Wintry Mix Expected From Storm in Fairfax County — “Storm Team4 is tracking a winter storm expected throughout Saturday and into early Sunday…The District and parts of Maryland and Virginia bordering the Capital Beltway will get a wintry mix, with snow arriving Saturday morning and then changing over to all rain. Not much snow accumulation is expected.” [NBC4]
Parents of Overdose Victim Urge Awareness of Opioids — “In the months since Cayden died, the Fosters have worked to make sure other parents don’t experience similar heartbreak. Schools across the D.C. region have hosted information sessions about the dangers of fentanyl, and are continuing to do so. Fairfax County has an opioid awareness session scheduled next week.” [WTOP]
Man Charged With Hit-and-Run in Fairfax Circle — “A Michigan man was arrested on a felony hit-and-run charge, after leaving the scene of a collision near Fairfax Circle around midnight on Dec. 26, according to police. City of Fairfax Police responded around 12:10 a.m. to the area of Fairfax Boulevard and Blenheim Boulevard” for the reported collision. [Patch]
Mount Vernon Rec Center Renovation on Track — “Closed to the public just over a year ago for a major renovation and expansion project, the Mount Vernon Rec Center underwent extensive work on its foundation in 2023 and will gain a second level and internal features over the course of the new year, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.” [On the MoVe]
Electronics-Sniffing Police Dog Retires — “K9 Browser has officially entered a well-deserved retirement after an exemplary career as the pioneer of our Electronic Detection Program with @FairfaxCountyPD As we bid farewell to Browser, we are eager to welcome our new electronics detection K9, Delaware.” [Fairfax County Government/Twitter]
N. Va. Newspaper Consolidates — “This week marks an evolution in the GazetteLeader, as the two separate editions (one for Arlington County, one for the coverage area in Fairfax County) are being merged into one. Bringing the two together is designed to provide readers and advertisers with a stronger print product to augment the media organization’s extensive and fast-growing online audience.” [Gazette Leader]
Eden Center Greets New Year With New Restaurants — “Lots of new things are going on at the Eden Center, the Vietnamese-focused shopping center in Seven Corners. A sugarcane juice shop, called Mia & More, opened Dec. 29. Crabby Noodles, a restaurant specializing in pho and seafood, also opened last month. And the Pop Up District, a food hall plus short-term popup shops, is coming in the third quarter of 2024.” [Annandale Today]
County Seeks Vendors for Earth Day Festival — “The Fairfax County Park Authority is gearing up for another Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sully Historic Site. Applications are now being accepted for vendors and exhibitors to participate in…the largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County.” [FCPA]
It’s Friday — Expect a sunny day with a high around 42 and a northwest wind around 6 mph, shifting to southwest in the afternoon. As night falls, anticipate increasing clouds and a low temperature of about 30, accompanied by a gentle south wind of 3-6 mph. [Weather.gov]
(Updated at 4 p.m.) Hundreds of Fairfax Connector workers could strike if contract talks between their union and employer break down.
Nearly a month after the end of their existing contract with Transdev, which operates Fairfax County’s public bus system, union drivers, mechanics and other employees voted on Dec. 29 to authorize a strike, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 announced yesterday.
As a policy, the union didn’t disclose how many of the approximately 546 Fairfax Connector workers it represents participated in the vote, but 99% of those who did voted in support of authorization, a Local 689 spokesperson told FFXnow.
Despite the recent authorization vote, a strike call doesn’t appear to be imminent, as the union says it has another bargaining session scheduled for Jan. 19.
“For the past three months, Transdev has proven time and time again that they are more interested in hoarding their money than making necessary investments to improve their dedicated and hardworking employees’ wellbeing,” Local 689 President Raymond Jackson said in a statement. “Our members are fed up with Transdev’s flat out refusal to fully engage in meaningful bargaining over key economic issues and attempts to distort facts.”
