Venable attorneys Evan Pritchard and Matt Allman secured unanimous county board approval of a special exception for a new duplex to be located at 1201 Vernon Street in Arlington. The building will feature modern architectural design, outdoor decks for each unit, a combination of tree preservation and new plantings, features to make visits easier, and green building certification. This development format is rare in Arlington County, as most developers opt to construct single-family houses by right rather than undergo the discretionary zoning entitlement process that is typically required for duplexes.
Approval of the duplex project took place against the backdrop of an ongoing Arlington County study of "missing middle" housing typologies, helping illustrate the practical challenges and opportunities associated with development of small multi-unit projects. Evan and Matt utilized their knowledge of the county entitlement procedure and relationships with interested stakeholders to help the client successfully navigate a unique—and robust—public approval process for this exciting new development.