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Coalition Update
January 11, 2025
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- Plan Forward Community Engagement Meetings Resume
- What Happened: PC Delays Decision on Food Truck Zoning
- Land Use Advisory Committee Meeting: Franconia Triangle SSPA (virtual)
- In The News
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"Plan Forward" Policy Meetings Resume
County Staff are resuming the Community "Engagement Meetings" on Plan Forward that focuses on Fairfax County's goal to update land-use policies which will guide future land development and redevelopment in residential, commercial, and mixed-use areas.
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The public is invited to hear the latest project updates and staff's research findings. The updates and findings will be published in advance of the meetings. All residents who are interested in the Plan Forward Policy Plan are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming meetings.
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County Staff will use these community conversations and comments in addition to community feedback already received in 2024 to inform County Staff's recommendations for land use policy changes first to the County's Planning Commission and then to the Board of Supervisors.
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- expanding economic opportunities,
- providing access to public facilities and convenient modes of transportation,
- and creating a pleasing and sustainable environment to live.
Anticipated to conclude by the end of 2025, the County states that Plan Forward brings an important opportunity to ensure updated Comprehensive Plan policies enhance the quality of life for residents.
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PC Delays Decision on Food Truck Zoning
On January 8, the Planning Commission (PC) held a Public Hearing on revising the current zoning regulations for 21-day administrative temporary permit uses and longer-term interim uses and to consider ways to increase flexibility and remove unnecessary impediments and time limits.
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However, during the discussion, several commissioners said the regulations need to be more specific about when a permit is required. With a number of details left unresolved, the PC deferred final action on whether to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the changes to Wednesday, January 15, 2025 (decision only).
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The changes considered include, without limitation: (1) adding, revising, and/or deleting use-specific standards for food trucks when permitted by administrative permit, special exception, or special permit; (2) adding, deleting, and/or revising use-specific standards applicable to all special events; (3) adding a new tiered administrative permit process with new use-specific standards for special events; (4) adding, deleting, and/or revising use-specific standards for special events when permitted by special permit; (5) adding, deleting, and/or revising zoning fees for special events; and/or (6) revising the definition of special event.
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The Commission may make changes in the proposals as a result of the hearing and will forward their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors (BOS).
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FRANCONIA LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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Franconia Triangle SSPA
Fairfax County is evaluating potential changes to the Comprehensive Plan’s land use recommendations for the area bounded by Franconia Rd, Beulah St, and Grovedale Dr. The Franconia Land Use Advisory Committee will vote on Monday, January 13 (virtual) whether to recommend to the Planning Commission the proposed Site Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA). (An in-person Public Engagement meeting was held December 10, and a virtual meeting on January 7, 2025.)
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- 120 affordable apartments on the Franconia Governmental Center Site,
- 63 townhomes and 30 multi-family units (repurposing of one office bldg.),
- An option for future residential use, and
- An increase in planned retail along Franconia Road
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In The News
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- The Lusk Report: January 10, 2025https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/01/10/fairfax-county-to-open-waitlist-for-senior-affordable-housing-sites/
Brief updates on land use and other issues of interest in Franconia District. Link
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- Senator Surovell Submits Bill to Allow a Casino in Northern Fairfax County
The bill adds Fairfax County to the list of localities eligible to host a casino in the Commonwealth and provides that any proposed site for a casino gaming establishment considered by Fairfax County shall be located within one-quarter of a mile of an existing station on the Metro Silver Line; be part of a coordinated mixed-use project development consisting of no less than 1.5 million sq ft; be within two miles of a regional enclosed mall containing not less than 1.5 million square feet of gross building area; and be outside of the Interstate 495 Beltway.
For more information from The No Casino Coalition, go to https://nocasinocoalition.org/.
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- Energy Landscape of Virginia: Data Centers in Virginia
Listen to a December 2024 podcast with Mark Gribbin of the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission and project leader for the newly released report on “Data Centers in Virginia”. Gribbin summarizes the economic benefits to Virginia and the challenges of meeting future energy demands. The discussion also covers legislative recommendations and policy options, including water usage and noise. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0DFrJAdoq3Smcon7bpyNHM
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Mark Your Calendar
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The Coalition Calendar provides detailed information on Public Hearings and other Fairfax County meetings on land use affecting primarily the Rose Hill Planning District. Each event includes an option to add the event to your online calendar. (Fairfax County provides a single list of ALL County hearings and meetings.)
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Take Action!
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Planning Commission: Public Hearings and Staff Reports
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Schedules, agendas, information, and staff reports on land use applications that are scheduled for public hearings. PC meetings have different requirements for public testimony than BOS meetings.
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All Board of Supervisors meetings held in the Board Auditorium and Conference Room 11 are available to view live on Channel 16 and stream online. BOS meetings have different requirements for public testimony than PC meetings.
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Stay In Touch!
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The Rose Hill Coalition LLC provides current information and supports full transparency on land-use issues directly affecting the Rose Hill Planning District within Franconia in Fairfax County, Virginia. More than 330 subscribers!
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