Tag: zoning
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
Parking Reimagined would benefit developers, not residents
Fairfax County’s Parking Reimagined plan – which reduces the number of required parking spaces for new developments – would benefit developers, not local residents and communities, critics of the plan charge. That’s the main takeaway from a virtual information session Jan. 5 hosted by county planning and land development staff. A tiered approach Parking Reimagined … Continued
Residents oppose industrial rezoning
After hearing numerous complaints from local residents about a proposal to rezone the industrial Plaza 500 property in the Alexandria area of Mason District, the Fairfax County Planning Commission deferred a decision to Nov. 16. At an Oct. 26 hearing, people who live nearby urged the Planning Commission to reject the proposal, citing noise and … Continued
Historic Overlay District fails to gain sufficient community support
A proposal to create a Historic Overlay District in Holmes Run Acres will not go forward following a poll that found insufficient support. According to the poll results, 52.5 percent of homeowners opposed an HOD, and 45 percent supported it. Mason Supervisor Penny Gross said she will introduce a board matter before the Board of … Continued
Rt. 50 McDonald’s project advances
The Fairfax County Planning Commission is recommending the Board of Supervisors approve a zoning special exception to allow for a major upgrade and drive-through ordering at the McDonald’s at 6729 Arlington Blvd. in Falls Church. The project includes a modernization of the exterior, a minor expansion of the building, elimination of one of the two … Continued
The PLUS system will supersede all other land use records
Fairfax County’s land use systems will partially shut down from Friday, Oct. 21, to Monday morning on Oct. 31, when the new Permitting and Land Use System (PLUS) becomes fully operational. PLUS is a central online platform for creating and submitting permit applications online, paying fees, tracking the status of applications, and receiving electronic notifications. … Continued
Parking needs to be ‘reimagined,’ but the county plan needs work
By Donna Jacobson Fairfax County staff is working on a proposed parking amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, which would set reduced minimum parking requirements (MPRs) for new and renovated developments. The proposed parking amendment should be available at the end of October on the Parking Reimagined website.The Planning Commission is expected to have public hearings … Continued
Rt. 50 McDonald’s proposes major upgrade
The second-oldest McDonald’s in Virginia – at 6729 Arlington Blvd. – is slated for a major upgrade to include a drive-through. When it was built in 1958, it had large golden arches on either side and an outdoor food-ordering counter. It’s currently a simple brick building that needs to be modernized. Following a public hearing … Continued
Historic Overlay District proposed for Holmes Run Acres
Holmes Run Acres residents appear to be divided on whether their community should have a Historic Overlay District (HOD). How residents stand on the issue won’t be known until October when the results of a poll will be announced. The poll opened Aug. 1 and will close Sept. 9. Supporters say an HOD will prevent … Continued
Planning Commission endorses Justice HS expansion with limited parking
The Fairfax County Planning Commission on July 20 endorsed a rezoning application to permit the construction of a badly needed addition at Justice High School. The Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal on Aug. 2. The major issue for the project is the need to reduce the county’s parking requirement in order to fit … Continued
Land use committee supports parking plan at Justice HS
The Mason District Land Use Committee had a packed agenda at its June 28 meeting: They recommended the Planning Commission approve the expansion of Radley Acura and heard presentations on the Patrick Henry shelter replacement and a proposal to add a drive-through to the McDonald’s on Route 50 near Annandale Road. The issue that drew … Continued
Zoning board rules against treehouse
The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals ruled Feb. 2 that the Dapoigny family cannot keep their treehouse on the front lawn of their home in the Wakefield Chapel Estates subdivision in Annandale. “This is a difficult decision,” said BZA Vice Chair James Hart, but the BZA cannot overrule the zoning regulations approved by the … Continued