April 26, 2025
Smart Growth for Oakton wants to update you on the status of the AT&T redevelopment. The next step for the redevelopment is the rezoning phase. In this phase, the County will be reviewing the site plans. This will include a review of retail density, road alignment and entrances, amenities and proffers to the community and county. There are several events occurring that we would like to share:
· Smart Growth recommendations to the Initial Site Plan
· Creation of a new Advisory Community Group by Supervisor Palchik’s Office
· Traffic Study approved & funded for the Chain Bridge Corridor Initial Site Plan
Smart Growth recommendations to the Initial Site Plan
EYA submitted an initial site plan in January. However, since this plan was for 1.0 FAR density, they will have to modify this plan for a .88 FAR. The Fairfax County Staff conducted a preliminary review of this plan and prepared notes that were submitted back to the developer. Smart Growth asked for a copy of these notes to review as well.
Based upon the initial site plan, Smart Growth prepared a letter to both the County and developer with a list of recommendations and met with the developer, EYA this week along with our sister advocacy groups. A summary of these recommendations include:
Reduction of retail space from 101,600 square feet to a much lower retail footprint. Retail is the biggest culprit in the increase of trips from this development. Proposed development will generate 12,313 trips on a Saturday of which 8,264 will be from retail.
Designing the Main Retail Road as a Woonerf road. Woonerf ("Street for living") is a Dutch term for common space created to be shared by pedestrians, bicyclists, and low speed motor vehicles. They are typically streets without curbs and sidewalks, and vehicles are slowed by placing trees, planters, parking areas, and other obstacles in the street. Woonerfs can be particularly effective in retail areas, as they create a more inviting and social environment for shoppers and visitors.
Placing Retail Garage entrances away from the main retail road to reduce vehicular traffic to make the retail more pedestrian-friendly.
Moving the Retail Plaza Park to a more centralized location in the retail area. Currently, pedestrians will have to cross a busy street away from the retail area to this park.
Provide a larger park that is connected to Borge Park that has amenities that all the community can use. We are advocating for an updated playground, public restrooms, outdoor amphitheater, water features, multi-use courts, trails, parking spaces and unprogrammed park land. We suggested that the Borge/Flagpole vehicle entrance next to Borge Park be eliminated to better connect the two parks and ensure pedestrian safety.
A direct Accessible VDOT Road be built through the development property to remove traffic gridlock on Jermantown/Blake Lane at the intersection of Chainbridge Road. Several proposals were given to EYA for consideration.
EYA is now in the process of reviewing the staff notes (and hopefully our recommendations!) and then revise the site plans for submission to rezoning. This will happen sometime in May.
Supervisor Palchik has created an Advisory Community Group
The Providence Office has sent out invitations to a select group to attend a series of meetings on the AT&T redevelopment site for a meeting next week. We believe the 16 representatives were selected from (1) Smart Growth, (3) O4O, (2) GOCA, (3) Miller Heights, (1) YIMBY, (1) Safe Streets for Fairfax, the Flintwood HOA President, an Arrowood HOA Board member as well as individuals from (2) Mantua, and (1) Flinthill Manor. Topics include pedestrian/bicycle safety, transportation input, park amenities and nonresidential (retail & community space). Smart Growth will report back after the meeting to keep you informed.
Traffic Study approved and funded for the Chain Bridge Corridor
Fairfax County has approved the funding for a Traffic Study of the Chain Bridge Corridor! Providence District Office states this study is currently being scoped for consultant assistance with project initiation and data collection being targeted to be completed before school is out for summer. Community engagement will begin in the fall. Here is the scope of the project.
“Spanning approximately one mile from the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Jermantown Road, staying north of I-66. The study should consider enhanced, modified, and/or new connections to Chain Bridge Road from the Oakton neighborhoods as well as evaluate the connectivity and quality of the pedestrian and bicycle network. The study should recommend near-term and long-term improvements along with potential private and public funding options that the County can pursue.”
Smart Growth has asked for a community representative(s) at the beginning of this project to ensure we have the proper scope.
What can you do to advocate for our Oakton community?
You may feel it futile to continue advocating for our Oakton Community but your efforts have made a difference! Due to your efforts, the FAR was reduced to .88 (reduction of approximately 75 dwellings), we have a much larger park space in a more desirable location and Fairfax County has approved and funded a Traffic Study. We need to continue our efforts in the rezoning phase.
Continue to send emails to our elected government officials about your concerns or ideas and copy Options for Oakton. Group letters from your neighborhood may catch the attention of our government leaders.
Keep the neighborhood communication going! Make sure your Oakton neighbors are aware of the redevelopment. Forward this email to your neighbors and HOA leaders, post on your HOA facebook page, join the Options for Oakton/Smart Growth facebook group (currently with 400 members!) and ask your neighbors to join this group to stay informed. Please have your neighbors email me to be placed on our email distribution list.
Ask your HOA leaders to join the HOA/Civic Coalition Leader Group. We have a good representation of HOAs in the immediate area, but it would be important to grow this group with the upcoming Traffic Study. Smart Growth is hopeful that the Providence Office will use this coalition group to understand our community’s concerns and interests.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in our community!