Author: Scott McCaffrey

A Northern Virginia native, Scott McCaffrey has four decades of reporting, editing and newsroom experience in the local area plus Florida, South Carolina and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. He spent 26 years as editor of the Sun Gazette newspaper chain. For Local News Now, he covers government and civic issues in Arlington, Fairfax County and Falls Church.

News

Falls Church accessory-dwelling proposal takes key step forward

By Scott McCaffrey
An accessory-dwelling unit by Backyard Homes in North Arlington (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A majority of the 2,400 owners of single-family homes in Falls Church soon could be allowed to build standalone accessory-dwelling units (ADUs) with far less government oversight.

City Council members on Monday (Nov. 25) formally started the ball rolling on a five-month consideration of allowing ADUs “by right” in neighborhoods zoned R-1A (low-density residential) and R-1B (medium-density residential).

Go to Falls Church accessory-dwelling proposal takes key step forward Read more
News

Arlington County forecasting $30-40 million budget gap

By Scott McCaffrey
U.S. currency (photo via Pepi Stojanovski/Unsplash)

Arlington homeowners may find themselves facing a double-whammy at tax time again in 2025.

County officials say they are anticipating year-over-year tax-revenue growth of 1.7% to 2.5% for the fiscal year that begins next July, but growth in government expenses would be in the 3%-to-4% range.

Go to Arlington County forecasting $30-40 million budget gap Read more
News

Melwood’s development plan evolves, but neighbors remain unmoved

By Scott McCaffrey
Rendering of Melwood site redevelopment proposal (via Melwood and Wesley Housing)

Common ground remains elusive in the proposal to redevelop the Melwood site near Crystal City.

At a Nov. 18 meeting, representatives for Melwood and Wesley Housing said they had come up with changes to reduce impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. The revisions also pay homage to the current building, which began life in 1923 as Nelly Custis Elementary School.

Go to Melwood’s development plan evolves, but neighbors remain unmoved Read more
Schools

APS teachers’ union, advocacy group urge ‘away-for-the-day’ phone policy

By Scott McCaffrey
An iPhone (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

With the deadline for School Board action looming, two major advocacy groups are pressing for a blanket ban on student phone use during the instructional day in Arlington.

The Arlington Education Association (AEA) and Arlington Parents for Education (APE) have sent a joint letter to School Board members and Superintendent Francisco Durán, seeking the more restrictive of two options currently being considered.

Go to APS teachers’ union, advocacy group urge ‘away-for-the-day’ phone policy Read more
News

Arlington attorney who represented Deep Throat awarded for career contributions

By Scott McCaffrey
Mark Cummings (right) honored by Judge George Varoutsos (courtesy Judge Thomas J. Kelley Jr.)

Mark Cummings is a titan in Arlington’s legal establishment. But his impact extends far beyond the courtroom.

For the combination of a stellar career coupled with significant community involvement, Cummings on Tuesday (Nov. 19) was presented with the 2024 William Winston Award.

Go to Arlington attorney who represented Deep Throat awarded for career contributions Read more
News

Arlington towing ordinance remains up for debate as County Board delays vote

By Scott McCaffrey
Advanced Towing tow truck outside the company's lot in Ballston (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County Board members had hoped to get revisions to the county’s towing ordinance in the rear-view mirror this week.

But it was not to be, as the Board voted 5-0 on Tuesday to defer action until mid-December.

Go to Arlington towing ordinance remains up for debate as County Board delays vote Read more
News

More scrutiny possible for county-government staff with second jobs

By Scott McCaffrey
County Manager Mark Schwartz (Arlington County screenshot)

Employees of the Arlington County government may soon feel an additional set of eyes watching over any employment moonlighting they might be doing.

County Manager Mark Schwartz on Tuesday (Nov. 19) told County Board members he was considering beefing up oversight of rules related to outside jobs (or self-employment) among those in the county workforce.

Go to More scrutiny possible for county-government staff with second jobs Read more
News

Falls Church growth spurt continues as redevelopment projects move forward

By Scott McCaffrey
Founders Row II under construction (staff photo by Scott McCaffrey)

Redevelopment projects in Falls Church continue to roll along without any major setbacks or warning signs.

“Development interest in the city remains steady,” Paul Stoddard, Falls Church’s director of planning, told ARLnow. He said city officials were dealing with “the usual volume of calls exploring ideas for possible future applications.”

Go to Falls Church growth spurt continues as redevelopment projects move forward Read more
News

Arlington sees rare (but tiny) uptick in car tax delinquency

By Scott McCaffrey
Arlington Treasurer Carla de la Pava (via Arlington County/YouTube)

The increasing cost of vehicles was a key driver in Arlington’s tax-delinquency rate showing a rare year-over-year uptick in new data.

“Many people do not contemplate the annual tax consequences” of vehicle ownership, county Treasurer Carla de la Pava said in a Tuesday briefing to the Arlington County Board.

Go to Arlington sees rare (but tiny) uptick in car tax delinquency Read more
News

Request to study rent stabilization goes to County Board

By Scott McCaffrey
Looking west from Rosslyn at sunset (Flickr pool photo by Brian Gannon)

A study of potential rent-stabilization efforts to address rising apartment costs could be in Arlington County’s future.

Katie Wenger, vice chair of the Arlington Housing Commission, last Saturday (Nov. 16) asked County Board members to direct staff to look at the pros and cons of such a policy — one that is related to, but distinct from, full-blown rent control.

Go to Request to study rent stabilization goes to County Board Read more
Schools

Falls Church schools projected to see continued growth

By Scott McCaffrey
Falls Church School Board member Anne Sherwood swearing-in (Falls Church City Public Schools)

Already nearly at a record high, student enrollment in Falls Church City Public Schools is expected to grow consistently in coming decades.

With 2,711 students as of Sept. 30, the five-school district is currently just 10 students shy of its record 2,721 students in 2016, according to a recent report to the Virginia Department of Education. The report predicts enrollment will pass the 3,000 mark in 2027, before growing to about 3,250 in 2040 and 3,430 in 2050.

Go to Falls Church schools projected to see continued growth Read more
News

Support for Arlington office-to-residential conversions approved

By Scott McCaffrey
Office buildings in Crystal City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County Board members on Saturday (Nov. 16) approved changes aimed at a speedier bureaucratic and administrative process for those converting office buildings for residential use.

“The name of the game is maintaining agility,” Board member Maureen Coffey said in advance of the 5-0 vote.

Go to Support for Arlington office-to-residential conversions approved Read more
View More Stories