Falls Church council adopts update to comprehensive‑plan chapter on community facilities

The Falls Church City Council unanimously adopted TR 24‑28 on March 9, 2026, approving an update to Chapter 8 of the city’s comprehensive plan that governs community facilities, infrastructure, utilities and public services.

Planner Zoe LaRiv told the council the chapter, last updated in 2005, was revised using the most recent demographic projections, industry best practices and an assessment of existing infrastructure. She said the chapter is organized around government services and facilities, public safety, city utility services and related topics, and that staff addressed comments from the council work session of Feb. 2 and the Planning Commission meeting of Feb. 18.

“Tonight the council has requested to approve an amendment to the comprehensive plan titled chapter 8, community building blocks, community facilities, infrastructure, utilities and public services,” LaRiv said during her presentation.

Councilmembers pressed staff to make one wording clarification so outsiders would understand that the ULI TAP material is a recommendation and not an adopted city policy; staff agreed to add clarifying language to that effect. Several members also asked that the school board receive the final plan or a briefing because the chapter refers to school facility assessments; staff said the schools were sent the plan digitally and that an in‑person briefing can be scheduled.

The council voted by roll call with all seven members in favor. Mayor Letty Hardy thanked staff for the multi‑year effort.

Next steps: staff will finalize the draft with the agreed clarifications, provide the corrected version to the school board and publish the adopted chapter as part of the city’s comprehensive‑plan update.