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 advocacy@arlingtonchamber.org.
Examples of the Chamber's recent advocacy efforts may be found below:​​​​​​


The Arlington Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the Virginia Rail Express’ (VRE) application to the Commuter Choice grant program for its Crystal City Station project. The Crystal City station project has the potential to improve the transportation landscape in our community by offering a new option for commuters and increasing the capacity of the existing VRE system, the busiest in Virginia. There is currently more than $4 billion of investment planned or underway in transportation improvements within National Landing to support this strategy. VRE has already secured most of the $68.9 million cost for the station project, but requiring additional funding. We urge the NVTC to approve this grant request.
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce supports the adoption of the Sunrise Senior Living Special General Land Use Plan (GLUP) Study document, and the advertisement of public hearings for the Sunrise North Glebe Road GLUP Amendment. The proposed project will provide a much-needed increase of 35 additional units in a conveniently accessible location in North Arlington. Northern Virginia currently faces a shortage of senior housing units, and this project would help address this issue. We strongly urge the County Board to vote for the document and for the advertising of the public hearings. We also ask that the Board support the Sunrise North Glebe project at its public hearings and the subsequent steps towards its final adoption.​The Arlington Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the continued works on the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. As a result, we support Item 10 on the May 13 County Board Agenda; the ordinance adopting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to permit research spaces, development and laboratory uses, and audio-visual broadcasting uses. As we have stated in our previous letters, these items are part of a necessary long-term reimagination of the Zoning Ordinance and how Arlington can develop regulations that promote the attraction of new and emerging business sectors. We appreciate this step forward, and we encourage continued work beyond the proposed amendments that provides for innovation.The Arlington Chamber expressed support for the acceptance of the Sunrise Senior Living Special General Land Use Plan Study document, and support for recommending the request to advertise public hearings for the Sunrise North Glebe Road GLUP Amendment. Sunrise’s North Glebe Road property has been an integral part of the Arlington community for almost 40 years. The proposed Sunrise project would utilize the existing land Sunrise owns to accommodate a larger number of senior citizens and replace the existing facility as it nears the end of its operational life. The costs to County infrastructure for this project are minimal, and it will provide 80 additional jobs to the County. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the continued works on the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. As a result, we support Items 13 and 28 on the April 22 County Board Agenda; the ordinance adopting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to allow for indoor recreation, and the Request to Advertise other amendments allowing for ghost kitchens, by-right food delivery services and large-scale catering establishments. This amendments would not only continue to open Arlington business districts to new and emerging business sectors, but also provide greater opportunities for Arlington restaurants to utilize their own food delivery or catering, saving themselves the hassle of utilizing third-party services.  The Arlington Chamber requested that the County remove Arlington Restaurant Initiative (ARI) accreditation as a mandatory requirement for the restaurants within the Clarendon Live Entertainment Group (CLEG). Until last year, ARI accreditation was an optional program open to all restaurants, and several Chamber members who had joined the program have expressed positive results. However, the Chamber is concerned with the program being a mandate for all, and is asking the County restore its previous status as an optional initiative. The Chamber is concerned that based on input from a member restaurant that the standards in ARI can confuse employers, and may not be necessarily beneficial to every single affected restaurant. The Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with the County to create a solution.  The Virginia Supreme Court ruled in Berry vs. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors that Fairfax County’s zoning ordinance was void due to its adoption occurring at an online public hearing. The Court specifically ruled that any action that Fairfax County took at virtual public hearings that was beyond the essential business of government was not adhering to the Open Meetings laws that existed in the Commonwealth before July 2021. The Chamber is extremely concerned that any legislation actions that took place at municipal and county virtual public hearings before July 2021 concerning zoning, permitting or the approval of development projects now faces legal uncertainty. Arlington and other Chambers, along with some business organizations, submitted a letter to Governor Youngkin urging that the General Assembly and himself must act to contain the consequences of this rules. We specifically are asking for legal language, in the budget amendments or through separate legislation, that either overturns the Court decision or contains the effects of the ruling to the specific ordinance in Fairfax County. The Arlington Chamber requests that the County restore the positions of Assistant Director in Arlington Economic Development, and Associate Planner in the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development. Restoring the Assistant Director position will ensure that Arlington