Learn About the Public Facilities Review Process

2232 Review Requirement

The term "2232 Review" is derived from a Code of Virginia requirement under Section 15.2-2232. The County's 2232 Review Process determines the compatibility of proposed public facilities with the locational guidelines established in the Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, this process determines if the general or approximate location, character and extent are in substantial accord with the Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan.

Public Facilities

Public facilities are those facilities required to support the services and functions provided by the County government or public utility companies. Public facilities include (but are not limited to) the following elements:

1. Higher Education and Public Schools
2. Libraries
3. Public Safety Services
   • Police
   • Fire and Rescue
   • Sheriff
   • Courts
   • Animal Control
4. Utilities and Services
   • Water Supply
   • Sanitary Sewer
   • Solid Waste
   • Drainage Systems and Stormwater Management
   • County Vehicle Maintenance
   • Gas
   • Electric
   • Telephone
   • Communications

Some facilities are generally not reviewed under this process. (See the list of exempt facilities).  If you are uncertain if a facility requires a 2232 Review, please contact Public Facilities Planning staff.

2232 Review Determination

Fairfax County's 2232 Review Process applies to all public areas, public buildings or structures, and public utility or public service corporation facilities (whether publicly or privately owned). Enlargements, changes of use, and other changes to public areas may also be subject to these provisions. Some facilities are generally not reviewed under this process. (See the list of exempt facilities.)

The 2232 Review Process generally includes:

• Any uses directly under the control of the county government
• Any uses under the control of an authority or board appointed by the county government
• Any uses under the control of a quasi governmental entity which is directly supported with county funds.

Public facility proposals of other local governmental units such as cities, towns or counties and regional agencies are also subject to the 2232 Review provisions.

Facilities of public utilities and public service corporations, such as wireless telecommunications uses, are also subject to the 2232 Review Process pursuant to the State Code.

Steps for Completing the 2232 Review

In order to initiate a 2232 Review, all applicants must submit the standard 2232 Telecommunications or Non-Telecommunications application form (PDF). The 2232 Review Process application is provided in portable document format (PDF). There is no fee for submitting a 2232 application.

1. Prepare and Submit Application

1. 1. Each application must be complete and contain sufficient detail to permit adequate staff analysis and Planning Commission consideration before being accepted for review. Ensure that the following parts of the application are complete, correct, and appropriately identified: (note: Information requested may not be applicable for the use/faculty designated in the application. In this situation, leave elements blank).
      1. Summary Sheet
      2. Statement of Justification
      3. Key Information
      4. Engineering Drawings
      5. Photosimulations
      6. Map and Profile from Fairfax Department of Tax Administration
      7. Balloon Test results and images (only if required)
   2. The 2232 Application (with Statement of Justification), all supporting materials, and appropriate number of copies must be either mailed (USPS, Fed Ex, UPS, courier, etc) or hand delivered to the Facilities Planning Branch of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Zoning (Attention to Director).

2. Staff Review

Upon receipt of the application staff will determine the category of review and communicate this determination to the applicant.

There are three general categories of 2232 Review:

1. 1. Feature Shown
      A 2232 Review may be processed and recommended for approval as a "Feature Shown." In general, a public facility, public utility facility, or public service corporation facility, use or area may be determined to be a current feature of the Comprehensive Plan when it is either specifically identified on the Comprehensive Plan map or described in and supported by the Plan text. A Feature Shown staff report is a recommendation prepared by the Department of Planning and Zoning. If the Planning Commission concurs with the staff recommendation, approval is granted administratively without a public hearing. As defined under Policy Plan guidelines, certain telecommunications proposals of very low impact are processed administratively without a staff report. These cases are approved by the individual Planning Commissioner under the Commission's consent agenda.

   2. Public Hearing
      The 2232 application will generally require a public hearing before the Planning Commission if it is not directly supported by the Comprehensive Plan and cannot be processed as a feature shown. Under this process, staff circulates the application for review by county agencies and prepares a staff report that is made available to the public two weeks prior to the public hearing. Notice of the public hearing is through newspaper advertisement, posting of the property, and written notification of adjacent and nearby property owners. At the close of the public hearing, the Planning Commission determines if the general location, character or extent of the proposal is in substantial accord with the county's Comprehensive Plan and either approves, denies, or defers decision on the application.

   3. 2232 Reviews with a Special Exception or other Zoning Approval(s)
      Some 2232 applications are subject to and must obtain a special exception or other approval under the county's Zoning Ordinance. In these cases, typically, the 2232 Review and the zoning case are heard concurrently by the Planning Commission. A zoning staff report is prepared that includes a separate section to address the 2232 Review and is made available to the public two weeks prior to the public hearing.

3. Timeframes and Important Dates

The Virginia Code requires the Staff and Planning Commission to complete specific actions within predetermined timeframes.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

1. 1. Within 30 days of receipt of an application, Staff will contact the applicant to resolve questions and concerns. No time restraints are placed on the process to create a complete application for submittal.
   2. Upon receipt of a complete application from the applicant, Staff will "ACCEPT" the application for review. The acceptance date is the date by which the formal review process begins.
   3. A 2232 Review application must be acted on by the Fairfax County Planning Commission within 90 days of the official acceptance date. The Board of Supervisors may authorize an extension of the review time.
   4. In the case of an extension, the Board may not extend the time for action beyond an additional 60 days. Additional extensions may be made at the request of the applicant.
   5. If a 2232 Review determines the application requires a Public Hearing before the Planning Commission, then Staff will contact the applicant and Planning Commission to arrange a date.

NON-TELECOMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES

1. 1. Upon receipt of a complete application, Staff will "ACCEPT" the application for review.
   2. A 2232 Review application must be acted on by the Fairfax County Planning Commission within 60 days of the official acceptance date, unless the Board of Supervisors authorizes an extension of the review time.
   3. The Board may extend the time as appropriate to resolve concerns.
   4. If a 2232 requires a Public Hearing before the Planning Commission, Staff will contact the applicant and Planning Commission to arrange a hearing date.

4. The Public Hearing Process

Please note the following items if an application requires a Public Hearing before the Planning Commission.

1. 1. Staff prepares a detailed analysis and publishes a staff report that is made available to the Planning Commission and the public two (2) weeks prior to the public hearing.
   2. Notices are sent to the public via a local newspaper, posting of the property, and written notification to adjacent and nearby property owners with a brief description of the application and details about the time and location of the Public Hearing. 
   3. During the Public Hearing, staff presents a summary of the staff report to the Planning Commission and the applicant provides presentation of the proposal.
   4. The Planning Commission may ask questions of staff and the applicant.
   5. The Public is provided opportunity to submit written comments or make comments before the Planning Commission.
   6. Upon the closing of the public hearing, a determination is made by the Planning Commission to Approve, Defer Decision, or Deny the 2232 application.

5. Suggestions for Public Engagement

Applicants are encouraged to seek out and coordinate with citizens and community groups potentially impacted by the proposed application. The applicant can contact the Supervisor's office and obtain contact information.