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Fairfax staff unveils draft land-use vision and goals; schedules public process through 2025
Summary
DPD presented a draft land-use vision and eight draft goals aligned to the countywide strategic plan, outlined outreach conducted to date, and proposed a 2025 schedule leading to targeted public hearings in fall 2025; supervisors requested stronger language on housing supply, distribution of development, renewable energy, and multimodal access.
DPD staff presented a draft update to the policy plan's introductory chapter and read aloud a draft land-use vision as part of a broader effort to align the comprehensive plan with the countywide strategic plan.
Salem Bush (DPD) read the draft vision: "The county will plan for growth by providing diverse housing options, ample employment opportunities, and essential services for all people. Healthy environments and communities will be designed to be safe, walkable, and well connected by multimodal transportation options and include vibrant cultural and recreational spaces that ensure a high quality life for everyone." Staff said they intend the vision and eight draft goals to be high-level and interrelated across topics such as equity, housing, health, environment, and urban design.
Staff described outreach already completed: an internal introduction staff-review committee, four in-person community meetings over the summer focused on policy-plan elements, two recent meetings specifically about the introduction chapter, meetings with Planning Commission liaisons, and internal agency coordination. Staff also noted a Planning Commission review on Oct. 24 and signaled continued work with agencies including the Department of Economic Initiatives and Human and Health Services on specific goals.
Kareem (on the record) summarized 2025 milestones: staff will draft policy text from community feedback, review with internal teams and Planning Commission liaisons, publish rolling plan text and a community feedback report, and target public hearings in fall 2025. Staff emphasized public comment will remain open as staff writes the staff report and through the public hearing process.
Supervisors used the committee discussion to propose refinements. Supervisor Walkinshaw urged the goals to explicitly include strategies to increase housing supply across income levels rather than only prioritizing access to affordable housing. He also asked that renewable energy be added alongside efficiency and conservation in the environmental goal. Supervisor Elk asked for clearer language on the distribution of development countywide and stronger emphasis on transit-oriented activity centers. Chairman McKay cautioned against drafting language that could be construed as restricting where affordable housing can be located and urged sensitivity to connectivity and job access for residents.
Next steps: staff will incorporate committee feedback, continue coordination with other county agencies, publish white papers and community feedback reports, and proceed toward the Planning Commission and Board review schedule with targeted public hearings in fall 2025.