Economic Development has the sufficient administrative resources to achieve its goals of attracting and retaining businesses in Arlington, which has long-term positive effects on taxes and our economic growth. Restoring the Associate Planner position will also mitigate delays as the Department moves forward in significant projects such as the Future of Outdoor Dining (FOOD) Study and Plan Langston Boulevard. ​ The Arlington Chamber strongly supported the advertisement of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance permitting the creation of medical and dental laboratories, flexible research spaces, and audio-visual broadcasting spaces in commercial buildings, as part of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative. The Initiative is a welcomed part of reimagining the Zoning Ordinance to reflect the businesses of the 21st century and make Arlington more nimble in attracting businesses in sectors that did not exist when the Zoning Ordinance was first written. The Chamber supports the goals of the ordinance as greater density is a benefit to the residents and to the economy of Arlington. The Chamber specifically supports an ordinance with no annual cap on permits, since a cap would create an artificial limit on the benefits that a process like this provides.  The Arlington Chamber signed with other Chambers and businesses organizations to a letter from the Washington Region Transportation Coalition, formerly the Northern Virginia Transportation Coalition concerning WMATA’s proposed FY 2024 Budget. The letter supports much of the proposed budget for WMATA but urges the Authority leadership to take greater action to ensure sustainably funded operations in future years. The Chamber believes that a reliable and sustainable transportation system is vital to Arlington’s economy and to its residents. The Chamber supports the proposed service increases, especially to the Orange and Yellow lines, and is in support of the Coalition’s emphasis on more regional cooperation in addressing Metrorail and Metrobus issues. The Chamber supported Northeastern University’s request for a federal appropriation for the acquisition of Artificial Intelligence (AI) equipment for educational and workforce capabilities. Northeastern requests funds for the acquisition as a means to teach its students and regional workers how to implement and operate AI technology, a growing component of many jobs in the technology sector. The Chamber supports Northeastern’s ongoing efforts to create a space to educate students and members of the Arlington community on AI in the interest of technological advancement. The Chamber supported Arlington Economic Development’s request for a federal appropriation for the Arlington Talent Pilot Program (ATPP). The Program helps software development employers find employees quickly by leveraging an applied work model designed to accommodate workers. Arlington Economic Development intends to scale up this program and needs additional funding to do so. We support this program as a means to strengthen Arlington’s ability to attract and recruit workforce talent. The Chamber supported Marymount University’s request for a federal appropriation for its project proposal, “Addressing the Nursing Shortage by Increasing the Number of Under-represented Culturally Competent Nurses.” The project would increase capacity for its accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing and aim to bring underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into the nursing workforce. The metropolitan area has faced a nursing shortage for years, and this proposal would help reduce the strain on the health care industry in Arlington by bringing more nurses from more backgrounds into the fold. The Chamber supported George Mason University’s request for a federal appropriation for its proposed Center for AI Innovation for Economic Competitiveness. The Center would help develop the Commonwealth’s AI strategy, track Virginia’s business AI adoption rates, and expand the talent pipeline for AI development through training and reskilling programs. The Center would be beneficial to the economic competitiveness of Arlington and of Northern Virginia as AI technologies become more commonplace. The 2023 Virginia General Assembly session is in its final week. The Chamber's legislative priorities are in strong shape. Legislation the Chamber supported on transportation funding, workforce development, tax policies and hiring flexibility have either passed the General Assembly or are all still under consideration. Two bills that the Chamber opposed failed to pass the House of Delegates. The Arlington Chamber signed onto a letter with other Chambers and business organizations in support of the proposed Springfield, Virginia site of the new FBI headquarters. The Springfield location, one of three still in consideration, is uniquely situated among the region’s transit networks and the region’s higher education institutions. Northern Virginia is a national leader in industries such as cybersecurity, information technology and national security, ensuring a strong workforce pipeline for the Bureau. A Springfield headquarters would be beneficial to the Northern Virginia region as a whole.  