Dranesville Planning Commissioner John Ulfelder described the enjoyment a 22.13-acre contiguous parcel of land at 910 Utterback Store Road gives Great Falls.

“For many years, Great Falls residents have found just the right tree for Christmas, fresh vegetables and eggs for their table, and pumpkins for Halloween at Krop’s Farm,” said Ulfelder.

When he said, “It’s fun for everyone, along with the fresh produce and the reminder of a slower-paced time in Fairfax County,” Ulfelder drew a smile from Lee District Planning Commissioner James Migliaccio.

Fairfax County offers reduced real estate tax assessments in exchange for “a commitment to preserve significant tracts of agricultural and forested land a commitment to preserve the land for the length of the term.”

Lawrence Krop applied for the Krop Local Agricultural and Forestal District to renew its A&F District status for another eight years. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the application with an unanimous vote on Thursday, Sept. 29.

“The property owner is to be commended for the dedication to the ongoing stewardship of this property,” said Michael Lynskey, with the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning.

The property is located in Great Falls at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Utterback Store Road, not far from Route 7.

The property, comprising five contiguous parcels, was established in 1999. The Krops grow Christmas trees, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, beans, peppers, cucumbers and pumpkins, according to planning commission documents.

Part of the property was used as a large dairy farm until 1977 when the applicant acquired the property and began growing Christmas trees for its seasonal “cut-your-own Christmas tree” operation. “Fields of Canaan Fir, Douglas Fir and Blue Spruce are maintained, harvested and replanted,” according to the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Krops also sell produce and eggs from the property at a roadside farm stand.

As promised, Krop has not substantially altered the property since the creation of the district in July 1999; Lawrence Krop renewed his status in 2008.

Five acres of the site are in agricultural use, 15 acres remain forested or in Christmas tree production and two acres are devoted to the owner’s residence.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hear the request on Oct. 18, at 3:30 p.m.

Planning Ahead

Oct. 19, 2016, 8:15 p.m.

Decision only: The Gulick Group has applied to rezone the 11-acre property at the “terminus of Challedon Road” from R-A to R-1 in order to permit development of a 10-lot cluster single family subdivision at a density of 0.91 dwelling units per acre. The 11-acre parcel is currently undeveloped, forested, and composed of moderate slopes that steepen towards the Piney Run floodplain.

The property is part of Lexington Estates.

Fairfax County Planning staff have recommended approval of the redevelopment. Planning Commissioner John Ulfelder deferred a decision only hearing on the application from September to Oct. 19, 2016.