2022-2023 Countywide SSPA Process

Nominations may be submitted though an SSPA Nomination Form from October 3-28, 2022. The form will require information regarding the nominated property or properties, contact information for the nominator and property owner, and information on the current Comprehensive Plan recommendation for the site and the proposed change. 

In addition to the identifying information listed above, the form will also require: the property owner’s consent to the nomination, a copy of the nominator’s notification letter to the property owner(s) (which should describe the nomination and include a map of the property), an illustrative concept plan visually describing the nomination, and statement of justification (generally 1-2 pages in length) describing the nominated change to the Comprehensive Plan. The justification should explain how the proposal would:

• Address an emerging community concern or change in circumstances;
• Advance planning objectives of the county’s Policy Plan, Area Plans, and/or Concept for Future Development, and not be contrary to long standing county policies;
• Align with the goals of the county’s Strategic Plan, One Fairfax Policy, Communitywide Housing Strategic Plan, Economic Success Plan, or other Board-adopted policies;
• If a proposal has been re-submitted from a previous SSPA cycle, describe in detail why a change in circumstances (emerging trends, further community outreach) warrants an additional review. 
• The statement of justification should include a summary of the anticipated timeline for the implementation of the nomination (ie, submission of a development application). Nominations with near-term development prospects that clearly meet the justification criteria may be prioritized. 
• The statement of justification should note any community stakeholders who have been or are anticipated to be engaged in the review of the nomination. 
• The area nominated should be a logical planning area that avoids spot planning (re-planning an individual property in a way that is inconsistent with the surrounding area). 

When considering the addition of SSPAs to the Work Program, County staff, the Planning Commission, and the Board of Supervisors will prioritize nominations that most align with the justification criteria noted above, especially those that align with county goals, address community concerns or changes in circumstances, and warrant site-specific review due to their strategic importance or near-term development timeline. 

During the nomination period, DPD staff will be available to answer questions about preparing nominations. Staff may contact during this time to request materials or request clarification on the submitted nominations. 

Following the conclusion of the Nomination Phase, the Board of Supervisors will be forwarded the nominations and will take action to accept or reject the individual nominations into the SSPA process. This acceptance will take place in the form of a County Executive Action Item (tentatively scheduled for December 6, 2022). Any requested modifications to the submission criteria for the nominations will be noted in the action item and will be considered with the Action Item. The nominations that are accepted by the Board will next be reviewed by staff, which will hold a series of community meetings to ensure those living and working near the nominated sites know about the proposed changes and can provide early comments. The comments at the meetings will be summarized by staff and provided to the Planning Commission. The community meetings are anticipated to take place in January 2023. Following the community meetings, the Planning Commission will hold a public workshop on the nominations in February 2023, during which staff and the nominators will provide presentations, and the public may provide comments. The Planning Commission will provide a recommendation on a revised Work Program, which may include some of the nominations. Finally, following the Planning Commission’ workshop, the Board will take action on the revised Work Program in late February/early March 2023. 

Nominations that are added to the Work Program will proceed to the Evaluation Phase for formal review as Plan Amendments. The community engagement model and timeline for each amendment will vary based on the unique circumstances of the amendment, including the complexity of the review, the intended development timeline, plan amendment prioritization, and the availability of staff and community resources. In some instances, plan amendment studies may proceed through established means of community review, such as land use committees, whereas in others, specially appointed groups, such as task forces, may be considered. The specific engagement model for each of the nominations that are added to the Work Program would be identified in coordination with the applicable Board member. Following community review, all amendments will continue to provide notification of neighboring properties and advertisement of public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board.