On March 5, several members of PARN met with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly in his office. 

We explained to him our serious concerns about the proposed redevelopment of the park and ride lot, with reference to the Fairfax County  Board of Supervisors’ goal of “protecting established neighborhoods.”  We noted the proposed density (18-20 units per acre) is out of character with the existing Comprehensive Plan-approved density of 1 to 2 units per acre.  We emphasized the anticipated adverse impacts to traffic, schools and the environment that will result from density that is inappropriate to our existing neighborhood. 

We also emphasized that our concerns are magnified by the absence of critical information about the project, due to the secrecy provisions of the PPEA law under which the proposal was submitted. 

Chairman Connolly told us he understood that the withholding of project details under PPEA could create public uncertainty and alarm. He also recognized that the proposed redevelopment of the park and ride lot is potentially “controversial” and deserves careful consideration. 

Connolly assured us that citizens would have ample opportunity to make their views known if the review process goes forward.  He said there would be at least four occasions to do so: public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors on whether to amend the Comprehensive Plan, and hearings before the same two bodies if the Comp Plan is amended and a zoning change is sought. He promised us that the requirement for public input written into the PPEA law would not be satisfied by a mere notice on the website; there would definitely be hearings, he said. 

We also learned that the staff report, with a recommendation on whether or not to proceed from the conceptual review of the developer's proposal to a detailed review, had not yet been completed. The report and recommendation had been expected by the end of February; there was no indication of when they would be submitted. 

The PARN delegation stressed that we will continue to monitor developments closely, and urged that the County not proceed with a development plan that would cause irreparable harm to the surrounding neighborhoods.