billionaire developer who became principal owner of the Washington Nationals and oversaw the team’s rise to prominence, capped by its victory in the 2019 World Series, died Feb. 12 at his home in Chevy Chase, Md. He was 97.” [The Washington Post]
Emergency SNAP Benefits End This Week — “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government passed a law to temporarily increase SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to support families. The law has recently changed, and the benefits will end Feb.16. Effective in March, SNAP benefits will return to normal, without the added supplement.” [Fairfax County Government]
Fairfax County Casino Draws Few Bets — “Marsden has left the door open for legislation to be re-introduced in 2024 in media interviews. However, discussions with lawmakers, county officials and a regional economic policy expert show there may be little appetite to go all in on a Fairfax County casino even if the proposal were to come up again” [Virginia Mercury]
Hot Chicken Joint Now Open in Lincolnia — “A new chicken place, called Hot Lola’s, opened Feb. 8 in Pinecrest Plaza. The restaurant, at 6544 Little River Turnpike, Unit A, is in the space formerly occupied by Granddaddy’s Skillet…Co-owner and manager Alan Vo describes the chicken as a combination of Asian and Nashville flavors.” [Annandale Today]
McLean Entrepreneur Expands Mac and Cheese Business — “McLean, Virginia, entrepreneur Myles Powell has grown his line of frozen, ‘clean’ mac and cheese — 8 Myles Mac N’ Cheese — from a handful of stores to more than 1,200 retail locations, including retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market, Balducci’s, and Target.” [WTOP]
Private Computer School Settles Fraud Claims — “Pinellas Corporation (Pinellas), a for-profit school offering computer training courses in McLean and Richmond, and CEO and sole owner Paul Giordano, of Washington, D.C., agreed to pay $450,000 to settle allegations that Pinellas paid bonuses to consultants based on their success in securing enrollments of students receiving military veterans benefits.” [U.S. Attorney’s Office]
Meetings on Lake Accotink Dredging Project Tomorrow — The Fairfax County Department of Environmental Services and Public Works (DPWES) will hold a virtual meeting at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) and an in-person meeting at Kings Glen Elementary School on Thursday (Feb. 16). Staff will present their recommendations and details on the impacts and costs. [DPWES]
Hen Found in Herndon Home Dies — “Henrietta the Hen, who appeared mysteriously one day last December in Tas Robin’s garage in Herndon, died recently at her new home in Montgomery County, Maryland…Before Henrietta’s untimely death, the hen had settled into her new life in Maryland, according to Robin.” [Patch]
It’s Tuesday — Clear throughout the day. High of 54 and low of 35. Sunrise at 7:02 am and sunset at 5:46 pm. [Weather.gov]
A new candidate has entered the race for the State Senate seat in the 37th District.
Organizer Erika Yalowitz announced today that she’s challenging to be the Democratic nominee in the newly-redrawn district, which includes Tysons, Vienna, Merrifield, and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.
She will face off against fellow challenger Saddam Azlan Salim and incumbent Chap Petersen in the June 20 primary.
“Our new Senate District deserves a voice that is aligned with our community’s priorities, and our party’s values.” Yalowitz said in a press release. “I understand those values, because I’ve been living them for the 12+ years that I’ve called Tysons home. That means supporting working families, prioritizing pedestrian safety, protecting our community from gun violence, and committing to science based solutions for protecting our neighbors from future public health crises.”
As a community organizer, she successfully advocated for Blake Lane Park to be transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority instead of being replaced by a new school. She also noted that she’s a union member, a mom, a Latina, a “non-profit leader,” and a court officer for Arlington Circuit Court.
Yalowitz previously ran to represent Providence District on the Board of Supervisors in 2019. She finished in third place in the Democratic primary, with about 14% of the vote. She did capture the majority of the votes in several precincts, though.
In a follow-up email with FFXnow, Yalowitz said Petersen has a “history of representing center-right positions,” and she’s a “progressive” who better represents the “demographics and values of the district.”
