Arlington residents spoke out for and against proposed traffic control, parking and development plans for East Falls Church on Tuesday at a county-sponsored forum at Tuckahoe Elementary School.
A presentation outlined the current plan, which calls for developing four to six story mixed-use commercial and residential buildings by removing all 422 spaces at the Metro park-and-ride lot. The presentation also mapped out changes to pedestrian and bike paths as well as a plan to narrow Washington Boulevard to slow down traffic.
After the presentation, ever-polite residents thanked the East Falls Church task force before launching into their complaints.
Concerns about the removal of parking were at the forefront of the discussions. Residents reminded officials about the county’s 1970s era promise that Arlington would not attempt to further develop East Falls Church after the Metro system was installed.
Some residents expressed concern about the potential for overpopulation at local schools as a result of the increased population density. Others were worried about the potential for increased crime.
For more information, see the county’s East Falls Church planning website or articles from Greater Greater Washington and People-Powered Arlington.