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Issue brief:

Accessory dwellings

• Read our ad from the Sun Gazette (July 10)
• Learn what you can do to fight this plan.

Background: The Arlington County Board is getting ready to alter the character of single-family home neighborhoods throughout the County. The proposed "accessory dwelling" zoning change would allow new rental units in private homes, even if the neighborhood is zoned for single-family residences.

If adopted, this change would mean more crowding in quiet single-family neighborhoods; more parking problems as new cars compete for on-street spaces; likely reductions in home values; and a fundamental change in the character of neighborhoods.

Thousands of Arlington residents bought homes in neighborhoods zoned for single-family housing. But this new proposal would change the rules, converting every neighborhood into a more crowded rental community.

The County claims the change would provide more "affordable housing", but there's no evidence to back that up. The County claims there would be limits on occupancy in the new "accessory dwelling" units -- but also admits that it would be unable to enforce those rules!

Public reaction: Homeowners are outraged by the "accessory dwelling" idea. The Arlington County Civic Federation has gone on record against the proposal, but so far, the County has ignored their concerns.

Results of Civic Federation survey:

• 73% of delegates responding expressed concern about the County’s willingness and/or ability to enforce AD rules,
• 62% expressed concern about changing the character of single-family neighborhoods and encouraging more intense development of single-family lots,
• 61% expressed concern about making parking and maneuvering out of driveways more difficult

Also, the County's own Planning Commission (which oversees zoning issues) declined to endorse the AD plan. And the county's Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Commission voted 15-2 against the proposal.

Latest news: The County Board held a public hearing on the accessory dwelling propsal on Sat., July 19. Dozens of citizens testified against the proposal. Later that day, the Board voted 4-1 to approve the AD plan. But in view of intense public opposition, the Board limited approvals to 28 new units per year.

What's next: Implementation of the new rule, starting in 2009.

What you can do: We encourage concerned Arlington residents to take the following steps:

• Contact the County Board -- by phone (703-228-3130) and by email (). Let them know you're disappointed with their vote on this important issue.
• Sign the online petition against AD's (see petition). Add your name and comments to the hundreds of Arlington citizens who are speaking out against this plan.
• Watch the County Board meeting from July 19 (see video replay). See which Arlington residents testified against the AD plan, and then see how the Board largely discounted neighborhood concerns.