Developers seek 30‑day extension for West Falls senior parcel; council to consider Oct. 28

Experience Senior Living and its development team asked the Falls Church City Council on Oct. 7 to approve a one‑month extension to close on the senior portion of the West Falls development.

Henry Zhang, the city’s case planner for West Falls, said the requested seventh amendment would move the outside closing date for the D‑1 parcel from Oct. 31 to Nov. 30, 2024. Zhang told council the request is limited to the single 30‑day extension and that foundation permits have been approved subject to inspection; other building permits have been submitted and bonds are being posted.

William Maggart of Experience Senior Living said the project has made substantial progress with entitlements and financing but needs a short delay to finish capital arrangements. “We are getting close to the finish line, but we need a few extra days to get us over the hump and get this thing closed,” Maggart said.

Hunter McLeod, speaking for the applicant, told the council Dominion Electric required changes to boom lengths for a transformer and the team has redesigned some underground and foundation systems; he said the firm expects to resubmit completed materials to the city in the coming weeks and does not anticipate a material construction delay if the closing happens in November.

Council members pressed staff and the developer on site conditions. Staff said they recently received VDOT approvals for two Route‑7 traffic signals and that poles are being fabricated; signal delivery was projected for January with installation expected within a month, and full road work was projected toward the end of Q1 2025. Council also asked about a planned police “landing pad” and the condition of surrounding roads; the applicant confirmed a functional space for police operations is included in site plans.

Marybeth Avedisian of Hoffman Associates told council retail leasing across the site is roughly 70% and identified two recently signed leases (a bank and a Thai restaurant). On the residential side, Avedisian said condo sales had not yet reached the 51% settlement threshold needed to begin closings, while the Alder apartments had about 15–16 preleasing reservations.

Staff recommended scheduling the amendment for formal council consideration at the Oct. 28 regular meeting and promised a short memo and slides summarizing key deal terms ahead of that hearing. No final vote was taken at the Oct. 7 work session; the item was set for the Oct. 28 agenda.