Planning Commission endorses rezoning of Heritage Mission Center so it can expand services to the community

Volunteers prepare food packages at the Heritage Mission Center.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 16 unanimously recommended approval of a rezoning application to permit the development of a community resource center at the Heritage Mission Center on Heritage Drive in Annandale. 

No one spoke at the public hearing, and there was very little discussion among the commissioners. The proposal goes to the Board of Supervisors July 13. 

The Heritage Mission Center is owned and operated by the Annandale United Methodist Church (AUMC). Church volunteers use the site to provide a food pantry, clothing closet, and other services to nearby residents. They also lease the building to other churches for worship services.

The center is next to Heritage Mall and within easy walking distance to several multifamily communities, including Oakwood Village, Ivymount Court, Lafayette Village, the Wedgewood, Heritage Woods, Heritage Court, and the Vistas of Annandale.   

Related story: Volunteers distribute hundreds of meals a week to Annandale’s needy families

AUMC wants to provide additional services, including medical and dental care, as well as expand the food and clothing programs.   

To do that the 1.7-acre site has to be rezoned. Half of the property is zoned C-5 and half is zoned R-20. A community resource center is considered a “public benefit association” under the zoning ordinance and is allowed under the C-5 designation but not under R-20. So the AUMC is requesting the entire site be rezoned C-5. 

The AUMC is not proposing to make any changes to the exterior of the building, the access point from Commons Drive, or parking facilities. 

Both the county Planning and Zoning Department staff and the Braddock District Land Use and Environmental Committee recommended the rezoning application be approved.