Plan amendment would allow repurposing of office buildings in residential areas
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| An office building in Annandale. |
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on March 22 unanimously
supported the repurposing of office buildings in suburban neighborhoods and low-density
residential areas. The Board of Supervisors will hold a hearing on the proposal
on May 1.
In December the BoS approved an amendment to the county’s
Comprehensive Plan making it easier to repurpose vacant, partially vacant, and
underutilized office buildings in designated “activity centers” – such as Annandale,
Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners, Tysons, and Reston – and industrial areas.
Comprehensive Plan making it easier to repurpose vacant, partially vacant, and
underutilized office buildings in designated “activity centers” – such as Annandale,
Bailey’s Crossroads, Seven Corners, Tysons, and Reston – and industrial areas.
Examples of new uses for these buildings include housing,
live/work combinations, light industry, industrial flex, agriculture,
institutional uses, public facilities, retail and other commercial uses, and hotels.
The plan amendment endorsed by the Planning Commission last
week would extend that provision to include office buildings outside of activity
centers, which would encompass the entire county.
week would extend that provision to include office buildings outside of activity
centers, which would encompass the entire county.
There are more than 607,000 square feet of vacant office in
residential areas.
residential areas.
Office repurposing projects would not need a specific site
plan amendment, but the BoS could authorize such an amendment if needed. These projects
would still have to go through the rezoning process, which includes public
hearings.
plan amendment, but the BoS could authorize such an amendment if needed. These projects
would still have to go through the rezoning process, which includes public
hearings.
