Laura Schwartz is a licensed Realtor in VA, D.C. and MD with McEnearney Associates in McLean. Reach the office at 703-790-9090.
I have heard from so many clients and friends that would have otherwise drew a hard no in the sand about having a pool in their backyard, that the pandemic has changed their opinion on that.
Many are now considering either installing a pool or moving to a home that has a pool existing. I don’t blame them — with the run on blow up pools from Amazon and Target, you’d think we’d have a shortage on water now, not toilet paper!
If you’re thinking of building a pool, here are some basic concepts to think about:
Town of Vienna
- Don’t forget that 25% lot coverage which applies to the deck of the pool, HOWEVER, coping/surrounding walkways of under 5 ft from the edge of the pool will not be counted towards the lot coverage
- Pools must be at least 10 ft from any side or rear lot line, and is measured from the edge of the actual pool; also must be at least 20 ft from any alley line
- Can only be in the rear yard
- A permit is required through the Town
Fairfax County: Vienna and McLean
- Require a building permit, plumbing permit and electrical permit
- Pool can be in rear or side yards, and lots that are over 36,000 sq. ft. can even have the pool in the front yard
- Mechanical pool equipment must be contained within 10 ft of width, and at least 5 ft from any lot line
- If you have well and septic, you’ll need at least 20′ from them for the pool
What do you think about having a pool now? With these blistering heat days, coupled with 45 minute times slots at the public pools, would you consider installing a pool now?
Now, the age old question of resale value.
Most people think if you have a pool, it’s a deal breaker for many people. I think maybe that’s true, but you’ll also find a group of buyers who want the pool. And honestly, if the pool is old and needs work, it might be cheaper to just fill it in than deal with upkeep. I’ve told clients before, you build a pool to enjoy it, not to sell the house. It’s not like a kitchen renovation where you’re adding value. Someone else will come in and love the pool too.
Citizens Group Raises Concerns About Tysons Project — “A proposed Tysons development might be the right thing for a spot now occupied by low-rise commercial buildings, but the applicant should resubmit the proposal after making several improvements, McLean Citizens Association board members said July 1.” [Inside NoVa]
FCPS Town Hall Tonight — “Join FCPS Superintendent Scott S. Brabrand, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services Sloan Presidio, and director of the office of special education procedural support Jane Strong for an FCPS virtual Town Hall on Monday, July 6, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]
Tysons Company Donates Thousands of Masks — “Fairfax County received a donation of 15,000 FDA-approved KN95 masks from Portals Global, a Tysons-based consulting firm. Portals Global’s CEO Omo Igiehon said he chose Fairfax County as the donation recipient in order to give back to the community that he has lived in for 21 years.” [Fairfax County Economic Development Authority]
New Mayor, Town Council Members — “New Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and the new Town Council will be sworn into office at a public ceremony on July 6. The ceremony will be held outside the Vienna Community Center at 6 p.m.” [Patch]
On one of her final days in office, Laurie DiRocco took a moment to reflect on her accomplishments as Vienna’s mayor.
DiRocco was first elected to the Town Council in 2009 and has been the mayor since 2014, according to her town bio. She has lived in the town since 1995.
Going back 20 years, DiRocco said that serving on the Town Council or as mayor wasn’t on her radar when she was working in finance, but decided to run for mayor at the request of her predecessor.
Her key efforts included environmental sustainability, town walkability and financial responsibility, she told Tysons Reporter earlier this week.
Under her leadership, the town built a brand new community center that met the mark for a LEED Gold Certification, meaning that the center was built keeping in mind the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
This building was the first in the town to meet such high standards, according to DiRocco.
DiRocco said her focus on sustainability also applies to commuters and pedestrians.
“A big thing for me was walkability. I walk all the time. I love to run and bike and wanted to improve that in the town,” she said.
To encourage exploration of the community and relations with her constitutes, DiRocco would organize Friday morning walks. Each week, people were invited to join her at 9:30 a.m. to take a roughly 3-mile walk — giving them the chance to personally meet DiRocco and check out sites around the town. Roughly 10-20 people would take her up on the offer each week, she said.
“Some people would stop by because they wanted to talk to me in a casual environment,” she said. “But I also had some regulars.”
