Planning Division

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
703-324-1380 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 730
Fairfax, VA 22035
Kelly Atkinson
Director

Department Resources

Related Resources

Plan Amendment SSPA 2023-IV-1S

Franconia-Springfield Study

locator map

2016 Proffer Reform Bill - Exempt Area

PLUS Record Number:
PA-2023-00003

Supervisor District:
Franconia

Planning District:
Springfield

On April 11, 2023, the Board of Supervisors authorized the consideration of a Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Springfield Transit Station Area (TSA) and Community Business Center (CBC) to consider the recommendations of the Springfield Market Study. The Comprehensive Plan is the guiding document for land use and development decisions in Fairfax County. Plan amendments are proposals for land use changes.

The study will be referred to as the Franconia-Springfield Study for short. The study will examine development patterns, open space and parks, transportation and connectivity, environmental stewardship, and supporting infrastructure. It will include multiple phases and extensive community engagement.

Click on the map (above) for a detailed enlargement of the area.

Existing Conditions Report

County staff have recently completed the Franconia-Springfield Study Existing Conditions Report. The report provides current information about the character of the area, demographics, the adopted Comprehensive Plan, transportation, affordable housing, environmental conditions, parks and open space, as well as schools and public facilities.

View Existing Conditions Report

Study Phases

County staff, with consultants SmithGroup and Brick & Story, will work with the community to create three initial scenarios for the study area. Based on community and stakeholder input from focus groups, community meetings, and the Advisory Group, a final preferred scenario will be developed and summarized in a report.

The preferred scenario will undergo a detailed analysis to assess impacts on transportation and infrastructure. The analysis will guide draft Comprehensive Plan recommendations prepared by county staff.

The Planning Commission will make a recommendation on staff’s draft Comprehensive Plan recommendations, and the Board of Supervisors will make a final decision on the recommendations that are adopted into the Comprehensive Plan for the study area.

Get Involved

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on the future of the Franconia-Springfield area. Community feedback will help shape recommendations for the future of the area. You can also sign up to receive Franconia-Springfield Study email updates, including details about additional ways to get involved.

Learn More

Proposals for Land Use Change

As part of the study, the Department of Planning and Development will accept land use change proposals by email submission as input for the visioning and analysis phases. Submissions are due by October 24, 2025. Proposals should include:

  • Statement of Justification with:
    • Submitter/owner/agent contact information
    • Proposal description (use(s), building height, stories, units or square footage, property address and parcels)
    • Explanation of how the proposal advances County goals, policies, and community interests
  • Illustrative Concept Plan
  • Property owner acknowledgement, if not the submitter
     

Community Engagement

The Visioning Phase begins this fall and will feature multiple opportunities for residents to participate, including the groups/sessions described below. All meeting information will be posted under upcoming and past meetings sections below.  

  • Advisory Group: A diverse group of Springfield community members and stakeholders will meet monthly to provide feedback to County staff on community priorities. 
  • Community Meetings: The Visioning Phase will include a series of community meetings that include a kick-off meeting, interactive visioning meetings, and in-person or virtual  “open house” style meetings to gather input on scenarios.
  • Focus Groups: To hear from community members who may face challenges attending traditional meetings, focus groups will engage small business owners, parents of school-aged children, renters, and Spanish-speaking residents. If you fall into one of these categories, and are interested in joining a focus group, please email Katrina Newtson. 

Community Meetings

Community Meeting #1: Study Kick-off 
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. 
Virtual Meeting - Zoom (Please register to attend and receive your unique join link)
Call In Number: 312-626-6799
Access Code: 84888876801#

Please join the virtual community kick-off meeting to learn more about how the study is reviewing the Comprehensive Plan for the Franconia-Springfield Transit Station Area (TSA) and Springfield Community Business Center (CBC). The meeting will be a webinar format with Q&A time at the end. To participate, please use the link above to register and receive your Zoom link by email. If you register after the meeting has begun, Zoom will take you directly into the webinar in progress.

Community Visioning Meeting #2
Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
John R. Lewis High School, Cafeteria
6540 Franconia Road, Springfield, VA 22150

This meeting will include interactive exercises for community members to share their vision for the study area. 

Community Visioning Meeting #3 
Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting - Zoom (Meeting details and link TBD)

A repeat of Meeting #2 for those unable to attend in person.

Community Meeting #4
Date/Time and Location TBD

Overview of three scenarios.

Community Meeting #5
Date/Time and Location TBD

Presentation of Final Vision Plan.

Advisory Group Meetings

Advisory Group Meeting #1 - Study Introduction
Monday, September 29, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce Street, Springfield, VA

Study Introduction - Opening remarks, introductions, Advisory Group’s role, study scope, timeline, existing conditions and engagement.  

Focus Group Meetings

Focus Group Meeting #1: Parents of Child Under Age 18 and Renters
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. 

These focus group meetings are designed to gather the perspectives of parents and renters in the area. If you are a parent or renter in Franconia-Springfield area and would like to attend, please email Katrina Newtson.

Focus Group Meeting #2: Spanish-speakers
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

These focus group meetings are designed to gather the perspectives of Spanish-speakers living and working in the area. If you are a Spanish-speaker in Franconia-Springfield area and would like to attend, please email Katrina Newtson.

Focus Group Meeting #3: Small Business Owners 
Thursday, October 16, 2025 - Two sessions: 8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

These focus group meetings are designed to gather the perspectives of small business owners in the area. If you are a small business owner in the Franconia-Springfield area and would like to attend one of the two sessions, please email Katrina Newtson.

Public hearings for this Plan amendment have not been scheduled.

Questions can be emailed or directed to Katrina Newtson at (703) 324-6122.

Need a Translation?

Do you need a translation or interpreter? Language translation services are available free of charge. To request translation of a document or the services of an interpreter at a meeting, please email us or call 703-324-4256, TTY 711. Requests for interpreter services must be submitted one week prior to the meeting.

Close
Fairfax Virtual Assistant

Related Resources