Breakfast links: Fairfax County seeks other housing solutions besides ending single-family-only zoning
Townhomes at Belle Haven Rd at Fort Hunt Road in Fairfax County by Adam licensed under Creative Commons.
Fairfax County sidesteps single-family-only zoning end, explores other paths for supply boost
Unlike Arlington and Alexandria, Fairfax County does not plan to eliminate single-family-only zoning but is looking at other approaches to diversify its housing stock through targeted policies like looser accessory living unit rules and workforce housing requirements. (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)
Unpacking the push for social housing in DC
Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George proposed a bill to create an executive agency in DC tasked with building publicly owned, mixed-income social housing as an alternative to current public and income-restricted affordable housing models. DCist digs into how the approach would work. (Morgan Baskin / DCist)
Provision in Maryland housing bills could provide a housing density bump near transit statewide
Housing and planning leaders in Maryland are speaking of a provision in Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s planned set of housing bills as a modest but positive step forward (GGWash recently weighed in here). The provision proposes a state-mandated 30% density bonus for development projects meeting affordability and other criteria, such as a location near transit. (This article is behind a paywall). (Dan Brendel / Business Journal)
Maryland sees statewide surge in car crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists in 2023 but Baltimore city sees decline
Maryland witnessed a concerning 9% increase in car crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists in 2023, marking the largest year-over-year rise post-pandemic. The analysis of preliminary Maryland State Police crash data revealed over 3,600 crashes, resulting in 152 deaths and 3,000 injuries by the end of 2023. However, Baltimore saw a decline in 2023, where the rate of fatal crashes per 100,000 residents dropped from 3.55 to 2.53. Its decline is attributed to its Complete Streets plan launched in 2021, which prioritizes pedestrian and bike safety when designing streets. (This article is behind a paywall). (Baltimore Banner)
New apartment building in place of Red Lion Hotel near Rosslyn seeks final approval this weekend
The new apartment building, to be developed by Orr Partners, will feature 418 new units. Orr partners will replace the current market-rate affordable units with 24 income-restricted affordable units. The building will be LEED-certified Gold. The Arlington County Board will vote on the proposal this weekend. (Jo DeVoe / ARLNow)
DC Council passes legislation imposing new penalties for reckless driving
A law passed last week by the DC Council will impose points on vehicles caught speeding by DC’s traffic enforcement cameras and will allow the DC attorney general to bring lawsuits against out-of-state drivers. The reforms will also suspend the licenses of those who have been convicted of driving under the influence three times in five years. These new measures will cost the district $123.3 million over four years; Mayor Bowser indicates it is not clear how the legislation will be funded. (Cuneyt Dil / Axios)
OPINION: DC government needs to move Vision Zero forward
In a letter to the Washington Post, Brooke Bernold of DC bemoans the Bowser administration’s lack of prioritization for the Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths, citing Connecticut Avenue NW and project delays across the city, which stand in contrast to the increase in Capital Bikeshare usage and the Ward 5 and Hill Family Bike rides. (Brooke Bernold / Post)
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