Bock Farm rezoning vote deferred again; Storck hopes to negotiate compromise

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this afternoon to again defer a vote on a plan rezone part the last horse farm in the Richmond Highway area in order to develop high-density housing for seniors.

Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck said during the hearing that he believes “the gaps can be bridged” between the sides involved in the dispute.

“We all need a little bit more time to talk,” Storck said.

The vote is now scheduled for the Feb. 14, 2017 BOS meeting. Storck said that he will begin scheduling meeting with the parties involved as early as this week.

The proposal for the rezoned land, which was recommended by the county’s planning and zoning board in July after going through the application and review process, calls for four four-story living facilities for residents 55 and older on a 4.38-acre portion of Justice Snowden Farm at 2405 Parkers Lane. The development, which would sit on the northwest part of the 11-acre farm nearest to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, would total 128 units.

Opponents of the plan say they are concerned about the jump in allowed density near a neighborhood of single-family homes, as well as the height of the buildings, the potential for increased traffic, and the uncertainty of what will become of the rest of the farm’s property.

“A lot of people are also concerned that the development is not the right fit for its location,” said Amy Lorenzini Wren, a member of the Residents Against Rezoning group that has organized against the rezoning proposal. “The planned development would be the largest and highest housing development for miles, including most housing developments nearby on Route 1.”

Speaking to Covering the Corridor on Monday, Storck said his goal was to bring both sides to table and negotiate a way forward that didn’t reject the rezoning outright, which would cause the landowner and developer to start the process all over again.

“To start the process over again is very expensive and very cumbersome,” Storck said. “Most developers are interested in seeing the existing plan modified and not have to start all over again.”

Storck also said he wanted to avoid litigation that might follow a “yes” vote, due to the high costs to all involved.

“Let’s get people together and try to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs,” Storck said.

Storck will have to sway an opposition that has adamantly called for a “no” vote, including members of the Williamsburg Manor North Civic Association (WMNCA), which borders the Justice Snowden Farm property.

“[Supervisor Storck] has made it clear … that he would like to mediate a negotiate between the covenant holders (which include WMNCA and three other homeowners),” said Lorenzini Wren. “We feel that he is well-intentioned, but should simply vote NO and allow the parties to come to a private agreement that would permanently settle the use of the land without the need to resort to litigation. …. [W]e don’t see how any formal resolution is possible until the current proposal is off the table.”