Christopher Cos. Inc. of Fairfax hopes to construct 17 single-family homes off Braddock Road in the Fairfax Center area. They'll be on half-acre lots next to Hampton Chase and Hampton Forest, abutting Willow Springs Elementary, 4,000 feet west of the Fairfax County Parkway.

Called Hampton Estates, the homes will be 3,600-3,900 square feet and, said Christopher Cos. Vice President Debbie Rosenstein, "They'll range in price from the upper $600,000s to the lower $700,000s."

The Springfield-Fairfax Center Land-Use Committee heard about the homes at its Jan. 14 meeting. Since they're planned at a density of 1.9 homes per acre, Christopher needs Fairfax County's approval of that site's rezoning from one home per acre to two homes per acre.

There'll be paved trail, plus sidewalk on both sides of the paved street and new public water. (Homes in that area are currently on wells). Willow Springs resident Claudette Ward asked attorney Greg Riegle, representing Christopher, "If you do any damage to people's wells or homes because of blasting, will you be responsible for it?"

"Absolutely," he replied. "If we create the problem, we'll create the solution." He said Christopher will also work with Hampton Forest residents on landscaping, buffering and tree saving. The company hopes to start construction by the end of the year, with completion 15-16 months later.

"This will bring more students to Willow Springs Elementary and throughout the school system," said Centreville's Frank Ojeda. "Is there any plan to [offset that] through some kind of proffer?"

Answered Riegle: "We're committing to fully fund the incremental impact. We'd contribute either money or materials to the school that's impacted." John Regan, Christopher principal, said proffers include $7,500 per new student generated and new left- and right- turn lanes from Braddock.

Later that week, Rosenstein said Christopher chose that spot to build because it's a "desirable location." She said the homes probably wouldn't be on the market until the third or fourth quarter of this year. They'll all have four bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths and will feature brick and stone exteriors.

"It's a family-oriented floorplan, with large kitchens with work islands and family rooms in the rear," she said. "There's lots of room to relax in the dining room, living room and study. And the master suites will have two large, walk-in closets, plus two vanities in the bathroom and a large tub and shower."

Committee member Jeff Saxe lives in Hampton Forest and said the new homes would be compatible with houses there. And committee member Fred Bailey said, "It's nice to hear that they're willing to work with the adjacent neighbors on trees and buffers."