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Comprehensive Plan Glossary

This Glossary, updated June 19, 2012, contains an alphabetical listing defining terms as they are used in the context of the Comprehensive Plan. These terms are not intended to be the same definitions as used in the County's Zoning Ordinance. Rather, they are intended only to explain terms used in the Plan.     Download Glossary(PDF)

A-B   C   D-E   F-G   H-I   J-L   M   N-O   P-Q   R   S   T   U-Z

PARATRANSIT: The family of transportation services which falls between the single occupant automobile and fixed route transit. Examples of paratransit include taxis, carpools, vanpools, minibuses, jitneys, demand responsive bus services, and specialized bus services for the mobility impaired or transportation disadvantaged. PHOSPHORUS: A nutrient, which when released into surface water, may stimulate the growth of aquatic organisms. Such organisms, upon decomposition, can adversely affect the ecological quality of a surface water body by depleting its supply of dissolved oxygen. PRIMARY SYSTEM: All Virginia non Interstate highways with route numbers less than 600, generally serving more than one jurisdiction and therefore relatively more of statewide significance. PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL: A highway that serves main travel corridors. Significant intra area travel and important intra urban and intercity bus services are served by this class of street. Some access is provided to abutting land, but the primary function of a Principal Arterial roadway is to carry through traffic. PROFFER: A development plan and/or written condition, which, when offered voluntarily by an owner and accepted by the Board of Supervisors, becomes a legally binding part of the regulations of the zoning district pertaining to the property in question. Proffers, or proffered conditions, must be considered by the Planning Commission and submitted by an owner in writing prior to the Board of Supervisors public hearing on a rezoning application, and thereafter may be modified only by an application and hearing process similar to that required of a rezoning application. PUBLIC HOUSING: Housing owned and operated by a local public housing authority, such as the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA), under the federal low rent public housing program administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is occupied predominately by low income households and rents are limited to 30% of adjusted household income. Federal funds are provided for construction/acquisition of public housing units and for capital improvements and major repairs. In Fairfax County, the public housing program includes apartment or townhouse complexes wholly owned by the FCRHA as well as scattered townhouse units and condominiums in larger complexes. PUBLIC FACILITIES: Facilities that are required to support the services and functions provided by the County government or public utility companies. Such facilities are essential to support the community and its development and to enhance the overall quality of life. Public facilities include such necessities as water and sewer lines, drainage and stormwater management facilities, and police and fire protection, as well as educational, recreational and cultural services. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TRANSFER POINT: Facilities designated on the Transportation Plan Map where transfers between various modes of transportation (e.g., automobile, bus, rail) are expected to occur. Examples include park and ride lots, transit transfer centers, or future Metrorail Station locations. The design, function and exact location of such facilities are contingent upon future studies.