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From YouTube: County Board Wrap-Up: December 2019
Description
ATV's monthly conversation with Arlington County Board members on the major issues discussed at December's Board meeting
1. Metropolitan Park Redevelopment Approved
2. Crystal Houses project includes land for affordable housing, park
3. Workforce Innovation grant
4. Expanding the areas where elder care facilities are permitted
5. Transportation improvements approved for Glebe Rd.-Lee Highway intersection, Ballston-MU Metrorail station area
A
Hello
and
welcome
to
County
Board
wrap-up,
where
we
look
at
the
decisions
the
board
makes
at
its
regular
meetings.
I'm
your
host,
Cara
O'donnell
and
joining
me,
as
always,
is
County
Board,
Chair,
Christian
Dorsey
and
for
our
last
show
of
the
year,
joined
by
a
board
member
Katie
crystal
welcome
to
both
of
you.
Now
on
the
board's
last
meeting
of
2019
was
a
meeting
meaty
one
we're
gonna
to
start
today
went
to
look
at
three
items
that
give
us
some
insight
into
what
Amazon's
planned
headquarters
means
here
in
Arlington.
A
B
You
know
in
in
the
big
picture
sense:
this
is
a
really
transformative
project
for
Arlington
we're
gonna
have
with
Amazon's
new
headquarters,
220
two-story
office
towers
that
are
going
to
be
the
most
energy-efficient
buildings
that
Arlington
has
ever
produced,
they're
going
to
go
at
the
highest
level
of
the
certification
for
sustainability,
LEED
Platinum
they're
going
to
be
doing,
combination,
on-site
energy
and
they
have
a
goal
of
making
sure
that
they're
using
100%
renewable
energy
at
the
site
by
2030,
which
is
even
more
ambitious
than
our
Community
Energy
plan.
There
is
about
14
million
dollars.
B
That's
gonna!
Go
into
expanding
and
outfitting
a
public
open
space.
That's
also
going
to
be
perpetually
maintained
by
Amazon.
There's
gonna
be
an
on-site
childcare
center
there's
going
to
be
a
community
center,
that's
going
to
be
available
for
both
county
government
as
well
as
County,
nonprofit
and
civic
group.
Use.
There's
also
going
to
be
a
20
million
dollar
contribution
for
affordable
housing,
that's
12
and
a
half
million
dollars
above
the
base
expected
contribution.
B
So
there's
a
lot
of
great
things
going
on
here,
not
to
mention
improvements
to
the
street
network,
with
protected
bike
lanes
and
and
linear
parks.
Very
much
the
built
environments
going
to
be
a
good
thing,
and
then
you
know
what
I'm
excited
about
met.
Park
was
planned
more
recently
to
be
entirely
residential.
Now,
by
putting
these
office
uses
here,
I
actually
think
it's
a
better
land
use
mix
and
it's
gonna.
B
You
know
allow
this
to
be
a
much
more
dynamic
area
in
Pentagon
City,
and
it
was
a
something
that
you
don't
get
often
in
Arlington,
where
people
didn't
really
have
many
issues,
no
concerns
about
the
architecture
and
generally,
when
it
comes
to
the
land
use
part
of
it,
it
was
a
very
smooth
and
there
I
say
easy
public
hearing.
What.
C
That
represents
the
fruition
of
a
lot
of
different
plans
in
Arlington
County,
the
public
spaces
master
plan,
for
example,
the
bike
element
of
our
transportation
master
plan.
Certainly
this
amazing
down
payment
by
our
public's
a
private
sector
on
the
goals
of
the
community
energy
plan
and
so
I
think
what
you're
really
seeing
is
visions
and
values
that
this
community
has
had
that
we
have
codified
and
elements
of
our
comp
plan
or
planning
processes
now
being
realized
with
this
major
private
investment.
Let's.
A
B
The
biggest
contribution
we've
ever
had
for
affordable
housing
in
Arlington-
and
you
know
we
have
you-
know
our
system
of
community
benefits
that
we
negotiate
with
developers.