Thanks to funding from Maud Robinson, a former council member, DiRocco said that the town was able to install miles of sidewalks during her term.
To ease traffic in the town, DiRocco noted that a roundabout at Locust Street SE and Park Street was “wildly successful” in eliminating traffic jams for commuters. “That was a nice little transportation project that I’m proud of,” she said.
DiRococo has been active in the Black Lives Matter rallies around town, posting photos and videos showing community members kneeling in allyship to the Black community on her personal Facebook page.
“I thought they were really powerful,” she said, noting how “peaceful and well thought out” the protests were.
DiRocco said that “there hasn’t been an issue within our police station,” but that nearby localities have had issues with police brutality and racial injustice.
For Vienna specifically, she said that the Town Council began examining how policing happens in Vienna. About five years, the town started work on the conception plans for the upcoming police station.
Though a subject of controversy around town, DiRocco said that the plans for the new station include more involvement from the community to rethink the relationship between police and the community.
“We have an opportunity to make changes,” she said.
Following in DiRocco’s footsteps, Linda Colbert, who was first elected to the Town Council in 2014, is the incoming mayor.
“She has a knowledge base of how things operate,” Di Rocco said. “She really cares about the town, the people and the community. It’s about her love for Vienna, not political purposes.”
The two leaders have already met to talk about the position, according to DiRocco.
DiRocco said she’s confident that Colbert will continue many of the popular traditions, such as the town’s volunteer recognition — which DiRocco said she has expanded upon during her time in office.
Photo via Laurie DiRocco/Facebook
Back in mid-March, government services, community centers, restaurants, schools and more closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Now that Virginia is entering Phase Three today (Wednesday), here’s an update on what’s reopened or staying closed in the Tysons area.
Town Hall, which is currently open to the public by appointment-only, will reopen fully on Monday, July 6. “Citizens are still encouraged to limit unnecessary trips to Town Hall and to utilize online services when possible,” according to the town’s website. The town’s council, committees and boards will still meet virtually.
The community center will also reopen on Monday “with strict social distancing, reduced occupancy, and enhanced cleanings.” People will be able to rent space with limited room occupancy rules in the community center.
“Playgrounds, restrooms at parks, the Community Garden, tennis courts, outdoor basketball courts, and Vienna Dog Park are open,” the town’s website said. “Field permits and picnic pavilion rentals are now allowed.”
The town has cancelled events through August, but does have some online options along with no- and low-touch summer camps.
As for closures, rentals are still not permitted at the Teen Center, Bowman House, Freeman Store & Museum and Town Green.
The City of Falls Church took to Twitter to share an overview of what Phase Three looks like:
Phase 3 of the Forward Virginia reopening plan begins on Wednesday, July 1 everywhere in the Commonwealth – including the City of Falls Church. See what's different from Phase 2: https://t.co/wlyqNR2sCT pic.twitter.com/Zv02GCVbrL
— City of Falls Church (@FallsChurchGov) June 26, 2020
Back in May, Wolf Trap cancelled its summer performances.
The McLean Community Center reopened in a limited capacity when Northern Virginia entered Phase Two. “To minimize face-to-face public contact, we ask that you continue to contact us online, or by email or phone,” MCC wrote on its website mid-June.
In May, Virginia DMV offices started to reopen for appointments. People can make appointments at the Tysons location (1968 Gallows Road), which is open from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Additionally, Virginia DMV extended the deadline for driver’s license expirations from the end of August to the end of October.
Tysons Reporter previously shared what the statewide changes will look like in Phase Three, from fitness centers and pools opening at 75% capacity to non-essential retail and restaurants fully opening.
Fairfax County Public Schools is offering families two choices for returning to school in August: full-time online instruction or two days each week at school and asynchronous learning on the remote days.
Just because more and more places are reopening doesn’t mean people have to go to them, Gov. Ralph Northam has stressed in press conferences.
Per Northam’s order, people have to wear masks when going into public buildings and businesses.
South Block is now opening the doors to its new home in the Town of Vienna.
The juice and smoothie bar left its location at Jammin Java and plans to officially open next week at 207 E. Maple Avenue.
