Tensions flare at 6 hour Vienna Town Council public hearing on 380 Maple Avenue

Michael Dranove Politics, Tysons Update

Voices were raised and hands were gestured at the Vienna Town Council’s unprecedented July 15th public hearing on a proposed/already approved mixed-use development at 380 Maple Avenue. The topic of the night’s heated discussion was a proposal put forward by Councilmember Pasha Majdi on July 1st to rescind the Vienna Town Council’s June 17th approval of a mixed-use development consisting …

380 maple june 18

The saga of 380 Maple Avenue is over…probably

Michael Dranove Politics, Tysons Update Leave a Comment

The Vienna Town Council moved 5-2 Monday night to approve a controversial mixed-use development of 39 condos, 7500 square feet of retail, and 125 parking spaces at 380 Maple Avenue.  The bitter fight between developers and opponents that began last September is over…probably. The catch is that before voting, Councilmember Pasha Majdi raised the possibility of rescinding the development’s approval …

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Virginia AG calls for marijuana decriminalization

Michael Dranove Politics Leave a Comment

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring called for the decriminalization of marijuana in an op-ed published by the Daily Press on Saturday.  The move comes just a week after reformist candidates virtually clinched Commonwealth’s Attorney races in Arlington and Fairfax County by winning the Democratic primary. In his op-ed, Herring points to the negative consequences convictions can have for offenders. In …

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Fate of Vienna’s 380 Maple Avenue may finally be decided tonight

Michael Dranove Politics, Tysons Update

Tonight’s Vienna Town Council meeting could put an end to months of debate over plans to rezone 380 Maple Avenue for mixed-use development.  Last fall, developers submitted a proposal to tear down the office building currently occupying 380 Maple in order to build a mixed-use development consisting of 39 condos, 7500 square feet of retail, and 125 parking spaces.  Since then, Town …

Establishment Chairman, progressive Commonwealth’s Attorney win Democratic primary

Michael Dranove Politics

Fairfax County voters went to the polls yesterday for the Democratic Primary, choosing longtime Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay for Board of Supervisor’s Chairman, and progressive newcomer Steve Descano for Commonwealth’s Attorney. Board of Supervisor’s Chairman A respected official with 11 years of experience, McKay was always considered the front-runner for the Chairman spot, the highest position in Virginia’s largest …

1st Amendment drama and big campaign money in Hunter Mill Supervisor race

Michael Dranove Politics

Comstock Holding Companies came under fire from Fairfax County officials last week after being accused of violating 1st amendment protections on the land it owns directly adjacent to the Reston Metro station.  Controversy stems from Comstock’s decision to allow Maggie Parker—a Comstock employee running for Fairfax County Board of Supervisor’s Chairman—to post campaign signs outside the Metro station while simultaneously …

Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney candidates clash over criminal justice reform at debate

Michael Dranove Politics Leave a Comment

Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Ray Morrogh (right) and challenger Steve Descano (left) squared off yesterday at a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters.  By the end of the night, the two had offered up substantive policy differences, and dived into their opponent’s records to try and undermine their credibility. Morrogh spent the evening shoring up his Washington Post endorsed …

Board of Supervisors candidate forum scheduled for May 30th

Michael Dranove Politics

Clockwise from left to right: Ryan McElveen, Alicia Plerhoples, Tim Champan, Jeff McKay. Candidates vying to become the Democratic Party nominee for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will debate each other this Thursday, May 30th, at the McLean Community Center. The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce will host the debate, and will be moderated by Peggy Fox …

Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney race enters home stretch

Michael Dranove Politics

This year’s Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney (CA) race has been unusual. Typically, these races are sleepy affairs.  According to the Virginia chapter of the ACLU, between 2005 and 2015 72% of CA races in Virginia were uncontested.  For decades, Fairfax County has been a part of this story, with only two CAs since 1967.  However, for the first time in …

Decision on 380 Maple Avenue delayed again as developers and critics struggle to see eye to eye

Michael Dranove Politics, Tysons Update

May 13th’s Vienna Town Council meeting produced no major breakthroughs in the debate over the fate of 380 Maple Avenue, as the Council moved to defer action and to continue public hearing at its next meeting, June 3rd. The move is just the latest delay for the proposal, as residents and developers have been unable to find an acceptable compromise …