Arlington Journal article:
Proposed zoning change may restrict size of new houses
By JASON FORDNEY
Journal staff writer
Arlington Journal

Arlington County officials are calling unfounded a concern raised by homeowners that a proposed ordinance restricting the size of new houses will limit their abilities to expand their residences Nevertheless, the Arlington County Board has deferred a decision on the issue until more data can be collected.

The County Board in late July first announced the proposed changes to the county's zoning laws, which would require a public hearing and approval by the Board.

So far, the proposal has not proceeded beyond discussions between County Manager Ron Carlee and the county's Zoning Ordinance Review Committee. The item was scheduled to be discussed by the County Board Sept. 8, but that date has been pushed back while county staff determine criteria for appropriate development, officials said.

County officials say the measure is meant to keep new development within the scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood.

``We're not trying to restrict citizens' rights,'' county spokesman Dick Bridges said yesterday. ``The county is not going to declare a large number of homes non-compliant. This is part of a much larger project that has been ongoing over the past two years.

Building footprints are one aspect of a larger review process designed to determine what is appropriate development in Arlington, officials said.

Officials also are considering issues of height, width and the amount of setback from the street.

The rapid pace of growth in Arlington County has led to a great deal of building on vacant lots and the tearing down of old homes to build new ones, officials said.

The re-zoning proposal raised concern among residents worried the new regulations would limit their ability to expand their homes, build patios and decks, and rebuild damaged structures.

The Arlington County Civic Federation has received numerous phone calls from members concerned about the issue, according to civic federation president James Pebley.

The federation will hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 in the conference center of the Virginia Medical Center-Arlington to discuss the proposals and to determine what position the federation will take on the issue.

County staff personnel, officials with the zoning ordinance review committee, members of the Arlington County Planning Commission and members of Concerned Arlington Homeowners are scheduled to appear and present their views.

Concerned Arlington Homeowners has placed full-page advertisements in local newspapers, urging residents to oppose the plan.

The group lists no contact information and it is not clear whether the ads were placed by homeowners or developers opposed to the proposed ordinance.

August 29th issue of the Arlington Journal.

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