The new townhomes under construction along Route 7 in Pimmit Hills have all been snapped up Developer EYA announced in late October that all 104 townhouses in Tysons Ridge have been sold months ahead of the anticipated completion of construction but the final available unit — an “Evanston” model with four bedrooms a private elevator and a loft with a rooftop terrace — was priced at nearly $1.7 million “All homes are now sold,” EYA New Home Advisor Tara Rosenberg confirmed to FFXnow by email “Completion of construction/all settlements is projected for about June/July of 2025.” Approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in January 2022, the townhome development replaced an office building at 7700 Leesburg Pike that had been constructed in 1976 The 6.7-acre site is near Marshall High School and the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library construction on Tysons Ridge began in spring 2023 The homes range in size from approximately 1,690 square feet for a 3-bedroom floor plan to the 2,840-square-foot Evanston units All of the units will have two-car garages and rooftop terraces and buyers could also choose to add an private elevator Housing prices continue to climb in Fairfax County, which saw an average sales price of $856,952 in October — a 13.4% increase from the same month in 2023. Buyers closed on a total of 963 residences last month, with 201 properties selling for at least $1 million, per data reported by Bright MLS 2025 at 9:17 am ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Fairfax County Police released these photos of the man they say robbed a Pimmit Hills convenience store Friday night Investigators are asking anyone who recognizes the men to contact detectives at the McLean District Station VA — Fairfax County Police detectives released photos of a man they say stole merchandise from a Pimmit Hills convenience store on Friday 22 to the 7-Eleven located at 7451 Patterson Road for the report of a larceny The person who reported the larceny told the officers that a man forced his way into a restricted area of the store around 6:24 p.m investigators obtained photos of the man in question which they released to help in the identification of the suspect Anyone who recognizes the person in the photos or who has information about this incident is asked to call the McLean Police Station at 703-556-7750 and ask to speak with a detective Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers.” Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Here in Fairfax County, real estate is a spectator sport. Let’s take a look at some of the most and least expensive townhouses sold last month (December 2024) *Minimum home value of $200,000 set to exclude certain land sales Pimmit Hills is a sleepy subdivision just southeast of Tysons quickly being overshadowed by its neighbor But Pimmit Hills is a neighborhood with a surprising depth of history and one that played a central role in much of the region’s development In her new book, “Participation, Community and Public Policy in a Virginia Suburb“ a policy fellow at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government follows the neighborhood across sixty years of history On Nov. 10, the book was awarded the Ross Netherton Prize a $1000 prize awarded for a work covering local history Donahue said the book started almost ten years ago when she was researching public policy impacts on small neighborhoods “I looked for a community in Northern Virginia that I thought was typical of a middle-income community in the post-war era,” said Donahue “I thought it would be a simple case study but it just kept unfolding into one fascinating story after another It really told the story of suburbia in one community.” Pimmit Hills was built as a subdivision in the 1950s for veterans of World War II and the Korean War Though today it is dwarfed by nearby development when it was first built it was the largest subdivision in Fairfax County by far; four or five times larger than any of the others When it was first built, the neighborhood was surrounded by farms and fields, but today it’s completely surrounded by highways and development. Donahue compared it to real estate holdouts in major cities Donahue said it was fascinating to follow the same community through the turbulent latter half of the 20th century through today “So much happened there,” said Donahue the baby boom… they were part of Fairfax transforming from a rural community into an urban one.” Donahue said she stumbled on various extreme viewpoints from people who were essentially neighbors The topic of segregation was one that had bitterly divided the community “There were people who supported massive resistance to desegregation with residents who were very comfortable using language we find tough,” said Donahue there were three ministers who made a public statement six months after the Montgomery bus boycott saying they totally rejected segregation and they wouldn’t let their churches support it People risking their careers and people who were like ‘there’s no way we’re going to let this happen.'” then murdered them in the forest near Pimmit Hills Pimmit Hills also played a surprising role in regional and national history one of the early presidents of the Pimmit Hills Citizens Association was a researcher on the first American exploration of Antarctica But one of the most notable moments for Pimmit Hills was in the early 1950s when Fairfax County signed up to be one of the first large-scale tests for Jonas Salk’s new polio vaccine After gossip columnist Walter Winchell alleged that the polio vaccine would end up killing children Donahue said many other communities yielded to concerns and pulled out of the tests But given the high mortality rate of polio in Fairfax Donahue said the county was the only community to stay in the program “Imagine the courage of those families who agreed when no one else would to have their children immunized,” said Donahue “Second graders in Pimmit Hills were among the first in the nation to get the vaccine.” Whether the neighborhood can survive with new development pressures all around it remains in question Donahue says she believes the neighborhood will continue to adapt and continue to survive do we want development on our doorstep?'” said Donahue I think they are not going to be bystanders in this change They are going to be active agents in shaping that change.” The book, which is intended for an academic audience, is currently listed at $89.98 on Amazon Joon has expanded its offerings in Tysons with the addition of a bar and patio Named after a poetic Farsi term for “wine,” May Bar began serving customers inside the… Owners of six Woofie’s franchises in Northern Virginia are hosting a “Paws in the Park” pet adoption event tomorrow (Saturday) at Wolf Trap National Park Participating Woofie’s include Reston/Herndon A Fairfax Connector bus to Tysons (staff photo by James Jarvis) The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has the green light to apply for a federal grant to replace… The country band Delta Spur performs on the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center for the mall’s 2023 summer concert series (courtesy Tysons Corner Center) Fresh produce The Falls Church we are covering today includes Lake Barcroft There is a tiny portion of Merrifield which has Falls Church mailing addresses but Merrifield is mostly considered Fairfax as it’s outside the beltway Falls Church is almost a catch-all for other areas which don’t have their own mailing address Locally you hear people refer to the individual neighborhoods as if they are their own towns It’s fascinating that they aren’t since they can all be so different too Seven Corners and Lake Barcroft are all part of Falls Church the Dulles Toll Road (267) all run through Falls Church The metro has stops in West Falls Church and Dunn Loring which is in Merrifield It’s not easy to make blanket statements about Falls Church real estate because the areas are all so different know that you can get single family detached homes here from the $500,000’s all the way up to $3M Townhomes are mostly in the $600,000 to $800,000 range Condos can start in the high $100,000’s and go up to $600,000 We should zoom in though on some of the different areas Pimmit Hills for instance is drastically different from Lake Barcroft Pimmit Hills is a CDP (Census Designated Place) inside the beltway that for many decades had seen better days It started in the 1950’s as a neighborhood of 3 bedroom 1 bath rambler style homes for the World War II and Korean War vets and their families and there are lots of houses which seem and are hugely overgrown for the lot on which they sit there is a lot of shade thrown at Pimmit Hills It’s just been hard for some to grasp that this is now a $1M+ neighborhood after the years where it was pretty rundown in the TV Show “My Name is Earl,” Pimmit Hills Trailer Park was named after Pimmit Hills as the creator of the show lived here as a child West Falls Church is also a CDP but no one knows why There’s a long history here where the area used to be called Jefferson prior to 2010 and then it was also at one time called South