Department Resources

Richmond Highway: District Design Guidelines

About The Urban Design Guidelines

Richmond Highway Urban Design Guidelines Map Following the adoption of the Embark Comprehensive Plan Amendment (the Plan), the Board of Supervisors directed County staff to work on a number of implementation tasks. One of these tasks is to elaborate on the urban design guidance in the Plan through the creation of guidelines that include the design, character, and function of streetscapes, parks, plazas, building forms, and landscape details.

The Urban Design Guidelines for the Richmond Highway Corridor builds on and serves as a companion document to the Volume I: Urban Design Guidelines for Commercial Revitalization Districts and Areas, which includes broad recommendations and urban design ideas applicable to all CRDs and CRAs.

Community Outreach and Feedback

Overview

Community participation was an essential component in the development of the District Design Guidelines. Ideas for the character and appearance of the Richmond Highway corridors Community Business Centers were provided through an initial Community Workshop, December 2018, attended by nearly 70 people. Pop-Up Studios and an Online Survey followed in the Spring of 2019. These events showcased pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, building design ideas, and results of the Community Workshop.

The input from the Online Survey and Pop-Up STUDIOS were incorporated into Draft recommendations that were shared with Homeowner Associations, the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation, Mount Vernon Council of Citizen’s Associations, and the Franconia District Land Use Committee. In addition to Outreach presented to these groups, feedback opportunities on the draft guidelines were collected through a public online form.

The community input from these events has helped to enhance and advance the Richmond Highway District Design Guidelines that were submitted to Board of Supervisors on March 20th. Reflecting the community desires collected from a variety of stakeholders through all these events the Guidelines will encourage a greater sense of community throughout the entire corridor.

Results

Community Workshop

North Gateway CBC
Penn Daw CBC
Beacon Groveton CBC
Hybla Valley / Gum Springs CBC
Woodlawn CBC

Pop-Up STUDIOS and Online Survey

Pop-Up Results Summary
Pop-Up Images and Presentation Materials

Presentations of the Draft

Executive Summary
Outreach Presentation

Advisory Group

Select representatives from community groups and area professionals provided on-going guidance to the county from December 2018 - October 2019.

Finalized guidelines submitted to the BOS March 20th, 2020.

seal

Our Mission

The Community Revitalization Section of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development facilitates strategic redevelopment and investment opportunities within targeted commercial areas that align with the community's vision and improve the economic vitality, appearance and function of those areas.