Del. Patrick Hope and one of his challengers in the Democratic primary are at odds over how new legislation on historic preservation will impact housing.
Arjoon Srikanth, who is facing Hope (D-1) in the June 17 primary, argued that legislation enacted last year will hold up development plans designed to meet housing goals.
As a case in point, he held up a Crystal City-area project that may face delays over a disputed interpretation of the law.
“Any neighbor could now encumber any development across the commonwealth if they claim it’s historic,” Srikanth said at the May 21 forum, hosted by Arlington Young Democrats.
“Absolutely false,” shot back Hope, who is aiming to hold onto the seat he has held since first winning election in 2009.
In the center of the debate is legislation that Hope successfully sponsored in 2024, which details the process to be used when local governments are considering requests to demolish properties in local historic districts.
Though opposed by many Republicans in the legislature, the measure passed both houses and was signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Its provisions went into effect last July.
Srikanth contends the law’s language requires demolition to wait until a final determination on a site’s historic status. That could prove a major stumbling block in efforts to redevelop the Melwood parcel on 23rd Street S. near Crystal City — a plan that received County Board approval earlier this year.
“It’s now going to be in permitting and historical review for another year,” Srikanth said in remarks aimed at Hope. “That is unacceptable, and you were warned at the time, that’s going to happen.”
“It does not do that,” Hope responded. “I talked to the attorney general’s office about this.”
If the language did what Srikanth claims, “this would never have passed the General Assembly — ever,” Hope said.
Last year, the county’s Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) accepted a local resident’s request to study the Melwood parcel for potential inclusion among Arlington’s local historic districts. The creation of such a district provides some protection against redevelopment.
Melwood and its development partner, Wesley Housing, aim to raze the 100-year-old former school building on the site, replacing it with affordable-housing units to support those with intellectual disabilities. There would also be space for Melwood offices and programs.
When HALRB members accepted the site for consideration as a local historic district, several members said they believed that Hope’s bill required any demolition to wait until after the entire review process is complete and the County Board takes action.
Given the current workload of historic-preservation staff, it could be 2026 until a final report is complete and ready for action.
Hope said he has requested an advisory opinion from Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) to interpret the legislation’s effect on the historic-preservation process. That opinion is expected in the next month, Hope said.
Opinions issued by the attorney general’s office do not have the force of law, but they could be important for the county government in deciding how to proceed with the Melwood plan. The attorney general’s opinion could also play a role in any legal case that might arise.
“While the opinions may be given deference by the courts, they are not binding on the courts,” the attorney general’s office says on its website.
Hope’s legislation resulted from community controversy over the demolition of the Rouse estate on Wilson Blvd in Dominion Hills. County officials allowed the estate to be torn down despite the HALRB considering it for historic status.
The Young Democrats’ debate also included Sean Epstein, another contender in the 1st District primary.
