July 15, 2014 Arlington County Board 2100 Clarendon Boulevard
STEVE COLE CHAIR
MICHELLE STAHLHUT COORDINATOR
CHRISTOPHER FORINASH VICE CHAIR
GIZELE C. JOHNSON CLERK
July 15, 2014 Arlington County Board 2100 Clarendon Boulevard Suite 300 Arlington, Virginia 22201 SUBJECT:
Service Commercial Uses
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Commission recommends the County Board direct the County Manager to identify, evaluate, and recommend opportunities in our Comprehensive Plan and economic development efforts to accommodate service commercial trades, including those requiring suitable parking for work vans and other special service vehicles.
Dear County Board Members: As detailed in a separate letter, the Planning Commission heard at its July 9, 2014 public hearing an agenda item for a use permit for a Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development (UCMUD) for the “10th St Flats” project that displaces some service commercial uses in Clarendon. As a result, the Planning Commission wishes to highlight the need for a review of County planning for certain service commercial uses in Arlington County, particularly uses that require cargo “work” vans and trucks that cannot be accommodated by typical underground parking garage heights. A typical work van requires approximately 8-foot height clearance. Parking garages are routinely built with 7’-2” clearance. As the proposed 10th Street Flats project illustrates, redevelopment of our edge sites consistent with transit-oriented development policies, while enormously successful, can displace service commercial uses that require “work vans,” such as home builders, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and other skilled trades. As the County undertakes planning efforts for various sections of the County including Four Mile Run, Lee Highway, and neighborhood commercial centers, the Commission suggests including a review of service commercial trades in these areas. The Planning Commission welcomes the opportunity to work with other commissions, including the Economic Development Commission, to engage the community in a deliberation of the role service commercial trades play in our local economy. Threshold issues, including which goods and services should preferably be provided within the boundaries of Arlington County and those which could
acceptably be located outside our borders are germane to sustainability, quality of life, and economic and social diversity in the County. Commissioner Gutshall moved that the Planning Commission recommend the County Board direct the County Manager to identify, evaluate, and recommend opportunities in our Comprehensive Plan and economic development efforts to accommodate service commercial trades, including those requiring suitable parking for work vans and other special service vehicles. The Planning Commission voted 6-0-1 to support the motion, with Commissioners Ciotti, Cole, Forinash, Gutshall, Kumm-Morris, and Siegel in support, and Commissioner Iacomini abstaining.
Respectfully Submitted, Arlington County Planning Commission
Steve R. Cole Planning Commission Chair
2
MICHELLE STAHLHUT COORDINATOR
CHRISTOPHER FORINASH VICE CHAIR
GIZELE C. JOHNSON CLERK
July 15, 2014 Arlington County Board 2100 Clarendon Boulevard Suite 300 Arlington, Virginia 22201 SUBJECT:
Service Commercial Uses
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Commission recommends the County Board direct the County Manager to identify, evaluate, and recommend opportunities in our Comprehensive Plan and economic development efforts to accommodate service commercial trades, including those requiring suitable parking for work vans and other special service vehicles.
Dear County Board Members: As detailed in a separate letter, the Planning Commission heard at its July 9, 2014 public hearing an agenda item for a use permit for a Unified Commercial/Mixed Use Development (UCMUD) for the “10th St Flats” project that displaces some service commercial uses in Clarendon. As a result, the Planning Commission wishes to highlight the need for a review of County planning for certain service commercial uses in Arlington County, particularly uses that require cargo “work” vans and trucks that cannot be accommodated by typical underground parking garage heights. A typical work van requires approximately 8-foot height clearance. Parking garages are routinely built with 7’-2” clearance. As the proposed 10th Street Flats project illustrates, redevelopment of our edge sites consistent with transit-oriented development policies, while enormously successful, can displace service commercial uses that require “work vans,” such as home builders, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and other skilled trades. As the County undertakes planning efforts for various sections of the County including Four Mile Run, Lee Highway, and neighborhood commercial centers, the Commission suggests including a review of service commercial trades in these areas. The Planning Commission welcomes the opportunity to work with other commissions, including the Economic Development Commission, to engage the community in a deliberation of the role service commercial trades play in our local economy. Threshold issues, including which goods and services should preferably be provided within the boundaries of Arlington County and those which could
acceptably be located outside our borders are germane to sustainability, quality of life, and economic and social diversity in the County. Commissioner Gutshall moved that the Planning Commission recommend the County Board direct the County Manager to identify, evaluate, and recommend opportunities in our Comprehensive Plan and economic development efforts to accommodate service commercial trades, including those requiring suitable parking for work vans and other special service vehicles. The Planning Commission voted 6-0-1 to support the motion, with Commissioners Ciotti, Cole, Forinash, Gutshall, Kumm-Morris, and Siegel in support, and Commissioner Iacomini abstaining.
Respectfully Submitted, Arlington County Planning Commission
Steve R. Cole Planning Commission Chair
2
