How Lockhart Voted On Fairfax City Development, Trails And Trees

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — Mayoral candidate Kirsten Lockhart has served on the Fairfax City Planning Commission since March 2021, about five and a half years. A review of available meeting records through September 2026 identified her participation in 30 non-procedural votes across 22 meeting dates, covering development proposals, zoning changes, capital programs and city plans.

That tally counts individual motions, including separate votes on the same proposal. It excludes routine actions such as approving minutes, scheduling hearings and deferring decisions. Records reviewed did not establish her participation in any votes at the Sept. 14, 2026, meeting.

Lockhart’s record includes support for affordable townhouses, redevelopment at WillowWood and an urban forest plan, alongside votes recommending rejection of the Breezeway and Davies proposals.

The commission’s recommendations went to Fairfax City Council. The following review distinguishes those recommendations from final council decisions.

George Snyder Trail

The proposed George Snyder Trail was intended to expand opportunities for walking and bicycling.

On Jan. 22, 2024, Lockhart moved and voted for a recommendation supporting the fiscal 2025-2029 Capital Improvement Program. The motion specifically identified the trail and Chain Bridge Road Shared Use Path as supporting the city’s mobility goals, while acknowledging that final designs could vary. The commission approved the recommendation 6-0. This was a vote on the capital program, rather than a separate appropriation for the trail.

City Council later voted 4-2 on Jan. 13, 2026, to cancel the trail project in its entirety. Councilmembers Bates, Hall, McQuillen and Peterson supported cancellation; Amos and Hardy-Chandler opposed it. Earlier that evening, a motion to appropriate an additional $4.6 million for the project failed on a 3-3 vote.

Breezeway Motel And Fairfax Gardens

Pulte’s redevelopment proposal called for townhouses, two-over-two condominiums and a future commercial phase on the Breezeway Motel and Fairfax Gardens properties.

On Nov. 22, 2021, Lockhart seconded and voted for a motion recommending denial. The commission voted 7-0 to recommend denial, citing concerns including the loss of affordable housing, displacement of residents, incomplete commercial development and unresolved fire-access questions.

Despite that recommendation, City Council approved the rezoning and master development plan 4-3 on March 8, 2022. Mayor David Meyer and Councilmembers Harmon, Ross and Stehle voted in favor; Lim, Miller and Yi opposed it. The council approved the accompanying architectural certificate by the same vote.

Kamp Washington

The Kamp Washington Small Area Plan set guidance for future development, transportation improvements, open spaces and transitions between commercial areas and surrounding neighborhoods.

On Oct. 10, 2022, Lockhart voted for both the plan and related comprehensive plan amendments. The commission unanimously recommended council adoption of both.

City Council adopted the small area plan 6-0 on Oct. 25, 2022. Before the final vote, councilmembers voted 5-1 to remove a sentence allowing flexibility for taller buildings to support an active street life. The council also unanimously approved the accompanying comprehensive plan amendments.

Fairfax Presbyterian Church

Fairfax Presbyterian Church’s proposal called for 10 affordable townhouses at 10723 Main St., while retaining the church.

On Oct. 24, 2022, Lockhart seconded and voted for a recommendation to approve the rezoning and master development plan with conditions addressing parking, pedestrian access, fire lanes and stormwater. The commission’s recommendation was unanimous.

City Council unanimously approved the rezoning and master development plan on Nov. 15, 2022. The minutes record a unanimous roll-call vote without a numerical tally. The council also unanimously approved the architectural certificate for the townhouses.

WillowWood

The WillowWood Phase I proposal, also identified as N29 Residential, called for up to 260 apartments and 5,000 square feet of retail at 10306 Eaton Place.

On April 22, 2024, Lockhart voted to recommend approval of the rezoning and general development plan, with conditions addressing garage levels, open-space calculations and landscaping. The recommendation passed 4-1, with one abstention.

City Council approved the rezoning and general development plan 4-1 on July 9, 2024. Councilmembers Bates, Lim, Ross and Stehle supported it; Greenfield opposed it, and Doyle Feingold was absent. The accompanying special-use permit, special exceptions and architectural certificate passed by the same vote.

Davies Property

The Davies proposal at 4131 Chain Bridge Road called for 276 apartments and approximately 10,796 square feet of commercial space.

On June 23, 2025, Lockhart voted against recommending approval; that motion failed 2-4. She then moved and voted for a recommendation to deny the rezoning, citing its lack of conformity with the comprehensive plan and other adopted goals and policies as presented. The denial recommendation passed 4-2.

City Council approved the rezoning and general development plan 4-3 on July 22, 2025. Mayor Catherine Read joined Councilmembers Amos, Bates and Hardy-Chandler in supporting the application. Hall, McQuillen and Peterson opposed it. The accompanying special exceptions and architectural certificate passed by the same vote.

Urban Forest Master Plan

The Urban Forest Master Plan provides a 20-year framework for protecting, expanding and managing the city’s trees, with performance measures and progress reporting.

On Feb. 9, 2026, Lockhart moved and voted to recommend approval of the December 2025 draft. The commission’s recommendation passed 5-0.

City Council adopted the plan 6-0 on Feb. 10, 2026. Before the final vote, Councilmember Tom Peterson introduced a substitute motion, which Councilmember Stacy Hall seconded, requiring a report by July 2026 on establishing targets and timelines. The substitute failed 2-4. All six councilmembers then supported adoption of the December 2025 draft.

About The Series

This story is part of a Patch series examining votes Fairfax City candidates cast while serving on the City Council and Planning Commission. Drawing on official meeting records, the series describes the issues, how candidates voted and the outcomes. For Planning Commission votes, it distinguishes the commission’s recommendations from subsequent City Council decisions.

SEE: How Four Fairfax Candidates Voted On Taxes, Trails, Housing And Willard-Sherwood