Letter to County Board opposing lot coverage restrictions

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Arlington Heights Civic Association

April 16, 2005

The Honorable Jay Fisette
Chairman, Arlington County Board
2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201

Dear Mr. Fisette,

At its February 22, 2005 meeting, the Arlington Heights Civic Association discussed both the Zoning Ordinance Review Committee and the County Manager proposals for restricting the overall lot coverage that would be allowed on home sites in Arlington. At the end of this debate, the Association voted unanimously to oppose these options and any others that would reduce the amount of lot coverage that would be permitted on home sites in Arlington.

The Civic Association’s rationale is as follows:

We do not believe that “overly large” infill development is a problem in Arlington Heights, and we believe that the current proposals would negatively affect both the character and composition of our neighborhood. We believe that awarding bonus lot coverage for certain architectural features, while denying it for others is a mistake, because it legislates personal home style choices that do not substantively affect the quality of life of the County as a whole. We believe that property owners must be able to modify their property as their needs change, and that the current lot coverage allowances can continue to adequately guide those efforts. Lastly, we believe that laws should meet the purpose for which they were written. These proposals will not stop the development that offends their proponents.

Sincerely,
Adam Croswell
President, Arlington Heights Civic Association

Cc: Sun Gazette Newspapers, The Washington Post