2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide
The 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide is a living document developed post-adoption of the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan to track implementation of the plan's 333 total action items, as well as companion Implementation Guides for four adopted Small Area Plans (Old Town, Northfax, Camp Washington, and Fairfax Circle). 4 separate matters touch this project; each has its own status.
The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan is the city's primary long-range land use and policy document, guiding development, housing, transportation, and related decisions. A five-year review process culminated on October 8, 2024, when City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-30 approving the updated plan dated September 27, 2024.
- Jul 13, 2026Planning Commission · item 8cPresentation of updates to the Implementation Guides related to the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans
Updates to the Implementation Guides related to the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans were scheduled for presentation at this work session.
- Consideration of the 2025 Planning Commission Annual Report to City Council and associated updates to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide and Small Area Plan Implementation Guides
Winter 2026 updates to the Implementation Guide were presented as part of the annual report consideration.
Urban Forest Master Plan
The Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) is the City of Fairfax's first comprehensive, 20-year roadmap for stewardship of its urban forest. Development began in May 2024 and proceeded through two Steering Committee meetings, two public open houses (July and October 2024, with a third in October 2025), stakeholder interviews, a public survey, and ongoing presentations to the Planning Commission, PRAB, Environmental Sustainability Committee, and City Council.
- Sep 11, 2025Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 6Stakeholder Updates
The Planning Commission reviewed the 2035 comp plan and implementation guides for the small area plans at a meeting in late July.
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2030 is a multi-year municipal capital planning document covering infrastructure and facility investments. The process began in September 2024 when Superintendent Platenberg presented a draft CIP at a School Board Work Session, with a formal presentation to the School Board planned for October 4, 2024.
- Feb 4, 2025City Council · item 1aPresentation and discussion by the Planning Commission regarding the proposed FY 26-30 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Annual Planning Commission Report, and Implementation Guides
Implementation Guides were presented and discussed at this work session. No formal action was taken.
- Consideration of the 2024 Planning Commission Annual Report to City Council and associated updates to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide and Small Area Plan Implementation Guides
Updates to the Implementation Guide were approved as part of the Annual Report item, 6:0.
passedApprove the 2024 Planning Commission Annual Report and associated updates to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Guide and Small Area Plan Implementation Guides. - Presentation of updates to the Implementation Guides related to the City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans
Planner II Amy Lynn Denny presented updates to the Implementation Guides related to the 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans during the work session.
In full
The guides are maintained by planning staff — principally Planner II Amy Lynn Denny — and are updated on a roughly semi-annual cycle: winter updates are packaged with the Planning Commission's Annual Report to City Council (typically considered in late winter/early spring), and summer updates are presented as standalone work session items. As of the January 2026 update (presented to the Planning Commission on March 9, 2026 due to meeting delays caused by snow), 105 of 333 total action items had been updated since the prior July 2025 review, including 29 of 69 land use actions. As of the summer 2026 update presented on July 13, 2026, 88 additional action items had been updated since the January review, bringing notable completions to include the adoption of the Affordable Housing Strategic Plan in spring 2026.
Annual Report packages containing Implementation Guide updates are forwarded to City Council following Planning Commission approval.