Accessory Dwellings: Neighborhood Case Study. In 2017 Arlington County amended its ordinance governing Accessory Dwellings (ADs). An accessory dwelling is a second dwelling – separate or within a main house – with kitchen, bathroom, and separate entrance on a single family lot. The Affordable Housing Master Plan identified ADs as an existing tool to help augment housing supply and to support older adults aging in place. A detail in the new regulations, however, precludes many existing detached structures from qualifying even if they meet setback and height requirements. We will hear about the case of one neighbor and a legislative fix he will be pursuing to address the Catch-22.

Elementary Schools—Boundaries and Projections. In late December, the school board finalized school boundaries which will alleviate the decade-long overcrowding at Oakridge Elementary School by sending some students in our neighborhood to Hoffman Boston.  However, APS continues to grow their student population at an unprecedented rate and even with the boundary change Oakridge will again be over capacity by 2021.  Arlington Ridge neighbor Colleen Pickford will share her experience in the Facilities Advisory Committee to look at the changing student population and the facility needs before APS in the coming years with a look at how that may impact our community.   

Welcome to Amazonia. If the announcement that Amazon is likely to be our newest and biggest corporate neighbor has gotten your attention, our meeting is for you. We’ll hear a presentation by members of the County Board and JBG-Smith, the landowner/developer who would be working with Amazon to develop its new campus. Come with your questions about Amazon’s agreement with the County and State, and the possible impacts or opportunities, including new residential density, schools, housing affordability, traffic, proposed infrastructure, employment, and more.