Department Resources

McLean: District Design Guidelines

Project Under Development – Expected Completion Summer 2023

The Volume II: District Design Guidelines for McLean will contain written and visual ideas for the design of streets, lighting, and the area fronting buildings. The guidelines will provide design direction to enhance the appearance of the McLean Commercial Revitalization District (CRD). It is a companion document to the Volume I: Urban Design Guidelines for Fairfax County Revitalization Districts and Areas. These two volumes are to be used together when proposing, designing, or reviewing development projects.

Currently, the draft McLean District Guidelines are available for public review and comments. Based on feedback provided at a community workshop last spring, the draft Design Guidelines communicate community desires for a walkable, small town feel with brick sidewalks, street trees, outdoor cafes, lively park spaces, and lush landscaping.

Community Open House Recap & Next Steps

On May 2, 2023, a community open house was held in McLean. Nearly 200 residents and business owners attended. The meeting showcased draft urban design ideas related to streetscapes, landscaping and environmental designs, building architecture, parks, gateways, and public art. Hundreds of community comments were recorded. If you did not attend, please review the display boards from the open house.

Those who live and work in McLean are highly encouraged to review the draft Design Guidelines and share feedback through the online survey and comment page or by email. The review and comment period for the draft Design Guidelines will close on Sunday, May 14. All community input will be reviewed by staff to inform any additional changes.

The draft is anticipated to be finalized this summer. Then, the Design Guidelines will be presented to the Board of Supervisors for their endorsement. Once final, the guidelines will be used by developers and the county when designing, reviewing, and constructing projects.

DRAFT VOLUME II: McLean DISTRICT DESIGN GUIDELINES

The draft of the ‘Vol II: McLean District Design Guidelines’ is available for public review and comments until May 14, 2023. In addition to the online survey, feedback can be submitted by email to JoAnne Fiebe, Project Manager.

Complete Document

Chapter 1: Introduction and History

Chapter 2: Comprehensive Plan Vision and Urban Design Concept

Chapter 3: Streetscapes

Chapter 4: Building Frontage Design

Chapter 5: Parks

Chapter 6: Gateways and Other Features

Appendix

Project Highlights

The Volume II: District Design Guidelines for McLean are expected to take approximately one year to complete and have a projected Board endorsement date in Summer 2023. The process began with the establishment of an Advisory Group that is comprised of members of the McLean Planning Committee (MPC).

The Volume II: District Design Guidelines for McLean serves to implement the existing Comprehensive Plan vision for the McLean Community Business Center (CBC) through its detailed urban design and streetscape guidance. The Guidelines will be used by owners, developers, citizens, and Fairfax County staff, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors when proposing, designing, or reviewing development projects. Whether a development requires zoning or site plan approval or is being constructed by-right, developers are encouraged to abide by these Guidelines to assist in implementing the community vision for McLean.

For more information about the Guidelines, please review the MPC Urban Design Guidelines Overview - which was presented to the MPC at their December 2021 regular meeting.

Advisory Group

The Advisory Group is comprised of Directors and Alternate Directors who serve on the McLean Planning Committee. There are three individuals from each of the four MPC community stakeholder groups: the McLean Citizen's Association, Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce, Surrounding Citizens Associations, and Commercial Landowners. Monthly Advisory Group meetings occur on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held virtually and are open to the public. A meeting link and call-in information will be made available below before each meeting.

Upcoming Meetings

TBD

Past Meetings & Materials

Advisory Group Meeting #11
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Meeting Agenda | Meeting Video (Passcode: *bLrv0Mz) | Community Feedback Presentation

Advisory Group Meeting #10
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Meeting Agenda

Advisory Group Meeting #9
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Trees & Landscaping Presentation | Lighting, Wayfinding, Art & Parking Presentation

Trees, Landscaping, and Streetscape Site Visit with Urban Forestry
Monday, November 28, 2022

Advisory Group Meeting #8
October 26, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Staff Presentation | Building Zone Public Realm Diagrams

Advisory Group Meeting #7
September 28, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Meeting Video (Passcode: f@ALCD6m) | Street Paving & Furnishings Presentation | Cycletrack & Urban Trail Design Overview

Advisory Group Meeting #6
July 27, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Streetscape Presentation | Urban Park Network Presentation #2

Advisory Group Meeting #5
June 22, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Draft Streetscape Model | Urban Park Network Presentation

Advisory Group Meeting #4
May 25, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Streetscape Presentation

Advisory Group Meeting #3
April 27, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Urban Design Concept

Community-wide Workshop
March 23, 2022
A community workshop was held to discuss desired designs for streetscapes, lighting, furnishings, parks and plazas, and public art. A follow-up online survey was also available. Almost 100 people attended the workshop and 200 people responded to the survey. The results of the survey and workshop are being used to inform the recommendations in the McLean urban design guidelines.
Workshop Agenda | Workshop Video | Workshop and Survey Results

Advisory Group Meeting #2
February 23, 2022
Meeting Agenda

Advisory Group Meeting #1
January 26, 2022
Meeting Agenda | Comprehensive Plan Presentation | Volume 1 Guidelines Overview

For More Information

Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development
Community Revitalization Section
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 755, Fairfax, VA 22035
JoAnne Fiebe, Senior Revitalization Program Manager
joanne.fiebe@fairfaxcounty.gov
703-324-9300

RELATED RESOURCES

2008 McLean Open Space Standards

Comprehensive Plan Area II: McLean CBC

Zoning Ordinance

seal

Our Mission

The Community Revitalization Section of the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development facilitates strategic redevelopment and investment opportunities within targeted commercial areas that align with the community's vision and improve the economic vitality, appearance and function of those areas.