Thursday, October 15, 2026
Good morning. Here's what's in this week's issue:
Reston Association proposes a $900 assessment for 2027, $10 more than this year
The Planning Commission took up EYA's plan for up to 1,042 homes at Lake Fairfax Business Center
Six homes open for Saturday's Reston Home Tour, and we look back at the film festival's 15th year
Five things to do, starting with tonight's Herndon Town Council candidate forum
Kathy & Graham
THE BIG STORY
RESTON ASSOCIATION WANTS TO RAISE ITS ASSESSMENT BY $10, TO $900
Reston Association staff have proposed a 2027 assessment of $900, $10 more than this year's $890. CEO Peter Lusk presented the first draft of the budget to the board on Oct. 8. The 1.1% increase would be RA's smallest in dollars since 2021 and its smallest in percentage terms since at least 2018, after raises of 7.1% in 2024, 3.8% in 2025 and 5% in 2026.
Staff found more than $500,000 in operating savings. They would save about $270,000 by eliminating the chief operating officer position and about $100,000 by moving the activities guide online. RA plans to set aside $3.15 million for capital projects and would cover part of it with investment earnings, money from underspent and canceled projects, and a contribution from Friends of Reston, leaving about $2.75 million to come from assessments.
Staff also added a 4% merit pool, a 5% increase in benefits, $50,000 more for tree work and a $7,500 study of the sediment in RA's lakes, and they expect to pay more for insurance and utilities. Pool hours stay at this year's 9,407.
The board could adopt the budget as soon as Oct. 22, about a month ahead of the Nov. 19 date on RA's original calendar. In its five-year forecast, RA projects an assessment of $954 in 2028 and $1,000 in 2029. The 2027 bill would be due Jan. 1, and staff propose a seven-payment installment plan with no fee.
Treasurer Matthew Mullenix resigned his at-large board seat effective Oct. 8, and RA is taking nominations to replace him until noon on Friday, Nov. 6. Vote in our poll below on the proposed assessment.
THIS SATURDAY
SIX RESTON HOMES OPEN THEIR DOORS FOR THE RESTON HOME TOUR
The Reston Museum's Home Tour runs Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Six homes and two other stops are on the self-guided route, and you can visit them in any order. The tour is the museum's largest fundraiser, and the museum charges no admission the rest of the year.
Tickets cost $40, plus a $2.40 fee online. The museum at 1639 Washington Plaza North on Lake Anne Plaza sells them without the fee, including on the day of the tour. Visitors need a ticket and a wristband to enter the homes, the museum posts the addresses for ticket holders a week ahead, and the tour goes on rain or shine.
The Wine Cabinet in North Point Village Center is pouring free tastings for tour-goers, Kendra Scott at Reston Town Center is giving them 15% off, and the museum is raffling two prizes. In our reel, we suggest starting at Lake Anne, mapping your route as soon as you have the addresses and setting aside most of the day to see every home.
LOOKING BACK
RESTON'S FILM FESTIVAL TURNED 15 AND GAVE ITS BOX OFFICE TO MILITARY FAMILIES
The Washington West Film Festival wrapped its 15th year on Oct. 12 after five days of screenings, most of them at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas, 11940 Market St., in Reston Town Center. The festival gives its box office proceeds to charity, and this year it chose Our Military Kids, based in Reston, and Vet Tix, two nonprofits that help military families and veterans get to events and activities.
We went to opening night on Oct. 8, when Paralympic swimmer Ali Truwit walked the red carpet for "Stronger Than You Think," a documentary about her path to the 2024 Paralympic Games after she survived a shark attack. "Jimmy," a Jimmy Stewart biopic starring KJ Apa, had its East Coast premiere on Oct. 10, and many screenings ended with the filmmakers taking questions.
For next year, the Premium Festival Pass covers opening night, the red carpet and closing night, and LOOK serves food and drinks at your seat. The Reston Town Center Metro station is about a half mile from the theater. The festival posts next year's dates and lineup at wwfilmfest.com.
