Planning Commission supports expansion of the Phillips Programs

The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Nov. 12 approved a rezoning application to allow the expansion of the Phillips Programs, a private school in Annandale.

The school, located at the intersection of Braddock Road and Backlick Road, serves students with behavioral health challenges and developmental disabilities.

Phillips Programs is proposing a new 13,680-square-foot single-story greenhouse, a 12,650-square-foot kitchen attached to the greenhouse, and an additional two-story 17,600-square-foot school building.

The expansion would allow the Phillips Programs to increase enrollment from the current 198 students to 270. The number of employees would be increased from 140 to 210.

The greenhouse and kitchen would be used for job training for students enrolled in career and technical programs, including agricultural sciences, and employment for graduates.

Produce grown in the greenhouse would be used in the school’s culinary program and sold to local restaurants and wholesale buyers.

Related story: Phillips Programs students build a house

In addition to education, the Phillips Programs provide family support services, social skills training, and occupational, physical, and speech therapy.

The new school building would allow Phillips Programs to consolidate its Fairfax campus into the Annandale campus.

An existing single-family detached building would be removed to allow an additional access point from Backlick Road. The new entrance would be restricted to right turns in and out. The project would include sidewalk improvements along Braddock and Backlick roads.

The Mason District Land Use Committee had recommended that the zoning application be approved. A hearing on the proposal before the Board of Supervisors hasn’t been scheduled yet.