The Fairfax County Planning Commission has recommended for approval Pulte Homes’ plan to rezone a one-story industrial building into 44 residences at 1825 Michael Faraday Court near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station.
After a planning staff report recommended denying the application and the commission held a public hearing last week, the panel delayed making a decision until Wednesday.
Hunter Mill planning commissioner Frank de le Fe said he still had some issues with the plan for the Lofts at Reston Station — which jams 12 2-over-2 townhouses and 32 multifamily units into fewer than two acres of land.
The staff report asked the developer that a few units be removed to allow greater ease of movement and parking for emergency vehicles and trash trucks.
Pulte said that removing units would affect the number of homes set aside for workforce housing, de le Fe said.
“I really don’t like to go against staff on this,” de le Fe said Wednesday. “While not perfect, [the application] represents compromise. In this case, the compromise centers around design for two units at the end. If we did not keep them, the applicant has made it clear it would be difficult if not impossible to meet WDUs [Workforce Dwelling Units set aside for a lower price] with three bedrooms. WDUs are very necessary.”
The plan will next go to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for final approval.
The parcel is about one-third of a mile from the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station, and will eventually be connected by interior streets, including an extension of Reston Station Blvd, plans show.
The staff report also takes issue with the configuration of open space; the amount of surface parking (27 spaces, which they say should be in structured parking); a poorly designed pocket park; and lack of landscaping in connecting to public space.
Rendering of multifamily building along future Reston Station Blvd at Michael Faraday Drive/Credit: Fairfax County
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