Falls Church to distinguish it from the area north which is Falls Church City the creation of Falls Church City was due in part to resident’s desire to separate themselves from the black population of South Falls Church (which then became Jefferson which then became West Falls Church which no one calls it now.) Housing in the West Falls Church area is more modest than what you will see in Pimmit Hills There is redevelopment here too and there are teardowns and McMansions but it’s not as widespread as it is in Pimmit Hills Seven Corners is also a CDP with a population of less than 10,000 Seven Corners is mostly known as a retail and commercial area with lots of stores restaurants and other conveniences like Target There are some homes here in this geographic postage stamp You will find almost every home type too with prices in the $800,000’s to the low/mid $1M’s Lake Barcroft is another CDP within Falls Church and is comprised of 1000 homes and 1 of 4 homes are actually on the lake The lake used to be a reservoir for the City of Alexandria but was converted into a freshwater recreational lake Lake Barcroft was developed in the 1950’s by the mid-century Architect Walter Gropius He wanted to create a “nursery for children” with gorgeous landscaping and front yard Barbeque Pits Lake Barcroft has five private beaches where you can swim or use various watercraft The association has an annual fee of $495/year for use of the amenities you are trespassing and can be fined by the Fairfax County Police The sense of community here is strong with many events throughout the year the prices here can get well into the $2M’s But you can find homes a couple streets off the water in the $800,000’s – under $1M They have a great website where you can get all the info Each of these neighborhoods have their own retail areas that are closest your closest shopping area and restaurants are in Tyson’s Corner Trader Joes and several restaurants if you don’t want to venture into Tyson’s and deal with parking West Falls Church is closest to Merrifield which has the Mosaic District Sweetwater Tavern and there is pretty much everything you could want to eat here – Thai There are also a lot of grocery stores – Harris Teeter There’s also Great Wall Supermarket and H Mart which are Asian Grocery Stores Locally the Asian Groceries are known for their excellent produce The Eden Center is the mecca of Asian Markets Lake Barcroft is closest to Seven Corners and Seven Corners is closest to…Seven Corners Most people here would head either into Falls Church City Bailey’s Crossroads is its own commercial area but it’s sort of always in transition with things closing It shares a border with Arlington so it has easy access to a whole host of other places to eat and shop Giant and other smaller casual restaurants and shopping are here as well as the German Grocer which is an awesome German gourmet market There are tons of parks here with lots to do technically in Arlington but in the Seven Corners area Pimmit Hills has several pocket parks plus the proximity to Tyson’s for shopping Holmes Run Stream Valley Park has a trail that runs through along the border of Falls Church and Annandale Jefferson District Park has a playground Falls Church is served by Fairfax County Schools Remember that the City of Falls Church has their own school district so when people talk about Falls Church Schools you need to clarify which Falls Church they mean The high school pyramids for Falls Church are Marshall or McLean High Schools if you live in Pimmit Hills and both of those are 7’s on Great Schools Falls Church High serves the Western edge of Falls Church and Justice High School serves Lake Barcroft Both of those high schools are 3’s on Great Schools Important things to know about the academics in Falls Church and in Fairfax County – different schools offer everything from International Baccalaureate (IB) to advanced academics meaning the demographic has a higher rate of poverty in the community so the school is eligible for more funding The Advanced Academics programs range from Level 1 which is provided at all schools Levels 2 & 3 which offer part time services at some schools or Tier 4 which means there is full time advanced academics in the 4 core subjects – English Graham Road and Timber Lane which provide Tier 4 programs there is the option to be in full time advanced academic classes Then there are IB schools like Mount Daniel and Oak Street Elementary and middle school scores run the gamut but have mostly average scores You may wonder why an area as prestigious would have some lagging school scores Don’t forget that the testing is already tricky and convoluted but for someone who doesn’t have English as a first language they can be exceptionally difficult to navigate There are parts of Falls Church that have significant populations for which English is not their first language West Falls Church alone lays claim as the 5th largest community of residents from Bolivia living in the United States and website in this browser for the next time I comment About In the Media Google Reviews Zillow Reviews Blog Neighborhood Guide Recommendations Contact A fast-casual restaurant that serves halal chicken tenders gyros and more into the early morning hours is setting up shop in Fairfax — both the county and the city Blazin Chicken & Gyro anticipates opening its first Northern Virginia location at Tysons Station (7502 Leesburg Pike) in Pimmit Hills in early December The 1,849-square-foot eatery will be located next door from China King in the Trader Joe’s-anchored shopping center The location was first reported by The Burn A second location will follow in early 2025 at Fairfax City’s Westfair shopping center (11001 Lee Highway), which appears to be rebranding as Fairfax Junction according to Federal Realty Investment Trust Blazin will occupy 1,815 square feet in Fairfax Junction near CVS Pharmacy and two doors down from the recently opened boba tea cafe The Alley The Pimmit Hills and Fairfax City outlets represent Blazin’s first expansion into the D.C. area. The chain got its start in North Bergen, New Jersey, in May 2023 before expanding with additional locations in Jersey and New York City “Blazin Chicken & Gyro has quickly become a popular fast casual restaurant in New York City,” Blazin owner Waseem Rana said in a press release “Now that it is expanding outside the New York Tri-state area I’m excited to bring this new dining concept to the Washington region and partner with a commercial real estate leader like Federal Realty.” In addition to the chicken tenders and gyros referenced in its name Though a date hasn’t been determined yet juices and other items during the grand opening celebration at Tysons Station The restaurant’s operating hours will be 10:30 a.m senior vice president of asset management for Federal Realty credits Tysons Station and Westfair’s “strong demographics and unparalleled locations” with luring Blazin to the D.C “We are thrilled to welcome Blazin Chicken & Gyro to Tysons Station and Westfair,” Johnson said “… We are committed to bringing best-in-class and first-to-market operators to our communities and Blazin’s bold flavors and creative menu will provide an exciting new dining experience for our customers.” Fairfax County’s leaders agree that natural gas companies need to communicate more with them and the public on major pipeline projects but they appear divided on how to make that happen In addition to requiring that gas companies provide notice and regular updates to the board and community about upcoming projects the county could require a special exception in certain cases — a process that includes public hearings — or limit where pipelines can be installed a planner with the Zoning Administration Division Each option has benefits as well as drawbacks, she told the board. Communication requirements for projects like the controversial Strip 1 Tysons project through the county code or agreements with the utilities would keep the community informed but the county wouldn’t get any more authority over how and where pipelines are built if the county opted to require a special exception or make certain locations or zoning districts off limits determining criteria for which projects would be subject to that additional regulation could be complicated Utilities could also pass on any increased costs for their infrastructure repairs or upgrades to residents and customers “These types of pipelines…are heavily regulated for safety,” Kamp said “Not allowing them in certain residential areas but allowing them in others — such as prohibiting them in low-density single-family areas but allowing them in high-density multi-family districts — could present an equity issue.” the Washington Gas project is replacing a 14-inch-wide underground pipeline installed in 1948 with a 24-inch one that will span approximately 5 miles from Tyco Road to a regulator station at the intersection of Pimmit Drive and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) Though most of the project is complete, a final segment along a new route under residential streets in Pimmit Hills has been held up after the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals