Board of Supervisors Considering Changes to Zoning Ordinance to Allow Residential Studio Units
Tuesday, October 22, 2013 10:01 AM | Anonymous member
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering amending the County's zoning ordinance to expand affordable housing options in the County. As currently proposed by County staff, the amendment would allow up to 75 Residential Studio Units (RSUs) of up to 500 square feet in size, in most residential, commercial and industrial districts and in all planned development districts. RSUs would only be allowed by the approval of a special exception or as part of a rezoning.
The Board of Supervisors raised several concerns about the proposal as presented by staff and directed the Fairfax County Planning Commission to conduct public outreach sessions and to consider recommending revisions. As part of that process, Supervisor Foust has asked staff and the Planning Commission to consider options that would exclude low density residential zoning from the ordinance. The Planning Commission's public hearing on the RSU amendment is now scheduled for late February 2014.
The Planning Commission conducted work sessions on the residential studio amendment on September 26 and October 2. They have also formed an RSU Committee. The Committee's meetings to gather public input are scheduled for October 28,November 20, December 9, January 6 and January 22. These meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.and are open to the public. The meetings will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax), with the exception of the November 20 meeting that will be in the Herrity Building (12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).
The McLean Citizens Association will also hold a meeting on the proposed RSU amendment on October 30 at 7:30 p.m. at McLean High School (1633 Davidson Road, McLean). County staff will be present.
Please attend one or more of the meetings to give the Planning Commission an understanding of any community concerns and to discuss options to staff's proposal. This will help them as they re-work the amendment.
Please visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/zoningordinance/proposed for more information.
For more information please contact Benjamin Wiles in the office of Supervisor Foust at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
