Arlington County

Arlington Comprehensive Plan

Arlington is working to update the Comprehensive Plan. A comprehensive plan is a long-range plan for livability and what the community wants to look like in the future. It is a tool that highlights values and priorities and guides decision making as the community grows.

**Complete the online feedback form by November 16 using our talking points!**

Get excited about some of the changes a new Comprehensive Plan could bring:

• Adding medium to high density—both residential and commercial and mixed-use options—along arterial roads (i.e. connector roads like Wilson Blvd., Glebe, Washington Blvd, George Mason, Rt. 50, Four Mile Run, Yorktown Blvd., Carlyn Springs);
• Expanding “walkable” to Metro definition for higher density from ¼ mile to ½ or even one mile;
• Eliminating the “bullseye” concept that requires tapering of height between Metrorail stations, i.e. increasing heights to a standard along the length of the Metro corridor;
• Eliminating or greatly constraining GLUP goal 4 (see p. 6) that specifies the county must preserve low-density residential and commercial areas.

MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN REWRITE

Arlington’s Transportation Future is a County initiative to develop a refreshed Transportation Plan, to replace the 2007 Master Transportation Plan. The County Board approved new Vision and Goals for the new Master Transportation Plan in July. Now

Now, they county is seeking feedback on policies and transportation network maps. Share your feedback to help craft the modal priority networks, policies, and curb lane uses that will deliver our next transportation plan. Join the conversation online or at an in-person event to share your feedback!

Complete the online feedback form by December 7.

RiverHouse Infill Development

RiverHouse is a large-scale property in Pentagon City with three 15-story apartment towers surrounded by surface parking lots and some green space. It was originally developed in the 1960s and the current owner is JBG Smith. In 2022, the property received eligibility for a significant increase in density, through the Pentagon City Sector Plan process. The Sector Plan stipulates that in order to achieve this additional density, JBG Smith would need to include green space and affordable housing with the new development.

In 2023, JBG Smith released the specific plan for adding housing to the RiverHouse site. They proposed multiple buildings to fit around the existing apartment towers, replacing the surface parking, adding green space, and improving circulation around and through their property.

But this original plan had proposed only about half of the density that the Sector Plan allowed, and not as much green space as many community members wanted.

Now, JBG Smith has released an updated Site Plan for the property, responding to this feedback (including from us). They are including more homes - over 2,700 after the full buildout - and more green space.

Because this site is so large, the Site Plan Review process will happen in phases. Phase 1, which starts now, includes two shorter buildings (7 stories) and 127 townhomes. Join us to support this Site Plan process so these new homes can get built as soon as possible.

Here is the project website for the most up to date information: RiverHouse Neighborhood – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government

Public hearings are coming in November and December.

Recurring opportunity for advocacy

OPEN DOOR MONDAYS

Each Monday, a member of the Arlington County Board holds a virtual session to meet one-on-one (or in small groups) with constituents. Each Virtual Open Door Monday runs from 7-9 pm, but you do not have to stay for the entire time.