After 18 months of study, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved 13 proposals to change the county’s Comprehensive Plan in the Braddock District.
Many of the changes, which came as part of the county’s review of the plan, are focused near the Virginia Railway Express station on Roberts Road in Burke. The proposals could eventually add a Kiss and Ride facility to a spot just north of the train tracks. They will also strive to improve pedestrian and bus access to the site.
“Now in the plan are things that allow us to augment that facility with pedestrians and bicycles,” said Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock). She said she hopes that the easier access will mean that the parking garage will not need to be expanded soon.
Burke Centre resident Mary Cortina spoke during the Monday, Sept. 11 public hearing and said she had initially been opposed to increasing the presence of the facility, but had a change of heart. “I have to give Supervisor Bulova credit for turning the opponents into advocates,” Cortina said. “I think the process works, even though it’s tedious.”
Other changes in the Braddock District reinforced the community's desire to preserve environmental features and to maintain the density levels in existing neighborhoods.
The Comprehensive Plan now envisions a commuter parking lot along Braddock Road between Rolling Road and Burke Lake Road.
It clarifies that if the Target store on Roberts Road should ever redevelop, the community would prefer to see it become a residential area.