2019 Legislative Agenda

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Junior Neal
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1 09 egislative genda

2 IUI ince its founding in 906, the lexandria hamber of ommerce has enjoyed a long and storied history of shaping policy in lexandria. It has partnered with, and when appropriate, challenged, the ity s elected officials and senior staff on matters of import to lexandria s economy and community vibrancy. In recent years, the hamber s leadership has urged the ity s residents and leaders to envision a future for lexandria and to work together across sometimes disparate interests to achieve success in the present and promise for an inclusive future for all lexandrians. hese themes converge in 09, as lexandria sits at a point of inflection. ocal government elections will bring sweeping change to lexandria s governing ouncil, presenting a unique opportunity to eschew business as usual governance in favor of an open for business approach that will attract, engage, and sustain a strong business climate in lexandria that will grow the ity s tax base to levels that will support the services that lexandria residents desire and deserve. lexandria is, and should remain, more than a bedroom community to the ation s apital. s a hamber, we aspire to be a thriving community that embraces entrepreneurial spirit, attracts new business, sustains small businesses and provides for the greater good of its citizens through improved education from cradle to career, diverse housing options at all income levels, comprehensive transit-oriented development, and vibrant open space that benefits all lexandrians. his 09 egislative genda is an outline for how good business leads to good communities and how lexandrians, working together, with clear and transparent planning, can and will re-shape lexandria s future for the better. 09 egislative genda

3 o position lexandria as the place to do business in the region. his can be achieved by increasing collaboration amongst stakeholders and putting in place the right framework that attracts businesses and enables them to locate in lexandria without undue delay and expense.. I, II F II. he hamber recommends the ity: Implement a multi-year operating budget to better plan revenue generation and expenditures over a longer period of time. Implement a bottom-up, program-based budget geared toward fully funding highest priority needs rather than approving across the board cuts to all programs regardless of the impact on priorities. arly in the budget process solicit input from the business community regarding its needs and priorities. dopt an appropriate process for the public to comment on significant budget revisions that are proposed through the budget add/delete process, including holding a public hearing after the budget preliminary add/delete list is released to the public and before the ity ouncil s first ork ession on the add/delete list.. I-I UU I I, UI UI XI XI I F UI. he hamber recommends the ity: dopt protocols and procedures that ensure consistent collaboration and communication with the lexandria hamber of ommerce, lexandria conomic evelopment artnership (), isit lexandria, other relevant business groups and the business community at large regarding issues and events that impact businesses in lexandria. nsure that the ity s taxes and regulations are competitive with surrounding jurisdictions. raft mall rea lans or lan Updates that facilitate co-location of business and amenities. ommunicate effectively with current businesses while tailoring communications to encourage other outside businesses to settle in lexandria. -- rive, rather than react to, messaging about the ity, in order to convey a positive image of the ity. -- aunch an lexandria mobile application that promotes the ity. reate attractive incentives to draw new businesses to, and to retain existing businesses in, lexandria. 09 egislative genda

4 (.) 3. UII UI-I I UI, II UI I U IU/J F F UI. he hamber recommends the ity: Increase its efforts to enter into ublic-rivate artnerships that provide opportunities in business and commercial real estate development; funding for infrastructure issues, public school initiatives and projects as well as opportunities for youth development, workforce development, and senior services throughout the ity. emove barriers to the formation of ublic-rivate artnerships. romote ublic-rivate artnerships by publicizing success stories. mploy a ublic-rivate artnership Facilitator. 4. U I F I I, IUI. he hamber recommends the ity: ake completion of the otomac ard etro tation, without any further delays, one of the ity s highest priorities. evelop a timeline and funding plan to complete a southern entrance to the future otomac ard etro station. ontinue to seek funding for the orridor ransitway (an orn treet), in conjunction with Fairfax ounty. ecognize that automobile traffic is still an important method of transportation and work to minimize bottlenecks. 5. IIZ U F I. he hamber recommends that the ity optimize the use of available technology, including: Fast tracking the implementation of a ity-wide broadband program. rioritizing broadband access to lexandria s businesses with competitive pricing and high service level expectations. Fast tracking the creation of an online platform for applying for licensing permits and Us, as well as filing and paying ity business taxes in order to be competitive with surrounding jurisdictions. aking public records accessible electronically. ramatically improving wayfinding for garage parking in ld own and other areas in which street parking is limited, including signage and launching a mobile parking garage wayfinding application. 09 egislative genda 3

