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Planning Commission approves kinetic 'Rivergrass' sculpture for Founders Row 2 plaza
Summary
The Falls Church Planning Commission approved a site-plan amendment allowing a wind-driven stainless steel sculpture in the Founders Row 2 plaza after staff and advisory boards recommended the design; installation is scheduled to precede building closeout milestones. The vote was unanimous.
Falls Church City planning commissioners voted unanimously to approve a site-plan amendment permitting a kinetic public-art sculpture on the plaza for the Modera Founders Row 2 development.
Staff presented the amendment and recommended approval, noting the design received positive recommendations from the Arts and Humanities Council and the Architectural Advisory Board. Jeff Hollerin, the case planner, told commissioners staff supported the sculpture and the process used to review it.
The applicant and the artist described the work and timetable. Chad Price of Mill Creek Residential said the sculpture was a voluntary concession tied to the project and that installation would not delay the delivery of the first units targeted for early 2025. Artist Barton Rubinstein described the concept as a pair of river-grass forms and the movement system: "I engineered this... a 0 maintenance system that I've used in dozens of projects," he said, adding the two stainless-steel elements would be roughly 20 and 16 feet tall and intended to promote environmental awareness.
Commissioners asked about timing, installation logistics and neighbor communications. The applicant said fabrication would take two to three months after contract execution and predicted installation in time to meet the project's voluntary completion milestone; they also pledged to coordinate construction timing with nearby residents.
The planning commission recorded a roll-call vote and approved the site-plan amendment. The decision authorizes the sculpture to be installed on private property as described in the application and as modified by Arts and Humanities Council comments.
The commission's action is limited to the site's plan amendment; final fabrication and installation will require coordination between the applicant, artist and city staff under the conditions described during the hearing.
