The Fairfax County Planning Commission delayed making a decision on the two largest proposals in the Springfield District during its July 26 meeting.
The two separate proposals — one that would reshape Fair Lakes and the other Fairfax Corner — came as part of the county’s Area Plans Review process.
According to state law, every locality must review its plan every five years. Fairfax does this through the Area Plans Review process. Beginning last year, residents, developers and property owners in the Springfield, Mount Vernon, Mason, Lee and Braddock magisterial districts could submit proposals, more formally known as nominations, to change the plan. There are no restrictions on what might be suggested.
The proposals are then analyzed by the county’s Department of Planning and Zoning and a citizen task force. Often, proposals which are opposed by either county staff or the community are withdrawn. Those that are not go to the Planning Commission for a public hearing. Proposals rejected by the Planning Commission stop there. Proposals accepted by the commission go to the Board of Supervisors for an additional public hearing and final decision.
The proposals at Fair Lakes and Fairfax Corner were each approved by a citizen task force that studied them. However, after the task force meeting, County Department of Planning and Zoning staff discovered other issues which bore further consideration.
Commission Chair Peter Murphy (Springfield) asked that the commission defer its decision on those proposals until Sept. 14, to allow time for additional study.
Murphy also followed through on statements he made at during the public hearing by denying two proposals which would have increased density in the Occoquan watershed.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the Springfield district nominations on Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.