Board of Architectural Review
Summary
The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) is a standing City of Fairfax body that reviews architecture and landscaping for projects within the Architectural Control Overlay District, issuing certificates of appropriateness. The Planning Commission maintains a liaison representative to the BAR, elected annually. Commissioner Kevin Denton served as the liaison through 2024 and was formally reappointed in January 2025, but was replaced mid-year when Chair Feather was appointed liaison at the October 27, 2025 meeting (4:0) through December 31, 2025. Chair Feather was then reappointed for 2026 at the January 12, 2026 meeting (5:0) and has continued providing BAR updates to the Planning Commission through at least June and July 2026. On the membership side, the City Council unanimously reappointed Sucha Khamsuwan to the BAR on July 28, 2026, as the Architect and Business Representative for a three-year term through June 13, 2029. The BAR has been active in reviewing several significant redevelopment proposals in 2026, including Courthouse Plaza and the Highlands at Mantua project, holding work sessions and public hearings on certificates of appropriateness for architecture and landscaping.
Open questions & options on the table
- Public hearings before the BAR are still pending for at least two active development proposals: Courthouse Plaza (10300 Willard Way / 3922 Blenheim Boulevard) and at least one other rezoning project briefed to City Council on February 24, 2026, pending plan resubmission and staff review before public hearings with the Planning Commission, City Council, and the BAR.
- The Highlands at Mantua project received a BAR recommendation of approval at a July 16, 2025 public hearing; the City Council public hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2026 — that outcome is not yet recorded.
- Both BAR meetings in July 2026 were canceled; the next BAR meeting date after the August recess has not been specified in the record.
What members have said
Feather has served as the Planning Commission's BAR liaison since being appointed in October 2025, providing regular updates to the Commission through at least June and July 2026. At the June 8, 2026 work session on an active development proposal, Feather commented favorably on the applicant's incorporation of red brick, noted the BAR's ongoing interest in how ancient and modern design elements are mixed, and said they were 'pretty favorably impressed' — while declining to presume what the BAR would ultimately think.
Denton served as the Planning Commission's liaison to the BAR through 2024 and was reappointed in January 2025 (7:0). He was replaced as liaison mid-year when Chair Feather was appointed at the October 27, 2025 meeting; no commentary from Denton on BAR substance is recorded in the material.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[11] Commissioner Denton updated the Planning Commission on the latest information from the Board of Architectural Review.
[5b] Kevin Denton was appointed as the planning commission representative to the Board of Architectural Review.
passedElection of Anthony Coleman as planning commission representative to the Façade Interior Improvement ProgrampassedElection of Matthew Rice as planning commission representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory BoardpassedElection of Kevin Denton as planning commission representative to the Board of Architectural Review[5a] The Planning Commission appointed Chair Feather as its representative to the Board of Architectural Review for the remainder of 2025.
passedMotion to appoint Chair Feather as the Planning Commission representative to the Board of Architectural Review through December 31, 2025.✓ Rice✓ McCarthy✓ Briggs✓ Feather· Cunningham· Lockhart[11] Chair Feather updated the Planning Commission on the latest information from the Board of Architectural Review.
[5b] Chair Feather was appointed as the Planning Commission's representative to the Board of Architectural Review.
passedAppointment of Chair Feather as Planning Commission representative to the Board of Architectural Review.passedReappointment of Mr. Rice as Planning Commission representative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.[10] Chair Feather provided an update on the latest information from the Board of Architectural Review.
[10] Chair Feather updated the Planning Commission on the latest information from the Board of Architectural Review.
[6a] A Board of Architectural Review staff report (Attachment 9) was included in the Highlands at Mantua public hearing materials, as the site retains the Architectural Control Overlay District.
[7] Sucha Khamsuwan was reappointed as the Architect and Business Representative for a three-year term extending through June 13, 2029.
passedApproval of board, commission, and advisory committee appointments.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.