ruled in 2022 that Washington Gas needs a special exception siding with residents who raised safety concerns Last fall, a county circuit court judge backed the utility in its lawsuit against the zoning appeals board and four residents, who have appealed that decision. On Feb. 14, another judge granted the residents’ request to keep the project on hold during the appeals process — if the residents posted a $695,749 bond Washington Gas and an attorney for the residents didn’t return a request for comment by press time Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman argued that requiring a special exception for high-pressure gas pipelines would ensure the county gets a say in how projects like the Strip 1 Tysons get developed while establishing a clearer process for utility companies the system we have right now has led to 10 years of trying to replace this pipeline and now has thrown this into the court system I can say I don’t want it in the court system,” Bierman said “There’s really no predictability there.” seemed wary of pursuing a regulatory process that could slow down necessary repairs or upgrades and create legal complications for the county area currently prohibits or requires special exception approval for high-pressure gas distribution lines in or under streets “I have major concerns with [the special exception route],” Chairman Jeff McKay said noting that it’s unclear how many projects would be affected “…I think that’s something we need to be concerned about because I don’t think any of us wants to delay that process and cause disruptions for customers.” Though Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity suggested “a notification issue at the SCC” could be addressed through state-level legislation the board didn’t come to a clear consensus beyond the need for more community outreach from gas companies “Perhaps that’s a first step we can look at,” Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith Photo via Kwon Junho on Unsplash Fairfax Water’s plan to update and expand the water tank that serves much of Idylwood and Pimmit Hills has run into strong opposition from many residents of the single-family neighborhood that surrounds the site Resident after resident testified at a Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing last Wednesday (July 24) that replacing the existing 700,000-gallon Poplar Heights tank with the 1.25-million-gallon tank proposed by the water authority will irrevocably damage their community and quality of life “It is a community defined by its residential charm with homes lining the streets and large trees providing shade and beauty,” said Alex Podpaly who moved to Poplar Heights from Clarendon “…This water tower project tears that apart Such a project would drastically alter the character of our neighborhood disrupting the residential feel and diminishing the sense of community that we all value along with having a direct financial impact of diminishing property values.” Built in 1952, two years before the Poplar Heights Civic Association was established the standpipe tank at 7407 Tower Street is in immediate need of replacement a Hunton Andrews Kurth lawyer representing Fairfax Water According to Fairfax Water, it identified multiple issues with the tank after acquiring the facility from Falls Church City in 2014 and only about 40% of its water is usable for standard operations requiring regular drainings to ensure enough water is available for emergencies and meet the Virginia Department of Health’s minimum pressure regulations The new tank will deliver more consistent water pressure and have adequate storage for both daily operational demands and an additional 540,000 gallons needed in case of fires there’s no viable water storage in the zone,” he told the planning commission it couldn’t meet the fire objectives that they’re required to meet and obviously want to meet because that’s public health A study commissioned by Fairfax Water in 2016 also looked at sites on Powhatan Street and near Hill Place But it recommended the Poplar Heights site for having “the least perceived impact to the adjacent neighborhood,” since the tank would be similar in height to the existing facility and adjacent to a radio tower According to McGranahan, the Poplar Heights site is also preferable because it’s centrally located and has the highest elevation at 525 feet above sea level so the tower can be shorter than it would need to be at a different site The tank bowl has to be 50 feet above the ground to provide consistent water pressure which has been an issue in the service zone “This maximizes the use of existing infrastructure There’s already piping to the location,” McGranahan said “It doesn’t have to be put in for the first time It is more costly to do one of the other sites than to repurpose this site Fiscal analysis shouldn’t be the only consideration the new tank will have a different design with a 40-foot-wide concrete pedestal topped by an 80-foot-wide steel bowl it will be relocated to the center of a site that expanded from 6,400 square feet to 40,692 square feet with the purchase of four lots currently occupied by single-family homes — two of them slated for demolition Residents have seized on the impending loss of those houses as evidence that the project will harm their neighborhood noting that the displaced occupants were public school employees with children Though McGranahan stressed that Poplar Heights wasn’t chosen solely based on cost the 2016 study noted that the Hill Place site (dubbed Falls Hill) had the highest property acquisition costs The houses set to be demolished have assessed values around $640,000 to $700,000 while the houses adjacent to the Falls Hill tank are in the $900,000 to $1 million range “Allowing utilities to purchase and demolish affordable single-family homes sets a troubling precedent for other neighborhoods creating greater housing inequalities and tarnishing the reputation of both Fairfax County and the utility,” resident Lori Perez said “It not only harms the community and its residents but also undermines the diverse housing needs in the area.” Speakers also raised concerns about the tower’s size and traffic and safety issues during what’s expected to be an 18-to-19-month construction period Most of the speakers said they live on Tower Street which is frequently used by school buses but has no sidewalks leaving little space on the narrow road with parked cars often lining both sides One resident worried the larger tower will exacerbate flooding issues at her mother’s house on Buckelew Drive but Fairfax Water asserted it will actually help by moving the tower farther away from Buckelew and using “modified soils” that will absorb stormwater instead of letting it run off onto other properties and it’s certainly the intent that it will get better,” McGranahan said The planning commission deferred a decision on whether to recommend Fairfax Water’s application to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors until its next meeting on Sept Providence District Commissioner Jeremy Hancock expressed hope the delay will give the utility time to make its project more palatable to the community “We have a water tank that’s there today that we’re not going to put out of service,” he said “We have to figure out how to make water on this site work but part of my commitment to you all in hearing you is that we not rush this that we take the time to make sure your voices are considered in this process.” the design and permitting process could finish in mid-2025 allowing Fairfax Water to install water mains that will help improve pressure levels for residents in the immediate area around the tank The actual tank construction isn’t expected to start until 2026 The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) is seeking public input on several projects vying for inclusion in its six-year funding program The biggest request by far comes from Fairfax County, which applied for $587.2 million to fund four major projects — more than the other eight localities participating in the fiscal year 2024-2029 Six-Year Program combined “With funding requests totaling nearly $1 billion the projects cover various transportation modes including transit and intersection/interchange improvements,” the NVTA said in a press release Leading the way among Fairfax County’s requests is a multimodal improvements project that would expand about one mile of Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) between the Capital Beltway (I-495) and I-66 in the Pimmit Hills area the buses will travel in dedicated lanes in the median Shared-use paths on both sides of the road and improvements at five signalized intersections would also be implemented according to NVTA’s description of the project “The separation of vehicular traffic and the installation of shared use paths will create a safer environment that is accessible to all users,” NVTA says “The future implementation of BRT will enhance regional sustainability by reducing congestion and getting more people out of automobiles.” The county is seeking $210 million in regional funding from NVTA for the project which