Northern Virginia’s Embark Richmond Highway Plan Amendment

Fairfax County recently completed the Embark Richmond Highway Comprehensive Plan Amendment for the Richmond Highway Corridor in northern Virginia. The amendment created a substantial amount of new density — much of it residential — along the route of the proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) system and, ultimately, the proposed Metrorail extension.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority recently approved funding to widen Richmond Highway to six lanes in Hybla Valley and support the BRT project. The BRT’s current preliminary design and environmental evaluation phases are anticipated to be completed by the end of 2019.

Four areas along Richmond Highway are the big winners of this planning effort — Penn Daw, Beacon/Groveton, Hybla Valley/Gum Springs and Woodlawn. Each area is a community business center (CBC) where density is allocated according to a form-based code rather than traditional floor area ratio. With maximum permitted heights reaching 22 stories, the plan will allow a substantial amount of new density.

Property owners should begin formulating a strategy now. McGuireWoods’ attorneys and land planners offer extensive experience facilitating successful outcomes up and down the Richmond highway corridor. They maintain well-developed relationships with all relevant decision-makers, regulators and stakeholders. Drawing on this experience, the team works productively with brokers and real estate developers to identify and target potentially successful opportunities. To that end, McGuireWoods’ professionals would be happy to meet to evaluate specific properties or discuss a strategy to target value-added opportunities. The revised Plan, which was adopted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 20, can be viewed on the Fairfax County website.

Richmond Highway Corridor Area – Potential BRT	Beacon/Groveton CBC – Building Form, Massing, and Planned Uses	Beacon/Groveton CBC – Conceptual Building Heights