Public Policy Archives

​Over the years, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce has served as a key driver of policies that promote a prosperous business environment and benefit the Arlington community as a whole. The Chamber takes policy positions on time-sensitive matters of relevance to the business community.

The Chamber’s policy positions from previous years may be viewed below:
​
2019
In a letter to the Arlington County Board Chair Christian Dorsey, the Chamber asked the Board and Manager to direct the Planning staff to include updating the signage ordinance in their work plan to make it more flexible, simple, and consistent. The Chamber also encouraged the Planning staff to ask for input from the business community as they carry out this work. The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board encouraging the approval of the Metropolitan Park site plan for the second stage of Amazon's headquarters. The Chamber wrote a letter to the County Board expressing its views on the proposed amendments related to bonus density and height. The Chamber supports the broad goal of facilitating the use of bonus height and density to achieve public benefits. Allowing for both bonus height and density provides flexibility to support individual site plans, which is why the Chamber encourages the Board to adopt an expanded version of amendment with explicit mentions of both height and density, and not to approve another change that could limit flexibility.​The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board expressing its support for the adoption of the proposed ordinance for micro-mobility devices. The amendments will help to facilitate a diverse transportation network in Arlington, which the Chamber supports in its Local Policy Positions.The Arlington Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board encouraging the approval of an application to redevelop the site of the Harris Teeter and American Service Center on N Glebe Road as a mixed-use development comprising retail and residences, including an updated Harris Teeter. The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board requesting that they defer a request to advertise public hearings on modifications of bonus density and height provisions. While the first review of the proposal indicates that it includes many positive changes, particularly those related to housing affordability, we believe that the best result will come from taking some extra time to study the potential impact of the amendments. As a result, the Chamber has requested a month’s deferral in consideration. The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board expressing concern that Arlington County government is not offering a faster turn-around time for permits filed via the new Permit Arlington online system, despite an increase in technology fees with the system’s launch.The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board supporting the expansion of the boundaries of the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) to include areas of Pentagon City and the Arlington portion of Potomac Yard.The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board expressing support for the broad policy goals of the proposed update to the Community Energy Plan update, and also to a proposed change to the Green Building Incentive. The letter also noted that the manner in which the plan is implemented will ultimately determine its success. As such, the Chamber urged flexibility in implementation so that it is viable and economically feasible for businesses and residents. The County Board is poised to take the next step in the process for deploying small wireless cells in Arlington. Small cell facilities support wireless coverage and demand for mobile data in dense areas, and are essential in preparing Arlington for the next generation of technology. In October, the Chamber sent a letter to the County Board that called for County staff to create a process for small cell deployment. This letter builds on that note, encouraging the Board to advertise of a public hearing on small cell deployment process in July. At that July hearing, the County Board will be able to remove the current restrictions on the installation and maintenance of small cell facilities on streetlight poles. ​The Chamber wrote a letter to Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine supporting the County Board’s application to the Commonwealth Transportation Board to rename US 1 as “Richmond Highway” within the boundaries of Arlington. We believe now is a good time to make this change as we anticipate considerable development in the area surrounding US 1 over the next decade, and asked that the change take effect on October 1 to give all affected businesses, particularly smaller businesses, the opportunity to prepare for the change.​Building on the success of the Chamber’s February letter to keep open Special GLUP Study applications, the Chamber sent another letter to the County Board calling for continued engagement on developing a new Special GLUP Study process. The Chamber asked the County Board to direct continued work between County staff and business stakeholders on developing the new process and for a guarantee that the new process will be adopted only with the County Board’s approval. We hope with continued engagement to arrive at a process that ensures that all Special GLUP Study applications are guaranteed a full review in a timely manner to deliver the best development outcomes for Arlington.​The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board encouraging the Board to make some changes in the proposed update to the Bicycle Element of the Master Transportation Plan, which it is due to adopt next week. This letter follows on the Chamber’s February letter to the Department of Environmental Services, which prompted welcome changes in the plan text. Notwithstanding the changes from the original draft, the proposed plan could lead to a one-size-fits-all approach to bike parking in smaller commercial and apartment buildings, when more flexibility would allow for creative and site-specific approaches to providing bicycle storage.