Tag: land use
Fairfax County invites comments on zoning ordinance overhaul
An accessory living unit in Mason District. Fairfax County has released a consolidated draft of the proposed new, modernization of the zoning ordinance, a project known as zMOD. The public is encouraged to submit comments on zMOD via email to: [email protected]. The document will be submitted to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors next … Continued
Zoning board approves temple on Gallows Road
The house has been transformed into a Buddhist temple. The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 8 approved a special permit from Van Duc Tu allowing a place of worship in a residential property at 5728 Gallows Road, Annandale. The property is used as a nonprofit meditation facility focusing on the teachings of … 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
Sears at Landmark is closing
Sears at Landmark Mall. The Sears store at Landmark Mall, the last store to remain open at the West Alexandria shopping center, is closing. Sears is advertising a closing sale with “everything priced to sell,” including washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, clothing, bed and bath, housewares, floor care, mattresses, sporting goods, barbecue supplies, tools, and … 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
Skyline live/work project moves forward
The redeveloped Skyline project would have a more inviting entrance. The plan to transform three mostly vacant office buildings in the Skyline Center to live/work units is moving forward. The Fairfax County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the proposal for July 15. The three buildings, at 5201, 5202, and 5203 Leesburg Pike, would … 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
Community leaders urge supervisors to not make decisions on land use during virtual meetings
A virtual Board of Supervisors meeting in April. Representatives of 18 community associations and 74 individuals signed on to a letter to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors urging them to hold off on making decisions about land use during the pandemic when residents don’t have a chance for meaningful engagement. The May 7 letter … 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
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
Supervisors approve electronic meetings with limited public participation
The Board of Supervisors, including Mason Supervisor Penny Gross (top), participates in in the April 14 meeting virtually. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ approval of an ordinance allowing county governmental entities to meet electronically during the COVID-19 emergency is being challenged by those who believe it will reduce opportunities for public participation on land … 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
Fairview Park Drive office building sold
The future home of BAE Systems [Fairview Park] Menlo Equities purchased the 15-story office building at 2941 Fairview Park Drive in Merrifield for $97.9 million March 25. The seller is listed as 2941 Fairview Park Drive LLC. BAE Systems, a global aerospace/defense corporation, is slated to move its headquarters, and about 350 employees, from Arlington … Continued
Planning Commission approves Pine Ridge police facility in Annandale
The layout of the new FCPD Operations Support Bureau, with Winterset Varsity Park on the right. The Fairfax County Planning Commission approved a new facility to house the Police Department’s Operations Support Bureau on a 10-acre lot at 3911 Woodburn Road in Annandale. The OSB is currently housed in a former elementary school on that … Continued