The 2023 Virginia General Assembly session is in its final week. The Chamber's legislative priorities are in strong shape. Legislation the Chamber supported on transportation funding, workforce development, tax policies and hiring flexibility have either passed the General Assembly or are all still under consideration. Two bills that the Chamber opposed failed to pass the House of Delegates. The Arlington Chamber expresses support for the Strategic Transformation Plan. This Plan is a high-level overview of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)’s goals for the future. The Chamber is especially supportive of the emphasis placed on regional opportunity and collaboration. Arlington is home to eleven Metrorail stations and multiple Metrobus lines; it serves as a key factor in Arlington’s economic development. Fostering strong relationships between WMATA, Arlington and other counties is essential to a prosperous metropolitan area. The 2023 Virginia General Assembly session has reached crossover, marking the halfway point of the session and the point where only bills that passed their respective chamber can be considered further. The Chamber's legislative priorities are in strong shape. Legislation the Chamber supported on transportation funding, workforce development, tax policies and hiring flexibility are all still under consideration by the General Assembly. Two bills that the Chamber opposed failed to pass the House of Delegates. The Arlington Chamber signed onto a letter with other Chambers and businesses organizations in support of the Washington Region Transportation Coalition, formerly the Northern Virginia Transportation Coalition. The Chamber believes that a well planned regional and multimodal transportation network is a key element of our future economic competitiveness and our quality of life. The Coalition urges regional elected officials to continue investing in an “all-of-the-above” strategy for transportation, addressing our challenges by committing to not just roadways, but also Metrorail, commuter rail, bus, bicycle, and pedestrian networks. ​​​The Arlington Chamber joined other chambers and business organizations in calling for the General Assembly to adopt HB2195/SB1470, providing for the creation of a single Department of Workforce Development. The legislation would consolidate all workforce development programs into a single department, which would streamline administration and the delivery of workforce development services. The Arlington Chamber urges the House of Delegates General Laws Subcommittee to recommend House Bill 1730, which would permit bars and restaurants with liquor licenses to hire front-of-house staff who in the past were convicted of a felony. As the Commonwealth deals with a major workforce shortage, this legislation is a step forward in helping restaurants find workers, while also broadening the scope of employment for individuals who have been convicted but have paid their debt to society. The Arlington Chamber urges the House of Delegates General Laws Subcommittee to recommend House Bill 2050, permitting local public bodies to convene virtually as often as the body agrees upon, repealing existing limits on the number of virtual public meetings allowed per year. One of the Chamber’s Policy Positions for 2023 is extending the authority of local governments regarding regulations for virtual meetings and quorums. This legislation is a step in the right direction.  The Arlington Chamber joined area chambers and other business organizations in calling on the General Assembly to adopt HB 1405/SB796, providing companies additional flexibility to choose the method of filing their corporate income taxes. Companies that grow and develop over time find a certain method of filing more efficient, and this bill would provide them the opportunity to adjust the filing methods as they choose to elect.  The Chamber supports the County Board in voting for a Request to advertise public hearings on the Missing Middle Housing ordinance, which is a necessary step toward the adoption of the ordinance. The Chamber supports the goals of the Missing Middle Housing Ordinance but views it as merely one part of a larger effort to ensure there is enough attainable housing in Arlington for its residents and workforce. The Chamber also urges the County to promote flexibility, and not adopt the cap on permits that are being considered.  The Arlington Chamber strongly supports proposed amendments to the Arlington Zoning Ordinance to permit the creation of urban universities, animal boarding, urban agriculture, artisan beverage facilities, and workshops within Arlington. These amendments are part of the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative, which is a necessary step in Arlington modernizing its Zoning Ordinance to attract the businesses of the 21st century that weren’t foreseen when zoning regulations were originally written. The Chamber commends the County Manager and Staff for moving forward with the Initiative, and hope that the County Board will adopt the amendments at their upcoming meeting.  The Chamber supports an Item on the December 17 County Board Agenda which requests to advertise a public hearing to consider an amendment to an Ordinance that will extend the sunset date of the Continuity of Government ordinance by up to six months. This would most directly affect restaurants, as this would extend the period that the Temporary Outdoor Seating Area (TOSA) rules will be in effect. The Chamber strongly supports this amendment since it will ensure regulatory consistency for restaurants as the permanent rule changes are finalized. The Chamber also expresses concern with the delays around the completion of the permanent rule changes and urges the County to commit to a quick completion of the rule changes while also permitting dining in as much of the TOSA spaces as feasibly possible. The Chamber supports Amtrak in its application for program funding for the Crystal City High Level Platform Project. The project would allow for construction of an additional platform at the Crystal City VRE Station, allowing it to be served by Amtrak. Arlington residents, workers and visitors would be able to board Amtrak trains bound for the Northeast Corridor or Southern cities without having to go to Union Station or Alexandria. It would also provide greater connectivity and greater transport opportunities for the growing National Landing area, of which Crystal City is a central part. The Chamber sent a letter to the County Board strongly supporting the incorporation of flexible Temporary Outdoor Seating Area (TOSA) rules into Arlington’s permanent code concerning restaurants. Outdoor dining creates more vibrant streetscapes and more dining experience options, while providing Arlington restaurants with essential revenue sources. We ask that the new