Fairfax County leaders have opened the door for a supportive housing project in the Fair Oaks area proposed by Cornerstones, a Reston-based organization that provides housing, food and other services to people in need.
During a meeting on Tuesday (June 11), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan that would allow affordable housing on the 1.12 acres of land along the northwest intersection of Route 50 and West Ox Road interchange.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission recommended that the board adopt the amendment last month.
Lia Niebauer, a planner with the county’s Department of Planning and Development, told the supervisors that the “Fair Ridge Residential at West Ox” project calls for 33 residential units — each unit around 450 square feet, designed for one-person households. The site is currently undeveloped, forested land.
“The building is proposed to be three stories and 27,000 square feet, and there would be a patio to the north along with surface parking,” Niebauer said. “It is also proposing a pedestrian access connection point to Route 50 along the south of the site.”
She said a noise impact study, which was a key component of the review, found that the site development adheres to county noise policies for residential use and outdoor amenity areas.
The site is about half a mile from the Harris Teeter shopping center and 0.6 miles from the Fairfax Town Center, which has a Safeway as well. Niebauer added that improvements could be made to create consistent pedestrian and bike connections.
“A parking demand study should be submitted with the rezoning in order to determine the necessary amount of parking for the use, which may also provide opportunities for additional tree preservation, landscaping, usable open space and setback,” she said.
Niebauer added that over the past couple of months, three missing crosswalks and pedestrian signals have been installed at the Fair Ridge Drive intersections, which will connect future residents to services, including nearby bus stops and commercial uses.
The Board of Supervisors authorized consideration of the plan amendment in February 2022. Cornerstones then submitted a rezoning application for its proposed three-story building that’s now under review.
“It’s on pause right now for [a] design issue, but we’re hoping that that will be resolved soon and that we’ll be back in front of you with the rezoning before too long,” Lynn Strobel, the applicant’s representative, said.
The building will have 24/7 front desk coverage, on-site property management, and access to services such as home health aides, substance abuse counseling and benefit specialists.
“So, hopefully, if this can go forward, it really will be a great opportunity for this underserved portion of the Fairfax County population,” Strobel said before the vote.
During a community meeting in January, the proposal received mixed feedback from area residents and organizations. Some voiced concerns about increased crime and drug use, while others highlighted the need for similar projects within the county.
A planning commission public hearing on the rezoning application is currently scheduled for Sept. 25.
