Special-needs school plans expansion

Phillips Programs, a nonprofit that serves students with special needs, is planning a major expansion of its campus at the corner of Braddock and Backlick roads in Annandale.

A rezoning application submitted to the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning on Aug. 28 says the expansion includes an addition, a kitchen, and a greenhouse.

The Phillips Programs operates a private school for students in grades 1-12 with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities. It also provides support services, social skills training, career and technical education, and speech, occupational, and physical therapy.

Phillips is seeking to consolidate students from its Fairfax campus to the Annandale facility.

The proposed 13,680-square-foot greenhouse would offer employment opportunities to former Phillips students, says the statement of justification submitted along with the rezoning application by land use attorney Sara Mariska of Odin, Feldman & Pittleman.

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The greenhouse and attached 12,650-square-foot kitchen would also serve as a training site for current students enrolled in career and technical programs, including agricultural sciences. The produce grown in the greenhouse would be used in the school’s culinary program and would be sold to restaurants and wholesale buyers.

The greenhouse would provide employment and training for approximately 12 individuals. The proposed kitchen would employ approximately 12 people per shift with two shifts anticipated once fully operational.

A new two-story 17,600-square-foot building would enable Phillips to serve 72 additional students and add 70 staff members.

To accomplish these upgrades, the Phillips Programs is applying to rezone parts of its property from R-1 to R-5, a residential designation allowing more density.