2015 APA Virginia Annual Conference

The Small Area Planning process undertaken by the City of Falls Church since 2011 has been a multi-year process to plan the future of the City’s two commercial corridors. The City of Falls Church is a 2 square mile City in Northern Virginia with a population of about 13,000. The small geographic size and primarily single family residential nature of the City leaves space for commercial development at a premium. City Council and Planning Commission have been working with the public and City staff to guide and promote commercial growth that fits within the character of the City while also taking advantage of the economic prosperity of the region. All completed and future plans have been developed internally by the City. The presentation will focus on the processes used for streamlining the completion of each Small Area Plan, as well as an overview of the methods used to develop the plans without the use of outside consultants. Covered topics will include: methods to involve the public in the decision making process, the importance of providing clear maps and graphics, coordination of City staff and resources, and a review of how the plans have been implemented since adoption.