Fairfax Town Council Rejects Chevron Bid

The Fairfax Town Council on Wednesday unanimously rejected a proposal to build a Chevron station and adjacent ExtraMile store on 2001 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

The Department of Planning and Building Services recommended the proposal in a staff report issued last year.

Fairfax Mayor David Weinsoff said it's unclear what happens next, noting the applicant and owner have several options on how to proceed.

The applicant is Ron Jacobs of PM Design Group. The property is owned by Arash Salkhi.

The options include pursuing litigation to appeal the Council's decision, submitting a revised proposal, or abandoning the project.

The applicant mentioned the possibility of selling the parcel to the city after the Council's move on Wednesday, Weinsoff said.

The parcel between Claus Drive and Azalea Avenue was operated as Fairfax Gas until about two years ago.

"As often happens with a complex project, which this is for us, there are many ideas that are apparent to us and there are many that aren't apparent to us," Weinsoff said.

No resolution appears to be in sight, he acknowledged.

"As clear as mud," Weinsoff said.

Weinsoff acknowledged the role of a vocal community in the Council's decision.

He said about 100 activists representing the  No Chevron in Fairfax attended each of the last two Council meetings. A meeting in December that went more than five hours had to be adjourned.

"The number of people that showed up for me personally didn't weigh in my decision making, what did weigh was the actual substance of what each and every member of the community said during the public hearing time," Weinsoff said.

"I take public comments very seriously and I'm sure all the council members do too."

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