Tag: housing

Annandale townhouse project clears Planning Commission
The townhouse project is west of the Annandale Commercial Business Center. The Fairfax County Planning Commission agreed July 22 to send on to the Board of Supervisors a proposal for a townhouse project on McWhorter Place in Annandale. The supervisors will hold a public hearing on the project July 28. Christopher Land is … Continued

Task force to resume work next month on redevelopment proposals in Annandale and Seven Corners
A mixed-use development is proposed for this site on Little River Turnpike in Annandale. The Mason District task force appointed by Supervisor Penny Gross to review a series of development proposals will resume its work in August. The task force met only once, in March, before its work was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. … Continued

Mason District committee approves Skyline and McWhorter projects, rejects infill proposal
These buildings at the Skyline Center could be repurposed. The Mason District Land Use Committee (MDLUC) on July 7 endorsed proposals for a live/work project at the Skyline Center and townhouses in Annandale and opposed an infill development in the Alexandria area. Both the Skyline and McWhorter Place projects will be heard by the Fairfax … Continued

Supportive housing project to replace emergency family shelter in Seven Corners
The Patrick Henry Family Shelter Fairfax County plans to demolish the Patrick Henry Family Shelter in Seven Corners and replace it with a new shelter, called Patrick Henry Place, with 16 permanent supportive housing units. On June 23, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion to advertise a public hearing on eminent domain proceedings for … Continued

More details emerge on Annandale townhouse proposal
The layout of townhouses proposed for Annandale. The curved road on the top right is a realigned McWhorter Place. The Christopher Cos. are proposed to develop 43 townhouses for the area at the intersection of McWhorter Place and Markham Street in central Annandale. David McElhaney of Urban Ltd., a land planning and design company based … Continued

ZMod and ADUs: A solution in search of a problem
A backyard cottage in Portland, Ore. (Image by linamenard licensed under Creative Commons) By Craig J. Blakeley Usually a change in a law is proposed in order to address some new issue or problem that was not envisioned when the law was first adopted. But that is not the case with respect to the new … Continued

Concerns raised about dropping public hearing requirement for accessory dwelling units
An accessory dwelling unit over a garage in Kentlands, Md. [Montgomery County Planning Department] Members of the Fairfax County Planning Commission raised some serious objections to a zoning proposal that would make it easier for homeowners to have “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs) in residential neighborhoods. The issue was presented by zoning staff at a meeting … Continued

Fairfax County seeks public input on CARES funds
The Fairfax County flag in front of the government center was flown at half staff on March 29 in honor of COVID victims. Fairfax County is getting $5.2 million in federal funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for housing and emergency funding needs. (That just a small part of the … Continued

COVID takes a big bite out of county budget
Fairfax County Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro and Mason Supervisor Penny Gross speak at a virtual Mason District Budget Town Hall. A virtual budget town hall hosted by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross revealed how much Fairfax County’s economic picture has been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. At the last Mason District budget town hall, on … Continued

More details emerge on Skyline revitalization project
The project calls for less concrete and more green space. Developer Robert Seldin, the CEO of Highland Square Holdings, plans to repurpose three office buildings at Skyline Center in Bailey’s Crossroads as residential/work space units, while transforming the concrete setting into an engaging urban park. Seldin and land use attorney Mike Van Atta described their … Continued

Fairfax County proposes more flexibility for home-based businesses and accessory dwellings
A photo of an illegal accessory dwelling in Arlington published by Greater Greater Washington. (Radcliffe Dacanay licensed under Creative Commons) Fairfax County is proposing to loosen the zoning rules for accessory dwellings and home-based businesses. The changes are part of the Department of Planning and Development’s multiyear effort, known as zMOD, to rewrite the county’s … Continued

Southern Towers tenants call for rent strike
Southern Towers Residents of the Southern Towers apartment complex in Alexandria’s West End are organizing a rent strike. According to a story published by WAMU, many tenants have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic and can’t afford rent and are also concerned about unsanitary conditions in the building’s common areas. A petition circulated … Continued

Tax increase would fund county priorities
Mason Supervisor Penny Gross told the audience at the Budget Town Hall she has signs to give out to residents concerned about speeding on neighborhood streets. Contact her office if you want a sign. At the Mason District Budget Town Hall March 12, Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill and Chief Financial Officer Joe Mondoro explained … Continued

Task force begins review of six major development projects proposed in Mason District
The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center has big plans for expanding. A task force of Mason District residents appointed by Supervisor Penny Gross has begun considering six development proposals as part of the South County Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process for amending the Comprehensive Plan. At the task force’s first meeting, on March 5, county planning staff … Continued

Real estate assessments rise 2.65 percent
Fairfax County residential real estate assessments for 2020 are up an average of 2.65 percent countywide over the 2019 rate. In Mason District the average assessment rose 3.57 percent. The average assessment for all homes countywide is $580,272, compared to $565,292 last year. The average assessed value for single-family detached homes countywide is $692,409, a … Continued