The workers who support Northern Virginia’s largest public bus system have been negotiating a new labor contract since October, when Local 689 delivered its first proposal to Transdev. The union has said its priorities include pay increases, better sick leave, standard work schedules and retirement security.
Shortly before the existing contract expired on Nov. 30, the union reported progress on some issues, but it said Transdev’s proposed wages still fell short of what workers are seeking.
Now, the union says Transdev “finally presented a decent wage increase proposal,” but the company is pushing the union to drop its demands for “improved dental care and sick leave, retirement security, and more stable working hours.”
(Correction: This article initially said that, according to the union, Transdev had threatened to withdraw its offer of improved sick leave and other benefits in exchange for the wage increases. A union spokesperson clarified that those benefits weren’t offered. Instead, the proposed pay plan was “contingent” on the union dropping its other demands.)
Transdev, which was first hired by the county to operate Fairfax Connector in 2019, says it’s continuing “to bargain in good faith” with ATU Local 689.
“To date, we’ve agreed to over 50 modifications to the prior [collective bargaining agreement] and proposed significant improvements to wages & benefits,” Transdev said in an emailed statement. “We value our partnership with the ATU and remain hopeful that we can come to a mutually-agreeable resolution quickly.”
However, Local 689 claims that many of the contractor’s concessions are either “technical corrections or the bare minimum necessary changes to keep somewhat competitive with other transit entities in the region.”
“A vast divide between the two sides still remains,” the union said.
Serving approximately 26,000 passengers a day on 93 routes, Fairfax Connector is currently operating under the expired contract, which was ratified in early 2020 after workers went on a four-day strike in December 2019 and raised the possibility of a second walkout.
The county’s plan for handling a strike, if the current contract dispute isn’t resolved, aren’t yet clear. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation told FFXnow it “has no comments about a potential strike at the moment.”
A woman died last night (Wednesday) after crashing into a tow truck that was responding to an earlier multi-vehicle collision on I-66, the Virginia State Police announced this morning.
Troopers were called first at 6:31 p.m. yesterday to a “chain reaction crash” that involved three vehicles in the westbound lanes of I-66 at the 51-mile marker in the Centreville area.
“One driver suffered minor injuries, but declined treatment,” police said.
However, police were called just minutes later, around 6:49 p.m., to a second three-vehicle crash on I-66 West near the exit to Nutley Street outside Vienna
“A tow truck was responding to the original crash and had slowed to a stop when it was rear-ended by a Jeep Compass SUV,” the VSP said. “The impact of the crash caused the Jeep to spin out into the westbound travel lane and strike a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.”
The Jeep driver was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where she died from her injuries later in the evening, according to police. The tow truck driver was also hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening.
The Toyota pickup driver didn’t report any injuries, police said.
The crash near Nutley Street completely shut down both the regular and express lanes on westbound I-66. The lanes didn’t fully reopen until around 11 p.m., according to Twitter updates from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Police are also investigating a third, separate crash that occurred on I-66 East before Route 50 at 7:35 p.m. yesterday. One driver was transported to a hospital after a two-vehicle crash near the 56-mile marker, a VSP spokesperson said.
Image via VDOT traffic camera
(Updated at 10:55 a.m.) Virginia State Police are seeking witnesses in a possible shooting incident that occurred this morning (Thursday) near the I-495 and Dulles Toll Road interchange in Tysons.
Troopers responded at 6:08 a.m. to a driver stopped in the shoulder along the Capital Beltway’s northbound lanes near the exit to the toll road’s westbound lanes, according to the VSP and scanner traffic on Open MHz.
The driver wasn’t injured, but he reported that his vehicle “had a bullet hole in its passenger side,” state police said.
Starting around 10:30 a.m., the VSP closed all northbound lanes on the Beltway at Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) to the toll road as it investigates the shooting.
“State police has requested the closure so we can search for any possible evidence connected to the vehicle that was shot,” a VSP spokesperson said.
The closure was expected to last 30 to 45 minutes.