Petersen is running for his fifth term, having served in the senate since 2008. With redistricting, only about 44% of his former constituents will move with him to the 37th District.
Because of that, Yalowitz told FFXnow that it’s an open seat and Petersen is not a “full incumbent.”
Currently, no Republican has announced their candidacy for the senate seat. The general election is set for Nov. 7, 2023.
Elsewhere, redistricting has added significant intrigue to a number of 2023 state senate races. Several incumbents were paired in the same district, including in District 35 and District 38, which could lead to primary battles.
Crosswalk design will be particularly important when the circuit crosses major roads — especially the Capital Beltway (I-495), Leesburg Pike (Route 7) and Chain Bridge Road (Route 123) — and when it switches to the opposite side of the street, according to the document.
The guidance also has examples of amenities for the trail, like benches, trash receptacles and bicycle and scooter parking racks. It recommends incorporating “colorful decals and pavement markings” to reinforce the Tysons brand and create a sense of place.
Decals and pavement markings can also:
- Provide directional information
- Mark travel distances
- Supply event information
- Celebrate the seasons
- Transmit safety messages
- Spread knowledge of history, literature, the arts, nature, science, etc.
Now that it has the board’s endorsement, the guidance will be used during reviews of development applications, according to a county staff report.
Along with the three-block segment in The Boro expansion, the Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a development plan for a residential building at The Mile in May that includes a 7,595-square-foot portion of the community circuit.
“The guidance is intended as a working document, and subject to refinement to reflect changing development conditions along the Circuit to ensure the best outcomes for the Circuit as a recreational trail and placemaking element in Tysons,” county staff said. “In locations where redevelopment is not anticipated, segments of the Circuit could be constructed with public funds, grants, or through public-private partnerships.”
A man from Springfield is facing multiple charges after stabbing another man’s hand and stealing a bus driver’s cell phone while riding Fairfax Connector in Tysons.
Fairfax County police responded to the intersection of Jones Branch Drive and International Drive at 12:52 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 11) after getting a report that a person had been stabbed.
The altercation started as a verbal argument between three men on the bus that escalated “to one of the men being stabbed in the hand,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
“The suspect then stole the bus driver’s cell phone and ran away,” the FCPD said.
The chase didn’t last long. With the assistance of the department’s Fairfax 1 helicopter, officers quickly located the suspect as he attempted to run into Freddie Mac’s headquarters on Park Run Drive, per a Twitter user who follows police scanner traffic.
The man who got stabbed was taken to a hospital with injuries that police say aren’t considered life-threatening.
The suspect — identified as 28-year-old Lionel Aguilar Cantareo, of Springfield — was arrested and has been charged with three counts of robbery and preventing a person from summoning law enforcement, the FCPD says.
The robbery charges include two counts of using physical force not resulting in serious bodily injury or displaying a weapon other than a firearm “in a threatening manner,” which is classified as a Class 5 felony by Virginia law.
Cantareo is currently being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond, according to police.
The suspect fled on foot, but Fairfax 1 was overhead quickly and found him running from the scene. Patrol units with the assistance of a VSP Trooper took him into custody as he attempted to run into Freddie Mac's HQ on Park Run Dr.
— Henry Bright (@HCBright10) February 11, 2023
Tempers ran hot at a hypothermia prevention shelter in Vienna on Friday, Feb. 3.
Police were called to the Church of the Holy Comforter (543 Beulah Road) — which was hosting the seasonal shelter — three separate times that evening to handle fights between residents, according to the Vienna Police Department’s highlights for Feb. 3-9.
By the end of the night, two people were arrested and taken to jail.
Suspicious Event 23-001081
Church of the Holy Comforter
FACETS Hypothermia Prevention Shelter
543 Beulah Road, NE
February 3 between 7:00 p.m. and 7:17 p.m.Officers responded to the report of a fight between two individuals staying at the shelter. Neither party wished to pursue charges.
