Covering Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Lincolnia, and Seven Corners in Fairfax County, Virginia

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

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

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

Board expands landscaping requirements

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 23 adopted changes to the Zoning Ordinance on landscaping. The amendment increases the requirement for landscaping in parking lots, adds provisions on street frontage landscaping, establishes shade structure requirements for parking lots, and makes other changes. Currently, landscaping in a parking lot must cover at least 5 … Continued