Erickson Living proposes 1,225-unit senior community on Braddock Road
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| A site plan for the Erickson Living senior housing development. Braddock road is along the top edge. The affordable housing building is on the upper left-hand corner, and the recreation building is on the right. |
More details emerged at a community meeting company Dec. 17 on the huge senior housing project proposed by Erickson Living for the former site of the Northern Virginia Training Center on Braddock Road in Fairfax.
The company hopes to build about 13
five-story buildings with 1,050 independent living units and 175 assisted
living/skilled nursing units, says Scott Sawicki, senior director for Erickson
Living.
Part of the property would be set
aside for a separate development consisting of 80 units of affordable housing
restricted to people age 62 and over.
Erickson would model the project
on similar communities for seniors it developed and manages throughout the
country, including Greenspring in Springfield and Ashby Ponds in Ashburn.
on similar communities for seniors it developed and manages throughout the
country, including Greenspring in Springfield and Ashby Ponds in Ashburn.
The Braddock Road site would
include health facilities with primary care doctors, four to six restaurants; an
indoor recreation center with basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts; an outdoor
recreation area; and walking trails. Residents would have access to a shuttle
bus for shopping trips.
include health facilities with primary care doctors, four to six restaurants; an
indoor recreation center with basketball, volleyball, and pickleball courts; an outdoor
recreation area; and walking trails. Residents would have access to a shuttle
bus for shopping trips.
“People would be able to do the
things that lead to a long, happy life, like seeing friends and eating out,
without having to leave the community,” Sawicki says.
things that lead to a long, happy life, like seeing friends and eating out,
without having to leave the community,” Sawicki says.
There would be 1,781 parking
spaces for residents, employees, and visitors and a pond and underground vault
for stormwater management.
spaces for residents, employees, and visitors and a pond and underground vault
for stormwater management.
Access points to the community
would be on Braddock Road at Red Spruce Road, Burke Station Road, and the
entrance to the Fairfax Memorial Park cemetery.
would be on Braddock Road at Red Spruce Road, Burke Station Road, and the
entrance to the Fairfax Memorial Park cemetery.
At the community meeting, most
questions were about traffic. The development is expected to generate 227 trips
during morning peak hours, 270 trips during evening peak hours, and a total of 3,887 daily
trips.
questions were about traffic. The development is expected to generate 227 trips
during morning peak hours, 270 trips during evening peak hours, and a total of 3,887 daily
trips.
The units would be about 1,250 to
1,300 square feet, Sawicki says, although the plans haven’t been finalized. Units
would range from one bedroom to two bedrooms and a den.
1,300 square feet, Sawicki says, although the plans haven’t been finalized. Units
would range from one bedroom to two bedrooms and a den.
Residents’ costs would depend on
what services they want. Residents would pay a monthly service fee of about
$2,000 to $3,000 a month for a basic independent living unit. A unit in the
assisted living section could cost up to $6,000 a month, including meals,
nursing services, housekeeping, and help with bathing, medication management,
and personal care.
what services they want. Residents would pay a monthly service fee of about
$2,000 to $3,000 a month for a basic independent living unit. A unit in the
assisted living section could cost up to $6,000 a month, including meals,
nursing services, housekeeping, and help with bathing, medication management,
and personal care.
The Board of Supervisors approved
a comprehensive plan amendment for the property Nov. 20. On Dec. 4, the board
approved a new zoning designation for continuing care facilities, which would
apply to this project.
a comprehensive plan amendment for the property Nov. 20. On Dec. 4, the board
approved a new zoning designation for continuing care facilities, which would
apply to this project.
The Planning Commission is
expected to hold a public hearing in July on a rezoning application for the
project, with a board hearing probably in August.
expected to hold a public hearing in July on a rezoning application for the
project, with a board hearing probably in August.
After the project is approved,
Sawicki says, it would be about four years until the first residents move in.
Sawicki says, it would be about four years until the first residents move in.
This seems entirely appropriate. The properties are flanked by greenery and trees, lots of parking, and wide secondary roads. I don’t know why we can’t get common sense development like this.
I agree that this seems like a reasonable proposal. The other Erickson properties have been carefully planned. I wonder if more space for those on limited income could be included