The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to approve an updated long-term vision for Centreville that includes a defined central area, more mixed-use housing, enhanced public transit, and greater walkability.
The amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan sets a framework for growth and redevelopment over the next few decades in a sprawling suburban area covering 2,700 acres bisected by I-66. It also identifies potential county-owned locations for potential affordable housing, including a renovated Centreville library, and a hypothetical expansion of Metro’s Orange Line.
“The recommendations focus growth within targeted areas, promote a mix of uses within a connected and pedestrian-oriented environment, and encourage high-quality development informed by extensive public engagement planning analysis,” Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith said after making the motion to adopt. “The amendment seeks to accommodate future growth while preserving the qualities that contribute to Centreville’s character and enhancing its long-term future.”
Earlier this month, the county’s planning commission voted unanimously — with one commissioner abstaining because she was not present for the public hearing — to recommend that the county adopt the guidance.
The amendment was developed through extensive community input, Smith noted, including recommendations by a Centreville task force and feedback solicited by county staff.
“Before the real work started, they talked to key stakeholders, trusted community partners,” Smith said. “We have Centreville Immigration Forum, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, the different faith organizations. They had the survey in Korean. They had outreach at KCPC … They went to the Bent Tree Apartments and talked to youth … and we had the two open houses. It was outstanding community engagement.”
The amendment did receive some pushback from two speakers during yesterday’s public hearing. Molly Sullivan, an FCPS parent, teacher, PTA president and school board candidate, pointed to overcrowding at Centreville High School, which she said is already “serving hundreds more students than it was designed for.”
“Centre Ridge Elementary, Bull Run Elementary, and Liberty Middle School are all nearing capacity, and proposed library housing and movie theater redevelopment are currently zoned for these schools,” Sullivan continued. “These developments will be completed long before the additional school capacity is created, forcing yet another round of boundary changes in a community that’s already struggling with the current process.”
Throughout the study, residents of the Centre Ridge neighborhood had also objected to the plan retaining a potential future extension of New Braddock Road, though it was reduced from four lanes to two.
“Public meetings, community discussions, emails, petitions, and testimony have all conveyed the same message: we do not want this road,” said Jeff Clubb, a longtime Centre Ridge resident. “When citizens are this united, government has an obligation to listen.
“I would like to address Supervisor Smith directly. You have publicly stated in front of 125 individuals in my community center that you are not supporting this road. Many residents took comfort in those words because they reflected what we, your constituents, were telling you. Please do not try to walk back your statement or pacify us by saying the road is not funded, needs further approval, won’t take place for 20 years. ”
While Smith reiterated that “there is no plan” and “no need for this road,” she said the county could not simply let go of an easement it has held for decades.
“When I look at an easement that the county has had for over 50 years, I have to think about the future,” Smith said. “I have to think about future generations. We don’t know what they’re going to want, we don’t know what’s going to change, we don’t know what happens when this community gets so old. I cannot give up that easement.”
“My commitment is I will never support building this road,” Smith added, “and doing this comp plan does not mean we’re approving this road.”
