county government | ARLnow.com

NEW: ‘Missing middle’ draft calls for legalizing multifamily housing countywide

Published May 2, 2022 at 3:55PM | Updated October 17, 2022 at 10:49AM

Slide from Missing Middle Housing Study draft framework (via Arlington County)

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Some “missing middle” housing types would be legalized in residential zones throughout Arlington, under a draft proposal released late last week.

The framework is the latest output of the county’s Missing Middle Housing Study, which has been ongoing since October 2020. The study concluded that allowing housing that’s denser but no larger than single-family homes currently allowed under zoning would increase housing supply while diversifying housing types and providing a net environmental benefit.

News

County’s public engagement efforts continue to evolve as pandemic wanes

By Brandi Bottalico

Published May 2, 2022 at 12:30PM

Bryna Helfer talks to the County Board during a meeting

Arlington County doesn’t always get public engagement right — but officials say the county is doing better than it did a few years ago.

The pandemic has served as an impetus for accelerating changes already in progress, including a move away from exclusively in-person engagement to more virtual and hybrid community outreach options.

News

NEW: Arlington Economic Development’s No. 1 and No. 2 leaders are departing

By ARLnow.com

Published April 29, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated April 29, 2022 at 10:39AM

The top two leaders at Arlington Economic Development (as marked) are leaving (photo illustration by ARLnow, via screenshot of AED website)

It’s not just Telly Tucker who’s leaving Arlington Economic Development.

Tucker become the county’s Director of Economic Development in January 2020, just before the pandemic, after serving in the same role for Danville, Virginia. He’s now returning to Danville to head the state’s Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

News

An Arlington affordable homeownership program is small, but looking to grow

By Brandi Bottalico

Published April 21, 2022 at 10:30AM

A rendering of planned development at 2000 Clarendon Blvd (file photo)

While there are thousands of affordable housing units in Arlington, there’s a smaller, unique portfolio under the county’s purview.

Homes that are part of the county’s Affordable Dwelling Unit Ownership Program are the only dedicated affordable housing in Arlington that residents can own, as opposed to rent.

News

Arlington is donating ballistic vests, firefighting gear and thousands of other items to Ukraine

By ARLnow.com

Published April 6, 2022 at 10:15AM

Ukrainian and American flags hanging from overpasses along eastbound I-66 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County is donating thousands upon thousands of items to Ukraine relief efforts.

The county is holding a media availability tomorrow (Thursday) morning to discuss the donations, which are primarily from Arlington’s public safety agencies, including the fire, police and emergency management departments, as well as the Sheriff’s Office.

News

Historic preservation survey targeting equity and inclusion nets mostly white, older respondents

By Jo DeVoe

Published March 29, 2022 at 3:55PM

Demolition of Rouse estate in Dominion Hills (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A recent survey of Arlingtonians found a majority say the county needs to be more aggressive about preserving historic buildings, monuments and resources from demolition.

Engagement in the survey, administered in 2021, was three times higher than engagement in a similar survey distributed two years ago, before the loss last year of two historic homes — the Febrey-Lothrop House and the Victorian Fellows-McGrath House — to make room for new housing.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published March 25, 2022 at 7:30AM

Cherry blossoms and Amazon's HQ2 construction in Pentagon City (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

County Prepping New Tree Study — “Arlington leaders may take their next crack at guesstimating the number of trees in the county – a topic not without political as well as environmental ramifications – early in 2023, if all goes according to plan… estimating the cost at $100,000 to $150,000.” [Sun Gazette]

New Name for GMU Arlington Campus — “George Mason University announced today that its Arlington Campus will be renamed Mason Square as the new centerpiece of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor for multi-disciplinary talent and business development, as well as a civic and cultural destination. Also being announced is Fuse at Mason Square, the name of the new technology-forward building that is the heart of Mason’s commitment to growing Northern Virginia’s next-generation workforce. A groundbreaking ceremony for Fuse at Mason Square will take place April 6.” [Press Release]

News

BREAKING: Masks optional in Arlington County facilities starting Thursday

By ARLnow.com

Published March 2, 2022 at 3:20PM

Leaves and a face mask on the ground in Crystal City (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Arlington County is making masks optional in county facilities — from community centers to County Board meetings — starting tomorrow (Thursday).

The county made the announcement this afternoon, following the lead of Arlington Public Schools, which made masks optional for students and staff on Tuesday.

News

NEW: No employees fired as a result of vax mandate, county says

By ARLnow.com

Published March 1, 2022 at 1:30PM

A vaccine shot (via Arlington County/YouTube)

Yesterday was the deadline for all Arlington County government employees to get vaccinated, obtain an exemption, or get fired. So far, no one has been fired.

“We’re happy to report that as of today, all Arlington County Government employees are in compliance with the vaccine policy,” county spokesman Ryan Hudson told ARLnow on Monday. “Approximately 99% of permanent County employees are vaccinated, with 125 individuals having received accommodations.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 24, 2022 at 7:30AM

Raindrops on a tree branch in Westover (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Beyer’s Statement on Ukraine — From Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) last night: “Praying for the Ukrainian people tonight. America stands with Ukraine.” [Twitter]

HQ2 Phase 1 to Feature 14 Retailers — “JBG Smith also revealed Tuesday that it has identified and executed leases with 14 retailers set to open by the end of 2023 at Metropolitan Park, though it didn’t identify those brands. That’s a jump from what the real estate company had announced in November during a tour of the HQ2 site, at that time noting plans for between seven to 12 retailers on the ground floor. Two of those retailers have been announced: District Dogs and Rāko Coffee Roasters.” [Washington Business Journal]

News

NEW: Arlington’s summer camp registration system melts down again, despite changes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 23, 2022 at 10:25AM | Updated February 23, 2022 at 11:48AM

Cover of Arlington's 2022 Summer Camp catalogue

(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) Like death and taxes, Arlington summer camp registration drama is inevitable, despite efforts to avoid it.

This year, of course, was supposed to be different. This year, beefier systems and new monitoring tools were supposed to help avoid the technical meltdowns of past years.

News

Most county operations to close on Monday for George Washington Day

By Matt Blitz

Published February 18, 2022 at 10:30AM

Arlington County government headquarters in Courthouse (file photo)

Many county services and operations will be shuttered on Monday (Feb. 21) for Presidents Day, which is officially called George Washington Day in Virginia.

County government, the courts and libraries are all closed on Monday. This also includes county vaccine clinics and COVID-19 testing sites. The test positivity rate in Arlington has dropped below 5% as demand for tests has slowed considerably since earlier this winter.