Tag: land use
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
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
Large property in Seven Corners could be developed
The Febrey-Lothrop house. [ARLnow] The Febrey-Lothrop House, a vacant home with a fascinating history on a 9+-acre lot in Arlington adjacent to Seven Corners, could be headed to the market soon, ARLnow reported on March 4, although it is not currently for sale. The property, at 6407 Wilson Blvd., which includes a couple of outbuildings, … Continued
EYA describes plan for townhouse development at Graham Park Plaza
An illustration of the townhouses proposed by EYA for the Graham Park Plaza property. The EYA real estate development company is planning a 180-unit townhouse community on the western part of the Graham Park Plaza shopping center on Arlington Boulevard. The stores in that area have already closed. This project replaces a mixed-use apartment and retail … Continued
Planning moves forward for live/work concept at Skyline office buildings
A rendering of the Skyline redevelopment project. The Fairfax County planning and zoning branch is reviewing a proposal to amend the development plan for three office buildings at the Skyline Center in Bailey’s Crossroads. The application was submitted by the Wolff Co. (KIW Skyline), which purchased the three mostly vacant buildings in 2019 at 5201, … Continued
Zoning board defers decision on Gallows Road temple
The temple at the corner of Gallows Road and Trammell Road in Annandale. The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals, following a public hearing on Feb. 13, voted to continue the discussion on a proposal for a Buddhist temple at 3528 Gallows Road in Annandale until March 25. That will give the applicant and staff … Continued
Development proposals submitted to county
First Christian Church wants to make better use of its underutilized property. Six development proposals were submitted to the Fairfax County Planning and Development Department for projects in Mason District as part of the South County Site-Specific Plan Amendment process. These nominations were among the 22 accepted by the planning department for the Mason, Mount … Continued