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Fairfax Forward

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Fairfax Forward proposes a new approach to Plan review and community engagement in planning activities.  The effort would replace the Area Plans Review process.  Review Frequently Asked Questions **Sign up to receive email announcements on Fairfax Forward through the Comprehensive Plan Announcements Email Subscriptions** What's new? Review Frequently Asked Questions On May 6th a focus group was held on public participation at the Government Center with community representatives from around the county. The group specifically talked about improving the notification process for planning studies, as well as how to measure public participation in planning.  **COMING SOON: Review the notes from the focus group and try the exercises yourself.**       The Board of Supervisors public hearing has been rescheduled from April 30 to July 9. On April 3, 2013, the Planning Commission made a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors on Fairfax Forward.  The Planning Commission public hearing was held on March 27, 2013.  Watch the March 27th and the April 3rd Planning Commission meetings. Staff Report for Fairfax Forward, dated February 20, 2013    Staff Report Addendum, dated April 3, 2013 If you wish to speak at the board's public hearing, call the Clerk to the Board at 703-324-3151, TTY 771, or fill out the online speakers sign-up form.  The public hearings will take place in the Board Auditorium, Ground Level, Government Center Building, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, Virginia.  Questions may be directed to the Department of Planning and Zoning, Planning Division at (703) 324-1380.  Review comments received during the Fairfax Forward public comment period.  The page duplicates the information from the staff report, dated February 20, 2013. Background The effort resulted from the 2011 Area Plans Review Retrospective, an evaluation of the regular cycle of Comprehensive Plan review (the Area Plans Review process).  The results indicated minor changes to the existing process would not address recurring issues and a more substantial change should occur.  Goals of Fairfax Forward In general, the new approach seeks to: Establish a systematic review of all parts of the Plan, Expand public participation and stakeholder collaboration in planning activities, and Promote logical and flexible review of planning areas.

Watch the presentation given at communities meetings (10:34sec) Watch Fairfax Forward on Channel 16’s Around Fairfax (1:35sec.)

Community Outreach and Participation Community input and feedback from other stakeholders remains invaluable for the effort and future planning studies to succeed.  Find out how this input was gathered during past stages of Fairfax Forward and how there is still time to participate: Past Present Future Summary of Recommendations The following summarizes the final staff recommendations as expressed in the staff report.  Staff recommendations are based on community input, input from county staff, and other stakeholders. Plan Amendment Work Program Fairfax Forward proposes a review schedule for all aspects of the Comprehensive Plan. The first three years of planning activities would be established on a Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program. Planning activities scheduled after the three year work program would be estimated and subject to review every two years, when the work program is evaluated.  A status update of projects on the work program (including timeline of activities and the scope of work) would be provided to the Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors, and the public on a yearly basis. Planning Studies  Fairfax Forward proposes a new method to conduct planning studies that increases public participation and seeks more effective outcomes. The method capitalizes on the successful aspects of recent planning studies, particularly related to review and evaluation.  Other improved features of the process include more focused study parameters, greater community outreach at the beginning, and a more organized approach to the overall Plan review. Outstanding Amendments Recommended to be Rescinded A number of indefinitely deferred Plan amendments and Area Plans Review items that have had no action in two years or more are recommended to be rescinded by the Board of Supervisors or the Planning Commission, depending of the nature of the amendment Frequently Asked Questions Timing The schedule for Fairfax Forward as as follows: Spring 2012: Initial meetings with Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors; development of preliminary recommendations Summer/Fall 2012: Public outreach meetings December 2012-January 2013: Publication of preliminary recommendations; public comment period February  2013: Final staff recommendations March 2013: Planning Commission public hearings April 2013: Board of Supervisors public hearings (March 2013 hearing date was deferred due to reschedule of the Planning Commission hearing.) Related Efforts A number of other planning activities were completed as part of Fairfax Forward and used to inform the final recommendations: State of the Plan An evaluation of Comprehensive Plan activities between 2000-2010 and the implementation of the Concept for Future Development (published May 2012). Concept for Future Development Update The Board of Supervisors adopted an update to the Concept for Future Development on June 19, 2012 (Adopted Amendment Number 2011-13 and 2011 P-1). Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map Update The Board of Supervisors adopted an update to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map on June 19, 2012 (Adopted Amendment Number 2011-12). Editorial Updates Editorial updates to the Overview and Character sections of the Area Plans and the Preface of the Policy Plan are proposed.  The updates generally intend to correct factual information, remove out of date references, and ensure a uniform writing style.  The Board of Supervisors adopted the amendment (Adopted Amendment Number 2011-16) on February 12, 2013.