The Arlington County Board has voted to restrict, but not eliminate, the placement of campaign signs and other signage on county medians.
In a 4-1 vote, a majority of Board members said the compromise is a reasonable middle ground that will reduce clutter without severely impacting candidates’ ability to get their messages out.
Arlington County is seeking input on its rules for public signage, including sandwich boards outside businesses and political signs in median strips.
A public feedback form is open through Nov. 30, inquiring about respondents’ comfort levels with existing signage in sidewalks, medians and other public places as part of the county’s Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative.
More relaxed rules for business signage and lower speed limits on five roads are on the agenda for an upcoming Arlington County Board meeting.
Other items up for consideration at the Saturday meeting include the purchase of two homes to reduce flood risks, funding for an East Falls Church road project and grants to support seniors experiencing cognitive decline.
Street upgrades in Bluemont, Claremont and Shirlington, plus a loan for renovating 73 affordable housing units, are scheduled for County Board consideration this weekend.
Board members have a total 52 items on their consent agenda this month, but no regular hearing items. All items pulled for further consideration will be heard at the Board’s recessed meeting, set for Wednesday, June 18.
Simpler, more flexible rules for posting signs at commercial buildings could be coming to Arlington.
The Zoning Ordinance Committee of the Planning Commission considered various possible zoning amendments at a meeting last week.
Reported incidents of rabbits getting shot in Lyon Park have led to new signs warning of consequences for animal cruelty.
For the past two springs, the Animal Welfare League of Arlington has responded to reports of someone injuring rabbits in the neighborhood, south of Courthouse, spokesperson Chelsea Jones told ARLnow.
New signs have appeared in Courthouse indicating changes in how much it costs to park.
The signs stand at the intersections of N. Courthouse Road with 13th Street N. and Clarendon Blvd with N. Barton Street, indicating both the number and price of available parking spots in real time.
It’s not a new phenomenon, but there have been more reports of stolen political signs in Arlington amid a brighter spotlight on such thefts.
The latest incidents happened in the county’s northern reaches and involve signs for both of the major party presidential candidates.
Arlington’s GOP chair is crying foul over what he says are attacks on the party’s campaign signage.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t hear from Republican voters about stolen, damaged or vandalized Republican yard signs,” Arlington County Republican Committee chair Matthew Hurtt told ARLnow. He pegged assaults on signs in the hundreds.
Though Arlington has been taking steps to streamline its permitting process, evidence of continued inefficiencies and delays can be seen at organizations around the county.
Just last month, two business owners — one aiming to open a new restaurant and nightclub in Clarendon and another opening a retro sports bar in Shirlington — told ARLnow that a lack of county permits was hindering their progress.
Two years ago, a motorcyclist died in a crash involving a school bus near Drew Elementary School in Green Valley.
A week later later, a car seriously injured a toddler who was playing in the sidewalk intersecting with an alley in Westover.
Road Improvement Project Discussion — From Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services: “Tomorrow night: Virtual gabfest on the latest design for THE Ohio Street Safety Project at 12th Road North and 14th Street North.” [Twitter, Arlington County]
Indecent Exposure in Shirlington — “4000 block of Campbell Avenue. At approximately 7:29 p.m. on March 17, police were dispatched to the report of an indecent exposure. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect and took him into custody without incident. The investigation determined that approximately 20 minutes prior, the male suspect entered into the establishment and allegedly exposed himself to the female victims.” [ACPD]