carries a total estimated cost of $244.4 million Other projects submitted by Fairfax County include: In addition, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has asked for $6.1 million to upgrade its Backlick Road station (6900 Hechinger Drive) in Springfield 300-foot platform that can fit eight-car trains Updated every two years, NVTA’s six-year programs are supported by sales and grantors’ taxes, the state’s Northern Virginia Transportation District Fund and the Interstate Operations and Enhancement Program The authority is required to devote 70% of its revenue to regional projects while the remaining 30% goes directly to its localities Public comments on the FY 2024-2029 program are being accepted online by phone (703-947-7606) and by mail until 11:59 p.m A public hearing will be held at NVTA’s offices (2600 Park Tower Drive A Pimmit Hills man has been accused of possessing child porn and having sex with a teenager who was reported missing in New York Detectives arrested 20-year-old Muammer Steve Demir on Friday (March 15) after they found him with the teen at a house in the 7300 block of Sportsman Drive the Fairfax County Police Department announced today (Monday) Demir was in possession of child sexual abuse material when police arrived at the house The FCPD says its Missing Person Unit and Child Exploitation Unit detectives were notified yesterday that a missing teen from New York may be in Fairfax County and their investigation led them to Demir’s house “Detectives learned Demir drove to New York in August of 2023 and then brought the juvenile back to Virginia,” the FCPD said Demir has been charged with having carnal knowledge of a child and possessing child abuse material He’s currently in custody at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond The teen has been reunited with her family Demir is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 25 per Fairfax County General District Court records Cheers went up after the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) ruled last year that a natural gas pipeline planned through the residential neighborhood of Pimmit Hills will need to be reviewed and approved by the county However, even when proposing that decision on Feb. 2, 2022 after a multi-day public hearing, BZA Vice Chairman James Hart acknowedged that the case over the sixth phase of Washington Gas’ Strip 1 Tysons project was likely headed to court The utility company’s lawsuit seeking to vacate the board’s decision will go before a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge for a trial on April 25 and 26 spurring Pimmit Hills residents to rally together once again in opposition to the pipeline one of four residents named as defendants in the lawsuit after they brought the case to the BZA The challenged pipeline segment is the last stage of a push by Washington Gas to upgrade its natural gas infrastructure in the Tysons area replacing a 14-inch-wide line with a 2-feet-wide In the works since 2012, the overall project will span approximately five miles from Tyco Road to a regulator station at the Pimmit Drive and Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) intersection Phase six will be routed from Peabody Drive to Cherri Drive and Pimmit Drive to Route 7 — right through the heart of Pimmit Hills Washington Gas had considered an alternate route along Magarity Road and Route 7 but said construction would take longer and bring more disruptions After initially denying it twice, the Virginia Department of Transportation approved a permit for the project in 2019, despite opposition from residents and local and state politicians representing the area The lawsuit by Washington Gas argues that the BZA lacked the authority to partially overturn the zoning administrator’s determination and require the project to obtain a special exception permit and undergo a 2232 review “Phase 6 is part of [the] Petitioner’s ‘ordinary distribution system’ that delivers natural gas to its customers and located in a VDOT right-of-way. Accordingly, Phase 6 is exempt from the zoning ordinance,” the petition filed on March 3, 2022 states, asserting that the BZA’s decision violated “decades of precedent” and state law The petition also argues that the Pimmit Hills residents haven’t shown that they would “suffer concrete particularized harm” from the pipeline’s construction and had no legal standing to appeal the zoning administrator’s decision The residents contend that the size and high-pressure nature of the proposed pipe makes it far from “ordinary,” particularly for a residential neighborhood already grappling with an aging sewer system and frequent construction to update or replace 1950s-era houses “There’s a reason these ordinances and these safety measures are in place,” Zinner said, recalling a 2021 gas explosion that injured workers in Springfield and a leak in February that closed key Reston roads “We don’t want them to take a shortcut around this because it might save them some money and it’s just we value people over profits.” A Washington Gas spokesperson said the company “does not comment on pending litigation.” While only four residents are involved in the lawsuit, their call for the pipeline to be rerouted — or at least go through the county’s zoning review process — has broad support. A Gofundme page started by the Pimmit Hills Citizens’ Association to help cover their legal fees has raised over $21,000 Travis Sloane learned about the project after moving into Pimmit Hills in 2020 The pipeline will be about 20 feet from his living room on a street where he walks his 4-year-old daughter to day care “If you want to have that quintessential idea of David and Goliath a utility company is trying to do all of this and none of us have those deep pockets,” he said “…But I think it speaks volumes that the community is willing to come together on such an important issue and where we all stand on it.” Mediterranean restaurant chain that started in New York City will open a location in Pimmit Hills next year Taïm Mediterranean Kitchen will bring its lauded falafels to Virginia for the first time with a 1,849-square-foot restaurant in the Tysons Station shopping center at 7502 Leesburg Pike The company anticipates opening the new location this coming spring “People are craving better, more flavorful meal options and we knew this busy area serving residential and office communities would be a perfect fit,” Untamed Brands founder Phil Petrilli said “…Whether guests are heading out for a quick lunch or looking for a family-friendly dinner option A former Chipotle regional manager, Petrilli created Untamed Brands with fellow veterans of the fast-casual scene to support restaurants seeking to grow long term. The company partnered with Taïm in 2018 as the eatery embarked on an expansion The company expanded outside of New York for the first time in 2019 with a restaurant in Georgetown. That location closed this year With a New Jersey restaurant that opened in June Taïm now has a total of eight locations and is planning to double that this year with added sites in New York The Pimmit Hills Taïm will be adjacent to China King in a newly subdivided space that once housed Pet Supplies Plus Two other suites created out of the former pet supply store — one with 1,518 square feet of gross floor area and one that’s 2,130 square feet — are still available according to property manager Federal Realty’s site plan Petrilli says the menu of build-your-own pita and rice bowls will complement the existing tenants at Tysons Station and retailers like Whole Foods in Idylwood Plaza across the street In addition to falafel, the menu includes chicken and cauliflower shawarma — a fan favorite Petrilli says — as well as crispy eggplant and toppings or sauces around three times per year,” Petrilli said “We just introduced sweet potato fries with whipped garlic There are family meal options and menu items for kids all dishes are made from scratch with ingredients “sourced from the best growing regions in the world,” including 18 herbs and spices that are all imported and pita sourced from a baker “There are few options in America like taïm where craveability meets better for you with high quality scratch-made menu items served quickly at an affordable price,” he said “We offer the rare intersection of what people want and what’s good for them and the first bite always leaves customers raving about the quality.” Some of New York City’s finest falafels will be available in Pimmit Hills starting this week The fast-casual eatery Taim Mediterranean Kitchen will give the community a preview of its first Virginia location at 7502 Leesburg Pike in the Tysons Station shopping center tomorrow (Wednesday) followed by an official grand opening on Thursday (July 27) The community preview day will kick off at noon and continue to 5 p.m., offering $5 entrees to guests with proceeds going to the Capital Area Food Bank The restaurant’s regular hours of 11 a.m Plans for the grand opening include a ribbon-cutting ceremony supported by the Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce “Whether grabbing a bite on a visit to the shopping center or looking for a shareable