Arlington County Allows New Ground Level Uses

Arlington County is allowing land use flexibility on ground floors in the hopes of transforming the Columbia Park as more of a pedestrian-oriented "Main Street."

1 minute read

November 17, 2021, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Street signs at the intersection of Columbia Pike and Highland in Arlington, Virginia.

DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock

The Arlington County Board voted unanimously to allow "greater flexibility for commercial, office, light industrial, and agricultural uses—including animal boarding and craft beverage production—on ground floors along the [Columbia] Pike," according to a November 13 press release from Arlington County'.

"The changes approved at the Saturday, Nov. 13, Board meeting will enhance the variety of businesses serving the Columbia Pike community, attract new customers for area businesses, and increase opportunities for first-time and minority business owners. County staff recommended the changes based on over a year of research, analysis, and engagement with residents, property owners, and the business community," according to the press release.

According to the press release, the changes respond to market conditions along the Columbia Pike and with the planned goals of making the corridor more of a walkable "Main Street" with increased pedestrian activity.

Hat tip to Matt Gontarchik for sharing the news.

Saturday, November 13, 2021 in Arlington County Government

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Concrete Brutalism building with slanted walls and light visible through an atrium.

What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities

How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

February 28, 2025 - Justin Hollander

Complete Street

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge

Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

February 27, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3, 2025 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

View of mountains with large shrubs in foreground in Altadena, California.

Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire

In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.

March 9 - Pasadena NOw

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9 - Axios

Close-up of row of electric cars plugged into chargers at outdoor station.

Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives

A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.

March 9 - UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation