ARLINGTON – The city is advancing a downtown transformation initiative centered on a new form-based zoning code to encourage commercial and mixed-use development.
The code designates land for uses including retail, office, multifamily, and mixed-use, prioritizing walkability and higher-value development.
A pilot program will focus on District 5 near Division St., targeting areas with excess parking, limited public space, and poor pedestrian infrastructure.
Planned improvements include wider sidewalks, improved crosswalks, rear parking, structured parking with ground-floor retail, and enhanced building design. Greenspace and shade elements may also be added.
The code will apply only to future development and major redevelopment.
Downtown has been divided into five subdistricts: traditional neighborhood, urban neighborhood, corridor mixed-use, downtown core, and a downtown gateway district.