Planning Commission Regular Meeting/Work Session

Presented

• WS-1
  Informational introductions of the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. to the new City Council · Planning Commission and City Council members exchanged introductions and biographical backgrounds. Chair Feather reviewed Planning Commission responsibilities under Commonwealth statutes. Topics discussed included differences between city and county planning commissions, special use permits, environmental sustainability, affordable housing preservation, traffic analysis, community communication, parcel consolidation, mixed-use development, future joint meetings, and car dealerships. Mayor Read expressed interest in future discussions about car dealerships in the city.

  • Mixed use development/workplace livingMixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development and workplace living were among the topics discussed between the Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. and City Council during introductions.
  • Affordable housing preservationin progressRecent Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. recommendations on redevelopment regarding the preservation of affordable housing were discussed.
  • Independent traffic analysisCity Council expressed interest in an independent traffic analysis of the city.
• 3
  Presentations by the public on any matter not calling for a public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. · No presentations by the public.
  watch 1:31
• 5
  Items not requiring a public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. · None.
  watch 2:16
• 6
  Public HearingsPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. · None.
  watch 2:21
• 8a
  Discussion of a potential review of the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive PlanComprehensive planThe city's long-range vision for land use, transportation, housing, and parks. Rezonings are judged partly on whether they fit it. related to mixed useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development outside activity centers · Staff presented a report on a potential review of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan related to mixed-use development outside activity centers. The report was incorporated into the record by reference. No vote taken; item was for discussion.

  Discussed for 1h 30m · also names Small Area Plans ×8, Master Plan ×6, Fairfax Square ×4, Paul VI ×2, Capital Improvement Program, Comprehensive Plan Amendment · read the transcript

  • City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Planin progresswikiStaff presented a report discussing a potential review of the 2035 Comprehensive PlanComprehensive planThe city's long-range vision for land use, transportation, housing, and parks. Rezonings are judged partly on whether they fit it. related to mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development outside activity centers; the matter was discussed but no formal action was taken.
  • Mixed use development outside activity centersThe Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. discussed a potential Comprehensive PlanComprehensive planThe city's long-range vision for land use, transportation, housing, and parks. Rezonings are judged partly on whether they fit it. review focused on mixed-useMixed-useA building or project that combines homes with shops, offices, or other uses. development outside of designated activity centers.
  watch 2:25
• 10
  Staff ReportStaff reportThe city staff's written analysis and recommendation on an agenda item, published with the agenda packet. · Staff provided updates on recent and upcoming City Council meetings and other planning matters, including the Five Chimneys proposal, Mantua townhouse proposal, Courthouse Plaza redevelopment, George Snyder Trail, Chain Bridge Road/Eaton Place intersection public hearing, budget discussions, Transit Development Plan, Small Area Plan zoning ordinance amendments, the Budget Open House, Commissioner Kevin Denton's resignation, the Safety Action Plan, and safety training schedule.

  Discussed for 6m · also names Budget Open House, Master Plan · read the transcript

  • Five Chimneys proposalin progressThe Five Chimneys proposal was the subject of a City Council work sessionWork sessionA meeting for discussion and briefing only. No formal votes are taken, but positions get set here. on February 25, 2025, as reported by staff.
  • Highlands at Mantuain progresswikiThe Mantua townhouse proposal was the subject of a City Council work sessionWork sessionA meeting for discussion and briefing only. No formal votes are taken, but positions get set here. on February 25, 2025, as reported by staff.
  • Courthouse Plazain progresswikiCourthouse Plaza redevelopment was discussed at the February 25, 2025 City Council work sessionWork sessionA meeting for discussion and briefing only. No formal votes are taken, but positions get set here.; Chair Feather also noted he provided comments on the project at the Board of Architectural ReviewBoard of Architectural ReviewThe appointed board that reviews building design, signs, and exterior changes in the historic and commercial districts. meeting.
  • George Snyder Trailin progresswikiGeorge Snyder Trail was the subject of a City Council work sessionWork sessionA meeting for discussion and briefing only. No formal votes are taken, but positions get set here. on March 11, 2025, as reported by staff.
  • Chain Bridge Road/Eaton Place IntersectionA public hearingPublic hearingThe formal, legally advertised part of a meeting where anyone can speak on an item before the body votes. on the Chain Bridge Road/Eaton Place intersection was scheduled for the March 25, 2025 City Council meeting.
  • Transit Development PlanAn update on the Transit Development Plan was provided at the March 4, 2025 City Council meeting, as reported by staff.
  • Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendmentsin progressAn update on potential zoning ordinanceZoningThe city rules that say what can be built where: uses, height, density, setbacks, and parking, by district. amendments related to Small Area PlansSmall area planA detailed plan for one neighborhood or corridor that fills in the comprehensive plan's broad goals with block-level guidance. is expected at the May 12, 2025 Planning CommissionPlanning CommissionThe appointed body that reviews land-use applications and plans first and sends a recommendation to City Council, which makes the final decision. meeting.
  • Safety Action PlanThe Safety Action Plan and safety training schedule were noted by staff in the report.
  • INOVA site demolitionin progresswikiChair Feather noted that demolition of the unused portion of the INOVA site is moving forward.
  watch 94:47
• 11
  Commission Comments · Chair Feather reported attending a workshop on autonomous transportation, attending the Board of Architectural Review meeting and commenting on the Courthouse Plaza project, and noted that demolition of the unused portion of the INOVA site is moving forward. All other commissioners had no comments.

  Discussed for 3m · also names Courthouse Plaza · read the transcript

  • Autonomous transportationChair Feather attended a workshop on autonomous transportation and reported on it during commission comments.
  watch 101:22

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.

• Small Area Plansin progress8 passages, 5m

  “…it also lacked the detail that we strove to create in future efforts including our small area plans when the comprehensive plan was rewritten in 2019 the idea for mixed-use development at these locations continued as well as keeping the primarily…”

  watch 13:12every passage
• Master Planin progress7 passages, 5m

  “…history and gave us a lot of direction going forward was the 2007 Fairfax Boulevard master plan the actual master plan effort was a fairly short effort it included a lot of background research and analysis and it was supported by the Fairfax Boulevard…”

  watch 8:53every passage
• Fairfax Squareproposed4 passages, 3m

  “…properties that popped out here in particular this one down here that's in red is a Fairfax Square combination of properties which is the one that ended up being added to the parcel specific considerations to support the mixed-use place type.”

  watch 30:53every passagewiki
• Paul VIunder construction2 passages, 2m

  “…educational facility to improve the athletic facilities and that was the parents at Paul VI banding together to improve the facility and there was one individual in particular who organized the residents to oppose that and got the political structure at the…”

  watch 80:17every passagewiki
• Gatewood Plazaproposedonce

  “which is Gatewood Plaza that we're going to talk about and nobody recognizes Why? Because Gatewood Plaza is built on a hill. It's actually a seven-story building if you add the hill into it, but it is set back far enough and has a row of trees in front of it…”

  watch 36:48every passagewiki
• Fire Stationin progressonce

  “…up in the next four years or the city was gifted a property along 236? Once the new fire station is moved, the existing fire station property will be a question. Don't we want to have the ability, should we feel it's right, to bring those into a mixed use,…”

  watch 84:55every passage