County Board | ARLnow.com

Here’s a Glimpse at the Schedules of Arlington County Board Members

Published October 19, 2016 at 3:45PM

County Board members make just over $50,000 a year for what is considered part-time work. But in reality, Garvey says, Board members spend full-time hours studying and discussing the issues, attending community events and taking meetings, in addition to the long hours spent conducting County Board meetings and work sessions multiple times per month.

With Arlington’s high cost of living, a $50,000 a year salary may give otherwise qualified County Board candidates a strong economic disincentive to run.

News

County Board to Consider Allocating $17.8 Million in Leftover Funds

By ARLnow.com

Published October 18, 2016 at 10:05AM | Updated October 18, 2016 at 12:38PM

The County Board tonight (Tuesday) is expected to discuss what to do with the extra cash as part of its annual budget close-out process, which has previously been criticized for a lack of public input.

The public will have a month to weigh in on the draft recommendations before a final vote in November.

News

County Board Approves Pedestrian-Only Streets in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published October 17, 2016 at 11:00AM

Pedestrian-only street in Boulder, Colorado (photo courtesy Arlington County)

The Arlington County Board has approved adding pedestrian-only streets and low-speed “shared streets” to its transportation repertoire.

The amendments to the county’s Master Transportation Plan were approved unanimously at the Board’s meeting on Saturday.

Opinion

Morning Poll: Should the County Board Be Better Paid?

By ARLnow.com

Published October 17, 2016 at 10:00AM

Currently, County Board members are paid between about $51,500 and $56,500. The position is considered part-time, and three out of the five current members have other jobs, but in practice Board members end up working full-time hours in service of the county.

As reported by the Washington Post, Garvey wants to start a discussion about raising County Board member pay closer to the county’s median family income of $110,900, which would be more in line with what Fairfax and Montgomery counties pay their elected officials.

News

Owner of Controversial Lyon Park Mansion Wants to Use It as a Bed and Breakfast

By ARLnow.com

Published October 14, 2016 at 11:30AM

3120 N. Pershing Drive (screenshot via Zillow)

The owner of a huge mansion in Lyon Park is asking for the county’s permission to use it as a bed and breakfast.

Yogi Dumera, the restaurateur behind Delhi Dhaba and Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill in Courthouse, recently filed a bed and breakfast use permit application for his 13,700 square foot house at 3120 N. Pershing Drive.

News

County Board to Consider Regulations on Airbnb Rentals

By ARLnow.com

Published October 13, 2016 at 9:55AM

County staff is proposing regulations that would permit Airbnb rentals, which currently exist in a bit of a legal gray area in Arlington, while imposing some restrictions.

Among the proposed regulations:

News

Extensive Community Process for Athletic Field Lights Nearing Conclusion

By ARLnow.com

Published October 12, 2016 at 1:00PM | Updated November 16, 2016 at 1:34PM

The Williamsburg Field Evaluation Work Group will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2 to discuss the process and gather more community input before drafting a report for the County Board.

“Come see what was learned, ask questions and share your input,” said a description of the meeting, which will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the middle school (3600 N. Harrison Street).

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published October 11, 2016 at 9:15AM | Updated November 18, 2016 at 2:37PM

Lyon Park Community Center in 2016 (Flickr pool photo by Alan Kotok)

Balcony Fire in Arlington View — Arlington County firefighters battled a small fire on an apartment balcony in the Arlington View neighborhood yesterday afternoon, following reports of an “explosion” sound. The fire was quickly extinguished and no injuries were reported. [Twitter]

Carpool’s New Owner Trying to Sell — The fate of Carpool is once again uncertain. The Ballston-area bar was supposed to close later this fall to make way for a new high-rise residential development. Despite County Board approval of the project, and the just-completed sale of the bar, developer Penzance is now reportedly trying to sell the site. [Washington Business Journal]

News

Residents Continuing to Fight Planned Baseball Field at Bluemont Park

By ARLnow.com

Published October 7, 2016 at 3:00PM | Updated October 7, 2016 at 6:14PM

Undeterred by the fact that the Arlington County Board already approved a contract for the project earlier this summer, a group of Bluemont and Boulevard Manor residents are continuing to fight the planned construction of a baseball and softball field in Bluemont Park.

Opponents of the project faced off with youth baseball and softball boosters — who support the new field and say it’s necessary to meet demand — at a community meeting Wednesday night. The “listening session” was organized by Arlington County, in response to opposition to the field that has been building since late summer.

News

County Board Approves Alternative to ‘Blue Ribbon Panel’

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2016 at 3:45PM

The County Board unanimously approved a charge for the “interdepartmental staff team” yesterday afternoon, with little further discussion. The team will conduct an “integrated review” of the 11 elements of the county’s Comprehensive Plan, along with various neighborhood and place plans and County Board resolutions, and will report back to the Board this spring.

The overarching goal: “to clearly communicate Arlington County’s priorities.”

News

New Ballston Pedestrian Bridge Design Revealed As Demolition Nears

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2016 at 2:35PM | Updated September 28, 2016 at 4:31PM

Ballston pedestrian bridge rendering (via Forest City)

(Updated at 3:15 p.m.) A new pedestrian bridge for those heading to and from the renovated Ballston Quarter mall and the Ballston Metro station has cleared a regulatory hurdle.

The Arlington County Board yesterday voted unanimously to approve a site plan amendment for the bridge, which will replace an existing pedestrian bridge. The old bridge is, in the eyes of the mall owners and the county, fairly pedestrian appearance-wise.

News

Arlington Mulls Regulating Airbnb Rentals

By ARLnow.com

Published September 28, 2016 at 9:55AM | Updated September 28, 2016 at 10:51AM

Airbnb, which has become an alternative to hotels or vacation rentals for many, is growing in popularity, prompting county staff and the County Board to initiate a public process that is expected to lead to regulations on such rentals.

Nearly 1,000 properties in Arlington were listed on Airbnb this month, according to a county press release. The number was closer to 1,600 earlier this summer, said County Manager Mark Schwartz.