The Planning Commission voted on key issues on Feb. 19. Owner occupancy, setbacks, and size were the most contentious, but views also diverged on the number of occupants. March 5th Public Hearing/Final Recommendations for Council.
The ULI-TAP discussions on the Gordon Road Triangle suggested a phased redevelopment, including re-doing an earlier property yard study, zoning for more multi-family and mixed-use housing, and affordable housing.
Small business owner David Tax shares lessons learned from the proposal and construction phases of the Broad and Washington development.
The latest site plan moves the Quinn loading dock from S Maple to S Washington and the Commissioners like the building design. A concern is that the parking spaces provided for residents are insufficient. The City has yet to decide where the sanitary sewer flows to.
City Council gave the go ahead for the construction of the roundabout to begin, and also to initiate condemnation proceedings to acquire needed land from Bowlero by eminent domain. The roundabout is expected to cost $3 million, 90% covered by state grants.
Planning Commissioners continue to have issues with owner occupancy, size, height and setbacks of detached accessory dwellings – details that impact neighboring properties. No consensus was reached. The State Senate passed their AD bill.
The oldest business in Falls Church City, Brown’s Hardware, will close April 1 with the sale of the property currently owned by the heirs of Hugh Brown. There are no plans to reopen in another location.
Open houses were sparsely attended but vocal. Community concerns include the lack of owner occupancy, environmental issues, the one size fits all approach and no requirement to notify neighbors of construction plans.
These 31.5 acres in Fairfax County plus the City’s 10-acre West Falls project will result in a dense Mosaic-like area next to FCCPS’ Secondary Schools campus. Over 2,000 new residential units are planned.
