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TextFairfax County Board of Supervisors Tightens Requirements on Developers
Fairfax County Office of Public
Affairs
12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 551
Fairfax, VA 22035-0065
703-324-3187, TTY 711, FAX 703-324-2010
July 31, 2006
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
Tightens Requirements on Developers
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved three proposals today at its regularly scheduled meeting that could lead to stricter bond requirements for developers in default; could require archaeological studies in historic districts; and will raise the contribution rate from developers for road improvements. The first two proposals require public hearings this fall. The third measure is effective immediately.
“Fairfax County is taking additional steps to protect our community and increase accountability as we continue to evolve further as the economic engine of the metropolitan area,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerald E. Connolly. “We are tightening requirements to ensure developers keep their promises, protect our history and help fund critical road projects. I am confident the development community will stand with residents and the Board of Supervisors in sharing the responsibility for our county’s future.”
Stricter Bond Requirements
During the past year, county staff members have taken a number of
steps to ensure developers complete all public improvements and proffer
obligations required as part of their development projects. When action
is taken after the public hearings in the fall, stricter bond
requirements for developers in default will provide an additional level
of protection for the county and its taxpayers. If a developer has not
met all development obligations to the county in the previous seven
years, then a personal, corporate or property bond would be disallowed;
only certified checks, cash escrow, set-aside letter or letter of credit
will be accepted. These same developers also will be required to post an
additional 50 percent over the total bond estimate to cover
administrative cost, inflation and potential damage to existing roads or
utilities. The current bond reductions also will be further restricted
from what is presently allowed. The county’s Public Facilities Manual
would be amended to reflect the new requirements for developers in
default.
Archaeological Studies
A proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment would require developers to
investigate and document cultural resources in or near historical overlay
districts. Currently, there is no requirement to conduct an
archaeological study at any stage of development unless otherwise
required by development or proffered conditions. When action is taken
after public hearings in the fall, the archaeological studies will help
identify archaeological resources earlier in the development process and
enable the design of projects to be sensitive to historical features.
Transportation Improvements
The Board of Supervisors approved a 3.4 percent increase, effective
immediately, to the transportation fund contribution rate for developers
building residential or non-residential projects in the Fairfax Center,
Tysons Corner and Centreville areas. The funds will be dedicated toward
completing a number of priority projects in those areas, including
multi-modal improvements to Routes 7, 29, 50 and 123 and Waples Mill,
Stone and Clifton roads. Developer contributions to projects in these
areas are one source of funding for transportation projects included in
the Board of Supervisors’ Four-Year Transportation Plan.
The public hearings for the bond requirements are scheduled before the Planning Commission on Sept. 21 and the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 23. The public hearings for the archaeological review are scheduled before the Planning Commission on Sept. 27 and the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 23.
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