Subject:
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Joint Town Council and Planning Commission Work Session - Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update
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BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
The Town of Vienna Comprehensive Plan serves as the Town’s long-range policy guide for land use, transportation, economic development, housing, parks and recreation, environmental stewardship, public infrastructure, and public facilities. In accordance with Virginia law, any jurisdiction that wishes to regulate land use (i.e., zoning) must have a Comprehensive Plan that meets all State requirements, which include the topic areas listed above.
The current Comprehensive Plan was adopted as a complete update on May 23, 2016, with minor modifications approved on Feb. 3, 2020, and Oct. 5, 2020.
State law places the Planning Commission as responsible for preparing and recommending updates to the Comprehensive Plan. The Commission has completed its recommended Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update. The process included an initial review by the Planning Commission, broken into subcommittees; community engagement; stakeholder outreach; review and comments by Town boards and commissions; and then a series of Planning Commission work sessions and meetings to finalize the recommended draft.
The Town Council recommended that, before the Council begins its work on the draft, a work session be scheduled for the Planning Commission so that the Council can have a discussion about the draft with the Commission and staff. This joint work session will provide that opportunity, prior to the scheduled May 4th public hearing and Council consideration of adoption.
OVERVIEW:
The purpose of this joint work session is to provide a high-level overview of the Planning Commission’s recommended Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update and to highlight key changes from the current plan. It is also an opportunity for the Town Council to interact with the Planning Commission regarding the draft plan.
The presentation will focus on:
• Major policy themes and priorities reflected in the draft
• Key updates and changes by chapter
• New or refined policy direction based on community input and Planning Commission deliberations
• Areas that may warrant additional discussion or policy direction from the Town Council
This work session is intended to provide a “big picture” understanding of the draft plan and does not represent a detailed, line-by-line review. Additional opportunities for detailed discussion will occur following the public hearing as part of the Council’s deliberation process.
SUMMARY/STAFF IMPRESSIONS:
The Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update reflects a comprehensive review of the Town’s existing policies and incorporates updated data, community input, and evolving best practices in planning. It also addresses Town priorities that have emerged since 2016 and incorporates changes that have been made in both Town and relevant State policies.
Key themes emerging from the draft include:
• Reinforcement of Vienna’s small-town character while accommodating thoughtful, context-sensitive redevelopment
• Increased emphasis on multimodal transportation and connectivity
• Expanded focus on economic vitality and support for local businesses
• Enhanced attention to environmental sustainability and resilience
• Offering new opportunities for housing diversity
• Alignment with recent plans and studies, including transportation and parks planning efforts
Overall, the Planning Commission’s recommended draft represents an evolution of the existing Comprehensive Plan rather than a fundamental shift in direction, while providing clearer policy guidance in several key areas.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
This is a presentation and discussion item. No formal action is required at this time.