There's
a
base
expectation
that
they
are
expected
to
meet,
and
that
would
have
in
this
case
amounted
to
about
seven
and
a
half
million
dollars.
So
you
do
the
math
and
we're
getting
more
than
double
what
would
be
expected,
which
is
significant.
It
is
you
know
just
it.
It's
never
happened.
B
So
you
know
the
idea
that
we
have
so
so
much
coming
in
the
form
of
resources
to
provide
for
affordable
housing
is
incredibly
useful
and
you
know
better
yet
the
way
it's
structured,
it
will
come
in
tranches
as
the
building
is
developed
or
if
we
identify
an
opportunity
to
commit
those
to
a
single
project
in
the
vicinity,
we
can
get
the
twenty
million
dollars
in
one
lump
sum
right
away.
So
this
gives
us
a
degree
of
flexibility
and
opportunity
that
we've
never
had
before
and.
C
It's
worth
reminding
ourselves
every
opportunity
we
get
the
way
our
affordable
housing
investment
fund
works
is
we
tend
to
see
every
dollar
of
that
local
investment
leveraged
by
about
four
to
one
through
federal,
low-income
housing,
tax
credits,
other
sources
from
the
capital
market
that
nonprofit
developers
can
access
so
I?
Think
it's
fair
to
say
every
project
is
idiosyncratic
and
has
different
costs
associated
with
it.
C
B
C
A
B
You
know,
there's
there's
no
sort
of
boundary
requirement
for
it,
but
what
we
to
be
consistent
with
the
way
we've
described
our
efforts
at
affordable
housing
all
throughout
the
recruitment
of
of
Amazon,
has
been
the
2
to
202
zip
code,
which
includes
Crystal,
City
and
Pentagon
City
and
adjacent
neighborhoods,
but
also
to
tu-204
the
Columbia
Pike
corridor.
We
have
looked
at
all
of
those
as
being
areas
that
are
likely
to
be
impacted
by
growth,
that's
occurring
in
Pentagon,
City
and
Crystal
City.
B
A
C
In
the
county
rather
nearby
to
this
site,
but
I
don't
know
that
we've
seen
any
preliminary
thinking
about
the
architecture,
for
example,
but
again
in
the
same
way
that
the
the
benefits,
in
particular,
realized
out
of
this
project
represented
the
fruition
of
our
long-standing
community
plans
and
objectives.
I
think
you
can
expect
to
see
very
much
the
same
in
future
phases.
C
We've
planned
our
work
and
we're
working
our
plan
here
at
Arlington
County
in
terms
of
what
we're
hoping
to
realize
in
the
two
to
202
area,
and
so
one
thing
that
I
think
people
can
hang
their
hat
on.
Is
it
the
future
planning
process
for
future
sites?
Are
gonna
emphasize
those
long-standing
plans
and
community
goals
as
well.
B
Pursues
their
plans
they're
roughly
this
accounts
for
about
half
of
what
they
are
planning
if
they
adhere
to
the
25,000
employee
target
trajectory
that
has
been
the
subject
of
our
conversation
so
about
2.1
million
square
feet
here,
which
leaves
roughly
about
that
much
for
the
other
site
that
they
have
identified.
So
we
can
roughly
presume
that
we're
about
halfway
there
or
in
terms
of
what
amazon
is
planning
in
Arlington,
okay,.
A
C
This
is
exciting.
This
project
Orsini
this
site,
is
pretty
massive
by
Arlington
County
standards.
It's
17
acres
and
this
is
historically
being
developed
under
I
think
what
planners
would
describe
as
the
towers
in
the
park
model
the
the
sort
of
form
of
development.
We
saw
a
lot
of
a
few
decades
ago,
and
so
this
project
proposes
to
keep
the
two
existing
12-story
apartment
towers,
but
add
four
new
apartment
buildings
and
three
rows
of
townhouses
in
for
a
total
of
819
housing
units,
I
I,
would
say
again
kind
of
contextualizing
this
in
our
plans
for
Arlington.
