Redevelopment considered for Landmark Plaza

The Plaza at Landmark on Little River Turnpike.

The Lincolnia Planning District Study Task Force’s recommendation to designate an area surrounding the Little River Turnpike/N. Beauregard intersection as a Community Business Center (CBC) was presented to the Mason District Land Use Committee Nov. 28.

The task force also proposes a Revitalization Area within the CBC to encourage mixed-use development with higher density (an intensity of up to a 3.0 FAR) at the southeastern corner of the Plaza at Landmark Shopping Center.

The task force began meeting in February. Its members include Lincolnia residents and commercial property owners.

The creation of a CBC would promote redevelopment because CBCs are exempt from a Virginia proffer law that prohibits county officials from negotiating with developers for certain amenities, such as traffic improvements or public parks.

The task force recommendation focuses on redevelopment of the Plaza at Landmark because the owner, Landmark HHH LLC, is already interested in transforming the property into a more pedestrian-friendly “community-oriented neighborhood” with a mix of residential and commercial uses.

Once that shopping center is revitalized, other Lincolnia property owners would be more likely to consider redevelopment.

The task force recommendation states that creation of a CBC would promote these objectives:

• Create a vibrant and diverse mixed-use destination with public open spaces, parks, outdoor dining and cafes, and entertainment areas to create a sense of place. 
• Strategically focus appropriate growth to protect Lincolnia’s low-density residential neighborhoods from development pressure. 
• Create an integrated multimodal approach and holistic long-term solution to transportation challenges in the area. 
• Create an attractive neighborhood through quality urban design guidance. 
• Preserve and expand Lincolnia’s housing affordability. 

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the Lincolnia Task Force recommendation for Jan. 24. The Board of Supervisors’ hearing would be March 6.

The next phase of the Lincolnia study would look at the broader Lincolnia Planning District beyond the CBC. Meanwhile, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is exploring short-term and long-term improvements to the N. Beauregard Street, N. Chambliss Street, and Little River Turnpike intersections.

The Mason District Land Use Committee also heard presentations on the Urban Design Guidelines for Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners and several upcoming projects. More on those later.