The Mount Vernon Task Force reviewing a nomination to redevelop the land encompassing Engleside Trailer Park, Ray’s Mobile Home Colony, Best Way and surrounding parcels has approved allowing the nomination to move forward.
Local developers are interested in creating a new, mostly-residential community on the property. They have nominated the project as part of the South County Site-Specific Plan Amendment Process, and it does not mean redevelopment is imminent.
The approval of the nomination only means the project will move further into the research phase with Fairfax County, and it will take several years and several levels of approval before a shovel hits the dirt.
After an earlier Mount Vernon Task Force meeting, residents of the affordable housing community — many of whom did not know about the nomination until after the meeting — expressed concern about having to move.
In response to concerns raised from residents, the Trailer Park and Mobile Home Colony owner’s management company sent a letter to residents reassuring the residents that the project would still be a long way off. “Your landlord has no plans whatsoever to stop operating the trailer parks,” according to the letter, citing the value of providing affordable housing to so many families.
Tuesday evening, owner of the property James Turner said, “There is absolutely zero plan on the board to do anything other than what’s operating right now.”
He said that he does not plan to be working for another 30 years. “I think it should be redeveloped at some point, and I think it’s prudent to start planning for it now,” he said.
Also at Tuesday night’s meeting, the nominator requested an increase in allowed density and an increase in the percentage of the project that would be residential, which would help the new development preserve much-needed affordable housing.
Task force members voiced concern about VDOT’s reported plans to widen Richmond Highway and put a retention pond in a location that some believe could make access to the property from the main artery difficult. Fairfax County is opposed to that design the nominator said, and the nominator pointed out that this development idea could push VDOT to change its design.
After protracted debate, ultimately the task force approved the project to move to the next step of consideration and research with two members voting in opposition.
However, the task force requested some changes: Specifically, the project should only move forward with a guarantee that the affordable housing units there now be replaced at a 1-to-1 ratio. In addition, the land parcels should be substantially consolidated to ensure there is enough property to provide enough affordable housing for local residents.
The developer would like to increase density to 20 to 30 units per acre, which would require additional approvals from County officials.
The project nominator will continue research into the feasibility of the project and the development will move into the Fairfax County Work Plan for staff consideration.
See more about the SSPA process, including other South County nominations, here.
Fairfax County
The parcels under consideration for redevelopment include a large affordable housing community.
