In February, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a change in the county's Comprehensive Plan that would allow a furniture store to be built in the Chantilly Crossing mixed-use development. It's at the southwest corner of Routes 28 and 50.
That action cleared the way for Marlo Furniture to then apply for permission from the county to build a 60,000-square-foot furniture showroom at that site. It shared its plans, last Tuesday, April 15, with the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee. Marlo would only display furniture and take orders at that store; deliveries would be made from the company's central warehouse facility elsewhere.
Marlo attorney Keith Martin noted his client's earlier proffer to contribute $250,000 toward athletic-field improvements in area parks. He also said Marlo had proffered to erect a traffic signal at one of three places along Lee Road where customers would enter that shopping center from Chantilly Crossing Lane.
"Everybody coming off Route 50 or Route 28 will turn on Lee, come down a block and come in to Chantilly Crossing Lane," said the WFCCA's Jim Hart. "A signal is also needed there for people coming out [of the shopping center] and turning left to go home."
The WFCCA recommended approval, provided that the traffic signal is put in, the furniture store's exterior architecture is compatible with the rest of the buildings in the shopping center and the $250,000 is used for fields and parks in the Sully District — especially in the WFCCA's area. The county Planning Commission was due to hear this matter, Wednesday night, April 23.
<tgl> — Bonnie Hobbs