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Fairfax County planners are considering ways to accelerate reviews of public school construction projects after approval times climbed from roughly 50 days to an average of 200 days.
The Fairfax County Planning Commission’s schools committee discussed the delays with Fairfax County Public Schools officials on June 4. Four upcoming projects need commission approval: the second phase of the new Skyview High School, a new Silver Line Elementary School, and renovations at Cub Run Elementary and Franklin Middle schools.
Each project must undergo a state-mandated “2232 review,” which determines whether a proposed public facility is compatible with the county’s comprehensive plan. The nonbinding plan guides land-use decisions by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.
The projects are included in FCPS’ six-year Capital Improvement Plan, which is approved annually but receives funding one year at a time.
FCPS Chief of Facilities Services and Capital Programs Erik Gordon and Salem Bush, a branch chief in the county Department of Planning and Development, said the review process moved more quickly from about 2012 through 2022.
Under the earlier system, projects substantially aligned with the comprehensive plan could be reviewed quickly and placed on the commission’s consent agenda without a public hearing. Commissioners could still remove a proposal from the consent agenda and request a hearing when warranted.
Now, every 2232 review requires a public hearing, extending the approval timeline. Gordon said the average review takes about four times as long as it once did.
Delays can expose projects to higher costs caused by inflation and an unpredictable construction market.
“We all know time is money,” at-large School Board member Kyle McDaniel said.
FCPS asked commissioners to restore the earlier process. Committee members appeared receptive and also explored other opportunities to make reviews more efficient.
“We do want to do what we can to have the resources applied as efficiently and effectively as possible,” Planning Commission Chair Phil Niedzielski-Eichner said.
Four projects approach review
Renovations at Cub Run Elementary are scheduled to run from the current fiscal year through fiscal 2028. Work at Franklin Middle is expected to begin in fiscal 2027, which starts July 1. FCPS has not yet released full details about either project.
Franklin Middle was built in 1984, while Cub Run Elementary opened in 1986.
FCPS is also awaiting the award of an architecture and engineering contract for the second phase of work at the new Skyview High School.
The Planning Commission approved the former King Abdullah Academy campus for use as a public facility in May. That decision covered only the portion of the building needed for the upcoming school year, meaning additional approval will be required before the facility can open fully.
Planning also continues for Silver Line Elementary School in the Herndon area. The project carries an estimated cost of $80.5 million in the capital plan and is projected for completion in fiscal 2031.