2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide
The 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide is a living policy document for the City of Fairfax that tracks action items across the 2035 Comprehensive Plan and four adopted Small Area Plans (Old Town, Northfax, Camp Washington, and Fairfax Circle), with dated lead/support roles and timelines developed by staff after the Comprehensive Plan's adoption. 4 separate matters touch this project; each has its own status.
The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan is the city's primary long-range land use and policy document, guiding development, housing, transportation, and related decisions. A five-year review process culminated on October 8, 2024, when City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-30 approving the updated plan dated September 27, 2024.
- Jul 13, 2026Planning Commission · item 8cPresentation of updates to the Implementation Guides related to the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans
Updates to the Implementation Guides related to the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans were scheduled for presentation at this work session.
- Consideration 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
Winter 2026 updates to the Implementation Guide were presented as part of the annual report consideration.
Urban Forest Master Plan
The Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) is the City of Fairfax's first-ever 20-year roadmap for stewardship of its urban forest, developed beginning in May 2024. The planning process included two Steering Committee meetings, multiple public meetings and open houses (July 2024, October 2024, October 2025), a public survey, stakeholder interviews, and presentations to the Planning Commission, City Council, PRAB, and the Environmental Sustainability Committee.
- Sep 11, 2025Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 6Stakeholder Updates
The Planning Commission reviewed the 2035 comp plan and implementation guides for the small area plans at a meeting in late July.
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026–2030 is a multi-year municipal capital planning document covering infrastructure and facility investments. The process began in September 2024 when Superintendent Platenberg presented a draft to the School Board in work session, with a formal School Board presentation planned for October 4, 2024.
- Feb 4, 2025City Council · item 1aPresentation and discussion by the Planning Commission regarding the proposed FY 26-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Annual Planning Commission Report, and Implementation Guides
Implementation Guides were presented and discussed at this work session. No formal action was taken.
- Consideration of the 2024 Planning Commission Annual Report to City Council and associated updates to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide and Small Area Plan Implementation Guides
Updates to the Implementation Guide were approved as part of the Annual Report item, 6:0.
passedApprove the 2024 Planning Commission Annual Report and associated updates to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide and Small Area Plan Implementation Guides. - Presentation of updates to the Implementation Guides related to the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans
Planner II Amy Lynn Denny presented updates to the Implementation Guides related to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans during the work session.
In full
It is reviewed and updated on a recurring cycle — typically twice per year — by the Planning Commission in work sessions, with annual updates formally approved and forwarded to City Council as part of the Planning Commission Annual Report. As of the January 2026 update (presented to the Commission in March 2026 due to meeting delays and snow), 105 of 333 total action items had been updated since the prior July 2025 review, including 29 of 69 land use actions. The most recent recorded presentation occurred at the July 13, 2026 Planning Commission work session, where Planner Amy Lynn Denny reported that 88 of 333 action items had been updated since the January review, including 20 of 70 land use actions; notable updates included the adoption of the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan and HCAB's work on housing trust fund guidelines.
No formal vote or action was taken at the July 2026 session, consistent with the work session format used for these presentations.