News

After months of buildup, County Board members have rejected a request to provide historic status to portions of a site approved for an affordable housing project.

In a 4-0 vote last night (Wednesday), with one abstention, the County Board paved the way for development partners Melwood and Wesley Housing to move forward with plans for construction of a five-story, 105-unit mixed-use affordable-housing project in place of the former Nelly Custis School.


News

Arlington Republicans are deciding on whether to take a position on upcoming referendums connected to several controversial topics.

The local party is expected to decide on Monday, June 22 whether to take a public stance on amendments approved by Democratic majorities in the General Assembly.


News

Despite an increase in annual trash-collection costs, Arlington’s single-family homeowners will end up paying less over the coming year.

Customers will receive a one-time, $30-per-household rebate, County Manager Mark Schwartz said at the June 13 County Board meeting.


News

Just weeks after Arlington’s new outdoor pickleball complex at Walter Reed Community Center opened for play, a battle over operating hours is underway.

With some pickleball supporters circulating a petition to expand the schedule, a representative of the Columbia Heights Civic Association went to Saturday’s County Board meeting to denounce the idea.


News

County Board members are approaching a vote on whether to provide a historic designation at the Melwood property, where they previously approved an affordable housing project.

A final vote on the property at 750 23rd Street S., in Aurora Highlands, is likely to come at the Board’s June 17 meeting, following a required public hearing.


News

County Board members are approaching an initial vote on potentially prohibiting gas-powered leaf-blowers, but it’s still unclear when such a ban would go into effect.

The Board is slated to vote this Saturday on setting a a public hearing for next month that could start the clock ticking. County staff is sticking with its past recommendation for a three-year phase-in period, unswayed by recommendations by a number of advisory panels for a shorter phase-in period.


News

The three Democratic candidates for County Board are all in favor of extensive community input on a proposal for a new behavioral health facility in Glencarlyn.

“You need to listen — it needs to be community-first,” challenger Julie Farnam said at a debate hosted by the Arlington County Civic Federation on Tuesday.


News

A congressional candidate from Falls Church says he will leave the race if the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision on redistricting stands.

“If there is no new 7th District, then I will not be running for anything this year,” Joe Schiarizzi told ARLnow. “I will not run in the 8th or anywhere else.”


Schools

Arlington Public Schools has rescinded a plan to have Washington-Liberty High School graduates’ names read by artificial intelligence during next month’s graduation ceremony.

Christina Arpante, the school system’s communications director, told ARLnow the decision was made after students “expressed a preference for having their names read by a familiar voice.”


Schools

A plan to use artificial intelligence to read off the names of graduates at Washington-Liberty High School received pushback at last week’s School Board meeting.

June Prakash used the Board’s public-comment period to decry a partnership with a company that uses AI to correctly pronounce students’ names and read them off at a consistent rhythm during graduation ceremonies.


News

Tensions already are appearing among Falls Church’s elected and staff leadership, even before planning for a major affordable housing plan starts to take shape.

Council members voted 5-1 on April 27 to authorize spending up to $175,000 on a consultant to help guide potential redevelopment in portions of the Virginia Village community. Even then, however, leaders disagreed over how the process should move forward and how many potential development scenarios should be considered.


News

The County Board has taken a step toward considering potential historic status for the Melwood site, despite vigorous opposition from the development team’s attorney.

Board members voted 5-0 to start consideration of the Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board’s (HALRB) recommendation to designate a portion of the former Nelly Custis Elementary School at 750 23rd Street S. as historic. This is a procedural step and doesn’t indicate whether they support the recommendation or not.


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