Townhouse Proposal Headlines Fairfax Planning Commission Meeting

FAIRFAX, VA — A proposal that would pave the way for replacing an aging office building near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station with townhouses and new public park space will be among the key items before the Fairfax County Planning Commission on Wednesday.

The commission is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. July 8 to hold a public hearing on a proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment for 1950 Roland Clarke Place in the Hunter Mill District. The amendment is one of several public hearings on the agenda and is part of the county's ongoing review of development opportunities in the Reston Transit Station Area.

The 3.5-acre property, located south of the Dulles Toll Road and north of Sunrise Valley Drive, is currently occupied by a five-story office building built in 1982. County planning staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment.

Proposed Changes

The property's current Comprehensive Plan designation allows a mixed-use redevelopment with up to 407 multifamily apartments and approximately 135,700 square feet of office space under a residential mixed-use designation.

The proposed amendment instead would add an option for up to 70 single-family attached homes — about 20 dwelling units per acre — along with public park space serving the surrounding neighborhood. The change would reduce the site's planned intensity from 3.55 floor-area ratio to approximately 1.15 FAR.

Planning staff said the proposal reflects the area's transition toward residential development while still supporting broader transit-oriented development goals.

Staff concluded the amendment would add another housing option near Metro while requiring future redevelopment to include:

• A new east-west street connection and interparcel access.
• Improved pedestrian and bicycle connections.
• Public park amenities serving the Roland Clarke Place neighborhood.
• Connections to planned regional trails along the Dulles Toll Road.

Staff also noted the proposed townhouses would generate substantially fewer vehicle trips than what is currently envisioned under the Comprehensive Plan. Transportation analysis estimates approximately 483 daily vehicle trips, compared with more than 3,400 daily trips under the property's current planned development potential.

Park, Housing And School Considerations

The staff report says redevelopment would be expected to replace existing interim park space currently serving nearby apartments while adding additional public recreation amenities. County planners recommend incorporating an urban park or destination playground and creating connections to adjacent park spaces.

School impacts also were evaluated. Based on county projections, the proposal for 70 townhouses would generate an estimated 33 students, significantly fewer than the 44 to 145 students that could result under the property's existing Comprehensive Plan potential.

Other Public Hearings

The July 8 agenda also includes public hearings on:

• A floodplain special exception for a home on Lazy Point Lane in Lorton.
• A proposal to allow college or university use at an existing Providence District property.
• Amendments for a development along Frying Pan Road in the Dranesville District.
• A Comprehensive Plan amendment involving Gallows Road in the Mason District.

How To Participate

Residents who want to speak during the Planning Commission meeting must register by 1 p.m. Wednesday by calling the Planning Commission Office at 703-324-2865 or registering online through the county's speaker registration system.

Those wishing to submit prerecorded video testimony must do so by 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 7. Written comments may be emailed to Plancom@fairfaxcounty.gov or mailed to the Planning Commission Office at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 552, Fairfax, VA 22035.