permanent outdoor dining rules, currently being developed through the Future of Outdoor Dining (FOOD) Study, incorporate much of the flexibility of TOSA regulations that were successful in saving restaurants during and after the pandemic. The Arlington Chamber strongly urges the County Board to commit to passing an implementation framework for Plan Langston Boulevard by the summer of 2023. Currently, the Board has not committed to passing a framework for the Final Plan in the year 2023. The Chamber reiterated concerns that not passing a framework next year could jeopardize several projects along the Boulevard. The Chamber notes that if additional funding and staff are needed to pass a framework, then the County must commit those resources as a means to achieve the Plan’s goals. ​The Chamber supports Crown Castle’s efforts to deploy fiber and 103 small cells in Arlington County. The Chamber urges Arlington County to work with Crown Castle and other telecommunication companies to facilitate the buildout of this infrastructure. Fiber and small cells are critical for expanding the capacity of wireless networks, which are the backbone of many Arlington businesses. It’s imperative that Arlington provides the communication networks that residents, consumers and businesses demand. The Chamber strongly supports the County Board adopting amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to permit the construction of micro-fulfillment centers. The Chamber commends the County Manager and Staff for moving forward with much-needed Zoning changes, known as the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative, that will enable Arlington to attract businesses in new and emerging sectors like micro-fulfillment companies. The Chamber also support the Requests to Advertise (RTAs) for the next phases of the Initiative. The Arlington Chamber supports the proposed collaboration between the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and the Maryland Transportation Authority to bring through-running MARC train service from Maryland to Northern Virginia. This service would dramatically increase the number of workers who could commute to Arlington within 60 minutes. The Chamber urges the VPRA to work with their Maryland counterparts to bring this to fruition. ​​​The Chamber strongly supports proposed amendments to the Arlington Zoning Ordinance to permit the construction of micro-fulfillment centers. The Chamber commends the County Manager and Staff for moving forward with much-needed Zoning changes, known as the Commercial Market Resiliency Initiative, that will enable Arlington to attract businesses in new and emerging sectors like micro-fulfillment companies, dog boarding, edge data centers and breweries. The Chamber also Requests to Advertise (RTAs) for the next Phases of the Initiative, as the RTAs will be considered at the upcoming County Board meeting. The Chamber expresses support for a County Board ordinance amending the Site Plan for SER Restaurant on North Glebe Road, permitting them to construct a permanent outdoor pergola. Support for Arlington restaurants is vital, and this ordinance would provide SER with the valuable opportunity to expand seating capacity at a time when restaurants in Arlington are still struggling. The Chamber encourages the Board to permit this welcome addition to SER. ​​​​The Chamber expressed conditioned support for the Plan Langston Boulevard Preliminary Concept Plan (PCP). The Chamber is supportive of policies for additional density and development in the Langston Boulevard corridor. The Chamber contends that the alternative density proposals outlined in the PCP would achieve the Plan’s housing and development goals more effectively. Additional density and an emphasis on development around commercial nodes is beneficial to the long-term growth of the corridor.  ​​​​The Arlington Chamber joined a coalition of businesses and organizations from across Northern Virginia in supporting the Northern Virginia TransAction long-range Transportation Plan. The TransAction plan includes 429 regional multimodal transportation projects for the next 25 years. These projects will help the region accommodate the substantial economic and population growth projected for the next 25 years.  ​The Chamber sent a letter to the Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development supporting the goals of the County’s Missing Middle Housing Study, but urging more flexibility on standards to enable more Missing Middle units to be constructed. The Chamber encouraged the US Department of Transportation to grant $300 million to expand rail capacity over Long Bridge. When complete, this project will grow the existing two-track bridge into a four-track corridor providing additional long-term capacity for the growing intercity passenger rail and commuter rail services between the Northeast Corridor, Virginia, and points south in North Carolina and beyond. The Chamber urged NVTA and NVTC to fully grant Arlington’s request for funding for a second entrance to the Ballston Metro. Adding another entrance at North Fairfax Drive and North Vermont Street will improve access around Glebe Road and be a huge boost to the restaurants and other customer-facing businesses on that side of Ballston. The Chamber encouraged the Arlington County Board to approve the Clarendon Sector Plan. The draft Plan offers a good compromise on many key items that will better serve the needs of the community today and help move the neighborhood forward. It allows for some increased density in the western part of Clarendon, makes the step-back requirements less restrictive, and allows for redevelopment of several sites in western Clarendon that would greatly benefit from it. The Chamber supported Amazon’s application for PenPlace, the second piece of HQ2. PenPlace will bring thousands of new jobs to Arlington, helping to reduce our high office vacancy rates. It also represents a significant step forward in enhancing the strength of Arlington’s commercial sector, diversifying our economic