Arlington voters have been asked to approve or deny a total $510 million in 6 different bonds on the November 8 ballot, a staggering amount of funds even given Arlington’s high tax base.  This $510 million in new debt will largely exhaust the county’s ability to issue any new bonds for the foreseeable future.   Annual debt service at 4% interest on municipal bonds would obligate the county to spend annually $29 million for the next 30 years.  Greens believe that only the Metro bond and sewage plant/drinking water bond merit approval at this time.

At their October meeting, Arlington Greens voted to support the $177 million bond to upgrade the sewage treatment plant and drinking water system, a $53 million bond for Metro and transportation.    Greens believe that the county’s sewage treatment plant and drinking water service must be upgraded to meet the needs of more residents as well as EPA environmental requirements.   In addition, Greens believe Arlington must continue to fund Metro rail, Metro bus, and to repave and maintain county streets.

Greens voted to oppose the four other bonds:  the $22 million for recreation projects; $53 million to fund new courthouse buildings; $165 million to build another high school; and $40 million for gray infrastructure for storm water.  These projects have not been well thought out and precise goals and engineering studies not conducted to provide voters with good information.  County and school officials need to do more planning and make a better case for these four bonds. The $165 million school bond includes $136 million for a new high school off Columbia Pike for a new vocational school.  The school board has not completed its work on the scope purpose, and details for a new vocational/technical high school.   Arlington public school enrollments have fallen since the pandemic and yet to recover to 2019 level.   More critical issue is raising staff salaries to attract and keep more bus drivers, aides and teac

The Arlington Green Party at their October meeting voted to endorse Audrey Clement, an independent candidate, for the Arlington County Board in the November election. Mark Antell, a Green Party member and longtime resident of North Rosslyn, said “we Greens support Audrey Clements because she will stand up to the developers and bring an independent voice for Arlington residents to the Arlington County Board.”

Greens are particularly supportive of Clement’s opposition to the county board zoning proposal to up zone density of single-family home neighborhoods, the so called Missing Middle zoning (MM) proposal, to allow up to 8 new housing units on a lot occupied today by one house.   Greens previously recommended that the county board delay consideration of this MM zoning until more data and information are available, but the county board seem fixed on immediately approving MM.

The MM zoning does nothing to help expand affordable housing assistance in Arlington for the neediest residents who are renters generally earning under $50,000 a year.   Greens have long advocated for more rental housing grants, preservation of existing garden apartments, and twice supported the creation of a housing authority in Arlington.  Greens worked to prevent demolition of Westover area garden apartments 5 years ago through the mechanism of historic preservation, but the county board refused to stop the demolition of many modest apartments.

Environmental analysis of MM zoning indicates that a good portion of existing tree canopy in detached house neighborhoods and permeable surfaces will be lost with more density in detached house neighborhoods.   Loss of tree canopy and permeable surfaces will lead to more storm water released onto neighboring properties and down streets, and damage to Arlington residents.