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

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

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

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

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