base, and growing this region inclusively. The Chamber supported Marymount University’s request for a federal appropriation for its Caregivers to Bread Winner Project. This project will help women gain new skills to find higher paying, more flexible jobs in Virginia’s technology industry, while helping Virginia employers overcome the labor shortages that they face. The Chamber sent a letter to the Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development expressing concern that CPHD has proposed a 4% increase in fees without offering an increase in service levels. ​​The Arlington Chamber joined a coalition of businesses and organization from across Northern Virginia in strongly opposing the proposed suspension of the Commonwealth’s gasoline tax and the proposed permanent 2% cap on its annual indexing for inflation. The gasoline tax is one of the top three dedicated sources of Virginia transportation funding. Making such a significant cut to state transportation revenue would have long-term consequences for our transportation network, making it harder for people to access jobs, products, and services. The Chamber encouraged the Arlington County Manager to include the construction of a second entrance to the Ballston Metro Station in Arlington County’s Capital Improvement Plan, and ensuring that it remains a priority for the County. Adding another entrance at North Fairfax Drive and North Vermont Street will improve access around Glebe Road and be a huge boost to the restaurants and other customer-facing businesses on that side of Ballston. The Chamber supported changes to a site plan ordinance that will allow Marymount University to convert 133 residential units at the Rixey Building to hotel units. This amendment would enable Marymount University to provide hands-on experience to students in their Hospitality Management Program. The Chamber wrote to the Virginia’s Health and Safety Codes Board in support of their proposed finding that there is no longer a continued need for the Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19. These workplace standards conflict with current CDC guidance and have created confusion for businesses who simply want to follow the rules and keep their employees and customers safe. The Chamber encouraged the Arlington County Board to approve the Pentagon City Sector Plan, which aims to lead the way for a new dynamic downtown in Arlington. The Plan identifies several locations that are well-suited for increased density in National Landing. The added density would drive significant commercial growth in the neighborhood as well, as businesses would be attracted to the larger pool of residents. The Chamber, along with other businesses and organizations from across Northern Virginia, supported  the 2022 priorities of the coalition, emphasizing the importance of transportation in the region. A regional multimodal transportation network remains key to our future economic and workforce competitiveness, quality of life, environmental sustainability, and equitable access to opportunity.  The Chamber encouraged Arlington County to amend the General Land Use Plan to support projects that will add density and provide much-needed housing at the Courthouse West site, located four blocks from both the Courthouse and Clarendon Metro stations. Approaching the third anniversary of the filing of the Special GLUP Study Application, the Chamber advocated for the amendment to be made without further delay. Chamber supported the criteria being used to evaluate proposals for the CC2DCA Intermodal Connector project and encouraged the selection of a design concept 7D for further development. The preferred design concept best fulfills the project’s purpose and need, when compared with the other concepts remaining under consideration, and is the most robust to all possible future connections between the airport and rail station. The Chamber sent a letter to GO Virginia Region 7 supporting the University of Virginia’s proposal to GO Virginia for a grant supporting the Cloud Computing Certificate program that UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies has developed in partnership with AWS. The Chamber supports enhancing partnerships for cyber, computer science, and technology education at public and private universities across the Commonwealth.  The Chamber joined with business and community groups from across the region in encouraging the federal and Maryland governments not to extend the comment period for the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the 495 Express Lane project to ensure that the project can proceed in a timely fashion. The Chamber supported a proposed amendment to the Crystal City Water Park site plan that will allow for the construction of features already determined to suit the community and to allow for the Water Park to be used for a variety of uses. This amendment will help fulfill the vision for the Water Park that the County Board approved earlier this year. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Virginia Restaurant, Lodging and Travel Association followed up on recent advocacy by Arlington hotels for a local hospitality grant by recommending that Arlington enact a hotel grant similar to those in neighboring jurisdictions. The organizations recommended grants of at least $400 per hotel room, which is the same as Fairfax County offered its PIVOT program, and providing all hotels with relief for at least their first 250 rooms, as in Loudoun County. Hotels have a current need to meet obligations that are critical to maintaining the ongoing operation of their businesses. A grant program will allow for Arlington hotels to rehire furloughed staff, prepare for the uncertain travel period ahead, and safely budget for the near future. The Chamber encourages the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) to design its TransAction Plan to prioritize projects that will support development and connections throughout the region. The Chamber supports continuing investments to build on recent commitments