Evening star., 1953-06-28
Arlington Gets
New Type Of
zoning
Large Group Objects.
Board Also Creates
Arts, Commission

A new zoning classification pro-
viding for luxury type apart
ment development was approved
by the Arlington County Board
yesterday over the objections Of
a large group Of homeowners.
At the same time the board, at
the conclusion Of a five-hour
hearing, created a Historical
Arts Commission of five mem
bers. It also rezoned a 20-acre
site. part Of the present Shirley
Homes Federal Housing Project.
to put it under the new classi-
fication.
Heavy restrictions on land use
are included in the new zone,
RA-R, restricted apartment
dwelling district. No site less
than 20 acres could be rezoned
for luxury apartment develop
ment and maximum development
permitted would be 80 dwelling
units per acre.
Opposed to the new clasSifi-
cation were representatives of
the South Oakcrest Citizens As
sociation, whose membership is
composed of residents living near
the Shirley Homes area, and the
North Highland Citizens Asso-
citation, whise membership in
cludes residents of the area over
looking the Potomac River.
Petition Offered by Apponents.
A petition signed by 100 resi-
dents of the Shirley Homes area
was presented opposing the re-
zoning. The board pared down
its original plan to rezone Sc
acres at the request of the
County School Board which re-
ported it plans to seek IS acres
for a school site in the vicinity.
Opponents of the new classif1-
cation argued that the integrity
OF the county's master zoning
plan would be destroyed, spot
Zoning would ensue, county
traffic and school problems would
be increased and single family
property values would be re-
duced by allowing the luxury
type apartments to be built.
Edward M. Smith, attorney
for DR.. Ernest s. Hendry, owner
of a large tract in the North
Highlands area, presented argu-
ments in favor of the new zon-
ing classification. He said the
new zone would be a "tremen-
dous asset to Arlington" and de-
clared the river front property
would be most desirable" for
luxury apartments.
VS.. Hoge, longtime real es-
tate developer in Arlington,
commended the board for the
very wise policy of getting some-
thing like this on the books. !"
He argued that the Master Zon-
ing Plan was intended to be
changed to meet changing con-
ditionS."
Uniform Set Back Of 15O Feet
A uniform setback of $50 feet
from the property lines would
be required for properties to be
developed as RA-R. Under this
provision a luxury apartment
site adjoining a 50-foot street
would have no buildings closer
than 225 feet to single family
home.
The buildings would be per-
mitted to reach a height of 125
feet in the new zone. Board
members said this would result
in large Handicapped areas be-
cause of the maximum density
requirements of 80 units per acre.
A requirement that one ard
a half parking spaces per dwell
ing unit, one of which would
have to be below ground or in
a building, is included in the
zoning amendment.
The board deferred appoint
ment Of the membership of the
Historical Arts Commission. The
Commission is empowered to re-
view architectural design and
site locations for proposed lux
ury apartments and make recon-
mendations to the board.