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Morning Notes

Published September 26, 2023 at 7:30AM | Updated September 26, 2023 at 7:48AM

Stacks of chairs at the ready in Clarendon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Collart Funeral and Procession — “This morning our community gathered to honor fallen Marine Corporal Spencer Collart, a 2020 Washington-Liberty graduate.” [Twitter, WJLA]

Fairlington Zoning Fix Floated — “Residents of Fairlington who have found themselves making interior renovations to condominiums recently, in some cases, have been forced to go before the Board of Zoning Appeals for adjudication… And it’s all due to a quirk in the county’s zoning ordinance. That ordinance requires special county-government approval of things like kitchen upgrades and attic buildouts when the property does not meet setback requirements in the zoning code.” [Gazette Leader]

More Arlington properties are now located within floodplains, county says

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 25, 2023 at 3:30PM

FEMA's new flood map for Rock Spring (via Arlington County)

More Arlington properties could be impacted by 100- and 500-year floods, according to new federal flood insurance rate maps.

The county estimates some 300 buildings, up from 172, now risk a 1% annual chance of being inundated by floods expected to happen once a century. Another 1,150 parcels, up from 1,054, face a 0.2% annual chance of floods that come around every half-millennia.

County Board approves additional $200k request for courtroom renovation project

By James Jarvis

Published September 25, 2023 at 2:30PM

Arlington County courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Costs are creeping up for a courtroom makeover in Arlington.

County Board members approved an extra $200,000 this past Saturday to complete renovations in Courtroom 10B, a project ambitiously dubbed the “courtroom of the future.”

County Board set to get into the weeds of defining a ‘weed’ this week

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 25, 2023 at 1:30PM

A yard in the Forest Glen neighborhood in October 2016 (file photo)

Gardens with abundant native species could soon have an official definition in county code: “managed natural landscape.”

This definition would protect Arlingtonians who grow the kinds of native grasses, wildflowers and shrubs that make them prone to complaints from neighbors and visits from code enforcement.

County to battle stormwater runoff and rehabilitate sewers with $2.25 million federal grant

By Jo DeVoe

Published September 25, 2023 at 11:30AM

The Gulf Branch stream in 2019 (courtesy Arlington County)

Armed with some federal funding, Arlington County plans to stem stormwater runoff with native plantings and fix leaky sewer pipes that serve thousands of people.

On Saturday, the Arlington County Board accepted a $2.25 million federal grant to be split evenly among three planned projects. These projects, expected to cost some $6 million in total, are intended to reduce runoff into streets and streams, filter pollutants from local streams, and rehabilitate sewer pipes needing serious repairs.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 25, 2023 at 7:30AM

A multi-modal scene viewed from Patrick Henry Drive; a Metro train, commuters stuck in traffic, a westbound cyclist and an eastbound runner (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Funeral Procession for Marine — From the Arlington County Police Department: “A funeral procession for Cpl. Spencer Collart, who tragically died in a training exercise, will travel through Arlington tomorrow. He was a @GeneralsPride graduate & those wishing to show their respect are asked to be present on the N. Stafford St. overpass above I-66 at 9:30 AM.” [Twitter]

Flyover This Morning — From AlertDC: “The Naval Air Force Atlantic will conduct a military aircraft flyover in the NCR over the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, September 25, 2023, at approximately 11:00AM.”

ACPD: Teen arrested after fleeing traffic stop for reckless driving

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2023 at 1:00PM | Updated September 22, 2023 at 1:58PM

Police car at night (file photo courtesy Kevin Wolf)

(Updated at 2 p.m.) An Arlington teen of the same name as an 18-year-old convicted in a recent high-profile case has been arrested after allegedly fleeing from police.

Arlington County police say Kenan Owens, 18, was arrested Wednesday in Chesterfield County — near Richmond — on warrants for reckless driving and eluding.

Amid shutdown fears, Rep. Don Beyer emotional letters from government workers

By James Jarvis

Published September 22, 2023 at 12:00PM

U.S. Capitol (photo by Hallie LeTendre)

Amid fears of a government shutdown, Rep. Don Beyer (D) is urging colleagues to remember the federal workers who would lose their paychecks if no spending plan is passed.

Yesterday, House Republicans recessed for a week after failing to pass a bill to stave off a shutdown. That could happen if lawmakers on Capitol Hill do not reach a deal before the federal government runs out of money next Saturday, Sept. 30 at midnight.

Glebe Road ditch eroded by major water main break set for repairs

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2023 at 10:55AM

Damage caused by Nov. 2019 water main break (via Arlington Dept. of Environmental Services)

A severely eroded ditch along N. Glebe Road near Chain Bridge is set for some restoration work.

The Arlington County Board this weekend is expected to approve a contract of up to $1.2 million. At least part of that will be reimbursed by VDOT, which maintains the road.

Tropical storm to bring heavy rain and wind to Arlington this weekend

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2023 at 9:55AM | Updated September 22, 2023 at 4:21PM

Expected tropical storm track (via National Weather Service)

(Updated at 4:20 p.m.) Enjoy the dry weather while it lasts — Saturday is set to be exceptionally wet and windy.

Tropical Storm Ophelia is brewing off the southeast U.S. and is set to make its way up the coast and right over the D.C. area. It will bring with it heavy rain and strong winds.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published September 22, 2023 at 7:30AM

Christmas trees on sale at Costco in Pentagon City this week (photo courtesy John Antonelli)

Funeral for Arlington Marine — “Funeral arrangements have been announced for Washington-Liberty High School graduate Spencer Collart… Visitation will take place on Sunday, Sept. 24 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Murphy Funeral Home at 4510 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington. The funeral service will be Monday, Sept. 25 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church at 2609 North Glebe Road in Arlington. The graveside service will be held on Monday, Sept. 25 from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at Arlington National Cemetery.” [Gazette Leader, Dignity Memorial]

Discussing Driving Change — “This weekend, the Board is set to enact changes to local ordinances requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks” … “Jo Devoe from Arlington Now breaks down roadway rules.” [Fox 5]

County Board poised to allocate funding for more upgrades to Bluemont Junction Trail

By James Jarvis

Published September 21, 2023 at 1:30PM

Bluemont Junction Trail (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

This weekend, the Arlington County Board is set to consider a proposal to funnel nearly $400,000 into the second phase of the Bluemont Junction Trail safety project.

Phase 2 includes moving and updating three trail connectors to be accessible to people with disabilities and improving cyclist and pedestrian intersections between the W&OD Trail and the Four Mile Run Trail on both sides of Wilson Blvd, per a county report.