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Tony Castrilli
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Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment to be Presented at Final Embark Richmond Highway Open House on Jan. 10

News Highlights

  • Attend the final community open house on the effort to update the land use plan for the Embark Richmond Highway project.
  • The open house will take place on Jan. 10, 2018, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane Alexandria
  • County staff will present their recommendations for updating the Comprehensive Plan that the Planning Commission will consider later in January.

Fairfax County will hold a final community meeting and open house on Jan. 10, 2018, to present its proposed revisions to the Comprehensive Plan recommendations for the Richmond Highway Corridor area.Embark Richmond Highway

These recommendations will:

  • Create a cohesive vision for the corridor that includes stewardship of the environmental and heritage resources;
  • Prepare the corridor for pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, a planned bus rapid transit (BRT) system from Huntington to Accotink Village/Fort Belvoir and a future Yellow-line Metrorail extension to the Beacon/Groveton and Hybla Valley/Gum Springs areas; and,
  • Create mixed-use, transit-oriented development around the nine BRT stations that support live-work-shop-play environments.
The Embark Richmond Highway open house will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Whitman Middle School, 2500 Parkers Lane, Alexandria. At the event, attendees will:
  • Learn about the proposed comprehensive plan recommendations, as well as next steps in the process.
  • Ask questions on the recommendations before the Planning Commission’s public hearing in January.
  • Talk to county staff one-on-one

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the comprehensive plan amendment on Jan. 25, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the amendment on March 20, 2018 at 4:00 p.m.

Embark Richmond Highway is a multi-year effort involving land use and transportation planning. Contingent upon adopted Comprehensive Plan recommendations and funding, the effort will include design and construction activities for a bus rapid transit system operating primarily on dedicated lanes along Richmond Highway. An expanded and connected system of roadways, walkways, trails and bicycle facilities are planned to work seamlessly with the BRT system. This planning effort will also address the future extension of the Metrorail Yellow Line to Hybla Valley.

The county is updating its Comprehensive Plan to support the population and job growth associated with the planned transit system along the Richmond Highway corridor. The focus will be primarily on planning for walkable, urban-style mixed use development in the vicinity of the future transit stations, with the goal of creating vibrant, active communities where people can live, work, shop and play — all with easy access to transit.

The project supports the county’s long-term planning goals of expanding transit service, improving pedestrian and bicycle systems, and building more dense, mixed-use, transit-oriented developments that attract residents and businesses, creating more jobs, increasing tax revenue. Embark Richmond Highway also aligns with the county’s Strategic Economic Success Plan, as well as efforts to revitalize the corridor.

Embark Richmond Highway resulted from a Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation study on the transportation needs for the Richmond Highway corridor. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed the study’s recommendations in May 2015, moving the project forward for planning, design and construction, with implementation anticipated to occur after 2020.

Transportation

Public transportation to the event location is available through Fairfax Connector Routes 152 and 161. Check schedules on the Connector website.

Transportation assistance to Whitman Middle School is also offered, per request, from Sacramento Neighborhood Center, South County Government Center and Hybla Valley Elementary School.

Requests for transportation assistance are accepted until Jan. 3, 2018, by calling 703-704-6336, TTY 711, or by email.

Stay Informed and Engaged

For more information on the project:

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