Update Post meeting: Need YOUR action before 10/5!

We packed the meeting. Now we need YOUR action before October 5.

Thank you to everyone who came to the September 17 meeting about the proposed 76-unit development at Beulah Street and Steinway Street. It was standing room only. Residents made clear that this proposal has serious problems—and a vote is approaching.

Here is what residents raised:

• Flooding and runoff. The site is approximately 11 acres, including about 7.7 acres of existing forest that could be cleared. Residents questioned whether the proposed stormwater system can protect nearby and downstream neighborhoods when woods are replaced by buildings, roads, and other hard surfaces. Areas toward Hayfield already experience serious flooding.
• Homes that do not fit the area. Residents challenged the proposed homes’ height, size, and density beside existing neighborhoods. We want county officials to explain how this plan meets the standards required for the special exception.
• The Beulah Street entrance. Residents raised concerns about increased traffic and people having to cross busy Beulah Street on foot.
• Parking. Residents questioned whether there is enough parking for residents and visitors.
• Wildlife and habitat. Clearing established woods would destroy habitat and remove a natural buffer between communities—a buffer residents understood to be part of the original vision for this land.

The Franconia District Land Use Committee is expected to vote on its recommendation October 5. Craftmark Homes, the developer behind this application, and county officials need to hear from us BEFORE that vote—not at a community gathering afterward.

Here is what you can do now

1. Contact Craftmark Homes. Make the concern visible.

The application was filed by CM Beulah LLC, a Craftmark Homes affiliate. Craftmark can change or withdraw the proposal.

• Call: 703-989-6662. Ask for the person responsible for the Beulah/Steinway application, SE-2025-FR-00044.
• Write: Use Craftmark’s contact page.
• Ask publicly for an answer: Post on Craftmark’s Facebook page and on its Google listing.

Tell Craftmark: “Residents raised serious concerns about flooding, the size of this development, the Beulah Street entrance, parking, and the loss of wildlife habitat. Change the proposal to a scale consistent with what this land was originally planned for, and show us how existing neighborhoods will be protected. Otherwise, withdraw the application as presented.”

2. Call and email county officials.

Ask them to recommend NO on SE-2025-FR-00044 as presented—or defer the recommendation until these concerns are addressed and residents can review a revised plan.

• Supervisor Rodney Lusk: 703-971-6262 | Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov
• Planning Commissioner Chris Landgraf: 703-324-2865 | Plancom@fairfaxcounty.gov. Ask staff to forward your message to him. Put “For Commissioner Landgraf—SE-2025-FR-00044” in your email subject.
• Board Chair Jeffrey McKay: 703-324-2321 | chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov

You can say: “I live in [neighborhood], and I oppose SE-2025-FR-00044 as presented. Please recommend NO on this proposal. This proposal does not comply with or meets the special exception standards."

3. Document flooding that is already happening.

If you have experienced flooding or drainage problems, report the location, dates, and what happened using Fairfax County’s stormwater maintenance form. Add photos if you have them. Also email your account to Landgraf and Lusk with SE-2025-FR-00044 in the subject so the officials considering this application hear it directly.

Please act now. Make the calls, send the messages, and ask two neighbors to do the same before October 5.