Comprehensive Plan Review

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City Council adopted the proposed amendments following a public hearing on Oct. 8., 2024.

Oct. 9, 2024, UPDATE: City Council adopted the proposed amendments following a public hearing on Oct. 8.

The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in February 2019. The plan guides many policy decisions regarding the physical development of the city. The Code of Virginia requires the city to review the plan every five years to determine if any changes should be made.

We began the five year review last fall and have been hearing from the community every step of the way. After several community meetings, online engagement, discussions with boards and commissions, and rounds of refinement, we are moving into final phase of the update. A summary of the proposed changes is below and a complete draft is available under "Documents" to the right. Additionally, the "Comprehensive Plan Text with Highlighted Changes" document provides a markup of all proposed changes. Please use the comments tool below to share your thoughts and/or ask questions.

Summary of Proposed Changes

Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Added acknowledgement of inequalities and discrimination of Federal Housing programs
  • Removed community outreach section, to be included in a stand-alone document

Chapter 2: Land Use

  • Land Use Strategies Guiding Principle
    1. Changes to the Future Land Use map (click here to see the updated map)
    2. New Mixed-Use Place Type: limited to two locations with parcel specific considerations
  • Neighborhoods Guiding Principle
    1. New action to foster equitable and representative participation
  • Commercial Corridors and Activity Centers Guiding Principle
    1. New actions to allow flexibility for commercial and certain industrial uses
  • Housing Guiding Principle
    1. New and updated actions for affordable housing strategies including regional cooperation, relocation assistance, and the Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan
    2. New and updated actions for housing for older adults and persons with disabilities including, single level living, intentional neighboring, co-location, and affordable housing for seniors
  • Community Design and Historic Preservation
    1. Added emphasis on the economic benefits of historic resources

Chapter 3: Multimodal Transportation

  • Multimodal Transportation Guiding Principle
    1. Street Types Changes
      • Consolidating the Commercial Main and Boulevard street types
      • Updated street tree zones to reflect current policies
      • 10-foot-wide shared use paths on both sides of Commercial Mains and Avenues
    2. Updated Transportation Projects Map and associated costs (click here to see the updated map)
    3. New and updated actions for regional cooperation including coordination with Fairfax County and advocating for the Orange line extension
    4. New actions to implement the recommendations of the bicycle masterplan and complete major transportation studies and analyses
    5. New and updated actions to balance goals for environmental protection and multimodal connectivity and establishing design standards for new trails
    6. Updated actions regarding a Complete Streets policy
    7. New action for public engagement

Chapter 4: Environment and Sustainability

  • Opportunities and Challenges
    1. Added Green Infrastructure and Landscaping as well as Local Food Access
  • Natural Environment Guiding Principle
    1. Added invasive species as a challenge and a statement to prioritize increasing infrastructure resilience
    2. New and updated actions to incorporate the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Plan
    3. New and updated actions for identifying and protecting natural resources, green infrastructure, stormwater management, sustainable landscaping, and invasive management
    4. New actions for public engagement, data-based decision making, balancing environmental protection with other goals, and equity
  • Sustainability Initiatives Guiding Principle
    1. Move physical activity as a goal to the Parks and Recreation Guiding Principle and add regionally grown food.
    2. New actions for electric vehicle readiness
    3. New and updated actions for healthy food access and urban agriculture

Chapter 5: Economic Vitality

  • Opportunities and Challenges
    1. De-emphasize concern with class B office space and the challenge of online shopping on the retail environment
  • Economic Vitality Guiding Principle
    1. New actions for marketing the Old Town and Northfax Activity Centers as well as ensuring cutting-edge businesses can easily locate in the City
    2. Removed goal of pursuing a single zip code

Chapter 6: Community Services

  • Education Guiding Principle
    1. New action to monitor school capacity with new development
    2. Updated actions addressing the future of Green Acres and the need for affordable childcare
  • Parks and Recreation Guiding Principle
    1. Added statement committing to accessibility and preserving open and natural areas.
    2. New and updated actions for balancing connectivity and transportation with environmental protection and preservation
  • Cultural Arts Guiding Principle
    1. Added statement on constraints for and importance of visual and generalized references to public art projects
    2. Updated actions addressing the challenges and opportunities of visual arts
  • Government and Public Safety Guiding Principle
    1. No major changes
  • Infrastructure and Utilities Guiding Principle
    • New actions to establish green infrastructure standards




Oct. 9, 2024, UPDATE: City Council adopted the proposed amendments following a public hearing on Oct. 8.

