Land along Route 7 from Ashburn west appears to be more than what it is when it comes to commercial potential.
The Revised Comprehensive Plan identifies 38 million square feet of commercial potential for sites greater than 10 acres between Routes 28 and 659 that is visible and accessible from Route 7. The amount decreases if a variety of factors are taken into account, including the actual number of sites ready for development and the development that has occurred since the July 2001 passage of the plan, according to the Department of Economic Development, as stated in a June 13 memorandum to the Board of Supervisors. The result is 18.4 million square feet of developable land, land that is specifically zoned for office and industrial uses.
"While there is a lot of land potentially available, if you look at pure square footage, I’m trying to show that not all land is equal … not all land is ready for a building to be built," said Robyn Bailey, senior marketing manager for the Department of Economic Development, which focuses on marketing available office and industrial land and not retail sites, since retail companies typically make location decisions based on their own criteria. The department gets better results marketing to office and industrial companies, which help provide a work base and, as a result, indirectly assist the retail industry, she said.
"It shows the land zoned for use and land ready for use, or the availability of ready-to-build lots," said Supervisor William Bogard (R-Sugarland Run).
THE LAND READY for development along Route 7, or the lots for sale, accounts for 19 percent, or 3.5 million square feet, of the original 18.4 million square feet of commercial potential. The number will decrease if the approved retail option is chosen over office uses for the potential 2 million-square-foot development at Lansdowne Corporate Center.
"Development potential is variable when ownership, intended use and land condition are considered," Bailey wrote in the memorandum, later explaining that several variables influence the marketing of land. Those variables include whether the land has been through the public process, if it is zoned for the appropriate zoning for intended use, if it has been subdivided and if the infrastructure servicing the land area is already in place. "If businesses want to move, they may need land that can be used on an aggressive timeline."
"There is a lot of space, but we have to be judicious in how we use it," said Supervisor Charles Harris (D-Broad Run). "Along that corridor, we are trying to encourage certain kinds of businesses. … I think between Route 7 and the [Dulles] Greenway, we are going to see some high-class development take place. It’s a good location. It’s close to the Dulles Airport and to primary arteries, like Route 7 and Route 28."
"Route 7 is an unique corridor. It’s turning into a learning corridor," Bailey said, referring to the colleges, research companies and the Loudoun Hospital Center’s location along the highway. "It is our premier office and research campus, that’s what the [Comprehensive] Plan designates it."