5 UI o maintain and enhance lexandria s position as a complete community with thriving commercial and retail businesses, highly ranked schools, workforce and affordable housing, vibrant and walkable neighborhoods and open spaces for recreation.. U. he hamber recommends the ity: Use omprehensive lan and mall rea lan Updates to indicate preferred locations for schools and public facilities, designate residential protection areas, and ensure an appropriate mix of land uses in the future. Understand that not all areas of the ity are the same and a one-size-fits-all solution will not work. Facilitate the conversion of obsolete office and industrial buildings to other economically viable uses in order to generate additional revenue and encourage private investment in lexandria. Focus on generating more commercial business real estate to offset the current imbalance in revenue generation.. U XI I UI XI. he hamber recommends the ity: Invest in an educational system that prepares students for all types and levels of secondary and posteducation through college preparatory curriculum, programs and internships, specialized training for technology certifications, and direct entry into the workplace. ssist lexandria ity ublic chools () in solving its overflow and infrastructure needs. Increase opportunities for businesses and ity programs to partner in providing unique education opportunities. everage orthern irginia ommunity ollege resources that target businesses being attracted by the ity. oordinate with lexandria conomic evelopment artnership () to identify the workforce needs of businesses courted by the ity. 3. U XI I FF F UI. he hamber recommends the ity: abulate and analyze current and accurate data about existing housing stock in the ity and demographic data related to all households in the ity. evelop housing policy that addresses all levels of housing and residential development. 09 egislative genda 4

6 UI (ont.) ssess the efficacy of tools presently available to provide housing (affordable, workforce) at a variety of income levels. edicate a hamber seat on the lexandria ousing ffordability dvisory ommission () to ensure that the business community is represented. 4. II FF F U I 09. he hamber recommends the ity: ork with on alternate ways to connect lexandria to the etro (e.g. metro buses, shuttles to operating metro stations). ctively promote alternative modes of transportation to travel to and from lexandria (e.g. carpool, bicycle, water taxi). 5. IIZ U, IIIZ, F I- FIII. he hamber recommends the ity: Implement the recommendations made by the Joint ity chools Facility Investment ask Force presented to ity ouncil and in January U XI I, UFFII FF I I I. he hamber recommends the ity: ncourage and support s op-up program that helps fill underutilized space. upport the ing treet orridor Initiative. upport initiatives like the ing treet orridor in other neighborhoods, as appropriate. Implement the recommendations of the ity s area parking study work groups. ncourage parking garages to implement electronic signage that indicates availability of parking. 09 egislative genda 5

7 I o simplify ity government processes that affect the ability of businesses to invest, open, operate, and be successful in lexandria.. I I U XIIZ FFII. he hamber recommends the ity: Implement a multi-year operating budget to better plan revenue generation and expenditures over a longer period of time. Implement a bottom-up, program-based budget geared toward fully funding highest priority needs rather than approving across the board cuts to all programs regardless of the impact on priorities. arly in the budget process solicit input from the business community regarding its needs and priorities. dopt an appropriate process for the public to comment on significant budget revisions that are proposed through the budget add/delete process, including holding a public hearing after the budget preliminary add/delete list is released to the public and before the ity ouncil s first ork ession on the add/delete list.. I FFI UI I II UU X. he hamber recommends the ity: old a public hearing in July of each year, consistent with the current public hearing schedule for the lanning ommission. aving a two-month ouncil hiatus negatively impacts small business and economic development, as cases that are filed or deemed complete in pril cannot be heard until eptember. dopt and implement a more effective docket management system to increase the efficiency of public hearings (including maximizing utilization of the consent docket for noncontroversial items and prioritizing non-development cases {ie small business cases} on the docket). ffective management of the docket will help encourage participation by interested parties without them having to devote an entire day at ity ouncil. ontinue to simplify zoning requirements to permit more businesses to operate by-right or through an administrative U process. itigate the administrative burden of filing returns and paying ity taxes by streamlining the ity s administrative process for filing and paying usiness roperty wner s icense Fees (), usiness roperty and other taxes, including online capabilities for payment, increased grace periods for payment, and reduced penalties for late payments. 09 egislative genda 6