taim is as deliciously satisfying as it is convenient,” said Phil Petrilli “Our friendly team can’t wait to serve the Tysons community and share some of their favorite menu items.” Taim started as an all-vegetarian shop in the West Village in 2005 before adding more locations both within New York City and out of the state. The company has picked up the pace on its expansion efforts since becoming part of Untamed Brands in 2018 the restaurant also offers chicken and cauliflower shawarma egg plant and Impossible meat kebabs as options for its build-your-own pitas and bowls The 1,849-square-foot Pimmit Hills location is Taim’s 15th and Fairfax County already has more sites on the way “I’ve watched taim’s fan love grow from Dupont Circle to College Park Maryland and into Virginia,” Petrill said “We’re constantly asked to bring more of our restaurants to the suburban communities where families and commuters are looking for convenient flavorful and healthier options on the go.” A 1,815-square-foot location in Fairfax City’s WestFair shopping center at 11011 Main Street is on track to open in mid- to late August The business is also preparing to replace Cold Stone Creamery in Vienna and move into Reston’s Plaza America Both locations are expected to open this year but more exact timelines aren’t yet known The groundwork has been laid for a new townhouse development on Leesburg Pike in Pimmit Hills Vertical construction is expected to start late this spring on Tysons Ridge, a 104-unit complex replacing the circular office building at 7700 Leesburg Pike the 150,000-square-foot office building has now been demolished the 6.7-acre site is located across the street from Marshall High School and in walking distance of the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library “We are currently projected to open for pre-construction sales around Spring of 2023,” Tara Rosenberg The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved EYA’s proposal last January after the developer agreed to install water treatment facilities and an underground detention system Per the site plan the project will include 38,101 square feet concentrated on the north side of the property The plan shows fitness and play areas as well as an 11,210-square-foot central courtyard with a pergola and terraces called The Green the townhomes will start in the $800,000s and come in four floorplans Prices for units equipped with private elevators will start at $1.1 million though a “more concrete” pricing list and more detailed floorplans will be available closer to opening Move-ins are expected to come sometime in 2024 A planned street that will eventually connect Tysons East to Pimmit Hills could bring some major changes to Magarity Road The Fairfax County Department of Transportation shared a conceptual design for Lincoln Street last month that proposed adding two mini-roundabouts on Magarity including one at the Peabody Drive intersection in front of Westgate Elementary School The other potential roundabout will be at the Violet Ridge Place intersection Each roundabout will have a pedestrian refuge and crosswalks. A raised median down the center of Magarity will require Lincoln Street drivers to turn right and go through the roundabout at Peabody in order to go east into McLean, according to a presentation at a virtual community meeting on May 19 FCDOT staff said computer simulations have indicated that the roundabouts will be able to accommodate larger vehicles “This dual mini roundabout alternative will accommodate all vehicles,” FCDOT project manager Caijun Luo said Acknowledging that the roundabouts will create some inconvenience by requiring U-turns for left turns onto Magarity Road county staff said it emerged as the best option for connecting Lincoln Street from a safety standpoint It would also maintain access to the single-family homes lining the road’s east side as well as the existing curbside parking With more development coming into place in Tysons East Lincoln Street will connect Magarity and Old Meadow Road with a bridge over Scott’s Run in an effort to divert some neighborhood traffic away from Route 123 Though FCDOT previously suggested traffic signals were being considered at both intersections Capital Projects Section Chief Michael Guarino said at the meeting that there will be stop signs instead since “the volumes projected right now don’t warrant a traffic signal.” Lincoln Street will consist of two 11-foot-wide lanes — one in each direction — with a 10-foot-wide asphalt sidewalk on the north side and a 6-foot-wide concrete sidewalk on the south side the sidewalks are separated from the road by grass buffers The travel lanes will each expand to 13 feet wide at the bridge over Scott’s Run, which will have concrete sidewalks on both sides. Staff said the bridge will have at least a 10-foot clearance for Scott’s Run Trail FCDOT confirmed that crosswalks and curb ramps will be added on Old Meadow Road but many details — such as the possibility of connections from Lincoln Street to Scott’s Run Trail or flashing beacons at the Westgate Elementary crosswalks — will be worked out once the project progresses to the final design stage Staff promised to also examine how the new street will affect other intersections on Old Meadow and Magarity outside of the immediate project limits particularly where Old Meadow meets Chain Bridge Road to the north That intersection already experiences traffic and speeding issues community members said during the virtual meeting “That can be kind of busy and kind of hard to see because…there’s a curve in the road at that point,” an attendee identified as Greg said “Adding another road coming out there would certainly complicate that intersection further down so it’s an impact that I’m glad you’re at least starting to think about.” Following the community meeting, FCDOT is accepting input on the proposed concept through June 6 Though the project is already fully funded a final design isn’t scheduled to be completed until 2024 with construction starting in mid-2026 and finishing in late 2027 An official proposal is on the table to redevelop an office complex adjacent to the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library with townhouses The owner of 7600 Leesburg Pike submitted plans to Fairfax County on Friday (March 15) for a 165-unit townhouse development that would replace the existing 4-story office buildings the 230,620-square-foot property’s current tenants include Westgate Realty Group Oak Hill Montessori and Standard Healthcare Services’ College of Nursing Townhouses would provide a more compatible transition between Route 7 and the single-family homes to the rear than the “more intense office use,” the application argues “The Applicant’s proposal is characterized by high-quality site design,” Walsh Colucci land use agent Lynne Strobel wrote in a statement of justification for the property owner “…The proposed building will be consistent in character and scale with the various residential developments in the surrounding community.” Requested by the developer Elm Street Communities in 2022, a plan amendment to allow 12 to 16 dwelling units per acre — which would yield 122 to 162 townhomes — will be reviewed by the county in conjunction with the new rezoning application Right now, the county recommends a density of five to eight units per acre. The increase would result in a development similar to the Tysons Ridge townhouses now under construction on the other side of the church building The proposed development will consist of 55 “traditional” single-family townhouses along the north and west perimeter and 110 stacked In the statement of justification dated March 1 Strobel notes that the developer will provide recreational amenities including common open spaces that will be publicly accessible and an extension of a shared-use trail The development plan shows four urban parks totaling more than 33,000 square feet in size open play areas and seating or gathering spaces “These open spaces will be highly visible and easily accessible by walking and/or biking,” the plan says “They will be fully landscaped with a consistent aesthetic to create a sense of community identity These spaces will consist of high quality materials…and will provide varied opportunities for socializing and future connectivity with the larger residential community and surrounding neighborhoods.” Each residence will also have a private yard the developer intends to extend Kilgore Road through the site to Leesburg Pike constructing one 10-foot-wide travel lane in each direction Remove all graphics and images from the website so that only the text and links are visible Reverts to original layout including graphics and images It’s now official; the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Friends of Pimmit Barn are working together to preserve this community landmark and allow neighbors to enjoy activities at the site representatives from the Friends group and Park Authority leadership came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that clarifies responsibilities and opportunities and lays the groundwork for continued collaboration Plans are already underway