Task Force on Tysons' Future
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Task Force on Tysons' Future

On Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. the Tysons Land Use Task Force will give a presentation on the “Implementation of the Future for Tysons Corner.” The presentation, which will be held in the Capital One Auditorium located at 1680 Capital One Dr. in McLean, will be followed by a question and answer session. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/tysonscorner.

In March 2005, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors created the Tysons Land Use Task Force to consider the impacts of the four planned Metrorail stations. The mission of the Task Force is to gather community input and recommend updates to the Tysons Comprehensive Plan. The Task Force is a 36-member group representing residents, businesses, major employers, and community and civic organizations.

The Task Force’s first responsibility was to study the 1994 Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan and issues related to planning for growth and transit-oriented design. The Task Force then sought public input to identify key values and concerns for the future of Tysons Corner. In January and February 2006, the Task Force talked with 424 people – via 20 dialogues and on-line comments – who identified a variety of community values, issues and concerns regarding Tysons’ future. These values included creating an increased sense of place in Tysons Corner, improving traffic conditions, protecting surrounding communities, increasing residential options and managing growth, among others.

After considering all of the issues raised by the community, the Task Force identified a set of draft Guiding Planning Principles to provide direction for planning a future model of Tysons. The Guiding Planning Principles were finalized in October 2006, and can be found at the Tysons Web site. In March 2007, more than 300 Tysons area stakeholders participated in six Task Force workshops to provide input on how future development should be allocated in Tysons Corner and what would make a future Tysons a more livable community. Stakeholders identified the desire for more green space and civic uses; increasing the ability to travel within Tysons; focusing growth at transit stations; achieving higher density around stations; and ensuring lower density on the edge of Tysons.

The county Web site (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/tysonscorner) contains all available information and materials pertaining to the Task Force. The Task Force also maintains an e-mail listserv for interested citizens and a telephone information line. All Task Force meetings are open to the public and the schedule is posted on the Web site. A timeline of public outreach opportunities may be found at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/tysonscorner/plprocessinput.pdf. Interested stakeholders are invited to sign up for e-mail or regular mail updates on the Web site or at the contact points identified below. Comments, input and questions can be provided by phone at 703-324-1344, e-mail at tysonscornerspecialstudy@fairfaxcounty.gov, or mail to: Tysons Corner Special Study, Department of Planning and Zoning, 12055 Government Center Pkwy., Suite 730, Fairfax, VA 22035-5505.