Supervisors consider financial incentives to promote economic revitalization

Many commercial properties in Annandale are on small lots.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal to create “economic revitalization and redevelopment zones” in certain designated areas – including Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners, and Lincolnia – where developers could receive tax breaks and other incentives for redevelopment projects.

At the board’s March 5 meeting, the supervisors voted to hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance. The hearing will be April 9.

The new ordinance would allow expedited processing of development applications, a reduction of up to 10 percent in the site plan review fee, and a partial real estate tax abatement to private sector developers who assemble and develop properties consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

In order to qualify for the program, a developer would need to have newly assembled a minimum of two parcels that collectively would comprise at least two acres in size, although the BoS could consider smaller properties.

Mason Supervisor Penny Gross said the two-acre minimum would be a problem in Annandale, where there are “very, very small lots,” in some cases just a quarter of an acre. In order to come up with a two-acre property, “you might have to assemble 12 different owners who have little tiny pieces.”

Nevertheless, Gross said, “I am satisfied that what is before us in a public hearing is the way we should go.”

Supervisor Pat Herrity (Springfield) called the ordinance too broad and said it should prioritize areas that actually need incentives for revitalization. John Foust (Dranesville) disagreed, noting that “even nice areas like McLean need this to stimulate revitalization.”

The zones would be established for Commercial Revitalization Areas (Annandale, Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners, McLean, Springfield, and Lake Anne Village Center in Reston); the Richmond Highway Community Business Centers and Suburban Neighborhood Areas; Land Units R and Q of the Huntington Transit Station Area; the Lincolnia Community Business Center; and the Franconia-Springfield Transit Station Area.

The ordinance is consistent with a law enacted by the Virginia General Assembly in 2017 to provide for regulatory flexibility and financial incentives to encourage the private sector to assemble property for economic development purposes.

If the ordinance is adopted, it would take effect on Jan. 1, 2020, and would expire 10 years later, on Dec. 31, 2029.