Board Matter

Merrifield Revitalization Area

Motion to initiate negotiation to acquire all necessary land
rights for Comprehensive Plan Improvements to Eskridge Road

January 28, 2008

Mr. Chairman:

As you know, since approval of the Merrifield Suburban Center Out-of-Turn Plan Amendment S98-CW-2CP in 2001, the Merrifield Comprehensive Plan is successfully being incrementally implemented. A crucial part of this Plan envisions phased road improvements that will serve the entire Merrifield Suburban Center by creating a new grid of streets improving access throughout Merrifield. The extension of Merrilee Drive to Prosperity Ave. has been built; the connections of Merrilee Drive to the Dunn Loring Metro station and improvements to Eskridge Road have been proffered.

The Comprehensive Plan design of Eskridge Road requires some relocation and significant elevation modification at its northern end to create a four-way intersection with Route 29 and Merrilee Drive. Improvement of Eskridge Road can not be initiated until all the property rights on the parcels along the existing Eskridge Road are acquired.

Representatives of Merrifield Mixed Use LLC have successfully negotiated agreements with the majority of offsite owners along Eskridge Road but have been unsuccessful in their attempts to negotiate the acquisition of all property interests necessary on the relevant portions of Parcels 97 and 96B. Merrifield Mixed Use LLC has requested assistance from Fairfax County to acquire these easements to move forward with bonding and construction of the Comprehensive Plan improvements to Eskridge Road.

Motion:

To facilitate the implementation of phased transportation improvements of the Merrifield Suburban Center Comprehensive Plan, I move that the Board direct the Fairfax County Land Acquisition Division Staff to proceed to negotiate the acquisition of all necessary outstanding land rights on, over, and across the relevant portions of tax map 49-3((1)) PARCELS 97 AND 96B in accordance with the procedures established by the County.

Background Information:

● Approval of the Merrifield Suburban Center OUT-OF-TURN PLAN AMENDMENT S98-CW-2CP in 2001

● The transportation improvements envisioned in the Plan create important pedestrian and vehicular connections between the Dunn Loring Metro Station, the Merrifield Town Center, and ultimately a connection to Route 50, creating the opportunity to build new east west cross block connections.

● The extension and realignment of Merrilee Drive and Eskridge Road are critical components of the Comprehensive Plan road grid network necessary to the revitalization of the Merrifield Suburban Center.

● Eskridge Road Public Improvement Plan 0561-PI-01submitted on 9/15/05 as a Public Improvement Plan and accepted on 9/20/05.

● The construction of this project involves improvements to existing Eskridge Road and construction of new segments from its intersection with Lee Highway (Route 29) to the southern boundary of Parcel 80A.

● The project consists of approximately 1,850 linear feet of 4-lane undivided roadway, including a minimum 5-foot-wide sidewalk along the eastern edge. Improvements also include storm drains, sanitary sewer facilities, overhead utility and water main installations along the length of the project as well as several entrances to existing businesses.

● Eskridge Road improvement second submission 0561-SP-002 submitted 11/03/06.

● On October 15, 2007 the Board of Supervisors approved RZ/FDP 2005-PR-041 concurrent with SEA99-P-008, on property identified as Tax Map 49-3((1)) Parcels 80A, 80B, 80C, 81A, and 82A at the request of Merrifield Mixed Use LLC.

● As part of this rezoning, improvement to Eskridge Road was proffered and proposed to be constructed pursuant to Eskridge Road Project Number 0561-SP-002-1.

● The construction of this project involves improvements to existing Eskridge Road and construction of new segments from its intersection with Lee Highway (Route 29) to the southern boundary of Parcel 80A.

● Eskridge Road improvement 0561-SP-002 was forwarded to County bonding on 3/6/2007 pending completion of consolidation of land areas covered by the proposed Site Plan.

● Exhausting their private efforts Merrifield Mixed Use LLC has requested assistance from Fairfax County to acquire all necessary outstanding land rights on, over, and across the relevant portions of tax map 49-3((1)) PARCELS 97 AND 96B.

● Acquisitions of all property rights on these parcels along the existing Eskridge Road are necessary to construct this key roadway consistent with the Comprehensive Plan design.