Virginia: Herndon moves to block casino plan as land dispute looms

Town leaders in the Northern Virginia city of Herndon have moved to block a proposed casino development near the downtown area, putting the project on hold and raising the prospect of a legal dispute over control of the land.

The Herndon Planning Commission approved a resolution to restrict casino development on a site near the town’s Metro corridor. The move follows a proposal by developer Comstock to build on prime downtown land.

The project is now on hold after town leaders advanced a resolution Monday night aimed at shutting the door on casino development, possibly for good.

Local officials had previously explored zoning rules 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.

The mayor said the decision was driven by community feedback, with many residents arguing that a casino does not fit Herndon’s character.

Attention has now shifted to ownership of the property. The larger issue now centers on control of the land. 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, a position that could set up a legal battle.

The move comes after Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger vetoed a bill that would have allowed a casino in Fairfax County, including nearby Tysons, although town leaders said their efforts were already underway before the veto.

Mayor Keven LeBlanc told Patch on Tuesday that the town initially sought to change its code in January to protect the community’s development plan for the area surrounding the Herndon Metro station.

The Planning Commission’s action is not final, and it must still take a formal vote to enact the casino ban by the Herndon Town Council.