8 I (ont.) evelop written materials and hold periodic seminars, in collaboration with the hamber of ommerce and the mall usiness evelopment enter, to help small business owners (both new and established) and others in the industry (landlords, brokers, contractors, architects, etc) better understand the applicable regulations, requirements and processes associated with renovating/fitting out commercial spaces and/or opening a business in lexandria. onsider giving businesses a rebate as compensation for collecting taxes on behalf of the ity. eview the cost of permits to beautify space and attract customers and consider waiving permit fees for eighborhood usiness ssociations. 3. I I U XIIZ FFII. he hamber recommends the ity: Facilitate and foster communication between stakeholders and the ity, and take advantage of local subject matter expertise, when formulating and achieving mall rea lan implementation goals. omplete, in an orderly and expeditious manner, all necessary studies and planning regarding implementation of mall rea lan goals so that development can proceed in accordance with market demand, without undue delays caused by incomplete information regarding ity requirements and expectations. repare an overall lexandria aster lan that designates growth areas, identifies needs and potential locations for public facilities, and shows major infrastructure projects likely to be undertaken in the next 0 years. eview the tandard onditions on evelopment Us with the goal of simplifying requirements and reducing multiple rounds of review during the final site plan and building permit processes. nsure that policy recommendations in long range visioning plans, such as the nvironmental ction lan, are realistic, achievable and implemented in a manner that does not add unreasonable requirements or undue burdens on developers, property owners and businesses, particularly for elements set forth in the plans that are not achievable in the short term. 09 egislative genda 7

9 I IU o inform the public policy process at the state and regional level by highlighting opportunities for, and potential barriers, to economic growth and expansion for the ity of lexandria.. IU I UF () F II. he irginia eneral ssembly has ordered that lexandria complete remediation of the four sanitary sewer outflows into the otomac iver by 05. he hamber recommends the ity: Identify and leverage every opportunity to seek supplemental grant funding opportunities, including federal infrastructure program funding, to assist the ity s artner, lexandria enew nterprises, in remediation. ontinue to implement a ity-wide green infrastructure program to reduce peak storm sewer flows. uch investments should be made across the city, in locations where they will have the greatest impact on water quality.. FU I I I UI (). he hamber recommends the ity: he hamber supports continued efforts to provide a dedicated source to fund, to address the critical needs of the system and strengthen service delivery. 3. FUI F III I UI (). ith s focus on regionally significant projects, it is in the best interest of lexandria to work with neighboring jurisdictions to identify, plan, and submit for funding, applications for projects that serve a broader area than the ity. he hamber recommends: hat the funding that was removed to fund be restored. he ity of lexandria should work with Fairfax and/or rlington ounties to formulate crossjurisdictional projects, such as the orridor ransitway with Fairfax ounty or the oute ransitway with rlington. 4. U IZ III I (). For the past two years, the issue of reforming irginia s state laws has been considered by the eneral ssembly. urrent laws place lexandria (and the entire orthern irginia region) at a competitive disadvantage with its out of state neighbors, whose alcoholic beverage laws are less burdensome to the 09 egislative genda 8

