Green Valley apartment development headed to likely approval

A largely vacant lot in the Green Valley neighborhood is set to become a four-story apartment building.

The Arlington County Board is scheduled to consider the proposal at its meeting this weekend. County Manager Mark Schwartz is recommending approval of the project, which has support of the local civic association.

The developer, Shirlington Investments LLC, is proposing a 30-unit residential building at 2608 Shirlington Road, an approximately 14,000 square foot property that currently serves in part as a surface parking lot. Three of the units will be designated as committed affordable units.

The proposal includes around 35 parking spaces in a partially below-ground garage, plus a private courtyard terrace and pool on the second floor, a small rooftop deck, and a more than 1,000 square foot green roof.

As we previously reported, the property is surrounded by warehouses, low-rise townhouses, a barbershop and a funeral home. It’s located north of Shirlington and south of Green Valley’s recently-opened John Robinson, Jr. Town Square.

While many development proposals end up getting some pushback from the local community, this particular project and developer received “enthusiastic” support from the Green Valley Civic Association.

“We first want to commend to you the conduct of this developer in working with the GVCA,” civic association president Robin Stombler wrote in a letter to the county’s Planning Commission. “We greatly appreciate that they sought our advice in the design of the building, discussed with us their plans, and actively considered how to address areas in need of possible mitigation.”

“The GVCA values affordability for housing in our community,” the letter continued. “In order to meet its obligation, the developer will commit 10% of its 30-unit building to households earning up to 60% of the area median income. This pledge for affordability will last for a term of 30 years.”

The letter went on to note that the building’s “attractive, contemporary” design “matches well with the community’s industrial theme.” Additionally, it lauds the developer for pledging to pay civic association dues for each of the building’s households for the next ten years.