​The Chamber sent a letter to County Board Chair Cristian Dorsey expressing its support for a package of Zoning Ordinance and County Code amendments for Phase I of the Child Care Initiative. The proposed changes should increase child care availability, and balance community feedback with Commonwealth standards. Affordable and accessible child care is essential for the wellbeing of Arlington’s residents and workforce. The proposed changes are smart approaches to real challenges that have inhibited access and affordability for child care and represent an approach to regulation which we hope Arlington will follow in other areas.The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board encouraging their approval of the proposed performance agreement for the Amazon headquarters. Approving the performance agreement is a powerful statement that Arlington is open for business. Welcoming Amazon to Arlington will create opportunities for residents and businesses. The community as a whole will benefit from the jobs, economic activity, and innovation that Amazon will bring to Arlington. The performance incentives are reasonable and well-designed. Overall, the proposed performance agreement is a good deal for Arlington, and we look forward to working together as a community to seize the opportunities that welcoming Amazon affords to all of Arlington.In the lead up to the County Board’s vote on approving the Amazon headquarters performance agreement on Saturday, March 16, the Chamber prepared sample messages for Arlington residents and businesses to use to express their support for welcoming Amazon to Arlington. There are templates for businesses and residents. For those who live or work near where Amazon’s headquarters will be located – in Crystal City, Pentagon City, Potomac Yard, or nearby neighborhoods – there are templates that contain information neighborhood-specific benefits for businesses and residents. Letter writers are encouraged to customize their messages, as personal notes go a long way.In a letter to the County Board, the Chamber followed up on its January letter about amendments to the County’s Special GLUP Study process. The Chamber urged the Board not to impose a moratorium on new Special GLUP Study applications during the process review, and reiterated concerns with proposed changes to the process.Arlington’s Department of Environmental Services is preparing an update to the Bicycle Element of Arlington’s Master Transportation Plan. The Chamber sent a letter expressing its support for many aspects of the draft update, particularly the goals and policies related to safety. In the letter, the Chamber also encouraged the Department of Environmental Services to make amendments to ensure that proposed streetscape changes be considered holistically, including their impacts on retail and other community uses. The Chamber also encouraged flexibility in the implementation of policies and expressed concern with proposals that use subjective language or include bike parking mandates to small businesses and apartment buildings.​Following the inclusion of a deduction for Global Intangible Low Tax Income (GILTI) and a 20% deduction on disallowed interest in the tax conformity bills, the Chamber joined with other businesses and organizations in encouraging the Governor to sign these two bills, HB 2529 and SB 1372, into law.The Chamber joined a coalition of businesses and trade associations to recommend that the General Assembly preserve the tax deductibility, at the state level, of Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (GILTI) and Net Interest Deduction. Although the new federal tax law has changed the treatment of these items, adding these deductions to the Commonwealth’s tax code would maintain a consistent policy in Virginia regarding overseas income and Net Interest Deduction.The Arlington Chamber joined with business organizations from coast to coast in a letter to President Trump and members of Congress calling for an end to the five-week long partial shutdown of the Federal government. The letter noted that the shutdown is causing significant economic harm to families and businesses, and called on leaders to find a solution to the impasse.In a letter to Long Range Planning Committee Chair Nancy Iacomini, the Chamber encouraged the committee to reject County staff’s proposed revisions to the Special GLUP Study Process.  Special GLUP Studies are necessary for development projects that require an amendment to the County’s General Land Use Plan (GLUP). The proposal, which has been made with insufficient input from the business community, will likely have the unintended consequence of hindering economic development in Arlington. Consequently, the Chamber encourages the County to continue the current Special GLUP Study process, and to add resources to conduct them in a timely manner.​The Chamber has joined in a letter with 13 other chambers of commerce from across Virginia to call upon the General Assembly to support the Commonwealth’s proposal for Amazon’s new headquarters during its upcoming 2019 legislative session. The coalition’s letter says, “Virginia benefits greatly from the Commonwealth’s commitment to providing an economic backbone for all businesses through investment in statewide assets, including education, workforce development, and transportation infrastructure.”  Making this standard permanent and potentially adding provisions could place a significant burden on businesses that continue to struggle with the economic consequences of this pandemic. 
