James Feather
25 recorded votes in 14 commission meetings since Jul 2024. On the 3 where anyone voted no, James was in the minority 2 times: 1 no vote on motions that passed and 1 yes vote on motions that failed.
The 1 no vote
Grouped by what was before the commission. The tally is the whole body's; “with” names who voted no alongside James.
The matters James has voted on most
Every motion links to the topic it was about. Several motions on one night count separately.
On the record
What the minutes and transcripts record James saying, by topic. 11 topics.
- Fairfax Circle Small Area Plancompleted
Chair Feather represented the Planning Commission at a community outreach event focused on the Fairfax Circle area in October 2025, where the goal was to ensure attendees understood how transportation projects fit within the Small Area Plan's vision; staff noted most attendees were familiar with the plan.
- Urban Forest Master Planapproved
Planning Commission Chair Feather attended an Urban Forest Master Plan presentation meeting in late October 2025, as reported at the October 27, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, and voted yes on the February 9, 2026 recommendation to City Council.
Voted yes on the motion to recommend approval at the June 23, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, and no on the motion to recommend denial.
- INOVA site demolitionin progress
On both March 24, 2025 and May 12, 2025, Chair Feather noted during the Staff Report portion of Planning Commission meetings that demolition of the unused portion of the INOVA site is moving forward.
- Affordable housing preservationin progress
At the March 2025 joint work session, Chair Feather reviewed Planning Commission responsibilities under Commonwealth statutes, providing the framing context within which affordable housing preservation recommendations were discussed.
Voted in favor of recommending approval of the Davies Property rezoning (Z-23-00073) at the June 23, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, placing him in the minority of 2 that supported the application.
On June 23, 2025, Chair Feather noted the five-year anniversary of the Old Town Small Area Plan's adoption and flagged an open Planning Commission seat on the Board of Architectural Review. At the June 8, 2026 work session, Feather acknowledged the concern that much of the Old Town small area plan may already be committed to by the time updates are completed, and suggested there might be benefit in expediting the Old Town (and potentially Northfax) updates at the expense of delaying the other two plans.
Voted yes on July 14, 2025 to recommend City Council approval of the proposed zoning amendments; no recorded verbal comments in the material.
Feather has been a recurring co-host and participant in GIS Day events. At the November 24, 2025 meeting he congratulated Commissioner Rice on the success of the 2025 GIS Day event. A December 2025 transcript excerpt names Feather as one of those who helped run the event, and the October 2026 preview notes he has been part of the GIS Day celebration for several years.
Served as Chair at the June 8, 2026 meeting, presiding over both the general maintenance and ADU amendment motions. Voted yes on the ADU amendment initiation motion.
- Fairfax Old Town Hall Rehabilitationin progress
At the February 10, 2025 Planning Commission meeting, Chair Feather reported attending a 'Breakfast with the Chairs' meeting and noted an upcoming meeting with the Economic Development Office, in the same agenda item where Old Town Hall renovations were discussed.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren't summarized.
Voting record
- ✓ yes5aMotion to amend Chapter 110 of the Code of the City of Fairfax, VirginiaPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes6aProposed amendments to the Code of the City of Fairfax, Chapter 86 (Subdivisions)Passed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes5aAppointment of a Planning Commission representative to the Façade and Interiors Improvement Grant CommitteePassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes4Consideration of the November 10, 2025 Meeting MinutesPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes6aProposed amendments to the Code of the City of Fairfax, Chapter 110 (Zoning) – Accessory Dwelling Unit Occupancy, Reducing Special Use Permits, and Miscellaneous AmendmentsPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✕ no6aRezoning Application Z-23-00073 – The Hill, A Davies Family, LLC – 4131 Chain Bridge RoadPassed 4–2in the minorityWatch
- ✓ yes6aRezoning Application Z-23-00073 – The Hill, A Davies Family, LLC – 4131 Chain Bridge RoadFailed 2–4in the minorityWatch
- ✓ yes5aMotion to amend Chapter 110 of the Code of the City of Fairfax, Virginia as part of the regular review of the Zoning OrdinancePassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes4Consideration of the October 14, 2024 Meeting MinutesPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes6aPublic hearing on final recommendation to City Council for amendments to the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan based on the five-year review (Code of Virginia Section 15.2-2230).Passed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes6bProposed amendments to the Code of the City of Fairfax, Chapter 110 (Zoning) – Zoning Districts and Regulations, Site Development Standards, and Definitions (Urban Agriculture)Passed 6–1Watch
- ✓ yes6aRequest from ABTB Mid-Atlantic, LLC for GDP Amendment, Special Use Permit (drive-through restaurant), and Special Exception (parking landscaping) – Boulevard Marketplace Shopping Center, 10120 & 10140-10160 Fairfax BoulevardPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes6bProposed amendments to the Code of the City of Fairfax, Chapter 110 (Zoning) for portions of the articles and sections contained therein, including Introductory Provisions, Site Development Standards, Decision-Making Bodies and Officials, Development Review and DefinitionsPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes6aPublic hearing and recommendation to City Council on the proposed Fairfax Circle Small Area PlanPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes4bConsideration of the June 24, 2024 meeting minutesPassed, unanimousWatch
- ✓ yes4aConsideration of the June 10, 2024 meeting minutesPassed, unanimousWatch