The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in February 2019. The plan guides many policy decisions regarding the physical development of the city. The Code of Virginia requires the city to review the plan every five years to determine if any changes should be made.

We began the five year review last fall and have been hearing from the community every step of the way. After several community meetings, online engagement, discussions with boards and commissions, and rounds of refinement, we are moving into final phase of the update. A summary of the proposed changes is below and a complete draft is available under "Documents" to the right. Additionally, the "Comprehensive Plan Text with Highlighted Changes" document provides a markup of all proposed changes. Please use the comments tool below to share your thoughts and/or ask questions.

Summary of Proposed Changes

Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Added acknowledgement of inequalities and discrimination of Federal Housing programs
  • Removed community outreach section, to be included in a stand-alone document

Chapter 2: Land Use

  • Land Use Strategies Guiding Principle
    1. Changes to the Future Land Use map (click here to see the updated map)
    2. New Mixed-Use Place Type: limited to two locations with parcel specific considerations
  • Neighborhoods Guiding Principle
    1. New action to foster equitable and representative participation
  • Commercial Corridors and Activity Centers Guiding Principle
    1. New actions to allow flexibility for commercial and certain industrial uses
  • Housing Guiding Principle
    1. New and updated actions for affordable housing strategies including regional cooperation, relocation assistance, and the Housing and Homelessness Strategic Plan
    2. New and updated actions for housing for older adults and persons with disabilities including, single level living, intentional neighboring, co-location, and affordable housing for seniors
  • Community Design and Historic Preservation
    1. Added emphasis on the economic benefits of historic resources

Chapter 3: Multimodal Transportation

  • Multimodal Transportation Guiding Principle
    1. Street Types Changes
      • Consolidating the Commercial Main and Boulevard street types
      • Updated street tree zones to reflect current policies
      • 10-foot-wide shared use paths on both sides of Commercial Mains and Avenues
    2. Updated Transportation Projects Map and associated costs (click here to see the updated map)
    3. New and updated actions for regional cooperation including coordination with Fairfax County and advocating for the Orange line extension
    4. New actions to implement the recommendations of the bicycle masterplan and complete major transportation studies and analyses
    5. New and updated actions to balance goals for environmental protection and multimodal connectivity and establishing design standards for new trails
    6. Updated actions regarding a Complete Streets policy
    7. New action for public engagement

Chapter 4: Environment and Sustainability

  • Opportunities and Challenges
    1. Added Green Infrastructure and Landscaping as well as Local Food Access
  • Natural Environment Guiding Principle
    1. Added invasive species as a challenge and a statement to prioritize increasing infrastructure resilience
    2. New and updated actions to incorporate the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Plan
    3. New and updated actions for identifying and protecting natural resources, green infrastructure, stormwater management, sustainable landscaping, and invasive management
    4. New actions for public engagement, data-based decision making, balancing environmental protection with other goals, and equity
  • Sustainability Initiatives Guiding Principle
    1. Move physical activity as a goal to the Parks and Recreation Guiding Principle and add regionally grown food.
    2. New actions for electric vehicle readiness
    3. New and updated actions for healthy food access and urban agriculture

Chapter 5: Economic Vitality

  • Opportunities and Challenges
    1. De-emphasize concern with class B office space and the challenge of online shopping on the retail environment
  • Economic Vitality Guiding Principle
    1. New actions for marketing the Old Town and Northfax Activity Centers as well as ensuring cutting-edge businesses can easily locate in the City
    2. Removed goal of pursuing a single zip code

Chapter 6: Community Services

  • Education Guiding Principle
    1. New action to monitor school capacity with new development
    2. Updated actions addressing the future of Green Acres and the need for affordable childcare
  • Parks and Recreation Guiding Principle
    1. Added statement committing to accessibility and preserving open and natural areas.
    2. New and updated actions for balancing connectivity and transportation with environmental protection and preservation
  • Cultural Arts Guiding Principle
    1. Added statement on constraints for and importance of visual and generalized references to public art projects
    2. Updated actions addressing the challenges and opportunities of visual arts
  • Government and Public Safety Guiding Principle
    1. No major changes
  • Infrastructure and Utilities Guiding Principle
    • New actions to establish green infrastructure standards




City Council adopted the proposed amendments following a public hearing on Oct. 8., 2024.

