Fairfax County considers expanded use of developer fees for housing

Fairfax County:

“Fairfax County is considering using developer contributions to further expand affordable housing options, particularly in transit centers. The proposal builds on a concept pioneered in Tysons Corner, where the developers of commercial properties near the four new Metro stations are expected to contribute $3 per square foot to the county’s housing trust fund.

However, some supervisors expressed concern that such fees could hamper commercial development in other parts of the county. The so-called '3-2-1' concept developed by county staff would encourage $3 per square foot contributions from commercial development in areas within a quarter-mile of a transit station, $2 per square foot for properties between a quarter and half mile, and $1 per square foot for any other commercial development.

It would apply only to rezoning cases that include an increase in density, said Marianne Gardner, director of the planning division of the county’s Department of Planning and Zoning. Property owners could also take multiple years to pay the fee, for example paying 25 cents per square foot per year, Gardner said.

The Housing Trust Fund would focus on creating affordable housing in the $3 and $2 per square foot tier areas, under the proposal. Affordable housing options would be targeted at people making less than 80 percent of area median income, or about $80,000 for a family of four.”

~Writes Kali Schumitz of the Fairfax Times

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Affordable Housing for Low and Moderate Income Reisdents

Fairfax County

Stacy Patterson, who serves as Fairfax County’s Public Information Officer said that in 2003 the Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) “’opened Gum Springs Glen, a 60-unit affordable independent living property. Last year the FCRHA provided a $3.9 million loan to a private developer for the acquisition, preservation, and rehabilitation of Mount Vernon House, a 130-unit affordable senior rental property. In addition to these properties, there are privately-owned senior housing properties in the Mount Vernon area. An example is Paul Spring Senior Housing, and there may be others.’”

~Writes Jerry Fill of The Connection

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Debate Over Residential Studio Units Continues

Fairfax County

“Fairfax County residents have yet to agree on the specifics of residential studio units and are continuing the debate on several aspects of the proposed amendment.

As of Jan. 6, the Planning Commission proposed amendment defines residential studios as efficiency units that make up a multiple-family residential building, or part of a building, in which 80 percent of the units must be for those who do not make more than 60 percent of the median income of the area. In the Washington, D.C. area, that is $45,000.

The Residential Studio Unit Amendment has also been amended to remove residential studio units from consideration in lower density R-E through R-8 districts, where single family detached homes are allowed.”
~Writes Janelle Germanos of The Connection

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Fairfax Hearing on Residential Studio Units Jan. 6

Fairfax County

“The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering amending the County’s zoning ordinance to expand affordable housing options in the County. As currently proposed by county staff, the amendment would allow up to 75 residential studio units (RSUs) of up to 500 square feet in size, in most residential, commercial and industrial districts and in all planned development districts.

RSUs would only be allowed by the approval of a special exception or as part of a rezoning. The Fairfax Planning Commission will gather public input on the plan on Jan. 6 and Jan. 22. The meetings will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, at 7 p.m. and the public is invited to testify.”

~Writes the Falls Church News-Press

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