Zoning board defers action on daycare proposal from Bailey’s Crossroads church

Columbia Baptist Church [Google Maps]

The Fairfax County Board of Zoning Appeals has again deferred a decision on an application from Columbia Baptist Church on Glen Carlyn Road in Bailey’s Crossroads for a building addition with a childcare center. 

At its Feb. 10 meeting, the BZA agreed to take up the application again on Feb. 24. 

The main issue of contention continues to be increased traffic on an already-congested road. In particular, the BZA members raised concerns about the ability of Munson Court residents to turn left onto Glen Carlyn Road during peak hours. 

The church projects enrollment of 78 children in phase 1. That program would run between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. outside peak traffic hours.

Phase 2 calls for a building addition with 240 children (reduced from 310) during the public school year. During the summer and winter and spring breaks, the daycare center would have an additional 78 children, for a total of 310.   

The traffic pattern would be unchanged during phase 1. In phase 2, the applicant proposes one exit for right turns and another for left turns onto Glen Carlyn Road. There would be a left-turn lane on Glen Carlyn into the property. The traffic proposals are not ideal but would be functional, VDOT representative Michelle Guthrie told the BZA.   

A proposed development condition calls for staggered pickup and drop-off during peak hours in 15-minute intervals to space out traffic. 

The church agreed to have a traffic coordinator direct traffic during peak times and give priority to local residents over daycare parents. Pastor Lora Gravatt said parents will be informed of the rules about entering and exiting the property, and those who don’t comply could be banned from the daycare center.