Recent Advocacy

 The mission of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce is to strengthen businesses and the economic environment for all those who work, live, and do business in Arlington. A key part of accomplishing this mission is by advocating on behalf of the business community, which we approach in a decided, intentional, and strategic manner. 
For more information call (703) 525-2400 or email [email protected].
Examples of the Chamber's recent advocacy efforts may be found below:​​​​​​​The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board reject the proposed designation of the Melwood property on South 23rd Street as a Local Historic District. ​The Chamber urged the County Board to adopt the proposed development at 2000 15th Street N., replacing an outdated office building with a new multifamily development with 394 new housing units in the Courthouse neighborhood. The Arlington Chamber requests that the Planning Commission recommend denial of the proposed designation of the Melwood property on South 23rd Street as a Local Historic District, citing opposition from the property owner and the negative impact on the approved project on that site. ​The Chamber requests that the County Board adopt the adaptive reuse project along South Bell Street in Crystal City, which converts two obsolete office buildings into 315 new residential units with ground floor retail. The Arlington Chamber expressed support for three transportation projects up for funding consideration as part of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority's Six Year Funding Program. The Arlington Chamber requested that the County Board adopt the Waverly Ridge townhouses project in the Langston Boulevard corridor. With the conclusion of the General Assembly veto session, the Chamber's session advocacy ends in a positive place. The Chamber continues to closely monitor the budget. The Arlington Chamber urged the County Board to adopt the proposed Walgreens site development project along Langston Boulevard, which would generate 300 new housing units and advance the Langston Boulevard Area Plan goals. The Arlington Chamber requested that the County Board adopt the Waverly Ridge townhouses project in the Langston Boulevard corridor. The Arlington Chamber asked the Planning Commission to support the proposed Walgreens site development project along Langston Boulevard, which would generate 300 new housing units and advance the Langston Boulevard Area Plan goals. ​The Arlington Chamber urged the Planning Commission to not recommend proposed increases in development fees proposed as part of the FY2027 County budget. ​The Arlington Chamber joined a coalition of chambers and business organizations requesting that Governor Spanberger proposed targeted amendments to the paid family and medical leave bill that would make implementation more straightforward for businesses. The General Assembly adjourned on March 14 without a budget. The Chamber had a number of advocacy successes this session, and is closely monitoring the budget proceedings. The Arlington Chamber urged the County Board to build on the pro-business components of the FY2027 budget by removing the proposed increases in development fees, and restoring a Principal Planner position. The Arlington Chamber asked the Historic Affairs and Landmarks Review Board to not move forward with a designation of the Melwood property on South 23rd Street as a Local Historic District, citing opposition from the property owner and the opinions of County Staff. The Arlington Chamber requests the Arlington County Board to adopt the proposed amendments to sign regulations concerning signage for businesses and organizations, and reiterating support for the County's ongoing process improvements.The Arlington Chamber submitted two pieces of written comment this week, in support of two bills. The Arlington Chamber requests the Planning Commission to recommend the proposed amendments to sign regulations concerning signage for businesses and organizations, and reiterating support for the County's ongoing process improvements. ​During the week of February 16, the Arlington Chamber submitted seven pieces of written comments, in support of five bills and two amendments to the biennial budget. The Arlington Chamber's General Assembly advocacy is in a positive position at the time of the crossover deadline. The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board adopt the Leckey Gardens development project, which would generate 249 affordable units along the Langston Boulevard corridor. ​During the last full week of the General Assembly before crossover, the Arlington Chamber submitted seven pieces of written comment in support of five bills. The Arlington Chamber requests that the Planning Commission recommend the adoption of the Leckey Gardens development project, which would generate 249 affordable units along the Langston Boulevard corridor. During this week of the General Assembly, the Arlington Chamber submitted written comments in support of eight bills, and in opposition to four bills. ​During this week of the General Assembly, the Arlington Chamber submitted written comment in support of eight bills concerning housing, zoning, child care and taxes; and in opposition to two bills concerning labor and housing. ​The Arlington Chamber's General Assembly advocacy is in a positive position two weeks into the 60-day General Assembly session. In the first full week of session, the Arlington Chamber submitted written comment in support of five bills, concerning procurement, housing, and child care; and in opposition to three bills concerning rent control, taxation and employment policy. ​In the first three days of the General Assembly session, the Arlington Chamber submitted written comment in support of one bill, S.B. 119, concerning child care. The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board adopt the phased development site plan and the site plan amendment for the infill development project at RiverHouse in Pentagon City. The Arlington Chamber requests that the Planning Commission recommend the adoption of the phased development site plan and the site plan amendment for the infill development project at RiverHouse in Pentagon City. ​The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board convene a group of stakeholders to develop specific policy proposals on affordable housing contribution requirements before seeking broad authority to enact such policy proposals. ​The Arlington Chamber recognizes the work the Affordable Housing Ordinance Working Group, but urged the Housing Commission to approach any