Arrest – Drunk In Public 23-001082
Church of the Holy Comforter
FACETS Hypothermia Prevention Shelter
543 Beulah Road, NE
February 3 10:25 p.m.Officers responded to the report of a fight at the shelter. The staff advised an individual was acting disorderly and antagonizing the others in the shelter. Upon the officer’s interaction with the man, they detected signs of impairment.
Ofc. Reed arrested the 55-year-old man with no fixed address. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was charged with Drunk In Public.
Arrest – Assault 23-001083
Church of the Holy Comforter
FACETS Hypothermia Prevention Shelter
543 Beulah Road, NE
February 3 11:11 p.m.Officers responded to the report of a fight at the shelter. The staff reported one of the residents was provoking another resident, began throwing chairs, and yelling profanities, resulting in a fight when the other resident tried to defend himself.
Ofc. Rodriguez arrested the 28-year-old man with no fixed address. He was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center where he was charged with Simple Assault.
The fights mostly involved different people, though one individual was mentioned in two of the three incidents, according to VPD spokesperson Juan Vasquez.
The hypothermia shelter is operated by the nonprofit FACETS, which partners with faith communities to give people experiencing homelessness a place to spend the night each winter. It runs from the Sunday after Thanksgiving to April 1, changing locations weekly.
A road rage-induced assault and underage drinking
A roadside argument over an alleged traffic violation took an alarming turn for a woman and her dog as they were walking near Talahi Road and Ninovan Road SE between 7 a.m. and 7:40 a.m. on Feb. 6.
“A woman was walking her dog when she got into a verbal altercation with a driver who committed a traffic offense,” the VPD said. “After the altercation, the woman continued walking her dog when she heard the screeching tires and the horn of the vehicle as it began approaching her, stopping just before hitting her and striking her dog’s tail.”
The driver, a 59-year-old Vienna resident, was charged with misdemeanor assault and released from custody on his signature.
Also in its weekly crime report, the police department says its officers broke up a party “where multiple juveniles were drinking and smoking” in the 100 block of Elmar Drive SW at 10:06 p.m. on Feb. 4.
An 18-year-old who said he was hosting the party — apparently without the knowledge of his mom, who returned to the house while police were there — was issued a summons charging him with “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”
Five of the teens believed to be at the party then made their way to a construction site area in the 200 block of Tapawingo Road SE. Police responded at 10:33 p.m. after receiving a noise complaint.
“Four of the juveniles had consumed alcohol,” the report says. “The juveniles were transported to the police station where their parents were notified to pick them up and they were verbally counseled.”
Photo via Google Maps
Super Bowl Flyover Includes Springfield Pilot — “After months of planning and multiple training sessions, an all-women crew is ready to fly over the State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Super Bowl Sunday in honor of 50 years of women in naval aviation. Among them is a woman from Springfield, Virginia who said she was ecstatic to get the call that she would be joining the crew.” [WUSA9]
Oak Marr Rec Center Closed This Morning — “Due to a temporary water service disruption, Oak Marr Rec Center will open at Noon on Feb. 13. New water heaters are being installed at the center. The building will also be without hot water from Feb. 13-16.” [FCPA/Twitter]
Man Arrested in Lorton Fatal Shooting — Fairfax County police arrested Malik Johnson, 22, of Alexandria for a Dec. 5 fatal shooting in the 7900 block of Audubon Avenue. The victim, who was identified as 26-year-old Jordan Summers of Lorton, was found injured on a sidewalk by a community member after residents reported hearing gunshots. [FCPD]
Calendar for Upcoming School Years Approved — “The Fairfax County School Board approved a new calendar for the next three school years during a sometimes heated meeting that lasted more than five hours Thursday night…It starts the school year two weeks before Labor Day, gives students two weeks for winter break, and has 180 days of instruction.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Stomach Illnesses On the Rise — “Viral gastrointestinal illnesses (such as norovirus), can include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain, are uncomfortable…can be spread to others easily and are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been an uptick in positive tests for norovirus since late January.” [FCHD]
