Z-23-00073
approvedSummary
Z-23-00073 is a rezoning application for the Davies Property at 4131 Chain Bridge Road (Tax Map 57-4-02-040), filed by The Hill, A Davies Family, LLC. The application sought to rezone the parcel from RM (Residential Medium) to CU (Commercial Urban), retaining the Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District (TOD), with an accompanying General Development Plan (GDP) with proffers. The case has a long prior history before the recorded period. On June 23, 2025, the Planning Commission recommended denial by a 4:2 vote, finding the GDP not in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted City goals and policies as currently presented. Despite this recommendation, the City Council took up the matter on July 22, 2025 and approved all three associated actions — the rezoning/GDP (Ordinance 2025-05), special exceptions (Resolution R-25-23), and a Certificate of Appropriateness — each by a 4:3 vote. The rezoning is now approved and the property stands rezoned from RM to CU with the TOD overlay retained.
Open questions & options on the table
- The special exceptions approval requires tree canopy coverage increase or up to a $10,000 contribution for offsite plantings — the method of satisfying this condition remains to be determined during implementation.
- The Certificate of Appropriateness conditions require Urban Forester review of landscaping and a standing seam metal roof along University Drive — compliance with these conditions is a pending implementation step.
- Building and other required permits must still be secured by the applicant per the Certificate of Appropriateness conditions.
Recent updates
[7a] Rezoning application Z-23-00073 was approved 4-3, rezoning 4131 Chain Bridge Road from RM Residential Medium to CU Commercial Urban with the Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District (TOD) retained.
[6a] The Planning Commission recommended denial of Rezoning Application Z-23-00073 by a 4:2 vote, finding the General Development Plan not in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted City goals and policies as currently presented.
What members have said
On June 23, 2025, Coleman made the motion to recommend approval of the rezoning at the Planning Commission level, citing public convenience, welfare, and good zoning practice. He voted yes on the approval motion and no on the denial motion.
On June 23, 2025, Feather commented that the project has a long history, expressed a desire to see something built that reflects the goals of the small area plan, and noted the proposal was 'about 80% there.' He voted yes on the approval motion and no on the denial motion.
On July 22, 2025, Bates made the motion to approve the rezoning application Z-23-00073, and voted in favor of all three associated approvals.
Mayor Read voted in favor of all three approvals (rezoning/GDP, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness) at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Amos voted in favor of all three approvals at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Hardy-Chandler voted in favor of all three approvals at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Hall voted against all three approvals (rezoning/GDP, special exceptions, and Certificate of Appropriateness) at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting.
Councilmember McQuillen voted against all three approvals at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting.
Councilmember Peterson voted against all three approvals at the July 22, 2025 City Council meeting.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Full history
[6a] The Planning Commission recommended denial of Rezoning Application Z-23-00073 by a 4:2 vote, finding the General Development Plan not in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted City goals and policies as currently presented.
[7a] Rezoning application Z-23-00073 was approved 4-3, rezoning 4131 Chain Bridge Road from RM Residential Medium to CU Commercial Urban with the Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District (TOD) retained.