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Retail Policies

The Economic Development Commission formed a Task Force in 2008 to review retail policies to include the Retail Action Plan, standard site plan conditions, and various provisions of the zoning and sign ordinances. Their analysis -- Bistros, Banks, & Boutiques -- was focused on the characteristics of successful retail. They presented a series of recommendations that they delivered to the County Board in a work session in July 2010. As a tandem study, AED staff prepared Room for Improvement, a compilation of some of the problems that revised policies would be designed to solve.

As a follow-up to the work session, County staff will prepare a new retail policy, focused countywide and designed to replace the 2003 Retail Action Plan. Modifications to various guidelines, regulations and ordinances will follow as Arlington continues to foster a successful, fun and sustainable retail environment.

Retail Reports
    Urban Retail: Inside, Outside and All-around - Arlington has policies related to the inside of retail spaces, the outside, and the area around retail. This paper pulls together all of these in one document, in an effort to provide a framework for reviewing - and potentially revising - Arlington’s retail policies. Length: 7 pages.
    PDF; 1.51 MB September 2011 Line divider View icon
 
    Clarendon Retail: the Past Five Years - Over the past five years, retail growth in Clarendon has been substantial. This paper looks at the changes and trends that have taken place and its impact on the area. Length: 4 pages.
    PDF; 823 KB August 2011 Line divider View icon
 
    Room for Improvement - While the County's numerous awards and recognition for Smart Growth and transit-oriented development have led many to assume that retail in Arlington is highly successful, there are still areas of concern and opportunities for improvement. This supplement to the Retail Task Force Report, "Boutiques, Bistros & Banks" reviews the County's retail policies, offers recommendations and outlines implementation strategies and next steps. Length: 11 pages.
    PDF; 2 MB March 2010 Line divider View icon
 
    Boutiques, Bistros and Banks:- In August 2008, the Arlington Economic Development Commission formed a Retail Task Force to examine retail-related issues in Arlington County. Learn about their recommendations for successful retail in Arlington. Length: 16 pages
    PDF; 4 MB December 2009 Line divider View icon
 
    Current Assessment of Arlington's Community Retail Base - Final report supporting the work of the County Board appointed Small Business Task Force on Community Retail (issued August 2003).
    Microsoft Word; 312 K August 2003 Line divider View icon
 

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