About the Event

Join YIMBYs of Nova for an evening dedicated to the future of the Courthouse Plaza redevelopment in the heart of Fairfax City. This is one of the most significant development opportunities in the City's history, and your voice matters.

This event will be a two-part evening:

Part 1 (6:00 PM – 6:45 PM): Debrief and discussion of the September 2 Small Area Plan Zoning Standards Open House at the Sherwood Community Center. We'll share what we learned, discuss next steps, and coordinate our advocacy strategy for the City's zoning update.

Part 2 (6:45 PM – 8:00 PM): Learn about the Courthouse Plaza project, hear from the development team, and prepare testimonies for upcoming City Council and Planning Commission hearings.

Why Discuss the September 2 Zoning Open House Outcomes

The September 2 open house was a pivotal moment for Fairfax City. The City presented the final draft of the Small Area Plan Zoning Standards, which will shape how properties like the Courthouse Plaza site can be developed for years to come.

Why this debrief matters:

• The final draft is now public. This is our chance to review what the City proposed, identify any concerns, and strategize how to advocate for the strongest possible housing standards.

• We need to hear from you. Many of our members attended the open house. We want to hear your observations, questions, and feedback – good, bad, or otherwise.

• NIMBYs are always there. Anti-housing voices always show up to oppose density, mixed-use, and change. We need to compare notes and prepare a unified YIMBY response.

• This affects the entire City. These zoning standards will apply to all future development in Fairfax City's small area plans. What we decide now will shape Fairfax City for decades.

We'll discuss:

• What the final draft includes (and what it leaves out)

• Community feedback and concerns raised at the open house

• Next steps in the adoption process

• How we can continue to advocate for strong, pro-housing zoning standards?

About the Courthouse Plaza Project

The applicant proposes a rezoning from CR Commercial Retail and CG Commercial General to PD-M Planned Development Mixed Use on approximately 10.34 acres in the heart of Fairfax City.

The proposed development would be built in two phases:

Phase 1

• 12,500 square feet of ground-floor retail

• 315 multi-family residential units

Phase 2

• 50,000 square feet of retail

• 315 multi-family residential units

Total: 630 new homes and 62,500 square feet of retail in the heart of Fairfax City.

The site is located within the Activity Center Place Type as designated in the Comprehensive Plan and is subject to the Old Town Fairfax Small Area Plan.

Why This Matters

This is exactly the kind of development Fairfax City needs:

• Housing near jobs, transit, and amenities – Courthouse Plaza is walkable to the Old Town Fairfax core, City Hall, the library, and multiple bus routes connecting to the Vienna Metro and beyond.

• Mixed-use, walkable urbanism – The project would transform a commercial shopping center into a vibrant, mixed-use community where people can live, work, and shop without being car-dependent.

• Revitalization of a key site – Courthouse Plaza is a prime location that has been underutilized for years. This redevelopment would bring new life, new residents, and new economic activity to the heart of Fairfax City.

• Alignment with the Small Area Plan – The project is consistent with the City's vision for the Activity Center Place Type and the Old Town Fairfax Small Area Plan.

We need to show the Fairfax City Council and Planning Commission that the community supports this project.