That's why the unanimous vote Monday by Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors to approve an ambitious blueprint at the Vienna Station for condos, townhouses, shops and offices is heartening; it's sensible growth that channels people onto trains and off the region's congested roads.
Editorial, The Washington Post, December 10, 2004

The TDM [traffic demand management] targets set by this plan language have the highest reduction of peak hour trips in county history.
Providence Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth
December 6, 2004  

This development would create a mini urban environment that could largely free us from the region’s biggest drawback: having to drive.
Richard J. Bochner, Chairman Fairlee Workgroup
November 16, 2004

We are continuing to work with surrounding communities and county officials to make this a model project with great benefits for everyone.
Stanley F. Settle Jr., Vice President of Land Acquisition, Pulte Homes
September 30, 2004

With traffic congestion a major problem and $9 billion already invested in a world-class Metro system, surely everyone can agree that the next wave of growth should be concentrated in high-density projects around Metro stops.
Steven Pearlstein, Columnist, The Washington Post , March 4, 2004

It’s the best high- to mid-density project to come to a Fairfax Metro station. It would still be helpful to do an urban design process for all of Vienna Metro and to incorporate that urban design vision into a complete sector plan amendment to cover the entire area around the Metro station.
Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth, The Washington Business Journal , March 4, 2004

By recognizing Metro West, we are showcasing an excellent example of how to make smart growth work. Through smart growth, our area can reduce traffic congestion, retain a top-caliber workforce, attract new businesses, and enhance air and water quality.
Sam Black, Chairman, Smart Growth Alliance Jury, Smart Growth Alliance News , August 7, 2003

Living next to and walking to Metro is what we need to improve air quality.
William Chamberlain

The plan has to recognize that Fairfax has changed from a rural to a suburban to an urban county.
Pete Young, L&M Homeowners Association

This is an opportunity Fairfax County cannot pass up.
Fran Hooper Miller

It is human nature to resist change, but now is the time to embrace smart growth.
Tim Bradshaw

With office, retail, day care and Metro access, we won’t have to get in our cars.
Alexandra Simpson, Hunters Branch Townhome HOA

Given the population and job growth we have to accommodate, higher density, mixed use is consistent with policy plans.
Chris Smith

The proposed redevelopment is attractive and will be an asset.
Joan Rich

It was smart to build Oakton High School , smart to build I-66 and a no-brainer to build the Vienna Metro Station. Let’s stay the course, finish the job.
Charles Ashmore

Higher densities south and west of Vienna Metro just complete what was started north and east of the station.
Alan Johnson

This will give us the opportunity to shop and work where we live.
Trinh Dao

Our coalition strongly supports a plan that meets growing demands through a mixed use, walkable development at Metro.
Stewart Schwartz, Coalition for Smart Growth

We “empty nesters” could transition nicely into this kind of development.
Jim Bunting

Approving this plan amendment will give you the context to make decisions and offer more choices that improve Metro access in a mixed-use redevelopment.
John Bailey, Smart Growth Alliance  

Retail should be at the upper range or more of what is planned.
Roger Diedrich

Our door-to-door survey shows 41 percent of us ride Metro, so ADA-compliant access to Metro for us on the east and through the park on the west would be great progress.
David Keyes, Hunters Branch Condo Association

Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment Staff Report Addendum
July 8, 2004

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“This mixed-use option, which includes residential and non-residential uses, encourages the creation of a land use pattern that supports mass transit by locating housing, retail and employment uses within walking distance of the rail station.”

 “Staff feels this Metro-oriented, mixed-use development option would result in benefits that are significantly greater than the other options in the Plan. The proposed mixed-use option represents the best opportunity to achieve important countywide objectives while still addressing the concerns of the surrounding community.”

Fairfax County Policy Plan
Land Use Objective 6
Fairfax County should have a land use pattern which increases transportation efficiency, encourages transit use and decreases automobile dependency.
Policy a: Link existing and future residential development with employment and services, emphasizing ridesharing, transit service and non-motorized access facilities.  

Transportation Objective 10
Fairfax County ’s land use and transportation policies should be complementary.
Policy 1: Encourage relatively high density residential development in mixed use centers to promote walking trips, enable more efficient transit service and to reduce single occupant vehicle use.  

Land Use Objective 11
Redevelopment of existing residential neighborhoods should have as objectives increased affordable housing opportunities and positive impacts on the environment, public facilities and transportation systems.  

Land Use Objective 12
The location and level of development intensity should be utilized as a means of achieving a broad range of county goals.
Policy a: Concentrate the highest level of development intensity in areas of transportation advantage, i.e., the Tysons Corner Urban Center , cores of Suburban Centers and Transit Station Areas.