Citywide Level of Service Study

Summary

The Citywide Level of Service Study is an ongoing analytical project in which the City of Fairfax contracted consulting firm TischlerBise — a firm with nationwide experience in economic and fiscal analysis — to develop a dynamic capital impact model. The model is intended to help the city estimate capital needs resulting from new development and redevelopments, particularly at the time of rezonings. A key practical application is providing policy guidance on cash proffers: while Fairfax City has accepted cash proffers in the past as part of major rezoning projects, it currently lacks formal policy guidance on what proffers may be needed or how to calculate them. City Planner Eric Forman and TischlerBise consultants Julie Herlands and Jackson Barlow presented the project's goals, progress, and Land Use Assumptions to the City Council at a work session on February 24, 2026. Forman subsequently provided a further update to the Planning Commission at its work session on April 13, 2026. The study is estimated to be completed by mid-2026, and no formal action has been taken by either body to date.

Open questions & options on the table

• Completion and delivery of the final dynamic capital impact model (estimated mid-2026).
• Development of formal city policy guidance on cash proffers, including what types of proffers may be required and how they should be calculated.
• Future Council and/or Planning Commission action following study completion.

Recent updates