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Fairfax County leaders are urging Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s administration to overhaul a state transportation review process they say is delaying housing projects, increasing costs and creating uncertainty for developers.
The Board of Supervisors endorsed a letter on Tuesday, Feb. 3, asking three newly appointed Virginia cabinet secretaries to make the Virginia Department of Transportation more responsive when reviewing developments that include market-rate and committed-affordable homes.
Board Chairman Jeff McKay wrote that VDOT remains an essential partner on housing and infrastructure projects, but its reviews can be lengthy and inconsistent. He also raised concerns about unclear decision-making authority, limited transparency and previously granted approvals being reconsidered or effectively reversed later in the development process.
The board’s vote was unanimous among those present. McKay was absent but was authorized to send the letter to Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue and Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova.
Providence District Supervisor Dalia Palchik said VDOT “should not be the impediment to building housing.”
Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman said the new administration has an opportunity to address problems Fairfax officials have pursued for years.
The county previously supported legislation from Del. Rip Sullivan, a Democrat representing District 6, that would have required VDOT to examine its practices, make improvements and report its findings to the General Assembly.
That proposal stalled last month when a House Committee on Rules subcommittee passed it over on a 5-0 vote. The panel instead recommended sending Donohue a letter seeking his help with improving the agency’s procedures.
During a Jan. 23 legislative hearing, Bierman described VDOT delays as “the fly in the ointment” for development. He said inconsistent agency practices are among the complaints county staff and housing developers raise most frequently.
Sullivan said continued pressure from local elected leaders could still produce changes. Choosing a letter instead of a legislative mandate could also give the new administration time to address the issue after its leadership team is established.
Spanberger made housing production an early priority. On her first day in office, Jan. 17, she issued an executive order creating a Commission on Unlocking Housing Production. The panel will recommend ways to expand the housing supply by eliminating unnecessary requirements, simplifying approvals and reducing other barriers.
Virginia Realtors supported the action. The trade organization estimated last year that Virginia faced a shortage of nearly 200,000 homes and said the gap was continuing to increase. It argued that market-rate housing is needed to support middle-class workers, strengthen local economies and attract businesses that might otherwise be discouraged by housing constraints.
The Fairfax board’s discussion also turned toward the county’s own approval procedures. Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity backed state-level streamlining but said county leaders should examine local barriers with the same intensity instead of focusing only on Virginia agencies.
Supervisors directed County Executive Bryan Hill last year to study potential local improvements. Hill said staff members expect to deliver their response by June, if not sooner.
“It should happen before June,” Bierman replied.