ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA. County Board Agenda Item Meeting of March 15, 2014

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1 ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of March 15, 2014 DATE: March 12, 2014 SUBJECT: Request to Advertise Public Hearings to consider the adoption of the Rosslyn Plan Framework (Attachment 1). C. M. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the attached resolution to ratify the advertisement placed on March 18, 2014, and to authorize further advertisement to be placed on March 25, 2014, as notification of public hearings at the April 12, 2014 County Board and associated Planning Commission meetings to consider the adoption of the Rosslyn Plan Framework (Attachment 1). ISSUES: This is a request to advertise public hearings for the adoption of the Rosslyn Plan Framework, a key milestone and important foundation for developing a full Rosslyn Sector Plan Update. Based on extensive analyses, the plan framework was prepared by an interdepartmental County staff and consultant team with close coordination with the Rosslyn Process Panel and ongoing public outreach with the broader community. Leading up to the request to advertise, the draft framework is continuing to undergo community review to identify areas of consensus or outstanding issues. Staff will work to address all submitted comments and will recommend proposed revisions where warranted before the County Board considers the adoption of the Rosslyn Plan Framework. SUMMARY: The Rosslyn Station Area Plan Addendum, adopted in 1992, and related implementation efforts have helped initiate the transformation of Rosslyn from an auto-oriented office district toward a walkable neighborhood with a more balanced mix of uses. In anticipation of the next generation of redevelopment within central Rosslyn, the County Board charged staff with initiating a planning review process to provide updated guidance for the future of Rosslyn that focuses particularly on improvements to the public realm, including elements such as urban County Manager: ##### County Attorney: ***** Staff: Anthony Fusarelli, DCHPD Matthew Ladd, DCPHD Kelly Cornell, DES Alexander Iams, AED Scott McPartlin, DPR Meliha Aljabar, DPR 29. PLA-6690

2 design, parks and open spaces, the transportation network, and the positive impact building height and form can have on the quality of the pedestrian experience in Rosslyn. Since the project kick off in December 2012, the County has held over 30 public meetings, workshops and outreach events, resulting in a refined vision for Rosslyn and general community consensus on a number of specific policy issues. An interdepartmental County staff and consultant team, in close collaboration with the Rosslyn Process Panel and other stakeholders, have developed the Rosslyn Plan Framework to articulate these vision principles and policy directives. Completion of the framework document is an important milestone in the planning process; it will help set the foundation for developing a complete Rosslyn Sector Plan Update later this year. The framework has been directly shaped by input received at many community meetings, various technical and other analyses, and consideration of a range of options as well as prior plans for Rosslyn. At this time, it is anticipated that the adopted Rosslyn Plan Framework would become the foundation for and be incorporated into a final Rosslyn Sector Plan Update to be brought to the County Board for adoption in the 4 th Quarter of BACKGROUND: Building on previous planning studies for Rosslyn from 1962 and 1977, the County updated the plan for Rosslyn in 1992, outlining new strategies to achieve the preferred vision for Rosslyn as a vibrant place to live and work with ample opportunities for shopping, recreation, and cultural activities. Following the adoption of the 1992 Rosslyn Station Area Plan Addendum, the County created the C O Rosslyn zoning district as the primary implementation tool for achieving this vision. In the 18 years since its adoption in 1996, four C O Rosslyn projects with an estimated total of 1.6 million square feet of commercial space, 520 residences, and 160 hotel rooms have moved Rosslyn in a direction more consistent with the vision of the Plan Addendum. Two additional approved C O Rosslyn site plans will add 1.1 million square feet of commercial space, 507 residences (with construction having just begun on 377 of these), and 148 hotel rooms in central Rosslyn in the near future. Two additional C O Rosslyn site plan filings are currently undergoing County review, with more proposals anticipated in the coming years. Each such project, brings additional opportunities to help advance Rosslyn closer to the community s preferred future vision for the area. Recognizing that an update to the 1992 Plan Addendum would be beneficial in guiding the anticipated redevelopment of key sites in the central core of Rosslyn, in June 2011 the County Board approved a scope of work for a Rosslyn Sector Plan Update that addresses four topic areas: A better urban design framework to create a Rosslyn that is a more attractive and functional place to be; A more specific and deliberate building heights strategy to help the County prioritize its goals for Rosslyn s skyline; A refined multimodal transportation system consistent with current Master Transportation Plan policies to support enhanced access to transit for Rosslyn s residents, workers, and visitors, while providing rights of way that will accommodate Rosslyn s future district energy needs; and A more cohesive and functional parks and open space network to meet the recreational needs of Rosslyn while enhancing its public realm. RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

3 Branded as Realize Rosslyn, the community planning process to develop the Rosslyn Plan Framework (and ultimately the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update) has involved a combination of broad based civic engagement efforts in addition to close coordination with a Rosslyn Process Panel comprised of representatives of key Rosslyn stakeholder groups. This approach has been effective in drawing a spectrum of broader input from Rosslyn residents and workers, while allowing the staff and consultant team to work closely with the Process Panel to help analyze and refine emerging ideas and proposals for the plan. Highlights of the community process to date include: A December 2012 workshop and series of community events to kick off the planning process; Community visioning workshops in March 2013 to help steer the direction for initial concepts; October 2013 community workshop on big ideas and preliminary proposals for the emerging plan framework; Regularly held Rosslyn Process Panel meetings to help advance work on the plan content and to address planning and preparations for community engagement events; Meetings and briefings with a variety of County advisory commissions and committees; Dozens of stakeholder interviews; and A five minute long Up Close segment on Arlington TV about the Realize Rosslyn process to develop a Sector Plan Update. Staff anticipates that upon adoption of the Rosslyn Plan Framework, a final Rosslyn Sector Plan Update document will be drafted, reviewed and refined for County Board consideration and adoption later in This final plan would incorporate the vision principles and policy directives from the framework document with supporting text and graphics and implementation recommendations. DISCUSSION: The proposed Rosslyn Plan Framework sets forth a vision statement, vision principles, and policy directives that represent the recommendations from the planning process to date. Collectively, these major recommendations and policy guidance will serve as an important foundation for the development of a complete Rosslyn Sector Plan Update during the coming months. The Overview section of the Rosslyn Plan Framework describes the process for developing the vision and recommendations articulated in the framework. The Plan Foundations section highlights Rosslyn s assets and describes the challenges to completing the transformation of Rosslyn from an auto-oriented office district into a walkable and dynamic mixed-use urban center. This section also presents opportunities to use future public and private investments to help achieve the vision for Rosslyn. As demonstrated through the Likelihood of Change map, the strong potential for redevelopment can result in significant change that can play an integral role in the continued transformation of central Rosslyn over the next 20 years. The next section of the framework document, A Bold Vision, begins with the vision statement for Rosslyn: RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

4 Rosslyn is Arlington s world class downtown: the greatest concentration of jobs, housing, and activities in Arlington; an important gateway between Arlington and the Nation s Capital; a preeminent destination with unparalleled views of and connections to Greater Washington; a vibrant and diverse community of people living, working, learning and playing together; a sustainable urban district that embraces its waterfront; a strong economic engine for the region and the commonwealth; the jewel of the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor. This section also conveys six vision principles to guide the detailed policy directives for future redevelopment and public improvements in Rosslyn. The framework illustrates each vision principle through images, text and bold ideas. The vision principles for Rosslyn are as follows: Rosslyn will be a global destination with a dynamic skyline, unique vistas, and exceptional value. Rosslyn will be accessible via exceptional transportation connections and choices. Rosslyn will be a walkable neighborhood connecting people with community and choices. Rosslyn will be a good neighbor to adjacent communities, making sensitive transitions of building form and offering complementary housing and service options. Rosslyn will be an urban district that celebrates its relationship with nature through its diverse network of public parks, open spaces, and tree-lined streets. Rosslyn will be a dynamic place inspired by its mix of people and activity. The Policy Directives section outlines the major recommendations that have been developed through the planning process and informed by community input to date. The framework document organizes the draft policy directives by the four topic areas included in the Boardapproved scope of work: Transportation, Public Parks and Open Space, Urban Design, Land Use and Sustainability, and Building Heights and Form. Highlights of the draft policy directives are as follows: Transportation Policy Directives o Make Rosslyn one of the premier transit hubs in the region by working with WMATA on emerging plans for a second Rosslyn Metro Station, enhancing local and regional bus service in Rosslyn, and preserving the potential for a future extension of the planned streetcar line from Georgetown to Union Station; o Transform the pedestrian and bicycle networks with wider sidewalks and new walkways as well as additional bike lanes/cycle tracks. o Enhance Rosslyn s street system by extending 18 th Street through Central Rosslyn, redesigning North Fort Myer Drive and North Lynn Street as complete streets with two-way travel and removal of the tunnel below Wilson Boulevard, and improving the public realm along North Moore Street. RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