​
2018The Chamber sent a letter to WMATA encouraging the transit authority to advance plans for second entrances and the Ballston-MU and Crystal City Metrorail stations. These second entrances will aid economic development as planned growth in both neighborhoods is closer to the proposed entrance locations than to the existing portals. Having these access points will make it easier for workers and residents to get to Metro and will help them see Metrorail as the most convenient way of to and from these locations.​The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board encouraging the approval of the Virginia Hospital Center site plan at its November meeting. The Board deferred consideration of the application in September, requesting that the hospital make certain specific amendments. In this letter, the Chamber acknowledges the hospital’s work since then and calls for the Board to allow the project to proceed.​In a letter to County Board Chair Katie Cristol, the Chamber encouraged Arlington County to take a proactive approach in finalizing the process for the deployment of small cell wireless antennas. Small cells antennas are a low profile, compact, and unobtrusive technology that will provide a better experience for enhanced mobile networks, including 5G. Streamlining and standardizing the permitting process for the installation of small cell wireless antennas will ensure that Arlington remains a leader in the use of new technology.The Chamber sent a letter calling on the Arlington County Board to approve the Virginia Hospital Center's site plan application at its September 22 meeting, writing that it is "essential" for this important project to move forward without delay.In a letter to County Board Chair Katie Cristol, the Chamber called on the County to approve the Virginia Hospital Center Site Plan as submitted, noting that moving forward with this important project will facilitate additional health care services for the Arlington community. ​The Chamber sent a letter to County Board Chair Katie Cristol, expressing its support of the County's efforts to bring Amazon HQ2 to Arlington. In the letter, the Chamber explains that adding a global brand like Amazon to Arlington's corporate roster would be a monumental win for the area, helping to continue to diversify the economy and maintain the significant commercial sector in the local tax base.As the U.S. House of Representatives considers the FAA Reauthorization Act, the Chamber is calling on House lawmakers to oppose any attempts to change the current high density "slot" and perimeter rules at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. In a letter to House lawmakers, the Chamber explains how such a move could have significant negative impacts on both airports. In a letter to County Board Chair Katie Cristol, the Chamber voiced concerns with several key parts of the FY 2019 budget proposal, including the continued tweaking of the Crystal City TIF, funding cuts for planning on Lee Highway, and increased parking meter fees.​​The Chamber sent a letter urging Governor Ralph Northam to approve H.B. 1204, related to assessing property devoted to open space use according to its current use. This legislation would bring Arlington assessments in line with neighboring jurisdictions and fairness to the process.​The Arlington Chamber joined area chambers and other business organizations in calling on lawmakers to provide $154 million in annual capital funding for Metro's needs, along with achievable reform measures to ensure Virginia’s quality of life and continued economic growth are preserved for years to come through a fully funded, well-governed, and efficiently operated Metro system.The Chamber called on the Virginia House Finance Committee to renew the additional 0.25% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for Arlington County. In individual letters to all 21 committee members, the Chamber explained tourism's role as a key driver of Arlington's economy, adding that renewing the TOT will help ensure that Arlington remains competitive in attracting travelers.The Chamber signed onto a letter urging lawmakers to support additional funding for GO Virginia during the 2018 General Assembly session.The Chamber sent a letter to Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol, raising concerns about the direction of the Four Mile Run Valley Initiative and the potentially harmful impact it could have on businesses in our area. ​In the letter, the Chamber requests that planning staff remove the existing businesses from the study area and that planning staff illustrate how the County facilities located in the study area can heighten the businesses currently located in the area. The Arlington Chamber, joined by the Virginia Chamber and local chambers, sent a letter to Governor Ralph Northam, Speaker Kirk Cox, and Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, calling on the lawmakers to identify a funding package for Metro, paired with reforms, during the 2018 General Assembly session, in order to ensure a well-governed, efficiently operated Metro system for years to come.