for a host of community activities located at 1845 Cherri Drive in Falls Church is a reminder of the agricultural roots in Fairfax County The structure once served as a dairy barn on the Smith family farm Eventually the farm was sold for development and the barn was used to house a community well the property was transferred to the Fairfax County Park Authority from the Fairfax County Water Authority The Park Authority leased it to McLean Youth Athletics for storage of sports equipment the Park Authority proposed divesting this property The Park Board and Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust agreed that the barn is worth preserving Pimmit Barn continues to serve as a gathering spot a reminder of our farming history and another green pocket of the Pimmit Hills neighborhood The Friends of Pimmit Barn have organized outdoor movie nights Last year’s fall festival brought more than 300 neighbors and local businesses together to enjoy pumpkin painting 2018 between the Park Authority and the Friends of Pimmit Barn Pictured left to right are Russell Arrington Fairfax County Park Authority; Connie Cordovilla President of the Friends of Pimmit Barn; Kirk Kincannon Fairfax County Park Authority; and Julie Tahan 703-324-7329 Website Accessibility Translate Download Mobile App ADA Accessibility FOIA Requests Website Administrator Fairfax County Public Schools Economic Development Authority Visit Fairfax Council of Governments Commonwealth of Virginia USA.gov Fairfax County is exploring avenues for regulating or even prohibiting the construction of high-pressure natural gas pipelines under residential streets The county’s Board of Supervisors directed staff last week (Dec 5) to evaluate options for “Board evaluation of or possible prohibition of” gas pipelines that utilize local street rights-of-way based on their size the type of pipe used and other operational factors The request was spurred by safety concerns from residents according to Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust “The residents have questioned the safety and need for this type of line to be located under a local residential street citing concerns about a higher risk for gas leaks and related hazards in the event of a rupture due to construction activities within proximity of the line,” Foust said The 2-feet-wide underground line proposed by Washington Gas would replace an existing 14-inch-wide line and complete the Strip 1 Tysons project that has been in the works since 2012 the 5-mile pipeline will run from Tyco Road in Tysons to a new regulator station at the Pimmit Hills Center (7510 Lisle Avenue) Pimmit Hills residents have rallied against the project, which they argue will endanger their homes and families. Washington Gas has said an alternative route putting the pipeline under Route 7 would be more disruptive and time-consuming Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge David Oblon overturned the zoning board’s ruling on Oct determining that the pipeline is a distribution line and not subject to the county’s zoning code “Washington Gas’ entire series of pipelines engage in the distribution of gas They are all exempt from the Zoning Ordinance…exactly as the Zoning Administrator originally stated,” Oblon wrote in his opinion disputing the defendants’ argument that the pipe counted as a transmission line because it doesn’t directly serve the affected properties The defendants have appealed the decision to the Virginia Court of Appeals and are seeking to put any construction on hold while Fairfax County develops a possible ordinance A hearing on the request for a pause is scheduled for this Friday another defendent and Pimmit Hills resident says the community is “grateful” that the Board of Supervisors is looking at potential regulations after the October court ruling suggests “the clock on this ticking time bomb is running out.” There have been several Washington Gas incidents that have hurt individuals and damaged property so the very thought of placing such a large scale high pressure transmission line in a densely packed residential area raises many safety concerns These safety concerns impact the entire county due to the recent court ruling so we’re relieved to see the Board of Supervisors moving in the right direction Taking steps to study the matter is helpful and we’re aware of several easy fixes to clarify this ordinance with minimal to no unintended consequences the Strip 1 Tysons pipeline will have a maximum pressure of 325 pounds per square inch — 16% of what the system is designed to safely handle When asked about Fairfax County’s evaluation of high-pressure pipelines Washington Gas Director of Strategic Communications Andre Francis noted in a statement that they’re already overseen by federal and state agencies though the utility’s website says this project didn’t require any federal regulatory approvals “These natural gas pipelines are a necessary and integral part of the local natural gas distribution system,” Francis said by email “Natural gas pipeline safety is fully regulated by the federal Department of Transportation and delegated to the state regulators The federal regulations that govern natural gas utilities allow for these types of pipelines to be installed in residential streets These pipelines are installed in accordance with safe gas lines of the intensity and size planned for Pimmit Hills could cause greater damage if they’re struck during construction “The fact that Washington Gas would even consider running large high-pressure gas lines under neighborhood streets is a countywide concern,” Foust said In addition to seeking to determine whether it could get a say in approving future pipelines the Board of Supervisors asked county staff to review best practices for the “safety installation and location of such ‘high-pressure’ gas lines.” Recommendations will be brought to the board’s land use policy committee in March 2024 A Fairfax County Public Schools bus had a tire catch fire while on Route 7 yesterday (Wednesday) causing some alarm in the surrounding Pimmit Hills neighborhood The tire fire occurred around 11:42 a.m. on Leesburg Pike in front of the Trader Joe’s shopping center near Pimmit Drive, as first reported by the Falls Church News-Press The bus driver noticed smoke coming from the vehicle’s wheel area and evacuated the students who were on board according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department “Tire fire was small and did not catch fire until students were off,” FCFRD spokesperson William Delaney said confirming that there were no injuries to students or staff FCPS says the bus was towed by Fairfax County’s Department of Vehicle Services which manages and maintains the fleets for both the county government and the school system The department “will conduct a thorough investigation,” an FCPS spokesperson said Community members on Nextdoor reported hearing explosions with one resident saying the “second one” made their house shake Another person said they could hear and feel the explosions from Idylwood Road Delaney told FFXnow that the “explosion” was from the tire “popping.” Fairfax County is changing lanes on some of its long-term transportation plans veering away from a few road-widening projects in favor of ones that involve transit or pedestrian and bicycle upgrades Stringfellow Road and Magarity Road in Pimmit Hills A project to extend New Guinea Road in Fairfax Station to Route 123 (Ox Road) was also dropped from the county’s submission to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) which is currently reviewing projects from Virginia At the same time, the county added some projects, including Orange and Yellow Line Metrorail extensions and the Route 7 bus rapid transit (BRT) system that it hopes will pave the way for a less car-centric future “I think this is a balanced approach,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn then the chair of the board’s transportation committee and now its vice chair “We end up with some additional projects going into the proposed plan including some very important transit projects and I note we also are showing five road projects coming out of the plan that I think are clear are no longer appropriate for the long-term plan.” As a planning organization for the D.C. region, the TPB is required by the federal government to produce a regional transportation plan every four years, most recently finalizing Visualize 2045 on June 15, 2022. But work on the next update started early so new goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be incorporated jurisidictions are also required to resubmit all of their projects instead of carrying them over from one plan to the next like before According to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) decisions about which projects to resubmit add and take out were based on staff evaluation conversations with the supervisors and public comments gathered by the TPB and the county which held two public meetings in September It “was a good decision” to remove the New Braddock and Stringfellow road widenings in Centreville Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith said New Braddock Road