5 Public Parks and Open Space Policy Directives o Enhancing connectivity among a diverse network of public open spaces, including the riverfront, an Esplanade, a revitalized Freedom Park, and the extended 18 th Street corridor. o Revitalize the existing parks and open space system to provide active recreational opportunities and lifestyle amenities in spaces such as Gateway Park and other Rosslyn parks. o Provide opportunities for informal congregation and passive leisure actives as part of Rosslyn s overall urban environment. o Provide good walking and biking connections to park and open space opportunities outside the plan area, such as the revitalized park that will be planned through the separate West Rosslyn Area Planning Study. Urban Design, Land Use and Sustainability Policy Directives o Continue to advance Rosslyn s transformation into a high-density, mixed-use district, consistent with the General Land Use Plan. o Strategically focus retail locations and activate ground floor uses in areas where the market will not support retail. o Increase the amount of housing in central Rosslyn and its overall diversity. o Ensure that building design respects the human scale and design buildings to transition to surrounding, lower density residential areas. Building Height and Form Policy Directives o Develop a new building heights policy for central Rosslyn that incorporates varied building heights and advances objectives such as preserving high-priority view corridors, transitioning to sensitive edge conditions, and balancing sun and shade opportunities. o Encourage more varied building facades and massing across a range of scales and add distinction to building tops and the overall Rosslyn skyline. Community Input on the Plan Framework: The staff and consultant team has worked closely with the Rosslyn Process Panel to conduct analyses, explore ideas, and refine preliminary proposals to develop a Rosslyn Plan Framework. The Rosslyn Plan Framework has also been informed and refined by community input received through workshops, stakeholder interviews, and meetings with the Long Range Planning Committee of the Planning Commission and advisory commissions such as the Planning Commission, Transportation Commission and the Park and Recreation Commission. Staff has documented the substantive comments and issues shared in these discussions in Comment and Response Matrices (Attachments 2 and 3) with responses from the project team and proposed changes to the February 24, 2014 draft of the Rosslyn Plan Framework. A revised draft, dated March 12, 2014, (Attachment 1) includes proposed changes as described in Attachments 2 and 3 and as also informed by other community input to date. Rosslyn Process Panel: Since the October 2013 workshops on emerging concepts and preliminary proposals, the Process Panel has met four times to review and help refine the draft Rosslyn Plan Framework. Overall, there is general consensus on most of the document s RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

6 recommendations, while there are a few elements on which there continue to be differences of opinion, to be discussed later in this report under key issues. Park and Recreation Commission: The Park and Recreation Commission discussed the draft Rosslyn Plan Framework at its meeting on February 25, The commission was generally supportive of the framework s direction and did not raise any major issues at this meeting. Transportation Commission: The Transportation Commission discussed the draft Rosslyn Plan Framework at its meeting on February 27, The commission was generally supportive of the framework s direction and expressed interest in addressing bicycle and pedestrian safety issues at the intersection of North Lynn Street and Lee Highway in the framework. Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) of the Planning Commission: The LRPC met to discuss the draft Rosslyn Plan Framework on February 27, The committee provided a number of comments on the framework, which are documented with staff responses and proposed changes in Attachment 2. The draft Rosslyn Plan Framework presented as Attachment 1 to this report has been updated to incorporate all proposed changes identified in Attachment 2. It is anticipated another LRPC meeting will be scheduled between the March County Board Meeting and the April Planning Commission meeting to address the advertised Plan Framework document. Community Open Houses: Community open houses on the draft Rosslyn Plan Framework were held on March 11 and 12, 2014, with an estimated 40 to 50 total participants. These sessions were hosted by the project team to present an opportunity for interested individuals to learn more about the draft plan framework, ask questions of project team staff, and provide input. Staff is in the process of reviewing comments and can report back on any key themes or findings in the presentation at the County Board Meeting. Planning Commission: At its meeting on March 5, 2014, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the request to advertise the draft Rosslyn Plan Framework. The staff and consultant project team provided a brief overview of the draft framework and addressed the major issues raised at the February 27 LRPC meeting. Four individuals spoke at the hearing, and the commission provided additional comments on the framework. All comments from speakers, Planning Commission members, and written comments received in regard to this meeting are documented with staff responses in Attachment 3. The draft Rosslyn Plan Framework presented as Attachment 1 to this report has also been updated to incorporate all proposed changes identified in Attachment 3. The Planning Commission recommended that the County Board authorize advertisement of public hearings for the Rosslyn Plan Framework in April with seven specific recommendations for modifications to the draft. The seven recommendations are addressed in Attachment 3. Key Issues: Below are the following key issues that have arisen based on the extensive community engagement and discussions described above. RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

7 Use Mix Targets: The Planning Commission recommended that the framework define use mix targets necessary to support the vibrant 18/7 street life described in the plan vision. The project team has revised the draft framework in response to this recommendation to provide more detail on the forecasted land use and development program through Through policy directive U3, the framework also recommends increasing the amount of housing in the RCRD but does not yet set a specific target for a land use mix. Staff will explore setting a use mix target in greater specificity through the completion of the Sector Plan Update. Approach to Public Facilities: The Planning Commission also recommends that the framework should provide information on any new public facilities that are required or proposed to support the vision for Rosslyn. To date, public facilities have not been part of the discussions with the community or the Rosslyn Process Panel because this topic was not identified in the specific list of issues to be addressed through this study. Nevertheless, as use mix targets are developed in greater detail, staff will preliminarily assess whether there should be further study on potential needs and solutions for certain public or community facilities in Rosslyn. The Skywalk System: In discussions with the Process Panel and Planning Commission, opinions about the future of the remaining skywalk system in Rosslyn were varied. Some contend that the skywalk segment extending west from the Metro station should be retained as an additional option to the 18 th Street corridor, while others believe the skywalk should not be rebuilt when those sites with existing segments are redeveloped. Over time, several segments of the Rosslyn skywalk network have been deconstructed with recent site plan developments. The draft Plan Framework sets forth a recommendation, through Directive T9, to maintain this portion of the skywalk until such time when a new 18 th Street connection between Oak Street and Fort Myer Drive is completed. This approach is consistent with County Master Transportation Plan policies, and could help further activate the new 18 th Street corridor by focusing more pedestrian traffic along it. New Streets west of N. Oak Street: In Process Panel discussions, concerns were raised about the recommendations for new street connections between Wilson Boulevard and N. Oak Street. Primary concerns were focused on the potential for additional traffic, and how these new streets could take away opportunities for additional open space. The Plan Framework recommends these street connections to help strengthen the urban grid, thereby providing additional connectivity through this area. New streets here would also advance goals to relocate parking garage entrances and loading/service access points off of Wilson Boulevard and onto these new local streets with redevelopment. With no clear opportunities for extensions further north into the North Rosslyn neighborhood, these streets are anticipated to be relatively low volume, low speed local streets, and are generally not expected to result in cut-through traffic. Building Heights above the Observation Deck: In Process Panel discussions, neighborhood concerns were voiced that a new policy encompassing varied building heights could allow buildings to rise taller than the Central Place observation deck. The RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