2017 The Chamber called on the Arlington County Board to oppose moving forward with the approval of the proposed Housing Conservation District (HCD) Policy Framework, which would limit the development potential of a property, impede access to financing for property owners to reinvest in these properties, and discourage redevelopment of older housing. The Chamber is concerned that this proposal could have unintended consequences that could hinder housing affordability over the long term.  In a letter to County Board Chair Jay Fisette, the Chamber declared its support for the County Board’s adoption of the Clean Energy Financing Ordinance to authorize creation of the Arlington County Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program. The first of its kind in Virginia, C-PACE would provide a financing alternative that enables low-cost, long-term funding for energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades for commercial properties. The Arlington Chamber sent a letter to County Board Chair Jay Fisette to express support for the Residential Parking Working Group's draft report and recommendations and urge the County to protect businesses from any additional costly requirements. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz in support of the VRE Platform Location #2. In the letter, the Chamber expressed support of the findings by the Crystal City Citizen Review Council, which show that the direct connection to Metro offered by Location #2 through the new planned Metro entrance is vital to accomplishing current and future transit goals. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce joined businesses from across the metropolitan area in urging the region's top lawmakers and U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to take bold and innovative action to reform our regional transit system​. The businesses write that reforms must include changes to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) governance, funding, and operations. ​ In a letter to Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette, the Chamber expressed concerns that feedback provided by the Chamber's Government Affairs & Economic Development Committee on the proposed amendments to the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance regarding retail signage is not being included in staff recommendations. The committee met with County staff in April to discuss issues with requirements that could negatively impact Arlington's retail locations. In the letter, the Chamber reiterates how these remaining issues could harm businesses and calls on the County to work to fix these concerns. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette regarding concerns expressed by the S. Four Mile Run Business Association and individual Chamber member businesses located inside the Four Mile Run Valley Initiative's Park Boundary Study Area. In the letter, the Chamber requests that planning staff remove the existing businesses from the study area and that planning staff illustrate how the County facilities located in the study area can heighten the businesses currently located in the area.  In a letter to Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce requested that the County Board broaden the Request to Advertise for the proposed amendments to the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance regarding retail signage to allow for discussion of possible improvements. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette objecting to the $66 annual Recycling System Compliance and Inspection fee that the County has imposed on all business locations. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to Governor Terry McAuliffe (D-Va.), urging him to sign into law H.B. 1960, which would prevent the local government from imposing the burdensome and costly second authorization towing requirement on businesses. On behalf of the Northern Virginia business community, the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and other area chambers sent a letter to the Virginia General Assembly, requesting support for protection of budget priorities that were included in the 2016 budget. These priorities include GO Virginia grant and research funding, Workforce Credentials Program funding, Cost of Competing Adjustment (COCA) for school support positions, and salary increases for teachers and instructional staff. ​​The Coalition of Northern Virginia Chambers of Commerce – composed of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and 12 other area chambers – urged the Virginia General Assembly to support full funding for the “Virginia Initiative for Growth and Opportunity” (GO Virginia) in the FY2018 Budget plan, which will be adopted in the upcoming Legislative Session.
​
2016 In a letter to Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey, the Chamber called on the Board to adopt the draft recommendation by the Trespass Towing Advisory Board (TTAB) and reject the costly, burdensome second signature requirement for the removal of illegally parked vehicles from private property. The Chamber urged the Arlington County Board to adopt the Trespass Towing Advisory Board's (TTAB) comprehensive recommended updates to the Arlington County Code. The Chamber expressed its vehement opposition to a second signature requirement in order to remove illegally parked vehicles, as well as the prohibition of parking “spotters” to monitor parking areas. These additions would act solely as administrative and costly burdens on local businesses that depend on clear, available parking areas for employees, visitors, and customers in order to remain financially viable, by deteriorating the level of service provided by towing contractors. The Chamber commeded the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) for funding the Crystal City Streets/12th Street Transit Way, as well as the Lee Highway Corrider ITS Enhancements. ​The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board expressing its support for the proposed amendments to the Sign Regulations for Regional Shopping Centers, as well as the proposed amendments to Regulations for Comprehensive Sign Plans adopted prior to July 24, 2012. The Chamber commends the County and the staff for their efforts on these two updates to provide timely and needed enhanced sign regulations for the County’s regional shopping centers, which are key economic drivers for Arlington County. In a letter to the Arlington County Board, the Chamber voiced concerns over potential codification of building heights as part of the codification of the Realize Rosslyn Plan, which could severely limit Rosslyn’s ability to attract creative innovative development. The Chamber sent a letter to the Trespass Towing Advisory Board (TTAB), urging the Board to reject burdensome proposed changes to a local ordinance that threaten Arlington business owners' private property rights. By adding another authorization requirement to tow trespassers and placing new restrictions on monitoring parking areas, these proposals would hinder the ability of local businesses to provide parking for customers, employees, and visitors. In a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx, the Chamber called on the DOT to reconsider its decision to not allow United Airlines to offer a Dulles-Havana flight service. In the letter, Chamber President & CEO Kate Bates describes the benefits of a Dulles-to-Havana flight, including the creation of an important "capital-to-capital" link that would foster official travel between the U.S. and Cuban governments, as well as increase the range of consumer travel options to Cuba from the East Coast. The Chamber shares its support for the County Manager's recommendation regarding the modifications to Long Bridge Park, provided that the project completed with the County funds not exceeding the allocated capital funding for the project. However, the Chamber supports the possibility of a further enhanced facility should other public or private partners emerge.  