10 I IU (ont.) business community. hile the hamber is not offering specific legislative remedies to irginia s alcohol laws, we will support the following: fforts in the eneral ssembly to review and modernize irginia s alcoholic beverage laws so that the ommonwealth is not needlessly placed at a competitive disadvantage. 5. U III. irginia is a bipartisan, business-led economic development initiative that is changing the way irginia s diverse regions collaborate on economic and workforce development activities. he ity should use its unique ability to attract tenants such as the United tates atent and rademark ffice () and ational cience Foundation (F) to promote innovative thinking between public, private and government entities on policies and financial incentives that will positively impact the region and the ommonwealth. he hamber seeks engagement and promotion of irginia opportunities to diversify the region and city business to ensure that private sector growth expands beyond government growth or constrictions. 09 egislative genda 9

11 F U I U U U I I I F U I I I I U U U I I I I U U dri a IFF F F I I I I I Q (FUU) ZI I I I I U I I Q I I I I I I I I U I F I U UFF F I II QU I IFF I U I Z I I F I I I I I I U I U II U U U U U JUI U J I I I I I U I QU I I U I I IF I I J F I I U I I I U I J I F' I F I QU F I' X I Z adrey enior uilding I I FI UI I FIZU IF ity all I I I U F UI I I F I I U otomac ard U FI Fire epartment Q F F FI XI harles ouston enter I F UI I yles rouch chool F F I QU I I U U U U urant enter (FUU) U U FU U U I U X I I ora elly enter rl ing ton it yo o un f ty lex an I F I U U XF I UI I U t. ernon enter I U I eorge ashington iddle chool F IFF I U I I I I U U UI F I X I U I I UU U I I I X U I I I U J U I I I I F I U I I I I U U U I F FF U X. JFF I I eorge ason chool I I Q UU J (FUU) ee enter JFF JFF I I II 4. I U I I aury chool 4 U I F I III I I I U U I I I UI I I I I I I I J I I I I X U I I I U I 7 ( F U U I U FI Z U I gudas chim ongregation Q I I I I I J FU U Z I I Q F (ouglas acrthur olling lace) lessed acrament hurch I I I I U ' U I I I I hinquapin enter I ouglas acrthur chool I I U I QU Q U I U I U II U I I U I I I I I F J U U I J I I I I I 9 J I I U F I 8 I I. I. I 3. FX 4. F U I 3 UFI 4 I emple eth l ynagogue F I I I I F IF F I I I I I I rts enter I F U I U U I U F IX I I U I F I UI U 35.. J F UI 36 ( I U I U U I ermitage I I F F I I atrick enry enter F I 5 James. olk chool I U U I I II I I I IU I U ameron tation U I.. U 3. I 4. U I I U ' I U F I U I X I J eatley ibrary I I 4 U I U I FU I FI X F U I J U F I I U I I John dams chool I U 35 I I U I U' I andria nty ity of lex Fairfax ou I II I I 95 I (illiam amsay olling lace). I. I 3. I 4. I U F I. U. I ucker chool I 495 I I U J illiam amsay enter 4 3 I (ucker chool olling lace) I U (FU U ) II I U I I I U I I. U. I U I I Q Q 35 F U UI. I I 3.. I FI ap roduced: 07/8/07 olling lace 0 ythe treet ing treet 5. aint saph treet 605 ameron treet 08 Jefferson treet 5. eed venue 70 ommonwealth venue 005 t ernon venue 900 econd treet 90 ythe treet 650 askell treet ddress ddress ddress 35 ouse enate ouse enate 4,500 Feet 5 aney venue 5005 uke treet 435 Ferdinand ay rive 565 ayburn venue 5650 anger venue 6 dsall oad 00 ameron tation lvd. 3,000 ouse enate lexandria oting istricts egend recincts olling lace irginia ouse oundary chool oard istricts irginia enate oundary I adrey enior uilding ity all yles rouch chool urant enter ee enter ora elly enter t. ernon enter eorge ashington chool Fire epartment eadquarters harles ouston enter tation at otomac ard chool istrict olling lace chool istrict I,500 chool istrict 600 ussell oad 60 ameron ills oad 908 alley rive 47. raddock oad 0 Janneys ane 30 ing treet 38 eminary oad 495. ampus rive 5000 olk venue 5000 Fairbanks venue olling lace aury chool eorge ason chool gudas chim ongregation lessed acrament hurch *ouglas acrthur chool hinquapin enter emple eth l ynagogue rts enter James. olk chool ermitage I atrick enry enter eatley ibrary *ucker chool John dams chool *illiam amsay enter outh ort pts ameron tation *olling place outside of precinct 0 :4,000 his map was produced by the I ivision of the I epartment, ity of lexandria, ata esources: oting recincts and olling laces were provided by the oter egistration ffice, ity of lexandria,. irginia tate ouse and enate istricts are based on 5005 h. ; enacted on 4/9/. apping tandards: oordinate ystem - 83 tate lane irginia orth rojection - ambert onformal onic ap Units - Feet he maps provided hereunder are provided "as is" and the ity expressly disclaims all warranties, U and otherwise, express or implied, including warranties as to accuracy of the maps and merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and further expressly disclaims responsibility for all incidental, consequential or special damages arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the maps. ursuant to ection of the ode of irginia, any determination of topography or contours, or any depiction of physical improvements, property lines or boundaries is for general information only and shall not be used for the design, modification or construction of improvements to real property or for flood plain determination egislative genda X FIF Q X F I I UI I I I FIF UI II J I U U I I I F U I I I JFF U U I I I II F I F I J I I F I U U U U J I F I FF U I U I I U X I X IZ I I F I I I U FX (F U U ) I (FU U ) F (FU F U X ) U U I FI 8 I I I I I U U F U I QU QU I II IU U I I I F ZI I II I F I I F I J FU F F I I I I I F I I I I U U I I JU X I JUI J II I J I FI I I J I outh ort pts. I F 3 J I FI I I I I ' I ' I U Q U X F U X I U I I I I X FFI F. U X I I I I I I I UZ XI I II ndria lexa ity of ty x oun Fairfa

