On October 23, the Planning Commission published a proposal 2014-I-B2 to amend the Comprehensive Plan to allow a second “urban” elementary school to be constructed in the Seven Corners/Bailey’s Crossroads area. The first urban elementary school (constructed on black top) opened at 6245 Leesburg Pike opposite Seven Corners in Fall 2014. The proposed second urban school would be constructed on Columbia Pike on the west side of Radley Acura opposite Trader Joe’s in Bailey’s Crossroads.  The Bailey’s site is even less suitable for a school than the Bailey’s Upper site.  The school should be constructed on the green Willston School site above Arlington Blvd opposite Seven Corners shopping center.

The Planning Commission approved the plan amendment at a hearing on Nov 5.  While several commissioners asked perceptive questions about the proposal, in the end approval was unanimous.  It was apparent that approval was predetermined; community concerns expressed before and during the hearing were not going to affect the outcome.  A letter protesting the conduct of the hearing was sent to both the commission and the Board of Supervisors.

As described in testimony prepared for the Nov 5 commission hearing, there are two principal reasons for  opposing the plan amendment:

  • The site proposed for a second urban school is not suitable for an elementary school
  • The county has not discussed the proposal with the affected communities

The 3-page testimony  provides a concise summary of the issues and the opportunity to move the school to the Willston School site, a site well suited for an elementary school.

Residents are encouraged to express their opposition to the plan amendment by sending e-mails to the Board of Supervisors and by speaking at the Board hearing.  The hearing is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. on Dec 2  in the Board Auditorium at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.

To Send an E-Mail to the Board:

  1. Send it to: clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov
  2. Identify the hearing and plan amendment in the Subject line as follows:  “Hearing Dec 2, 5:00 PM, Opposition to PA 2014-I-B2”
  3. In the body of the e-mail, state the reason for your opposition. It can be as brief as stating opposition because the plan amendment was not discussed with the community.
  4. Include your name and address so they know you live in Fairfax County
  5. Send the e-mail before Thanksgiving to assure that the Board sees it before the hearing.

To Speak at the Hearing:

  1. Register to speak at the Board hearing Web site. The link to register is on the first line at the top of the page.
  2. You will be allowed 5 minutes if you speak for a neighborhood association, 3 minutes otherwise.