Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Contact: Myllisa Lardieri Kennedy 703-228-3152 cell: 571-722-8721 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Contact: Shannon Whalen McDaniel 703-228-3685 (voice) 703-228-4711(TTY)
Arlington County Adopts 20-year Parking Plan
- Guidelines support businesses, residents
- Making best use of limited parking, curb space
- Part of Master Transportation Plan
ARLINGTON, Va. – The County Board today adopted a 20-year plan to provide accessible, convenient on-street and off-street parking that supports local businesses and maintains the character of residential areas.
The Parking and Curb Space Management Element of the Master Transportation Plan expands on 13 policies adopted by the County Board in November 2007 as part of the 20-year Master Transportation Plan.
“This is a well-thought-out parking plan that will help Arlington manage growth in the coming years, by helping us make the best possible use of our limited parking and curb space,” said County Board Chairman Barbara Favola.
The Parking Element includes proposed actions that support both on-street and off-street parking policies and a policy related to persons with disabilities. Together, these proposed actions are designed to:
- Balance the transportation needs of residents, workers, visitors, businesses and supporting services by prioritizing curb space use
- Enhance the parking experience with new technologies such as pay-by-cell phone
- Support the County’s environmental goals by prioritizing curb space for multi-use vehicles
- Achieve optimal use of existing spaces by setting an 85 percent target occupancy rate for on-street parking
- Expand parking choices through the support of “unbundling,” where tenants and workers have the option of giving up a designated parking space, renting it, or receiving a reduction in lease payments for non-use.
- Establish a more efficient off-street parking network through sharing of spaces and improved way finding systems
- Increase access for people with disabilities with additional spaces and loading zones
- Foster a sustainable and aesthetically pleasing environment by discouraging excessive impervious surface parking and encouraging direct pedestrian access to buildings
The Board voted 5-0 to adopt the plan.
To learn more about Arlington's robust parking pan and more, visit the County website.
Background
The Master Transportation Plan (MTP) serves as the County’s principal means of establishing policy for transportation matters.
In October 2004, the County Board initiated the first process to completely rewrite the MTP since 1986. The Board adopted the new MTP Goals and Policies Document in November 2007, which provides a roadmap through 2030.
The current MTP was developed through a public process directed by the Arlington Transportation Commission. The effort began with a community transportation survey that generated responses from about 800 Arlington residents. More than 20 public forums and presentations were held in the past two years to obtain additional public participation.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.