Land Use &
NEW Development
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Land Use & NEW Development |
Land development in and around the Kingstowne community is regulated by the Fairfax County Department of Zoning which works directly with land developers to coordinate projects.
The development of Kingstowne has been one of the largest land use projects undertaken in southeastern Fairfax County. The 12,000 acres on which the community is built was formerly a gravel pit site owned by the Leehigh Cement Company. The purchase of the site in the mid-80’s launched the beginning of a massive land use master plan that encompassed both the residential and commercial areas. Through the work of the Board of Trustees, the Kingstowne community has been closely involved with each phase of development as the master plan has come to fruition on both the residential and commercial sides.
The land development process in Kingstowne…
The Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation (KROC) Board of Trustees (BoT) informs the community of land use issues in process through presentations at the community’s annual meeting, special meetings, or articles written in the Kingstonian or posted on the Website.
Developers of projects that most directly affect Kingstowne are invited to give a briefing at one of the regularly scheduled monthly Board of Trustees meetings, which are open to the public. BoT meeting agendas are posted online, and KROC Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB) members are also notified when land use presentations will be made during BoT meetings. The KROC Board of Trustees uses residents’ feedback from the informational meetings to determine whether or not there is sufficient interest in the project to host any further meetings. All NAB representatives are invited and urged to “weigh in” on projects, as are all members of the community. Eventually, the KROC Board of Trustees is asked to support most land development projects and determines whether or not it will do so by first taking a vote at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees. Following that, that vote is exercised by three homeowner members who carry the board’s vote to the Lee District Land Use Committee.
In Kingstowne, the Board of Trustees closely follows all land development that may affect the community. That information is always available to homeowners, however it is ultimately the responsibility of homeowners themselves to understand the County’s zoning and development plans for their neighborhood and surrounding area. Individual land use projects can be researched at http://ldsnet.fairfaxcounty.gov/ldsnet/ or by calling the following departments:
Zoning 703/324-1290
Permits 703/222-0801
Site and Subdivision Plans 703/324-1730
Residents who wish to follow specific local land use projects can do so by attending Lee District Land Use Committee meetings which are held monthly in the Helen Wilson Community Room of the Franconia Government Center. Information about the agendas of these meetings can be attained by calling 703/971-6686. a few days prior to each meeting.
Curious about the Fairfax County process? Visit Land Use 101and learn more about how it all works.
The original plans for the Towne Center will come full circle with the construction of four office buildings at a site off of Kingstowne Village Parkway where parking pads are currently located. The additional office space will attract desirable retailers, restaurants, etc. increasing the Towne Center’s vitality.
Regional Library/Lee Village at Silver Lake
A regional library and mixed use housing development is planned for an area along Beulah Street near Manchester Lakes Boulevard. This project will allow for the construction of the library to begin eight years prior to what the County originally anticipated. The mixed use housing development will increase workforce housing for the elderly and county essential professionals, such as teachers and nurses.
This project is scheduled for a Board of Supervisors hearing on April 28th.
Springfield Mall Revitalization
This project will convert Springfield’s suburban shopping center into a mixed-use town center that will include retail shops, a hotel, residential buildings and office space. Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2008 and the project will be phased in over the course of the next 8 – 10 years.
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
BRAC is the US Department of Defense's method of reorganizing military installations to adapt to changing circumstances. Between 14,000 to 19,000 jobs will be transferred to Fort Belvoir by September 2011. This transition will impact transportation systems, the natural environment and the quality of life in the Alexandria.
Hilltop Village Center
Hilltop Sand and Gravel Company, the owner of 150 acres at the intersection of Beulah St and Telegraph Rd. proposes to construct a complex to include office, retail and residential uses. In addition, the existing landfill will be transformed into recreation facilities, with two soccer fields, a tot lot and parking space.
Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) Meeting Facility
This two-story structure proposed for a location along Beulah Street will have administrative offices, a bingo hall and will serve as a meeting and recreational place for VFW members.
This project has been approved by the Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors hearing date is pending.
Clames Chase/Wallhaven Subdivision
Five individual lots have been purchased by a landowner who is interested in constructing a small age-restricted living community with attached “villa” style residences (19 units). Access to the development would be from Franconia Road, not Lake Village Drive. This is a conceptual proposal at this point. No application has been received by the County for this project as of yet (3/20/08)