State police are seeking potential witnesses, asking anyone who saw “suspicious activity in this area between 5:50 a.m. and 6:05 a.m.” to reach out by phone at 804-750-8798 or by email at [email protected].
Update #Tysons: the time for this closure has been moved to 10:30 am.#VaTraffic #DMVTraffic https://t.co/9QrUFhLk2S
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) January 4, 2024
Inova Prepares for Hospital Construction — “The Falls Church-based health system has filed building permits for both a Springfield hospital at 6330 Lewin Drive in Franconia, about a mile from the Springfield Metro station, and a new Alexandria hospital at 6001 Duke St…Inova expects to start construction ‘on both sites’ in the third quarter of this year, [Inova Realty President Tom] McDuffie said.” [Washington Business Journal]
Washington Post Sees of Exodus of Local Reporters — “At least 240 Post writers, columnists, editors, and others were expected to leave in the final days of 2023, significantly reshaping the paper in ways that aren’t yet fully realized…Unfortunately for readers in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, local coverage appears to have taken the biggest hit” [Washington City Paper]
Bill Would Give Towns Share of Plastic Bag Tax — “Town governments across Virginia would receive a new source of cash flow if legislation cutting them in on plastic-bag revenue makes it through the General Assembly…Fairfax County has three towns — Vienna, Herndon and Clifton — that would benefit if the measure became law.” [Gazette Leader]
Bubble Tea Shop Coming to Fairfax City — “A new bubble tea shop has announced that it will open its doors this coming weekend — January 6 and 7 — in Fairfax. It’s called Pekoe Tea Bar and it’s opening at 9717 Fairfax Boulevard.” [The Burn]
Increased Crime Reported in Mason District — “Crime is up in the Mason Police District in nearly all categories, station commander Capt. Patrick Brusch reported at a community meeting on Jan. 2.” Assaults, burglaries and drug arrests increased in 2023 compared to 2022, though carjackings and vehicle part thefts went down. [Annandale Today]
Mason Neck Pavilion Gets Upgrades — “The multipurpose pavilion at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) in Lorton had gutters and snow bars installed on its roof at the end of December, according to a spokesperson from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).” Utility and parking lot improvements are also planned, along with a pollinator garden. [On the MoVe]
FCPD Offers Business Security Tips — “As we usher in the new year, Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is committed to helping businesses start 2024 on a secure note. In our ongoing effort to enhance the safety of local establishments, we are excited to share strategic safety tips designed to empower business owners in safeguarding their premises.” [FCPD]
It’s Thursday — Expect a mostly cloudy morning that gradually clears, reaching a high of around 43°F. Night will be clear with a low of approximately 25°F. A northwest wind will start at 6-11 mph and speed up in the afternoon, with potential gusts up to 25 mph. [Weather.gov]
When they reconvene this month, Virginia lawmakers will consider a proposal to allow local governments to install speed cameras wherever they deem them necessary, with penalties of up to $100 for violations.
Bill patron Del.-elect Mike Jones, D-Richmond, said the legislation is intended to increase speed enforcement and reduce the number of traffic fatalities.
“It gives localities the decision of whether they want to do it or not,” said Jones. “So it’s not a ‘shall’ — every locality will have it — but for the ones that are concerned with this, it would help them out.”
State law currently allows local governments to install speed cameras in work and school zones as a way to drivers to go slower around children and construction workers. Jones’ bill would go further, allowing their placement in “any location deemed necessary” by local governments.
However, the use of more cameras to enforce speed laws has previously sparked controversy over privacy and public perceptions that the technology is just another way for a locality to raise revenue.
In November, amid a Frederick County debate, outgoing Supervisor Shawn Graber told the Mercury that “there should never be a time when a locality tries to simply put something in effect to make money from someone else’s misdoing.”
Jones said he understands the concerns, but argued people are asking for safer streets and safer neighborhoods.