QUICK HITS
AROUND RESTON AND HERNDON
The Fairfax County Planning Commission was set to vote Wednesday night on EYA's plan to replace seven office buildings and three garages at Lake Fairfax Business Center, north of Sunset Hills Road, with either 956 or 1,042 homes, plus a 3.96-acre site for a future school or park. County staff recommend approval, and the Board of Supervisors is expected to take the final vote on Nov. 17. Read more
Fairfax County's housing authority paid $22.9 million on Aug. 28 for two vacant lots at 3625 and 3627 King Johns Way, next to the Innovation Center Metro station in Herndon, and announced the purchase on Oct. 13. The 1.93 acres could hold about 400 affordable homes, though no builder, start date or income limits are set. Dulles Greene, the authority's plan for about 435 affordable apartments across the tracks, goes to the Planning Commission on Nov. 18. Read more
Virginia's new law requiring localities to allow backyard cottages and other accessory units takes effect July 1, 2027, but it does not apply in Reston or Herndon because Fairfax County and the town adopted their own rules first. Under the county's current rules, a detached cottage in Reston needs a special permit and a lot of at least two acres, while Herndon allows detached units up to 900 square feet. The Planning Commission hears the county's proposed rewrite on Oct. 29, and the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 17. Read more
Twelve candidates are running for six Herndon Town Council seats on Nov. 3, and Mayor Keven LeBlanc is unopposed. Candidate Josif Ezekilov has pledged to end the town's contract for its 10 Flock license-plate cameras, and Council Member Kelvin Garcia is running on restoring seasonal bulk trash pickup and resolving the stalled Comstock project downtown. The candidates meet tonight at the forum in our Things to Do picks. Read more
Fairfax County voters had cast more than 62,000 early ballots as of Oct. 11, up from about 27,000 at the same point before the 2022 midterm. North County Governmental Center, 1801 Cameron Glen Drive in Reston, adds Sunday hours from noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 25. Herndon Fortnightly Library, 768 Center St., opens for early voting on Thursday, Oct. 22, and Friday, Oct. 23, is the deadline to register or to request a mail ballot. Read more
The Board of Supervisors appointed Paul Berry, William Penniman and Hunter Wagenaar to three-year terms on Reston Community Center's Board of Governors on Oct. 13, following September's preference poll. Berry and Penniman return, and Wagenaar replaces Vicky Wingert. Read more
WSSI, a Gainesville firm working for Reston Association, began clearing invasive plants the week of Oct. 8 at nine wooded sites, including Deer Forest, Buttermilk Creek, Hunting Horn and the southern end of Walker Nature Center. Crews are using herbicide sprays and cut-stump treatment through November and have posted signs at each work area. Read more
Blue Sky Innovators, a defense technology firm, is building out its Reston headquarters and plans to grow its staff by 25% or more, says founder and CEO Tim Tkacz. The company works with the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. Read more
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT
COMING Voodoo Brewing, Makers Rise on Dulles Station Boulevard, Herndon. The taproom opens Saturday, Oct. 24, with 143 seats inside, 40 on the patio, and a menu of pizzas, smash burgers and wings. Read more
COMING Ebbitt House, 1860 Reston Row Plaza, Reston Station. Clyde's Restaurant Group has its sign up and is aiming to open in the first week of November. Read more
COMING Dogfish Head Alehouse, 11995 Inspiration St., Reston Town Center. The owners targeted an October opening for the 7,550-square-foot brewpub and have not announced a date. Read more
COMING Brandy Melville, the former Apple Store, Reston Town Center. Virginia's first store for the clothing brand will take about 4,600 square feet. No opening date yet. Read more
CLOSING Lakeside Asia Cafe, 11130 South Lakes Drive, South Lakes Village Center. The Sichuan restaurant closed on Sept. 30 after 13 years. Read more
FROM GREATER RESTON LIVING AT COMPASS
What would your home sell for this fall?
We price homes against recent sales in your own neighborhood. Get a range in a couple of minutes.
THINGS TO DO
OUR FIVE PICKS FOR THE WEEK
THU., OCT. 15 · 7 P.M. · ST. TIMOTHY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, HERNDON
Herndon Town Council candidate forum. Cornerstones and St. Timothy's host the nonpartisan forum at 432 Van Buren St. until 9 p.m. It's free, and it will be recorded and livestreamed.
FRI., OCT. 16 · 5 P.M. · FRYING PAN FARM PARK, HERNDON
Big Truck Night. Kids can get up close to big trucks and specialty vehicles at 2709 West Ox Road until 7 p.m., then stay for carnival rides, and Farm Harvest Days continue Saturday and Sunday.
SAT., OCT. 17 · 10 A.M. · RESTON TOWN CENTER
ChalkFest. Artists cover the streets of Reston Town Center in chalk until 5 p.m., with live music, face painting and People's Choice voting, and it's free to watch.
SUN., OCT. 18 · 8:30 A.M. · RESTON TOWN CENTER
Walk to End Alzheimer's. Registration opens at 1825 Discovery St., the ceremony starts at 9:30 and the walk at 10. Signing up is free, and walkers raise money for the Alzheimer's Association.
WED., OCT. 21 · 7:30 P.M. · RESTON COMMUNITY CENTER HUNTERS WOODS
Movies That Move: Just Mercy. RCC screens the PG-13 film for free in the Leila Gordon Theatre, 2310 Colts Neck Road.
ASK THE INSIDERS
Send us your Reston and Herndon questions
Curious about a building going up, the name on a street sign or a storefront that went dark? Send us your question, and we will answer it here in a coming issue.
READER POLL
Is a $900 Reston Association assessment for 2027 about right?
We'll share the results next Thursday.
Last week: Two of the four readers who voted want another healthy, casual restaurant in True Food Kitchen's old space.
A FINAL NOTE
YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM RESTON WHEN…
…you give directions by the pathway underpass instead of the street name.
Openings, closings, questions and corrections
Know a neighbor who'd like it? Send them this link.
Reston Insider is written by Kathy and Graham Tracey of Greater Reston Living at Compass, and you can call or text us at (703) 231-7049.
Compass, 11943 Democracy Drive, Reston, VA 20190 | (703) 783-7485