would’ve been widened and extended from Route 28 to Route 29 opposite Stone Road while Stringfellow Road was slated to be expanded to four lanes between Route 50 and Fairfax County Parkway Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said she worked with staff to ensure there “would not be any negative consequences” as a result of the removal of the Route 29 project in her district The county had planned to widen Route 29 from four to six travel lanes between the Fairfax City limit and the Capital Beltway (I-495) in Merrifield but staff are now reevaluating that stretch of road “to better reflect completed segments and focus on active transportation facilities,” FCDOT says Construction is still underway to widen Route 29 from four to six lanes in the Centreville area “Since those changes may not be deemed regionally significant by the TPB a decision was made to not submit this project for the Visualize 2050 Update,” an FCDOT spokesperson said The Magarity Road widening would’ve added two lanes to the roadway between Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) and Great Falls Street in McLean the county hasn’t entirely moved away from road projects On top of the previously mentioned transit projects The Town of Herndon also requested that the county submit an extension of Fairbrook Drive from Herndon Parkway to Spring Street and multimodal improvements on Sterling Road from Elden Street to Rock Hill Road [a] balanced approach forward in making sure that we’re moving people safely and appropriately through our roads,” Palchik said The TPB says it will release an analysis of how all the Visualize 2050 projects align with the region’s air quality goals on March 1 opening up a month-long public comment period The board is aiming to complete the plan in June 2025 Read more on FFXnow… The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized staff on Tuesday (Jan. 14) to make federal grant requests totaling nearly $91 million to fund eight transportation projects The application for fiscal year 2031 Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) and Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP) funding now goes to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) where it will be scored against applications from other jurisdictions in the region The NVTA will then send its list of endorsed projects to the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which is expected to update the Six-Year Improvement Program it uses to allocate funding in June Fairfax is unlikely to get all of what it seeks as the NVTA estimates Northern Virginia as a whole will get approximately $95 million from the grant programs in fiscal year 2031 Despite the limited amount of funding that will likely be available, Fairfax County staff recommended adding a project to widen Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) from I-495 to I-66 to a list of seven projects that had previously been submitted for CMAQ and RSTP grants Supervisors also voted to support funding requests from the Town of Herndon for a $1.5 million improvement project for Sterling Road and $1 million in sidewalk improvements on Locust Street Supervisors accept funding for pedestrian upgrades At its Tuesday meeting, the Board of Supervisors also accepted grant funding to support three Safe Routes to School transportation upgrades: A local match is required to obtain the grant funds the county has received two federal grants totaling $7.2 million in support of three local projects A grant of $2.2 million will support the construction of missing walkway links along Gunston Road from Richmond Highway (Route 1) to the Mason Neck Trail A grant of $5 million will support a reconfiguration of Sunrise Valley Drive from the Innovation Metro station to the Fairfax County Parkway to accommodate cycling tracks and the addition of missing sidewalk links on Pohick Road between I-95 and Richmond Highway Families may have noticed that the playground at Tysons Pimmit Park isn’t open Located in Pimmit Hills just off of Leesburg Pike, the temporary closure at 7584 Leesburg Pike will allow for the replacement of the existing picnic shelter “Work on the installation of a picnic shelter with new metal roofing is scheduled to begin Nov The project costs $120,000 and is being funded by the 2019 Park Bond The teen driver in a suspected drunken driving crash in Fairfax County, Virginia, last year that killed a 14-year-old boy and left five other teens seriously injured has now been charged with DUI-related manslaughter who was 17 at the time of the November crash and has still not been named by police was also charged with DUI-related maiming and refusal of a breath test according to a news release from Fairfax County police The teen was arrested at his Pimmit Hills home Thursday and is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center the teen was behind the wheel of a 2003 Lincoln Aviator in the early morning hours of Nov traveling along Shreve Road at a high rate of speed One of the teens was trapped in the wreckage of the crash and had to be extricated by first responders The other teens were seriously injured but have since been released from the hospital Detectives are still looking to speak to anyone who may have information about the case Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area Jack Moore joined WTOP.com as a digital writer/editor in July 2016 he covered federal government management and technology as the news editor at Nextgov.com The brick office complex at 7600 Leesburg Pike is destined to be eventually replaced by housing but the amount of housing that will be allowed may still be up for negotiation Developer Elm Street Communities is seeking to double the residential density currently recommended in the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan for the 442,718-square-foot property adjacent to the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library “The Nominator’s proposal will provide a more compatible transition than the existing office building between the commercial uses to remain to the south of the Property and the Pimmit Hills single-family detached residential neighborhood to the north,” Walsh Colucci Lubeley & Walsh land-use lawyer Lynne Strobel wrote in the application Built in 1986, the 230,620-square-foot, four-story office complex is split into east and west buildings. Tenants include the Standard Healthcare Services College of Nursing, Oak Hill Montessori School and the D.C. Legislative Action Committee The property’s current owner, an affiliate of the New York-based real estate firm True North Management Group In its SSPA application, Elm Street says its envisioned townhouse community would be similar in size and scale to the Marshall Heights neighborhood to the south and the 104-unit townhome development now under construction at 7700 Leesburg Pike A concept plan shows approximately six blocks of townhouses connected by an internal grid of both public and private streets If the nomination is accepted for a full county staff review the developer intends to file a development plan that will include open space landscaping and buffers “to improve the quality of life for residents of the redeveloped site and for adjacent properties.” Elm Street says its proposal will “add a housing type that contributes to the diversity of housing and price points in the area.” It also notes that the location provides convenient access to transit like the Idylwood Plaza and Tysons Station shopping centers “The proximity of the McLean Community Business Center the West Falls Church Transit Station Area and Tysons creates employment and entertainment opportunities,” the application said the proposed residential use will support existing retail use along Leesburg Pike.” Elm Street’s SSPA nomination was one of dozens accepted for screening by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 6 The applications are now being more closely reviewed by staff and will be presented at community meetings throughout January and February Just a few weeks after opening a new store in Tysons, Whole Foods is gearing up to come to the City of Falls Church The grocery chain signed a lease in early November to anchor the redevelopment of the corner of E. Broad and N. Washington streets, Falls Church News-Press reported The upcoming 50,000-square-foot store will be a part of a mixed-use project that also plans to include a 5,000-square-foot community theater space that will be occupied by Creative Cauldron, according to a press release from Arlington-based Insight Property Group signed the 20-year-long lease for Whole Foods the “plan was derailed a little over a year ago when developer Todd Hitt pleaded guilty in November 2018 to investor fraud,” the paper wrote Whole Foods will come to a spot just a little over a block away from Harris Teeter (301 W “Whole Foods Market will bring an incredible amount of activity to downtown to both complement and help support the existing and longstanding businesses that make Falls Church so unique,” Maury Stern 2022 at 12:34 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Share your photos of the Jan 3 winter storm for our McLean