Old Town
Summary
Old Town is a district within the City of Fairfax that has been the subject of multiple ongoing municipal discussions spanning public safety, parking, small area plan review, and a significant mixed-use redevelopment proposal. In October 2024, the City Council reached consensus (without formal action) to use Old Town Service District funds to pilot security guard support in the area, alongside a separate camera installation effort at nearby parks. A parking study focused on Old Town was presented to the City Council in a June 2025 work session with no formal action taken. By mid-2026, Old Town's adopted Small Area Plan (adopted in 2020) came under potential review alongside three other areas—Northfax, Kamp Washington, and Fairfax Circle—with discussions held at both the Planning Commission (June 8, 2026) and City Council (June 23, 2026) levels, though no action was taken at either. Concurrently, a major mixed-use redevelopment proposal by Combined Properties for a site within Old Town—calling for 315 residential units, up to 72 feet in height (requiring a special exception above the 48-foot Transition Overlay District maximum), and 12,500 sq ft of first-floor retail in Phase 1—was under active Planning Commission review as of July 2026, with public commentary both supportive and critical of the project's scale and architecture.
Open questions & options on the table
- Whether the Old Town Small Area Plan (and those of Northfax, Kamp Washington, and Fairfax Circle) will proceed to a formal review and update process, and on what timeline.
- Whether the Combined Properties mixed-use redevelopment application (PDM rezoning and special exception for height) will be approved, denied, or conditioned, and whether a Phase 2 will be pursued.
- Whether the special exception request to exceed the 48-foot Transition Overlay District height maximum (to allow up to 72 feet) will be granted.
- Whether the security guard pilot using Old Town Service District funds was implemented and what its outcomes have been.
- What actions, if any, will follow the June 2025 Old Town Parking Study presentation.
- Whether property consolidation south of Old Town (including city-owned parcels, a former car lot, and a historic diner) will be pursued as part of the redevelopment vision.
- What data on live-work unit usage in the Boulevard development will be made available to commissioners reviewing the Old Town application.
What members have said
During the July 28, 2026 Planning Commission session, Council Member Hall expressed that the revised Combined Properties proposal was 'very, very much improved,' specifically praising the increased use of brick as better incorporating the character of historic Old Town. She noted some difficulty visualizing certain elements of the proposal.
At the close of the July 28, 2026 meeting, Council Member Peterson noted he had spoken with restaurant owners in Old Town—including a long conversation with the owner of Ornery on its final night of operation—signaling personal engagement with the Old Town business community, though no formal position on any agenda item was recorded.
Offered brief closing remarks at the July 28, 2026 meeting wishing colleagues a restful break; no substantive position on Old Town agenda items was recorded.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[10b] Old Town was identified as a location where the Police Department proposed hiring security guard support using Old Town Service District funds as a pilot effort.
[1c] The Old Town area of the City of Fairfax was the subject of a parking study presentation at this work session.
[8b] Identified as one of the areas whose small area plan may be reviewed and updated.
[11a] Old Town was identified as one of four areas with adopted Small Area Plans under potential review and update discussion.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.