Approval of another office-to-residential conversion, amendments to tenant-relocation guidelines and possible changes to towing rates will highlight this month’s County Board meeting.
A public hearing on just one item will be held before adoption during this Saturday’s meeting. All 33 other items slated for action that day are on the Board’s consent agenda, but individual items could be pulled off public hearings on the recessed meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Items on the agenda include:
Latest office-to-residential conversion slated for approval: Board members are expected to approve a developer’s plan to convert the 13-story office building at 4100 Fairfax Drive to residential use.
The plan calls for 296 residential units while retaining ground-floor retail uses, including Bronson Bier Hall, and the building’s five-level underground garage.
County staff support the change in use. The Planning Commission voted 11-0 to recommend approving the application.
The building is located one block east of the Ballston Metro station. It was constructed in 2000 as part of a redevelopment plan for the block bounded by Fairfax Drive, 9th Street N., N. Stafford Street and N. Randolph Street.
The office building and an adjacent apartment building were completed, but an office building planned for the IHOP restaurant site on the parcel has yet to move forward.
New tenant-relocation guidelines set for approval: Board members are also expected to update tenant-relocation guidelines.
The proposal would change the amount of payment that displaced tenants receive, and add more information to be collected from tenants. Another change provides more flexibility for the county’s Tenant-Landlord Commission in overseeing the relocation process.
The Tenant-Landlord Commission, which has vetted proposed changes over the past year, supports the package.
Developers planning new projects are not required, but are strongly encouraged, to follow the local guidelines. In addition, projects involving federal funds are required to follow the Uniform Relocation Act to support those displaced.
The last version of the guidelines was approved in 2018.
Advertisement for changes to towing rates: Board members are slated to advertise, for a future public hearing, changes to allowable towing rates for vehicles removed for allegedly trespassing on private property.
Information on specifics of the proposal had not been placed on the agenda in advance of this article. A public hearing will precede setting the date for future consideration at the Oct. 18 meeting.
Income levels revised for free ambulance service: Board members are slated to increase the income levels that would qualify someone for free Arlington County Fire Department ambulance service.
County officials began charging for ambulance transport in 1999, and shortly after implementation, a maximum household income of $25,000 was set for a waiver of fees. That figure has not changed since.
Under the policy change, fees in future would not be charged to households earning less than the federal Section 8 median income, and would be adjusted as that figure changes. Maximum income levels would range from $34,450 for a single-person household to $64,900 for a household of eight or more individuals.
Ambulance-transport fees typically are not applicable to those with private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, as those programs reimburse the county government on a contract basis.
Funding set for N. Sycamore Street stormwater improvements: Board members are slated to award a contract worth up to $1.41 million for stormwater-infrastructure improvements at N. Sycamore Street and Langston Blvd.
The project would include installation of a parallel storm pipe and associated manholes next to an existing sewer line.
The existing and new sewer lines would convey runoff from approximately 170 acres in the upstream portion of the Crossman Run watershed to the south side of Langston Blvd.
The contract is slated to be awarded to Milani Construction LLC.
New fire agreement with Falls Church to be signed: Board members are expected to ratify an updated contract with the Falls Church city government and Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department.
The upgraded agreement would impact the terms of Arlington’s fire and ambulance services within the 2.2-square-mile city. It will run through 2030 with the option to renew through 2035.
Arlington officials expect the new agreement to bring in approximately $500,000 in additional annual revenue.
Arlington has staffed a fire station in Falls Church since the department’s establishment in 1940. The current station, located on the border of the jurisdictions in East Falls Church, serves residents of both localities.
Private school’s use permit to be renewed: Board members are expected to renew the use permit for the Sycamore School at 1550 Wilson Blvd for three years.
A year ago, Board members had authorized the school to operate with a maximum of 140 middle- and high-school students, an upper limit that will be continued.
After approval, the site plan no longer would require Board review, but would receive a staff review after the three-year term expires.
The school occupies the third floor of a Rosslyn office building.
Green Valley farmers market use permit to be renewed: Board members are expected to renew, for a year, the use permit for the Friday open-air farmers market at John Robinson Jr. Town Square in Green Valley.
The market debuted in April, with its 2025 season slated to run through early November. Staff identified no problems needing Board discussion prior to approval of the extension.
The market is operated by Community Association of Resources, Education, Enrichment & Economics (CARE) Inc.
Legislative priorities for 2026 General Assembly session to be revealed: At the Board’s recessed meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, staff will present the draft 2026 General Assembly legislative package.
There also will be a chance for the public to comment on the package, although typically the annual legislative documents draw little community feedback.
