PRESS Release: Arlington County’s Up-zoning Ordinance Overturned

September 30, 2024.

I’m Audrey Clement, the Independent candidate for Arlington County Board on November 5.

The news is that on September 27 Fairfax Judge David Schell overturned the County’s up-zoning ordinance a/k/a/ Missing Middle (MM) or Expanded Housing Options (EHO), which rezoned most single family home neighborhoods in the county for multi-family development.

Missing Middle plaintiffs prevailed on 4 of 7 counts, the most important of which was the County’s failure to perform studies on the impacts of countywide rezoning, as required by state law.

Needless to say, I am delighted by the decision, as I have long argued that Missing Middle is a revenue generating cash cow that will not redress the effects of exclusionary zoning and will not provide starter homes for moderate income residents.

The County spent over $1 million in taxpayer dollars to defend the EHO ordinance in court, and I expect it will spend at least that much on appeal. Even if it loses its appeal at the state Supreme Court, the County will likely perform pro forma studies on a new up-zoning ordinance that will pass legal muster.

If you don’t want that to happen, vote Clement, Independent for Arlington County Board. Do not pull the Democratic Party lever, as my Democrat opponent, J.D. Spain, is a staunch supporter of Missing Middle.

If elected, I will not rubber stamp developer driven outcomes like Missing Middle, and I will insist upon thorough impact studies on any new up-zoning ordinance.

I also pledge to:

• Seek immediate tax relief for residents and businesses.
• Convene a task force of community stakeholders to study reasonable alternatives to Missing Middle up-zoning.

If you share my agenda, then:

• Spread the word about my candidacy.
• Volunteer or donate to my campaign.
• Help make the “Arlington Way” more than an empty phrase.