Patch gallery Here Jagger enjoys the snow in Great Falls VA — Monday was supposed to be the day when everyone returned to work or school following the New Year's holiday but Mother Nature had a different plan for our region A winter storm warning was issued by the National Weather Service with much of the area expecting 5 to 10 inches of snow on the ground According to preliminary snowfall totals from the NWS the Langley area had 6.4 inches reported at 1:30 p.m The storm forecast prompted Fairfax County Public Schools to cancel classes Monday and federal offices in the Washington and Fairfax County government offices and many of its services to close Whether you're stuck at home or venturing out into the snow Patch wants to see how the first major snowstorm of the 2021-2022 season looks in your neighborhood Email your photos to emily.leayman@patch.com you give Patch consent to publish it in a winter storm photo gallery story We will share our favorite photos below once submissions come in The winter storm didn't stop the birds from visiting on Monday in McLean A winter wonderland playground in the Pimmit Hills neighborhood of Falls Church Terrace at the Signet post-storm on Tuesday Tysons is working towards being a more bike friendly community but as anyone who’s pedaled through the area could tell you The Fairfax County Bicycle Map ranks streets throughout the county on a “most comfortable” to “use caution” scale Nearly all of Tysons is colored in the yellow “less comfortable” indicator and Leesburg Pike are all listed as “use caution,” though many of those streets are categorized as having bikeable sidewalks Bicycle Program Manager for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation said there are several neighborhoods and trails that are perfect for biking “The Pimmit Hills area of Tysons is the most bikeable neighborhood with calm residential streets and good internal connectivity,” said Wynands “The Jones Branch Connector will open shortly to pedestrians and cyclists connecting Pimmit Hills and the McLean Metro with downtown Tysons via a shared-use path.” Whether that bike-ability lasts as the northern edge of the neighborhood faces redevelopment remains to be seen Wynands had additional Tysons area cycling suggestions “Another great residential cycling area is Tysons Green, west of Route 7, with a good connection to the W&OD Trail and a beautiful stream/valley trail (Foxstone Park & Waverly Park),” said Wynands, via email. “The Vesper Trail is in the final stages of construction and will connect Tysons Green to downtown Tysons.” Some caution is still urged at the eastern end of Old Courthouse Road in Tysons Green. Earlier this week a man died crossing the street For those willing to brave bicycling through downtown Tysons Wynands said there are a few corridors cyclists can ride on more comfortably — Fairfax County police continue to look for a 16-year-old teen Sunday She was last seen wearing a black jacket with a pink zipper Detectives with the Major Crimes Bureau & the Search and Rescue Team continue to search and ask anyone with information to call (703) 691-2131 Tysons East has been in the spotlight a lot lately Apple is eyeing Scotts Run, a development in Tysons East, as a potential new office location. Greater Greater Washington just profiled the neighborhood suburban” area that may someday be a haven for “creative class” professionals Like we did with Tysons Corner Center mall and Maple Avenue in Vienna, we’re using Fairfax County’s aerial photography maps to explore the history of the still-expanding Tysons East The earliest photography in 1937 shows the area as plots of farmland. The first development at the site was Pimmit Hills built in the 1950s as a home for veterans of World War II and the Korean War The photography from 1953 shows the neighborhood still in development and by 1960 it had taken the general shape it still exists in today the story of Tysons East’s development moves north In the 16 years between 1960 and the photography from 1976 the area north of the Pimmit Hills exploded with new development The construction of the Capital Beltway in 1964 and the construction of the Tysons Corner Center mall in 1969 helped spur new development in the area The aerial photography from 1990 shows continued growth in the area the Dulles Toll Road was extended from the Beltway to I-66 completely surrounding Pimmit Hills and the Tysons East development with major highways Photo (7) via Google Earth From an opulent downtown Washington wedding owner and principal of Abby Jiu photography has been called the “queen of capturing magic.” Named a top wedding photographer by Martha Stewart Weddings and gushed over by countless brides for her signature aesthetic of “timeless Jiu’s career is surrounded by beautiful decor six full-bath residence in Pimmit Hills she knew she wanted it to be chic and well-designed It also had to be practical for a young family of three and their dog Penelope In the spirit of collaboration similar to wedding teams involving couples event designers and caterers to perfectly encapsulate the fluidity of that special day Jiu was eager to collaborate with interior designer and stylist Shannon Claire Smith for a smooth Smith says the space is “crisp and chic,” adding “we didn’t want the space to feel too precious as they’re a growing family who lives and relaxes in this space on a daily basis.” A gilt mirror by Arhaus adds patina and age to the room “I know just how valuable it is for clients to have complete trust in me and that’s exactly what I have in Shannon,” Jiu says I can articulate a few words and some pictures and she absolutely nails the design.” One of the first things Smith focused on was light we really wanted the bones and the foundation of the space to feel light and airy Not only because the home would be a backdrop for some of her photography but also because she craves that light and bright natural light.” and without making the modern and open house feel washed out Smith layered in “cozy” texture and contrast natural wood and tone-on-tone wallpaper patterns An Eddy chandelier over the breakfast table by Schoolhouse Electric broke up the open concept plan pendant lights from circa lighting elevated the space “Who says you can’t have bejeweled lights in the kitchen?” Smith quips The formal dining room features a statement chandelier from Arteriors and is one of Jiu’s favorite pieces Kitchen: Abby Jiu says her style is minimalistic and normally has a hard time committing to colors designer Shannon Claire Smith added texture and layers “[Shannon] took my direction to keep it neutral Home Office: “We made sure to make the office space feel like it was separate from the house but … almost another living room of sorts,” Smith says “We used comfy furniture that’s not typically found in an office environment as the foundation and then decorated with large scale art pieces to give the room a collected feel.” “We really leaned on a neutral foundation that most photographers gravitate towards I was mostly inspired by all of the fantastic natural light!”In this happily ever after An ongoing thunderstorm has taken out power for hundreds of Fairfax County residents The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the D.C region that is set to remain in effect until 8 p.m between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain have fallen so far and an additional 1 to 2 inches are possible — Ready Fairfax (@ReadyFairfax) August 10, 2022 More than a thousand Dominion Energy customers have been affected by power outages since rain arrived in the area this afternoon, according to the utility company’s outage map The largest impact appears to be in Pimmit Hills An outage affecting 328 people near Eagle View Elementary School in the Fairfax area is expected to be addressed between 6 and 11 p.m an outage at the Herndon Parkway and Sterling Road intersection has affected 221 customers Dominion estimates that power will be restored there between 7 p.m Herndon Parkway has been closed in both directions at Palmer Drive after an accident according to the Town of Herndon Police Department TRAFFIC ALERT: Herndon Parkway closed in both directions at Palmer Dr due to an accident. Power lines are down. Please find an alternate route. Updates as available. #HerndonPD pic.twitter.com/bMWs8TLR3J — Herndon Police (@HerndonPolice) August 10, 2022 The full Flash Flood Warning from the NWS is below: DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCING HEAVY RAIN ACROSS THE WARNED AREA BETWEEN 1.5 AND 2.5 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA FLASH FLOODING IS ONGOING OR EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY HAZARD…FLASH FLOODING CAUSED BY THUNDERSTORMS IMPACT…FLASH FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS STREETS AND UNDERPASSES AS WELL AS OTHER POOR DRAINAGE AND LOW-LYING AREAS * SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLASH FLOODING INCLUDE…CENTREVILLE… RESTON…ANNANDALE… HERNDON…FAIRFAX… VIENNA…FALLS CHURCH… MANTUA…PIMMIT HILLS… MCLEAN…BURKE… OAKTON…CHANTILLY… TYSONS CORNER…WOLF TRAP… GREAT FALLS…MERRIFIELD… I66 AND I495 INTERCHANGE…FAIRFAX STATION… DUNN LORING…