8 main concern is that such buildings could adversely impact views from the approved Central Place observation deck, which was a significant community benefit component of that site plan. Earlier in the process, project team analyses on building height and form scenarios found that the existing taper policy for Rosslyn building heights will likely create serious development challenges and could result in an undesirable physical environment in certain locations in Rosslyn, particularly on sites in Rosslyn s higher elevations. A key task of this planning study is to establish greater clarity around the high-priority view corridors from the observation deck that are worth protecting and enhancing. The Plan Framework includes a map identifying such corridors (Map B2) as well as areas where buildings could go taller, which would present opportunities to achieve a greater range of performance criteria and help make Rosslyn an overall better urban place. In the next phase of this process, this and other maps in the Building Height and Form section of the Plan Framework will help inform the development of a more specific heights plan to be provided in the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update. Location of 18 th Street Corridor: In community discussions, property owners have also raised concerns about perceived inconsistencies in how various exhibits in the Plan Framework document are showing the location of the future 18 th Street Corridor west of N. Fort Myer Drive. The ultimate alignment is of particular interest to the owners of the Ames Center property in how it may affect feasibility, ease, and potential costs of redeveloping the property with two building towers flanking 18 th Street. While the Plan Framework identifies the general location and desired qualities for this proposed corridor, it is important to note that the exact future alignment of this corridor will be determined with future redevelopment. The preferred alignment would provide for a relatively direct and continuous route for 18 th Street between N. Oak Street and the Metro station entrance on Fort Myer Drive. Staff will be meeting with the property owners to further discuss this issue. Proposed Open Space on Rosslyn Plaza Block: In other discussions, property owners of the Rosslyn Plaza block have raised concerns that the rendering and maps in the Plan Framework show an infeasible configuration of buildings and large consolidated open space on the site. The Plan Framework proposes one larger consolidated open space on this block, to capitalize upon this block presenting one of the few opportunities for a large enough open space that can be programmed in part for active recreation. As a proposed Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP) for this block has been under review for nearly two years, the staff preference for a larger consolidated open space that emerged through the review of the PDSP has informed how the open space potential of that site has been considered as part of the Realize Rosslyn process. In the broader Rosslyn framework, the need to achieve facilities for active recreation are critical to fulfilling the Plan Framework s important goal of creating a balanced and complete open space system to serve the needs of Rosslyn s populations. Furthermore, the proposed location of the open space along Arlington Ridge Road could provide important linkages and potential synergies with the recommended esplanade abutting the site. Timing of Air Rights Feasibility Study: A final key issue involves the timing of the proposed public hearings for the Rosslyn Plan Framework and the completion of a RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

9 County feasibility study of potential air rights in Rosslyn above I-66. Staff is now initiating a feasibility study of potential air rights to conduct its own assessment to better understand the likely feasibility of such development. The findings of that study, being initiated in response to the Commonwealth of Virginia s own exploration of potential joint partnership air rights development in Rosslyn, will help inform a staff recommendation to the County Board on whether the scope of Realize Rosslyn should be expanded to address potential air rights development. Staff anticipates concluding this feasibility study in the late April to early May timeframe. To address this timing issue, the Plan Framework notes in the introduction of the Policy Directives that if the feasibility study results in an expansion of the Realize Rosslyn scope to address air rights in detail, several of the Policy Directives set forth in this Plan Framework may require additional updates. Next Steps: Should the County Board adopt the Rosslyn Plan Framework in April 2014, the staff and consultant project team will continue to work with the community to translate the framework into a complete Rosslyn Sector Plan Update. Staff anticipates the community process going forward will include additional Rosslyn Process Panel meetings, meetings with various commissions and stakeholder groups, meetings with affected civic associations, discussions with property owners, and community open houses soliciting broad public input on draft plan elements. At this time, staff anticipates a final draft Rosslyn Sector Plan Update will be presented to the County Board for its consideration before the end of CONCLUSION: The proposed Rosslyn Plan Framework is a first step in updating the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update. If adopted, the vision principles and policy directives in the framework will provide guidance for the Sector Plan update as it is drafted through an iterative community review process over the coming months. It is important to note that the Request to Advertise is the first step toward County Board consideration and that authorizing the advertisement does not imply that the County Board supports these elements. The community review process for the Rosslyn Plan Framework is on-going, and it is anticipated that refinements to the framework will be made prior to County Board adoption. Therefore, staff recommends that the County Board adopt the attached resolution to ratify and authorize advertisement of public hearings on the Rosslyn Plan Framework at the April 12, 2014 County Board meeting and its associated Planning Commission Meeting. RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

10 RESOLUTION TO RATIFY AND AUTHORIZE THE ADVERTISEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS TO CONSIDER THE AT THE MARCH 31, 2014, PLANNING COMMISSION AND APRIL 12, 2014, COUNTY BOARD MEETINGS. The County Board of Arlington hereby resolves to ratify previously-placed advertisements and authorize further advertisement of public hearings to consider the Rosslyn Plan Framework at the March 31, 2014 Planning Commission and April 12, 2014, County Board Meetings. RTA Rosslyn Plan Framework PLA

11 VISION PRINCIPLES AND POLICY DIRECTIVES TO GUIDE THE ROSSLYN SECTOR PLAN UPDATE RTA DRAFT MARCH 2014

12 IMAGE COURTESY OF JBG COMPANIES.

13 CONTENTS Overview... 2 Plan Foundations... 6 A Bold Vision Policy Directives Transportation Public parks and open space Urban design,land use and sustainability Building form and height...41 List of Maps Map 1: Study Area 3 Map 2: Likelihood of Change 8 Map T1: Block Structure 28 Map T2: Street Classification 29 Map T3: Future Transit Improvements 30 Map T4: Pedestrian Facilities 31 Map T5: Bike Facilities 32 Map P1: Public Parks and Open Space 35 Map U1: General Land Use Plan 38 Map U2: Ground Floor Land Use 39 Map B1: Sensitive Edge Transitions 42 Map B2: Priority Observation Deck View Corridors 43 Map B3: Ground Level View Corridors 44 1

14 OVERVIEW REALIZING ROSSLYN S FULL POTENTIAL Rosslyn is one of Arlington s most prominent gateways, and it benefits greatly from its location. With the completion of the Aqueduct Bridge more than a century and a half ago, Rosslyn began its evolution into a significant place of commerce and human activity. Over the last century, Rosslyn has experienced an incredible transformation. Once known for gangs and brothels, by the 1960s, Rosslyn was gearing up to begin redevelopment that would solidify its place on the regional map. As of 2014, Rosslyn is one of the most highly concentrated places of activity in Arlington. It is where thousands of employees come to work each day, from all directions throughout the Metropolitan Washington region and beyond. At night, Rosslyn s Metro Station continues to bustle, and many residents who call Rosslyn home return to the district well into the evening hours. Looking to the future, Rosslyn is poised to become an even more important urban center in the region. Three of its greatest assets include its close-in location, the ability to build tall buildings, and increasingly great access provided by its multimodal transportation system. With an increasing number of restaurant and retail offerings, Rosslyn is more and more becoming a place where people work, live and play. Rosslyn s position in the region is helping to fuel another period of transformation, one that is capitalizing on its key attributes: multiple bridges connecting it with the District of Columbia, service along two (soon to be three) Metrorail lines, and tall buildings with unique views of the Nation s Capital. This transformation has already begun new Class A offices have helped diversify the workforce. Recent developments often double or triple the level of intensity of any given site, while also expanding ground floor retail and amenities that support a lively urban place. With redevelopment, sidewalks are being improved and widened to accommodate the tens of thousands who use them each day. Today s Rosslyn is improved, yet its potential is much greater. Over the next two to three decades, estimates suggest that private redevelopment may direct several billions of dollars of reinvestment in the area. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA, or Metro) currently has a plan for a second Rosslyn Metro station. The Commonwealth of Virginia is exploring opportunities for potential air rights development above Interstate 66 in Rosslyn. With so many possibilities, Rosslyn needs a single, cohesive vision to ensure that it, as a whole, becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Rosslyn needs a plan to realize its potential as a distinctive and wonderful urban place. In late 2012, Arlington County began working with the community to define a vision, to establish principles, and to identify emerging ideas for the future of Rosslyn. To date, a series of bold ideas, policy directives, and other plan recommendations have emerged to define this plan. This is a framework for that plan. 2

15 ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT This Plan Framework for the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update articulates the fundamental elements, policies and recommendations of the planning process to date. Through text, maps, and illustrations, the document affirms the Rosslyn Vision and Vision Principles and presents key draft Policy Directives and supporting recommendations intended to advance the vision to be set forth in the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update. Collectively, these recommendations and policy guidance will serve as the foundation for the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update. MAP 1 STUDY AREA After its adoption, this plan framework will be supported by detailed master plan documentation, including recommended implementation strategies (such as those that address necessary actions and potential costs of plan improvements). When the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update is presented later this year, this Plan Framework will be integrated into and comprise the first several chapters of the final sector plan. N feet 3