Feel free to share any questions or comments you may have about the proposed changes to the Comprehensive Plan with City staff. All feedback will be considered and staff will provide a response to questions/comments as necessary.

  • Share Without a historic preservation planner on staff, Fairfax City cannot meet its historic preservation goals. The city will continue to lose historic resources without review of development through a preservation lens. Additionally, subject matter experts are needed to enact CDHP 2- whether that be helping communities create historic overlay districts or helping developers and city staff understand historic preservation policy and laws. As far as I understand, the city does not currently employ historic resource specialists within the planning sphere. on Facebook Share Without a historic preservation planner on staff, Fairfax City cannot meet its historic preservation goals. The city will continue to lose historic resources without review of development through a preservation lens. Additionally, subject matter experts are needed to enact CDHP 2- whether that be helping communities create historic overlay districts or helping developers and city staff understand historic preservation policy and laws. As far as I understand, the city does not currently employ historic resource specialists within the planning sphere. on Twitter Share Without a historic preservation planner on staff, Fairfax City cannot meet its historic preservation goals. The city will continue to lose historic resources without review of development through a preservation lens. Additionally, subject matter experts are needed to enact CDHP 2- whether that be helping communities create historic overlay districts or helping developers and city staff understand historic preservation policy and laws. As far as I understand, the city does not currently employ historic resource specialists within the planning sphere. on Linkedin Email Without a historic preservation planner on staff, Fairfax City cannot meet its historic preservation goals. The city will continue to lose historic resources without review of development through a preservation lens. Additionally, subject matter experts are needed to enact CDHP 2- whether that be helping communities create historic overlay districts or helping developers and city staff understand historic preservation policy and laws. As far as I understand, the city does not currently employ historic resource specialists within the planning sphere. link

    Without a historic preservation planner on staff, Fairfax City cannot meet its historic preservation goals. The city will continue to lose historic resources without review of development through a preservation lens. Additionally, subject matter experts are needed to enact CDHP 2- whether that be helping communities create historic overlay districts or helping developers and city staff understand historic preservation policy and laws. As far as I understand, the city does not currently employ historic resource specialists within the planning sphere.

    Aimee asked 2 months ago

    Thank you for your comments regarding the City’s historic resources.  The preservation of the City’s historic resources factors heavily into the Comprehensive Planning process, and into the City’s day-to-day administration.

    Most of the City’s historic resources efforts are led by the Office of Historic Resources, which has several full-time staff, and manages the City Museum & Visitor Center, as well as other historic sites.  The Office of Historic Resources also provides expertise on preservation-related topics to City staff in other operations.

    Within the Department of Community Development & Planning, there are several staff members whose positions involve administering zoning and development regulations pertaining to the City’s historic overlay districts.  The Old Town Fairfax Historic Overlay District has stringent standards for new development as well as renovations of existing structures, and is surrounded by a “transition district” that aims to ensure that development nearby Old Town is complementary to the historic district’s character.  All development in and surrounding Old Town is reviewed within the context of historic preservation.

    The City staff who are active in historic preservation, as well as Historic Fairfax City, Inc., have contributed to the Community Design and Historic Preservation section of the Comprehensive Plan.

    If there are specific items that you believe should be addressed within the Comprehensive Plan, please let us know – we’re always glad to talk about these details, or would be glad to refer you to City staff who might have a particular expertise.

  • Share What will happen to the HSFC (Humane Society of Fairfax County) rescue center located at 4057 Chain Bridge Rd under the Comprehensive Plan? on Facebook Share What will happen to the HSFC (Humane Society of Fairfax County) rescue center located at 4057 Chain Bridge Rd under the Comprehensive Plan? on Twitter Share What will happen to the HSFC (Humane Society of Fairfax County) rescue center located at 4057 Chain Bridge Rd under the Comprehensive Plan? on Linkedin Email What will happen to the HSFC (Humane Society of Fairfax County) rescue center located at 4057 Chain Bridge Rd under the Comprehensive Plan? link

    What will happen to the HSFC (Humane Society of Fairfax County) rescue center located at 4057 Chain Bridge Rd under the Comprehensive Plan?

