Fairfax County Planning & Development has presented an initial draft of proposed changes to the Flint Hill Suburban Center (AT&T site) Comprehensive Plan (CP) and is requesting the public’s feedback via an on-line feedback page. The draft document and link can be found on the county website Click on draft Comprehensive Plan. 

While some proposed language recommended by our community advocacy groups was incorporated, including more pedestrian and bicycle safety initiatives, and a new VDOT connector road from Jermantown Rd. to White Granite Rd; the critical elements protecting our community were either not addressed or the original, protective CP language was eliminated in this draft. 

These critical elements are as follows:

1. Draft CP proposes the density to increase from .40 FAR to 1.0 FAR. 1.0 FAR residential and commercial density will greatly surpass surrounding neighborhood density levels as well as increase traffic congestion and tax our community resources and infrastructure. 
    
2. No limit to the amount of retail space to be built and elimination of language prohibiting fast food restaurants and drive ins. Prior language limited retail to 15,000 sq ft and prohibited fast food restaurants. Traffic Study indicates that retail creates more traffic congestion.
    
3. Elimination of prior CP language requiring 40% open space; park land is defined as “urban parks”. Removal of this language will allow greater urbanization as well as allow tiny pocket parks vs large green parks.
    
4.  Removal of CP language that protected surrounding neighborhoods regarding cut-through traffic as well as removal of language capping the number of entrances to existing roads. Removal of this language can result in cut-through traffic as well as more congestion with multiple road entrances onto existing roads.
    
5. Proposed CP language for mixed use to extend to parcels outside AT&T site. This means that an additional 20 acres of the adjacent office Park, Post Office and Mama Tigres may be redeveloped at a higher density. 
    

Please plan to attend Fairfax County Planning Commission’s virtual meeting with the community on January 28th at 7:00 pm to hear their proposed draft language for the re-development of the AT&T site.               

Zoom: https://bit.ly/att-oakton  or phone 301-715-8592

Meeting ID: 857 7504 8375                    Passcode: 391630 

FEEDBACK QUESTIONS AND PROPOSED RESPONSES

It is critical for Oakton/Vienna/Fairfax City residents to complete the five minute on-line feedback for our community voices to be heard.  The county will be tabulating the number of responses for and against the development!

LET’S FLOOD THIS ON-LINE FEEDBACK SURVEY WITH OUR COMMUNITY CONCERNS!!!

The on-line feedback of the CP draft language asks how did you hear about study, what is your connection to the AT&T site as well as the following questions. We have provided example responses, however please complete based upon your own concerns and opinions. You can also check “agree” to other citizen’s concerns listed.  Here are the three questions:

1. Are there certain uses of the site that you believe are needed and should be considered?

Example responses:  

• The community desires a five-acre park adjacent to Flagpole Lane to serve as our community meeting core for festivals, concerts, craft shows, farmers’ markets, recreational activities and include amenities - drinking water fountains and restrooms.
• 
  Retain current CP language – Maintain an overall objective of 40% open space.
• 
  All redevelopment of the AT&T site’s road structure must demonstrate an immediate improvement to current traffic conditions for the surrounding roads. Specifically, the road network within the AT&T site must be designed first with surrounding community needs; before considering the placement of the new development residential/retail structures.
   

2. Do you have specific recommendations for how the site should develop with a mix of uses?

Example responses: 

• Density should be maintained for the AT&T site and a mixed-use density of .60 FAR. 
• 
  Residential redevelopment for land adjacent to existing residential homes should be at a density of 16-20 dwellings per acre. This is the same density as land unit A (where the Flint Hill I, III, IV, Redwood redevelopment is currently underway).
• 
  Retail square footage capped to 60,000 square ft; sufficient for a small grocery store and an estimated 9 retail establishments.
•  
  Retain current CP language - Restaurant and other retail would exclude fast food or drive through service.
• 
  Retain current CP language - Entrances to/from the development must only be one per adjacent road. 
   

3.Do you have any questions on the draft plan text or the planning study?

Example responses: 

• Why is The Flint Hill suburban center consider for high density mixed use? It is the smallest suburban center in Fairfax, not walking distance of the metro and not near major employment centers.
• 
  Based upon the results of the Transportation Study which document current traffic gridlock conditions, why do Fairfax County leaders continue to push for urban density in this location?
• 
  Why was the core area of Flint Hill Suburban Center expanded to include the adjacent office park and post office?
   

We thank you in advance for participating at this public meeting and for answering the County’s feedback questions.  

We need 25 more signatures to have 1000 signatures! Please send petition to your Fairfax neighbors. There is no need to donate money!!!

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!  

Sincerely, 

Smart Growth for Oakton