16 Ultimately, the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update will serve as the guiding long range planning document for the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District (RCRD), the area generally comprising central Rosslyn. 1 Guidance for areas located in Rosslyn but outside of the RCRD is provided by the 1992 Rosslyn Station Area Plan Addendum (and other applicable planning documents). COMMUNITY PROCESS The Realize Rosslyn planning process has involved public participation in a variety of ways to shape the ideas that are put forth in this Plan Framework document. A primary goal of the process has been to reach the greatest number of voices of individuals and organizations interested in Rosslyn s future. Milestone events have included a December 2012 Kickoff, March 2013 Visioning Workshops, and an October 2013 Workshop on Preliminary Proposals. Additional community engagement has involved dozens of stakeholder interviews, a meeting with the Long Range Planning Committee of the Planning Commission, and briefings with advisory commissions such as the Transportation and Park and Recreation Commissions. This Plan Framework will continue to undergo extensive community review prior to its targeted adoption in April Community members identified priority issues and aspirations for Rosslyn, Kickoff meeting, December 3, For clarity, when the phrase central Rosslyn is used in this document, it is generally in reference to the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District. Identifying priority park activities and their locations, Visioning Workshop, March 12, 2013 Sampling Rosslyn s views from atop the nearly complete 1812 North Moore building, July 18,

17 THE PROCESS PANEL A key source of community input for Realize Rosslyn has been a small group of community leaders who have worked with the staff and consultant team to provide advice on strategic issues and the community process. The Process Panel, appointed by the County Manager, included one representative from the Planning Commission, Transportation Commission, Park and Recreation Commission, North Rosslyn Civic Association, Radnor/Fort Myer Heights Civic Association, and two developers from the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID), and was complemented by a County Board liaison. The panel continues to meet on a regular basis and provides important feedback and advice to the staff and consultant team as they prepare and generate draft plan materials for broader community input. Discussing the draft vision framework, Preliminary Proposals Workshop, October 5, 2013 Passersby comment on draft Rosslyn vision concepts in Central Space, October 4,

18 PLAN FOUNDATIONS Rosslyn has a number of extraordinary assets that provide a foundation for its transformation. These include its: Setting at the eastern terminus of Arlington s Rosslyn-Ballston corridor just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., which makes it an attractive and convenient location; Views of the Monumental Core and other surrounding important landscapes from public spaces and from Rosslyn s tall buildings; Vibrant and cohesive residential neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the Rosslyn s mixed-use district focused around Metro; Access and adjacencies to surrounding national park space, trails, and parkways; Proximity to and plans for improved access and activity along the Potomac River. These assets reflect just some of the great things that Rosslyn has to offer today. For these and other reasons, people continue to choose to live, do business in, and visit Rosslyn on a regular basis. In taking stock of existing conditions in Rosslyn today, we can assess challenges, identify opportunities, and translate them into a vision for change with supporting recommendations on implementing the Rosslyn vision. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Rosslyn s evolution from a 1960 s suburban office district to a mixed-use hub centered on its Metro station has faced challenges as its auto-oriented built environment struggles to catch up with today s pedestrian-oriented culture. Today, however, the right solutions are at hand to transform Rosslyn into the vibrant people-oriented place it is ready to be. The challenges and opportunities indicated in the thumbnail images on this spread and described in the respective captions inform the vision and policy directives described on later pages. FOCUS ON THE PUBLIC REALM As depicted in these images and descriptions, a major focus on this plan is the goal of improving the overall public realm namely Rosslyn s streets, sidewalks and public spaces. The Sector Plan Update will also develop a prioritized list of more traditional public improvements that will be integral to the continued transformation of Rosslyn as a distinctive urban place. Together, the shape, character, and quality of these private and public improvements will greatly influence the ability of Rosslyn to achieve the vision set forth in this framework document. 6

19 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 1 Reaching the Potomac CHALLENGE: Highways and steep grades significantly limit access to the Potomac River and signature parkland along it. OPPORTUNITY: Cross highway barriers with new bridges connecting with regional paths along the river. Redesign and program public space at Rosslyn s edges to embrace the Potomac River landscape with views and activity. 2 Walking environment CHALLENGE: Streets and building edges designed around auto access are inhospitable to people, compromising the transit, walking and biking access critical to Rosslyn s current and future success. OPPORTUNITY: Reclaim excess roadway area for expanded sidewalks, landscape, bike facilities. Renovate/redevelop aging buildings with edges that engage adjacent sidewalks, parks and plazas. 3 Market position CHALLENGE: Aging office buildings lack the interior layouts and pedestrian-friendly exterior today s tenants seek. OPPORTUNITY: Tap market-driven redevelopment potential on sites ringing Rosslyn to produce state-of-the-art spaces for working and living while transforming streets and parks into places that nurture an inclusive live/work/play community culture. 4 Transportation choices CHALLENGE: As Silver Line service begins, Metrorail capacity serving Rosslyn is reaching its limits, and buses are stuck in traffic. OPPORTUNITY: Create a second Rosslyn station, possibly under North Fort Myer Drive. Explore opportunities two-way streets may provide for improved bus services and routing. Accommodate future streetcar service to Georgetown and beyond. 5 Biking environment CHALLENGE: Rosslyn s unwelcoming streets break up an extensive system of bike lanes and regional off-street paths. OPPORTUNITY: Create cycle tracks and other safe, inviting bike facilities in Rosslyn to complete a premier regional bike network. 6 Retail and public space amenities CHALLENGE: Rosslyn s shopping, dining, entertainment and park options do not provide the level of amenity potential employers, residents and visitors want. OPPORTUNITY: Accelerate storefront retail development, expansion of urban open spaces and design/programming improvements to parks and streets to reinforce Rosslyn s inherently accessible location as one of the region s prime places to live, work, play and visit. 7 8 Building form CHALLENGE: Rosslyn s architecture can appear anonymous and unwelcoming from nearby neighborhoods as well as prominent viewpoints in America s capital. OPPORTUNITY: Encourage greater variety of building height, form and architecture to shape a proud and distinctive skyline while establishing human-scaled connections, views and public spaces at street level. Use Mix CHALLENGE: Rosslyn s mix of land uses continues to be heavily weighted to commercial office space, limiting the district s overall vibrancy on nights and weekends. OPPORTUNITY: Add housing in central Rosslyn to accommodate more residents, increase the customer base for expanded retail and restaurant offerings, and keep the neighborhood a lively place 18 hours a day, seven days a week. 7

20 PLANNING HORIZON This planning effort will develop important guidance influencing how Rosslyn will change and grow over the next 25 years. This plan is critical because significant change is anticipated, through both redevelopment and renovation, as well as public investments in Rosslyn s public spaces, streets, and other infrastructure. This plan ensures that decisions on future development are made with a comprehensive understanding of how individual sites in Rosslyn should come together to create a better and more complete urban community. MAP 2 LIKELIHOOD OF CHANGE Anticipated redevelopment on a number of sites will bring state of the art buildings and public spaces to Rosslyn. The Likelihood of Change diagram indicates the potential for properties to undergo redevelopment during the planning horizon of this document. It is not intended to prescribe sequence of change on private sites but anticipates a likely sequence of change on individual properties to inform this plan s assumptions on the potential timing of related land use changes and investments in streets and parks. N feet 8