    Kathy asked 3 months ago

    The building the Human Society is in is part of the parcel that the City intends to purchase for the South Street extension project. The business itself will require relocation and the City plans to work with them to assist them in finding a new location.

  • Share Traffic calming vs speed bumps Get out of the 70's traffic calming methods. Speed bumps only slow traffic for 20 feet either side of a bump. They cause noise due to acceleration, rattle and upset of cargo, with air dams and exhaust scrapping. Suspension cycling does no good for anyone especially heavy city vehicles. You should listen to the creaking school buses and how loud their exhaust is accelerating after the bump/hump. Creating a narrow, curvy lane where 'calming' is desired will cause drivers to choose a lower speed. Please, please replace the noisy and useless traffic impediments by a neat street design worthy of its intended use, and introduce it in this comprehensive plan. on Facebook Share Traffic calming vs speed bumps Get out of the 70's traffic calming methods. Speed bumps only slow traffic for 20 feet either side of a bump. They cause noise due to acceleration, rattle and upset of cargo, with air dams and exhaust scrapping. Suspension cycling does no good for anyone especially heavy city vehicles. You should listen to the creaking school buses and how loud their exhaust is accelerating after the bump/hump. Creating a narrow, curvy lane where 'calming' is desired will cause drivers to choose a lower speed. Please, please replace the noisy and useless traffic impediments by a neat street design worthy of its intended use, and introduce it in this comprehensive plan. on Twitter Share Traffic calming vs speed bumps Get out of the 70's traffic calming methods. Speed bumps only slow traffic for 20 feet either side of a bump. They cause noise due to acceleration, rattle and upset of cargo, with air dams and exhaust scrapping. Suspension cycling does no good for anyone especially heavy city vehicles. You should listen to the creaking school buses and how loud their exhaust is accelerating after the bump/hump. Creating a narrow, curvy lane where 'calming' is desired will cause drivers to choose a lower speed. Please, please replace the noisy and useless traffic impediments by a neat street design worthy of its intended use, and introduce it in this comprehensive plan. on Linkedin Email Traffic calming vs speed bumps Get out of the 70's traffic calming methods. Speed bumps only slow traffic for 20 feet either side of a bump. They cause noise due to acceleration, rattle and upset of cargo, with air dams and exhaust scrapping. Suspension cycling does no good for anyone especially heavy city vehicles. You should listen to the creaking school buses and how loud their exhaust is accelerating after the bump/hump. Creating a narrow, curvy lane where 'calming' is desired will cause drivers to choose a lower speed. Please, please replace the noisy and useless traffic impediments by a neat street design worthy of its intended use, and introduce it in this comprehensive plan. link

    Traffic calming vs speed bumps Get out of the 70's traffic calming methods. Speed bumps only slow traffic for 20 feet either side of a bump. They cause noise due to acceleration, rattle and upset of cargo, with air dams and exhaust scrapping. Suspension cycling does no good for anyone especially heavy city vehicles. You should listen to the creaking school buses and how loud their exhaust is accelerating after the bump/hump. Creating a narrow, curvy lane where 'calming' is desired will cause drivers to choose a lower speed. Please, please replace the noisy and useless traffic impediments by a neat street design worthy of its intended use, and introduce it in this comprehensive plan.

    NotBornHere asked about 1 year ago

    Thank you for your feedback. Traffic calming is an important aspect of pedestrian and vehicular safety. In the current Comprehensive Plan, Outcome MM2.5 includes an action to incorporate traffic calming but does not provide specific methods. This is something that can be evaluated through this Comprehensive Plan review. 

