Towing fees are increasing in Arlington, though not by as much as the local towing industry wants.
The County Board voted 5-0 on Saturday to increase the initial towing fee for vehicles of less than 7,500 pounds from the current $135 to $160.
A change in state law enacted earlier this year allowed, but did not require, localities to set rates as high as $210. Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties each have gone to the new maximum in recent months.
Arlington is different, County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said.
“Tow operators do not have as far to travel as in many other jurisdictions with higher fees,” he said.
Karantonis called the $160 rate “fair market value” for the industry.
Some in the towing industry disputed that characterization.
“You can’t live off of $160. You can’t live off of $180,” said Al Leach of Al’s Towing & Storage.
Leach serves on the Trespass Towing Advisory Boards of both Arlington and Fairfax counties, but his firm doesn’t operate in Arlington because of the county’s rate structure, he said.
“The reason Al’s Towing isn’t in Arlington is we couldn’t give you professional service,” he told Board members. “At those rates, we just couldn’t do it.”
Gary Kauffman of Henry’s Wrecker Service, which does operate in Arlington, said keeping rates below those of other jurisdictions will encourage bad apples in the industry to act in a predatory manner.
“When fees are unrealistically low, owners are pressured to cut corners, delay releases and seek revenue through questionable practices,” he said.
Kauffman said a lack of towing providers in Arlington would impact property owners trying to ensure parking availability for their residents, employees and customers.
“They deal with repeat violators, blocking fire lanes, occupying reserved spaces, abandoning vehicles and ignoring posted signage,” he said.
Both the county’s Trespass Towing Advisory Board and, initially, staff recommended increasing the base fee to $210. In October, Board members directed staff to look at the issue again. They returned with a revised recommendation of $160.
Left unchanged by the Dec. 13 action were the towing fees for vehicles between 7,500 and 10,000 pounds ($250) and for those greater than 10,000 pounds ($500).
Also left unchanged were surcharges ranging from $30 to $60 for vehicles towed at night, on weekends and holidays. The daily storage fee of $50 also was left unchanged.
In other Board action on Dec. 13:
Higher taxi rates approved: Board members approved increases to taxi rates, set to take effect Jan. 1.
The initial “drop charge” will increase from $3.50 to $4.50. Subsequent distance charges will increase from the current 40 cents per one-sixth mile to 52 cents per one-fifth mile. Waiting time will increase from 40 cents to 56 cents for each 52 seconds.
The increase, which had the support of staff and the Transportation Commission, will help Arlington taxi firms compete for drivers with other jurisdictions across Northern Virginia.
Columbia Pike redevelopment approved: Board members unanimously approved redevelopment of the Fillmore Gardens Shopping Center strip mall in the 2600 block of Columbia Pike.
In its place will rise a six-story mixed-use building with 270 apartments and 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.
“I am very happy to see it — finally!” Karantonis said.
Zoning changes necessary to allow the project move forward were approved as part of the Board’s consent agenda. In remarks after the vote, Karantonis said the project being planned via the Columbia Form-Based Code development process meant approval occurred “in months rather than years.”
More time granted for Bank of America site redevelopment: Board members voted to extend, for three years, the life of a use permit that will allow for redevelopment of the Bank of America parcel at 3401 Columbia Pike.
The property owner plans to build 250 units on the site, and won county approval for the project in 2023. But development has been delayed due to market conditions.
Had the use permit not been extended, the redevelopment process would have had to start anew.
Karantonis said despite the delays, the project is moving forward, “hopefully sooner rather than later.”
“We look forward to seeing this,” he said after the vote.
Zoning changes pave the way for Jennie Dean Park expansion: Board members voted as part of their consent agenda on zoning changes that will allow adjacent properties to be incorporated into Jennie Dean Park in the Shirlington/Green Valley area.
The county government had purchased several adjacent commercial properties to expand the park. Zoning changes were necessary to let the parcels be used as part of the park.
The changes also include eliminating a stretch of 27th Street S. that had led to the commercial lots, allowing it to be added to parkland. Karantonis called that “an amazing addition.”
North Highlands Neighborhood Plan accepted: Board members voted unanimously to accept the new North Highlands Neighborhood Plan, which will guide future planning in that community.
The neighborhood is bounded by N. Oak Street to the east, I-66 to the west, GW Parkway to the north and Langston Blvd to the south. Its 4,000 residents live in a mix of single-family homes, high-rise apartments, townhomes and condominiums.
Local historic district approved: Board members unanimously approved an application to create a local historic district for a 92-year-old home in the Arlingwood neighborhood.
The longtime owner of Happinest, as the home at 4120 41st Street N. is called, requested the designation. It will give the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) the ability to review any future exterior changes.
It will become the county’s 44th local historic district, Karantonis said.
