Subject:
Title
Public Hearing on the Planning Commission’s Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan (10 mins)
Body
DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE:
04/20/26 Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission
BACKGROUND
A Comprehensive Plan provides a long-range vision, goals and policies for a local government’s growth, development, and preservation. Pursuant to the Code of Virginia § 15.2-2223, all governments with land use authority are required to adopt a Comprehensive Plan that meets all State requirements in content and procedures; and review the plan at least once every five years to ensure that the plan reflects current conditions, community priorities, and future needs.
The current plan is named the 2015 Town of Vienna Comprehensive Plan, which can be found on the Town’s Web site at <https://www.viennava.gov/Town-Departments/Planning-Zoning/Long-Range-Planning>. The Town completed two small updates to the Plan in 2020 and began an extensive review soon afterward. The Planning Commission decided, though, that a larger update should wait until after the Town completed the then-ongoing Code Create process to update zoning regulations. Code Create was completed in October 2023, and the work to update the full plan began in 2024.
State law and good planning practice place the Planning Commission in the role of developing the draft plan as a recommendation to the Town Council. The Planning Commission, with staff in support, spent two years working in subcommittees and getting input from the full range of the community, including residents, businesses and institutions. There was also direct outreach to boards and commissions, which provided helpful content for the plan.
The Planning Commission and staff consolidated all input and produced a draft for the Planning Commission public hearing, which was held on Dec. 1, 2025. After reviewing the public hearing testimony, including submitted written testimony, the Planning Commission made final decisions and approved, its Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan on Feb. 25, 2026, as a recommendation to the Town Council.
The draft incorporates many changes over the past decade, since the adoption of the last plan. It includes concepts developed during the Code Create process, repeal of Maple Avenue Commercial (MAC) zoning, completion of major capital projects, such as the new Town police station, establishment of the Economic Development Department, adoption of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, new environmental standards, a list of intersections that merit study for potential improvements, and an enhanced focus on preserving and increasing Vienna’s tree canopy, among many other focuses.
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
On May 4, 2026, the Town Council will hold a public hearing on the Planning Commission’s Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan. The draft can be found on the Town’s Web site, at www.viennava.gov/planupdate <http://www.viennava.gov/planupdate>.
This public hearing provides an opportunity for residents, business and nonprofit organization representatives, and other community members to provide input on the draft plan prior to Town Council’s consideration of adoption at a future meeting.
Staff has provided notification to the public through many means of communication, which have included an article in Vienna Voice, announcements in Vienna Happenings, communication through the Town’s social media, a message to the contact list managed by the Department of Economic Development, attendance at the Green Expo, attending and making an announcement at a Vienna Business Association (VBA) breakfast, and sending a message through the VBA email list.
There are three ways for the members of the public to provide input:
1) Provide oral testimony at the Town Council Public Hearing at the May 4 Town Council meeting, at 7:30 p.m. at Vienna Town Hall, 127 Center Street S.
2) Email written testimony to council@viennava.gov <mailto:council@viennava.gov>.
3) Send written testimony by U.S. mail (or drop it off in person) to Vienna Town Council, c/o Town Clerk, 127 Center St., S., Vienna, Va. 22180.
After the Town Council has received all oral testimony on May 4, staff suggests that the Council close the public hearing and hold the public record open for written comments until Monday, May 11, 2026, at 9 a.m., to give the community an extra week to prepare comments.
Staff suggests that the Town Council may also wish to begin discussing the plan, if there is time on the agenda that evening. Of particular value would be to provide guidance to staff on how the Council may wish to review the plan, so that staff can adequately prepare for future discussion.
NEXT STEPS
The Town Council will have the opportunity to discuss all testimony and the plan during future meetings, the first of which is intended for May 18, 2026. Once the Town Council has provided direction for changes to the draft, staff will return with an updated document reflecting that direction. The Town Council will then have the opportunity to adopt the updated Town of Vienna 2026 Comprehensive Plan.
Attachments:
1 - Planning Commission Recommended Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan
2 - Public Comments Received (PLACEHOLDER FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED BEFORE PACKET GOES OUT)
3 - Regulatory Requirements for Agenda Item
4 - Public Notice Affidavit
Departmental Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Town Council hold a public hearing on the draft Comprehensive Plan, close the hearing but leave the record open for written input until May 11, 2026, at 9 a.m., and provide guidance to staff on how the Council may wish to review the plan at future meetings.
Town Attorney Recommendation: Pursuant to Virginia State Code Section 15.2-2226, the Town Council, following receipt of recommendations from the Planning Commission, shall conduct a public hearing to consider any proposed amendments to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. The Town Council may conduct a public hearing in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council close the public hearing for the Planning Commission’s Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan, as presented.
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
“I move to close the public hearing for the Planning Commission’s Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan and hold the record open for written input until May 11, 2026, at 9 a.m.”
AND/Or
Other action deemed necessary by the Town Council.