  • Share Why do we (citizen taxpayer) every get a project review for projects that have been funded and completed. Did the project meet the economic milestones that were used to justify the expenditure? It appears you are funding a lot of empty store fronts. Does a project get an environmental impact evaluation before it advances. Each existing building represents a sequestering of Carbon Dioxide require to create those the building materials. The replacement building creates of a large amount Carbon Dioxide released in the manufacturing of new materials. How do these project efforts contradict or support sustainability initiatives? The only thing that is growing is the size of government, taxes bills that pay for it and the developer's bank accounts. All natural processes has growth limits, why does the government think it has no growth limit. on Facebook Share Why do we (citizen taxpayer) every get a project review for projects that have been funded and completed. Did the project meet the economic milestones that were used to justify the expenditure? It appears you are funding a lot of empty store fronts. Does a project get an environmental impact evaluation before it advances. Each existing building represents a sequestering of Carbon Dioxide require to create those the building materials. The replacement building creates of a large amount Carbon Dioxide released in the manufacturing of new materials. How do these project efforts contradict or support sustainability initiatives? The only thing that is growing is the size of government, taxes bills that pay for it and the developer's bank accounts. All natural processes has growth limits, why does the government think it has no growth limit. on Twitter Share Why do we (citizen taxpayer) every get a project review for projects that have been funded and completed. Did the project meet the economic milestones that were used to justify the expenditure? It appears you are funding a lot of empty store fronts. Does a project get an environmental impact evaluation before it advances. Each existing building represents a sequestering of Carbon Dioxide require to create those the building materials. The replacement building creates of a large amount Carbon Dioxide released in the manufacturing of new materials. How do these project efforts contradict or support sustainability initiatives? The only thing that is growing is the size of government, taxes bills that pay for it and the developer's bank accounts. All natural processes has growth limits, why does the government think it has no growth limit. on Linkedin Email Why do we (citizen taxpayer) every get a project review for projects that have been funded and completed. Did the project meet the economic milestones that were used to justify the expenditure? It appears you are funding a lot of empty store fronts. Does a project get an environmental impact evaluation before it advances. Each existing building represents a sequestering of Carbon Dioxide require to create those the building materials. The replacement building creates of a large amount Carbon Dioxide released in the manufacturing of new materials. How do these project efforts contradict or support sustainability initiatives? The only thing that is growing is the size of government, taxes bills that pay for it and the developer's bank accounts. All natural processes has growth limits, why does the government think it has no growth limit. link

    Why do we (citizen taxpayer) every get a project review for projects that have been funded and completed. Did the project meet the economic milestones that were used to justify the expenditure? It appears you are funding a lot of empty store fronts. Does a project get an environmental impact evaluation before it advances. Each existing building represents a sequestering of Carbon Dioxide require to create those the building materials. The replacement building creates of a large amount Carbon Dioxide released in the manufacturing of new materials. How do these project efforts contradict or support sustainability initiatives? The only thing that is growing is the size of government, taxes bills that pay for it and the developer's bank accounts. All natural processes has growth limits, why does the government think it has no growth limit.

    Willy asked about 1 year ago

    The City aims to engage with citizens as much as possible and for the public to be educated and aware of City projects and plans. Staff reviews completed projects to determine what worked, what didn't, and whether similar projects will be necessary and beneficial in the future. Citizens can provide feedback on most public and City funded projects on the City's Engage Page. Additionally, the City's annual Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies anticipated projects over the next five years. Citizens can provide feedback on the CIP during City Council's annual review, which begins in November and lasts until April when the budget is adopted. Check City Council agendas during this time for opportunities to provide input.

    Private development projects do not receive funding from the City, though many are subject to public review. You can find information on those projects on the City's Development Review Map. One of the criteria for review of both public and private projects is consistency with the City's Comprehensive Plan, which is why this review of the Comprehensive Plan is so important. If a private development project is consistent with the City's Zoning Ordinance, it is not subject to public review, as required by state code.

    Regarding vacant storefronts, our vacancy rates are among the lowest in Northern Virginia. This coincides with recent efforts to connect prospective office tenants with property owners, incentive programs, and marketing targeting businesses with upcoming lease expirations and expansion interests.

    The environmental impacts of projects are examined through the development review process by qualified staff. The Environment and Sustainability Chapter of the City's Comprehensive Plan provides a framework for future development and all projects are assessed to determine if they are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. While the City's sustainability criteria continue to be improved, they primarily focus on construction standards and operations of new buildings rather than replacement impacts. This can be evaluated through the Comprehensive Plan review.