West End Small Area Plan

About the West End Small Area Plan

The West End Small Area Plan establishes a conceptual framework for redevelopment and public improvements for the City’s West End that, that will create a vibrant, economically viable, walkable, bicycle-friendly, environmentally sustainable and resilient destination along one of the City’s major commercial corridors adjacent to the West Falls Church Metro Station and Interstate 66.

View and download the West End Small Area Plan (adopted September 14, 2020). 

Area Description

The West End of Falls Church includes three Planning Opportunity Areas: 

  • The Gordon Road Triangle (POA 4), which includes a portion of West Broad St.,  the City’s Property Yard, and neighbors the W&OD Trail; 
  • The Schools-Related Parcels (POA 8), which includes the new High School campus development, the future West Falls Church Economic Development project, and neighbors Fairfax County, the West Falls Church Metro Station, and the VT/UVA satellite campus; and, 
  • The West End (POA 7), which includes the Falls Plaza Shopping Center and is bisected by Birch St. 

West End SAP map Opens in new window

(Click to see larger map.)

Why Develop a Small Area Plan?

The Small Area Plan provides a coordinated vision for redevelopment for the City’s West End. These Planning Opportunity Areas were studied and planned to help guide development in a proactive manner in accordance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Planning in advance of development helps the City create an environment that maximizes community benefit and minimize negative impacts. 

How Can I Get Involved?

City staff encourage citizen participation and actively engage City residents in preparing small area plans. Future opportunities for public input will be listed on this page. Questions and comments regarding the West End Small Area Plan can be sent to plan@fallschurchva.gov..

Public Meetings

October 2019 Community Meeting

A Community Meeting was held on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Falls Church Episcopal Fellowship Hall (115 E. Fairfax Street). The meeting was attended by residents, City Council members, members of City Boards and Commissions, and City staff. The meeting included a presentation about the three POAs, followed by breakout sessions where participants provided their feedback on four subjects in regard to the area: Vision/Urban Design; Land Use/Zoning; Mobility & Accessibility; and Environment & Parks/Open Space. These comments were then consolidated and general themes from each category were presented at the end of the meeting. Staff has consolidated all of the raw comments provided during the meeting. 

Meeting Materials

Meeting Comments

Summary of Public Engagement Process

DateGroupEvent
October 26, 2019Community MeetingPresentation/Group Discussion
December 2, 2019Planning CommissionWork Session
Link to Video | Link to Document
December 9, 2019City Council/Planning Commission/ Economic Development AuthorityJoint Work Session
Link to Video | Link to Document
February 18, 2020Planning CommissionWork Session
Link to Video |
Link to Document
February 24, 2020City CouncilWork Session
Link to Video |
Link to Document
April - June 2020Board & Commission ReviewLink to Document
May 12, 2020Housing CommissionWork Session
Link to Document
May 20, 2020Library Board of TrusteesWork Session
Link to Document
June 2, 2020Economic Development AuthorityWork Session
Link to Document
June 3, 2020Recreation & Parks Advisory BoardWork Session
Link to Document
June 17, 2020Planning CommissionWork Session
Link to Video |
Link to Document
July 20, 2020City CouncilWork Session
Link to Video |
Link to Document
August 19, 2020Planning CommissionWork Session
Link to Video | Link to Document
September 2, 2020Planning Commission Public Hearing & Recommendation to Council Link to Video |Link to Document
September 14, 2020City Council Public Hearing & Action Link to Video |Link to Document