“There’s not enough police for them and/or they don’t respond to neighborhoods simply because of numbers,” said Jones. “I understand the concern for the overpolicing, I get that. I get that as an African American male, I get that as pastor of an African American church, a Black legislator that represented predominantly Black and brown people. I hear that, but the reality is this: People aren’t dying in a lot of these different neighborhoods; where they’re literally dying is in mine.”
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles data found that last year, 20% of the 122,434 crashes in the state were speed related, a 1% increase over the previous year. Virginia Department of Transportation crash data also shows that between 2018 and 2022, the annual number of traffic fatalities increased from 819 to 1,005.
The DMV said that on average, 2.8 lives are lost and 163 people injured every day because of traffic crashes.
Rob Billington, a spokesman for the Virginia Municipal League, which represents city and town governments in the commonwealth, said the league supports letting local governments expand the use of speed cameras on all roads at all times. He said traditionally VML has supported local flexibility, and it sees Jones’ bill as providing that.
“VML has supported, and continues to support, expanding the availability of photo-camera traffic enforcement for all localities in the context of a defined transportation safety program that includes engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency response elements while respecting civil rights,” the group has said in a transportation policy statement.
The Virginia Association of Counties said it’s still reviewing the bill.
“We are aware of the bill and will closely monitor its progress during the General Assembly session,” said VACO Executive Director Dean Lynch in a statement. “We always welcome additional tools for local governments to better serve their communities and make them safer for other motorists, pedestrians, etc.”
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, who will chair the Senate Transportation Committee next session, said lawmakers have considered similar legislation in the past and have raised concerns about the accuracy of the cameras.
“One thing that we don’t want to do is inadvertently penalize somebody for faulty equipment,” Boysko said. “So for me, and I think for many of my colleagues, we want to make certain that before we approve expanding such an item that we want to make sure that it is accurate.”
However, she added, “nobody can deny that the traffic exacerbation over the past couple of years has really caused some real problems with pedestrian injuries and death, and just overall the lack of concern for speed limits.”
This article was reported and written by the Virginia Mercury, and has been reprinted under a Creative Commons license.
This spring will bring a new coffee shop to West Falls Church — or so Compass Coffee hopes.
Construction is underway on the company’s second drive-thru cafe at 7393 Lee Highway. The shop will occupy a former BB&T bank building in the Shops at West Falls Church.
Though Compass Coffee previously said it was “shooting for” a summer 2023 opening, Vice President of Marketing Joel Shetterly says the business is now “looking forward to being open in time for Spring/cherry blossom season.”
Roughly 2,400 square feet in size, per a site plan, the new location will be Compass Coffee’s first in Fairfax County, though it can be found in Fairfax City. The company currently has 16 shops, including one on Langston Blvd in Arlington that hosts its first drive-thru.
In addition to coffee, the cafes sell breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
Snow Possible This Weekend — “Rain and snow are likely to fall in the D.C. region this weekend as a significant winter storm impacts much of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. In the D.C. area, precipitation could go back and forth from rain to snow during the storm, perhaps mixing with a little sleet.” [Washington Post]
Police Seek Info About Herndon Parkway Crash — “Thurs, 12/28/23, at 5PM, HPD got a call about 3 pedestrians that had been struck by a gray Jeep Compass in the 1100-blk of Herndon Pkwy. We are seeking info from any that may have seen or noticed anything leading up to the incident. 703-435-6846 or [email protected].” [Herndon Police/Twitter]
Virginia Sees New Laws Take Effect — A few new laws took effect in Virginia on New Year’s Day, many of them dealing with health care. Notably, health insurers are now required to cover “the cost of hearing aids and related services to people 18 years and younger” and “give patients six months’ notice before dropping their doctors from their insurance plan.” [Washington Post]
