Many people have tried to define “the Arlington Way,” with no consensus in sight. I suspect that people may fit into three categories of responses to that phrase: (1) those who defend it with a positive definition; (2) those who are tired of the phrase and would prefer it to be retired to the dustbin of  history; and (3) those who have no idea what I am even talking about. I imagine the largest percentage of Arlington citizens might be in that latter category.  

“The Arlington Way” has been defined as County policy-making grounded in community consensus-building. The phrase emphasizes the actions of the County Board, and the effect of their policies on public opinion.   

One thread I have found in my history research is the theme of unhappiness with County Board decisions, with a tendency to proclaim that “the County Board is not listening to us.” This sentiment has been expressed as far back as the 1950s, in newspaper articles describing opposition to a zoning approval.  

This thread of unhappiness with Board decisions has resulted in a long history replete with lawsuits filed for all kinds of reasons: to disqualify County Board members; to require integration of the schools; to stop construction of I-66; to oppose expansion of the sewage treatment plant. Some lawsuits have been successful; some have not.   

The most common type of lawsuit has been to oppose a zoning approval. The rezoning of Culpeper Garden, built in 1975 to provide affordable housing for seniors, resulted in a lawsuit by neighbors. The claims were dismissed, but the delay caused considerable financial difficulties for the project. In the 2000s, the rezoning of First Baptist Church of Clarendon was hit with four separate lawsuits over a string of years. Eventually this project, which included affordable housing, was built, at a significant added financial cost.  

In recent years, at least two attempts have been made to use historical preservation designations to stop a development. The most recent use of a nomination for historic designation involves the Melwood site plan, approved for affordable housing units and the continuation of Melwood’s work to support persons with disabilities.  

In reviewing the minutes of the June 2024 Historic Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HARLB) meeting, I was intrigued by the history cited in support for the designation of the Nelly Custis Elementary School building. In my column last week, I reviewed one reference to a stated historic connection with the desegregation of schools.  

There were also two school references in the meeting minutes that caught my attention, calling it the third school in the County. A quick review of articles published in the Arlington Historical Society Magazine reveals that in 1922, before Nelly Custis School was built, there were 16 schools already in existence (and a few schools that had already gone through the cycle of opening and being closed). Nelly Custis School might have been the 23rd school built, but certainly not the third.  

Such a discrepancy is minor in nature, but it does point out the need to double-check all assertions. Meanwhile, at the moment there is an uncertain time period for completion of this historic nomination process, which can affect the viability of the project even if the designation request gets denied. And larger questions are raised: Is the historic nomination process working as intended? Are there unintended consequences that need to be addressed? And how would you characterize this use of lawsuits and the historic nomination process to oppose development? Are they all part of the Arlington Way?  

The history of Arlington government decision-making has a solid foundation of citizen involvement in a wide range of volunteer participation in commissions and task forces, buttressed by a remarkable number of civic organizations. This high standard of citizen involvement was apparent simply by reading the minutes of the HALRB meeting, which revealed the complexity involved in the work of their members. To that end, gratitude is hereby extended to the 15 members of the HALRB, who contribute their time and talents in dealing with complicated issues that benefit from citizen review. This citizen work is a path available to all of us. You might call that path the Arlington Way.