On Monday, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed a plan that will add 570 housing units to Gallows Road, even though residents say the road is too busy to handle any more density.
The plan, put forward by Lincoln Property Co. Southwest Inc., would put 92 townhomes and 478 apartments on the site of the former offices of the Science Applications International Corp., north of Tyson Oak Drive and South of Route 7.
Elizabeth Baker, an attorney for Walsh Colucci, who represented the developer, said the builders wanted to place housing density close to the Dunn Loring Metro station as well as to Tysons Corner offices.
"What we have done with this project is try to create a community that will offer housing opportunities in close proximity to employment," she said.
SOME RESIDENTS objected to the project saying it would worsen an already bad traffic situation while destroying what remains of the green space along Gallows Road.
"We've had four accidents in the last three months from automobiles going too fast down Gallows Road," said Jack McCrory of Heritage Point. "A month ago, we had a pedestrian run over and killed. ... I think that by adding another 1,100 or so folks in our community, we're just looking for more problems."
Janet Bradley of Madrillon Manors urged the Board to save more trees.
"The density must be reduced to allow for open green space," she said."
For Linda Freimark of the Courts of Tysons, the problem is with the county's planning efforts.
"Almost nothing in our area is well-planned," she said. "We have made ourselves dependent on cars for even the most basic service need including buying milk or dropping off our dry-cleaning."
As a result, she said, "Gallows Road cannot handle another 800 cars dumping onto it at the morning or afternoon rush hours."
BAKER SAID the developer had already agreed to compromise in meetings with the community over the past several months. Originally, she said, the plan called for a seven-story tower, which was removed after neighbors protested.
Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence), who made the motion to approve the application, agreed with Baker.
"We have a number of things that frankly are what the neighborhoods have asked for," she said. "While you all may have wanted a further reduction, the applicant has said that this is it and this is what we have to go on."
As part of its application, Lincoln has agreed to provide a new bus shelter and a shuttle bus service to the Metro station and the office parks of Tysons Corner. The developer will also offer residents a concierge service and a telecommuting center to try to relieve the pressure on local roads. On the school front, Lincoln has proffered $150,000 to Kilmer Intermediate School to buy computers and $472,500 for school capital improvements in the area.
Board chairman Gerry Connolly (D) recused himself from the vote because of his employment with SAIC, which stands to gain from the sale of the 19-acre property.