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Arlington board approves 47‑unit Waverly Ridge townhome development on Langston Boulevard after divided debate
Summary
After hours of testimony and debate about plan consistency and community benefits, the Arlington County Board approved BCN Homes’ Waverly Ridge: 47 townhouses at 2134 North Taylor Street, with a 4‑0 vote and one abstention. Staff had recommended denial, saying the townhouse typology and site design diverge from the Langston Boulevard Area Plan’s multifamily/density goals.
The Arlington County Board on May 16 approved a 47‑unit townhome development proposed for a long‑vacant 2.8‑acre site at 2134 North Taylor Street in the Langston Boulevard corridor.
Staff had recommended denial, saying the townhouse typology and site design diverged from the Langston Boulevard Area Plan’s recommendation for higher‑density multifamily development, a coordinated public‑space network and larger canopy targets. “The proposed townhouse typology is a major deviation from the area plan and does not provide the form and density envisioned for key corridor locations,” county staff told the board.
BCN Homes, the applicant, said the parcel has remained undeveloped for decades and that prior approved projects and site plans never moved to construction. Nick Cummings of Walsh Colucci, representing BCN, said the revised proposal preserves the public‑space commitments and adds $357,000 to the Arlington Housing Investment Fund (AHIF) to match a previously approved contribution under an earlier site plan. He said the project produces 47 for‑sale family‑sized townhomes (188 bedrooms total) and new sidewalks, storm‑water vaulting, undergrounded utilities and street trees.
The Planning Commission recommended approval on a 5–2 vote, and the Transportation Commission voted unanimously in favor. Supporters included the Langston Boulevard Alliance, the Waverly Hills Civic Association and nearby property owners who said the project activates a long‑blighted site and delivers for‑sale family housing that is rare in Arlington. Opponents—including staff—argued the project falls short of the area plan’s goals for public open space, tree canopy (the project proposes about 26% canopy) and for meeting the corridor’s long‑range housing and equity targets.
After lengthy discussion the board voted 4–0 (Julius “JD” Spain abstained) to approve the site plan amendment. The board also voted to accept the applicant’s AHIF contribution as an unsolicited gift.
What the project includes: 47 townhouses, about 10,279 square feet of public open space (a new pocket park), tree planting, storm‑water detention vaults, on‑site and visitor parking, undergrounding of utilities in the project area, and sustainability commitments that the applicant codified into the site‑plan conditions (energy‑efficient mechanicals, Energy‑Star appliances, pre‑wiring for rooftop solar and EV readiness, and construction‑waste management commitments).
Board members were split on principle but agreed the site’s long history of failed projects, the developer’s neighborhood outreach, the AHIF contribution and the infrastructure improvements made the project supportable in this particular location. The approval carries conditions the county will enforce through permitting and site‑plan compliance monitoring.
Next steps: the applicant will finalize permit drawings and follow the usual building‑permit process. Staff said they will include Waverly Ridge and other early Langston Boulevard projects in a later corridor‑wide assessment to measure whether area‑plan goals are being realized over time.
Vote: County Board approval 4–0 with one abstention (Spain); AHIF gift accepted 4–0 with one abstention.
