Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA)
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS…
If you too are frustrated with the complex SSPA and zoning process, you may call the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development (DPD) directly to talk to the Planner of the Day.
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/pod
Planners of the Day (POD) from the various divisions are available to answer questions from the public Monday through Friday, 8 am-4 pm, by phone or email. They are very good at answering the most basic to the most complex questions, so don’t be shy (but be nice as they are overworked).
FAIRFAX COUNTY
- Guide to Planning in Fairfax County (Comprehensive Plan)
- Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) Process
- Department of Planning and Development
- Planning Commission
- Comprehensive Plan for Rose Hill Planning District
- The Zoning Process
- Fairfax Zoning Ordinance (laws)
- Fairfax Environmental Policies
- Virginia Code (state governance laws)
- Franconia District Representatives
- Franconia Land Use Committee
- Franconia District Statistics
Guide to Planning in Fairfax County
Long range planning in Fairfax County is guided by the Comprehensive Plan (The Plan). The Plan, is required by state law to be used as a guide in decision-making about the built and natural environment by the county’s Board of Supervisors and other agencies, such as the Planning Commission.
This dynamic document provides objectives, policies, and guidelines to guide planning and development review considerations toward implementing county goals for the future land use, transportation and public facilities development patterns in Fairfax County for present and future generations.
VA Code: § 15.2-2223. “The comprehensive plan shall be made with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the territory which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, best promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.” (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter22/section15.2-2223/)
2022-2023 ACCEPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHANGES (pdf)
See page 2 for the Franconia District Summary of Proposed Comprehensive Plan Changes (aka Site Specific Plan Amendments or SSPAs)
“The area nominated should be a logical planning area that avoids spot planning (re-planning an individual property in a way that is inconsistent with the surrounding area).”
The status of SSPA nominations is listed on the County website. It is updated regularly to reflect the nominations that are in the Screening Phase of the process. Community engagement during the “Screening Phase” consist of community meetings, involving staff and nominator presentations and community discussion.
According to the Planning Commission staff, a number of SSPA nominations that originated in 2022-2023 will be reviewed in 2024. The next update of the SSPA process is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
To see a list of current SSPA nominations/applications, click on the above link. Note that the Accepted Nominations list is a PDF with additional links to the original application and staff reports on the application. To “track” the current status of a nomination you will need to follow the additional links to Community Meeting Info, Planning Commission (PC) Workshops (aka public meetings) and Recommendations, and Board Actions (aka accepted nominations that then proceed to the Work Program).
Department of Planning and Development (DPD)
The Department of Planning and Development provides guidance on land use, development review, and zoning issues to decision-making authorities including the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission, and is responsible for various permitting and approval functions in the land development arena.
The department consists of three major divisions:
(1) Planning Division (see also below),
(2) Zoning Evaluation Division, and
(3) Zoning Administration Division
(and two Sections: (a) Community Revitalization and (b) Urban Centers)
Director Tracy D. Strunk was apppointed to the DPD in August 2022. Prior to that, she served as director of DPD’s Zoning Evaluation Division, which is charged with processing all zoning applications submitted to the county, and formulating recommendations through staff reports to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, and Board of Zoning Appeals. (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/strunk-new-department-planning-and-development-director)
Call: 703-324-1380 | TTY 711 (Monday–Friday, 9 am–4 pm)
Email: DPDSSPA@FairfaxCounty.gov
or https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/contact/MailForm.aspx?agId=35
Website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/
Mail: 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 801, Fairfax, VA 22035
Fairfax County Planning Commission
The Planning Commission provides the Board of Supervisors with recommendations on land use policies and plans which will result in orderly, balanced, and equitable County growth. The Planning Commission holds public workshops on nominations, during which staff and the nominators provide presentations, and the public may “testify” (provide comments).
Code of VA: § 15.2-2210. Every locality shall by resolution or ordinance create a local planning commission in order to promote the orderly development of the locality and its environs. In accomplishing the objectives of § 15.2-2200 the local planning commissions shall serve primarily in an advisory capacity to the governing bodies.
Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan for Rose Hill Planning District (PDF)
Most of the Rose Hill Planning District is recommended to develop as Suburban Neighborhoods under the Concept for Future Development. This recommendation highlights the need to protect the stable residential areas which predominate in the district, as well as strive for a mix of housing types and supporting commercial and institutional uses.
