Board of Architectural Review recommends approval of 6‑story mixed‑use building at Courthouse Plaza

The Fairfax City Board of Architectural Review on July 16 voted 5‑0 to recommend City Council approve a six‑story mixed‑use building proposed at Courthouse Plaza, 10300 Willard Way, and to recommend approval of the applicant’s requested special exceptions.

The proposal, submitted by Megan Hall on behalf of Combined Courthouse LLC (case BAR240008), would demolish roughly 25,000 square feet of existing commercial space west of the Safeway anchor and replace it with a six‑story building containing ground‑floor retail and 315 residential units. The applicant’s team described the project as the first phase of a broader plan to refresh the shopping center and to implement elements of the Old Town Fairfax Small Area Plan.

City staff presented the project and explained that it sits inside the Old Town Fairfax Small Area Plan and the Transition Overlay District. Staff noted the building would vary materiality and massing, include a pocket park adjacent to Safeway, and preserve the existing Safeway building. Staff also summarized the applicant’s requests for multiple special exceptions, including increases in density (proposed 36 dwelling units…