C
This
is
exciting:
we're
adding
more
housing
units,
more
opportunities
for
people
to
live,
close
to
Metro
close
to
jobs,
as
we've
been
talking
about
so
being
able
to
really
develop
in
ways
that
are
consistent
with
our
goals
of
adding
growth
in
the
places
where
the
infrastructure
can
support
it.
What
is
also
exciting?
C
We've
talked
over
and
over
again
about
how
we
can
make
sure
that
Amazon's
arrival
or
the
arrival
of
other
major
office
tenants
can
avoid
spiking
rent
prices
and
adding
enough
supply
to
keep
up
with
the
demand
is
one
of
the
top
ways
that
we
do
that
so
to
see
these
opportunities
for
four
homes
coming
in
in
Arlington
County.
Those
eight
hundred
and
nineteen
units
are
generally
going
to
be
market
rate.
They're
not
committed
affordable,
but
another
really
exciting.
Element
of
this
proposal
is
a
new
model
of
achieving
affordability
during
the
site
plan
process.
So.
B
This
is
actually
you
know,
while
we
were
talking
in
the
first
piece
about
an
unprecedented
level
above
and
beyond
the
expected
contribution,
we
are
realizing
that
in
a
different
way
here
we're
instead
of
getting
either
on-site
units
or
cash,
we
are
having
the
developer,
provide
a
parcel
on
the
site
that
they
had
planned
for
a
standalone
building
and
that's
going
to
be
conveyed
to
the
county
for
nothing
and
on
that
we
can
use
the
full
development
potential
of
that
parcel
for
the
purposes
of
affordable
housing.
The.
B
C
In
the
meantime,
we'll
be
starting
our
planning
for
how
we
turn
this
acreage
into
actual
homes
and
apartment
buildings
for
low
income
neighbors
and
what
is
really
exciting,
I
think
about
this
model
of
getting
land
rather
than
cash.
Is
that
we
know
the
cost
of
acquiring
property
is
one
of
the
biggest
barriers
profit.
Housing
developers
were
for-profit
housing
developers
that
want
to
commit
their
apartments
as
affordable,
they're
competing
in
the
open
market,
and
particularly
in
the
hot
market
of
Crystal
City.
C
That
land
is
really
expensive,
so
the
opportunity
to
say
to
a
potential
partner
whomever
that
may
be,
and
that's
what
our
County
staff
will
be
working
on
figuring
out
over
the
coming
months
to
be
able
to
say
to
them
your
your
costs
of
development
are
the
cost
of
building
and
operating
the
site,
rather
than
the
incredibly
high
land
acquisition.
It's
really
an
exciting
opportunity.
We.
A
A
A
C
Really
an
exciting
product,
for
you
know,
perhaps
young
families
we're
looking
to
buy
their
first
home
in
Arlington
for
seniors,
who
would
like
to
downsize
slightly
from
a
single-family
house,
but
want
to
stay
in
the
neighborhood
they
love,
and
so
this
is
a
great
example.
We
sometimes
talk
about
the
the
forms
of
housing
that
are
missing
these
sort
of
midsize,
our
middle
density
and
so
to
see
this
project
realized.
That
is
an
exciting
addition
to
the
neighborhood
as
well.
We'll.
C
B
It
has
been
a
value
of
mine
and
I
know
miss
crystal
that
any
growth
and
opportunity
that
comes
from
massive
investment
benefit
people
who
have
been
left
behind
historically,
when
growth
occurs.
So
that
is
the
focus
of
our
neighbor,
the
city
of
Alexandria
and,
as
you
know,
we've
been
working
together
on
how
to
ensure,
to
the
extent
that
we
can
that
this
growth
is
inclusive.
B
We're
gonna
target
neighbor
neighborhoods
around
Pentagon,
City
and
Crystal
City,
so
that
people
in
those
neighborhoods
who
are
ready
to
advance
their
careers
and
seek
these
opportunities,
get
the
necessary
support
in
terms
of
training
and
credentialing,
so
I'm
just
thrilled
about
it.
