Planning | FFXnow

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Fairfax County approved plans in 2025 for townhouse development on part of St. Paul's Lutheran Church's property in Idylwood received Fairfax County's approval (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County staff are beginning preparations for adhering to a new state law loosening zoning regulations on development of affordable housing.

Legislation known by proponents as the “Faith in Housing” bills was enacted by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) earlier this year. Set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, it requires localities to establish a streamlined process for construction of affordable units on land owned by religious organizations or nonprofit groups.

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County board approves sweeping vision for mixed-use, walkable spaces in Centreville

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 24, 2026 at 2:45PM

Route 29 in Centreville (staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

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.

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Centreville ‘town center’ concept wins planning commission’s support

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published June 12, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated June 12, 2026 at 3:25PM

New Braddock Road near Centre Ridge Elementary School in Centreville (Staff photo by Mary Stachyra Lopez)

A proposed amendment to Fairfax County’s comprehensive plan that could transform Centreville over the next few decades gained a key endorsement from the county’s planning commission this week.

The commission voted Wednesday (June 10) to recommend adoption of the amendment, which envisions a more walkable 2,700-acre area with a defined “town center,” more affordable and mixed-use housing, and enhanced public transportation.

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Planned live-work development not moving forward in Merrifield

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 12, 2026 at 9:15AM

The entrance to the vacant office building at 8110 Gatehouse Road in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The repurposing of Inova Health System’s former administrative headquarters in Merrifield is seeing mixed success nearly three years after it was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

While construction continues on a conversion of one office building at 2990 Telestar Court into affordable housing, the live/work units planned for an adjacent building at 8110 Gatehouse Road are no longer moving forward, Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik shared at the board’s meeting on Tuesday, June 9.

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Planning commission backs more density, community amenities for Lorton

By Scott McCaffrey

Published June 8, 2026 at 10:00AM

The Workhouse Art Center in Lorton (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission on June 3 added its support to a plan to guide development of key Lorton areas for the next two to three decades.

The Lorton Core Study, now headed to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for final consideration, envisions a more urban and connected community.

News

New vision for Centreville calls for town center, more walkable, mixed-use spaces

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

Published May 22, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Centreville Task Force provided input on Fairfax County's comprehensive plan amendment for Centreville (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Centreville could get a defined town center with more walkable, mixed-use spaces over the next few decades if Fairfax County adopts a proposed amendment to its comprehensive plan.

The amendment lays the groundwork for connecting parts of Centreville that are split by I-66 with pedestrian pathways and potentially an extension of New Braddock Road; expanding the availability of affordable and mixed-use housing; and enhancing public transportation, including a potential location for a hypothetical expansion of Metro’s Orange Line.

News

Community input wanted on future of office in Tysons

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 19, 2026 at 10:00AM

One of the Tysons Plaza office buildings on Spring Hill Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County is taking a closer look at the older office sites in Tysons to determine whether they might be more suitable now for alternative uses.

The county launched a planning study last week that will evaluate the potential for parcels currently designated as office in the Tysons Comprehensive Plan to support future residential or mixed-use development.

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County planners consider future of development in office-heavy Reston East

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 27, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Atlantic Union Bank building at 1800 Robert Fulton Drive is among the parcels newly added to Fairfax County's Reston East planning study (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Just a few years after approving a new comprehensive plan for Reston, Fairfax County officials are taking a closer look at the future of development in a swath of Reston East currently dominated by older office buildings.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff on April 14 to expand a planning study that initially looked at individual office properties south of the Dulles Toll Road to instead include an entire subdistrict from Upper Lake Drive to Hunter Mill Road.

News

Sully District supervisor hopes vision for Centreville includes more housing options

By Emily Leayman

Published February 10, 2026 at 11:45AM

Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith speaks at the 2026 State of Centreville (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

As Fairfax County officials prepare recommendations for Centreville’s future for review, one supervisor hopes to see a focus on options for boosting housing.

Fairfax County is updating its Centreville comprehensive plan, a long-term land use guide for the community’s core to complement the zoning ordinance. The Centreville plan amendment was one topic Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith (D) addressed in remarks at the 2026 State of Centreville hosted by the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce on Friday (Feb. 6).

News

Overhaul proposed for 51-year-old gas station in Franconia

By James Cullum

Published December 23, 2025 at 8:30AM

BP Service Station at 6201 Franconia Road (via Google Maps)

A gas station that has been serving Franconia for more than 50 years is due for an update, its owner says.

According to an application recently submitted to the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning, the Merrifield-based Petroleum Marketing Group (PMG) is looking to replace the existing BP Service Station at 6201 Franconia Road with a 4,650-square-foot convenience store and five fuel pumps (10 fueling positions) under a canopy.