Residents of the Franklin Farm community are concerned about a nearby affordable housing proposal. The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted informally this week to advance the proposal, which would add 90 apartments at 13224 Franklin Farm Rd. in Herndon.
The apartments would be added to a three-story building on the grounds of the Community of Faith United Methodist Church. The church has working with the nonprofit Sanctuary AP3 on the proposal. People earning 60 percent or less of the area median income would be eligible for the units.
The plans initially included 157 apartments in a five-story building but was amended after residents in nearby single-family neighborhoods objected.
Frankin Farm Residents and Church Leaders Weigh In
At a May 22 planning meeting, church leaders and community residents weighed in on the proposal.
Abi Foerster, a pastor at the United Methodist church, said the congregation is trying to “live our values” by providing the proposed housing, FFXNow reported. “We don’t want to overlook anyone who is hurting, and right now, there are a lot of people in Fairfax who are hurting because of housing,” she said.
David Inkellis, a member of the Preserve Franklin Farm advocacy group, said, “The community is wholly against this project.” Inkellis also said the proposal would “destroy the open spaces and natural landscape.”
Dale Luddeke said Franklin Farm residents first heard about the proposal from FFXNow coverage rather than church leaders. “Trust was broken and opposition began,” Luddeke said.
Sully District Planning Commissioner Evelyn Spain acknowledged the situation could’ve been handled better. But she said she doesn’t believe church leaders had bad intentions. “The church has put its heart before the fact that it had to do certain outreach to the community, and that’s unfortunate,” Spain said.
The proposal will now be reviewed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at its June 10 meeting. The board will vote on whether or not the plan warrants official study.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County