and projects to help connect people from across our region to employment and other economic centers. The Chamber encouraged Arlington County not to implement a five-cent tax on plastic bags at this time. The General Assembly gave localities the power to impose this tax with a goal of motivating consumers to use reusable carriers. But, many grocers suspended the use of patron-provided totes earlier in the pandemic, and there is the risk that the tax will not serve its purpose if stores reinstitute such rules to protect their front-line workers. There is also considerable risk that the tax’s impacts will be felt inequitably across the community, including burdening small, independent, neighborhood-serving retailers most. The Chamber encouraged Arlington County to include industry-specific terms for hotels in its upcoming business recovery grant program. The hospitality and tourism industry is facing unique and persistent challenges in recovering from the pandemic. Arlington’s hotel occupancy rates are still down considerably from their pre-pandemic levels, which is having a prolonged impact on jobs at hotels and also at stores and restaurants that serve visitors. An effective and equitable grant program will address the hospitality industry’s needs directly, rather than attempting to serve all businesses with the same terms. The Chamber further encouraged Arlington County to look toward regional counterparts for instructive examples of effective hotel grant programs. The Chamber supports moving forward with the CC2DCA Intermodal Connector. The CC2DCA Intermodal Connector will provide direct connection to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport terminal from multiple transportation facilities in Crystal City. It will provide a more comfortable and safe access to the airport terminal for pedestrians, bikes, and other micromobility traffic. The Chamber expressed broad support for the Plan Lee Highway Scenario Analysis, which provides for additional commercial and residential development in the Langston Boulevard transit corridor. As Arlington County moves ahead with designing development plans for this corridor, the Chamber encouraged creating flexible land use policies and regulations to attract investment, and cautioned against restrictions that could limit the ability of future community processes to develop innovative designs and solutions. As one of the most highly used Metrorail stations in Arlington, the new entrance to the Crystal City station will help accommodate the anticipated increase in trips to National Landing as development in the area continues. This new second entrance will provide more direct access than the existing entrance to offices, shops, and residences along Crystal Drive. The entrance also will offer a more direct connection to the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Metroway bus rapid transit network. ​The Chamber expressed support for including the Maryland Traffic Relief Plan to extend the 495 Express Lanes across a rebuilt American Legion Bridge in the Transportation Planning Board’s long-range plan. Significant improvements to existing roadway infrastructure and transit systems are essential to accommodate projected growing traffic patterns in the Nation Capital Region. The Traffic Relief Plan is expected to relieve existing congestion, improve transit options, and reduce emissions through incentives HOV and transit travel.  It is also anticipated to have improve regional equity by increasing connectivity for all National Capital Region residents to access jobs and other opportunities throughout the region.  The Chamber expressed support for including funds for the Metro and construction of second entrances at Ballston and Crystal City Metro stops in the Arlington County Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for FY 2022-2024. Metrorail serves as the backbone of Arlington’s transportation management program and is a primary driver of economic development in Arlington and the metropolitan region. The CIP also secures funding for critical improvements to transportation infrastructure including the second entrances at the Ballston and Crystal City Metro stations and improvements to transit and multimodal services on Columbia Pike. The Chamber supports converting the current elevated Richmond Highway, U.S. 1 to an at-grade urban boulevard following concept recommended by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The current elevated highway design creates a barrier between the parts of National Landing located east and west of Richmond Highway. An urban boulevard will act as a true community center that engages residents, workers, and visitors in National Landing. The Chamber also encourage VDOT to broaden the project’s scope, implementing best practices and building infrastructure for all modes of transportation, which will help to address concerns raised in the community. ​​​Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas (TOSAs) have been among Arlington County’s most successful responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chamber supports Arlington County’s efforts to make these expanded outdoor dining areas permanent. To make this expansion a success, the Chamber is encouraging Arlington County work with restaurants on their seating, rather than adapting one-size-fits-all regulations, and to establish streamlined processes for restaurants to secure permanent outdoor seating. Moreover, the Chamber encourages Arlington County to complete this work before the end of 2021 to prevent any costly interruption in outdoor service for restaurants still struggling to recovery from the pandemic. The Chamber encouraged Arlington’s Congressional delegation to support the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act, a bill which would allocate an additional $60 billion to support restaurants. Passed as part of the American Rescue Plan in March, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund is designed to help restaurants make up for lost revenues from the pandemic. However, the $28.6 billion that Congress originally allocated for the program has been insufficient to meet the demand of restaurant operators who applied. The proposed legislation would add the necessary money to fund the applications that have been received.  