Redevelopment of Food Star site in Bailey’s Crossroads approved

The Food Star site in Bailey’s Crossroads is officially open for redevelopment. 

At a meeting on Nov. 21, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan amendment to allow a mix of commercial and residential units on the 12.7-acre site at the southeast intersection of Leesburg Pike and Carlin Springs Road.

The plan — which was sought by property owner George Hong — calls for building heights ranging from four to 14 stories and a mix of between 900 to 1,300 new apartments, along with 65,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.

Hong has said that Food Star, a grocery store at 5521 Leesburg Pike, will be incorporated into the future development, according to Annandale Today.

Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross noted that the original proposal was much more intense than what ultimately came to the board.

“The original concept envisioned more units and much smaller ones,” Gross said. “The language of the plan amendment will accommodate an intensity of units that I think could be successful.”

The board authorized consideration of a plan amendment for the area in May 2022.

The Carousel Court Apartments — a set of 90 affordable residential units on the south side of Seminary Road — will not be impacted by the redevelopment plan.  

Three high-rise multi-family buildings between seven and 14 stories tall with ground-floor retail are planned at the corner of Leesburg Pike and Carlin Springs Road. Another mid-rise multi-family building would be placed on the site of the property on Seminar Road, according to the proposal.

County staff said in their report on the proposed amendment that it was considered in light of the county’s existing vision of the area as a “‘village scale’ mixed-use development.”

Mixed-use centers such as the Baileys Crossroads [Community Business Center] are envisioned to become pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use environments with a more urban character that will complement adjacent residential areas and promote transit usage. The overall land use approach for the Baileys Crossroads CBC envisions a transformation from a predominantly retail environment to one that balances retail, office, residential, civic, and open spaces.

Gross noted that there are other opportunities to redevelop neighboring areas, particularly those “sandwiched” between newer and older development.

“We really think the properties to the east would be well served to be part of a future development because then…it wouldn’t be chopping up so much,” she said.