Zoning Updates To Transition Zones Proposed In Falls Church

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The City of Falls Church is considering zoning changes that would allow more housing options in the areas between commercial corridors and single-family homes.

Transition zones, which represent less than 3 percent of the city's land, could undergo zoning updates to allow smaller residential developments. According to the city's website, T-1 zoning is mostly on N. Washington Street and Park Avenue with existing uses such as Columbia Baptist Church, Christ-Crossman Methodist Church, Sunrise of Falls Church and single-family houses converted to commercial use and townhouses. T-2 zones include the Kaiser Permanente facility and a small office building on N. Washington Street and Park Avenue near Maple Avenue.

The consideration results from City Council requesting zoning tools to allow development of smaller projects on sites too small for larger developments. The proposed changes in transition zones would include allowing townhouses and multifamily housing options, allowing more neighborhood-serving retail, and allowing larger builders to encourage reinvestment.

The next step in the process is the Falls Church Planning Commission holding a public listening session at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA. A Planning Commission work session is tentatively planned for Dec. 7 and public hearing on Dec. 21. City Council consideration would be at an undetermined time in the first quarter of 2023.