Academic Stress Adds to Mental Health Challenges — “It’s common, albeit sorrowful, knowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a mental health crisis among young people the likes of which we haven’t seen in our lifetimes…In our area, another factor has exacerbated the adolescent mental health crisis: Many kids find themselves in an academic, extracurricular, and athletic pressure cooker.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]
Police to Hold Community Forum in McLean — “The McLean Citizens Association is hosting a public safety forum on Feb. 15 where leaders of the McLean District Police Station will discuss crime trends and prevention…The forum will take place at the McLean Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.” [Patch]
Springfield Fire Station Gets New Truck — “Station 22, Springfield, placed new Truck 422, a 2022 Pierce Velocity Heavy Duty Aerial Ladder, in service. The unit replaces a 2004 Pierce Aerial purchased by the Greater Springfield Volunteer Fire Department in 2004. That truck accumulated over 170,000 miles over its 19-year career serving the residents and visitors of Fairfax County.” [FCFRD]
It’s Monday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 54 and low of 35. Sunrise at 7:03 am and sunset at 5:45 pm. [Weather.gov]
The Town of Vienna has a chance to make the nation envious with its upcoming appearance on the PBS TV show “If You Lived Here.”
The D.C. area house-hunting series will take its hosts, Washingtonians John Begeny and Christine Louise, on a tour of Vienna’s history, landmarks and residential real estate offerings in an episode set to air Monday (Feb. 13).
While the show is now in its third season, the producers say Vienna has long been on their radar as a potential destination.
“We have folks on our film crew that live in Vienna, so they were thrilled to see it on our list for Season 3,” executive producer Jeffrey Eagle said. “It’s also a place that’s often mentioned as being wonderful for families and a community that’s connected through outdoor spaces, local events and a Main Street that feels both cozy and historic.”
Launched in February 2021, “If You Lived Here” brings its hosts together with local realtors to guess the list prices of local houses and visit attractions in neighborhoods around the D.C. region.
The show’s team researches each location extensively before visiting, according to series producer Paige Smith Lee, who cites local news outlets like the Washington Post and DCist as good resources. They also often get stories and tips once they start contacting interview subjects.
“Each individual area…has a history to share and a great community spirit,” Louise said in a statement. “When we tour the individual homes, we are digging even deeper into specific neighborhoods learning what makes each special from the folks who live there and work in each.”
Vienna is ready for its close-up! Monday, Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. is a must-see TV moment for the Town of Vienna! That's when the town will be featured on the popular @PBS program #IfYouLivedHere on @wetatvfm channel 26. Click here for more details: https://t.co/uBsd4d4Xo9. pic.twitter.com/weLzrzISZr
— Town of Vienna, VA (@TownofViennaVA) February 8, 2023
For Vienna, the team wanted to highlight the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, since the tracks — now the W&OD Trail — ran through the heart of the town. The train will give the show a way to discuss how the local population has grown and changed over the years, Eagle says.
“The Freeman Store and Museum was an easy choice to make as one of our stories,” Eagle said. “The conversion of those tracks to the W&OD walking and bike trails also meant the chance to see residents on the go, exercising and in their daily lives.”
Led by local real estate agent Lex Lianos, the episode will feature tours of three houses: a “fixer-upper” in Stonewall Manor, a renovated home sitting on an acre lot, and a modern home built in 2020, according to WETA.
The old train depot, the Vienna Town Green, popular bar and concert venue Jammin’ Java and Mayor Linda Colbert will also get moments in the spotlight.
Not everything filmed during the show’s three-day shoot last spring made it into the final cut. Smith Lee says she found the history of the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department “really interesting,” but it didn’t fit into the episode’s 28-minute runtime.
The episode will air at 9 p.m. on WETA PBS and 8 p.m. on WETA Metro. It will also be available to stream on the PBS app.
“If You Lived Here” will return to Fairfax County for its penultimate episode this season, which will focus on Annandale and air on March 6.
