Many Williamsburg residents have expressed concerns about developments changing the nature of our neighborhood. One issue is the construction of very large homes that some see as inappropriate infill development in Arlington's established neighborhoods. Like most issues, this one has at least two sides:

• Some Williamsburg residents believe that the County should constrain construction of such houses, which often tower over near neighbors, by adopting more restrictive zoning codes. They argue that such construction is detrimental to the privacy (and hence property values) of near neighbors. They also point out that such construction often involves the loss of mature trees, contributing to the decline in our tree canopy and open spaces.
• Other Williamsburg homeowners oppose such restrictions, arguing that such restrictions infringe on property rights (and hence property values). Additional restrictions, they contend, will lead to deterioration in the existing housing stock and a decline in the neighborhood, as many small homes built in the fifties are transformed into ill-maintained rental housing. By contrast, continuing to allow construction of large, single-family homes that meet current market demands will allow our neighborhood to develope in a healthy direction, increasing property values.

The challenge is to find a balance between these two arguments. Current zoning restrictions are fairly loose, allowing "by-right" (i.e., the property owner does not have to get a variance) construction of large homes that some residents would consider "over-built." More information on current residential zoning

In response to these concerns, County officials have begun to consider changes to tighten up zoning restrictions affecting the size of houses built on undeveloped lots or undivided lots within the County. In the first of a series of ordinance change proposals, the County Staff tackled the issue of maximum lot coverage, recommending a decrease from the existing cap of 56% to 45% (for R-6 zoning districts). For details, see Arlington County Staff Draft Report on Maximum Lot Coverage, dated 9 March 2001. The County's Zoning Ordinance Review Committee (often referred to as ZORC) endorsed this proposal and added additional restrictions. For details, see ZORC Comments on County Staff's Report dated 22 May 2001.

On 11 June, the County Board and the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee (ZORC) held a discussion on the maximum coverage issue. More Information. In the wake of this meeting, a group called Concerned Arlington County Homeowners (CACH) launched an advertising and flyer campaign. The CACH advertisement contended that the ordinance changes would restrict homeowners from building decks, patios, adding on rooms or replacing damaged structures and consequently detract from the market value of their homes. The CACH concerns were echoed in a number of homeowner letters fiercely opposing changes in maximum lot coverage.

As a result, County officials have postponed consideration of the issue, pleading lack of adequate data. For letters explaining the County's position, see:

• County Manager's 20 July Commentary on Maximum Lot Coverage
• County Board 1 August Letter on Maximum Lot Coverage

What You Can Do: If Williamsburg neighbors want to influence this process, we need to weigh in during these discussons.

• Express your views! Because there are Williamsburg residents on both sides of this issue, it is important that you let the Executive Board know where you stand, to guide our actions. The Arlington County Civic Federation has devised a survey to poll community views. Click here for a Word version of that survey. Based on the results of that survey, the Civic Federation drafted a resolution, reflecting the fact that delegates are divided on whether and how to change zoning rules. The resolution which was adopted in October 2001 is available here.
• Tell County officials where you stand on this issue. These people work for us; emails, letters, and phone calls are all good ways to get their attention.
  • The County Staff is collecting data as part of a larger study on whether house footprints should be reduced. They have invited citizens to identify the worst examples of what we, as residents, consider "bad infill." Click here.
  • Email the County Board. You can also call Arlington County Board members at 703-228-3130 or fax them at 703-228-7430. Their US mail address is:

  Arlington County Board
  #1 Courthouse Plaza, Suite 300
  2100 Clarendon Boulevard
  Arlington, Virginia 22201

  • Call the Arlington County Zoning Office at 703-228-3883. Or visit them at Suite 812, 2100 Clarendon Blvd.
  • The Zoning Administrator is Terry Russell. Email him at Trusse@co.arlington.va.us.
  • The Deputy Zoning Administrator is Tony Burnette. He is the official who recommends for and against variance requests to the Board of Zoning Appeal. Email him at tburne@co.arlington.va.us or call him at (703) 228-3178.
  • The Zoning Office is part of the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development. Its Director is Susan Bell. You can call her at (703) 228-3535. Email her at: cphd@co.arlington.va.us. You can write her at:

  
  Susan Bell
  Director, CPHD
  2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 700
  Arlington, VA 22201

  • The County Manager is Ron Carlee. As County residents and tax-payers, we are his customers. He is always delighted to hear from his customers. Call him at (703) 228-3120. E-mail him at countymanager@co.arlington.va.us . Or write him at:

  
  Ron Carlee
  County Manager
  2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 302
  Arlington, VA 22201

For more information on elected local officials, click here.

Further Information

For local media coverage of the Sycamore construction and the zoning/infill issues involved, see:

• Arlington Journal Article: A Neighborhood Copes with an Unconventional Home
• Washington Post Article: Sizing Up New Homes in Arlington
• Arlington Sun-Gazette Article: Battle Over Zoning Changes Hits Public Radar Screen

For recommendations on zoning and infill in the Williamsburg Conservation Plan, see:

• Land Use and Zoning (Conservation Plan)

For the meeting minutes of the 26 June 2001 meeting on zoning and infill development, see:

• Minutes of the 26 June 2001 WCA Membership Meeting

For more information on the Sycamore construction and how the variance process is working in that case, see:

• WCA 1 June 2001 Letter to Deputy Zoning Administrator
• Deputy Zoning Adminstrator Response 2 July 2001
• WCA 27 June Letter to Zoning Administrator
• Zoning Administrator's 28 June Response to 27 June WCA Letter
• Deputy Zoning Administrator's Response to WCA Questions on Sycamore Structure and Variance Notification Procedures – 11 September 2001
• Deputy Zoning Administrator's Response to Neighbor's Questions on Sycamore Structure – 25 September 2001
• Deputy Zoning Administrator's Report on Fall 2001 Variance Request
• 14 November 2001 BZA Meeting and Subseqent Developments in 2002

For information on notification procedures used by Arlington County to keep citizens informed of variance requests, see:

• Zoning Notification Procedures
• Notification Requirements in Arlington County Code
• State Requirements for Advertisement

For information on how concerned homeowners can protect their property from later subdivision, see:

• Finding a Neighbor-Friendly Alternative to Infill: The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust

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