<first last name>
<address>
Arlington, VA 22209

<DATE>

<name and title of official e.g. Jay Fisette, J. Walter Tejada, Christopher Zimmerman, Barbara Favola, Mary Hynes>
Arlington County Board
2100 Clarendon Blvd Ste 300
Arlington VA 22201

Dear <County Official>,
I live in the North Rosslyn neighborhood and have recently heard of AHC, Inc.’s plans to build an 8-story apartment complex at 1545 Key Blvd (at Key, N. Ode and 19th Street).  I am a strong supporter of affordable housing and feel this property should be developed to improve the pool of affordable housing in Arlington.

The AHC proposal does raise several concerns:
o   AHC plans to increase the number of units from 41 to 225 which QUADRUPLES the density.  To fit this number of units on the property AHC proposes to build an 8-story building situated 10 feet from the property lines.  This  results in a tall, walled building built amongst 2 story residences.  To build this number of units on the lot which exceeds the zoning limits  AHC will seek county board approval to transfer density from the high rise commercial area of Ballston to the low rise, residential area of North Rosslyn.

o   The building garage’s proposed entrance on 19th Street will add over 200 cars (not to mention visitors and service vehicles) to a VERY narrow street that has heavy pedestrian traffic and only one outlet.  The traffic backup on 19th St and North Ode (onto Key Boulevard) will be horrific.  

o   The development’s 2-year building schedule will displace (or worse, eliminate) our beloved community garden and the  proposed building height will block most of the sun from reaching the gardens. 

When AHC requests approval for transferring bonus density, I am asking that you NOT approve the AHC proposed apartment complex on Key Boulevard until your receive a plan from AHC that shows plans for a building that fits into our residential neighborhood.
 
Sincerely yours,

<your signature>