Board Considers Historic Overlay District To Protect Hollin Hills

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will consider setting a historic overlay district for Hollin Hills, a community of mid-century modern homes designed by architect Charles Goodman.

Hollin Hills was one of the first planned communities with mid-century modern architecture in the DC region. Developed between 1949 and 1971, Hollin Hills features 492 properties generally east side of Fort Hunt Road, south of Paul Spring Road and Devonshire Road, and north of Sherwood Hall Lane. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and Fairfax County Inventory of Historic Sites.

In 2018, the Board of Supervisors asked county staff to look into creating a historic overlay district for Hollin Hills due to its architectural character. Historic overlay districts set regulations over the normal zoning regulations to protect areas, sites and buildings that have historic, architectural or archeological value. A few examples of current historic overlay districts are Huntley, Wellington at River Farm and Woodlawn Plantation & Pope-Leighey House.

Under a historic overlay district, property owners would need Architectural Review Board approval to make modifications to properties and structures on their properties. This would not impact applications for building permits and site plans accepted for review before the historic overlay district would become effective. These proposals would not need Architectural Review Board review provided they meet certain conditions.

With the proposal would come a zoning ordinance amendment to set regulations for the historic overlay district. The amendment would focus on protecting historically significant features and require Architectural Review Board approval of new structures or additions that require a building permit. The building height of single-family homes and other "principal structures" would be limited to 35 feet. A comprehensive plan amendment is also proposed to update language and figures in the plan.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board endorsed the proposal, and the Fairfax County History Commission sent a letter to Board of Supervisors Chairman expressing support for the historic overlay district. The letter noted the residents' role in maintaining the historic feel of the community.

"As we are living in a period of unprecedented in-fill and redevelopment within long-standing neighborhoods, the History Commission believes that zoning measures including Historic Overlay Districts are necessary to preserve significant historic properties, including those from the 20th Century," the letter from commission chair Cheryl-Ann Repetti stated. "These are assets that define the character of our communities."

The Hollin Hills historic overlay district is the last item on the agenda for the Board of Supervisors Tuesday meeting. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.