On Tuesday, 10 December, at a meeting held in Supervisor Frey's adjoining conference room, Marlo Furniture store proponents presented a modified proposal in their attempts to get approval for their out-of-turn plan amendment that would enable them to build a furniture store in Chantilly Crossing.
The current planning on the parcel in question is for tourist-serving uses rather than retail. Marlo indicated its willingness to trim 7000 square feet off the structure it was proposing and then use the remaining parcel for a variety of uses, or instead donate funds for off-site recreational improvements.
Four citizen representatives, as well as Supervisor Frey, Planning Commissioner Koch, two members of Fairfax County staff, a member of Supervisor Frey's staff, discussed this possibility with five members of the Marlo team. County staff indicated that tourist serving uses included restaurants, hotels and private recreation uses while Marlo representatives had indicated that they had found no one willing to agree to develop that site for those uses. North of Chantilly Crossing Lane one hotel currently exists, with a Marriott and a restaurant planned. Staff indicated that the loss of this parcel's acreage would not be critical in the sense of supporting tourist uses in and around the Smithsonian annex.
Given the choices to what could be done with the remainder of the parcel or funds donated, it was decided that funds to support off-site active recreation improvement would make the most sense, and that the remainder of the parcel could then be planned for low intensity private passive recreation adjoining the planned storm water retention area. In order to prevent the whole west side of Route 28 from turning to retail, Supervisor Frey indicated he would not be adverse to include specific wording in the proposed plan to indicate that the parcel should be planned for low traffic impact uses such as a furniture store. In that way he could forestall possible requests for high traffic retail uses, such as Home Depot and Wegmans whose representatives had already approached him. And Commissioner Koch said that he could see the Marlo structure at its originally planned size if no other use was planned for the remainder of the site.
It was agreed that the Marlo team would refine their proposal and present it first to the WFCCA in December and then return in January to the Sully District Council LU&T. If the citizen response were to be positive, a Planning Commission decision could be made the week of the Sully District Council LU&T meeting.
Frank Ojeda attended the presentation and provided this report:
A presentation and meeting was hoisted by VDOT and their contractors and the citizens of Fairfax County on Friday, December 13, 2002. The meting began at 5:00 PM and the presentation began at 6:00 PM. The presentation and ensuing questions lasted until approximately 7:30 PM.
The presentation consisted of outlining actual and proposed levels of traffic, of accidents, and current average speeds actually realized on Rt. 28 at present. Based on these figures (that traffic is heavy now and will get heavier, that the accident level per 100 million miles driven on Rt. 28 is significantly higher than the state norm, and that the average speed on Rt. 28 is well below the posted speed limit due to congestion), they then presented three currently proposed alternatives (http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/TCP%20Website%20Study%20Map%2 0111402.pdf). Each of the alternative routes is further broken down into segments. Based on the results of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), some sections or all of a given alternative will be used to achieve a Tri-County Parkway. They anticipate having a final decision made by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) by the end of 2004.
A draft EIS will be generated and shared with the general public. The time frame for this initial report is included in the report which they will be forwarding at a later date.
The presentation lasted approximately 15 minutes and then the floor was opened to questions. The questions ranged from why here to have they considered mass transit as an alternative. Also the reliability of VDOT to listen to citizens concerns as well as properly planning and building the road were questioned.
Here is a summary of some of the answers to some of the questions answered. The Tri-County Parkway, if everything went ideally and there was a budget to fund it, would be completed as a road somewhere around 2009 or 2010. It will be a four lane road made up of interchanges and ramped on/off access. The road will be built to accommodate projected traffic until 2025 before reaching its peak and becoming overcrowded.
With regard to citizen input, the project manager, Ken Wilkinson, noted that all individuals, whether they are citizens or locally elected politicians have the same effect on the process. This was not well received. The biggest concern was with the E-F alternative on the map. The concerns were about the Section E road cutting through the Bull Run Park that currently exists and then Section F cutting through exiting communities and occupied housing. Additionally, there was concern with the road going through land designated as wetlands and the impact of the road on the Occoquan Watershed. Furthermore, there were concerns that the Prince William Parkway was not included in the study area. Additionally, there we concerns that Section D did not go far enough north in its current configuration.
