This Saturday, the Civic Federation will provide a free seminar on planning and zoning issues for Arlington residents who are interested in getting more involved in the process. This should be a useful session, particularly in light of the numerous planning and zoning issues that affect us here in North Rosslyn. North Rosslyn is a member of the Civic Federation, so all North Rosslyn members may participate in Civic Federation activities, including this free seminar. I have copied below a message describing the seminar at greater length.


Dear Civic Association Presidents:

This is a reminder that the Planning and Zoning Seminar will be held this Saturday from 10 to noon on the 7th Floor of the DHS Building in Clarendon. With all the development going on now -- and with neighborhoods not accustomed to higher density development being affected -- this is a great opportunity to become better acquainted with the basics of the processes involved. Consideration is being given to a more advanced session in early 2004.

We hope you will be able to send a delegate to this session. Handouts will be available.

The following is the text describing the seminar:

NUTS AND BOLTS PLANNING AND ZONING SEMINAR, SAT., NOV. 22
Come learn the nuts and bolts of planning and zoning in Arlington at a special Civic Federation seminar Saturday,
November 22, at 10 am in Room 7E of the DHS Building, 3033 Wilson Blvd. in Clarendon. Free parking in the DHS garage (enter via N. Highland St.).
Learn the difference between a land use plan and zoning, between by-right zoning and site plan zoning. Learn about
the different types of residential and commercial zoning, height limits, and parking requirements; the difference
between a use permit and a variance. Also, learn who does what in County Government – the role of County planning
staff, the Zoning Administrator, and how Public Works becomes involved. Learn the role that citizen advisory committees
such as the Site Plan Review Committee and Planning Commission play, and what the County Board must approve, as
compared to what the Zoning Administrator and Board of Zoning Appeals review. Learn who appoints the Planning Commission members vs. the BZA members.
We are planning a 2 hour session on the 7th floor of the DHS building in Clarendon (come at least for the panoramic view,
from the Cathedral to Reagan Airport). We have developed an instructive power point presentation with the help of Bob
Brosnan, chief of the County's Planning Division, which Bob will present (about 40 minutes). We have also invited local
zoning lawyer Michael McHugh, who has represented and advised several local civic associations on zoning matters, to speak for about 15 minutes about legal issues that should be of interest to member associations. We will round out the
presentation with a few minutes of remarks by a local civic association leader, and then open the floor for questions.
Coffee and some goodies will be provided.
To access the seminar from the street or the parking garage, proceed to the building lobby. You will need the assistance
of a security guard to reach the 7th floor. We will post directional signs.
If you have questions, call committee co-chairs Bill Gearhart (703-522-2276) or Martha Moore (703-527-3782).