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). 

• Cover & Contents
• Introduction & Background
• Concepts
• Land Use & Zoning
• Economic Development
• Character & Urban Design
• Transportation
• Infrastructure & Environment
• Parks & Open Spaces
• Implementation
• Appendix A
• Appendix B

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. 

(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 Invitation
• Meeting Presentation

Meeting Comments

• Raw Comments

Summary of Public Engagement Process