The Chamber encouraged Arlington County to allow for the broadest possible range of ground story uses in the Columbia Pike Form Based Code. Arlington County is studying how to update the code to add permission for uses that were not envisioned when the Form Based Code was adopted, but such an update still won’t cover desired future uses not envisioned today. The goal of the Form Based Code is to provide a thriving main-street feeling; permitting all uses by default, unless specifically identified as adverse, will help deliver that goal for South Arlington’s central main street. The Chamber expressed support for a proposal by Jefferson Apartment Group to replace a 1960s office building with a 423-unit residential apartment building that includes 12 on-site committed affordable units and ground floor retail. This project would deliver on the goals of the Rosslyn Sector Plan and provide much-needed housing in Rosslyn. The Chamber supported changes to a site plan and zoning ordinance that will allow the Clarendon West project to add 20 more apartments without increasing the structural area and lowering overall building height. The proposed amendments would allow the building to fit better with its surroundings and would support Arlington’s housing goals. The Chamber encouraged the Commonwealth of Virginia to clarify its requirements around masks and distancing in the workplace. The Chamber further encouraged the Commonwealth to update or repeal DOLI’s Permanent Standard for COVID-19 Workplace Safety to bring the requirements on fully vaccinated workers in line with current CDC guidance. Since the announcement of Executive Order 79, the Permanent Standard’s requirements on businesses and employees now vary greatly from requirements on the customers they are serving and the general public with no underlying rationale for that difference. The Chamber supported Congressionally Directed Spending requests by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). The request for consideration will enable for purchasing of one mobile power station and supporting electrical charging infrastructure for a fleet of electric vehicles, and the installation of solar rooftop panels, supporting environmental stewardship at Washington Ronald Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. ​The Chamber supported a Congressionally Directed Spending request submitted by George Mason University. The request will allow for purchasing of a solar array for their Institute of Digital InnovAtion (IDIA), as well as additional off-site renewal energy sources to achieve actual net-zero consumption of energy. The Chamber expressed support for the broad goals of the Public Art Master Plan update to contribute to Arlington's vibrancy, while suggesting amendments to make the plan stronger. The drafted plan favors County-curated art over privately-curated art, and adds cost without accounting for other public benefits delivered by site plan projects. The Chamber encouraged Arlington County to broaden its definition of public art and to work to minimize the cost burden of public art contributions. ​​​The Chamber encouraged the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board to include cross-river rail service as part of its Visualize 2045 transportation plan. Cross-river rail service open the opportunity for more seamless connections between Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland.  ​The Chamber supported two community funding project proposals by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). The projects for consideration will allow for purchasing of electric vehicles, supporting environmental stewardship at Washington Ronald Reagan National and Dulles International Airports. The Arlington Chamber joined with a coalition of chambers and hospitality industry associations from across Virginia to call on the Commonwealth to use a portion of its American Rescue Plan funding to provide grants to support the hospitality industry. The group is asking for per-room grants for hotels and other lodging establishments, per-seat grants for restaurants, and applications of the ARP for attractions, destination marketing organizations, other venues, and hospitality training programs. The Virginia General Assembly is expected to convene a special session later this year to allocate the Commonwealth’s share of the ARP money. ​​​The Chamber supported allowing more flexibility to give bonus height for site plan projects delivering affordable housing. The proposed amendments to the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance would allow the County Board to approve more bonus height for certain projects that are 100% low- or middle-income housing or that meet the goals of the Affordable Housing Master Plan. Projects receiving bonus height would need to design it to establish effective transitions to neighboring developments. Business Groups from across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia joined together to encourage that the Maryland Department of Transportation move forward with its Traffic Relief Plan, which includes replacing the American Legion Bridge and congestion improvements in the I-495/I-270 corridor. This public-private partnership will expand capacity and reduce congestion across the region. The Chamber encouraged Arlington County to establish a new direct financial grant program for local businesses with its coronavirus response funding. Such a program would build on the successful GRANT program last year. Businesses continue to cite access to capital for pandemic-response activities as their greatest need. Capital grants allow businesses to invest in what they individually need to retain or restore jobs, and maintain their businesses as Arlington works through the economic recovery