Summer, 2018
Overview NINE Roundtable Conversations “How Should Arlington Grow?” Hosted by Arlington County Board Members Facilitated by Community Leaders Neighbors Talking to Neighbors 1
Who Participated? Over 250 Participants 52 Neighborhoods Locations Across the County • Langston M. Brown Community Center • Charles Drew Community Center • Arlington Mill Community Center (w/ Spanish Translation) • Ellen M. Bozman Government Center • Lubber Run Community Center 2
A Focused Conversation Three Key Questions: What Makes Arlington, Arlington? What Does Growth Mean for Arlington? What Can We Do to Shape Our Future? 3
Conversation 1: WHAT MAKES ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON? Great services for residents, including transportation, utilities, trails, recreation, 1.1 parks, libraries 1.2 Excellent schools offering high quality of education Neighborhoods offer unique character and a sense of community-in a mix of urban 1.3 and suburban settings 1.4 Sense of diversity in Arlington County The proximity to Washington, D.C. and all that is offered in our nation’s capital 1.5 (government, art, music, theater, monuments, museums, etc.) 1.6 Extensive planning principles Engaged and participatory form of government with active citizen 1.7 4
Conversation 1: WHAT MAKES ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON? “Diverse and accepting community” “Supportive communities ” “ Great services” “Near to a lot of great things to see and do” “ Lots of resources” “ Love the diversity” “ Excellent public schools” v “ Growing youth population ” “ Suburban and urban mix” “Accessible and safe” “Focused investment on transportation” “Neighborhoods with character” “Highly intelligent and highly engaged residents” 4
Conversation 2: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT DOES GROWTH MEAN FOR ARLINGTON? Changing demographics seems to be impacting level of diversity (e.g., age, race, income, ethnicity, etc.) 2.1 in Arlington Fear about the impact on the level and amount of services that are required, including schools, 2.2 transportation, trash, clean water, utilities, etc. Recognition that growth may be coming; but with mixed views –representing a range from anxiety to 2.3 enthusiasm--about what it means for density, costs, services, and open space in Arlington Lack of affordable housing units available; and expensive housing costs that make it less likely for 2.4 young professionals, service workers, and older adults to live in Arlington Seek opportunity to identify innovative policies, programs and practices to advance co-location, mix 2.5 used housing, and other creative strategies that balance growth, density, and housing affordability 2.6 Some participants concerned about growth expressed a desire for policy changes 5
Conversation 2: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT DOES GROWTH MEAN FOR ARLINGTON? “ We need to find policies to “As a younger person, I support the people who live “It’s concerning that think growth can be good here, or else we are Arlington’s rate of but what we see here is intensifying stresses on the growth outpaces our no inclusive growth—it environment and facilities and spaces.” tends to displace people.” transportation .” “ This idea of ‘neighborhood “ Are our planning “ Having a range of character’ is focused on processes nimble single-family homes. If that’s housing prices is critical. enough? Do they expand The average doesn’t our vision of Arlington, not enough to include more reflect the full situation.” many people will be able to out of the box ideas?” afford to live here” 5
Conversation 3: WHAT CAN WE DO TO SHAPE OUR FUTURE? A desire to confirm Arlington’s vision and strategic direction for the future with thoughtful 3.1 considerations for how to balance and manage potential growth in Arlington Interest in aligning Arlington’s planning process and related policies to establish opportunities 3.2 for maintaining mixed use housing and advancing social equity principles Align policies and practice that balance and maintain neighborhood characteristics 3.3 Strengthen economic development with focused support and opportunities for local 3.4 businesses Continue to maintain excellent services (schools, transportation, parks, etc.) that offer a high 3.5 quality of life to all who want to live, work, and play in Arlington Continue to advance public engagement and communication strategies that balance diverse 3.6 voice, participation, experience, and perspective in community processes 6
Conversation 3: WHAT CAN WE DO TO SHAPE OUR FUTURE? “Be flexible. Be willing to lose a “It’s nice to have these little control over what we’ve “Environmentally planning models but we done in the past. Understand friendly might be building for the fundamental goals and urbanization is today but not for 50 values you want to put into the important.” years from now .” planning process be able to live with uncertainty and flexibility.” “Build on the ‘Big Idea’ forums. We need “ How do we emphasize to the “ The biggest public facilities resilience. Create Big Idea hubs rest of the developers—both are streets. We should talk in community centers for single-family and high-rise – about streets and sidewalks people to talk or draft in and the importance of embrace as a public facility to get us tables with newsprint and social responsibility?” what we need.” crayons […] Get ideas from people you don’t live next to.” 6
Next Steps Planning is Never Protecting Arlington’s Inclusive Housing Diversity as We Grow Past Tense • Prioritize inclusion and equity in • Advance housing affordability and • Continue to update our strategic Arlington. better match the supply of and guiding documents to align housing types to the demands of with the pace of change. our changing demographics. • Explore how principles of inclusion and equity can more • Continue to update elements of effectively guide planning and • Allow or Incentivize a wider menu the County’s Comprehensive Plan decision-making in Arlington. of housing designs and layouts. elements and sub-elements. • Continue these important • Inventory tools to advance conversations that advance affordable housing and “missing opportunities for inclusion and middle” to facilitate a framework equity. for mixed-use housing in Arlington. 8
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