Tag: land use
Planning Commission work session addresses residents’ concerns on RSUs
New Hope Housing’s newly renovated Mondloch Place in Alexandria is considered a model for RSUs. It provides 24 efficiency apartments to people transitioning out of long-term homelessness. Several members of the Fairfax County Planning Commission indicated the rules for residential studio units (RSUs) should be tightened to protect low-density neighborhoods—a major concern of the Mason … Continued
Board of Supervisors postpones Planning Commission hearing on RSUs
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to defer the Planning Commission‘s Nov. 20 public hearing on a proposal to amend the zoning ordinance to allow residential studio units (RSUs). That would provide more time for additional outreach to the community, said Chair Sharon Bulova. That motion, proposed by Bulova and Supervisor Michael Frey (Sully) … Continued
Fairfax Federation opposes studio units in neighborhoods zoned R-20 or less
The Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations has taken a formal position opposing residential studio units (RSUs) in residential areas that are zoned for a density less than R-20. That action follows passage of a similar resolution by the Mason District Council of Community Associations (MDC) earlier this month. The MDC is urging local residents … Continued
Jeanne Simmons, age 96, refuses to vacate Hillwood Square home
Simmons “I don’t want to move,” says Jeanne Simmons, age 96, who is refusing to vacate her home of 57 years in Hillwood Square. A majority of owners of the cooperative complex in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County voted to sell the property to AvalonBay Communities Inc., which plans to develop 461 garden-style … Continued
Board of Supervisors delays decision on Parklawn cell tower
AT&T representative Ed Donohue testifies before the Board of Supervisors. Following a Fairfax County Board of Supervisors hearing on the Parklawn cell tower Sept. 10 in which 34 people testified, the board approved a motion by Mason Supervisor Penny Gross to postpone a decision until Sept. 24. Gross noted the “unusual situation” with regard to … Continued
Mason District Council calls for RSUs to be limited to high-density areas
A tiny apartment in Seattle. [Photo from the Press-Enterprise, Riverside, Calif.] The Mason District Council (MDC) of Community Associations unanimously approved a resolution Sept. 9 calling for Fairfax County to prohibit residential studio units (RSUs) in low-density residential neighborhoods. RSUs are zero-bedroom efficiency apartments no larger than 500 square feet. The county is proposing that … Continued
Affordable housing advocates promoting residential studio units
Community leaders oppose studio units in single-family neighborhoods already plagued by overcrowded houses. Discussions here about Fairfax County’s proposal for a new zoning category to allow “residential studio units” (RSUs) have mainly focused on the potentially deleterious effect on stable residential neighborhoods. Yet there’s another side to the issue. Advocates for affordable housing have been … Continued
Efficiency units could destabilze neighborhoods, community leaders warn
A tiny studio apartment in San Francisco. [Photo from USA Today.] Civic association leaders are concerned that a Fairfax County proposal to create a new zoning category allowing tiny efficiency apartments could destroy the character of older, residential neighborhoods, especially in places like the Annandale/Mason area where overcrowding is already a problem. The Fairfax County … Continued
VDOT orders Buddhist temple to address right of way violations
Officials from both the Fairfax County code compliance department and the Virginia Department of Transportation are investigating complaints from neighbors about the Buddhist temple at 6822 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Among the complaints: trees cut down in front of the property facing Columbia Pike, potentially illegal changes to the property, and the operation of a … Continued
FXCO Board of Supervisors sets hearing on Parklawn cell tower
A sign at the entrance to the Parklawn Pool advertises a Board of Supervisors hearing on the cell tower. After the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals rejected an application for a special permit exception to allow a cell tower on property owned by the Parklawn Pool, people who live closed to the proposed site … Continued
Fairfax County zoning board rejects cell tower at Parklawn pool
The Board of Zoning Appeals [Photo is from a video by Channel 16] In a huge victory for residents who live next to a proposed cell tower at the Parklawn Recreation Association, the Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) voted July 31 to deny a special permit for the cell tower. That means the … Continued
Proposal calls for a new TD Bank at Pinecrest Plaza
The Exxon station at Pinecrest Plaza. There are plans to replace the Pinecrest Service Center and Exxon station on Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road with a TD Bank. The Mason District Land Use Committee heard a presentation on the proposal July 23 and will consider it again Sept. 24. TD bank is seeking a … Continued
Wakefield Run restoration project in Annandale is collaborative effort
A symbolic groundbreaking ceremony was hundreds of feet from Wakefield Run and several weeks before the start of construction. The increasing urbanization of the Annandale area is putting lots pressures on waterways. All the impervious surfaces created by development is causing stormwater to rush into streams causing erosion, but at least one degraded stream is … Continued
Board of Zoning Appeals delays decision on Parklawn cell tower
A cell tower in Gilbert’s Corner, Va., with a graduated paint scheme like the one proposed for the Parklawn pool. The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) heard the rezoning request to allow construction of a cell tower on property owned by the Parklawn Recreation Association (PRA) July 17 but deferred a decision until … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves Fairfax Forward land use process
Board hearings take place in the Fairfax County Government Center. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a new, more comprehensive process for reviewing and making changes in the county’s land use plan. The new system, known as Fairfax Forward, replaces the current Area Plans Review (APR) system for updating the county’s Comprehensive Plan. Fairfax … Continued