Opinion

On a rainy Friday morning, an Arlington Circuit Court judge overturned a sweeping zoning change years in the making.

The ruling late last week sent a shockwave through the county, disrupting numerous planned developments and calling into question how the county government sets policies. “Missing Middle” opponents celebrated while supporters and at least one County Board member called for an appeal.

More from our reporting:

Judge David Schell ruled against the county on four counts this morning (Friday), finding that the county failed to adequately consider localized impacts, failed to follow proper procedure and violated state tree canopy requirements when adopting the amendments.

As of today, the county cannot lawfully issue any more permits under the Expanded Housing Option, which allowed for the construction of up to six-unit buildings on properties that were previously zoned for only single-family homes. […]

In a ruling read aloud from the bench, Schell referenced testimony from witnesses about possible wastewater backups and overflows that might result from the strain additional housing could place on stormwater and sewage infrastructure.

Although a county expert testified that Arlington does, in fact, have sufficient infrastructure to support anticipated growth, the judge found “no evidence presented that the county considered likely overflows” and other localized impacts.

All things considered, and putting aside your personal feelings about the zoning changes, do you agree with the ruling?


News
A TV news crew and a “vote” sign at Courthouse Plaza (courtesy George Brazier)

Weekend Fire in Ballston — A generator atop an office building at 4350 Fairfax Drive caught fire Saturday morning, prompting a large fire department response. The blaze was quickly extinguished. A power outage was also reported around the scene in Ballston that morning. [Twitter]

Coffey Reacts to EHO Verdict — From Arlington County Board member Maureen Coffey: “I’m incredibly disappointed by today’s ruling & firmly believe we must appeal it. I am proud to be a pro-housing elected official, the only renter on the Arlington County Board, & represent those who wonder whether they have a future in our community after living here for years.” [Twitter]

Library Celebrates Banned Books — “Banned Books Week, an annual, national observance established in 1982 in response to frequent attempts to have books banned, highlights the value of free and open access to information and runs through September 28. The Arlington Public Library is celebrating its own version: Freedom to Read Week.” [Northern Virginia Magazine]

Talking to the Cheese Lady — “So, in the middle of 2023, my husband Jeff and I said, let’s do something new. There’s more competition. There’s a Harris Teeter there [which includes a Murray’s Cheese counter]. Now, there may have been a time where you could support two Cheesetiques within two miles of each other. We don’t think that’s the case anymore, so let’s do a new concept. And moving in an Italian direction felt very comfortable because it was a world in which we already lived so much.” [Washington Business Journal]

F.C. Art Festival Extended — “‘Due to the serious nature of Hurricane Helene,’ Falls Church Arts’ ‘Scenes in the City’ Plein Air Festival – one of the City of Falls Church’s prized annual art shows – has been moved up to Oct. 12, from its earlier date of Sept. 28, giving outdoor artists in the prize-competition ‘additional time to paint,’ and, hopefully, better weather to complete their submissions.” [Falls Church Independent]

It’s Monday — Expect showers with a high near 70 and a northeast wind at 10 mph, with a 90% chance of precipitation and possible new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half an inch. Monday night will see continued showers, a low around 62, northeast wind at 10 mph, 80% chance of precipitation, and potential new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. [NWS]

Today’s Morning Notes are brought to you by Industrious. Industrious makes coworking simple. With fully stocked amenities and multiple Metro-accessible locations in Arlington, you can focus on your work without the hassle of office management.


Sponsored

Each week, “Just Reduced” spotlights properties in Arlington County whose prices have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visiting www.arlingtonrealtyinc.com or calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: The properties featured here may be listed with other brokerages– but that doesn’t limit your options. Arlington Realty, Inc. is ready to represent you, arrange showings, analyze value, and negotiate the best possible terms on your behalf. We understand the neighborhoods, pricing trends and market timing — and we use that knowledge to your advantage. 

As of May 25, there are 180 detached homes, 45 townhouses and 251 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 37 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

Image from Just Reduced Properties in Arlington: May 27, 2026
3651 N. Harrison Street

Please note that this is solely a selection of Just Reduced properties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contact Arlington Realty, Inc. 


News

A three-month-old pilot program to divert food scraps from Arlington’s waste stream is paying dividends, the county government said Sept. 23.

More than 11,000 pounds of food waste has been collected since the launch of the Solid Waste Bureau’s pilot program in early July, officials said. Over 1,000 pounds of food scraps and food-soiled paper are being composted in a typical week.


Announcement

Most people who try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu say they wish they’d started sooner. Today is the day to begin. Almost everyone walks in for the first time unsure of what to expect. The coaches and students at EvolveAll remember that feeling well and they’re there to guide you through it.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art focused on ground fighting and submission grappling. Sparring at EvolveAll happens every class, with real intensity. Every roll is a live, resistance-based puzzle with a training partner. EvolveAll is not a competition school. Instead, they’re focused on the growth and development of each person on the mat.


News

Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) Director Chad Dotson announced today that for the 11th straight year, Virginia has achieved one of the lowest recidivism rates for re-incarceration in the nation.

Data from the VADOC shows that the Commonwealth’s 19% three-year re-incarceration rate for State Responsible (SR) inmates among the FY2019 cohort is tied for the second-lowest in the United States with Minnesota.


Event

Internationally acclaimed pianist Carlos César Rodríguez joins NCE for a luminous performance of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s beloved Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, “Elvira Madigan,” celebrated for its elegance, lyricism, and timeless appeal. Artistic Director and violinist Leo Sushansky takes center stage in Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, a cornerstone of the violin repertoire, offering a deeply personal and passionate interpretation of its sweeping romantic lines.

The program is further enriched by Florence Price’s Adoration, a work of profound beauty and spiritual warmth, and Johan Svendsen’s Romance, cherished for its lyrical charm and expressive simplicity.


News

Is a county-government task force the way to advance the ball down the field on proposed changes to the governance structure that has been in place in Arlington for nearly a century?

That’s a request being made by the Arlington County Civic Federation. Whether county officials take the group up on its proposal remains to be seen.


Events

It’s the political equivalent of speed dating – called “candi-dating” or “candidating” (take your pick) – and the League of Women Voters of Arlington & Alexandria City is hosting a chance for Arlington residents to get to know candidates for local office without the long-term commitment of a full-blown candidate forum.

The event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at Walter Reed Community Center.


Events

The Arlington County Police Department will mark “National Coffee with a Cop Day” with two happenings on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

“These morning and afternoon events are welcome to all and are a great informal engagement opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, get to know neighbors and meet officers from different sections of the department,” police officials said.


Around Town

The Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation is accepting requests for up to 500 young native trees that will be provided free, one per household, next month.

“The trees you plant are part of our mission to expand and enhance Arlington’s urban-tree canopy,” county officials said. “This annual program is very popular and has yielded many beautiful trees and benefited our community.”