Those wishing to make nominations for the 2004 North County Area Plans Review (APR) have until Friday, May 21, to submit them. These are proposals for changes to Fairfax County's Comprehensive Plan.
This Plan is available at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz or at the reference desk of the public libraries. APR nominations are reviewed by the county's Department of Planning and Zoning and other county agencies.
Each nomination receives a written, county-staff analysis and recommendation, and then a special APR task force reviews them and also makes recommendations. The county Planning Commission holds public hearings on the nominations and may support them as submitted or alternatives representing a lesser density or intensity.
Only those nominations or alternatives endorsed by the Planning Commission are forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for more public hearings and final decisions. The Plan is amended only if the Supervisors vote to adopt a proposed change.
Anyone may submit a nomination, review those made by others, attend citizen task force meetings and review the Department of Planning and Zoning staff report for each nomination. They may also testify at public hearings.
Information on how to submit a nomination — as well as the nomination form — may be found at the above Web site in the "Citizen's Guide to the 2004 North County Area Plans Review." However, the completed nomination may not be submitted electronically because certain attachments, such as a map and certified mail receipts, are required.
Tax map numbers and zoning maps will also be needed. To find a parcel's tax map number, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/re and search by street address. Zoning maps may be purchased at the maps and Publications Sales Desk, Suite 156, in the county Government Center (phone 703-324-2974).
Those with questions about the nomination process may call the Planning Division of the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-324-1380. Ask to speak to an area planner about the APR process.
District supervisors will appoint at their discretion a community task force to review the nominations submitted regarding land parcels in their districts. For APR task force information, including membership, meeting schedules, locations and agendas, contact the appropriate district supervisor — either Michael R. Frey (Sully) at 703-814-7100 or Elaine McConnell (Springfield) at 703-451-8873.
Nominations must be submitted to the Planning Commission office by May 21 at 4:30 p.m. Either hand deliver or mail them to: Fairfax County Planning Commission Office, Government Center Building, Suite 330, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035. To then see how particular nominations are proceeding in the APR process, see www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz.