Herndon Moves To Block Casino Proposal As Tysons Office Park Redevelopment Advances: Reports

HERNDON, VA — Town of Herndon leaders moved Monday to block a proposed casino near the town’s Metro corridor, setting up a possible land dispute with developer Comstock, while a separate redevelopment proposal surfaced in Tysons for housing and retail at an office park, according to reports.

FOX 5 DC reported the Herndon Planning Commission approved a measure at its Monday night work session aimed at stopping casino development after town leaders considered zoning that would have allowed a casino only as part of a large mixed-use project with a hotel, retail and conference space near the Metro station.

According to FOX 5 DC, Mayor Keven LeBlanc said the decision followed feedback from residents who argued a casino does not fit Herndon’s character. The Town Council still must take a formal vote before any casino ban takes effect, FOX 5 DC reported.

The larger dispute in Herndon now centers on who controls the land. FOX 5 DC reported that Comstock still holds the deed, but town officials say they may have the right to reclaim the property if the project no longer aligns with community goals.

Also See ...

• Fairfax County Leaders Applaud Veto Of Tysons Casino Bill
• Fairfax County Casino Bill's Fate Decided By Gov. Spanberger
• Union Rally Urges Governor To Sign Fairfax County Casino Bill

On April 9, Gov. Abigail Spanberger vetoed a bill that would have allowed a casino in Tysons, though Herndon leaders said their action was already underway before the veto.

Since 2023, Comstock Holding Companies has spent more than $3.5 million on lobbyists and political contributions to push its casino legislation through the general asssembly, according to financial filings with the Virginia Department of Elections.

Details Of Herndon Casino Zoning Amendment

The Herndon Planning Commission reviewed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment ZOTA #26-03, which seeks to establish legal definitions for "Casino Gaming Establishments." The proposal is designed to align town code with the Code of Virginia following the March 14 passage of Senate Bill SB 756 by the Virginia General Assembly, which identifies Tysons in Fairfax County as an eligible casino location.

Read Patch's reporting on Comstock Companies' efforts to build a casino along Metro's Silver line Fairfax County.

Herndon officials stated the amendment would prepare the town for potential land-use impacts. The draft ordinance would allow casinos only as part of a mixed-use development within the Transit Oriented Core district, subject to a special exception and specific minimum requirements:

• A hotel with at least 225 guest rooms.
• 34,000 square feet of retail space.
• 11,000 square feet of conference or ballroom space.
• 20,000 square feet of retail grocery space.

JBG Smith Files Rezoning For Spring Hill Road In Tysons

Elsewhere in Fairfax County, Patch reported in April that JBG Smith submitted a rezoning application Monday to redevelop Tysons Plaza at 1410, 1420 and 1430 Spring Hill Road.

The proposal would replace one office building with a 74-foot-tall, seven-story apartment building with up to 375 units, including some workforce housing, and add two retail buildings.

The filing also calls for about 1.14 acres of park space and that a virtual community meeting tied to a broader county study of office-only areas in Tysons is scheduled for May 12 at 7 p.m.

For more information, see the original report by FOX 5 DC

This story is developing and will be updated.