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Planning + Building eNews

FEBRUARY 2026 

Engage with Us

Provide Feedback on Proposal for 1501 Langston Blvd. by March 1

The County is reviewing a proposal to build an eight-story residential condominium building at 1501 Langston Blvd., the Air & Space Force Association site.

• Review project materials and share your input by March 1.

Project & Program Updates

Comprehensive Plan Update: Community Engagement Report Now Available

A new report summarizing public input on the Comprehensive Plan Update—collected from May through November 2025—is now available. The report captures community perspectives gathered through various engagement methods and highlights key themes shared across the County.

All online feedback form responses can be viewed in full on the Project Documents page.

2025 DESIGNArlington Winners Announced

Metropolitan Park in National Landing. Architect / Designer: Field Operations, ZGF Architects, Clark Construction. Photographer: Barrett Doherty, Magda Biernat Photography (courtesy of ZGF), Michael Zhao, Sam Kittner (courtesy of National Landing BID), Lancer Photography (courtesy of Amazon), Earthscape Play, Inc.

The Arlington County Board honored nine projects for the 2025 DESIGNArlington awards. The biennial program recognizes excellence in architectural and landscape design and public art. The 2025 winners include a fire station, a park, affordable housing, and mixed-use development.

• Read descriptions and view images of the winners.

Phase 1 Concludes

Arlington is considering the adoption of an impervious area limit in lower density, residentially zoned areas. Impervious area increases the risk of flooding and extreme heat, while limiting it can improve stormwater management and create more space for trees.

During Phase 1 of the study (August – December 2025), staff worked to develop a shared understanding of key issues and engaged with third-party consultants on a benchmarking report on other counties and cities with impervious area limits.

•  View the Low Residential Study Phase 1 engagement summary. 

• Read the benchmarking report.

• Learn more from the study webpage.

FY 2027 Budget Proposed

County Manager Mark Schwartz proposed a FY 2027 budget that recommends $10.6 million in funding cuts to address many challenges while still supporting those most in need in our community and maintaining core services.

At its Tuesday meeting, the County Board voted to advertise a real estate tax rate of $1.053 per $100 of assessed value, a two-cent increase from calendar year 2025. The Board will hold a public hearing for the budget on March 24, and a public hearing for the tax rate on March 26. Registration to speak at the public hearings opens five business days before the hearing dates.

• View an infographic on the proposed budget.
• Review budget overviews, a timeline for adoption, an analysis of budget-related community engagement, and the proposed budget document.

Leckey Gardens Site Plan Contributes Transit-Accessible Affordable Housing

A three-dimensional rendering of the proposed Leckey Gardens building seen from the corner of N. Woodrow Street and 20th Road N.

At its February carryover meeting, the County Board approved a proposal to build an 11-story residential building with 249 housing units at 2031 N. Woodrow St. All of the units will be Committed Affordable (CAF) housing.

• Learn more from the project webpage.

Zoning 101

Nonconformities

A nonconforming lot, building, or land use is something that used to follow the zoning rules when it was first created but no longer meets today’s zoning regulations. This can happen with things like lot size, how wide a lot is, how close a building is to the street or property line, building height, or the size of the building’s footprint. This often happens when zoning regulations change.

As Arlington studies zoning changes, we use an equity lens to understand who benefits, who may be burdened, and whether new rules could create additional nonconforming properties.

Nonconformities affect the steps a homeowner must take to renovate. Some updates can be approved by staff, while others require review by the Board of Zoning Appeals or the County Board.

• Review more information about nonconformities. 

Site Plan & Adaptive Reuse Projects Under Review

The following projects are currently moving through review processes. You can find

information about them, dates of upcoming public meetings, and more on their webpages.

Site Plan Projects

• 3130 Langston Blvd. – Walgreens Site
• 1501 Langston Blvd. – Air & Space Force Association Site
• 2134 N. Taylor St. – Waverly Ridge
• 2000 15th St. N. – Alexan
• 1817 N. Quinn St. – Crestmont Apartments
• 1901 N. Moore St. – RCA
• 4420 N. Fairfax Dr. – The Spire at Fairmont
• 333 S. Glebe Rd. – Dominion Arms
• 1401 Wilson Blvd.
• VHC Carlin Springs Campus

Adaptive Reuse Projects

• 1800 & 1901 S. Bell Street

Also see Private Development for information about on-hold, expired, and approved site plans and other projects.