It's
it's
sort
of
a
first
step
into
this
very
targeted
workforce
development
space,
but
by
no
means
will
be
the
last
step
because
I
I'm
just
excited
when
you
look
at
so
many
job
opportunities.
A
B
I
think
the
way
the
grant
is
structured,
our
our
joint
Workforce
Development
Group.
We
have
an
existing
one
that
covers
our
Lincoln
and
Alexandria
will
partner
with
community
organizations
in
those
target
neighborhoods
to
identify
the
individuals
who
and
structure
the
programs
that
are
most
needed
to
support.
You
know
getting
them
what
they
need
in
order
to
successfully
apply
for
for
job
opportunities.
So
it's
going
to
be
not
just
bureaucratic.
It's
going
to
be.
C
A
C
A
We're
back
with
County
Board
wrap
up
our
monthly
discussion
with
the
county
board
about
key
actions,
the
board
members
take
and
what
those
actions
mean
to
you:
your
family
and
our
community
I'm
your
host,
Cara
O'donnell
and
with
me
here
today
our
board
chair,
Christian,
Dorsey
and
board
member
Katie
crystal
we're
talking
today
about
the
decisions
the
board
made
at
its
December
meeting.
So
let's
talk
about
the
board
action
regarding
elder
care
facilities
and
we're
going
to
now
be
able
to
have
these
in
more
parts
of
Arlington
House,
exactly
right,
yeah.
C
So
you
know,
14
percent
of
Arlington
County's
population
is
over
the
age
of
60
and
when
you
talk
about
housing
forms
a
lot
of
times
that
population
needs
housing.
That
is
accompanied
by
some
kind
of
support.
There
is
a
whole
continuum
of
white
senior
care.
A
long-term
care
can
mean
it
might
mean
fully
independent
living
facilities,
it
might
mean
nursing
homes.
C
It
may
mean
continuing
care
where
people
can
stay
in
one
place
and
access
a
spectrum
of
support,
but
you
really,
you
know
that
we've
seen
relatively
few
of
these,
we
have
relatively
few
of
these
in
Arlington.
County
is
something
we
hear
from
a
lot
from
our
older
residents
or
from
our
residents,
who
maybe
have
a
parent
or
loved
one
they'd
like
to
be
able
to
locate
in
Arlington.
C
So
a
great
example
of
the
first
thing
we
needed
to
do
is
just
get
out
of
the
way
of
the
market
supplying
that
the
next
step,
of
course,
will
be
what
role
and
the
county
plays
in
making
sure
that
these
types
of
elder
care
facilities
are
not
only
realized
throughout
Arlington.
But
if
they're
serving
the
full
income
spectrum
of
Arlen
Toni
ins,
you.
A
B
Answer
to,
but
you
know,
as
Katie
was
mentioning:
we
have
multifamily
development,
that's
allowed
in
numerous
zoning
districts
in
our
County,
and
yet
senior
facilities
were
only
allowed
in
a
small
minority
of
them,
and
no
one
can
quite
go
through
the
zoning
history
as
to
why
that
came
to
be,
and
certainly
it
doesn't
make
any
sense.
You
know
why,
in
the
world
we
would,
you
know
not
allow.
You
know,
multifamily
forms
that
that
don't
have
any
functions
that
are
deleterious
to
a
neighborhood.
B
Why
why
in
the
world
with
this
barrier
exists,
but
it
was
a
true
barrier
and
one
that
we
we
only
found
out
because
of
the
particular
interest
of
an
applicant
for
pursuing
care
only
to
find
out
they
couldn't
do
it.
So
you
know
we
don't
know
what
are
the
the
untold
opportunity
costs
of
not
having
done
this
before,
but
you
know
if,
if
the
best
time
to
have
done
it
would
have
been
years
ago.
The
second
best
time
is
right
now,
so
we're
moving
forward
and.
