Meadows Farms Nursery and Landscaping has announced that in July it will be relocating from its location at the corner of Springvale Road and Route 7, moving two miles west to 11254 Leesburg Pike. Ever since Lidl abandoned its plans to build a new store at this site, Great Falls residents have been curious about the disposition of the land.
The property has been sold to a Seattle-based entity, Acorn Development, LLC. Acorn Development is registered to conduct business in several states, including Virginia; the development project is named Project Wren. The plans are to continue the use of the Meadows Farms site as a greenhouse for the purpose of growing and cultivating a variety of plants, including full-size trees. All florae would be used to provide live plants and greenery at the planned Amazon Headquarters 2, termed “HQ2,” in Arlington.
The current retail greenhouse facility would cease operations and the HQ2 support facility would be closed to the public. No changes are contemplated by the developer for the access to the site, and vehicles will utilize the existing entrance off Springvale Road.
The program would align with the neighborhood’s dark sky requirements, and any horticultural lighting would be limited for use between 6:00am-7:00pm.
This property is zoned residential. Commercial development on the site is prohibited per the County’s Comprehensive Plan. However, as an existing nursery the land is a grandfathered use.
The Zoning Administrator’s Use Determination specifies that no additional structure may be added without Special Exception approval. However, A special exception is being sought for the construction of a hoop house by Amazon. The exception application will be considered at a Fairfax County Planning Commission public hearing and the Board of Supervisors. The special exception process is described at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/planning-development/zoning/special-exception-process.
The specific model and design of the hoop house is still being evaluated, but it will be between 1,300 and 2,000 square feet, approximately 35’ high, and will be a semi-permanent structure with utility connections. The intent of the hoop house is to store taller trees and plants that won’t fit in the existing greenhouse. The main difference between a hoop house (sometimes referred to as a high tunnel) and a greenhouse is that a greenhouse is a permanent structure with some type of climate control. In contrast, hoop houses are usually only meant as a tool for season extension.
Source: Fairfax County’s Planning and Land Use System