Transportation commission recommends approval of 1401 Wilson Blvd site plan amendment, finds vacations in accord with MTP

The Arlington Transportation Commission on July 9 recommended that the County Board adopt a site plan amendment for 1401 Wilson Boulevard in Rosslyn and found related vacations substantially in accord with the Master Transportation Plan.

Rob Gibson (Arlington County DES) explained that SLPA‑260001 amends a 2014 site plan to permit two residential towers (the Wilson and Key towers) totaling approximately 831 units and about 28,900 square feet of ground‑floor retail, including a consolidated 17,000‑square‑foot retail bay designed to accommodate a full‑service grocery. The proposal includes roughly 602 parking spaces (a 0.65 ratio per unit on the materials presented, with the applicant able to administratively reduce to 0.5 per state law and county policy), 192 bicycle parking spaces, six loading spaces, raised and protected bike facilities on several frontages, expanded streetscapes (12‑foot clear sidewalks, tree planting areas and a 21‑foot streetscape on Wilson Boulevard), and construction of an 18th Street corridor with a public elevator to address a steep grade across the site.

The applicant team (Andrew Painter of Walsh Gallucci, Monday Properties, and consultant Mike Pankoski) said market conditions and design choices moved the grocery entry to the 18th Street corridor to increase visibility and pedestrian activity, and that loading and refrigeration infrastructure were scaled to attract a full‑service grocer rather than the smaller formats now nearby. The project would include on‑ and off‑site public contributions: a $6,000,000 affordable‑housing contribution (in part) and $2,000,000 for off‑site public open space and $2,000,000 for off‑site transportation improvements in Rosslyn, staff said.

Commissioners asked detailed technical questions about parking ratios and how an administrative reduction to 0.5 would be implemented; Rob Gibson explained reductions typically occur during final design and construction (for example by changing subterranean parking levels) and that state legislation enables lower maxima near transit. Commissioners also pushed on bike facility placement and curb‑management (PUDO) concerns; staff noted the proposed configuration gains protected/buffered lanes in constrained cross‑sections and that some retrofit options remain as standards evolve.

Chair Moradovich moved the commission recommendation to adopt the site plan amendment and later moved the resolution finding the proposed vacations substantially in accord with the Master Transportation Plan; both motions were seconded and the commission approved both unanimously.

The project will go to the County Board’s July docket. If approved by the board, staff and the applicant will proceed to final design and construction following site plan conditions, permitting, and any required administrative reductions or future site plan amendments.