21 CENTRAL ROSSLYN S PROJECTED GROWTH An important factor for establishing a future vision for central Rosslyn is understanding generally how much change is likely to happen during the planning horizon. For the collection of sites on the Likelihood of Change Map depicted as being likely candidates for change, through 2040 the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District is expected to see an approximate net gain of 4.4 million square feet of office space, 203,000 square feet of retail space, 1,300 residential units, and 600 hotel rooms. The total amount of new development is greater than this, as the net increase does not include the amount of existing gross floor area that is torn down and replaced. While a sizeable portion of this forecast change is represented by approved or pending site plans, the balance would be associated with additional redevelopment over the next several decades. C-O ROSSLYN AND ROSSLYN S 2ND GENERATION OF REDEVELOPMENT For over a decade, Rosslyn has been transitioning into a period that can be considered its Second Generation of Redevelopment. A key driver of this redevelopment is the C-O Rosslyn zoning district created in 1996, an optional zoning tool developers can use for properties within the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District on the General Land Use Plan. Created to help implement the vision of the 1992 Rosslyn Station Area Plan Addendum, C-O Rosslyn generally permits density up to a 10 FAR and building heights up to 300 feet when projects meet and provide for specific goals of the plan and advance other County policies. These density and height provisions were set at a level to encourage redevelopment, as opposed to building renovation, which was seen as limited in its ability to transform Rosslyn. For the purposes of this plan, C-O Rosslyn is expected to be applied in the future to sites requesting rezoning to this district, to continue to advance the transformation of Rosslyn. Ultimately, as part of the Sector Plan Update, the specific building form and height recommendations and guidance may provide for more detailed recommendations to urban design and how these new buildings can improve Rosslyn. Financial feasibility of redevelopment and other economic development factors will be considered in developing the Sector Plan Update s building height and form recommendations, to help ensure the continuation of C-O Rosslyn site plans into the future. ROSSLYN S DEMOGRAPHICS A key element of planning for Rosslyn is understanding the diverse community living there today, and imagining who may live and work in Rosslyn in the future. While this planning effort is generally focused on the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District, the markedly small universe of people living in the district (in its 200 units per the 2010 base) results in a demographic profile for the complete Rosslyn Metro Station area. It is important to note that based on economic factors such as cost of construction and resulting price points, the demographic profile of residents living in the most recently constructed built housing units in the RCRD may be very different from that described below for the entire station area. ROUND 8.2 FORECAST Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District OFFICE SQ FT RETAIL SQ FT OTHER SQ FT HOTEL ROOMS RESIDENTIAL UNITS 2010 Base 7,279, , , ,761, , ,700 1,400 1,500 Change ,481, ,400-16, ,300 % Change % 47.5% -13.6% 75.0% 650.0% Source: CPHD Planning Division: Planning and Research Team, June 2013 *Assumes 800 SqFt per hotel room, and 1,100 SqFt per residential unit 9

22 Residents of Rosslyn s census tracts (as of 2010) represent a broad range of income levels, with 27% of households earning less than $50,000 per year and over 37% earning over $100,000 per year. Residents cultural backgrounds in the Rosslyn Metro Station Area generally reflect a similar distribution of diverse cultures to Arlington as a whole. In terms of age levels, nearly 70% of residents are aged between 18 and 44 years, compared to 53% for the county as a whole, with relatively fewer children and elderly present. Non-family households predominate in Rosslyn, comprising approximately 74% of households versus 58% in the county as a whole. Accordingly, approximately 89% of Rosslyn households are occupied by just one or two people, compared to approximately 73% for Arlington. The aspiration for a diverse Rosslyn community expressed in the Vision below speaks particularly to promoting economic and cultural diversity among residents. Maintaining Rosslyn s spectrum of income diversity and potentially increasing the proportion of middle-income residents will require proactive policies promoting availability of a wide range of housing price points. Deepening Rosslyn s cultural diversity will also likely depend on maintaining and increasing income diversity, and will benefit from design and programming of public spaces that serve a variety of cultural interests. Diversity of Rosslyn s workers and visitors will benefit from efforts to further maintain and leverage Rosslyn s high level of accessibility in the region. Looking forward over the planning horizon, based on background trends, it is assumed that Rosslyn s households will continue to be dominated by small and non-family households, though the visible and potentially growing presence of family households makes it clear that accommodations for children and families will be needed. Rosslyn s demographics will likely change, however, to reflect the increasing cultural diversity and average age of the region s population. Average household incomes are likely to rise in Rosslyn, absent other forces, due to the cost of developing new housing in dense district as well as to market demand. 10

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24 A BOLD VISION THE ROSSLYN VISION STATEMENT Rosslyn is Arlington s world class downtown: the greatest concentration of jobs, housing, and activities in Arlington; an important gateway between Arlington and the Nation s Capital; a preeminent destination with unparalleled views of and connections to Greater Washington; a vibrant and diverse community of people living, working, learning and playing together; a sustainable urban district that embraces its waterfront; a strong economic engine for the region and the commonwealth; the jewel of the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor. 12 DISCLAIMER: THIS RENDERING IS AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF ONE WAY THE SECTOR PLAN VISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS ELEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED, FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.

25 ROSSLYN VISION PRINCIPLES This section of the Rosslyn Plan Framework presents the Rosslyn Vision Statement (on the preceding page), along with six Vision Principles that enumerate specific elements of the vision to be achieved through the Sector Plan Update. The principles are primarily aspirational statements about the desired future characteristics of Rosslyn, to be supported by the policy directives and implementation strategies in the plan. In the pages that follow, each Vision Principle is highlighted with several sub-principles that further articulate the spirit of what the principle is aiming to achieve. Over a two page spread, each of the six principles is further expressed through a combination of short narratives, precedent images, and perspective renderings of key elements and vantage points, with captions detailing key components of the framework and emerging plan. SIX VISION PRINCIPLES FOR ROSSLYN Rosslyn will be a global destination with a dynamic skyline, unique vistas, and exceptional value Rosslyn will be accessible via exceptional transportation connections and choices. Rosslyn will be a walkable neighborhood connecting people with community and choices. Rosslyn will be a good neighbor to adjacent communities, making sensitive transitions of building form and offering complementary housing and service options. Rosslyn will be a tree-lined urban district that celebrates its relationship with nature through its diverse network of public parks, open spaces, and streets. Rosslyn will be a dynamic place inspired by its mix of people and activity. 13

26 VISION PRINCIPLE 1 Rosslyn will be a global destination with a dynamic skyline, unique vistas, and exceptional value. > A world-class location for corporate headquarters and public institutions > An urban pattern of buildings, streets and open spaces that produces an attractive and memorable skyline and provides breathtaking views of the nation s capital > The intersection of economic, social, cultural and environmental value One of Rosslyn s most notable features is its proximity to the nation s capital. It is the only urban district in the world offering such panoramic views of iconic destinations - the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Capitol. It is a view that truly inspires, and this Plan for Rosslyn will maximize opportunities to enjoy that experience. World-class architecture will honor the privilege of living and working in such a unique place. Rosslyn s built environment will offer a diversity of building height and form, providing viewsheds for people walking down the street, in their 18th floor conference rooms, and on their balconies. Finally, the economic value of such a location will translate into amenities for all to enjoy, stimulating investments in cultural destinations, ground level retail, and welcoming green spaces. With environmental sustainability as an integral element of all future development in the district, Rosslyn will become an even more valuable and attractive place one where energy efficiency is maximized, carbon footprints are minimized, and waste is dramatically reduced. Rosslyn as Arlington s worldclass downtown Buildings should be distinguished by their shape, material, color and peaks to contribute to an interesting and memorable skyline. 14

27 Taking in the view of the nation s monumental core from the observation deck Building heights limited where necessary to preserve prime public views Varied architectural form and expression create a distinguished skyline Gaps between buildings preserved for view and street connections DISCLAIMER: THIS RENDERING IS AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF ONE WAY THE SECTOR PLAN VISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS ELEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED, FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. 15

28 VISION PRINCIPLE 2 Rosslyn will be accessible via exceptional transportation connections and choices. > One of the region s premier transit hubs > Many convenient transportation choices > A balanced street network where multiple transportation modes, verdant public space and premier addresses work together The Rosslyn vision capitalizes on the growing momentum of regional transit improvements, building on the arrival of the Silver Line, plans for a second Metro entrance and even the potential for a streetcar connection to Georgetown. Today s opportunities rival the best in the region, including the prominence of the Orange and Blue Line Metro hub, three new high speed Metro elevators, extensive WMATA and ART bus route choices, and well known private bus services. Tomorrow s choices will be unparalleled. They will include Silver line connections to Dulles Airport and points west, and a second Rosslyn Metro Station including a position on a proposed new inner loop of Metro stations providing direct access to points in D.C. that do not exist today, streetcar potential, and dedicated bike lanes and bike routes offering priority access to the regional trail system. Rosslyn residents and employees will have the freedom to be truly vehicle independent, thus releasing newfound potential to grow and transform as a downtown of the future. Rosslyn as one of the region s premier transit hubs Rosslyn s new high-speed elevators to the Metro station platform have added needed capacity to keep pace with the station s ridership growth and addition of Silver Line service Safe, dedicated cycle tracks would help people take better advantage of Rosslyn s Capital Bikeshare stations, convenient biking distance to many destinations, and access to regional bike routes. Downtown Washington offers good precedents of walkable streets that link a variety of destinations with transit. 16