from the pandemic. The Chamber requested that the Arlington County Board restore a Principal Planner position in the Arlington County government due to be frozen in Fiscal Year 2022. Restoring this position will help prevent delays in planning studies for which applicants pay cost-recovery fees. Prompt review of development projects is also an investment in Arlington’s future through the taxes they will generate when completed. The Chamber encouraged the County Board to amend the site plan for Westpost in Pentagon City to provide more flexibility for providing grocery and drug store items at that site by removing a requirement for a specific size grocery store at that location. The original language reflected how supermarkets were designed when it was approved in 1998, and may not be appropriate for how consumers buy these products in the future. The Chamber expressed support for a redesign of the Crystal City Water Park and path connecting Crystal Drive with the Mount Vernon Trail and the forthcoming north entrance to the Crystal City VRE Station. This update will help fulfill the community's vision for Crystal City and the design has been updated to allay pedestrian safety concerns raised by an early proposal. The Chamber requested that the Arlington County Board restore a proposed reduction in operating funds for the Arlington Convention and Visitors Service (ACVS) for Fiscal Year 2022. Restoring its operating funds will allow ACVS to build back its travel marketing activities, which will support Arlington's hotels in regaining room occupancy and restoring jobs lost during the coronavirus pandemic. Bridging ACVS's funding will help restore its future revenue stream through increased Transient Occupancy Tax revenues. The Chamber joined chambers of commerce and business organizations from across the country in letter to the U.S. Senate calling on Congress to extend the deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to December 31, 2021. Under current law, the program will expire at the end of March.  The Chamber wrote a letter of support for the federal Gyms Mitigation and Survival Act (GYMS Act). This bill would provide funds to the Small Business Association for grants to eligible fitness businesses. Local gyms and fitness studios have faced revenue constraints over the past year due to the capacity restrictions enacted by the Commonwealth to prevent the spread of COVID-19.​  The Arlington Chamber of Commerce encourages and supports the broad policy goals of the Community Energy Plan (CEP). The target of net-zero CO2 equivalent emission by 2050 is aspirational, and can be an impetus for innovation. But there is also the risk of losing the plan’s sensitivity to individual circumstances if its implementation is too prescriptive. Arlington County should ensure sufficient flexibility in implementing the plan so that it is viable and economically feasible for businesses and residents, including the availability to consumers of a diverse range of energy choices in meeting growing energy needs.   The Arlington Chamber of Commerce encourages Arlington County to define and move forward with a planning process for the Courthouse West project. The applicant, CRC Companies, submitted a Special GLUP Study application in May 2019, and received its Tier I review and Tier II acceptance in November 2019. The change will facilitate a site plan to add much needed housing at this highly transit-accessible location and to bridge similar scale developments in the adjacent Clarendon and Courthouse neighborhoods.   The Arlington Chamber of Commerce encourages the County Board to adopt the proposed ordinance to authorize non-commercial banners in the Ballston Business Improvement District (BID). This signage will support the Ballston BID’s placemaking work and build on its Ballston “full” campaign.  The Chamber encouraged the County Board to accept the proposed ordinance to allow non-commercial banners in the National Landing Business Improvement District (BID). This would allow the National Landing BID to identify and build community across its three neighborhoods, Crystal City, Pentagon City, and Potomac Yard. The Chamber also believes this will approval will enhance neighborhoods in Arlington.  ​The Chamber joined with 23 other organizations from across Northern Virginia to advocate to the General Assembly for key multimodal transportation projects, restoration of Northern Virginia Transportation Authority funding, congestion management, sustained Metro funding, and transportation demand management. The Chamber encouraged WMATA to reconsider its plan to reduce bus services by 50% and close at 9:00 p.m. starting in January 2022. Though this plan is a part of the closing of its projected budget gap, the Chamber believes that the reduction would inhibit the recovery of workplaces reopening and create inequitable consequences for people whose jobs do not permit telework. Most prominently, the proposed service reductions would fall hardest on our region's service sector workforce.  The Chamber showed support of the Arlington Public Schools plan to hire a Partnership Coordinator for Fiscal Year 2022. The Chamber believes that this individual will be well-positioned to identify work-based learning opportunities and would provide leadership in developing comprehensive career pathways for students. The educational return on investing in this position will be significant. The Chamber encouraged the Safety and Health Codes Board to not enact the Revised Proposed Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19 as there remain many concerns that this standard will not minimize disruption and cost in meeting the regulation's health and safety goals.  The Chamber continues to believe that businesses should have flexibility to apply practices that work best for achieving health and safety in their circumstances. The shifting regulatory landscape continues to be a challenge for our businesses’ recovery, especially for our small businesses. ​
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