Preliminary Parameters for
Fairlee-Metro West Development (October 15, 2005)
1. A viable commercial/office/retail component is essential to any
mixed use development, to promote community stability and limit
traffic. Therefore:
a. An office tenant
must be secured and the commercial building under construction before
work commences on any residential high-rises.
b. For long term
community stability, appropriate higher education institutions should
be considered, similar to what is at three Orange line stations.
c. The county must
promote a retail mix that serves the site’s population.
2. The Fairlee development must not overwhelm stable neighboring
communities or existing infrastructure. Therefore:
a. Reduce
residential to no greater than 1,500 units, and limit officespace to
200,000 square feet.
b. Reduce maximum
building height to eight stories.
3. To ensure a livable community, the Fairlee development must improve
its commitment to accessible public green space. Therefore:
a. Fairlee developers
should commit to substantially expanding local recreational facilities
and space.
b. Move Vaden Road
(extended) to the east, in order to preserve tree-covered acres along
the East Blake Lane park connector trail.
c. Move the proposed
community center to the east side of VadenRoad (extended) to preserve a
three-acre wooded area betweenFairlee and Circle Woods, and to expand
East Blake Lane Park.
4. The area around Nutley street and I-66 requires more comprehensive
road and Transit solutions, therefore:
a. Increase bus service to Tysons,
Fair Lakes and other job centers.
b. Expand mass transit west on
I-66, using modes that include BRT,
express buses, and rail.
c. Improve Vienna Metro station to
handle increased ridership.
5. Local schools already are under greater pressure from heavy use.
Therefore:
a. Determine if
a new school is needed to accommodate the area’s growth before spending
developer proffers on alterations at existing schools.
b. Identify
which schools will get the development’s students prior to rezoning.
c. If existing
schools are expanded, in addition to modular classrooms, developer
should pay to augment basic core
facilities, such as
cafeterias and libraries.
6. Stormwater and wastewater infrastructure is inadequate. Therefore:
a. Limit the development to the
amount manageable by current wastewater infrastructure.
b. Protect nearby streams and
private property from Fairlee site stormwater.