Aging Office Building Outside Fairfax Sold — “WTHHWD LLC purchased the eight-story, 196,000-square-foot building known as Crown Ridge on Dec. 19 for just $9.5 million, or nearly 70% less than the $31.1 million the previous owner…paid for the 1980s-era property in 2020…A press release didn’t indicate what the buyer’s plans are for the property, though it highlighted a recent $1.1 million ‘upgrade’ to the building’s lobby and certain tenant amenities.” [Washington Business Journal]
Flexibility Sought for Merrifield Veterinary Site — “Fairfax County Planning Commission members on Dec. 14 unanimously recommended that county supervisors approve a rezoning with three possible development options — ranging from open-space improvements to a brand-new building — for a Merrifield commercial property.” The building at 8500 Arlington Blvd is currently occupied by a veterinary hospital. [Gazette Leader]
Sen. Kaine Pushes Bill to Ban Legacy Admissions — “The Democratic lawmaker and U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., are co-sponsors of a bill that would prohibit accredited colleges and universities from giving preferential treatment in admissions to children of alumni or those with ties to donors. The legislation has been introduced in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year that struck down affirmative action policies in college admissions.” [WTOP]
Culmore Clinic Joins Effort to Find Treatment for Parasitic Disease — “The Culmore Clinic is participating in a clinical trial for a new treatment for Chagas disease. The Culmore Clinic provides low-cost healthcare to uninsured adults in Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners. It was selected for a phase 1 trial because it serves many patients who immigrated from poor, rural areas in Latin America where the disease is prevalent.” [Annandale Today]
It’s Wednesday — Expect partly sunny skies with a high near 47, accompanied by a light and variable wind that will shift to northwest at around 6 mph. At night, there’s a slight chance of rain, starting after 1am. The skies will be cloudy, and the temperature will drop to around 34. [Weather.gov]
Almost a year after ending its state of emergency for COVID-19, Fairfax County is expected to codify new rules for outdoor dining that were introduced in response to the pandemic.
A proposed zoning ordinance amendment will automatically let restaurants, bars and other food service establishments set up temporary seating areas where patrons can eat and drink outside, unless the area is in a parking lot, in which case an administrative permit will be needed.
Outdoor dining areas that use permanent furniture will still need to get the county’s approval during a site plan or building permit review.
“Outdoor dining can significantly improve the pedestrian experience throughout the County,” a Dec. 15 staff report says. “By activating the street-level pedestrian environment, it can increase vibrancy and make commercial areas more social and active.”
Currently, the county doesn’t have any official standards for outdoor dining, though outdoor seating is permitted as an accessory use by right — meaning a separate approval isn’t required — in all zoning districts that allow restaurants.
To support businesses while still trying to limit Covid’s spread by reducing crowds, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted an emergency ordinance on July 14, 2020 that allowed existing establishments to designate outdoor areas for dining and fitness activities without any additional approvals, though they still had to meet some site and operational requirements.
Many requirements under that temporary ordinance, which is set to expire on March 1, have been carried over to the new proposal, including a stipulation that all outdoor dining must be on impervious surface, such as a patio, sidewalk or parking lot.
The area must also be clearly marked and separated from vehicle parking spots and pedestrian access points. Tents larger than 900 square feet must be approved by the fire marshal’s office, which is also responsible for permitting any heaters or open flames under tents.
In a change from the emergency rules, outdoor dining areas will be limited to 50% of the size of indoor dining rooms as determined by a restaurant’s floor area, rather than its occupancy limit.
“In staff’s opinion, limiting the outdoor dining area based on the indoor seating area is a more accurate way to determine the allowable outdoor dining area,” the staff report said. “…This is also helpful in investigating potential violations, as DCC Investigators would be able to easily measure the outdoor dining and indoor dining area during their investigation to determine compliance.”
Acknowledging that using floor area could put smaller restaurants at a disadvantage, staff proposed alternatives that would either forgo a size limit or set a range. For patio and sidewalk dining areas, the suggested range is up to 250 square feet or 25 to 75% of the indoor dining area, whichever is greater, while areas in parking lots could be 500 square feet to 1,000 square feet per establishment.
