Under Virginia law only single family zoning has the density requirement for 20% tree canopy retention or replacement by year 20 after development. The current draft plan request rezoning of all single family lots to allow multi-unit structures. This will mean a significantly greater loss of tree canopy than currently experienced rapid loss in residential areas. Proposed changes in residential zoning across the County are contained in this memo.

A complete analysis prepared by the Arlingtonians for Our Sustainable Future shows that tree canopy for single-family homes will be reduced from the current 20% to 10%, because the Virginia and its Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance have lower lot coverage standards as base density rises. If the board chooses an 8-plex zoning standard, the new lot coverage will also go to 10% in all zones for the MM units except in R-20 where it will go to 15%. The county is adding a revolutionary concept for additional tree canopy in the MM rezoned areas only, offered as option 6B, Section 10.4 of the new code. This new development mechanism may not be valid under current state law; if not, we are left with the original Phase 2 idea (option 6B, Section 10.4), which represents a loss of 584 acres of canopy and puts the canopy goal of 40% out of reach for our county..

For details go to the webpage for this meeting. You are not allowed to make public comment, but you can provide written comment to Nick Rogers, 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201. nrogers@arlingtonva.us
703-228-3525.

Even the County’s analysis of the impact on trees (see page 14)acknowledges the potential loss offering just hopes that it won’t happen.