The Chamber wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, expressing support for the application from the Commonwealth of Virginia and its partners for credit assistance through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to extend High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes into the Interstate 395 corridor.  The Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), strongly encourage a more multi-modal funding balance of highway and transit projects. The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board to lend its support to two different funding proposals that would enhance economic development in Arlington: the Economic Development Incentive Fund and the re-implementation of the 0.25% transient occupancy tax (TOT) surcharge. The Chamber sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx, requesting the approval of United Airlines’ application for flight service between Washington Dulles International Airport and Havana's Jose Marti International Airport. The Chamber co-signed a letter to the Northern Virginia Delegation supporting Budget Item 438D, which provides a one-time investment of $50 million over two years to improve the competitiveness of Dulles International Airport.  The Chamber sent a letter to the Virginia Senate Finance Committee, expressing its support of legislation that would reinstate the additional 0.25% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for Arlington County. The Chamber wrote a letter to the Virginia House Finance Committee in support of legislation that would reinstate the additional 0.25% Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) for Arlington County.

2015 The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board in appreciation of the good planning practices outlined in the recommendations by the Community Facilities Study, particularly, the focus on the importance of commercial sector in allowing Arlington County to continue to prosper. ​The Chamber sent a letter to the President & CEO of the Northern Virginia Chamber to express concern about how changing its name from the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce to the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce might cause confusion for many throughout the region, including members of the Arlington business community. The goals of GO Virginia are: to raise awareness for Virginia's significant new economic challenges and opportunities; to mobilize business, education, and community leaders to work collaboratively for economic development, job creation, and career readiness; and to make Virginia's state government and strong and effective catalyst for strategic, job-focused regional collaboration. The Chamber, along with other members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, sent a letter to the Secretary of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) expressing general support for the Transform66: Inside the Beltway plan to reduce the traffic congestion inside the Capital Beltway. In the letter, the Chamber commends VDOT’s decision to explore alternate means of reducing congestion of Interstate 66 before widening. The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board expressing opposition to the extension of parking meter hours and requesting that the Board not adopt the proposed extension of parking meter hours.  In a letter to the Arlington County Board, the Chamber expresses its support of the proposed changes to both the site plan review process and the permitting process that are being implemented by the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development (CPHD). As a follow-up to its June 2015 letter, the Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board to express appreciation for the changes that had been made to the Realize Rosslyn Sector Plan, while taking issue with remaining concerns that had not yet been addressed.  ​The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board in support of the less restrictive direction taken by the Board in the revised Retail Action Plan, while expressing concern over important areas that have not been addressed. The Chamber wrote a letter to U.S. Representative Barbara Comstock (Va.-10), requesting support for the balanced two airport system of Reagan National and Dulles International. The Chamber sent a letter praising the Arlington County Board for instructing the County Manager to explore options for creating a public-private partnership with Forest City Enterprises to redevelop Ballston Common Mall in Ballston Quarter. The Chamber also commends the Board for encouraging the County to adhere to the proposed timeline to ensure that the project accomplishes the County's economic and place-making goals.  The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board expressing concerns with the Realize Rosslyn Sector Plan and requesting that the County Board postpone the advertisement of the Rosslyn Sector Plan until all concerns have been addressed. The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board expressing general support for the direction and aspirational goals outlined in the proposed Affordable Housing Master Plan and the Affordable Housing Implementation Framework. The Chamber sent a letter to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority, expressing support for the yearlong project selection process and the current project list of proposed transportation improvements.  The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board, urging the Board to include additional funding for tourism promotion in its FY 2016 budget proposal. In a letter to the Arlington County Board, the Chamber outlined its concerns over the Phase IIC update of the Zoning Ordinance, particularly the restriction and regulation of business based upon use category rather than zoning district.  The Chamber announced its support for Virginia HB 2308, legislation that would enable the County Board to hire an internal auditor that would report directly to the Board. The Chamber sent a letter to the Arlington County Board recommending that the Board defer final action on Retail Action Plan to allow for revisions.