Breakfast links: Alexandria votes to end single-family-only zoning
King Street in Alexandria by Kristen Jeffers used with permission.
Alexandria City Council approves ‘Zoning for Housing’ end to single-family-only zoning
Alexandria councilmembers voted early Wednesday to eliminate single-family-only zoning, allowing up to four-unit buildings in any residential neighborhood. Widely considered modest but meaningful, the reforms are expected to create 150-178 housing units in the next decade. The reforms also reduce parking minimums. (The Washington Post article may be behind a paywall.) (Teo Armus / Post, Vernon Miles / ALXnow)
Downtown DC BID urges WMATA to postpone downtown Metrorail closures to January
The Downtown DC BID sent a letter to WMATA leadership urging WMATA to delay the closure of several downtown stations until January, in order to avoid major disruptions in travel during a key shopping period for Downtown DC. (This article is behind a paywall). (Dan Brendel / Business Journal)
Montgomery County Council signals unanimous support for reduced parking requirements
The Montgomery County Council voiced unanimous support for a zoning text amendment Tuesday that would eliminate mandatory parking requirements for new residential projects near transit hubs. The bill, expected to pass early next year, targets areas within a half-mile radius of Metro or Purple Line stations and a quarter-mile from bus rapid transit stops or funded bus stops. (This article may be behind a paywall). (Katie Shepherd / Post)
Group submits application for Chevy Chase DC historic district
The Chevy Chase DC Conservancy has submitted an application to establish a Chevy Chase Historic District. This proposed district would include Connecticut Avenue’s commercial strip and adjacent residential areas. (UrbanTurf)
Last-minute route changes and driver shortage contributed to Howard County school bus crisis
California-based tech company Zum faced significant challenges managing about half of Howard County’s school bus routes at the beginning of the year. Problems arose due to last-minute route changes and a shortage of local drivers, leaving 2,400 students without transportation and causing widespread delays. (This article is behind a paywall). (Daniel Zawodny / Baltimore Banner)
Public environmental stewardship center opens in Fairfax County
The Fairfax County Park Authority recently opened the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center in Chantilly. The facility is designed to engage adults and children in environmental stewardship. It showcases sustainable practices through the use of reclaimed materials, sustainable energy, and water sources. The center is also focused on hands-on learning about technologies and processes that foster a better relationship with the environment. (GazetteLeader)
Great Falls light pollution ordinance passes
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed zoning regulations last week to reduce light pollution around Turner Park Farm Observatory in Great Falls. The new rules, developed over two years, focus on a half-mile radius around the observatory. They include reducing lumens for motion-activated lights and requiring fully shielded bulbs, alongside limits on up-lights and spotlights. (Fatimah Waseem / FFXnow)
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