Arlington County Master Plan

Arlington County Master Plan
Name	Arlington County Master Plan
Location	Arlington County, Virginia
Type	Comprehensive plan
Adopted	Various (ongoing updates)
Jurisdiction	Arlington County Board

Arlington County Master Plan

The Arlington County Master Plan is a comprehensive planning document guiding land use, transportation, open space, and urban design in Arlington County, Virginia adjacent to Washington, D.C., the Potomac River, and the District of Columbia. It coordinates policy among agencies such as the Arlington County Board, the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, and regional bodies including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. The Plan interfaces with federal entities like the United States Department of Transportation, the National Park Service, and the General Services Administration on issues affecting sites such as the Pentagon and the Arlington National Cemetery.

Overview and Purpose

The Plan establishes objectives for land use patterns connecting neighborhoods like Rosslyn, Courthouse, Clarendon, and Ballston with transit nodes including the Washington Metro and the D.C. Streetcar proposals. It balances redevelopment pressures from nearby centers such as McLean, Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia against preservation priorities for historic resources like the John M. Langston School and the Cherrydale Historic District. The document informs capital investment decisions by entities such as the Commonwealth of Virginia and private developers including major firms active in the National Landing area.

History and Development

Origins trace to early 20th‑century planning influenced by the McMillan Plan and post‑World War II suburbanization linked to the Interstate Highway System and the expansion of the federal government workforce. Key milestones include adoption of sector plans coincident with the emergence of the Pentagon City redevelopment and the conversion of the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor into a model of transit‑oriented development recognized by the Congress for the New Urbanism. Responses to events such as the September 11 attacks shaped security and transportation elements around the Pentagon and informed coordination with the Department of Defense. Recent updates reflect economic shifts following the Great Recession and planning for large projects like the Amazon HQ2 selection of National Landing.

Planning Framework and Components

The framework integrates elements from the U.S. Green Building Council standards, the Federal Highway Administration guidance, and the American Planning Association best practices. Components include neighborhood plans for areas such as Shirlington, the Westover neighborhood, and Halls Hill; sector plans for corridors like Columbia Pike and Lee Highway (U.S. Route 29); and specialty plans addressing parks, historic resources, and affordable housing linked to programs like the Virginia Housing Development Authority. The Plan references statutory requirements from the Code of Virginia and coordinates with regional plans administered by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority).

Land Use and Zoning Policies

Policies emphasize mixed‑use redevelopment, density strategies near Metro stations, and preservation of single‑family blocks in neighborhoods including Glencarlyn and Woodmont. Zoning mechanisms draw on the Zoning Ordinance of Arlington County and utilize tools such as form‑based codes, special exception processes, and planned unit developments pursued by developers like JBG Smith and Amazon in partnership with the county. The Plan addresses commercial corridors like Wilson Boulevard and industrial lands adjacent to Reagan National Airport and balances pressures from real estate markets tied to institutions such as the George Washington University.

Transportation and Infrastructure

Transportation strategy centers on the Rosslyn–Ballston corridor model, multimodal mobility, and integration with regional systems including Interstate 66, U.S. Route 50, and the Capital Bikeshare network. It advanced projects such as the Crystal City-Potomac Yard Transitway and supported extensions of the Metrorail Silver Line. Infrastructure policies coordinate stormwater management with USACE (United States Army Corps of Engineers) standards, fiber and communications infrastructure with providers like Comcast and Verizon Communications, and emergency preparedness with agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security.

Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives

The Plan incorporates sustainability targets consistent with commitments made through partnerships with the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, the Sierra Club, and state programs under the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Initiatives include tree canopy goals, green stormwater infrastructure aligning with the Chesapeake Bay Program, and energy efficiency measures referencing LEED and Energy Star frameworks. Conservation of natural resources links to management of riparian corridors along the Potomac River and habitat protection coordinated with the Audubon Society and local land trusts.

Implementation, Governance, and Community Engagement

Implementation relies on the Arlington County Board, advisory commissions such as the Arlington Planning Commission and the Historic Affairs and Landmark Review Board, and partnerships with non‑profits including Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing and civic associations like the Clarendon-Courthouse Civic Association. Public engagement processes mirror practices advocated by the American Institute of Architects and include community meetings, commission hearings, and digital platforms coordinated with the Arlington County Civic Federation. Funding and governance coordinate capital budgets, proffer agreements with developers, grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and interjurisdictional agreements with neighboring jurisdictions like Fairfax County, Virginia and Prince George's County, Maryland.

Category:Urban planning in the United States Category:Arlington County, Virginia