Fairfax County Planning Commission

Planning commission nudges Lofts at Reston Station developer to address resident complaints

Published May 1, 2026 at 8:30AM

Conceptual rendering of Pulte Group's proposed Lofts II at Reston Station development (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has thrown its support behind a proposed expansion of the Lofts at Reston Station with the expectation that the developer will address several outstanding complaints raised by existing residents.

All eight commissioners present for a meeting on Wednesday (April 29) voted to recommend that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approve a comprehensive plan amendment that would allow residential development on the 5-acre site at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive, which are currently occupied by low-rise office buildings.

Countywide

Fairfax planning body suggests prioritizing preventive maintenance over new facilities

By Scott McCaffrey

Published April 10, 2026 at 10:00AM

Fiscal year 2027 capital improvement projects (via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County Planning Commission members on Wednesday (April 8) joined a growing chorus calling on county leaders to emphasize maintenance of existing government facilities over construction of new ones.

“Prioritizing preventive maintenance and system renewal is a fiscally responsible alternative to the higher cost of full renovations or facilities replacements,” said at-large commissioner Timothy Sargeant.

News

Transportation impacts of new Lofts at Reston Station homes draw scrutiny

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 8, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated April 9, 2026 at 10:30AM

Pulte Group's concept plan for Lofts II at Reston Station (via Land Design Consultants/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County staff are prepared to allow housing on an aging office property near the Wiehle Metro station in Reston with the expectation that the future developer will also deliver some transportation improvements.

The county’s planning commission will hold a public hearing tonight (Wednesday) on a proposed comprehensive plan amendment that would pave the way for Lofts at Reston Station builder Pulte Group to redevelop three low-lying office buildings at 1810, 1825 and 1850 Samuel Morse Drive with stacked townhouses and condominiums.

News

New Penn Daw fire station with shelter, supportive housing wins support

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 31, 2026 at 11:45AM

Proposed design of new Penn Daw Fire Station and supportive housing at 2801 Beacon Hill Road (image via Fairfax County)

Fairfax County Planning Commission members gave their unanimous support on March 25 to a planned relocation of the Penn Daw Fire Station to a parcel that will also include supportive housing and an emergency shelter.

The plan, which will be considered by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on April 14, would put the new fire station and housing on a 3.5-acre site at 2801 Beacon Hill Road, one block east of Richmond Highway.

News

Planning commission agrees retail not needed in planned Kingstowne Towne Center housing

By Nolan Stout

Published March 30, 2026 at 9:15AM

Developer Halle Companies has proposed two residential buildings and a redesigned pedestrian plaza in Kingstowne Towne Center (via Ci Design/Fairfax County)

Fairfax County planners are fine with a Maryland developer jettisoning retail options for two all-residential buildings at Kingstowne Towne Center near Alexandria.

At its March 18 meeting, the Fairfax County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of Halle Companies’ proposal to convert a parking lot into 646 units at the shopping center.

Countywide

Compromise on ActiveFairfax plan aims to ease tensions between trail users, nature advocates

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Bicycle riders on trail (via Vito Natale/Unsplash)

Fairfax County staff have revised language in the proposed Active Transportation and Trails Plan in an effort to smooth out friction between advocates for pedestrians/bicyclists and environmental issues.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission on Wednesday night (March 18) reviewed the proposed changes and recommended approval of the new plan by the Board of Supervisors when the issue is addressed in May.

News

Potential expansion of Seven Corners apartment complex wins planning body’s backing

By Scott McCaffrey

Published March 17, 2026 at 10:00AM

Conceptual rendering of the proposed new Cavalier Club apartment building (via Hord Coplan Macht/Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission signaled support on March 11 for additional rental housing on a key parcel that sits on the Fairfax and Arlington county line near Seven Corners.

Commission members voted 11-0 to recommend approval of a site-specific comprehensive plan amendment (SSPA) for the 5.64-acre Cavalier Club site at 6200 Wilson Blvd, opening the door for more multifamily residential development.

News

Comstock urged to further dim mistakenly permitted Reston JW Marriott sign

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated March 2, 2026 at 3:33PM

The existing JW Marriott Reston sign seen from Sunset Hills Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave its support last week to an updated Reston Station sign plan — on the condition that developer Comstock Companies reduce the brightness of two digital installations.

Among the signs deemed problematic is a screen identifying the JW Marriott Hotel and Residences that wraps around the southeastern corner of the 26-story building’s roof at 11350 Reston Station Blvd.

News

Proposal for new mixed-use development in center of McLean moves forward

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 26, 2026 at 3:45PM

Proposed mixed-use project at 1368 Beverly Road in McLean (via KTGY /Fairfax County)

A plan for mixed-use redevelopment on a small but key parcel in downtown McLean has won the support of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.

Commission members voted 10-1 yesterday (Wednesday) in support of Reston-based Cypress Real Estate Company’s plan to construct 56 residential units with 2,120 square feet of ground floor retail on a 0.56-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Beverly Road and Elm Street.

News

Planning commission supports affordable housing on Franconia Governmental Center site

By Scott McCaffrey

Published February 10, 2026 at 8:30AM

Rendering of affordable housing on Franconia Governmental Center site (via Soto Architecture & Urban Design/Fairfax County)

A proposal to build 120 units of affordable housing on a site now occupied by the Franconia Governmental Center has won the support of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.

Commission members voted without opposition on Feb. 4 to approve the plan by Franconia Development Partners, a consortium of several housing groups seeking to redevelop the 3.3 acres of leased county land at 6121 Franconia Road with a four-story apartment building.