Legislation to give Falls Church more tools to promote affordable-housing development is moving forward in Richmond.
Two companion bills, if approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, would add Falls Church to the list of Virginia localities allowed to craft a program related to affordable dwelling units through their zoning ordinances.
Both measures seem on their way to passage.
A bill originating in the House of Delegates adding Falls Church to the list, introduced by Del. Marcus Simon (D-13), passed the House of Delegates, 86-9. On Monday (Feb. 10) it won support in the Senate Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns on a 15-0 vote.
Identical legislation that began in the Senate, introduced by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim (D-37), won 39-0 passage in the upper house and on Feb. 7 passed the House Committee on Counties, Cities and towns on a 21-0 vote.
Both bills were placed on the uncontested legislative calendars, in anticipation of legislative approval this week.
The relevant section of existing state law states:
“The program shall address housing needs, promote a full range of housing choices, and encourage the construction and continued existence of moderately priced housing by providing for optional increases in density in order to reduce land costs for such moderately priced housing.”
If enacted, the legislation would let Falls Church join Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Albemarle counties and the cities of Alexandria, Charlottesville and Fairfax in having the extra authority. Any other locality that had zoning rules on affordable-housing policies prior to 1988 is able to continue using them.
Falls Church officials are supportive of the bill.
City Leaders Tap Brakes on Accessory-Dwelling Plan: Falls Church leaders are likely to push back consideration of an accessory-dwelling unit (ADU) policy until mid-April.
The proposal initially had been expected to come up for action earlier that month, but complexities and the ongoing engagement process make a delay advisable, officials said.
City officials also are working on a “fairly extraordinary public outreach,” City Manager Wyatt Shields told City Council members at a meeting held Monday night (Feb. 10).
Efforts will include a mailing to residents in impacted zoning districts, along with yard signs at key locations around the community.
The accessory-dwelling proposal, similar to one in place in Arlington, would allow residential-property owners to add a secondary unit to their property. The accessory dwelling could be attached to or separate from the main home.
The proposal under consideration by the Council would limit accessory units to 1,000 square feet or half the size of the main property, whichever is smaller.
Key upcoming dates include a Planning Commission work session on Wednesday, Feb. 19; a Planning Commission public hearing on Wednesday, March 5; and a City Council work session on Monday, March 10.
The planned April 14 final vote will come after a public hearing that night.
Towing-Ordinance Revisions May Be Delayed: Proposed revisions to Falls Church’s towing ordinance had been scheduled for vetting at a March 3 work session, but is likely to be pushed back.
The March 3 date “seems a little bit fast to me, knowing that we’ve got some conversations we need to have,” City Manager Wyatt Shields told City Council members.
Council members in January first discussed potential changes to the existing ordinance. Likely the most contentious issue will be whether to require a real-time authorization of tows from the property owner. That’s known as the “second signature.”
Currently, property owners in Falls Church can contract with towing firms and give blanket authority for tows of improperly parked vehicles.
At the earlier discussion, Council members seemed split on a second-signature requirement, with a majority appearing to have concerns about it.
Arlington leaders late last year revised their county’s towing ordinance, opting against a second-signature rule.
