HLRB to present Nelly Casta School historic-district recommendation to county board after Planning Commission declined to recommend

Board members discussed the Nelly Casta School local historic district nomination on June 15 after the Planning Commission voted not to recommend designation. The HLRB affirmed it will present its own recommendation to the Arlington County Board at the upcoming county hearing.

An HLRB member summarized the Planning Commission outcome: "The planning commission did not recommend designation," and reported that the commissions vote on the recommendation was largely opposed, with nine members voting not to recommend, one in favor and one abstention. Board members said the reasons for the Planning Commissions split were varied, including questions about owner consent and different interpretations of historic criteria raised by individual commissioners.

Staff told the board that many public comments on the nomination were forwarded to the County Board by the Highland Civic Association and that members who wrote letters to HLRB should ensure they also submit or otherwise convey comments to the County Board if they want those comments included in the County Boards record. "The letters that were sent to us by the civic association were forwarded to the board as well," a staff member said. Board members encouraged interested residents to tune into the county board hearing and offered to provide a copy of the boards letter and talking points.

One HLRB member said they plan to attend and speak at the County Board hearing to present the HLRBs recommendation. The HLRB emphasized that the County Board makes the final decision on designation and that interested parties may submit additional letters directly to the County Board.

What happens next: The HLRB will convey its recommendation to the County Board at the scheduled Wednesday hearing; staff will provide members with the letter and any supporting materials to submit or reference at that hearing.