08/31/2026
Important conversations about the future of Fairfax City are happening this week. Growth can bring opportunity, but decisions about density, traffic, infrastructure and our quality of life deserve careful consideration and lots of resident input.
Please take a look below and make your voice heard! Our cityโs future should be shaped with our community.
To those who have already reached out, thank you! Please continue to stay involved!
IMPORTANT FAIRFAX PUBLIC MEETINGS ON HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT THIS WEEK โ YOUR INPUT MATTERS
๐บ๐ธ Fairfax residents have two important opportunities this week to learn more about proposed development and zoning changes that could significantly shape our city for decades.
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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 โ FAIRFAX CIRCLE, 4 PM START TIME
The City Council will discuss the proposed Circle Gateway project, including an 11-story building at Fairfax Circle. This is the first of several major redevelopment proposals expected to come forward in areas covered by the city's Small Area Plans.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 โ SMALL AREA PLAN ZONING OPEN HOUSE
๐ 5:00โ8:00 p.m. โ stop by anytime
๐ Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Boulevard
The City is holding an open house on proposed Small Area Plan Zoning Ordinance Amendments. These amendments would change zoning standards to implement the Small Area Plans governing redevelopment in Fairfax Circle, Kamp Washington and Old Town/Northfax.
Residents can review the proposed changes, talk directly with city staff, ask questions, and provide comments.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The City's Small Area Plans contemplate major redevelopment, including approximately 4,700 additional housing units.
To put that number in perspective:
โข Fairfax currently has approximately 10,604 households. Adding 4,700 units would represent an increase of about 44% in the city's housing stock in ten years.
โข The city's population is approximately 26,772. At an average of 2.7 residents per additional household, 4,700 new occupied units could represent approximately 12,690 additional residents, bringing the population to roughly 39,462.
โข If that growth occurred over the next decade, it would represent a substantial acceleration from the city's recent population growth rate and even greater when compared to Fairfax County.
These numbers don't tell us whether individual projects are good or bad. But they do show why decisions about building height, density, transportation, schools, infrastructure, taxes, parks, public services and quality of life deserve careful consideration and meaningful public participation.
NOW IS THE TIME TO PARTICIPATE.
The September 2 open house is an opportunity to review the proposed zoning standards before formal Planning Commission and City Council public hearings later this fall.
You can also review the City's maps of major development projects and planned redevelopment areas online. The map provides a useful visual picture of where this growth could occur across Fairfax.
Whatever your views on growth and development, I encourage you to learn about these proposals, ask questions, and make your voice heard. Decisions of this magnitude should be made with the communityโnot simply presented to the community after the important choices have already been made.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
โข Review the draft amendments and meet the project team.
โข Share your feedback and final comments.
โข View online resources and draft documents ahead of time via Engage Fairfax.
You can submit your written feedback and questions online through several official channels provided by the City of Fairfax:
1. Submit on the Engage Fairfax Platform
The primary hub for this project is the Engage Fairfax Small Area Plan Zoning Page. On this platform, you can:
โข Post directly to the open forum topics.
โข Ask questions on the project Q&A board, where city staff actively respond to resident inquiries.
2. Email the Project Manager Directly
If you prefer to submit formal written text or detailed documentation, you can email the city's project manager, Amy Lynne Denny, directly at [email protected].
3. General Zoning Contact
For general questions regarding the city's zoning administration or formatting concerns, you can also reach the city's Zoning Division via email at [email protected] or by calling 703-385-7820.