29 Rosslyn s reimagined Metro Station as a hub of transportation choices and connections Dispersed bus stops expand services, mitigate bus dominance on Moore North Ft. Myer Drive accommodates potential streetcar service from Georgetown New 18th Street public corridor enhances Metrorail and bus access from throughout the Rosslyn Metro Station Area Cycle tracks and Capital Bike Share stations safely and conveniently extend a regional bike network New station access points flank North Ft. Myer Drive as part of 18th Street public corridor and station platform expansion DISCLAIMER: THIS RENDERING IS AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF ONE WAY THE SECTOR PLAN VISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS ELEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED, FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. 17

30 VISION PRINCIPLE 3 Rosslyn will be a walkable neighborhood connecting people with community and choices. > An experiential journey of discovery on foot > Buildings, sidewalks, streets, and parks designed for the people who use them > Life s everyday needs within a short walk Imagine a resident stepping out of his building lobby on a Saturday morning, newspaper in hand as he walks down the hill. The sun glints through the leaves overhead as a pleasant shadow is cast over the sidewalk, where several neighbors are seated on a bench to enjoy their breakfast pastry. As he enters the coffee shop, the man cannot decide if he should sit outdoors to read the paper or wait until after he has run his errands. He wants first dibs on the strawberries at the farmer s market down the street. The grocery store next door is already bustling, and he remembers he needs to stop by on the way back to pick up several items for dinner that night. Once he hears the music from the plaza down the block, he decides to continue on. The paper can wait while he sees what there is to see on a Saturday morning in Rosslyn. The new heart of Rosslyn the 18th Street corridor A public escalator like this Seattle example could ease the climb up Rosslyn s hills 18

31 The new 18th Street corridor linking together central Rosslyn New retail, dining and arts venues bring major pedestrian corridors to life View and path connections to Theodore Roosevelt Island terminate the corridor Ridge of taller buildings creates space for 18th Street corridor DISCLAIMER: THIS RENDERING IS AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF ONE WAY THE SECTOR PLAN VISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS ELEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED, FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. Portions of the 18th Street Corridor are well-suited as a pedestrian street, including a variety of public gathering and activity spaces from the Metro station to terraced public steps. Activities in this public space should attract a broad variety of people to meet in the heart of Rosslyn. A signalized, mid-block pedestrian crossing fostering safe passage across Fort Myer Drive Terraced public seating celebrates views Open-air Metro entrance extends active public plaza area from Central Place Plaza to North Fort Myer Drive and Nash Street Public escalator mitigates the climb to Rosslyn s higher elevations 19

32 VISION PRINCIPLE 4 Rosslyn will be a good neighbor to adjacent communities, making sensitive transitions of building form and offering complementary housing and service options. > A cohesive urban place with a diversity of housing options > Shopping, entertainment, and recreation opportunities that benefit all residents of the Rosslyn community > Building heights and forms that respect the scale of established neighborhoods in and around Rosslyn Central Rosslyn will share a comfortable relationship with adjacent established neighborhoods. New buildings in the downtown core will respect the lower density residential communities nearby, through architecture that provides gradual height transitions from the low-rise neighborhoods to the penthouse levels of new residential towers. Residential development will also increase. More people stimulate investments in ground level retail, thus providing new destinations to meet everyday needs. Design will also focus on the direction a building faces, opportunities to present narrow edges to adjacent neighborhoods, and generous sections of sky and sun. Adjacent communities will enjoy their proximity to an urban district with blended edges, preserving the quieter refuge of their neighborhoods yet providing convenient access to shopping, entertainment, and recreation opportunities that do not exist today. Rosslyn maturing as a great place to live in and near IMAGE(S) PLACEHOLDER 20

33 A potential transition between Colonial Terrace and new development in Central Rosslyn Programmed public green spaces draw residents of central Rosslyn and adjacent neighborhoods together Taller buildings enable new ground level parks and walking connections Building form steps down toward context height Building orientation and spacing reserve access to sun and sky DISCLAIMER: THIS RENDERING IS AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF ONE WAY THE SECTOR PLAN VISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS ELEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED, FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. 21

34 VISION PRINCIPLE 5 Rosslyn will be a tree-lined urban district that celebrates its relationship with nature through its diverse network of public parks, open spaces, and streets. > An Esplanade that links central Rosslyn to the riverfront and boathouse > A variety of connected parks, green plazas, and recreational areas > A sustainable urban environment integrated with its landscape It is a hot summer day, and Rosslyn s riverfront is alive with activity. A woman steadies her canoe before disembarking at the Rosslyn boat house. She is looking forward to the cooling breeze during her short bike ride up to the Esplanade where her friends are meeting her for lunch. From the restaurant terrace, they will contemplate whether to head over to Gateway Park to ensure good seats for the concert that afternoon or just stay and enjoy the view. It is a tough decision. People-watching from the Esplanade is a premier activity. There is an endless stream of cyclists, joggers, and walkers on the Arlington Ridge bike path. And the plaza area provides safe refuge for the youngest set still relying on training wheels. So much to do on the Rosslyn riverfront and so little time. Rosslyn reconnecting with the River Trees, like these along Chicago s Michigan Avenue, should create a welcoming setting for walking along Rosslyn s streets, large or small. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE ROSSLYN BID. A bridge like this one in Chicago s Millennium Park could eliminate the barrier highways now pose between Rosslyn and the Potomac A public boathouse in Rosslyn would turn the Potomac itself into an accessible place for recreation. 22

35 A view of the Esplanade, potential Rosslyn Plaza park and river connections Upper level view points for building occupants to survey the National Mall Performances, sports, festivals and other destination activities draw people from near and far Premier housing, workplace and hotel addresses support quality retail and public spaces An expanded street grid for walking, driving and biking makes Rosslyn more active and accessible Promenade and recreation path celebrate national capital panoramas along the Potomac New connections quickly access Potomac River boating and Theodore Roosevelt Island DISCLAIMER: THIS RENDERING IS AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF ONE WAY THE SECTOR PLAN VISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS ELEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED, FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. 23

36 VISION PRINCIPLE 6 Rosslyn will be a dynamic place inspired by its mix of people and activity. > A place that proactively engages its daytime and nighttime populations > An 18 hour a day destination for restaurants, shopping, and culture > A place to go to, not just through Rosslyn will generate all the excitement that an urban district can offer. Rosslyn residents, workers, and tourists will want to stay in Rosslyn at the end of their day. There will be restaurants offering varied dining experiences, outdoor plazas for people-watching, parks in which to play catch, and cafes in which to drink coffee with a friend. The 18th Street corridor will be unique in the region, offering the opportunity to enjoy the street activity in a protected pedestrian environment. All of these amenities will be within steps to destinations such as the most active Metro hub in the County and an Esplanade that overlooks the Potomac. The corridor will be part of a street network connecting to the region. Fort Myer Drive and N. Lynn Streets (once spaces to be navigated on the way to somewhere else), will become destinations in which to shop and dine. Rosslyn will come into its own as a bookend on the County s Metro corridor, representing another place where Arlington s rapidly diversifying population will spend time enjoying their leisure hours. Rosslyn as a place of urban amenities New York City s High Line demonstrates what an attraction Rosslyn s Freedom Park could become. Even small spaces can be successful places for people. High quality public spaces from Rosslyn s core to its Potomac edge will come alive with a wide variety of people. 24

37 Envisioning and revitalized Freedom Park better integrated into Rosslyn s fabric North Ft. Myer Drive tunnel removed at Wilson to enhance walkability of both streets Green walls and infill retail enhance blank building edges Destination programming draws a variety of people Removal of parking access assumed through building renovation or redevelopment Freedom Park expands west across underutilized street area to add useable space, views, and easy accessibility from Clarendon Blvd. Marked promenade links Freedom Park with a network of green streets around Rosslyn DISCLAIMER: THIS RENDERING IS AN ARTISTIC RENDITION OF ONE WAY THE SECTOR PLAN VISION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS ELEMENT CAN BE ACHIEVED, FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY. 25

