Alexandria waterfront by Joe Flood used with permission.

Alexandria hit with lawsuit that seeks to preserve single-family-only zoning

A group of Alexandria residents filed a lawsuit seeking to void the recently passed Zoning for Housing reforms, which enable up to four units (subject to certain restrictions) to be developed on parcels previously zoned only for single-family homes. The lawsuit makes a number of claims about the zoning reforms, including that they are “arbitrary and capricious and bear no reasonable relationship to public health, safety, morals or general welfare.”  (Valerie Bonk / WTOP)  

Virginia delegates propose stopgap Metro funding; Gov. Youngkin seeks to tie Metro funding to Potomac Yard stadium

Democratic lawmakers from Northern Virginia have introduced budget amendments in the General Assembly to provide Metro the $65 million in additional state funding it needs to stave off severe service cuts. Governor Youngkin, however, did not include any additional funding for Metro in his proposed budget and appears to be trying to make discussion of additional Metro funding contingent on approval of the Potomac Yard stadium deal, which would need $1.35 billion in public subsidy.  (Margaret Barthel / DCist)  

Report shows deficiencies in DC housing inspections that enable code violations to persist for years

DC’s Department of Buildings (DOB) has fallen short in housing inspection practices, a DC Council report revealed. The report shows deficiencies in record-keeping, communications, training, and follow-up, allowing housing code violations to persist for months or years. In addition, more than half of the violation notices reviewed by Council staff were sent to the wrong address. Tenants joined other witnesses at a hearing on Thursday to testify to the impacts of poor inspections practices on their welfare and quality of life.  (Morgan Baskin / DCist)  

Tysons developer kicks off effort to beautify green spaces

The president of SCG Development, an affordable housing developer in Tysons, noticed that the area’s 140 acres of green space had become unkempt. He stepped up to pilot a clean-and-green effort at the Leesburg Pike and Chain Bridge Road interchange. SCG and a handful of other firms are funding the effort, while the Tysons Community Alliance is undertaking the greening and planting work. Those involved aim address safety concerns, make conditions more favorable to pedestrians, and boost property values, and hope this will be the first of more efforts to come.  (Angela Woolsey / FFXnow)  

Public hearing on new Takoma Park master plan coming up on Thursday

The Mongtomery County Council will hold a public hearing at 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 25, on the Takoma Park Minor Master Plan. This public hearing follows years of work and community outreach to develop the plan, leading to Planning Board approval of a draft plan last month. Among other considerations, the plan recommends zoning to enable increased affordable housing and envisions mixed use development at the vacant Washington Adventist Hospital campus.  (Source of the Spring)  

Driver strikes, kills woman in hit-and-run in Ellicott City

A woman was struck and killed by a driver on Saturday afternoon while crossing the street in a crosswalk on Baltimore National Pike at Ridge Road in Ellicott City, Maryland. The driver fled the scene. Police are looking for a 2013-2018 silver Nissan Altima.  (Valerie Bonk / WTOP)  

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