Citizens were invited to visit the web site www.virginiadot.org/projects/tcp.asp to stay informed. The project manager, Ken Wilkinson may be contacted in the following manners:
By mail:
Mr. Ken WilkinsonBy e-mail: tricountyparkway@virginiadot.org
Toll Free Info Line: 1-866-TRI-LCTN (1-866-874-5286)
Please be sure to have all comments regarding this meeting to Ken Wilkinson by January 13 for inclusion into their Draft EIS.
The purpose of this memorandum is to request your review and comments on a proposed amendment to the Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance primarily concerning the special exception use of housing for the elderly. The Zoning Ordinance provisions which govern housing for the elderly have changed little since the adoption of the current Zoning Ordinance in 1978. In an effort to better reflect current practices and trends in the elderly housing industry, staff is proposing an amendment to the housing for the elderly special exception provisions and other related provisions. Specifically, the proposed amendment addresses the housing for the elderly special exception use by expanding this use to include persons with disabilities, examining the age limitation of 62 years for elderly persons, revising the affordability provisions, and strengthening the provisions concerning compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. In addition, the proposed amendment renames and defines other existing housing options that may impact the elderly. The draft staff report and text are enclosed for your review and comment.
Some of you may recall, that in October 1999, another version of a proposed amendment concerning elderly housing was circulated for review and comment. A major thrust of that amendment was to revise the basis for the maximum intensity of housing for the elderly from dwelling units per acre to a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) cap and to create a new use for continuing care. In response to comments received and a re-evaluation of development trends for this use, the new version of the proposed amendment will continue the current regulation which bases the maximum permitted density on a dwelling unit per acre basis. However, a significant change is to re-establish the emphasis on the provision of affordable dwelling units in housing for the elderly projects located in the single family dwelling areas.
It is staff's intent to forward this proposed amendment to the Board of Supervisors for authorization to advertise in February, 2003, with public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board in March and April of 2003, respectively. Therefore, I would appreciate receiving your comments by Friday, January 10, 2003. Please feel free to contact Maggie Stehman at maggie.stehman@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-324-1312 to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you for your assistance.
The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is an advisory group that has been appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to advise the Board on environmental matters. The Council is comprised of one citizen representative from each Magisterial District, four at-large members, and one student representative. Each year, EQAC holds a public hearing to obtain citizen input on issues of environmental concern. The public is encouraged to attend and share views on the state of the environment and to identify any environmental issues applicable to Fairfax County. Environmental issues considered by EQAC include water quality, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, solid waste, stream valley protection, wildlife management, light pollution, visual pollution, and the use and preservation of ecological resources. The Council would welcome your written and/or verbal testimony.
The public is encouraged to attend and share views on the state of the environment and to identify any environmental issues applicable to Fairfax County. Environmental issues considered by EQAC include water quality, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, solid waste, stream valley protection, wildlife management, light pollution, visual pollution and the use and preservation of ecological resources.
To be placed on the speakers list or for additional information, call the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning at 324-1210 or send an e-mail message to EQAC@fairfaxcounty.gov
In case of inclement weather, call 324-1210 the day of the public hearing
The Springfield-Fairfax Center Land Use Committee is scheduled to review and hear comments on this proposal on January 14, 2003. A representative of the Sully District Council is invited to join the committee in hearing the presentation on this proposal prior to the Planning Commission public hearing. A community meeting is scheduled for January 14, 2003 (Tuesday), 7:00 - 10:00 P.M.
Along with the Land Use Committee, Springfield District Planning Commissioner Pete Murphy and County staff will be present to answer questions and receive comments. Please call Marlae Schnare of my staff at (703) 324-2500 should you require additional information about this meeting. Please note one other application is scheduled for review prior to the County’s presentation on the shelter.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeffrey M. Parnes
Chair, Sully District Council
Land Use and Transportation Committee