38 POLICY DIRECTIVES The draft Policy Directives outline the major recommendations and guidance for future planning, redevelopment and public space improvements in the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District and vicinity. This guidance will be addressed in greater detail as part of the preliminary draft and final Sector Plan Update. These directives, expressed in written and/or graphic format, are organized into four topic categories previously defined by the County Board in the scope of work it approved for this project: 1) Transportation, 2) Public Parks and Open Space, 3) Urban Design, Land Use and Sustainability, 4) Building Height and Form. A brief introduction is provided as a lead-in to the list of Policy Directives for each topic. The introduction will summarize and reaffirm the main ideas and planning concepts embedded within the Policy Directives that follow. In this way, the introduction provides a broader context for the more specific recommendations expressed through the draft Policy Directives. The maps included in this section depict the ultimate future condition envisioned at the end of the planning horizon, circa While they generally do not distinguish between what exists and what would be created in the future, the maps effectively paint a picture of the complete systems and networks for Rosslyn in the future. Recognizing the value in comparing existing with future conditions, the full Rosslyn Sector Plan Update will include existing conditions diagrams and other baseline exhibits to facilitate one s comprehension of the extent of proposed change. AIR RIGHTS At the time of writing, the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Public Private Partnerships (OTP3) was actively investigating the potential for future air rights development above Interstate 66 in Rosslyn. After issuing a Request for Information from private parties on the interest and perceived issues associated with air rights development in Rosslyn, OTP3 received a number of responses stating a level of interest and perceived feasibility in this proposition. In response, County staff is undertaking its own feasibility study of potential air rights to help inform a recommendation to the County Board on the degree to which this planning effort should address the potential air rights development concept and locations. If the outcome of that study indicates a high level of feasibility for air rights development within the planning horizon of this plan, many of the Policy Directives set forth in this Plan Framework may warrant updating and expansion to address such opportunities. 26

39 TRANSPORTATION The Transportation Policy Directives for the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update focus on improving mobility and increasing circulation and access options for all who travel to, through, and around Rosslyn. They include specific ideas and actions that will physically manifest the County-adopted Master Transportation Plan policies on the ground in Rosslyn. These directives build on the foundational work completed as part of the Rosslyn Multimodal Transportation Study (RMTS). Ultimately the Sector Plan Update will fully incorporate the spirit of the RMTS, and in most cases will incorporate specific recommendations matching or similar to recommendations in that study. The following transportation directives aim to strike the best possible balance among all travel modes in order to effectively address Rosslyn s key role in the regional transportation network while ensuring the public spaces comprising this network are safe and enjoyable for all. 27

40 Transportation Theme 1: Transforming Rosslyn s street system into an enhanced grid network of complete streets. T1 T2 Create a block structure for Rosslyn that offers improved walkability, access, and circulation, consistent with Master Transportation Plan policies, by strategically adding new public corridors in the general locations shown on Map T1 (See Block Structure). Extend 18th Street North as a welcoming public way and series of public spaces adding connections among Rosslyn s higher elevations, Metro station, regional streets and the Potomac. MAP T1 BLOCK STRUCTURE Proposed only if Pierce is not extended north of Wilson N feet 28

41 T3 T4 Transform North Fort Myer Drive and North Lynn Street into places bringing the Rosslyn community and region together around retail, arts, welcoming public spaces, and expanded transit and walking connections, including removal of the Fort Myer Drive tunnel and two-way traffic conversion, contingent upon adequate feasibility studies, monitoring, and mitigation of any potential adverse impacts. Reorient North Moore Street building access to a primarily pedestrian focus by enhancing the street s pedestrian character, adding storefront retail and lobby entrances, and improving its connectivity to Gateway Park, Central Place Plaza, and the emerging 18th Street corridor. MAP T2 STREET CLASSIFICATION Proposed only if Pierce is not extended north of Wilson TYPE A PRIMARY RETAIL ORIENTED MIXED-USE: arterial segment serving dense commercial area, fronting retail (w/ high transit, pedestrian, bicycle orientation) TYPE B PRIMARY URBAN MIXED-USE: arterial segment serving mixed-use areas, fronting a range of uses (emphasizes transit, pedestrian, bicycle travel) URBAN CENTER LOCAL: neighborhood streets located in medium or high density areas N feet 29

42 Transportation Theme 2: Enhancing transit facilities, operations and connections serving Rosslyn, and making it one of the premier transit hubs in the region. T5 T6 Lay the groundwork for needed expansion of rail services in Rosslyn by working with WMATA and the region on emerging plans for a future second Rosslyn Metro Station (platform) as set forth in Momentum: Strategic Plan (See Map T3, Future Transit Improvements) Preserve potential for future streetcar connections between Rosslyn and Georgetown through design and programming of Rosslyn s streets and buildings, and ongoing engagement with the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) (See Map T3, Future Transit Improvements). MAP T3 FUTURE TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS Metro rail platform and entrance(s) opportunity T7 Improve upon regional and local bus service in the Rosslyn core. As part of this effort, seek to expand the number and location of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Arlington Transit (ART) bus stops, while conducting future study of dispersing locations to better balance the needs of all streets, facilitate efficient bus routing, and align with the destination or Metro-transfer aspect of routes served. N feet 30

43 Transportation Theme 3: Transforming the pedestrian and bicycle network into a safer, more attractive and more accessible place to walk and bike. T8 Improve the walking experience with wider sidewalks, new walkway connections, strategies to reduce topographic barriers, safer street crossings and enhancement of streetscape aesthetics, per the network outlined in Map T4 (Pedestrian Facilities) MAP T4 PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES T9 Maintain the portion of the Rosslyn skywalk that extends west from Metro towards the North Rosslyn neighborhood until such time as a newly created, safe and direct 18th Street connection can accommodate similar travel patterns with a high quality, ground level experience. Two crossings over I-66 are possible options; where one would be selected and built N feet 31

44 T10 Expand and enhance the system of bike facilities in and around Rosslyn, including the addition of protected bike lanes/cycle tracks and new connections to surrounding federal parkland and regional destinations, as shown in Map T5 (Bike Facilities). MAP T5 BIKE FACILITIES To Georgetown MULTI-USE TRAIL: A facility exclusively for non-motorized travel that is outside the roadway and physically separated from motorized traffic by an open space, either within the street rightof-way or within an independent right-of-way. Two crossings over I-66 are possible options; where one would be selected and built CYCLE TRACK (PROTECTED BICYCLE LANE): An exclusive bike facility that has elements of a separated path and on-road bike lane. While still within the roadway, it is physically separated from motor traffic by a barrier, curb and/or parked motor vehicles, and is distinct from the sidewalk. MARKED ROUTE (BIKE LANES, SHARROWS): A facility where portions of roadways have been striped or marked for bicycle use. Bike lanes are portions of roadways legally designated for the exclusive use of bicyclists and indicated by signage, striping, and other pavement markings. Shared- Lane ( Sharrow ) markings indicate that a relatively wide travel lane is to be shared by bicyclists and motorists. Bike box for left turn onto Lynn To Washington SIGNED ROUTE: A series of streets designated by the installation of signs to direct bicycle travel through selected corridors or to specified destinations, and includes streets where bicyclists and motor vehicles share travel space. N To Crystal City feet 32

45 Transportation Theme 4: Continue to coordinate and manage the most effective and efficient performance of Rosslyn s transportation network to support the area s future growth. T11 T12 Regularly monitor and find ways to enhance the overall mode share in Rosslyn, with a strong focus on increasing the share of transit, walking, and bicycling, concurrent with a reduction in single occupant vehicle trips. Apply innovative parking and transportation demand management strategies befitting Rosslyn s density and uses, such as a greater sharing of parking, improved wayfinding for public parking, and TDM agreements with future projects that further reduce need for new parking facilities. 33

46 PUBLIC PARKS AND OPEN SPACE The Public Parks and Open Space Policy Directives for the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update focus on developing a well balanced and connected urban open space system, featuring excellent connections to the surrounding regional and federal park systems. A comprehensive parks and open space system includes accessible public spaces for civic engagement and respite from the urban environment, for recreation opportunities and quality of life amenities, and for connective infrastructure linking these features throughout the network. This system can be achieved by enhancing and repurposing existing public open spaces in Central Rosslyn, while creating new spaces in strategic locations to complete a balanced network of public parks and open spaces. These directives aim to ensure that the system is comprised of spaces that have diverse sizes, character, and programming opportunities, in a manner that best serves the Rosslyn community s active and passive recreation needs. 34

