By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • May 18, 2021
DC Council has been working for years to update the Comprehensive Plan, DC’s enormous zoning and land-use document. On Tuesday, those years of work concluded in a unanimous vote on an update to the document, which dates back to 2006.
By George Kevin Jordan (Managing Editor) • May 18, 2021
Arlington County Board approved a five-year Vision Zero action plan over the weekend, joining other jurisdictions throughout the region that are trying to curb traffic fatalities. The county’s goal is to reach zero traffic deaths by 2030. Currently, Arlington has about four traffic fatalities per year, and about 55 severe crashes.
By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • May 18, 2021
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott vetoed a controversial bill Monday afternoon that would have expanded the market for a “security deposit insurance” company tenant advocates have called “predatory.”
The National Landing BID is campaigning for Virginia’s Department of Transportation to make its Route 1 redesign pedestrian-friendly, with wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and slower speed limits. Amazon isn’t commenting, but it seems clear the company wants a walkable area too.  (Andrew Beaujon / Washingtonian)
The DC Council rejected a plan that would have allowed evictions and utility shutoffs to resume in certain cases, keeping the city’s eviction moratorium in place for the time being. The council will reconvene in June and revisit the protections.  (Ally Schweitzer / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
Montgomery County dropped its outdoor mask requirements and changed indoor mask requirements to only apply to people who are not fully vaccinated. Now that 60% of the county has at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the county is in stage two of reopening.  (Steve Bohnel / Bethesda Beat)
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission presented findings on two decoupling incidents and said all 6000 series trains, which make up 15% of the fleet, will be kept out of service indefinitely because of problems with the way parts were replaced.  (Justin George / Post)
The Council unanimously passed the Comprehensive Plan, including amendments that: establish affordable and deeply affordable housing goals; allow housing on some industrial zoned sites and at a library; and add context and updates on the New Communities Initiative.  (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
As Inova builds a new hospital at Landmark Mall, it will ask the Alexandria Planning Commission to change the zoning for existing hospital on Seminary Road from industrial use to residential so that when it moves iin 2028 the site can become housing.  (Vernon Miles / ALXnow)
Gov. Larry Hogan signed 226 bills, including one to set up a commission to approve sports betting licenses in the state, and another that gets rid of the old state song which had Confederate language.  (Ovetta Wiggins / Post)
Virginia is launching the Transit Ridership Incentive Program, doling out $40 million to get make fares free on high capacity corridors run by local transit agencies. Alexandria’s DASH and the Fairfax County Connector have applied for funding.  (Jordan Pascale / DCist)
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