Topgolf Plan Amendment Deferred Again By Planning Commission

KINGSTOWNE, VA — On Wednesday, the Fairfax County Planning Commission again deferred a decision on the plan amendment that would be the first step of redeveloping the Topgolf site in Kingstowne.

An amendment would change the land use recommendations for the site's comprehensive plan. The owner of the property has called for a residential use in the latest concept provided to the county in April 2021. Specifics of a development would be decided during a rezoning process after the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors would approve a plan amendment.

Lee District Planning Commissioner Dan Lagana requested a deferral of plan amendment consideration until Nov. 10. The decision had been deferred in July to Sept. 22.

Lagana and Lee District Supervisor held a town hall for Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation residents on Aug. 31, and a second workshop-style meeting is planned in October. Lagana said the plan amendment should be deferred until after the second meeting.

"At the meeting, I think we determined that a second follow meeting was necessary to really incorporate their perspectives into the plan amendment and to have more of a working session to further incorporate and shape the amendment," said Lagana.

Aside from requesting a deferral, Lagana provided updates about the site. Lagana reported that the applicant has been cleaning up and securing the site, although work remains to address the extensive damages. Security and vandalism concerns were expressed by residents as the site became vacant with the exit of Topgolf and Ruby Tuesday.

In recent years, there have been numerous redevelopment concepts presented for the Topgolf site on South Van Dorn Street across from Kingstowne Towne Center. The most recent concept was included in a county staff report for the plan amendment, but those details aren't final. The latest redevelopment concept envisions 164 townhomes and 44 stacked townhomes with a density around 12 dwelling units per acre including an affordable housing density bonus. Unlike previous concepts, the latest one does not include a retail use. The current density in the area is up to 4 dwelling units per acre or 4.8 with an affordable housing density bonus.

A plan amendment would allow a residential use with a higher density on the site. In June, county staff recommended 10 dwelling units per acre or 12 with the density bonus. In July, the Lee District land use committee recommended 8.3 dwelling units per acre or 10 with the affordable housing density bonus.