Happy to Grow: Development and Planning in Fairfax County, Virginia

Lucille Harrigan, Alexander von Hoffman

W04-2: The paper begins with an overview of Fairfax County and proceeds in rough chronological order to examine the evolution of land use and the politics thereof. It makes special note of important stimuli to development, such as the construction of the Capital Beltway and Dulles Airport, and critical battles over land use policy, such as the ambitious program, Planning and Land Use System. The history of Franklin Farm, a dairy farm of several hundred acres that became a showcase of housing subdivisions, shopping, and recreational areas, shows how diverse circumstances converged to promote development. The final sections examine current economic conditions, recent redevelopment efforts, and the prospects for regional planning…