Supervisors approve plan amendment for affordable housing

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan April 12 that clears the way for an affordable housing project on the grounds of First Christian Church in Seven Corners.

The project calls for a four-story 113-unit apartment building for seniors to be developed by Wesley Housing. The Culmore Clinic, currently housed in the church basement, would be relocated to the first floor of the new building.

During the BoS hearing, several residents of Ravenwood Park spoke about the need to better control stormwater runoff to prevent flooding.

Marty Machowsky, chair of the Mason District Task Force established to review proposed plan amendments, noted the church property looms over homes in Ravenwood Park. The lack of adequate stormwater facilities in the area led to major floods in 2018, 2019, and 2021 that cost homeowners more than $80,000 for cleanup, mitigation, and repairs, he said.

That task voted in favor of the plan amendment last year. Fairfax County staff is currently conducting several studies with the goal of reducing storm runoff.

Related story: Planning Commission approves affordable housing in Seven Corners

The Planning Commission recommended approval of the plan amendment last month after adding provisions aimed at preserving the tree canopy, improving access to transit and sidewalks for residents of the new building, and evaluating parking needs to reduce impervious surfaces.

“This is a good project. It achieves an important goal for affordable housing,” Machowsky said. “But it needs to be done right.”

The technical details on how stormwater should be managed to prevent flooding will be addressed when the county considers the application for rezoning later this year.

Ravenwood Park resident Nathan Chaisson urged the supervisors not to approve the plan amendment until the stormwater infrastructure improvements are in place.

Chaisson spent tens of thousands of dollars dealing with flooding damage. “We can’t keep tearing out carpet and throwing out children’s toys and living in fear of storms every summer,” he said.

Related story: Culmore Clinic relocates and expands

Other residents raised concerns about the loss of trees, the density of the proposed project, and the lack of pedestrian safety on Leesburg Pike. Other residents said they support the project because the area needs more affordable housing.

Some local seniors have to move out of the area because they can’t find affordable housing and don’t have home equity, said Rev. Steven Moore, the senior minister at First Christian. The church has been in discussion with the county on an affordable housing project for 10 years, Moore said.

Shelley Murphy, the president/CEO of Wesley Housing, said the project will be its first partnership with the faith community to bring affordable housing to Fairfax County.