The following are questions and answers from Our Herndon Our Future session with the Mayor held on May 20, 2025

Q: What are the rocks located by the green in the area where Friday Night Live takes place near the caboose? 

A: The rocks are a designed as a decorative landscape barrier to help ensure cars traveling on Lynn Street cannot inadvertently cross into the W&OD pathway for cyclists and pedestrians. 

Q: Given that Herndon's town council elections are officially nonpartisan, is there a way to encourage candidates to avoid seeking or accepting political party endorsements to maintain the nonpartisan nature of these elections?

A: Town Council elections are nonpartisan and candidates are listed on the ballot without any party affiliation. As a matter of free speech, there is no means for the Town to prevent political parties from endorsing, or advocating for or against, specific candidates. 

Q: Does the Town have plans for a group to represent the Downtown Business Community?

A: Town staff and the Town Council have begun exploring the possibility of a business improvement district focused on Herndon’s Downtown, which  is in the research phase.

Q: How can the Town collaborate more effectively with the Downtown Business Community, support the revitalization of the downtown area, and streamline the process for enabling participation in Downtown Events.

A: The Town works to continuously improve collaboration with businesses throughout the Town, including the Downtown area. There are three current special initiatives on this front:

1. The Small Business Improvement Committee brings together staff from planning, zoning, public works, building inspection, engineering, finance, and IT. The team is working to understand the needs of new and existing small businesses and improving how the Town and small businesses work together. Since April 2025, the team has been working to gather input from the business community to inform this effort.
2. The Town Council is reviewing the Town’s events policies and application procedures to identify opportunities for improvement and streamlining.
3. The Town launched a public information campaign focused on promoting awareness of the Historic District, to include special guides for business owners in the Historic District.

Q: Has the Town considered reopening a day labor center to support the workers who regularly gather near the 7-Eleven on Alabama Drive?

A: No.  

Q: Are there any updates on what new businesses are expected to open in the currently vacant storefronts in the downtown area?

A: While the Town cannot comment on potential users or tenants interested in specific vacant commercial space, Town staff are committed to supporting business expansion within and relocation to Herndon.

Q: Could the owners of the vacant downtown storefronts be encouraged to place something visually appealing in the windows, similar to what’s done at Reston Town Center, to help improve the look and feel of the area while the spaces are unoccupied?

A: While the Town cannot require businesses and organizations to participate in promotional campaigns , staff are exploring voluntary programs for promoting Herndon as a location for visitors, diners, and shoppers. The Economic Development Liaison is currently researching potential programs.

Q: How can residents assist with weed control in the medians at the town entrances to support the beautification of our community, and is it possible to form a citizen committee to help with this initiative?

A: Roadways and medians can be dangerous for pedestrians, so citizens should not attempt to engage in weed control, clean-up, or other beatification efforts on their own. Parks & Recreation coordinates volunteers to assist with clean-ups and other community projects. Those interested in participating in, or coordinating, volunteer efforts should visit https://www.herndon-va.gov/residents/volunteer-with-herndon for more information.

Q: Does the Town have a volunteer program?

A: Yes. Those interested in participating in, or coordinating, volunteer efforts should visit https://www.herndon-va.gov/residents/volunteer-with-herndon for more information.

Q: What development is currently underway on Spring Street?

A: Improvements to the Spring Street intersection are nearing completion. Work is currently underway on the bike/shared use path that will connect to the W&OD Trail.

Q: What is the Town doing to address commercial vacancy rates.

A: The Town actively tracks vacancy rates and has an Economic Development Liaison who assists with  business looking to or open or expand  in Herndon. The Town also partners with key regional organizations, such as the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, the Dulles Regional Chamber, and the Virginia Economic Development Cooperation, to identify economic development growth opportunities.

Q: Why is there so much car noise on Dranesville Road and Herndon Parkway, and why aren't individuals adhering to the traffic laws?  What steps can the Town take to improve outreach and enforce stricter measures, such as fines, arrests, or other actions, to clearly communicate that this behavior is unacceptable?

A: A bill authorizing a pilot program to facilitate enforcement of loud vehicle exhaust standards was approved by the Virginia General Assembly, and later vetoed by the Governor. The Town of Herndon remains supportive of efforts to reduce vehicle noise. Of note, the Virginia General Assembly passed a bill that defined “exhibition driving” and strengthened related penalties. The Exhibition Driving Bill enables law enforcement to take enforcement action against these types of reckless activities, including street takeovers and exhibition driving.

Q: What additional measures can the police department take to help reduce crime, such as drug activity and vandalism?

A: In the FY 2026 budget, the Town Council funded a new Community Engagement Team within the Herndon Police Department (HPD). This program adds two officers focused on bicycle and foot patrols strengthening connections between HPD and the community, while supporting proactive crime prevention. Residents, HOAs, business, and other organizations are encouraged to contact HPD with any concerns or to request officer participation in HOA meetings or other neighborhood initiatives.

Q: What steps can the Town take to enhance overall landscaping and maintenance at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, including tree and shrub care (such as watering, pruning, and mulching), grass cutting, trimming, and road maintenance?

