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Plan or program · on the record since 2025 · discussed in 10 transcribed meetings

Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments

The Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments is a City of Fairfax initiative to update the City's Zoning Ordinance so that it aligns with previously adopted small area plans — described in February 2026 as getting "our zoning ordinance to catch up with our small area plans." The effort began in early 2025 with background research and consultant engagement. 7 separate matters touch this plan or program; each has its own status.

Private Development · Approved

Davies Property

approved

The Davies Property project is a mixed-use redevelopment of 4131 Chain Bridge Road (2.69 acres) in Fairfax City, proposed by The Hill, A Davies Family, LLC. The application sought to rezone the site from RM (Residential Medium) to CU (Commercial Urban), retaining the Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District (TOD overlay), with a General Development Plan for a building of up to 276 multifamily apartments, approximately 10,796 sq ft of ground-floor commercial space (retail and office), and a 3-level below-grade parking garage.

in progress
Private Development · Approved

Highlands at Mantua

approved

Highlands at Mantua is a redevelopment proposal by RJL Associates, Inc. to replace approximately 21,566 sq ft of existing office space with 14 front-loaded townhomes on a 2.12-acre site at 9495 Silver King Court. The project drew early public opposition from the neighboring Pickett's Reserve HOA, which raised concerns about lot size, building heights, buffers, and tree removal at the February 10, 2025 Planning Commission meeting.

Private Development · Under Review

Courthouse Plaza

in progress

Courthouse Plaza (10300 Willard Way and 3922 Blenheim Boulevard) is a shopping center redevelopment project in the CR Commercial Retail/Old Town Fairfax Transition Overlay District, proposed by Combined Courthouse, LLC. The project has proceeded through two distinct application cycles.

denied

The George Snyder Trail was a planned off-street shared-use path project (VDOT UPC 112816) intended to improve multimodal connectivity along Fairfax Boulevard in the City of Fairfax. The project drew sustained and significant public opposition throughout its consideration.

in progress

The INOVA site demolition project involves the removal of an unused portion of the INOVA site within the city. The project has been noted as actively moving forward on at least two occasions in 2025 — first at the March 24, 2025 Planning Commission meeting and again at the May 12, 2025 Planning Commission meeting — suggesting steady progress.

Other mentions
  • Jan 13, 2025Planning Commission · item 8bin progress
    Work Session – Potential amendments to the City of Fairfax Zoning Ordinance related to adopted small area plans

    Potential amendments to the City of Fairfax Zoning Ordinance related to adopted small area plans were introduced and discussed at the work session; consultant report presented and incorporated into the record.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Jan 14, 2025City Council · item 12a
    Work Session: Introduction and discussion of potential Zoning Ordinance Amendments related to Small Area Plans

    Potential Zoning Ordinance Amendments related to Small Area Plans were introduced and discussed during the work session; no formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • May 12, 2025Planning Commission · item 8ain progress
    Discussion of Potential Amendments to the City of Fairfax Zoning Ordinance Related to Adopted Small Area Plans

    Potential zoning ordinance amendments related to adopted Small Area Plans were discussed at the work session; a presentation was made by consultant Justin Wallace of White, Smith, Cousino. No formal action was taken.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • May 13, 2025City Council · item 12e
    Work Session: Potential Zoning Ordinance Amendments Related to Small Area Plans

    Council received a discussion and update on potential zoning ordinance amendments related to Small Area Plans in work session; no action taken.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Feb 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 8cin progress
    Introduction and discussion of draft Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments

    Draft Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments were introduced and discussed at the work session; continued discussion was scheduled for February 23, 2026 and a public meeting on March 26, 2026 at the Sherwood Center.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Feb 17, 2026City Council · item 6bin progress
    Introduction of draft Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments

    Draft zoning ordinance amendments related to small area plans in activity centers were introduced to Council; no action was taken and a follow-up work session is scheduled for March 10.

    minutesagenda
  • Mar 9, 2026Planning Commission · item 7ain progress
    Continued discussion of potential amendments to the City of Fairfax Zoning Ordinance related to adopted small area plans with a focus on frontages, open space, tree conservation and landscaping, and parking

    Continued work session discussion on potential Zoning Ordinance amendments related to adopted small area plans, focusing on frontages, open space, tree conservation and landscaping, and parking. A City Council work session on the same topic was noted for March 10, 2026, and a public open house scheduled for March 26, 2026.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda
  • Mar 10, 2026City Council · item 11b
    Work Session – Draft Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments

    Council received a follow-up briefing on draft Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments; no action was taken and discussion will continue at future meetings.

    minutesagenda
  • Apr 13, 2026Planning Commission · item 10in progress
    Staff Report

    Staff noted that small area plan zoning ordinance amendments are underway and that a future work session on reviewing and updating small area plans is anticipated.

    Watch this momentminutesagenda

In full

Consultant Justin Wallace of White & Smith LLC (later White, Smith, Cousino) presented findings to the Planning Commission on January 13, 2025, with a parallel City Council work session on January 14, 2025. A second round of joint Planning Commission and City Council work sessions followed on May 12–13, 2025. Draft amendments were formally introduced to the Planning Commission on February 9, 2026, and to City Council on February 17, 2026, with continued detailed work sessions held through March 2026 covering topics including frontages, open space, tree conservation and landscaping, and parking.

A public open house was scheduled for March 26, 2026 at the Sherwood Center. As of April 2026, staff confirmed the amendments remain underway, and further Council discussions are anticipated in June and July 2026. The tree conservation ordinance is being developed in conjunction with these amendments.