Fairfax County is merging community revitalization with planning and zoning offices

Byron

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is combining the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) with the Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) and on Nov. 20 appointed OCR Director Barbara Byron the director of the new agency.

Organization of the new, as-yet-unnamed department is expected to begin in February or March 2019 and will be completed by July.

The DPZ reviews and makes recommendations on land use, development, and rezoning proposals and maintains the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance.

DPZ director Fred Selden is scheduled to retire in mid-2019.

The OCR’s purpose is to facilitate strategic redevelopment in and improve the economic vitality and appearance in 10 targeted commercial areas, including Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners, and Lincolnia.

Byron’s new job starts Dec. 10 has an annual salary of $192,389.

Byron has been the director of OCR since it was created in 2007. She also has a primary role in the county’s public/private partnerships, including the formulation of community development authorities and tax increment financing initiatives, such as the Mosaic District in Merrifield. 

Between 1986 and 2007, Byron was the director of the Zoning Evaluation Division in the DPZ, where she oversaw the nearly 500 rezoning, special exception, special permit, and variance applications presented each year to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals each year.

The new agency will include all the functions of the DPZ and OCR, which includes implementing the mixed-use plans for Tysons, Reston, and the newly completed Embark Plan for Richmond Highway.

The immediate plan for the merger calls for development of a work plan to implement the reorganization, naming the new department, and conducting extensive outreach to staff and various public and community constituencies.