Dear Friends,
Our June County Board meeting had several regular hearing items. For a fuller description of the topics below, please see the County’s Newsroom Board Wrap-up link: https://www.arlingtonva.us/About-Arlington/Newsroom/Articles/2024/Wrap-up-Media-Release-for-June-2024-Meeting
Virginia Hospital Center (VHC)
We considered a site plan amendment for Virginia Hospital Center (VHC) which has just completed a large expansion project and was requesting approval for a much smaller expansion. The new section would permit approximately 17,015 square feet of building additions to accommodate expansions of the Emergency Department, Cardiac Cathlab, Intensive Care Unit, and mechanical areas. These additions will primarily be in the “Tower” building on the southeast corner of the site where the applicant is requesting to expand the corner of the building by adding three levels on top of the structure and pushing out the façade of the ground floor within a portion of the existing overhang area. While the expansion will be a minimal change above an existing one-story structure, neighbors of the hospital center have found VHC to be a difficult neighbor during the past construction and are concerned. We deferred the permit approval to July and asked VHC to do more outreach to the neighborhood to reassure people that the construction and new addition would not be too disruptive.
Sold Waste Management and Zero Waste Plan
The Board approved our Sold Waste Management and Zero Waste Plan with a resolution that emphasized public education and efforts to support and encourage residents and businesses to recycle and compost waste.
This new plan contains two major components:
- DEQ Regulatory Requirements: The first section of the document is structured to meet State requirements for solid waste planning.
- Voluntary Initiatives: the County identified 19 additional program and policy areas to potentially pursue over the next twenty years to progress toward the 90 % waste diversion goal.
There is only so much government can do to achieve waste reduction. If we are to get to zero waste, or even very close, we will need people to change their behavior. One of our focus areas will be on making it easy/possible for people in apartment buildings to recycle and compost. This will include some pilot “smart” composting collection bins with sensors to let us know when the bins are full and to help prevent non-compostables from being put in them. For full report, see: https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/recycling/documents/2024-arlington-county-swmp-zero-waste-plan_v12.0.pdf
For Solid Waste Committee and a larger version of the above graphic, see: https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Commissions-and-Advisory-Groups/Climate-Change-Energy-and-Environment-Commission-C2E2/Solid-Waste-Committee
Tyndale Christian School
We approved a use permit for the Tyndale Christian School. Neighbors near the church location were concerned about traffic and parking. The school offered to lower the number of students permitted from 80 to 40, which is the number already enrolled for next September and shortened the review period from one year to six months. If all goes well (and I think it will), the school can request more students to be permitted in the future.
Mr. Days & Layli Restaurants
Finally, we approved two use permits for the new Mr. Days and Layli restaurants which join the Clarendon Live Entertainment Group (CLEG). CLEG was established in 2002 to connect businesses with the community and county staff on issues related to live entertainment within the Clarendon Neighborhood. The CLEG meets twice yearly and all establishments are reviewed annually. CLEG is a great program that helps prevent issues of conflict between establishments, their patrons and the neighborhood. It is not easy to foster a vibrant restaurant and entertainment area right next to residential areas, but it is important for our economy and CLEG helps a lot.
July Board Meeting Date Change
Looking ahead, the date of our July regular meeting has been moved from Saturday July 20 to Monday July 22. The annual Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments retreat will be held from the 19th to 21st. Both Takis Karantonis and I will attend. It is important that Arlington have good representation when regional leaders come together to discuss how best to work together to move our region forward.
Democratic Primary
Finally, while I am disappointed in the results of the Democratic primary I want to thank and congratulate Tenley Peterson for stepping up and offering her experience and background to our County. I know many of my readers supported Tenley Peterson as I did. I am hopeful she will run again. I congratulate Julius D. (JD) Spain on his winning campaign.
As always, I hope this has been helpful, and I welcome comments and questions.
Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July,
Libby
