zoning | FFXnow

Published March 24, 2023 at 1:15PM

Fairfax County set height limits for flag poles, among other changes, with its zoning ordinance modernization in 2021 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A day after neighboring Arlington County made waves by ending single-family exclusive zoning, Fairfax County saw its own zoning reforms reversed two years after they were approved.

The Virginia Supreme Court declared the county’s Zoning Ordinance Modification Project (zMOD) void yesterday (Thursday) because the new code was adopted at a mostly virtual meeting — a ruling could have consequences for other actions taken during the first years of the pandemic, as noted by Inside NoVA, which first reported the decision.

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Pitches for land use changes in Reston deferred until approval of new comprehensive plan

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 15, 2023 at 2:30PM

Pitches from developers for land use changes in Reston’s transit areas are on a different track as the county considers dozens of similar nominations throughout Fairfax County as part of its Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process.

Unlike other areas of the county, Reston Transit Station area applications have been set aside for special study and deferred until a years-long process to update Reston’s Comprehensive Plan is completed, according to the county.

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Innovation Center Metro station area prioritized for review of possible land use changes

By Fatimah Waseem

Published March 14, 2023 at 11:00AM | Updated March 14, 2023 at 12:04PM

The Planning Commission placed the Innovation Center TSA is the top tier for the county's planning effort (Photo courtesy handout/Fairfax County Government).

(Updated at 12:05 p.m.) Fairfax County planners agree that proposed development changes to the Innovation Center area are a top planning priority in the county’s ongoing Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process.

At a meeting on Thursday (March 9), the Fairfax County Planning Commission voted to preliminarily place the Innovation Center Transit Station Area (TSA) in the top tier of the county’s SSPA work program, which sets the framework for the county’s review of comprehensive planning studies and plan amendments.

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No roller rink at Mosaic District this year, but ice skating may be planned

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 6, 2023 at 11:45AM

Some roller skaters use the Mosaic District's temporary rink during summer 2022 (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Mosaic District roller skating rink won’t come back this year, but the development is still holding out hope for ice skating in the future.

Rink Management Services Corporation, which operates Mosaic Skateland, has decided it won’t “be doing any roller skating during this warm weather season,” Fairfax County’s planning staff told the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) at a Feb. 1 meeting.

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Fairfax County revises proposed light regulations around Turner Farm Park Observatory

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 27, 2023 at 11:00AM

The county is considering ways to preserve dark skies around the observatory (Photo via Fairfax County Government).

A new and expanded version of a policy to preserve dark skies around the Turner Farm Park Observatory in Great Falls is now on the table.

Fairfax County staff have presented an additional round of amendments to the draft policy, which would amend zoning standards for outdoor lighting within a half-mile of the observatory, which is located at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Springvale Road.

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Taco Bell in Fair Lakes may be razed, as owner seeks to update restaurant

By Fatimah Waseem

Published February 7, 2023 at 11:45AM

The Fair Lakes location is slated for redevelopment (Image via Google Maps).

The Taco Bell in the Fair Lakes area could be slated for demolition.

The owner of the restaurant at 12811 Federal Systems Park Drive is seeking Fairfax County’s permission to rebuild the restaurant and drive-thru with a larger and more modern facility, in line with the company’s efforts to modernize franchises across the country.

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Community outreach on Barton Hill tennis court renovation slated for the spring

By Fatimah Waseem

Published January 24, 2023 at 11:00AM

The Barton Hill Recreation Area in Reston is slated for upgrades (via Google Maps)

Reston Association is poised to share updated plans for the renovation of Barton Hill tennis courts earlier this year.

Staff are prepared to host an early spring meeting to share the update plans to upgrade the tennis courts following a legal disagreement with a county that prompted RA to remove lighting upgrades from the plan.

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Apartment building proposed at Annandale’s Eastgate Shopping Centre

By Fatimah Waseem

Published January 18, 2023 at 3:00PM | Updated October 26, 2023 at 9:46AM

Redevelopment of Eastgate Shopping Center is planned (Photo courtesy handout/Fairfax County Government).

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) Annandale’s Eastgate Shopping Centre, home to The Block food hall, is slated for a partial redevelopment.

Insight Property Group is seeking Fairfax County’s permission to transform a part of the existing center on John Marr Drive into a mixed-use apartment building with retail and amenities in an effort to “transition the site into a more vibrant, mixed-use, and community-centered asset,” according to the application.

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Zoning code overhaul, tree canopy among Vienna Town Council’s top priorities for 2023

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 13, 2023 at 2:15PM

Trees by the Glyndon Park pickleball courts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Vienna Town Council is in agreement that it must finish rewriting the town’s zoning code by the end of 2023, but that’s where any unanimity on priorities for the coming year ends.

At its first regular meeting of the year on Monday (Jan. 9), the council voted 4-3 to set four top priorities for 2023: complete Code Create Vienna, develop a parks master plan, review the town’s noise ordinance, and explore ways to improve the local tree canopy.

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Community meetings set to discuss Reston redevelopment proposals

By Fatimah Waseem

Published January 12, 2023 at 3:00PM

A central park is proposed at the Commerce Metro Center development (via Fairfax County)

Boasting the most proposals for redevelopment and zoning changes, Reston and the Hunter Mill District will get two open houses to discuss several major applications to change Fairfax County’s zoning guidelines.

The process — known as the Site Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) — opens up the county’s comprehensive plan to land use changes. After receiving dozens of proposals, the county’s Board of Supervisors selected 75 nominations, 13 of which are in the Hunter Mill District.