The Woodland Park development approved in 2004 has fallen victim to the slowing residential real estate market. The eight-acres along Sunrise Valley Drive had been approved for a mixed-use development. At the time, the developer committed to phasing the project so that the retail would not be constructed until after the residential portion began construction. The deal fell through on the residential portion, according to the staff report prepared by the county’s Department of Planning and Zoning, but the retail portion continued apace. As a result, the retail tenants are nearly ready to open their doors, but the residential buildings have not yet been built.
The Board of Supervisors approved a change to the phasing on Monday. The new plan will allow the retail buildings to open without the residential being in place. “It’s an important piece of the development in the Dulles Corridor,” said Supervisor Cathy Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill).
The developer has committed to beginning construction on the residential portion by the end of the year. If at least one of the residential buildings is not under construction by Oct. 1, the developer will need to pay $25,000 per month to the housing trust fund.