By Stella Koch, ANS Conservation Associate and Tysons Task Force Member

On October 23, 2006, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the selection of PB PlaceMaking to assist the Tysons Corner Land Use Task Force. The PB PlaceMaking team has worked on various transit-oriented developments in the Washington region and has a clear understanding of Tysons Corner and its need. The team includes Robert Cervero, McLarland Vasquez Emsiek & Partners, Bay Area Economics, and Placeways. This group of national and international experts has extensive experience integrating transportation and land use to create urban communities of lasting value.

As many of you know, the Task Force has been charged by the Board of Supervisors with soliciting community input and making recommendations for redesigning Tysons. The 35-member Task Force, representing residents, businesses, environmentalists, and community and civic organizations.

The Fairfax County contract with PB PlaceMaking is valued at approximately $900,000 and included the possibility of optional tasks of approximately $100,000.

PB PlaceMaking met with the Tysons Task Force at the November 13th meeting and outlined its ambitious 14-month schedule for completing the task. An integral part of their task includes encouraging the public to generate concepts for the future of Tysons Corner. It is hoped the entire planning process will be completed by the end of 2007 with recommendations forwarded to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for consideration in early 2008.

The Fairfax County website contains information and materials pertaining to the Task Force (www.fairfaxcounty/gov/dpz/tysonscorner). The Task Force also maintains an email listserv for interested citizens and a telephone information line. All Task Force meetings are open to the public and the schedule is posted on the website.

Comments, input, and questions can be made by phone, 703-324-1344, or by e-mail, [email protected] or in writing:

Tysons Corner Special Study
Dept. of Planning & Zoning
12055 Government Center Pkwy., Suite730
Fairfax, Virginia 22035-5505

ANS Virginia Conservation Advocate Named to Tysons Corner Task Force

Stella Koch, Virginia Conservation Associate for Audubon Naturalist, has been appointed to a committee charged with addressing the growth issues of Tysons Corners. Tysons Corner is the 13th largest business center in the United States and is the economic engine driving the robust economy of Fairfax County at present. However, in order to be competitive in a 21st Century economy and to mitigate the growing traffic congestion issues, Tysons needs to remain a strong retail center and to have a better mix of residential and commercial development.

The task force is charged with focusing on development at the transit nodes – the four Metro stops to be built at Tysons Corner. This will include reviewing all the proposed plan nominations for development at Tysons Corner and addressing the traffic issues within Tysons Corner and the surrounding communities. The goals include creating better transit-oriented development, increasing the residential component, improving the functionality of Tysons, and creating better aesthetics and amenities, such as public spaces, public art, parks, etc. There will be a significant, continuous citizen outreach throughout the 15 months of the Committee’s work. The committee is charged with producing a report with Comprehensive Plan amendments as necessary for the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors consideration.

A Fairfax County resident, Koch also serves as Chair of the Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council.