Amir Mostafavi, the owner, shared on the public Facebook group Vienna VA Foodies yesterday that the new location is doing a soft opening this week via Uber Eats from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The menu includes cold-pressed juice, toast and salad, smoothies and bowls.
Mostafavi said that Monday, July 6, will be the spot’s official opening date.
“We are so excited to be a part of this amazing community! I grew up in McLean… so this spot hits really close to ‘home’ for me!” Mostafavi wrote.
Photo via South Block/Facebook
GNC will close its location in Vienna as part of the company’s plans to shutter between 800 and 1,200 stores across the country.
The vitamins and supplements retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection early last week.
The store at the Maple Avenue Shopping Center is a part of several ones closing in Virginia, including locations in Sterling, Franklin and Charlottesville, according to GNC’s website. “Please note that even closing stores may remain open for a period of time,” the website says.
In a June 23 letter to its customers, the company stated that the COVID-19 pandemic “created a situation where we are unable to accomplish our refinancing and the abrupt change in the operating environment has had a negative impact on our business.”
Here’s more from the letter:
As a result, we felt the best opportunity for us to continue to improve our capital structure and address certain operational issues was to restructure through a Chapter 11 reorganization. This gives us the opportunity to improve our balance sheet while continuing to advance our business strategy, right-size our corporate store portfolio, and strengthen our brands to protect the long-term sustainability of our company.
Peet’s Coffee won’t reopen its doors in the Town of Vienna.
A Peet’s spokesperson confirmed to Tysons Reporter that the Vienna location (332 Maple Ave E.) is permanently closed. The spot is still listed at “temporarily closed” on the coffee chain’s website.
The spokesperson did not respond to questions about when or why the Vienna store closed and instead offered a statement saying that Peet’s opens and closes coffee locations each year for different reasons.
“While not easy decisions, regional adjustments to our coffeebar presence are important for effectively managing our resources and for developing our business,” the statement said.
The statement went on to say that Peet’s works with employees from its closed shops to find them jobs at other Peet’s locations.
While the company is no longer in Vienna, coffee drinkers can still find Peet’s in the Tysons-area.
The Peet’s mobile app shows that the Tysons location (8150 Leesburg Pike) is accepting orders. Tysons Reporter reached out today (Monday) about the status of the shop at Tysons Station and will provide an update.
Image via Google Maps
Two weeks into Northern Virginia’s reopening under Phase 2, veterinary offices are still seeing a steady stream of the new pets in need of routine care.
“We’ve definitely noticed a lot of people adopting pets,” said Sarah Angermeier, a veterinary assistant and receptionist at the Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital. “It’s a blessing. We have so many puppies right now.”
Angermeier mentioned that appointments are filling up to a week-and-a-half in advance.
“We book up so fast now,” she said, adding that the dogs are more rambunctious after being stuck at home for weeks.
The Vienna Animal Hospital has also noticed similar trends. They reported that the number of appointments and the number of people adopting pets have “skyrocketed.”
In the spring during the strictest point of the coronavirus stay-at-home order, pets were the big winners as people rushed to get stay-at-home companions. Places like Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation in Falls Church have seen a large increase in cat and dog adoptions — compared to April 2019, adoptions went up about 60% in late April of this year, according to Lost Dog.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, one of the leading organizations providing guidance to veterinarian practices, precautionary strategies — like the ones in Northern Virginia — are making visits safer.
“Veterinary practices have made tremendous changes to ensure patients continue to receive essential veterinary care and new safety measures are implemented to protect team members and clients,” said the AVMA in an April 2020 survey of U. S. veterinarians.
The Vienna Animal Hospital, for example, has taken added precautionary measures such as increased sanitation; requiring masks and gloves; and making a switch to curbside appointments to decrease contact. Currently, owners are not allowed in the building.
Similarly, the Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital has been using teleconferencing to hold appointments. Owners drive their pets to the practice and wait in their cars, talking on the phone with doctors while the pets are cared for inside.
However, as of a week ago at Oakton-Vienna, one owner at a time is allowed inside the building with their pet. In addition, the practice has crews deep-cleaning the hospital.
According to the AVMA survey, other adjustments include contactless payment processing, taking patient history by phone or virtually and drive-thru pick up and drop off. About 30% of veterinary practices are using telemedicine and close to 20% of practices were only seeing emergency-related cases at the time of the survey.
The Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital began using teleconferencing on March 2. “It was definitely an adapting period,” said Angermeier.
Cristal Wheeler, the office manager of the Animal Dental Clinic in Vienna, says that their office is also following a variety of new protocols.
“We’ve extended our cleanup after every patient to include where clients are sitting and touching,” said Wheeler. She mentioned handles and doors are high contact surfaces that are receiving extra sanitation.
As practices continue to pivot with the changing coronavirus pandemic, offices like Oakton-Vienna are staying focused on the mission — serving customers and taking care of pets.
“We’ve gotten thank-you notes for staying open during COVID. We’ve had a lot of really really grateful people.”
Photos via Oakton-Vienna Veterinary Hospital/Facebook
As fitness centers are starting to reopen in the Tysons area as Virginia continues to roll back COVID-19 restrictions.
Currently, Northern Virginia is in Phase Two and plans to enter Phase Three on Wednesday (July 1).
Here are a few updates on which gyms are reopening, which are staying virtual and which are closing for good.
Solidcore in Tysons is offering in-person classes as of June 23. They are enforcing a variety of measures to enforce social distancing, such as “alternating machines back-to-front” to maintain 6 feet of distance.
They are asking customers to “minimize gathering in common areas,” to use the bathroom at home and to bring duffles to be stored in the pit of their machine rather than in a common area, according to procedures posted on their website.
Additionally, coaches will not be giving hands-on corrections and will be wearing masks and gloves at all times.
Crunch in Vienna is offering special reopening hours from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on the weekend.
24 Hour Fitness has closed permanently in Tysons. However, the Falls Church location plans to reopen soon with new protocols to maintain safety. They have created a way for customers to check-in on their own, make workout reservations and even continue working out at home via digital instruction through a mobile app.
Hot Yoga Tysons is offering “two to three” virtual classes each day throughout the week for people who are craving yoga and pilates sessions from their homes.
1 To 1 Fitness in Tysons is also continuing to offer virtual personal training. Their sign-up provides users the opportunity to request a trainer who meets their specific preferences in a coach and a workout.
May gyms and fitness centers may start to open up in July as future guidelines have fewer restrictions. Virginia’s Phase Three will allow fitness centers and pools to open up to 75% capacity.
Photo by Danielle Cerullo on Unsplash
A Vienna woman decided to take advantage of free time to help women around the D.C. area that are either suffering from homelessness or domestic violence while also supporting a regional Black-owned eatery.
Alexandra Sorrell, a recent Virginia Tech graduate, doesn’t start her new job until October and said she couldn’t stand the idea of sitting idly by while other people are in need. So Sorrell decided to organize a GoFundMe to purchase full-price meals from Puddin’ for women at both the Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter and N Street Village facilities.
Both of these non-profits focus on helping women and children in the area by offering housing, counseling and advocacy, according to their websites.
“It’s hard to find things to fill your time and I felt so guilty sitting at home while so many people are suffering, especially now with the pandemic and Black Lives Matter,” she said.
Though Sorrell thought about assisting community members around Vienna, she recognized that there was a more immediate and extreme need in D.C.
One of Sorrell’s family friends is an emergency room nurse in a regional hospital and told her that they have seen record numbers of domestic violence and child abuse cases.
“I was trying to address as many areas of struggle as I could,” she said.
Puddin’, which is owned by Toyin Alli, serves Southern-style comfort food, according to the food truck’s website. Sorrell chose the truck from a recommendation of a staffer at N Street Village.
Sorrell told Tysons Reporter that she wanted to do more than provide canned food meals. Through Puddin’, she is able to connect recipients with meals they could enjoy.
She added that she wants to help replicate the joy that she feels when she is able to enjoy a nice meal with some friends.
As of this morning, the campaign has raised $1,760 out of $2,500. If the campaign doesn’t raise the full amount, Sorrell said she would donate the rest from the signing bonus from her new job.
The campaign will run through Aug. 1, according to the GoFundMe.
“My fear is to be ever complacent,” Sorrell said, adding that she hopes other people will assist with outreach and take advantage of free time to help others.
Photo via Puddin’/Facebook