C
You
know:
I
have
a
great
site,
for
example,
offly
highway,
where
I'd
love
to
do
this,
but
it's
not
allowed
much
as
we
learned
from
childcare
providers,
saying
I
found
a
perfect
spot
for
a
daycare,
but
I
couldn't
open
because
of
X
or
Y
barrier,
so
I
think
it's
a
great
example
of
how,
with
these
uses,
we're
really
looking
to
our
business
community
to
help
educate
us
about
some
of
the
obstacles
that
can
be
removed.
Well,.
A
B
You
know-
and
actually
we
should
even
talk
a
little
bit
about
you,
know
or
update
on
what's
happening
on
Columbia
Pike,
because
we
have
three
significant
projects
that
are
going
to
take
significant
time,
but
that
at
least
when
they
are
concluded
will
provide
some
real,
tangible
benefits.
So
you
know
the
Boston
project
is
to
improve
of
the
area
where
we
have
the
bus
portion
of
that
transit
facility,
so
new
configurations
for
the
bus,
bays
and
new
shelters.
B
It's
a
very,
very
you
know
busy
way
station
people
transferring
from
bus
to
rail
people
just
using
bus,
it's
incredibly
dynamic
and
it
needs
better
facilities
and
it
needs
to
be
configured
differently
so
that
it's
safe
and
efficient.
And
so
we're
gonna
be
doing
what
has
been
a
long-desired
project
to
improve
all
elements
of
that.
It's
gonna
take
about
a
year
and
a
half,
but
it
shouldn't
cause
tremendous
disruption
to
the
existing
flow.
B
So
there
will
be
a
lot
of
coordination
required
to
make
sure
this
all
goes
well
over
the
next
year
and
a
half
and
then
with
Lee
highway
there
going
to
be
some
changes
at
Lee
and
Cleve
that
are
gonna,
add
some
width
in
in
limited
places
so
that
we
can
get
turn
lanes
to
accommodate
traffic
through
that
intersection,
new
bus
shelters.
You
know
better
intelligent
streetlights,
we
just
want.
We
need
to
get
that
intersection
working
more
efficiently,
because
it
is
frequently
the
cause
of
significant
backups
which
impede
mobility
and
then
in
Columbia
Pike.
B
You
know
people
have
been
living
with
a
multi-modal
project,
that's
under
grounding
utilities,
and
you
know
widening
sidewalks
and
and
straightening
out
and
better
aligning
the
street
grid.
It's
a
multi-year
infrastructure
investment
that
will
continue
for
a
while.
Longer
and
it's
going
to
get
to
a
phase
of
disruption,
that's
gonna
cause
some
significant
changes
in
the
way
people
move
on
Columbia
Pike,
but
the
takeaway
is
at
the
end
of
it.
If
we're
able
to
endure
when.
C
That's
exactly
right,
and
you
know
I
think
it
does
bear
you
know,
observing
as
we
take
a
subpage
setback.
This
is
what
it
looks
like
to
have
well-maintained
infrastructure
right
that
is
serving
our
entire
community
and
I.
Think
all
three
of
these
projects
are
designed
to
make
our
right-of-way
or
our
bus
stops
or
pedestrian
facilities
accessible
to
all
right,
whether
those
are
poke
folks
in
accessibility
devices
because
of
disabilities,
or
you
know
others
kind
of
operating
or
transversing
the
site.
C
B
Do
but
I
will
say
one
of
the
things
that
we're
hoping
will
be
the
case
with
these
significant
improvements
are
that
this
is
not
something
that
we're
going
to
need
to
revisit
frequently.
These
are.
These
are
multi
decade-long
investments.
So
there's
a
lot
of
planning
there's
a
lot
of
thought.
They
require
significant
resources
to
complete
and
a
lot
of
time
to
execute,
but
the
payoff
is
hopefully
when
we're
done,
we're
done
for
quite
a
while
and
we'll
be
future-proofed.
If
you
will,
for
you
know
any
changes
that
are
in
the
foreseeable
horizon.
Okay,.