Annandale church plans to expand services to the community but needs a rezoning first

The food pantry at the Heritage Mission Center operated by Annandale United Methodist Church.

The church building next to Heritage Mall in Annandale has been distributing food to needy families in the surrounding community for years. 

The Annandale United Methodist Church, owner of the 1.7-acre property at 7910 Heritage Drive, has submitted a rezoning application to recognize those uses and to allow it to expand its services. 

Volunteers from AUMC operate a food pantry and clothes closet for local residents, many of whom live within walking distance. 

In response to the COVID pandemic, the church collaborated with Chef José Andrés of the World Central Kitchen to coordinate and distribute over 18,000 meals. 

AUMC now proposes to create a community resource center that will provide a range of supportive educational and healthcare services, including a robust food distribution program, health and wellness screenings, and a mobile dental clinic, among other initiatives. 

Related story: Volunteers distribute hundreds of meals a week to Annandale’s needy families

The church intends to expand existing partnerships with the Fairfax County Health Department, Department of Family Services, and Neighborhood and Community Services; Food for Others; George Mason University; Northern Virginia Community College; the Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation; and other organizations. 

Under the county’s Zoning Ordinance, this operation would be considered a “public benefit association.” 

However, the site is currently split zoned to the C-5 and R-20 districts, and such use is not permitted on the portion of the property zoned residential. So the AUMC trustees are applying to have the entire property zoned C-5, a commercial zoning designation. 

AUMC is not planning any new construction or any physical changes to the existing site or buildings. The church has agreed to re-stripe the existing travel aisle and parking spaces as recommended by the Fairfax County Fire Marshal. 

The Board of Supervisors agreed on Jan. 26 to expedite the rezoning application. The Planning Commission hearing is scheduled for June 16, and the Board of Supervisors’ hearing would be July 21.