Neighbors raise concerns about Brightview senior housing project
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| The conceptual plan for Brightview. The main road to the left is Gallows. |
At an Aug. 28 meeting of the Mason District Land Use
Committee (MDLUC), several people who live near a proposed assisted living facility planned for Gallows Road raised concerns about increased traffic on an
already-busy thoroughfare. Other issues brought by residents include the loss
of trees and the negative impact of a three-story complex towering over
single-family homes.
Committee (MDLUC), several people who live near a proposed assisted living facility planned for Gallows Road raised concerns about increased traffic on an
already-busy thoroughfare. Other issues brought by residents include the loss
of trees and the negative impact of a three-story complex towering over
single-family homes.
The Shelter Group, a Baltimore-based company, submitted an
application to Fairfax County in July to build a Brightview living
facility for seniors across the street from Holmes Run Acres. The property is zoned R-2,
but special exceptions are allowed for medical care facilities, which includes assisted
living.
application to Fairfax County in July to build a Brightview living
facility for seniors across the street from Holmes Run Acres. The property is zoned R-2,
but special exceptions are allowed for medical care facilities, which includes assisted
living.
The last week of August isn’t the best time for a
meeting—only three members of the MDLUC were there—but Chair Roy Lounsbury said
he called the special meeting because the committee will have “a full plate
next month,” with half a dozen applications to consider.
The MDLUC didn’t take a position on the Brightview proposal and will consider it again in
September, Lounsbury suggested leaders of nearby citizens associations bring
official position statements on the project.
September, Lounsbury suggested leaders of nearby citizens associations bring
official position statements on the project.
Shelter Development operates 23 Brightview facilities, most
of them on the East Coast, and this would be the second one in Fairfax County.
The first one, in Great Falls, was approved by the county despite strong
opposition from nearby residents.
of them on the East Coast, and this would be the second one in Fairfax County.
The first one, in Great Falls, was approved by the county despite strong
opposition from nearby residents.
The Brightview project proposed for Gallows Road would have
95 units in an L-shaped building. It
would have a dining room for communal meals, a library, fitness room, and media
center.
95 units in an L-shaped building. It
would have a dining room for communal meals, a library, fitness room, and media
center.
Twenty-six of the units would be in a “Memory Care” wing for
Alzheimer’s patients, Brightview Senior Development Director Andrew Teeters
said. Those residents would have access to a rooftop garden terrace with trellises
providing shade.
Alzheimer’s patients, Brightview Senior Development Director Andrew Teeters
said. Those residents would have access to a rooftop garden terrace with trellises
providing shade.
According to Teeters, every Brightview facility is different
and is designed to blend in with the community. This one would have a mid-century
contemporary style similar to the houses of Holmes Run Acres on the other side
of Gallows.
and is designed to blend in with the community. This one would have a mid-century
contemporary style similar to the houses of Holmes Run Acres on the other side
of Gallows.
The company already made plans to purchase four parcels of
land along Gallows Road and demolish the six houses on that site.
land along Gallows Road and demolish the six houses on that site.
The only access to the facility would be from Gallows Road.
Teeters says that’s because people who live next to the property opposed having
access from Aston Street.
Teeters says that’s because people who live next to the property opposed having
access from Aston Street.
That didn’t sit well with Wanda Cole Evans, a resident of
Holmes Run Acres who lives on Gallows and says another intersection on Gallows would exacerbate the traffic problems. She questioned why the company is paying
more attention to the people who live on Aston than Gallows.
Holmes Run Acres who lives on Gallows and says another intersection on Gallows would exacerbate the traffic problems. She questioned why the company is paying
more attention to the people who live on Aston than Gallows.
She also complained that “a commercial enterprise” should
not be allowed in what should remain a residential neighborhood.
not be allowed in what should remain a residential neighborhood.
Peggy Daley, secretary of the Holmes Run Acres Civic
Association, raised objections about the “domino effect” that could occur if
this special exception is approved, leading to pressure for more commercial
development in the area.
Association, raised objections about the “domino effect” that could occur if
this special exception is approved, leading to pressure for more commercial
development in the area.
Several neighbors expressed concerns about traffic, noting
there will be visitors, staff, and deliveries continuously at Brightview while
there are no traffic lights along Gallows between the beltway and Annandale
Road.
there will be visitors, staff, and deliveries continuously at Brightview while
there are no traffic lights along Gallows between the beltway and Annandale
Road.
Gallows Road already is a “race track,” added Daley, and the traffic will be even worse
when the beltway express lanes open.
when the beltway express lanes open.
Most of the traffic generated by Brightview would occur at
“off peak” times, Teeters said. During the busiest shift, the facility would
have 28 employees. They would work 7 a.m.-3 p.m., so they would be in and out
before rush hour, and residents wouldn’t be healthy enough to drive.
“off peak” times, Teeters said. During the busiest shift, the facility would
have 28 employees. They would work 7 a.m.-3 p.m., so they would be in and out
before rush hour, and residents wouldn’t be healthy enough to drive.
Noting that the facility is close to Woodburn Elementary School and Holmes Run Pool, Teeters he hopes the residents will be able to
interact with the students and go to the pool for water aerobics. He conceded,
however, that neither the residents nor schoolchildren will be able to cross
Gallows Road safely, so any interaction would require travel by van or bus.
interact with the students and go to the pool for water aerobics. He conceded,
however, that neither the residents nor schoolchildren will be able to cross
Gallows Road safely, so any interaction would require travel by van or bus.
David Holland, president of the Broyhill Crest Community
Association, raised concerns about the loss of trees, which he called “key to
our quality of life.” Teeters promised the company will save as many trees as
possible and preserve the tree buffer along Gallows Road.
Association, raised concerns about the loss of trees, which he called “key to
our quality of life.” Teeters promised the company will save as many trees as
possible and preserve the tree buffer along Gallows Road.
Another issue is the isolation of future residents. There would be nowhere, like stores or parks, for them to walk to, so they will be mostly stuck on the property, unless they could get staff or family to take them on an outing.
Please see the thoughtful comments re the relocation of the main access to Inova Fairfax Hospital a mile away and its impact on Gallows Rd traffic and backups due to the reduced turn lanes caused by the not so "hot" lanes on the beltway. All of this development, construction, intersections, more traffic, are without thought or foresight. And mostly decided with no consideration of quality of life for the existing or new residents. More pockets being lined with silver.
Mr. Teeters of Brightwood sounds so caring and loving, NOT! According to him all the traffic generated by the facility will be in the off hours, right. I can hardly wait for the other half dozen other development projects coming before the MDLUC in September. I'm sure they'll be as thoughtful of Mason District residents as this one.
What off hours are there in this area?
Did anyone make it to the meeting at Govt Ctr last night where this was discussed? Looking forward to updated info