Bailey’s Crossroads revitalization plan approved by Fairfax County Planning Commission

The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a redevelopment plan June 23 to guide the revitalization of Bailey’s Crossroads. The plan would encourage the transformation of a suburb dominated by strip malls into a higher-density area with a pedestrian-friendly town center served by a streetcar line.

During the hearing, Laxmi Nagaraj, of the Department of Planning and Zoning, summarized the amendment to the county’s Comprehensive Plan affecting Bailey’s Crossroads. The area encompassed by the amendment generally extends from the east side of Columbia Pike along both sides of Route 7 and a section of land along the eastern edge of Columbia Pike. The plan would allow for an additional 352,000 square feet of nonresidential uses and 3,500 residential units.

A proposed town center, where the densest redevelopment would occur, would border the proposed Pike Transit Initiative streetcar route along South Jefferson Street. The plan calls for a new network of streets, creating a “village”-scale commercial area on the site of a large shopping center on Route 7.

The land use and urban design approach envisioned by the planners calls for a mix of retail, office, residential, and civic uses, along with parks, open space, and an arts center. Roads would accommodate all modes of travel, including vehicular, bicycle, transit, and pedestrian.

The plan recommends realigning Seminary Road to the Bailey’s Crossroads Shopping Center signal on Columbia Pike, and widening Columbia Pike to six lanes from Lacy Boulevard to the Route 7 intersection. The Gorham Street/Route 7 intersection would be improved to facilitate pedestrians crossing Route 7. The north side of Route 7 would be transformed into a mixed-use boulevard with a central green area, outdoor cafes, play areas, and public art.

Frank Sellers, president of the Bailey’s Crossroads Revitalization Corporation, which represents local businesses, urged the commission to approve the plan amendment, noting that a “cohesive core business mass” is needed to attract new residents and new businesses.

Jane Kelsey, a land use consultant representing the Radley Acura dealership on Columbia Pike, urged the commission to allow the company to expand onto land it owns along Seminary Road and Center Street. The commission approved a modification allowing an auto dealership to be considered part of a mixed-use redevelopment provided on-site service/storage functions are screened from public view.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors will consider the plan amendment at a public hearing July 14, along with the Annandale plan amendment, which was also approved by the commission June 23.