historic town buildings
town hall building
library and hospital buildings
storefront building
residential and urban buildings

Your chance to shape the future of our town!

Animated white pointer arrow that points downward, urging the user to scroll down the page.
herndon 2050 project logo
herndon ECON/MSEDS project logo

Herndon 2050 is the Town’s long-range Comprehensive Plan. Learn more ➔

The Economic Development Project focuses on strengthening Herndon’s economy. Learn more ➔

Planning for the Future

The Town of Herndon is updating its Comprehensive Plan for 2050, along with a new Economic Development Planand your input matters.

Now is a critical moment to plan for the Town's future. The Town's last comprehensive plan, Herndon 2030, was written before COVID and market shifts, and needs to be updated to reflect today's context. 

Together, these plans will guide how Herndon grows and changes over the coming decades. They will help shape decisions about land use, businesses and the local economy, transportation, housing, parks and recreation, arts and culture, Town services and facilities, and infrastructure.

circular diagram featuring the core themes of Herndon 2050 comp plan and how it connects to the Downtown Early Action Plan and the Herndon Metro Early Action Plan

Two connected planning efforts

Plans that work together to provide a roadmap for the next 25 years

two overlapping bubbles that represent Herndon ECON and Herndon 2050, showing that these two projects are interconnected.

Herndon 2050

Herndon 2050 is the Town's Comprehensive Plan. It will define our long-term, community-driven vision and policy for land use, transportation, housing, and community character for the next 20-25 years. Herndon 2050 will also include development of Early Action Plans for Downtown and Metro Area.

Market Study & Economic Development
Strategy

The Market Study & Economic Development
Strategy is the town’s first comprehensive
study of the market and economics. It also serves as the "economic engine" of the Herndon 2050 plan.

Questions & Answers

These are some common questions that you may have during the process. If you have any other questions or would like to contact the team, you can email us at: herndon2050@herndon-va.gov

  • A Comprehensive Plan is a long-term guide that communities use to plan for the future. As the name suggests, it covers many topics—from land use and transportation to urban design, the environment, public facilities, and infrastructure.

    Community input is a central part of the process. The plan outlines a vision for the future and identifies specific actions to help make that vision a reality. Its recommendations guide future decisions, such as zoning changes, infrastructure investments, and budgeting for major projects.

    The Commonwealth of Virginia has requirements that guide the development of comprehensive plans and what they cover. Herndon’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2008 and looked ahead to the year 2030. Now is an important moment to update the plan, reflecting Herndon's vision for the next 25 years.

  • The Town of Herndon is leading Herndon 2050 and the Market Study and Economic Development Strategy. The Town Council, Planning Commission, and Town staff will all play key roles throughout the process. Community input will be essential in shaping the vision and recommendations. A consultant team led by Agency Landscape + Planning is working closely with Town staff.

    Yourperspective is critical! Check out the "Participate in the Process" page to learn more about how to get involved and share your ideas.

  • Yes! This plan is about Herndon’s future, and everyone’s perspective is welcome.

    Visit the Participate in the Process page to learn about upcoming events and ways to get involved. You can also sign up for updates below to stay informed as the planning process moves forward.

    • The Current Plan is Outdated : The current comprehensive plan Herndon 2030 is outdated and no longer satisfies the requirements of a long-range plan based on the Code of Virginia.

    • Market Shifts: We need to address new realities, including decline in office uses, changing retail formats, and increasing housing pressures.

    • Strategic Growth: As a nearly built-out community, our future relies on strategic and balanced redevelopment.

    • Funding: The project is partially funded by a grant, which has strict deadlines and reporting requirements.

Details for how to get involved will be available soon!

blue speech bubble
pedestrians and public transportation vehicle
green speech bubble
library and hospital buildings
icon of a dripping water pipe in front of some recycling arrows

Opportunities to share feedback anticipated to start in the spring. 

Check back for more details!

red speech bubble
orange speech bubble

Project Timeline

Fall 2025

Planning Process kickoff

Winter 2025

Analysis begins

Fall 2026

Implementation Planning 


Spring 2026

Visioning

Summer 2026

Future Scenarios testing

Late 2026 - 2027

Plan development and plan adoption

Photo taken in Herndon of a large tree between some roads

Sign up for Project Updates

Sign up with your email address to receive updates on Herndon 2050, the Economic Development Study, and upcoming events.

silhouette of a cow
silhouette of a cow
silhouette of a cow