At its July 13 meeting, the Board of Supervisors approved five amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Plan regarding the Great Falls area. The amendments were the result of a months-long process, beginning with residents’ nominations for changes to the plan, which then worked their way through a citizen task force and the Planning Commission. Most amendments that made it to the supervisors’ desks were modified along the way.

Unlike most proposed plan amendments, almost all of those suggested for Great Falls were not to enable new development but were aimed at protecting the environment and the character of the community.

The one exception is the addition of language to the Comprehensive Plan encouraging the exploration of possible sites for a community center in Great Falls.

Other amendments approved by the supervisors include an addition to the plan that strongly encourages the burying of all utility lines associated with any new development or redevelopment, as well as wording that notes that Georgetown Pike has been designated as a Virginia Byway and is eligible for listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.

The original proposal was to encourage setbacks of 100 to 150 feet along the road, and the Area Plan Review Task Force appointed by Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville), which initially vetted all proposals, suggested that the plan simply encourage setbacks in keeping with the corridor’s historic and scenic character. County staff, however, said such a standard was subjective, and the plan already called for rigorous examination of any development proposals along Georgetown Pike. The Planning Commission agreed.

The board also approved an amendment encouraging the use of pervious and semi-pervious materials for paved areas, such as walkways, driveways, parking lots and patios, throughout the community.

In addition, the "Environment" section of the plan’s overview for the Upper Potomac Planning District, which runs from the Potomac River to Route 50, was updated to more accurately describe the environment and reflect current environmental policy.

Development-related amendments were proposed for the McLean, Vienna and Herndon areas of the Dranesville District, but only those regarding Great Falls made it to the Board of Supervisors. The APR Task Force will be reconvened in the fall to consider amendments regarding possible future developments around the planned Route 28 Metro station southwest of Herndon, which were deferred.

The Comprehensive Plan does not have the force of zoning and is usually consulted only in the case of an application for a rezoning or special exception.