May 2025 County Board Meeting Agenda Highlights

The developer proposes the following actions (Item 43A):  

• A General Land Use Plan (GLUP) amendment to alter the boundary of the “Clarendon Revitalization District” and from “Low” Residential to “Medium Density Mixed-Use” GLUP designations for the property to coincide with the site’s existing “C-3” zoning district designation;  

• A text amendment to the Clarendon Revitalization District regulations in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance (ACZO) (Section 9.2) to permit a maximum building height of 85 feet (as opposed to 75 feet); to reduce maximum height from 75 feet to 65 feet for the northeast corner of the site, and to remove required step-backs on Wilson Boulevard and North Highland Street for the property. 

• A Rezoning of a portion of the site from “R-5” to “C-3” to consolidate the entire site’s zoning district designation as “C-3”; and related update to ACZO Map 13-1 to amend Line A to encompass a portion of the property located at 1418 N. Garfield Street, and  

• A new site plan for a new eight (8) story multifamily residential building with up to 309 dwelling units and approximately 6,000 square feet of ground floor commercial space that will be built on top of a below grade parking structure that will be retained following demolition of the existing office building on the site.  

To further facilitate this redevelopment, the applicant also requests the vacation of two easements (Item 43B) for (i) public street and utilities purposes and (ii) public sidewalk and utilities purposes, respectively.  

The subject proposal advances the goals and intent of adopted County plans and policies, including the Clarendon Sector Plan (2006 and 2022 Updates) and the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative, and particularly the CMRI’s County Board Policy on the Transformation of Commercial Office Buildings in Arlington. The proposal replaces a nearly vacant, outdated office building with new housing units next to a Metro Station, while providing significant environmental benefits from the reuse of the existing underground parking garage, building footings, and building core.  

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 – Recessed County Board Meeting  

The Recessed Meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a closed session, followed by reports from the Board and County Manager no earlier than 3:30 p.m. Agenda items will be heard no earlier than 6 p.m. 

Item 44 – Use Permit and Site Plan Amendment Reviews for Clarendon Establishments
The Board will also consider taking a series of actions related to a two-year review of use permits and site plan amendments for live entertainment, dancing, and outdoor seating for establishments within the Clarendon Live Entertainment Group (CLEG).  

If adopted, this item will: allow live entertainment (with dancing and outdoor seating where applicable) for two use permits (Report Agenda Items 1 & 2); renew 17 use permits for live entertainment (with dancing, outdoor seating, and/or kiosk where applicable); and discontinue two use permits (Report Agenda Items 16 & 19). A table of the establishments in the CLEG, their Use Permit Descriptions, and associated Report Agenda Item numbers can be found on Page 6 of the Board report.