We invite all residents to educate themselves on the land-use planning process and take an active part in the future development of our community. Stay in Touch!
The Rose Hill Coalition LLC provides information on current land use issues affecting the Rose Hill Planning District which lies within the Franconia District in Fairfax County, Virginia. The Coalition supports education and full transparency on land use issues directly affecting local residents.
The three primary documents guiding land use and development in the Rose Hill Planning District are:
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (Fairfax County)
2022-2023 ACCEPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHANGES (pdf)
The Comprehensive (Land Use) Plan applies to all of Fairfax County. See page 2 for the Franconia District Summary of Proposed Comprehensive Plan Changes.
ROSE HILL PLANNING DISTRICT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN (pdf)
The Rose Hill Planning District is in Area IV of the Comprehensive Plan.
What’s Happening Now?
County-wide Land Development Policy
Community engagement has begun for a multi-year update to Fairfax County’s policies that guide how land is developed, referred to as Plan Forward. Initial “kick-off” meetings began in May 2024 and the public information and feedback campaign will extend into 2025.
“Plan Forward” will provide specific land-use guidance related to planned uses, intensity, and site-design considerations to ensure future development fits into the context of a community.
Administratively, this policy plan update will be an amendment to the County’s Comprehensive Plan. According to the May 2024 Progress Report, “the Policy Plan amendment will come to the Board as one item with a single staff report…” Based on the estimated timeline, the Board will vote on the amendment in late 2025.
Click on the title for more information.
On September 10, 2024, after listening to more than 50 testimonials and further deliberating the pros and cons, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of an amendment to the County zoning ordinance to more strictly regulate data centers going forward, but the ruling will not apply retroactively.
Therefore, the Plaza 500 data center development in the Mason District (adjacent to Franconia District) will move forward through the current land-use review process under which it will be built “by right”, but the owner still must abide by the current zoning rules for the “industrial use” property.
Click on the above title for more information.
Franconia Governmental Center
On May 21, 2024, the Board of Supervisors voted to convey the property to the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) for redevelopment as affordable housing. FCRHA held a Public Hearing on September 12, to review the interim agreement with the developers to redevelop the property as affordable housing. The FCRHA will hold two meetings in October regarding the agreement; both are open to the public.
Click on the title for more information.
Kingstowne
On September 9, 2024, the owner of Kingstowne Towne Center, Federal Realty Investment Trust, submitted a rezoning application to Fairfax County to drop retail from future housing. The application also includes an update in the design and amenities in the pedestrian plaza. This is the open area located outside Panera’s and across the street from the movie complex.
See https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/09/12/kingstowne-towne-center-owner-seeks-to-drop-retail-from-future-housing/
Kingstowne Top Golf Site (2015-2024)
Click on the above title for more information.
Rose Hill Plaza Shopping Center
The Rose Hill Plaza redevelopment proposal* submitted by Combined Properties (CP) is currently in deferral within the “Planning and Zoning Review Stage”. Franconia District Supervisor asked CP to submit a new design/concept that addresses the community’s demands for substantially more retail and considerably less residential. A new concept was expected Fall 2023, but none has been submitted to date.
See also, Shop at the stores and visit the restaurants!
Click on the above title for more information.
*Site Specific [Comprehensive] Plan Amendment (SSPA), Nomination Number CPN22-LE-001
INOVA Franconia-Springfield Hospital
Design work for the hospital site has been completed, permits have been approved or are under review with Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of Transportation, and construction began fall 2024. (Trees were cleared in August.)
The initial phase will include an inpatient facility with 110 beds, an expanded emergency room, diagnostic imaging, and multiple procedural rooms. Outpatient services, including ambulatory surgery, physician offices, and procedural rooms, will be located in an adjacent building.
Click on the above title for more information.
Landmark (West End) Redevelopment
The new West End will replace the 52-acre site formerly known as Landmark Mall.* Expected to open in 2028, the redevelopment will be anchored by the to be relocated Alexandria Hospital. In addition, the site will include approximately four million sq ft of residential, retail, and office development. A winter skating rink, sports courts, playground, grassy areas, and restaurant pavilions are also planned.
