Arlington County residents used the board’s public‑comment period on Sept. 13 to press officials on housing affordability, public safety and equity.

Speakers urged the board to use the ongoing comprehensive plan update to allow more housing and safeguard diversity. Jane Green, representing a coalition that included YIMBYs of Northern Virginia and several local groups, called the update “a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity” to address a severe housing shortage by allowing more varied housing types and greater capacity.

Several speakers described how rising housing costs are affecting families. John Acton, a single father, said his longtime home appreciated from about $238,000 to $1.2 million and warned that his adult children would struggle to afford to stay in Arlington. Tom Morzall, treasurer of the North Rosslyn Civic Association, urged the board to advance the Crestmont Apartments proposal, saying the project would deliver 193 homes and unlock roughly 120 trapped affordable units through a transfer‑of‑development‑rights program.

Other public commentators raised safety and equity concerns. Dr. Hamaja Davis recounted attending an outdoor screening at Met Park on Sept. 5 where “a group of young adults began intentionally throwing full water bottles” into the crowd and said she called 911 but received no police response; she asked the board why the department declined to investigate. Vice Chair Matt Ferrante and other board members pledged to follow up with staff to review 911 logs and respond to the complainant.

Advocates also spotlighted source‑of‑income discrimination. Akash Patel of Housing Rights Initiative described fair‑housing testing that found instances of landlords refusing housing to voucher holders and urged stronger oversight, education and enforcement. Several commissioners said the county recently added budget funding for fair‑housing education and that the human‑rights and housing commissions would continue reviewing enforcement options.

Board members acknowledged the range of public concerns and promised staff follow‑up on specific items including policing at public events, fair‑housing enforcement, outreach to faith and immigrant communities and tree‑canopy preservation during the comp‑plan process. Chair Tackis Carantonis clarified factual points raised by speakers where the record differed and encouraged residents to use established follow‑up channels for deeper engagement.

The public comment period set the stage for a day that included consent agenda approvals and a series of land‑use hearings later in the meeting.