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TextLand Use Round-Up: Ongoing and Forthcoming Cases
7-Eleven Renovation Approval
On June 1, the Board of Supervisors concurred with my
recommendation and approved a Special Exception application from the
7-Eleven Corporation to tear down its store on Rolling Road and construct
a replacement quick service food store. There will be a separate service
station with 4 pumps and 8 fueling stations. Thirty-two percent of
the property will remain open space. The project will also retain a
5,500 square foot tree save area at the rear. Two bicycle racks
will be installed on the site and the applicant will also contribute
$10,000 toward the future construction of 2 additional pedestrian signals
at this intersection.
Most significantly, I believe that the project will improve
the confusing and unsafe left turn from southbound Rolling Road onto
eastbound Traford Lane and immediately into the service
drive. A new entrance to the east will be created and
7-Eleven will create a public access easement across its site, giving
access to McDonald’s and Embassy Autowash. A consolidated Rolling Road
entrance will continue to permit only right-in and right-out access.
Area Plan Review Task Force
The South County Area Plan Review for 2009-2010 has now
begun. Any citizen may nominate any parcel of land for a
change. Copies of the process and the application are available in
my office. Nominations are due by September 16, 2009. I
invite any resident of Braddock to participate in a Task Force to review
nominations. Just send an e-mail to Braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov, with “APR
Task Force,” in the subject line.
Westwood College and Burke Health and Rehab Center
Two Braddock District applications are coming before the Board in
July. The first is a proposed expansion of Westwood College to
accommodate 90 students and 12 staff at 7611 Little River Turnpike.
The staff report is available in my office or on-line at
http://ldsnet.fairfaxcounty.gov/ldsnet/ldsdwf/4288969.PDF The
second application is for the Burke Health and Rehab Center on Burke
Center Parkway which proposes a 4,200 square foot addition to serve
existing patients. The staff report can be found at:
http://ldsnet.fairfaxcounty.gov/ldsnet/ldsdwf/4287013.PDF or in my
office.
University Mall
The General Development Plan and preliminary application
for the proposal by College Town Associates to expand the University Mall
has been received in my office. Anyone wishing to look at these
plans can stop by during business hours.
Commonwealth Swim Club
A balloon test for the proposed telecommunications
tower at Commonwealth Swim Club took place on June 28. The balloon
was flown at a height of 120 feet. I was present with the Braddock
Planning Commissioner to hear citizen comments and to drive around the
affected neighborhoods. I look forward to meeting with the
community on July 7 at 7:00 pm in Braddock Hall.
Addressing the Issue of Looming
A Zoning Ordinance Amendment has been drafted to address
impacts caused when taller houses are built adjacent to shorter houses in
existing residential neighborhoods. This proposed amendment would
require that site plans for a home must reflect the lower average ground
level of either the pre-existing or finished grade when measuring the
maximum height of a building. To read the staff report, come to my office
or go to http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/zoningordinance/proposed and
click over the words Single Family Detached Dwelling Grade. This is a
first and measured step to preserve the character of older neighborhoods,
reduce “looming” impacts and preserve the ability of a property owner to
renovate an existing home or construct a new one.
Residential Infill Task Force
This group continues to meet to look at additional methods
to maintain neighborhood compatibility. Currently, the group is looking
at what zoning districts may be in need of additional measures; and the
costs to homeowners who wish to modify their homes. Some ideas under
consideration include measuring the “angle of bulk plane,” establishing
setback ratios, providing screening to increase privacy for affected
neighbors and taking no further action until current amendments have been
in place long enough to see if they work.
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