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Department of Planning and Development

  1. Home
  2. Planning Development
  3. McLean: District Design Guidelines

Department of Planning and Development Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-324-1380 TTY 711
Email Us
12055 Government Center Parkway
Fairfax, VA 22035
Tracy Strunk
Director

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McLean: District Design Guidelines

The Volume II: District Design Guidelines for McLean contains written and visual ideas for the design of streets, lighting, and the area fronting buildings. The guidelines provide design direction to enhance the appearance of the McLean Commercial Revitalization District (CRD). They are a companion document to the Volume I: Urban Design Guidelines for Fairfax County Revitalization Districts and Areas. These two volumes are to be used together when proposing, designing, or reviewing development projects. The Guidelines were endorsed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on September 12, 2023.

VOLUME II: MCLEAN DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES, September 2023

Complete Document

Chapter 1: Introduction and History

Chapter 2: Comprehensive Plan Vision and Urban Design Concept

Chapter 3: Streetscapes

Chapter 4: Building Frontage Design

Chapter 5: Parks

Chapter 6: Gateways and Other Features

Appendix

Project Highlights

The Volume II: District Design Guidelines for McLean were completed in approximately 18 months. The process began with the establishment of an Advisory Group that was comprised of members of the McLean Planning Committee (MPC). 

The Volume II: District Design Guidelines for McLean serves to implement the existing Comprehensive Plan vision for the McLean Community Business Center (CBC) through its detailed urban design and streetscape guidance. The Guidelines should be used by owners, developers, citizens, and Fairfax County staff, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors when proposing, designing, or reviewing development projects. Whether a development requires zoning or site plan approval or is being constructed by-right, developers are encouraged to abide by these Guidelines to assist in implementing the community vision for McLean.

For more information about the Guidelines, please review the MPC Urban Design Guidelines Overview.

Advisory Group

The Advisory Group was comprised of Directors and Alternate Directors who serve on the McLean Planning Committee. There were three individuals from each of the four MPC community stakeholder groups: the McLean Citizen's Association, Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, Surrounding Citizens Associations, and Commercial Landowners. Information and materials from past Advisory Group meetings are available for reference below.

Advisory Group Meeting #11
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Meeting Agenda  |  Community Feedback Presentation


Community Open House
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
The meeting showcased draft urban design ideas related to streetscapes, landscaping and environmental designs, building architecture, parks, gateways, and public art. Nearly 200 residents and business owners attended and hundreds of community comments were recorded.
Display Boards


Advisory Group Meeting #10
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Meeting Agenda


Advisory Group Meeting #9
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Meeting Agenda  |  Trees & Landscaping Presentation  |  Lighting, Wayfinding, Art & Parking Presentation


Trees, Landscaping, and Streetscape Site Visit with Urban Forestry
Monday, November 28, 2022


Advisory Group Meeting #8
October 26, 2022
Meeting Agenda  |  Staff Presentation  |  Building Zone Public Realm Diagrams


Advisory Group Meeting #7
September 28, 2022
Meeting Agenda  |  Street Paving & Furnishings Presentation  |  Cycletrack & Urban Trail Design Overview


Advisory Group Meeting #6
July 27, 2022
Meeting Agenda  |  Streetscape Presentation  |  Urban Park Network Presentation #2


Advisory Group Meeting #5
June 22, 2022
Meeting Agenda  |  Draft Streetscape Model  |  Urban Park Network Presentation


Advisory Group Meeting #4
May 25, 2022
Meeting Agenda  |  Streetscape Presentation


Advisory Group Meeting #3
April 27, 2022 
Meeting Agenda  |  Urban Design Concept


Community Workshop
March 23, 2022
A community workshop was held to discuss desired designs for streetscapes, lighting, furnishings, parks and plazas, and public art. A follow-up online survey was also available. Almost 100 people attended the workshop and 200 people responded to the survey. The results of the survey and workshop are being used to inform the recommendations in the McLean urban design guidelines.
Workshop Agenda  |  Workshop Video  |  Workshop and Survey Results


Advisory Group Meeting #2
February 23, 2022
Meeting Agenda


Advisory Group Meeting #1
January 26, 2022
Meeting Agenda  |  Comprehensive Plan Presentation  |  Volume 1 Guidelines Overview

For More Information

Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development
Community Revitalization Section
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 755, Fairfax, VA 22035
revitalization@fairfaxcounty.gov
703-324-9300

Related Resources

2008 McLean Open Space Standards 
Comprehensive Plan Area II: McLean CBC
Zoning Ordinance

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    • Mission
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    • Districts and Areas
      • Annandale
      • Bailey's Crossroads & Seven Corners
      • Lake Anne
      • Lincolnia
      • McLean
      • Merrifield
      • Richmond Highway
      • Springfield
    • Urban Design
      • Urban Design Guidelines - Annandale
      • Urban Design Guidelines - Bailey's Crossroads & Seven Corners
      • Urban Design Guidelines - McLean
      • Urban Design Guidelines - Richmond Highway
      • Urban Design Guidelines - Volume I
      • Massing and Yield Studies - Annandale Studies and Documents
      • Massing and Yield Studies - Bailey's Crossroads & Seven Corners Studies and Documents
      • Massing and Yield Studies - Lake Anne Studies and Documents
      • Massing and Yield Studies - Lincolnia Studies and Documents
      • Massing and Yield Studies - McLean Studies and Documents
      • Massing and Yield Studies - Merrifield Studies & Documents
      • Massing and Yield Studies - Richmond Highway Studies & Documents
      • Massing and Yield Studies - Springfield Studies and Documents
    • Lake Anne Economic Visioning Study
    • Placemaking
      • Area Branding and Wayfinding
      • Placemaking is Part of Route 1's Future
      • Springfield Branding
      • Capital infrastructure reinvestment and maintenance
      • Capital infrastructure reinvestment and maintenance - CRD Maintenance Program
      • Capital infrastructure reinvestment and maintenance - McLean Infrastructure Projects
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