The process of seeking a rezoning, special exception, special permit or variance from Fairfax County consists of a detailed review and analysis of the proposal by staff, Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, and/or the Board of Zoning Appeals. A request to rezone comes after a SSPA application and approval.
Fairfax County Zoning Ordinance (laws)
Chapter 112.1 of the Code of the County of Fairfax, Virginia, is designated as ‘The Zoning Ordinance of Fairfax County, Virginia’ (“the Ordinance”).
Zoning is a legislative power residing in the State, which has been delegated to cities, towns, and counties. Article 7, Chapter 22, Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia (see below) sets forth the legislation that enables Fairfax County to legislate zoning. The provisions in this Ordinance apply to all land and structures in the unincorporated territory of Fairfax County.
Chapter 22 (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter22/)
“This chapter is intended to encourage localities to improve the public health, safety, convenience, and welfare of their citizens and to plan for the future development of communities to the end that transportation systems be carefully planned; that new community centers be developed with adequate highway, utility, health, educational, and recreational facilities; … that residential areas be provided with healthy surroundings for family life; that agricultural and forestal land be preserved; and that the growth of the community be consonant with the efficient and economical use of public funds.”
VA Code § 15.2-2204. Advertisement of plans, ordinances, etc.; joint public hearings; written notice of certain amendments. (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter22/section15.2-2204/)
“When a proposed amendment of the zoning ordinance involves a change in the zoning map classification of 25 or fewer parcels of land, then, in addition to the advertising as required by subsection A, written notice shall be given by the local planning commission, or its representative, at least five days before the hearing to the owner or owners, their agent or the occupant, of each parcel involved; to the owners, their agent or the occupant, of all abutting property and property immediately across the street or road from the property affected, including those parcels that lie in other localities of the Commonwealth; and, if any portion of the affected property is within a planned unit development, then to such incorporated property owner’s associations within the planned unit development that have members owning property located within 2,000 feet of the affected property as may be required by the commission or its agent.”
Fairfax Environmental Policies and Strategic Plan
It is not yet clear whether the Strategic Plan supersedes the Comprehensive Plan or vice versa, either in practice or legally.
The Strategic Plan states, “To confront the challenges posed by climate change, the County will improve the resilience of natural resources and community infrastructure, and serve as a catalyst for community-wide action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Fairfax County residences and businesses.”
The Virginia General Assembly offers access to the Code of Virginia (laws governing the state) online as a service to the public. However, they are unable to assist users of this service with legal questions nor respond to requests for legal advice or the application of the law to specific facts. Therefore, to understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.
VA Code: § 15.2-2223. “The comprehensive plan shall be made with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the territory which will, in accordance with present and probable future needs and resources, best promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants, including the elderly and persons with disabilities.” (https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title15.2/chapter22/section15.2-2223/)
franconia District
Franconia District includes the areas of Springfield, Franconia, Kingstowne, and Hybla Valley. The supervisor’s office serves residents with information about local construction projects, roadwork, park issues, human services, etc. He currently serves as Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, Vice-Chairman to the Personnel and Reorganization Committee, member of the Audit Committee, a member of the Successful Children and Youth Policy Team, and Secretary Treasurer for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Lusk previously served as a member of the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
703-971-6262 | TTY 711
Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.facebook.com/Supervisorlusk
Franconia Governmental Center, 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310
(open Monday – Friday, 9 am-5 pm)
Franconia District Planning Commissioner
Daniel “Dan” Lagana was appointed by the Board of Supervisors in January 2020 to the represent Franconia (formerly Lee) District. His term was renewed in 2024.
Franconia District Land Use Committee
The Franconia Land Use Committee serves as an advisory body to the Franconia District Supervisor. The committee serves solely at the discretion of the Supervisor and makes recommendations on land use issues put before them. Those recommendations may or may not be followed with regard to decisions made by the District Supervisor and Board of Supervisors.
Franconia District Statistics (PDF)
Franconia District (formerly Lee) encompasses the Rose Hill Planning District (see map below). According to the most recent demographics data available from the Census Bureau released in December of 2019, the population density in Lee (now Franconia) District was 4,844 which is the third highest in the area (Figure 5). Kingstowne has the highest population density in the area with a population density of 5,998. Rose Hill has the highest overall median age of 39. (Town Charts)