revisions to the Ordinance with a focus on policies that expand, not hinder, the production of new housing units. The Arlington Chamber requested that the County Board support the proposed redevelopment at 2500 Wilson Boulevard, which would replace an aging, mostly vacant office building with 316 new residential units near the Courthouse and Clarendon Metrorail stations. The Arlington Chamber joined a coalition letter with the Northern Virginia Technology Council, Northern Virginia Chamber, the the Loudoun Chamber, and the Prince William Chamber expressing support for George Mason University, and recognizing it as a cornerstone of the regional economy. The Arlington Chamber endorses the recommendations from the Economic Development Commission (EDC) to enhance the implementation of Arlington County's Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative (CMRI).The Arlington Chamber supports the proposed amendments to the Sign Ordinance, providing for greater flexibility for businesses. The Chamber also applauds the County for committing to further revisions in the near future. The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board adopt the joint 2100/2200 Crystal Drive adaptive reuse project in Crystal City. The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board adopt the 3601 Wilson Boulevard adaptive reuse project in Virginia Square. The Arlington Chamber requests the Planning Commission to recommend the approval of the proposed adaptive reuse joint project at 2100/2200 Crystal Drive, creating a new hotel and more than 190 new residential units.  The Arlington Chamber requests the Planning Commission to recommend the approval of the proposed adaptive reuse project at 3601 Wilson Boulevard, which would replace obsolete office space with 94 new residential units.  ​The Arlington Chamber supports the proposed amendments to the Sign Ordinance as part of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. The Chamber requested the inclusion of several strategic additions to enhance the impact of these amendments on businesses.  ​The Arlington Chamber was part of a coalition with local and regional chambers who submitted a letter to local elected officials urging collaboration with the business community in the wake of economic uncertainty related to federal workforce reductions.  ​The Arlington Chamber requests that the County Board adopt the development project at 3033 Wilson Boulevard, recommended unanimously by the Planning Commission. The Arlington Chamber requests the Planning Commission to recommend the development project at 3033 Wilson Boulevard, which would create 309 much-needed housing units in Clarendon and advance the County's sustainability goals.  The Virginia General Assembly met on April 2 to consider all vetoed bills and proposed bill amendments from the Governor. This one-day session marks the end of the 2025 session. This report details all legislation the Chamber supported and opposed. The Arlington Chamber requested that the County Board approve the Hotel Pentagon redevelopment at 2480 South Glebe Road, which would transform the site of two aging hotels and a surface parking lot into a vibrant multifamily development.  The Arlington Chamber supports the redevelopment project at 2480 South Glebe Road, which would transform the site of two aging hotels and a surface parking lot into a vibrant multifamily development with green space and new transportation infrastructure. ​The Arlington Chamber requested that the Arlington County Board reject a proposed meals tax increase and revise the proposed new development fee schedule as they consider the Fiscal Year 2026 Arlington County Budget.  The Arlington Chamber supports Northeastern University's pursuit of funding through Congressionally Directed Spending to acquire artificial intelligence equipment for education, workforce and cybersecurity applicability.  ​The Virginia General Assembly Session adjourned sine die on Saturday, February 22. Included is a summary of the Chamber's policy advocacy at the conclusion of the 2025 session. ​ The Chamber requests the Virginia General Assembly Budget Conferees to please appropriate funds to implement the Child Care Assistance Pilot Program. The Chamber supports the pilot program, which would benefit working families in Virginia.  The Chamber requests that the Arlington County Board adopt the GLUP amendment, site plan amendment and rezoning associated with Melwood's redevelopment project in Aurora Highlands.  The Chamber endorses the design principles proposed by the National Landing Business Improvement District for the CC2DCA pedestrian connection.  The Chamber supports the Planning Commission recommendation of the GLUP amendment, site plan amendment and rezoning associated with Melwood's redevelopment project in Aurora Highlands.  The Arlington Chamber released its report on its priority legislation at the time of crossover.  The Arlington Chamber's Virginia General Assembly session priorities remain in a positive position as of January 29.  The Arlington Chamber supported the amended use permit for Tyndale Christian School, which would increase the maximum enrollment for the school so that it would have the sufficient number of students to remain viable in Arlington. The Arlington Chamber supports the County Board in adopting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance creating greater flexibility in the operation and permitting of child care facilities, with the aim of increasing child care slots.  ​The Arlington Chamber requested a Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee to support a bill that would create the Employee Child Care Assistance Pilot Program.  ​The Arlington Chamber requested that the Senate Local Government Committee support three bills that encourage creation of housing units in Virginia. ​​ ​The Arlington Chamber requested the Senate Local Government Committee to oppose legislation that would permit localities to enact rent control. The Arlington Chamber requested the Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee recommend a bill that would make permanent third party alcoholic beverage delivery licenses.  The Arlington Chamber supports the Planning Commission in recommending amendments to the Zoning Ordinance creating greater flexibility in the operation and permitting of child care facilities, with the aim of increasing child care slots.  The Arlington Chamber supports the Governor's proposed FY2024-26 Commonwealth budget amendments concerning funding to expand workforce development programs and fund child care grants.​​​
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