DEAR SUPERVISOR JIMENEZ,

We, the residents of Randolph Drive, Randolph Court, Billings Drive, Wenruth Place, Willow Run Drive, Locust Way, and Cardinal Lane as well as concerned members of the surrounding community, respectfully submit this petition to formally oppose the nomination (CPN-2025-I-MA-022) for review in the Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process for the proposed development at 6675 Little River Turnpike. This development, which proposes a five-story, 186-unit multifamily building with additional retail space, is concerning for the following reasons:

1. Safety & Traffic Concerns:
Pedestrian Safety and Impact: Randolph Drive and the surrounding roads of our neighborhood are frequently used by pedestrians and we have no sidewalks, other than a short 0.2 mile stretch located on the south end of Randolph Drive towards Braddock Road.  Our neighborhood has witnessed numerous near head-on collisions, walkers being forced off the road and Thomas Jefferson High School joggers (notably members of the student track team) running along our road. In short, the existing situation is already dangerous. The proposed loading dock and singular parking garage exit onto the northern section of Randolph Drive creates even more dangerous traffic activity, especially for multiple neighbors with young families located directly down the street from the proposed development.The addition of the new project will only add to the danger with increased traffic through our neighborhood. 

Increased Cut-Through Traffic: The proposed development plans for a singular entrance on Columbia Road and a singular exit onto Randolph Drive thereby creating dangerous and increased cut-through traffic in our neighborhood. Already our neighborhood is used as a cut-through from Braddock onto Little River Turnpike and vice versa. If the STARS study which proposes to close the median crossover in Little River Turnpike at Randolph Drive and turn Randolph Drive into a right turn only lane is adopted, traffic will increase significantly on Cardinal Lane and Willow Run Drive (small side streets connecting Randolph Drive to Little River Turnpike) as it would be the only way out of our neighborhood to turn left onto Little River Turnpike.  Our neighborhood roads are not designed for high traffic volumes and our neighborhood would face a dramatic decline in road safety.

2. Incompatibility with the Surrounding Neighborhood:

Size and Scale of the Development: The proposed five-story structure that would be allowed under this proposed amendment is out of proportion with the surrounding neighborhood. The adjacent residential area consists primarily of single-family homes and the scale of this proposed development would dramatically alter the character and feel of the community. The nomination plans to amend the county’s current comprehensive plan from a suggested maximum FAR of 0.40 for office use to 2.75 FAR for residential mixed-use up, while also increasing the suggested structure height from 35ft maximum to a colossal 65ft. Besides being a massively increased density (going from 2 dwelling units per acre to nearly 100 dwelling units per acre), the proposed structure would be the closest building to Little River Turnpike (in terms of setback) for at least 1 mile in either direction along Little River Turnpike. The proposal of a mere 25 feet of screening yard between the building and our neighbor on 4608 Randolph Dr. does very little to assuage our neighbor of the fact that a five-story structure would loom over his two-story home. Fairfax County Land Use encourages a pattern of development that "enhances and/or maintains stability in established residential neighborhoods." We are an established residential neighborhood of over 60 years and this development neither enhances nor maintains our neighborhood community.


Inappropriate Location for This Type of Development: This project is more suited for the Annandale Community Business Center, a designated special planning area outlined in the county’s Comprehensive Plan and over 1 mile west of the parcel, where higher-density development and mixed-use zoning are already intended to be concentrated. The location of 6675 Little River Turnpike, adjacent to a predominantly residential area, makes it incompatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Placing such a large-scale development here would disrupt the balance of residential and commercial areas.

3. Parking Concerns:

Overflow Parking & Impact on Residential Streets: The proposal for a five-story residential building with 186 units is likely to create overflow parking issues in the surrounding neighborhood. Already our neighbors on Randolph Drive see careless overflow parking in the evenings from J&D Bar & Restaurant and the development would only add to the already frustrating parking situation. Our residential streets were not designed to accommodate large amounts of additional on-street parking. 




Conclusion:

Given the concerns outlined above—traffic issues, inadequate parking, and the incompatibility of the proposed development with the surrounding residential neighborhood—we strongly urge the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission to reject the nomination (CPN-2025-I-MA-022) for review in the Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process for the proposed development at 6675 Little River Turnpike.