Tag: zoning
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
Supervisors support higher standards for data centers
Members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors expressed interest in tightening the Zoning Ordinance on data centers at a March 12 meeting of the board’s Land Use Policy Committee. At the meeting, staff from the Planning and Zoning Department outlined the changes they proposed in a recent report that would set higher standards for … 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
Convenience store proposed for gas station
The owner of a Shell station in the Springfield area of Mason District is proposing to add a convenience store and double the number of fuel pumps. Petroleum Marketing Group Inc. is seeking a zoning special exception amendment for a major makeover of the gas station and repair shop at 5533 Backlick Road at the … 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
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
Proposed zoning amendment would set rules for outdoor dining
Fairfax County is proposing an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to codify the regulations for outdoor dining. The amendment would make permanent and add more details to the provision on outdoor dining in the emergency ordinance approved during the Covid pandemic. Two virtual community meetings have been scheduled on the proposed amendment, on Aug. 9 … Continued
Planning Commission defers action on Parking Reimagined
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on July 26 deferred action on Parking Reimagined, the controversial zoning ordinance amendment that would cut minimum parking requirements for new developments. More than 60 people spoke at the public hearing, which didn’t end until about 1:30 a.m. At the Planning Commission’s Sept. 13 meeting, there will be another public … Continued
Parking reduction plan advances
Fairfax County is preparing to make major changes to the zoning ordinance to greatly cut back the requirements for parking at new developments. At a Planning Commission work session on June 22, county zoning staff briefed the commissioners on the complex Parking Reimagined proposal that reduces the number of parking spaces for multifamily housing, office … Continued
Supervisors approve McDonald’s upgrade
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a zoning special exception on May 23 to allow an upgrade of the McDonald’s at the corner of Leesburg Pike and Carlin Springs Road in Bailey’s Crossroads. The project would add a second drive-through window and a 1,300-square foot addition to the building. The interior would be … Continued
Board of Supervisors approves zMod and calls for guidelines on data centers
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved zMod – for the second time – on May 9 and also approved a follow-on motion calling for guidelines on data centers. zMod is a complete overhaul of the county’s 1978 zoning ordinance. The Board of Supervisors initially approved zMod two years ago. The state Supreme Court overturned … Continued
Planning Commission recommends approval of zMod despite widespread opposition
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on May 3 voted unanimously to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve an overhaul of the county’s zoning ordinance known as zMod. The Planning Commission also agreed to have its Land Use Process Review Committee look at some of the issues raised by residents during the public hearing, with the … Continued
County officials weigh options after Z-Mod is voided by the state Supreme Court
The Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling last week to throw out Z-Mod is causing a great deal of uncertainty on how Fairfax County will handle zoning decisions approved after the modernization of the Zoning Ordinance was adopted. Planning Commissioners, supervisors, zoning staff, and county attorneys are evaluating the Supreme Court decision and determining the next … Continued
Virginia Supreme Court throws out Z-Mod
The Virginia Supreme Court ruled on March 23 that Z-Mod, Fairfax County’s overhaul and modernization of the Zoning Ordinance, is void. According to the opinion by Justice Wesley Russell Jr., the Board of Supervisors “adopted Z-Mod in a manner that violated the open meeting provisions of VFOIA” [the Virginia Freedom of Information Act]. As a … Continued