Under the proposed amendment, establishments will no longer be required to provide separate parking for outdoor seating areas, a change implemented by the Parking Reimagined initiative that took effect on Monday, Jan. 1.
County staff also recommend tying the use of outdoor dining areas to a business’ regular operating hours. Since some establishments can be open as late as 2 a.m., prohibitions before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. for outdoor dining areas directly adjacent to or abutting single-family developments could be considered.
The proposal will get a public hearing before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on Jan. 10, followed by a Board of Supervisors vote on Feb. 6.
If the amendment is approved, the county will follow in the footsteps of Vienna, Herndon, Alexandria and Arlington, which have all approved outdoor dining regulations within the past couple of years.
The new year may bring changes to how water is provided in and around the Town of Vienna.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Dec. 5 to begin discussions with the town and Fairfax Water about the future of public water delivery service in areas currently served by Vienna Water.
Joined by Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik, Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn says he initiated the request for “a more in-depth discussion” in response to concerns about the discrepancy in rates from residents who live in the county but get water service from the town — which describes about a third of Vienna Water’s nearly 5,600 customers.
“This is a little bit of a hole in the donut for Fairfax Water,” Alcorn told FFXnow. “…Their water rates are significantly lower than Vienna Water’s, and Vienna Water, basically, it’s an older system, and what I’m interested in is a win-win possibility for Vienna Water to somehow work even more closely with Fairfax Water, if not be absorbed by Fairfax Water.”
The largest water utility in Virginia, Fairfax Water provides drinking water to nearly 2 million people, including residents of Fairfax County, the town of Herndon and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church.
The two cities joined the system in 2013 and 2014, respectively, after years of resistance that included a federal lawsuit accusing Fairfax County of trying to monopolize the region’s water supply. The Town of Vienna was also part of that lawsuit, ultimately agreeing to purchase water from Fairfax Water while continuing to maintain its own system.
Even though the water it provides comes from Fairfax Water, Vienna Water charges a higher rate, starting at $6.40 per 1,000 gallons, compared to $3.65 per 1,000 gallons for Fairfax Water.
As of Dec. 1, Fairfax Water’s base water service charge of $80.65 is lower than all other D.C. area jurisdictions except for Herndon, which charges $75.03. Fairfax Water has proposed an increase to $84.72, starting on July 1, 2024, but that would still be lower than other localities, including the Town of Vienna, which charges $136.35.
“I’ve heard the most [complaints] from constituents that are Vienna Water customers who live in the Hunter Mill District but outside of the town boundaries,” Alcorn said, noting that Vienna Water’s service area also includes some Providence District residents. “They have asked me to look into this.”
It remains to be seen whether this discussion will go more smoothly than the ones the county had with Fairfax City and Falls Church. A Fairfax County Circuit Court judge ruled in 2010 that Falls Church’s water rates amounted to an “unconstitutional tax on county residents,” according to a 2011 Washington Post story detailing the then-ongoing clash between the county and city.
Vienna Finance Director Marion Serfass says the Town gets “occasional complaints from residents about water rates, but there is not a large volume of them.”
“More often they appreciate the prompt customer service they get from Vienna,” Serfass said.
According to Serfass, the town has budgeted $4.4 million to support its water system for the current fiscal year, which started on July 1 and ends June 30, 2024. That includes $2 million to buy water wholesale from Fairfax Water.
Another $1.5 to $1.7 million is spent annually on capital improvements for the water system, which includes 131 miles of distribution piping maintained by the town’s Department of Public Works.
If Fairfax Water takes over Vienna Water like it did with Fairfax and Falls Church, it would assume the responsibility of maintaining that infrastructure, but Alcorn emphasized that he’s not advocating for that approach just yet.
“[It’s] too early to say if that’s the outcome or not, but that’s why we need to have the staff-to-staff discussion,” Alcorn said.
The Board of Supervisors directed staff to provide an update on the Vienna Water discussions by this summer.
Image via Google Maps
