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BUILDING COMMUNITY FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS

Vision & Commitment

Join Us and Help the Cause

Recent Decisions & Changes

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​​ASF advocates for  better development policies to ensure Arlington's long-term, budget, equity and environmental sustainability

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-  THE ARLINGTON WAY HAS GONE ASTRAY  -

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​Arlington County Board on March 22 approved by-right six-plex zoning for all single-family areas of the county!

Annual Cap of 58 permits spread across all R-zones, with 5 year sunset clause!

Media coverage provides summary of key elements of approved plan 

 

See ASF's March 22 Press Release

Read ASF's March 21 Testimony to the County Board.

Read ASF's March 22 updated information on Affordability and Diversity

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KEY ASF Resources:

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The County's approved Missing Middle housing framework touts new housing opportunities through "infill" in single-family areas.  The approved plan (based on the Board's report of March 10) takes effect in July and allows:

  • construction of two- to four-plexes on ALL lots in R-5 to R-20 residential zones;

  • construction of 5 and 6 plexes on all lots over 6,000 square feet (the majority of lots rezoned);

  • 0.5 onsite parking spots per unit near transit and 1 onsite spot for units on cul-de-sacs and areas further from transit;

  • Fee simple sales, lot subdivision and ADU's for side-by-side duplexes and 3-unit townhomes

  • Missing Middle units on lots over one acre by special exception permit;

  • "Free" bonus lot coverage of 5% for Missing Middle units;

  • Maximum 8,000 square feet for 5 and 6 plexes.

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The Board reneged on initial promises: i.e.

  • "it won't be countywide;"

  • "it will deliver family-sized units," and "starter homes;"

  • "it will create wealth for more diverse populations."

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The county had projected only 150 added residents with 20 permits.  Having granted more than double that amount, the county still rejected all plans for infrastructure/new services.  ASF has provided SUBSTANTIAL evidence that Missing Middle will bring:

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  • Loss of affordable, older housing stock (replacing $750k homes with MM units that will require $193,000 minimum annual income for one six-plex unit);

  • Rise in land prices that will preclude true affordable housing solutions (e.g. co-ops);

  • Subsidizing the wealthy (those earning 125-273% of area median income);

  • Spreading tear-downs to new areas; at faster-than projected pace;

  • Displacement of those who can't pay higher taxes due to land inflation;

  • Absolute loss of tree canopy in rezoned areas;

  • Major impacts on traffic, neighborhood parking, pollution;

  • Abandonment of transit-oriented development;

  • A net loss of "family-sized housing" units (with 89% of MM being 1-2 BR units);

  • Likely shift from 80% owner-occupied to approx 80% rental properties in rezoned areas;

  • Lack of continuity with, if not outright violations of, our Comprehensive Plan.

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​Write THE COUNTY BOARD NOW (countyboard@arlingtonva.us) AND FOLLOW UP:

  • Ask for neighborhood involvement in the reporting:

  • Push for impact analyses on demograhpic, fiscal and enviroonmental impacts of the plan;

  • Tell the Board that sunsets must be made conditional on key benchmarks.

 

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Quick Links:

Visit our Missing Middle page for more information.

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​​​​​​​​Plan Langston Boulevard:  The county has slightly modified, with release of a new Preliminary Concept Plan (PCP) in August 2022, scenarios A and B revealed in summer 2021 for "Plan Langston Boulevard."  The PCP lays out new land use and zoning along Langston Blvd west of Rosslyn to Arlington-East Falls Church (with some parts, i.e. Cherrydale and East Falls Church, subject to separate planning efforts and one area deferred.)  ASF believes the PCP inadequately accounts for adverse fiscal and environmental impacts; omits critically-needed new infrastructure, particularly schools, roads (the planning area lies outside Metro corridors), parks; and will severely erode market-rate affordable housing/diversity.

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The Upshot and How to Weigh In.  ASF believes MM and Plan Langston Boulevard up-zoning (and up-GLUPping) are irreversible densifications and a break from the county's 40-year agreement with residents to limit high-density development to Metro corridors.  We hope you will share your views with the board (countyboard@arlingtonva.us).

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Plan Langston Blvd

Two scenarios envision drastically increased density from Rosslyn to East Falls Church

Missing Middle

Help shape housing policy in single-family neighborhoods before the point of no return.

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