An adjacent 8.2-acre plot will provide 362 apartments and 88 condominiums, 7,000 sq ft of retail space, and a 150,000- to 200,000-sq-ft hotel or office building. In addition, a transit hub will serve bus rapid transit (BRT), DASH, and Metrobus.
May 2021 Landmark Redevelopment Virtual Information Session
April 2022 Community Meeting
June 2022 Planning Commission Hearing
June 2022 Community Meeting
November 2022 Community Meeting
August 2023 Community Meeting
Click on the above title for more information.
*Landmark is located in the City of Alexandria, VA, immediately adjacent to Franconia District.
I-495 Express Lanes
VDOT hosted several public information meetings in May 2022 to provide information about the I-495 Southside Express Lanes study and to seek public input. Additional meetings were scheduled in September 2023, but have since been put on hold until VDOT provides the County with more specific details to better understand the impact on Franconia District because a ramp to the express lanes would be located at Van Dorn Street.
Click on the above title for more information.
Oakwood Road
5605 Oakwood (12.5 acres): The first Site Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) application was submitted in 2019. The plot was subsequently purchased by a new owner in 2022 who proposed a development with lower density. The most recent SSPA Meeting was held in May 2022. Due to the complexity of the site and scrutiny by the community, no further action has been taken to date by the owner.
5400–5604 Oakwood (18 acres): Multiple owners; no developer yet. Plan proposed with amendment included 605 multi-family units (mid-rise) and 202,000 square feet of office, industrial (self-storage). A revised plan cited “mixed use” of 75% residential and 25% commercial.
Click on the above title for more information.
6801 Telegraph Road
This site is the former GSA property, across from Greendale Golf Course, and part of a large land development and construction business called Metro DC Developments. According to the owner’s LinkedIn profile, “I have developed workforce housing in Washington, DC, and brought to market regenerative medical clinics to support joint rehabilitation and hair regrowth.”
The owner has proposed “development of new homes (on a portion of the property that is currently mostly a parking lot) and the conversion of former office space into an affordable senior living complex and Montessori school.” This is in addition to the Brightview Senior Living Complex at the former Virginia Hill Baptist Church site. (Rose Hill Rambler, Fall 2024, page 5, https://rosehillcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Rambler2024Q3.pdf
No additional information is available as of 9/1/24.
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Casinos
The goal of the “No Casino” Coalition is to stop casino development in Fairfax County.
- Petition
- No Fairfax Coalition Forum (Sunday, October 27, 2024)
For more information, go to:
Website nocasinocoalition.org
Facebook NoFairfaxCasino
What Can You Do?
Stay in Touch!
Sign up today to receive the Coalition Update. Updates are sent to local residents in the Rose Hill Planning District. Emails are kept confidential and not shared. You can request to be removed from the list at any time.
Subscribe to the Coalition Update
Updates are emailed as necessary depending on current land-use activity.
Subscribe to the Coalition Event Calendar
Scroll to the bottom of the Event Calendar and click on the “Subscribe” link.
Take Action
Contact our local representatives who were voted into office to represent you.
Contact Information and Sample Emails
Learn Something New
Notification of Public Hearings is short, so understanding the basics of the land development review and approval process is imperative. Visit our Land Use 101 web page for an overview of land use in Fairfax County.
The land-use process requires comprehensive reviews by numerous County and non-county agencies and may involve many steps before a project can be approved prior to construction. Every project is unique and subject to its own set of requirements depending on the location and complexities of the project. As a result, timelines can vary considerably. But as stated above, notification of Public Hearings is relatively short.
LINK > https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/plan2build/development-process-overview
This website is updated as new information is available and time permits. To keep promptly informed, it is best to join our email list.
*The Rose Hill Coalition LLC comprise local concerned private residents. We are not affiliated with any group, organization, or company.
