Tag: land use
Board delays decision on data centers
A Board of Supervisors again delayed a decision on data centers, this time because the staff failed to follow the requirements for public notification.
Planning Commission recommends zoning changes for data centers
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 6 recommended approval of a more restrictive zoning ordinance on data centers. Commissioners approved several amendments that address some of the concerns raised by residents and environmental groups at a five-hour hearing the previous evening. About 50 people testified at the hearing, including residents of Bren Mar Park … Continued
Multifamily housing proposed for Seven Corners
Southern Management, the owner of the Cavalier Club apartment building in Seven Corners submitted a rezoning proposal May 31 to allow the construction of a new residential mixed-use building and a parking garage. Cavalier Club is located at 6200 Wilson Boulevard in a corner of Mason District bordering Arlington County and the City of Falls … Continued
Climate activists speak out against the unchecked growth of data centers
Dozens of environmental activists took part in a rally June 2 in Reston to push for more state and local action to pause the out-of-control expansion of data centers. The event was organized by the Sierra Club’s Virginia Chapter to highlight “the harmful economic and environmental consequences of explosive data center growth.” That growth “poses … Continued
Developer proposes converting Annandale office building to housing
redecvelopment
Preschool expansion proposed
The owner of a home-based childcare center in Annandale is seeking a zoning special exception to convert the property to a preschool. Reena Abu-Taleb described the proposal at the Mason District Land Use Committee meeting on May 28. The Annandale Children’s Academy, at 5116 Columbia Road, currently serves 10 children, ages 4-5, in an addition … Continued
New restrictions proposed for data centers
Draft guidelines proposed by Fairfax County staff tighten the requirements for data centers, as directed by the Board of Supervisors. The guidelines, part of a Zoning Ordinance amendment, would limit the locations for by-right data centers, require noise studies, and require generators to be enclosed. Applications for a zoning special exception require a public hearing; … Continued
Vacant lot in Annandale is available for $1.5M
There have been lots of inquiries about this vacant lot fronting Little River Turnpike in Annandale, but no takers so far, says real estate broker Chris Gentry with KLNB. The .68-acre family-owned property, at 4401 Carrico Drive, is next to George Mason Regional Library. The owner is asking $1.5 million, while Fairfax County tax records … Continued
BoS calls for new regulations on data centers
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution March 20 directing planning staff to draft a Zoning Ordinance amendment to strengthen the regulations for data centers. The resolution, offered by Kathy Smith (Sully), says the proposed zoning amendment should include additional standards for by-right and special exception permissions for data centers and should address … Continued
Big increases proposed for building and zoning fees
Fairfax County building and rezoning fees could rise as much as 35 percent under a proposal drafted by county staff. Bill Hicks, the director of Land Development Services, told the Board of Supervisors’ Land Policy Committee that the fees have to be raised because of inflation, increased staffing, increased employee compensation, and the requirement that … Continued
Bren Mar Park residents urge the BoS to act against a by-right data center
Residents of Bren Mar Park are again fighting plans for a data center in their neighborhood. In 2022, residents successfully mobilized against a rezoning proposal for a data center at Plaza 500, an industrial/business park at 6295 Edsall Road. Facing potential rejection, the developer, Starwood Capital Group, withdrew its application. Half of the Plaza 500 … Continued
Alis Wang appointed to Planning Commission
Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez has appointed Alis Wang to the Fairfax County Planning Commission. “Alis is no stranger to our community and really understands the nuances surrounding land use development and planning,” Jimenez said. “She has a tremendous resume and I’m thrilled that she’s lending her expertise to the Planning Commission.” Wang succeeds Daren Shumate … Continued
Board approves huge data center
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning application Jan. 23 to allow the construction of a 110-foot-tall data center on Route 50 in Chantilly. Nearly all the 25 people who spoke at the public hearing cited concerns with noise and environmental issues. One major complaint is the potential for a diesel leak that … Continued
County planners recommend more robust reviews of data centers
Fairfax County planning staff issued a report on data centers that recommends additional requirements to address the potential negative impacts on the environment and nearby residential communities. Last May, the Board of Supervisors directed to staff conduct research and present recommendations on how proposals for data centers should be considered with regard to zoning, siting, … Continued
Investigation urged for FBI site selection process
Members of Virginia’s congressional delegation are demanding an investigation into the General Services Administration’s decision-making process for relocating the FBI headquarters. On Nov. 8, the GSA announced the FBI would move from its current building in Washington to Greenbelt in Prince George’s County, Md., rather than Springfield, Va., or Landover, Md. Both Virginia and Maryland had … Continued