Council Passes Harris Teeter Project to Falls Church Boards and Commissions

In a rare move Monday night, the Falls Church City Council voted unanimously to move the Harris Teeter project onto the city’s boards and commissions to get more feedback.

Councilwoman Johanna Berry was absent from the meeting because of work travel.

The move is an important step in the special application process and now sets up a possible May 13 final vote and approval. Patrick Kearney, principal for Rushmark Properties LLC — the developer of the project — said he was pleased with council’s decision to keep the ball rolling and moving the project a step further in the process.

“It’s encouraging,” Kearney said after the meeting. “It’s definitely progressing in a positive manner.”

The public can weigh in on the move to proceed with the process of bringing Harris Teeter to the city on March 27 during council’s next regular meeting. Mayor Nader Baroukh said the project has had some changes that are helpful and that there are some real benefits from the project.

Kearney discussed some of those changes during a Feb. 19 council work session, noting that the structure would not only house a Harris Teeter and other retail space, but it would also include 282 apartments — 265 market rate apartments and 17 designated for affordable housing. City officials met with Harris Teeter officials last week while the delegation from the Charlotte, N.C., headquarters were in town.

Vice Mayor David Snyder said it’s best the city moves forward with the project. He said he is hopeful the city will have a Harris Teeter on West Broad Street. The city is competing with other jurisdictions for one of the supermarkets, Snyder said.

“If we didn’t move forward, we could lose this opportunity,” Snyder said.

The idea of bringing the supermarket chain to the city was announced to the public in October. If the project comes to fruition, Harris Teeter and other retail stores could have an estimated net fiscal impact of $22 million of 20 years. Brian Williams from the city’s Economic Development Authority said the project would not only have long-term impacts on the city, but also a short-term impact.

Councilman David Tarter said it’s important to have the boards and commissions that will review the project be involved early in the process. He said the project, though not perfect, could be benefit the city.

“I think it’s critical,” he said. “We need to have a strong tax base to pay for schools and other projects in the city.”