Fairfax County Planning Staff Recommending Supervisors Reject A&R's Huntington Development

A&R Development's proposed mixed-use redevelopment project at the corner of Huntington Avenue and Biscayne Drive isn't receiving much support from the Fairfax County planning staff.

According to Washington Business Journal, the county planners are advising the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to reject the proposal. The mixed use property is expected to include 141 units, which was changed from 175 units in early 2013. The property would also include 3,500 sq. ft. of retail. The development would be located on a one-acre parcel a block from the Huntington Metro Station.

A planning commission meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24. The public hearing was originally scheduled for July.

"The development is not compatible with the 'surrounding stable residential area,' according to a report issued this week, provides little publicly-accessible open space, falls well short of meeting minimum parking needs and does not meet noise mitigation or stormwater management measures," reports Washington Business Journal.

These issues have been previously addressed by the planning staff. Earlier this year, the developer was asked to add additional parking ratios. A&R is proposing 161 parking spaces for the mixed-use redevelopment. The proposal would need 80 more parking spaces to meet the Zoning Ordinance requirements.

The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority approved an amendment to the Huntington Conservation Plan in June 2012, and the Board of Supervisors approved the amendment in September. The amendment allowed for the development to proceed.

The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation also officially endorsed the project in September, stating that the project is consistent with goals to revitalize the Route 1 corridor.

Read the full story on Washington Business Journal.

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