Courthouse Plaza
Summary
Courthouse Plaza is a redevelopment project centered on the existing Courthouse Plaza Shopping Center, located at 10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Boulevard in Fairfax. The site consists of two parcels: Parcel A (home to Safeway) and Parcel B. The applicant is seeking a rezoning from CR Commercial Retail and CG Commercial General with proffers to PDM (Planned Development Mixed Use) with a Transition Overlay District and commitments. The site sits within the Old Town Fairfax Activity Center, where the small area plan recommends a six-story height maximum, a grocery store anchor, new publicly accessible open space, and structured/underground parking. The project is being developed in phases: Phase 1 proposes approximately 315 units (with Phase 2 of an additional ~315 units projected for after 2035). As of late June 2026, the project was in the post-submission phase of development review — the applicant had formally submitted a land use application and one resubmission, and staff had provided comments. The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) has reviewed the proposed development at least twice, with notable feedback around the use of red brick materials. Katherine Johnson Middle School students presented redesign concepts for the site to both the Planning Commission (March 2026) and City Council (June 2, 2026), covering sustainability themes including stormwater, pedestrian safety, tree canopy, underground parking, and community amenities. A Planning Commission work session on the Courthouse Plaza redevelopment application was held on June 22, 2026, and a further City Council work session discussion was scheduled for June 28, 2026.
Open questions & options on the table
- A Planning Commission work session on the Courthouse Plaza redevelopment was scheduled for June 28, 2026 — outcome not yet recorded in the material.
- The BAR is continuing its review of the proposed development; feedback on red brick incorporation remains unresolved, with further BAR meetings anticipated.
- The Safeway lease terms are cited as expiring before Phase 2, but the specific lease renewal or replacement terms have not been finalized.
- Phase 2 (~315 additional units) is tentatively planned for after 2035; its specifics are not yet before any body for review.
- Traffic impact from the redevelopment was raised as a concern (current shopping center generates ~8,500 daily trips; study suggests trips would decrease), but no final determination or public response on this finding is recorded.
- The Planning Commission's role in reviewing private streets associated with the project (raised by Commissioner Cunningham as an exclusion concern) has not been formally resolved.
Recent updates
[4a] Students presented two redesign concepts for Courthouse Plaza, addressing stormwater, pedestrian safety, local economy, and environmental concerns.
[5c] Courthouse Plaza was cited by Commissioner Cunningham as an example of a major redevelopment with private streets from which the Planning Commission had been excluded from review, illustrating the broader issue of the commission's role in such projects.
What members have said
On May 12, 2025, Chair Feather reported attending the Board of Architectural Review meeting and providing comments on the Courthouse Plaza project.
On January 12, 2026, Commissioner Cunningham cited Courthouse Plaza as an example of a major redevelopment with private streets from which the Planning Commission had been excluded from review, using it to illustrate concerns about the commission's proper role in such projects.
On June 8, 2026, this speaker noted that the BAR had met the prior week and reviewed the Courthouse Plaza proposed development, that significant feedback and comments were provided, and indicated they had participated in that BAR meeting as well as the prior one, promising to keep the commission posted.
On June 8, 2026, this speaker reported to the Planning Commission that the June 22 meeting would include a post-application work session on the Courthouse Plaza redevelopment proposal.
Referenced the prior BAR discussion of Courthouse Plaza redevelopment, including the debate over red brick incorporation — noting the BAR felt red brick could be used differently than shown in the submitted proposal (corners only), given the mix of red brick and other materials in the surrounding context.
Expressed support for the developer's approach to sidewalks and tree grates in the plans, framing walkable thoroughfares as business-generating rather than space-constraining, and indicated interest in hearing feedback from the urban forester on the sustainability of the planting plan.
Confirmed that Courthouse Plaza is next in sequence after Fairfax Circle — explicitly stating that if Fairfax Circle is deemed a success, Courthouse Plaza would follow, and characterized that sequencing as a confident and positive approach.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Full history
- May 12, 2025Planning Commission · item 10
[10] Chair Feather reported attending the Board of Architectural Review meeting and providing comments on the Courthouse Plaza project.
- Jan 12, 2026Planning Commission · item 5c
[5c] Courthouse Plaza was cited by Commissioner Cunningham as an example of a major redevelopment with private streets from which the Planning Commission had been excluded from review, illustrating the broader issue of the commission's role in such projects.
- Mar 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 4a
[4a] Students presented two redesign concepts for Courthouse Plaza, addressing stormwater, pedestrian safety, local economy, and environmental concerns.