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Commissioners warned about state bill that could change zoning near transit
Summary
Vice Chair Atlas Noble alerted the planning commission that Senate Bill 717 would require transit‑oriented housing overlays within a 1‑mile radius of qualifying transit lines and allow higher by‑right density, potentially affecting Vienna near the Vienna Metro.
Early in the Feb. 11 meeting Vice Chair Atlas Noble briefed the commission on Senate Bill 717, which he said would require localities to establish transit‑oriented housing overlay districts around qualifying transit corridors. Noble said the bill — which had passed the state senate and been referred to the House committee on counties, cities and towns — would require by‑right housing allowances in affected areas and could reduce local control over certain zoning decisions.
Noble noted parts of southwest Vienna fall within the bill’s 1‑mile mapping circle around Vienna Metro, and he encouraged commissioners and residents to consult materials posted by the mayor and town pages. Resident Kristina McCarty and staff discussed whether the 1‑mile measurement in materials was drawn from station centers or parcel edges; staff said they and the town attorney were tracking the legislation.
The briefing was presented as an informational alert to the commission; no action was taken at the meeting.
