Arlington Local Positions C.

League of Women Voters^®
of Arlington

C1. Citizens' Advisory. C2. Planning, Land Use, Econ. Devel.. C3. Revenue Sources.

C. Governance

CITIZEN ADVISORY GROUPS (1997)

The League of Women Voters of Arlington strongly supports the use of Citizen Advisory Groups by the County Board. To make the groups as effective as possible, the League supports:

1. Appointing members to groups only after appointees have been advised by their group chair of their responsibilities and have acknowledged an understanding of the role they are undertaking.

2. Involving the County Board more directly in the orientation of group members.

3. Developing and maintaining a handbook for orientation of group members.

4. Consolidating and making consistent the policy documents concerning groups.

5. Making the annual meeting of the group chairs with the County Board an opportunity not only for dialogue with the board but also for learning from each other.

6. Ensuring that the role of the staff coordinators is clearly understood.

7. Appointing staff and/or a volunteer entity to act as a facilitator of the groups to encourage their coordination and interaction.

8. Evaluating all groups periodically to ensure that they are meeting the needs of the County Board.

9. Implementing a plan for a continuing media campaign to bring the existence and work of the groups to the attention of the general public.

10. Ensuring appropriate County Board recognition of members of groups for their services.
Specific recommendations for achieving these goals are contained in the League's report, Effectiveness of Arlington County Citizen Advisory Groups, February 1997.

C. Governance

PLANNING, LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The League of Women Voters of Arlington supports:
Land Use —

1. Maintaining the predominantly residential character of Arlington County, limiting intense development to specific areas, and confining high density zoning to Metro corridors. (1967 and 1982)

2. Mixed use development in Metro rail corridors. In order to achieve this goal, specific guidelines should be established which would encourage desired redevelopment and require less time in the process.

3. Including low- and moderate-income housing in the Metro corridors as well as in other parts of the County.

4. Strong retail centers in Arlington County and therefore would support the County policy of providing infrastructure such as water, streets, etc. If further incentives are needed, the League of Women Voters of Arlington is in favor of using public funds to help provide public parking facilities. The County should expect to recover its contribution to a project such as a parking garage. (1982)

5. The acquisition of open space for parks and recreation. (1971)

6. The Neighborhood Conservation Program. (1971)

Planning Process —

1. Short- and long-range planning in Arlington with regular evaluation of the long-range plan; a cost benefit study of land use; provision for adequate utilities and community services in original site plans. There should be community participation at all phases of long-range planning. (1971)

2. Written urban design standards for areas designated for redevelopment. Special attention should be given to cohesiveness, aesthetic appeal and themes, taking into consideration the idea that different areas have different needs, such as lively viable people places, open spaces, provision for green space, pedestrian passageways, adequate lighting for security. (1983)

3. Adequate opportunity for public review of proposed redevelopment plans and for proposed design standards. (1971)

Economic Development —
Economic development in Arlington provided such development is not in conflict with the principles of land use planning as stated in our positions above. (1998)

C. Governance

SOURCES OF REVENUE
The League of Women Voters of Arlington supports:
1. A tax system that is equitable, flexible, progressive and adequate to pay for services; subject to periodic review and examination and efficient to administer. The tax system should reflect community goals and be responsive to economic conditions. (1991)

2. Increased opportunities for citizen participation in all phases of the budget process; provisions for adequate citizen education as to the sources of revenue, county expenditures and fiscal alternatives. (1975 and 1991)

3. Equitable real estate assessments, levying service charges on tax-exempt property, and exploring alternative revenue sources. (1991)

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