Task force reviews Lorton core draft plan text; members seek stronger placemaking, trail connections and a central plaza
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Summary
At the Feb. 5 meeting, task force members reviewed draft plan text for the Lorton core area, asking staff to strengthen placemaking language, clarify housing and density aims, require native landscaping, preserve and promote trail linkages, and identify a signature central park; staff agreed to update sections and circulate a consolidated draft before the Feb. 26 transportation discussion.
Staff opened the second agenda item by asking members to review the draft plan text for how well it reflects the community vision and to identify items for revision before a final task force recommendation. The draft pulled together adopted guiding principles and new area‑wide considerations covering placemaking, housing, open space, environmental stewardship and heritage resources.
On placemaking, staff described the objective as shaping the public realm to strengthen local identity and daily activity. Members widely supported emphasizing placemaking and urged stronger, concrete language about design interventions that would help make a walkable core area.
On housing and land use, staff reminded members that the Board of Supervisors’ adopted comprehensive plan contains housing policy goals that aim to increase housing opportunities and that new density should be paced with public-facility delivery (transportation, utilities, community services). Members proposed clarifying language to say more directly that redevelopment—rather than greenfield conversion—will be the primary mechanism for adding mixed‑use density in the core.
Members also pressed staff to require native species in landscaping and to add clearer expectations for parking design so that lots adjacent to residences are screened and geared to "community-serving" uses rather than commuter parking. A number of members raised architecture and branding: several urged referencing the Workhouse/Laurel Hill architectural character and including a short directive to retain design continuity as redevelopment occurs.
Connectivity and public space drew sustained discussion. Several members recommended treating trails as a linked network and preserving connections from the core to larger regional trails, not merely adding isolated segments. Members asked staff to plan for a prominent central plaza or "signature park" in the core rather than a set of small, fragmented open spaces; staff agreed to identify candidate locations and to reflect that preference in the next draft.
Task force members noted that park and historic‑resource pages in the adopted plan appear dated; staff said they will coordinate with Park Authority and heritage resources staff to update those lists and to ensure the plan’s park recommendations align with current inventories.
Next steps: staff will consolidate task force edits, work with partner agencies on parks and heritage updates, and circulate an updated draft that incorporates the comments. The transportation‑focused presentation will return on Feb. 26; the task force plans a final recommendation vote on March 16.