Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session
What was decided
- 5awatch 2:14Nomination and Election of Chair and Vice-Chair
James Feather elected Chair (5:0); Kirsten Lockhart elected Vice-Chair (5:0).
Passed · 2 motions on this itemDiscussed for 2m · also names Appointments to boards and commissions · read the transcript
- 5bwatch 4:17Appointments to Boards and Commissions
Chair Feather appointed as Planning Commission representative to the Board of Architectural Review (5:0); Mr. Rice reappointed as representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (5:0).
Passed · 2 motions on this itemDiscussed for 1m · read the transcript
- 5cwatch 6:03Review of Planning Commission Bylaws
Bylaws adopted as provided in Attachment 1 of the staff memorandum dated January 12, 2026, approved 5:0. Discussion noted potential future clarifications regarding review of private streets and parcel-specific comprehensive plan recommendations.
PassedDiscussed for 8m · also names City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan ×3, Remote Participation Policy ×2, Davies Property · read the transcript
- Planning Commission BylawsapprovedThe Planning Commission adopted its bylaws as provided in Attachment 1 of the January 12, 2026 staff memorandum (5:0); last substantive changes were made in 2022. Discussion flagged potential future clarifications on private street review and parcel-specific comprehensive plan recommendations.
- Courthouse Plazain progresswikiCourthouse Plaza was cited by Commissioner Cunningham as an example of a major redevelopment with private streets from which the Planning Commission had been excluded from review, illustrating the broader issue of the commission's role in such projects.
- 5dwatch 14:50Review of Remote Participation Policy
Remote Participation Policy adopted as provided in Attachment 1 of the staff memorandum dated January 12, 2026, approved 5:0. No changes were recommended by staff.
PassedDiscussed for 2m · also names Capital Improvement Program · read the transcript
- Remote Participation PolicyapprovedThe Planning Commission adopted its Remote Participation Policy as provided in Attachment 1 of the January 12, 2026 staff memorandum (5:0), with no changes from the prior version; annual adoption is required by state code for commissions wishing to allow remote participation.
Presented
- 8aContinued Discussion of the Proposed FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Program · Work session discussion held. A public hearing on the CIP is scheduled for the January 26, 2026 Planning Commission meeting, with Planning Commission recommendations due to City Council by February 3, 2026.watch 16:49
Discussed for 1h 58m · also names Fire Station ×24, Master Plan ×20, Willard Sherwood ×11, Senior Center ×6, Capital Improvement Program ×5, City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan ×5 · read the transcript
- FY2027-FY2031 Capital Improvement Programin progresswikiThe Planning Commission continued its work session discussion of the proposed FY2027–FY2031 CIP; a public hearing is scheduled for January 26, 2026, with recommendations to City Council anticipated by February 3, 2026.
- 9Staff Report · Staff provided updates on upcoming meetings and items, including: a January 13, 2026 City Council public hearing on the Fern Street Connector Project and consideration of additional funds and contract award for the George Snyder Trail; a January 26, 2026 Planning Commission meeting featuring the CIP public hearing, Urban Forest Masterplan presentation, and Annual Report/Implementation Guide updates; and a February 9, 2026 joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Economic Development Authority.watch 141:09
Discussed for 4m · also names City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan ×2, 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide, Capital Improvement Program, Master Plan · read the transcript
- Fern Street Connector Pathin progresswikiA public hearing on the Fern Street Connector Project was noted as scheduled before City Council on January 13, 2026.
- George Snyder TraildeniedwikiCity Council was noted as scheduled to consider additional funds and a contract award for the George Snyder Trail on January 13, 2026.
- Urban Forest Master PlanapprovedwikiA presentation on the Urban Forest Masterplan was noted as scheduled for the January 26, 2026 Planning Commission meeting.
- Parks and Recreation MasterplanCity Council held a work session on the Parks and Recreation Masterplan on January 6, 2026, as reported by staff.
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.
“…the first one we had a couple comments questions about the timing for the Van Dyke master plan implementation we we had comments about this project as we mentioned last year the comment last year was that the Van Dyke park improvements are specifically…”
“…and wastewater projects. There are questions about the timing and scale of the fire station 3 replacement project. There was general support for the West Drive property acquisition project with a statement that these types of opportunities don't come…”
“…the Van Dyke master plan, which is something that we've supported strongly, and the Willard Sherwood, and how those two things are connected and any sequencing that would happen between the two projects and any dependencies between the two.”
“…that the Commission is to review new streets infrastructure for conformity with the comprehensive plan. I noted that new streets does not say public streets. So at some point, we thought it might be good to get a clarification on whether that's to include…”
- Senior Center6 passages, 6m
“…that I know you're all aware of, but the Willard Sherwood building includes the senior center moving to that location. And so we have quite a vibrant senior population, about 1,500 members. Right now we're gaining about 40 members a month. And so if we…”
“…session, which is our continued discussion on the proposed fiscal year 2027 to 2031 capital improvement program. Mr. Napty.”
- Stormwater Utility3 passages, 2m
“…things that I've seen about the city is the degree to which public works and the stormwater utility is able to diagnose problems before they become five times as expensive to fix. And we see that constantly. We get updates via text message every morning…”
“…such as courthouse plaza rather than doing them in isolation. And I believe the Davies property fell into portions of that reconsideration at times when we're dealing with substandard streets and other things in developments. So that I think the…”
“know, I think a good example tonight was just the realization that South Street extension will have a major impact on station 3 and their ability to potentially get in and out why didn't I why isn't that been a central thought of mine before I recognize my…”
“…on the annual report as you always do with the second and updates to the implementation guides. And all that will be forwarded to City Council”