Planning commission backs smaller grocery at West Falls, sends amendment to council

The Falls Church City Planning Commission on May 7 voted 5-0 to recommend that the City Council approve TR-25-09, an amendment to the voluntary concessions for the West Falls economic development project that reduces the minimum required grocery store size from 39,200 square feet to 32,900 square feet.

Acting Deputy Planning Director Henry Zhang presented the amendment, saying the change reflects a signed lease and current leasing realities for a grocer tenant. “The lease with the Fresh Market is a signed lease, and it has been signed since last summer,” Zhang said, adding that the tenant has submitted build-out plans for city review.

The commission opened a public hearing on the amendment and heard no speakers. Commissioner Krasner, who led the motion to recommend approval, said the answers given in an earlier work session and the applicants’ responses satisfied his remaining questions. “The grocery store will still be what was intended with the initial approval and substantially so,” Krasner said before making the motion. The motion, as moved by Commissioner Krasner and seconded by a fellow commissioner, passed on a roll-call vote: Commissioners Duncan, Krasner, Stevens, Polinski and the chair voted yes.

Nut graf: The amendment, if adopted by council, would allow the developer to lease roughly 6,300 square feet that otherwise would have been held for the grocer component, while preserving the project’s grocery commitment in a smaller footprint. Planning staff recommended the commission make a positive recommendation so the Council can consider the amendment at its May 12 public hearing.

Supporting details: Zhang told commissioners the grocer plans to use an entrance off Haycock Road and a new Magnolia Street entrance to access a parking garage with 120 spaces dedicated to grocer patrons; the store is expected to open in the third or fourth quarter of next year, contingent on permitting and tenant build-out. Marybeth Avedisian, representing Hoffman & Associates / WF Developer LLC, joined by video and said she had no additional comments but was available to answer questions.

Procedure and next steps: The commission’s recommendation sends TR-25-09 to the City Council for public hearing and action on May 12. The planning commission record notes no other changes to the mixed-use project approvals beyond the single amendment to the voluntary concessions.

Ending: The planning commission’s recommendation is advisory; the City Council will make final determinations at its public hearing. The staff report and the draft resolution are on the City Council agenda for May 12 for final action.