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TextFairfax Forward - Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program
Fairfax Forward proposes a
schedule for review of all aspects of the Comprehensive Plan: the
Area Plans, Policy Plan and Land Use, Transportation and Trails Maps.
Review of the Area Plans would occur through Activity Center
Planning and Neighborhood Planning studies, based on
the classifications of the Concept For
Future Development. A Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program would
establish the first three years of activity. The work program would
recognize current studies underway and new studies to begin within this
timeframe.
Work Program Criteria: A set of criteria would be applied to determine the order and timing of new studies listed on the work program. Scheduled Plan amendments would:
- Address emerging community concerns;
- Respond to actions by others, such as Federal, State, or adjacent jurisdictions;
- Advance major policy objectives, such as promoting environmental protection, fostering revitalization of designated areas, supporting economic development, preserving open space, providing affordable housing, or balancing transportation infrastructure and public facilities services with growth and development;
- Better implement the Concept for Future Development;
- Reflect implementation of Comprehensive Plan guidance through zoning approvals; and/or
- Respond to or incorporate research derived from technical planning or transportation studies.
By using this approach, Plan review could occur according to a schedule that would ensure guidance is up-to-date and relevant based on current and future needs. Study timing will be influences by the availability of staff and community resources.
The first Comprehensive Plan amendment work program is considered the "pilot" work program and will be evaluated in two years. Review the pilot Comprehensive Plan Amendment Work Program.
Map of Areas Listed on Draft Work Program |
Map of Areas for Future Study |
Review and Evaluation of Work Program:The review of the work program would occur every two years. The order to review would be as follows:
- Staff would draft recommendations and publish the recommendations for public comment.
- After the public comment period closes, staff would finalize recommendations.
- The final staff recommendations and all public comment (with staff response) would be brought forward to the Planning Commission. A public hearing would be held on the staff recommendation.
- The Planning Commission would act to establish the three year work program and seek endorsement by the Board of Supervisors.
In the interim year, a status update of the studies should be provided to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The status update should provide information about the active studies, the anticipated timeline to completion, and the scope of work.
Board-authorized Amendments: Any amendment or study authorized for consideration by the Board of Supervisors outside of the regular review and adoption of the work program would be automatically added to the work program to be conducted at a time established by the Board action.
Compliance with the Code of Virginia: The Code of Virginia, Title 15.2 Chapter 22 states that the local planning commission shall review the Comprehensive Plan at least once every five years to determine whether it is advisable to amend the Plan. The proposed approach would meet this mandate. The Planning Commission would review the Comprehensive Plan amendment work program every two years. The review of the work program would be informed by ongoing efforts to monitor the Comprehensive Plan, involving the evaluation of countywide Plan recommendations, planned development potential, and Plan implementation. Further, Board-authorized amendments would remain an option to review Plan recommendations, throughout the work program schedule.
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