A 260-apartment project, the Lincoln at Commerce Park was approved for three acres adjacent to the Metro Commerce Center. Illustration courtesy of Fairfax County
Parcels are “coming in faster than we can think,” said Hunter Mill Supervisor Cathy Hudgins, regarding Wiehle Station Venture’s project at Commerce Park at 11400 Commerce Park Drive and 1913 Association Drive, north of Sunrise Valley Drive.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, The Board approved Wiehle Station Venture’s application to rezone its 3.14 acres portion of the Commerce Business Park property from I-3 (industrial) to PRM (mixed residential), The Lincoln.
“This is an infill project within an existing office park,” said Mark Looney, who called his client’s portion one-sixth of the puzzle. He called CESC’s project, heard by the Board hours earlier, two-thirds of the office park.
Wiehle Station Venture seeks to build Lincoln at Commerce Park, a seven-story, 85-foot-tall residential building with 260 dwelling units at a 82.8 dwelling units per acre and 2.5 floor area ratio.
The site is one quarter mile from the southern entrance of the Wiehle Metro Station, according to Planning Commission documents.
“This is a progression in terms of a transition from an industrial area to a transit-oriented development,” said Hudgins.
Looney said “a series of improvements particularly along Sunrise Valley Drive that are going to transform this area into a more urban walkable pedestrian-friendly community.”
He highlighted a nine-foot cycle track, an eight-foot sidewalk, and streetscape improvements.
Twelve hours into the Board meeting, Looney said he would spare the Board a 45-slide presentation he could have given.
The site currently is a surface parking lot and a 72,637 office condominium building the applicant will retain.
The Planning Commission had recommended approval of the application on Sept. 29, 2016.