Farr House aka Five Chimneys

Summary

The Farr House, also known as Five Chimneys, is a historic property (built 1880) located at 10230 Main Street in Fairfax City, comprising approximately 9.38 acres owned by Ann Farr Lewis. It is currently zoned RM (residential/single-family). Ox Hill Development Company has proposed redeveloping the site into a 96-room, three-story hotel with a spa and pool, a 20,000-square-foot conference and event center, and restaurants. The proposal requires a rezoning from RM to commercial status. On February 10, 2025, staff presented a pre-application briefing to the Planning Commission (no formal action taken). On February 25, 2025, the City Council held a pre-application work session discussion on the concept; no formal council action was recorded. At both meetings, multiple neighboring residents — primarily from the adjacent Farcroft subdivision — voiced strong opposition to the project, citing concerns about noise, traffic, crime, tree loss, and the change in neighborhood character.

Open questions & options on the table

• No formal application has been filed; it is unclear when or whether Ox Hill Development will submit a formal rezoning application.
• A formal Planning Commission review and recommendation has not yet been scheduled.
• City Council has not taken any formal action; future votes on rezoning or concept approval are pending.
• The fate of the historic Five Chimneys House structure itself under the redevelopment proposal has not been resolved in the record.

Discussion time

Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.