Chestnut Street Townhouse Development
Six lots in the area between Chestnut
Street and Dale Drive along Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) have been
proposed for redevelopment. The original plans for this area
included 72 townhomes on just under six acres.
A task force of Falls Hill and Highland
View residents has been working on opposing this development. Issues
raised include: increased storm water runoff, unsafe pedestrian
crossing of Route 7 for access to Metro, loss of trees, density
issues such as additional students in schools and added traffic and
noise. They have created a
web site.
Update (May 2012)
According to an email from the Task
Force, the original plan has been withdrawn. The landowners have
agreed to work an alternative that would add Sam's Farm to the area
to be developed and reduce the density.
Update (April 2013)
The area including the Chestnut Street development is being considered for rezoning. It is part of an area designated as a Transit Development Area (TDA) because of its proximity to the Metro station. The issue is whether this is still valid. Here is a link to the rezoning staff report that explains the matter in plain language and gives some background.
The area including the Chestnut Street development is being considered for rezoning. It is part of an area designated as a Transit Development Area (TDA) because of its proximity to the Metro station. The issue is whether this is still valid. Here is a link to the rezoning staff report that explains the matter in plain language and gives some background.
Merrifield
The Mosaic District is progressing. It
is expected to open new retail this fall, including a Target, an
8-screen theater, and restaurants. Roads are to be connected to
existing arteries to improve traffic flow. It is to have several
distinct areas, as shown in their web site.
The intersection of Gallows Road and
Lee Highway (Route 29) is nearing completion. Information about this
project, as well as some photographs, can be found
here.
I-495 HOT Lanes
The HOT Lanes project (High
Occupancy/Toll) is now referred to as the 495 Express
Lanes, according to the
VDOT web site. It involves the creation of toll lanes
in the center of I-495 between Springfield and the Dulles Toll Road.
According for Supervisor Smyth, the completion date of December 21
looks realistic. There will be variable tolls, which will be
displayed on large signs. An EZPass will be required to use it.
Tripp's Run
Flooding issues in the area prompted a
proposal by the county to create a holding pond on Poplar Heights
Recreation Association property. This generated considerable
neighborhood protest and the county took several years to consider
other options with input from the communities. The realignment of
Tripp's Run was one of the resulting projects.
This is to be done in two phases. The
contract for Phase 1, from Shreve Road to the bend in the stream,
should have been let by May, and the start date is to be September 4,
the day after Labor Day, when the pool season ends. It should take
from two to three months to complete.
Update (October 2012)
The long awaited project to restore and realign Tripps Run is about to begin. All the approvals have been acquired and the Notice to proceed has been issued to the contractor - Environmental Quality Resources. The project began at the end of October. Construction will begin on the Rounsevell's property, proceed across Buckelew to Poplar Heights Recreation Association (PHRA) property and then continue to the bend at Poplar Drive. It will end just before the creek proceeds past the back of homes between Poplar Drive and Kennedy Street. The project will take 3-4 months to complete.
A construction notification letter prepared by the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division that was mailed to residents whose homes are adjacent to the project activities can be found here. A map that show the construction area and the project limits is here.
The project is being implemented to reduce further stream bank erosion, improve water quality, and maintain existing infrastructure. Construction will include installation of grade control and habitat improvement structures within the stream channel, stream bank grading, storm water outfall stabilization, and installation of native vegetation.
If you have any questions or need additional information, contact Justin Pistore, the project manager for Fairfax County by phone at 703-324-5685 or by e-mail: justin.pistore@fairfaxcounty.gov.
You can also contact Steve Lester, chairman of the Poplar Heights Civic Association's Stormwater Action Committee at 703-698-6209 or at: slester@chej.org.
Update (April 2013)
The work on Tripps Run is complete. In the process, the bridge over the stream was removed but will be replaced by the pool. PHRA has requested a grant for the rebuilding of the bridge, and PHCA has written a letter in their support.
