1. Where is the town's study area for the Herndon Metrorail Station Area Plan?
The study area focuses on the land area within Herndon that is north of the proposed Metrorail station. The station is planned to be built in the median of the Dulles Airport Access and Toll Road at the existing park and ride garage, with a pedestrian bridge connecting the station to Herndon. The town's study area includes a core area north of the new station, which is approximately 110 acres. Click here to view the Study Area Map.
Note: Fairfax County has a separate study for the area south of the Dulles Toll Road and Airport Access Highway and information about the study can be found at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/reston/.
2. What is the timeframe for the Herndon Metrorail Station Area Plan planning process?
The final Area Plan is expected to be presented to the Herndon Town Council for possible adoption in October 2011. See the Project Schedule/Meetings webpage for more information.
3. What happens after adoption of the Herndon Metrorail Station Area Plan?
The town will begin the process of implementing the plan. One of the first priorities is to establish zoning regulations to enable the vision described in the adopted plan. Another prioriety is to build safe access between Herndon Parkway and the metrorail station north side pavilion. Initially, this access will consist of a protected bus stop pullover space on Herndon Parkway and a paved pedestrian passage way to the pavilion. The Dulles Corridor Rail Project, managed by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, will build the rail station and the northside pavilion.
The town intends to prepare and establish urban design guidelines for development in the metrorail station area, a streetscape plan, and elements of a transportation demand management program to reduce the amount motor vehicle traffic in the metrorail station area.
4. Who do I contact if I have questions about this study?
Contact the Herndon Department of Community Development. They can be reached by email at metro.plan@herdon-va.gov.
5. How can I participate in the planning process?
You are encouraged to attend public meetings and submit questions and comments through this website. Your input will help shape the development of the Herndon Metrorail Station Area Plan.
6. Where is the Herndon–Monroe Station planned?
The proposed Metrorail station will be located in the median of the Dulles Toll Road and Airport Access Highway. See the FAQ’s (below) regarding the DULLES CORRIDOR METRORAIL PROJECT. For more information about the Metrorail project, visit www.dullesmetro.com. Browse to the "Final Environmental Impact Statement and Section 4(f) Evaluation" to see information about the Herndon-Monroe Station.
http://www.dullesmetro.com/community/impact_report.cfm
7. For comparison, what is the target density at Reston Town Center and at Tysons Corner?
Reston Town Center: Based on total allowed square footage of 34.4 million square feet and a gross land area of 158 acres, the total gross floor area ratio for Reston Town Center would be 5.0. For more information, visit the Fairfax County website at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/projects/reston/town_center_reston_pkwy/density_chart-oct5.pdf
Tysons Corner: According to the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan, 2007 Edition, Area II, Tysons Corner Urban Center Amended through June 22, 2010, "the highest intensities in Tysons should be built in areas closes to the Metro station entrance" and "no individual site within these areas should be subject to a maximum FAR." For more information, visit the Fairfax County website to view the plan at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/comprehensiveplan/adoptedtext/2007-23.pdf
8. What specific sidewalks and trails are being planned in order to improve pedestrian and bike connectivity to and from the northside access pavilion?
The town has plans to extend two existing regional pedestrian / bike trails in order to connect to the north side pedestrian access pavilion of the Herndon-Monroe Metrorail station. These trails include the Sugarland Run Trail and the Folly Lick / Spring Branch Trail. These trails are part of the Fairfax County’s trail network. View the County Trails Map (Adobe PDF).
Sugarland Run Stream Valley Trail: This bike/pedestrian trail is part of the countywide trail system and runs from Sugarland Road to the town limits and continues through Runnymede Park to the W&OD Trail. The town’s Master Trails Plan shows this trail extending from the W&OD Trail to the Spring Street / Fairfax Parkway interchange and continuing along or near the stream bed. Concept plans propose continuing the trail along or near the Sugarland Run stream bed in order to connect to the future northside access pavilion of the Herndon-Monroe Metrorail Station.
Folly Lick / Spring Branch Trail: This trail begins below Sugarland Road with a connection to the Sugarland Run Trail north of town in Fairfax County. The trail continues along Folly Lick stream until the town limits. Last year, the town completed work to extend this trail along the Folly Lick Stream to Herndon Parkway. The town plans to continue extending this trail from Herndon Parkway to Park Avenue and generally following Spring Branch until Center Street at Fortnightly Public Library. The town’s Master Trails Plan shows the ‘Van Buren Street Trail’, which extends from the Folly Lick / Spring Branch Trail, through the center of town in a north-south direction using a short section of the W&OD Trail as well as a combination of existing and proposed asphalt trails and sidewalks along Van Buren Street until it reaches Worldgate Drive. Concept plans propose acquiring public easements along property lines in order to connect from the Van Buren Street / Worldgate Drive intersection to the future northside access pavilion of the Herndon-Monroe Metrorail Station.
The town’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan (adopted August 12, 2008) states that comprehensive plan land use amendment proposals for higher densities include provision of parkland and trails or sidewalks to offset the impacts of increased density. In association with private development and redevelopment, the town will continue to improve and/or expand the town’s bike and pedestrian network. Click here to view the Town’s Master Trails Plan Map (Adobe PDF).
On October 27, 2009, the Town Council approved amendments to the Herndon Guidelines for Planning and Design of Town Streetscape Projects. The amended guidelines are now effective and are to be used for any development within the town limits. Some of the guidelines are implemented through the zoning ordinance and some of the guidelines are implemented through the Herndon Public Facilities Manual. In July 2009, the guidelines were incorporated into the Herndon Town Code by reference in Section 1-16. Click here to view the town’s streetscape guidelines (Adobe PDF).
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Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project