Bedlam erupted in the Arlington County boardroom Saturday, as citizens clapped, cheered, booed and brandished homemade signs both in support of and opposition to a proposal that would allow rental units in single-family homes.
The proposal, which passed on a vote of 4 to 1, allows homeowners to create additional living spaces in their homes for no more than two renters.
Sixty-five people spoke before the county board over the course of about three hours.
“[The legislation] proposes to upzone and potentially irrevocably change the character of neighborhoods,” said Brian Bonnet of the Cherrydale area in northern Arlington. “There is no place for that in Arlington County.”
County Manager Ron Carlee said maintaining the current lifestyle of single-family neighborhoods was “the single most critical question that we’ve tried to address.”
John Bell, one of those who spoke in opposition to the proposal, said beforehand he expected residents to introduce legislation or lawsuits in protest if the board were to pass the proposal.
“Why would the board consider a matter the civic associations so universally disagreed on?” he said.
The Arlington County Civic Federation opposed the measure with a 67 percent majority.
People in favor of the proposal spoke out as well. One senior woman cried out, “Rubbish!” in response to David Lakin’s assertion that the proposal would lower property values in the area.
Sara Bailey of the Alliance of Housing Solutions said the program would benefit seniors, singles and couples looking to save money, and would reduce carbon emissions by allowing people to live closer to their workplaces.
Many citizens opposed to the proposal called for a referendum or public vote before the board voted on the issue.
Bonnet had another suggestion.
“I’m not meaning to be vindictive [against the board], but before they impose this on my block, let’s do a 10-year pilot project,” he said. “Let’s get county grant money for those people and institute the program where county board members live.”
