Herndon is at a turning point. Our population will grow 58% by 2040, our Metro station area has a ton of opportunities, and our downtown is ready for a comeback. I uniquely understand how to make Herndon economically stronger, more inclusive, and better connected — and I have the experience to get it done. Here's how...
Championing affordable and diverse housing options for every resident.
The Problem: Our affordability today is accidental and fragile, not secured by any policy, and it could quietly disappear as the town redevelops, with nothing coming in to replace it. The term “affordability” is also subjective. That reputation rests on a townwide median household income of $141K — a number that doesn't reflect most residents' reality, and many hospitality and essential workers, like childcare workers, teachers, police, and EMTs, earn far less. This makes it hard for these essential workers to live in the town they work in, and thus contribute fully to its growth.
What We Should Do: 1.Update Herndon’s Comprehensive Plan to include an Affordable Housing Element. 2. Establish inclusionary zoning through a Herndon Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) requirement. 3. Make it easier to build smaller-scale, diverse housing types. 4. Protect Herndon's existing housing for renters and homeowners by creating an office or liaison role. ---- Transforming downtown and aging commercial areas into vibrant, mixed-use destinations.
The Problem:Herndon's downtown has carried redevelopment plans for a long time, and progress has been slower than many of us would like – The Comstock Project comes to mind. Beyond downtown, there are also empty office buildings along Herndon Parkway and vacant lots around town with no life and no use. No housing, retail, community spaces, parks, etc.
What We Should Do: 1. Learn from the Comstock collapse and pursue smaller, more resilient redevelopment. 2. Establish a Main Street organization for downtown Herndon. 3. Reform outdated parking requirements and programs in downtown. --- Closing equity gaps and building a greener, more connected Herndon where every voice is heard.
The Problem:Herndon is one of the most diverse towns in the region, but that diversity isn't fully reflected in who benefits from its growth nor decision-making. For instance, the Town projects we'll need 120 more acres of park space by 2040. Road safety is urgent too: Herndon has the 2nd-highest severe crash rate of all 17 Northern Virginia jurisdictions, despite no roads posted above 35 mph. Connectivity gaps are an equity issue, that persist beyond cars as well. Poor bike access near Metro, almost no buses in northern Herndon, and no easy walk or bike link between Metro and downtown.
What We Should Do: 1. Fully fund and implement the Roadway Safety Action Plan (RSAP) and other connectivity needs. 2. Target equity investment where our own data says it's needed most. 3. Make civic engagement in Herndon more active and transparent. 4. Close the outdoor park space gap. --- Developing the Metro area with density while keeping Herndon's small-town feel.
The Problem: The Transit-Related Growth Area, or TRG, was the biggest policy area I worked on as a Planning Commissioner and I'm proud of the work we did to keep that growth distinct from the neighborhoods that give Herndon its small-town feel. But a good plan is only as good as its follow-through, and although apartments are starting to be built, the area still needs dedicated affordable units, townhomes, and smaller for-sale homes alongside commercial growth. Secondly, our roads cannot handle the flow of rush-hour traffic. Just look at the Van Buren and Alabama drive intersection during rush hour. Finally, as more people move in near the Metro, our neighborhoods next door need real protection from cut-through traffic and commuters parking on residential streets.
What We Should Do: 1. Keep the promises of the density transition the plan already in-place. 2. Push the TRG toward the for-sale, missing housing it was meant to include. 3. Protect surrounding neighborhoods from cut-through traffic and commuter parking congestion. 4. Develop the metro area with distinct greenspace and real connections to downtown. --- Growing local businesses and the town's tax base.
The Problem: Our share of taxes from commercial property are declining and expected to shrink further. This means homeowners and renters will shoulder more of the burden in the cost of running the Town. Herndon doesn't have much of a toolkit to grow or protect the business side of that equation, making attracting or keeping small, independent businesses that much harder. 41% of jobs in Herndon come from professional, scientific, and technical services alone, and federal government employment is one of our largest single sources of jobs. In this economy, our town can’t afford to be dependent on a handful of industries. Herndon runs a budget surplus today, but the foundation underneath it is shifting in a direction that should worry us.
What We Should Do: 1. Build a small business incentive toolkit. 2. Diversify our local economy so we're not overexposed to one or two industries. 3. Ensure new development actually protects our commercial tax base.