47 Public Parks and Open Space Theme 1: Connect a diverse network of public parks and open spaces to engage the Potomac waterfront. P1 P2 P3 Achieve an Esplanade for Rosslyn as a signature urban greenway that offers new and direct connections to existing regional open spaces, as well as destination activities. Create new linear connecting public open spaces, including the 18th Street public way from North Oak Street to the Esplanade, and others classified and depicted in Map P1 (Public Parks and Open Space). Enhance Freedom Park as Rosslyn s version of the High Line with improved access, programming and edge conditions, while extending the park deeper into the fabric of Rosslyn. MAP P1 PUBLIC PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ACTIVE PEDESTRIAN PLAZA AND MULTI USE SPACES: Actively programmed public open space; emphasis on pedestrian-oriented ground floor uses in adjacent buildings, paved pedestrian areas with canopy trees URBAN PARK INSIDE RCRD: Actively programmed public open space; mix of planted & paved pedestrian areas with canopy trees OTHER COUNTY PARKS: Public parks in the RMSA with additional parks programming accessible from the RCRD FEDERAL PARKLANDS: Federal public parklands including the George Washington Memorial Parkway and associated trails, Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial, and National Marine Corps Memorial POSSIBLE BOATHOUSE LOCATIONS: Sites under consideration for a public boathouse proving access to the Potomac River N feet 35

48 Public Parks and Open Space Theme 2: Revitalize the existing parks and open space system to provide active outdoor recreational opportunities and lifestyle amenities throughout the network. P4 P5 Complete a new master plan for Gateway Park that calls for removing the existing superstructure and achieving a public park with the flexibility to accommodate a variety of park uses that enhance the overall park experience for Rosslyn s growing population while providing an urban aesthetic that identifies this as a prominent gateway. Recognize the potential for establishment of a prominent, neighborhood-serving park as a western bookend of the extended 18th P6 Street corridor through future planning efforts to address the West Rosslyn area. Program existing and future parks and plazas with a lively and diverse mix of activities such as structured and informal recreation, children s play, community gardens and community canine areas to provide a bold, visible network of public spaces, in partnership with the Rosslyn BID, property owners and other community stakeholders. P7 Plan a boathouse facility adjacent to the Key Bridge and actively work with the National Park Service to identify implementation steps for its construction. Public Parks and Open Space Theme 3: Provide opportunities for informal congregation, reflection, and meditation throughout Rosslyn s parks and open space system. P8 Enhance the civic and passive leisure element of the public parks and open space system in Rosslyn through the provision of high quality, accessible, and visible open spaces along the 18th Street corridor and other strategic locations. 36

49 URBAN DESIGN, LAND USE AND SUSTAINABILITY The Urban Design, Land Use and Sustainability Policy Directives for the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update focus on elevating Rosslyn to a place where people are drawn to live, to do business, and to spend leisure hours. They build upon the smart growth development principles that have guided the transformation of Rosslyn over the last three decades. These directives also lay the groundwork to foster vibrant and dynamic urban places through strategic and thoughtful design interventions. They also seek to maximize environmental sustainability with both traditional and innovative practices. 37

50 Urban Design, Land Use and Sustainability Theme 1: Fostering a balanced mix of land uses and a high-density development pattern to support a variety of people and activities. U1 U2 Continue central Rosslyn s transformation into a place where development is strongly oriented around transit, high densities, and a mix of uses, consistent with the land use designations depicted in Map U1 (General Land Use Plan). Focus the retail program in Rosslyn on achieving urban retail destinations and identify zones appropriate for a variety of non-retail ground floor uses that can activate the street while maintaining flexibility for potential future conversion to retail with market support, as shown in Map U2 (Ground Floor Land Use). MAP U1 GENERAL LAND USE PLAN N feet 38

51 MAP U2 GROUND FLOOR LAND USE U3 Increase significantly the amount of housing in the RCRD and develop strategies to increase the diversity (of the residential community) in central Rosslyn. PRIMARY ACTIVE USE: Frontages where retail should be strongly encouraged. SECONDARY ACTIVE USE: Frontages where retail is desirable but a broader range of non-retail activating uses (e.g. galleries, child care, active office spaces, fitness clubs, etc.) are appropriate, and at least 65% or more of frontage length should be designed to be convertible to accommodate retail in the future. OFFICE, HOTEL, AND/OR RESIDENTIAL AD- DRESS: Frontages where lobbies and other office-related uses are acceptable; where meeting, reception, or like spaces should have significant transparency on the ground floor, and where retail is welcomed. RESIDENTIAL FRONT DOORS: Frontages where ground floor housing is acceptable; where ground floor units should have front doors and stoops directly oriented to the sidewalk. Retail may also be appropriate. N feet 39

52 Urban Design, Land Use and Sustainability Theme 2: Shaping Rosslyn s physical environment with an emphasis on walkability and the public realm. U4 U5 Ensure that architecture and building design contribute to a physical environment that respects the human scale. Design buildings to sensitively transition from the Rosslyn Coordinated Redevelopment District to surrounding, lower density residential areas. U6 U7 Improve streetscapes in Rosslyn with adequate space, furnishings, public art, programming and design to provide the infrastructure needed to welcome and amplify the area s increasing levels of pedestrian activity. Use an urban design approach that is consistent with the County s planning goals and enhances Rosslyn s unique neighborhood identity. Urban Design, Land Use and Sustainability Theme 3: Maximizing environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. U8 Leverage Rosslyn s compact development pattern, mix of uses, and strong transit orientation to reduce the district s ecological footprint. U10 Assess options that will improve Rosslyn s environmental commitment and economic competitiveness, including improvements in energy supply, reliability, and cost. U9 Uphold the County s highest and best environmental sustainability standards for all development and infrastructure projects. U11 Establish and work towards achieving an aggressive goal for future tree canopy coverage in Rosslyn to reduce urban heat island effect, improve air quality, provide human scale, and bring nature into the city environment. 40

53 BUILDING HEIGHT AND FORM The Building Height and Form Policy Directives for the Rosslyn Sector Plan Update focus on redefining the overall building heights policy in central Rosslyn to encourage development that can simultaneously achieve great public spaces, views and view corridors, light and air between buildings, sensitive transitions, and a distinctive and dynamic skyline. The directives establish a foundation for developing a building form and heights framework that can optimize how new buildings in Rosslyn meet a wide range of performance criteria, compared with the existing Taper policy and the challenges of applying that policy with positive results throughout the district. This new policy will lead to a framework that includes a variety of building heights and a dynamic skyline, with great open spaces created and defined by the buildings that frame them. This framework will also aim to enhance Rosslyn s market position as a place attracting investment in high-value real estate and economic development. Working from the directives that follow, a new heights plan and associated design guidelines will be developed for central Rosslyn and incorporated into the final Rosslyn Sector Plan Update. 41

54 Building Height and Form Theme 1: Updating the overarching building heights policy and regulatory framework for Rosslyn to create better public streets, open spaces, and architecture. B1 Develop a new building heights policy and regulatory framework for Central Rosslyn that incorporates varied building heights across the district and advances the following principles more effectively than the current general taper policy: MAP B1 SENSITIVE EDGE TRANSITIONS Consider scale, view, shadow and sky impacts; appearance as gateway B1.a Recognize distinct priority transition and special context zones and apply form and massing strategies that respect these sensitive edge conditions, as identified in Map B1 (Sensitive Edge Transitions). Consider scale, view, shadow and sky impacts on neighborhood Appropriate for taller/tallest heights. Important skyline presence. Consider view impacts, scale transition to Potomac landscape, appearance from Monumental Core and other regional viewpoints N feet 42

55 B1.b Manage building heights to protect and enhance high-priority public observation deck view corridors (as depicted in Map B2, Priority Observation Deck View Corridors), promote good views from, and daylight access to, private buildings, and still achieve appropriate and sensitive transitions between the RCRD and surrounding areas. MAP B2 PRIORITY OBSERVATION DECK VIEW CORRIDORS Central Place observation deck level: 432 ASL (above sea level) N feet 43

56 B1.c Protect and enhance high-priority ground level view corridors, as shown on Map B3 (Priority Ground Level View Corridors). MAP B3 GROUND LEVEL VIEW CORRIDORS B1.d Develop strategies to balance sun and shade opportunities benefiting building occupants and users or parks and open spaces. B1.e Leverage opportunities presented by the form of new development in Rosslyn to create great public open spaces and additional ground level circulation. B1.f Provide for building floorplate sizes, proportions, and configurations that will yield marketable buildings and provide flexibility for multiple use options. N feet 44