Designs for a Rosslyn park, a controversial towing decision and a possible change to Arlington County Fair operations will go before the Arlington County Board this week.
These items are all on the agenda as the board holds its final meetings of the year on Saturday (December 14) and the following Tuesday (December 17).
Gateway Park Plan Review Planned: Board members are scheduled to approve a master plan and design guidelines for the 3.7-acre Gateway Park in Rosslyn on Dec. 14.
The measures will complete a multi-year planning process. The redevelopment plan is estimated at approximately $31 million.
This package provides for a dog park with separate areas for large and small dogs; Forest playgrounds for children aged 2 to 5 and 5 to 12 years; a pavilion area; lawn for special occasions; “Garden Rooms” for meetings, performances, fitness and other activities; toilets; and a new pedestrian bridge over N. Fort Myer Drive.
Part of the funding comes from an agreement with CoStar Group, which agreed to pay $13.95 million to gain exclusive access to a rooftop observation area that was previously open to the public.
Towing updates planned for final vote: Companies that tow from private property are expected to get most of what they want at the county board's Dec. 14 meeting. However, they may have to wait three months for the proposed increases in maximum allowable towing fees to take effect.
Staff recommends board members increase the maximum base towing fee from $135 to $150 and add a state-mandated temporary fuel surcharge of $20.
What is new, however, is that staff is recommending that implementation of the increases and other changes be delayed until March 1st. This would allow for the hiring and training of a towing coordinator to handle a new licensing process for towing service providers, which is expected to be approved on December 14th.
The staff recommendation maintains the previous rejection of a “second signature” requirement that would require a business owner or employee to authorize any tow in real time during regular business hours.
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington and the county's Trespass Towing Advisory Board agree with staff opposition to implementing a second signature requirement.
Neither county staff nor board members have shown much interest in a proposal from the Trespass Towing Advisory Board that would make it more economical for towing companies to boot rather than tow vehicles. This recommendation is not included in the package under consideration.
Action on the towing update package was postponed from the board's November meeting to address the permitting process and a number of other issues.
County Fair Management Responsibilities When Moving to the Parks Department: Also under discussion is a proposal to shift operations of the annual Arlington County Fair from the independent fair board to the county government's Department of Parks and Recreation.
District officials say the fair's attendance, which has more than tripled to 160,000 annually over the past decade, needs more full-time oversight.
The nonprofit fair board, which has overseen the annual celebrations since the fair's founding in the 1970s, will continue to serve in an “advisory role,” managing specific programs and volunteer recruitment.
A new proposed memorandum of agreement does not include estimated additional costs, if incurred by the taxpayer. Since the next fair is scheduled to take place in August 2025, appropriate funds will be included in the fiscal year 2026 budget, which will be prepared in the spring, district staff say.
The proposed changes have been in the works since the 2024 fair concluded. The matter has been placed on the board's consent agenda and will be adopted without discussion unless overridden by a board member or the public.
Expanded credits for stormwater measures on the agenda: Board members will be asked to approve a series of changes that will provide property owners with additional opportunities to earn stormwater fee credits. New opportunities for credits will open up for those who have permeable patios and walkways and for those who divert stormwater to underground collection areas.
Westover Farmers Market Re-Approved: Board members are expected to approve a three-year continuation of the use permit to operate the Westover Farmers Market, which is open year-round on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cardinal Elementary School on N. McKinley Drive
Legislative package intended for final adoption: Board members are scheduled to approve their 2025 legislative package and outline the government's wishes for the 46-day session of the General Assembly that begins Jan. 8.
Board members held a public hearing on the package in November, which featured only one speaker. On Dec. 3, board members held a work session with members of Arlington's legislative delegation.
New board member is sworn in: A ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for new board member JD Spain, Sr. will take place on December 14th at 4:00 p.m. A reception will take place afterwards.
The event is public.
The term of office of Spain, a Democrat who emerged victorious in the four-way parliamentary election, begins on January 1st. He succeeds Libby Garvey, who served on the county board for 12 years and did not seek re-election.
Reception in honor of Garvey: A reception honoring outgoing board chair Libby Garvey will be held at the board's recess meeting on December 17 at 4 p.m.
If you would like to participate, please contact the District Executive Office.
