WHAT’S HAPPENING
Where Do the Candidates Stand?
Three candidates have taken to the stage for Franconia District Supervisor:
- Paul F. Beran (Republican)
https://berangoodnews.com - Rodney Lusk (Democrat)
https://www.luskforsupervisor.com/ - Mark T. Welch (Independent)
https://www.markforsupervisor.org/
Video of Candidates Q&A on September 16, 2023*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK8uwvjQu-o
*For the segment on Rose Hill Plaza, go to minute 34:58
Source: YouTube @BeranGoodNews
Are we surprised that all the candidates “support” the community with regard to the shopping center? No. We’re just curious: Why and How?
We pretty much know where incumbent Rodney Lusk stands based on his prior and recent statements regarding Rose Hill Plaza. First, he reiterated over and over that “no decision has been made” before, during, and after the Board of Supervisors approved (but deferred) the SSPA submitted by Combined Properties (CP) on April 11.
In July, Lusk had several discussions with CP and then met with the neighboring civic associations which asked him to make a formal written statement. He published that statement which implies he has heard the community, saying, “My expectation, based on community feedback, is that the next version of their proposal should significantly lower the amount of proposed residential units and significantly increase the proposed amount of retail space.” Since then, he has stated during community-sponsored candidate forums that “he has made no decision”.
Candidate Paul Beran, a former CEO of a marketing company, made clear his opposition to the proposal by CP during the Brookland-Bush Hill Civic Assn candidate forum on 9/16. Then during the 9/19 multi-candidate forum held by Springfield Civic Assn, Beran declared that he is soliciting investors to purchase the plaza from CP. This was a surprise to us.
In response to an email request from the Rose Hill Coalition for more information about this announcement, Beran replied, the “investor group has the opportunity to ‘Save the Shopping Center’ and immediately benefit from the goodwill such a transaction would garner. Even just the attempt to purchase the plaza alone can reap much respect and admiration from the people of this area…” He added that “an offer is being prepared by investors to purchase the property from Combined Properties transferring ownership of the plaza to a new entity that would commit to its continued existence as a shopping center, much the same as it is now.”
Independent candidate Mark Welch, a career U.S. government employee, addressed the CP proposal during the first 9/16 “Candidates Q&A” which was sponsored by BBHCA. He made multiple points on why he opposed it. Primarily he emphasized that the community does not support it.
Upcoming Candidates Forums
- October 11, at 7 pm, Rose Hill Civic Association, John Marshall Library, 6209 Rose Hill Ave, Alexandria VA 22310 (side door entrance)
- October 18, at 7 pm, Kingstowne HOA, Snyder Fitness Center, 6450 S. Van Dorn St, Alexandria VA 22315
Be In The Conversation
We have been heard and you have made that difference! Our goal is to put the public back in the conversation. We are listening to what CP and the County say and watching for what they ultimately do.
While we don’t purport to predict the future or suggest you support a specific candidate, we do urge you to VOTE. Otherwise, your voice is silenced. If you don’t speak up and vote, you can’t say you haven’t been heard.
General Election Dates
- Sept 22 (Friday)
Early voting begins - Oct 16 (Monday)
Voter registration deadline - Oct 27 (Friday)
Deadline to request mail-in ballot - Nov 4 (Saturday)
Last day for early voting - Nov 7 (Tuesday)
Election Day (last day to vote)
For more info, go to https://www.elections.virginia.gov/
County Resurfaces Its Website
The Fairfax County website has a new “look” (to those who have seen it before). Think of it as a facelift. Kudos to the designer(s) for bringing a fresh and modern interface. You may also have an easier time finding what you are looking for, which is always a good thing. Just don’t expect to find a lot of new information. And don’t be surprised, as with all website updates, that some links may be broken. More so, if you were used to the old rendition, you will have to get used to the new one. But you can despair with the rest of us as Fairfax County is huge and so is its website. So expect to be “a-mazed”.
We will be checking links to specific County land use and planning pages on our website. If you see one that’s broken, please send us a quick email.
IN THE NEWS
Residents Await New Version of Rose Hill Plaza Redevelopment Proposal
8/25/23: The owners of Rose Hill Plaza are expected to submit a new version of their plans to redevelop the shopping center into a mixed-use site to Fairfax County officials by this fall or early winter, according to Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk.
Will New Proposal For Rose Hill Shopping Center Please Residents?
8/16/23: Lusk is expecting a new proposal from Combined Properties this fall that will “lower the number of proposed residential units,” and the proposal will go in front of the County Board of Supervisors once again. Public meetings will be scheduled after that, the letter states.
Community Opposition Remains Strong as Residents Wait for New Redevelopment Plan for Rose Hill Plaza
Undated: For the past eighteen months since it was first presented, opposition to Combined Properties’ plan to redevelop the Rose Hill Plaza shopping center has increased dramatically after several meetings, Rambler articles, and e-mail announcements.
Source: Rose Hill Civic Assn http://www.myrosehill.com/ > Rose Hill Shopping Center and Other Updates
FAIRFAX COUNTY
County Proposes Giving Developers Option to Move Affordable Housing Off-site
In the future, Fairfax County property owners planning to redevelop rental properties may be able to replace affordable housing units on-site with units in nearby locations.
County Board Allows Housing at Merrifield’s Pan Am Shopping Center
9/13/23: The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an amendment to its comprehensive plan to allow housing and additional retail to supplement the existing strip mall at the Pan Am Shopping Center in Merrifield (3089 Nutley Street SW). The amended plan will permit up to 585 multifamily residential units and 140,000 to 187,000 sf of retail on the 25-acre site, paving the way for the redevelopment.
Fairfax County Board Approves Overhaul of Reston Comprehensive Plan
9/13/23: The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an overhaul of the Reston Comprehensive Plan, setting into place new guidance on affordable housing, community health, equity, and other issues.
The new plan includes dedicated principles that define Reston as a new town. Those principles include community health, equity, preservation of neighborhoods, and affordable housing.
Reston Comprehensive Plan: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/sites/planning-development/files/assets/compplan/area3/reston.pdf#page=1
Reston Planning Study: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/plan-amendments/reston-area-study
Planning Commission Staff Report: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/sites/planning-development/files/assets/documents/compplanamend/restonareastudy/2020-iii-up1-staff-report.pdf#page=1
BACK UP
What Is a YIMBY? (Hint: It’s Not Good)
7/21/21: Maybe you’ve read an article about YIMBYs or heard a friend mention the term. Or maybe you saw something on Twitter, but still don’t understand what YIMBYs are. No problem. Here’s the lowdown.
Source: https://www.housingisahumanright.org/what-is-a-yimby-hint-its-not-good/
The Rose Paper: Housing Trends
7/4/23: We must ask the question, what does the current and future success for mixed-use development look like? It sounds good and may work well in some places, but is it practical and applicable everywhere?
Source: https://rosehillcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/1_Rose-Paper_Housing-Trends.pdf
For the the other chapters in The Rose Paper, go to https://rosehillcoalition.org/rose-hill-shopping-center/the-rose-paper/
Read past Coalition Updates
Copyright 2023 by Rose Hill Coalition LLC. All rights reserved.
