Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session
What was decided
- 2watch 0:46Discussion/Adoption of Agenda
Agenda adopted as presented, 4:0.
PassedNames Courthouse Plaza · read the transcript
Presented
- 4aPresentation from students at Katherine Johnson Middle School on ideas for development at Northfax and Courthouse Plaza · Students from Katherine Johnson Middle School presented development ideas for the Northfax and Courthouse Plaza areas. The Northfax team focused on stormwater management, pedestrian safety, and local economy, proposing pervious surfaces, daylighting the existing stream, greenery, and solar panels. The Courthouse Plaza team presented two designs: Design A (shuttle bus stop, solar panels, community gardens, water fountains, diverse businesses, youth center, music venue) and Design B (walkable pedestrian/bike-focused center, underground parking, bio-retention pond, increased tree canopy, shaded seating). No action was taken.watch 1:26
Discussed for 54m · also names City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan, Green Building Policy, Small Area Plans, Willard Sherwood · read the transcript
- Northfaxin progressStudents presented development ideas for the Northfax area, focusing on stormwater management, pedestrian safety, greenery, and solar panels.
- Courthouse Plazain progresswikiStudents presented two redesign concepts for Courthouse Plaza, addressing stormwater, pedestrian safety, local economy, and environmental concerns.
- Katherine Johnson Middle SchoolStudents from Katherine Johnson Middle School presented urban planning proposals for Northfax and Courthouse Plaza to the Planning Commission.
- 4bConsideration of the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report to City Council and associated updates to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide and Small Area Plan Implementation Guides · Ms. Denny and Mr. Nabti presented the staff report, incorporated into the record by reference. Commissioners discussed Comprehensive Plan Implementation items related to Sustainability scheduled for 2026. No formal vote recorded.watch 58:42
Discussed for 9m · also names City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan ×2, Small Area Plans ×2, Blenheim Boulevard Multimodal Improvements, Pickett Road Connector Trail, Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments, Urban Forest Master Plan · read the transcript
- 2025 Planning Commission Annual Reportin progressStaff presented the 2025 Annual Report to City Council; discussion focused on Sustainability implementation items scheduled for 2026.
- 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guidein progresswikiWinter 2026 updates to the Implementation Guide were presented as part of the annual report consideration.
- Small Area Plan Implementation GuidesWinter 2026 updates to Small Area Plan Implementation Guides for Old Town, Northfax, Kamp Washington, and Fairfax Circle were presented alongside the annual report.
- 7aContinued discussion of potential amendments to the City of Fairfax Zoning Ordinance related to adopted small area plans with a focus on frontages, open space, tree conservation and landscaping, and parking · Mr. Nabti presented the staff report, incorporated into the record by reference. Discussion continued on potential Zoning Ordinance amendments. No formal vote recorded.watch 68:56
Discussed for 1h 41m · also names Small Area Plans ×8, Courthouse Plaza ×5, Davies Property ×4, Old Town Parking Study ×3, City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan ×2, Special Exceptions ×2 · read the transcript
- Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendmentsin progressContinued work session discussion on potential Zoning Ordinance amendments related to adopted small area plans, focusing on frontages, open space, tree conservation and landscaping, and parking. A City Council work session on the same topic was noted for March 10, 2026, and a public open house scheduled for March 26, 2026.
- 9Staff Report · Mr. Nabti provided updates on recent City Council actions and upcoming planning activities, including: adoption of the Urban Forest Master Plan (Feb 10), support for the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan and introduction of Small Area Plan zoning ordinance amendments (Feb 17), updates on the Level of Services Study and pre-application discussions for Courthouse Plaza and 10340 Democracy Lane (Feb 24). Upcoming items noted: City Council work session on small area plan zoning amendments (Mar 10), possible cancellation of next Planning Commission meeting, Comprehensive Plan Implementation Group meeting focused on Northfax (Mar 18), and Open House for Small Area Plan zoning ordinance amendments (Mar 26).watch 173:28
Discussed for 3m · also names Courthouse Plaza, Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments · read the transcript
- Urban Forest Master PlanapprovedwikiCity Council approved adoption of the Urban Forest Master Plan at the February 10, 2026 meeting.
- Affordable Housing Strategic Planin progressCity Council supported the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan at the February 17, 2026 meeting.
- Green Building Policyin progressCity Council held a discussion on the Green Building Policy at the February 17, 2026 meeting.
- Level of Services StudyAn update on the Level of Services Study was provided at the February 24, 2026 City Council meeting.
- 10340 Democracy Lanepre applicationwikiA pre-application work session discussion on the proposal at 10340 Democracy Lane was held at the February 24, 2026 City Council meeting.
- 10Commission Comments · Commissioner Rice updated the Commission on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) and noted his work on Northern Virginia Regional Commission solar energy projections. Chair Feather updated the Commission on the Board of Architectural Review (BAR) and thanked attendees.watch 176:57
Discussed for 4m · also names GIS Day, Remote Participation Policy · read the transcript
- Northern Virginia Regional Commission solar energy projectionsCommissioner Rice noted he is engaged in a major revisit of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission's solar energy projections.
Named in discussion
Tracked topics the transcript names that no agenda item is filed under. Their own pages and wikis do not yet record this meeting; the passages below are the only trace.
“…much. You've given us food for thought, especially as I said, we start considering small area plans again. You have some vision, and that's what's appreciated. it's easier for us slightly older folks to be entrenched and that's that's a difficult thing in…”
“…businesses. I'm very pleased you captured really well the vision that's in our comprehensive plan, which is our city is a vibrant 21st century community and you use the word community supported by a strong sustainable economy. You've really captured…”
“…per unit as opposed to two in the TOD the only property here that applied to is Davies as you can see that has a slightly lower lower number than the others actually would apply to the flats as well where only 1.3 spaces would be required. Then the next…”
“…help give us some background also in 2024 you may recall that the city conducted an old town parking study the”
“…But red means potentially could be quite good for generating energy locally. The Willard Sherwood project, which I really hope the city builds and I'm excited about, has a whole bunch of solar panels integrated into the project,”
“…the Fairfax Circle transportation evaluation. Utility relocation is underway for the Blenheim Boulevard multimodal improvements with construction expected to begin later this year or early next year. The Germantown Road corridor improvements are in design…”
“The Pickett Road connector trail is no longer on hold and is in design. And finally, Scout on the Circle also participated in that same survey with flats and the point last fall. And back to our annual report, this is the summary showing implementation status…”
“…strip mall up on the boulevard I don't know the name of the mall but it's where the Taco Bell is going to be going and that's a place people perpetually talk about how difficult it is to park because it's pretty much almost all restaurant anymore but yeah…”
“…had Chick-fil-A in that little strip next to that you were talking about across from fire station 33 can you imagine the current traffic with chick-fil-a if it were in that shopping center”