A: The revitalization project at the cemetery starting in Fiscal Year 2026, includes major upgrades such as a larger landscaped buffer between the cemetery and nearby homes, improved drainage, and enhanced beautification. The Town recently completed a revised cemetery master plan, in coordination  with extensive community feedback, which details many of these improvements

Q: How might the town plan to reduce the meals tax in upcoming budget cycles, and how can it improve communication with restaurant owners in advance of those discussions?

A: The Town Council works to address the needs of residents and businesses – as well as the impacts of the tax policies of surrounding jurisdictions and trends in the broader economy – when developing a balanced budget for the Town each fiscal year.  The Council appreciates continuous feedback from Town residents and businesses to support informed decision making.

Q: How can the Town improve access for delivery trucks that are currently experiencing difficulties entering and exiting along Spring Street?

A: The Herndon Police Department’s traffic unit is aware of these traffic flow issues and they are exploring ways to address them.

Q: Will a carnival be included in the upcoming Herndon Day celebration?

A: Plans for the new community celebration event do not include carnival rides, but we do anticipate a lot of exciting entertainment, games, and activities for the whole family. Keep an eye out for information from our Parks & Recreation department as plans take shape.

Q: Is the town planning to adopt Bluesky as part of its social media strategy?

A: The Town is currently doing a comprehensive review of its communications strategies and tools, with a presentation of findings and recommendations forthcoming. Part of that assessment will include recommendations on the tools used by the Town for communicating with the public.

Q: Is there a specific reason all pedestrian signals in town aren’t automatically synchronized with the traffic signals?

A: Configuration of pedestrian controls at traffic lights varies throughout the Town based on location and time of day. Most pedestrian signals within the Town are on-demand, meaning that pedestrians must press the button to activate the walk signals.

Q: Are there any public policies governing access to Flock Safety camera footage? Specifically, who is authorized to access the footage? Does it require a certain level of clearance or investigatory authority? How is data shared within the Flock network, and what controls are in place to regulate access by departments outside of the Town?

A: In their most recent legislative session, the Virginia Assembly passed legislation governing the use of traffic cameras, such as the FLOCK system throughout the Commonwealth. This bill limits the retention of data collected by the systems to 21 days and creates legal penalties for officers who misuse data from within these systems. Data collected by traffic cameras are assessable only to law enforcement and may not be accessed by the public.

Q: Has the Town considered creating a public transportation shuttle that travels the full loop of Herndon Parkway and connects to the Metro station?

A: Council is working to understand what supports the Commonwealth may be able to offer to meet the transportation needs and will be making this issue a part of their next legislative agenda.

Q: Does the Town offer any green incentives for homeowners, such as workshops or seminars on sustainability or energy efficiency?

A:  At this time there are no Town programs  to incentive homeowners with the transition to green energy. 

Q: Is there a way the Town can help coordinate volunteers with existing organizations to support beautification or cleanup efforts around town?

A: Those interested in participating in, or coordinating, volunteer efforts should visit https://www.herndon-va.gov/residents/volunteer-with-herndon for more information.

Q: What can the town do to better promote or communicate positive events, organizations, and activities; such as the Friends of Runnymede Park Native Plant Sale, Friends House, Arts Herndon, and NextStop Theatre?

A: The Town is currently doing a wholesale review of its communications strategies and tools with a presentation of findings and recommendations to the Council forthcoming.

Q: Can the Town move its elections to an off year instead of holding them during a presidential election year?

A: No. Elections must coincide with established terms for Council Members.

Q: Are the plantings at the Herndon Community Center native?

A: Yes.

Q: Can the Town explore adding more bike lanes and implementing a traffic safety program similar to D.C.'s Automated Traffic Enforcement system, including cameras to address speeding and other dangerous driving behaviors?

A: The Town currently has a transportation safety assessment underway that will include collecting public input and developing a framework to prioritize transportation safety projects.

Q: How does the Town ensure the golf course is operated in an environmentally responsible way?

A: Herndon Centennial Golf Course is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The golf course advances environmental stewardship through environmental planning, wildlife habitat management, reduced and safe chemical use, water conservation, and water quality management.

Q: Can the Town review the current condition of Folly Lick Creek?

A: The Town has been doing a number of stream restoration projects, including improvements to our ability to mitigate harmful effluent and run-off. Residents can find specific information about Folly Lick at https://www.herndon-va.gov/departments/public-works/public-works-projects/folly-lick-sanitary. 

Q: Can the Town review the funding for next year to include the town’s fall/spring clean-ups, Arts Herndon, NextStop Theatre?

A: The Town Council reviews budget priorities each year during their process for developing their annual budget.

Q: Can Herndon Community Center offer a walking program specifically for seniors?

A: The Community Center does not offer a program of this type currently, but this feedback has been shared with Parks & Recreation staff.  

Q: Can netting to catch balls be installed at the golf course?

A: While no netting is planned currently, a complete renovation and realignment of tee boxes at the golf course is nearing completion. This should reduce the chance of balls exiting the course. Additionally, the Town maintains insurance to cover any damage caused to neighboring properties by golf balls.