12 08 XI F I hairman of the oard in inneman inneman Insurance hair-lect harlotte all otomac iverboat ompany Immediate ast hair ak ardwick erospace Industries ssociation hair, ommunications amuel erdano otomac onference enter/ merican ankruptcy Institute hair, evelopment Jennifer Ferrara & ank hair, Finance obert hea rant hornton, hair, overnance atti urner United ay orldwide hair, overnment elations ave illard vison oung hair, embership llen chirmer United ank resident & Joseph aggerty lexandria hamber of ommerce eneral ounsel ndrew almieri aul wing rnstein & ehr, 09 egislative genda ill lexander ale, ary arton otton & ompany ldo ello ind & edia, Inc. ara enner Four irections ellness enise orland onald eagan uilding and International rade enter usan arroll I lexandria alter larke urke & erbert ank icholas ehrig edmon, eyton & raswell, yle reen ythics r. nnette aggray orthern irginia ommunity ollege dnan amidi lexandria upcake rik ansen ekanic ngela artley ational Industries for the lind tephanie eyer irby eyer utomotive roup

13 08 XI F I (ont.) lizabeth ucchesi izuke.com ary nne artins unrust anks, Inc. r. ammy ann he ampagna enter aurie acamara ooz llen amilton nton ikodemus ational arbor aren allansch lexandria enew nterprises Jeanne heismann lexandria azette acket d elarde agleank 09 egislative genda

14 08 XI F I I hair ave illard vison oung ismah hmed partment and ffice uilding ssociation of etropolitan ashington ancy ppleby ppleby aw gnes rtemel isenhower artnership arter atey ugar hack onuts aria iarrocchi lexandria hamber of ommerce ndy uncan ational ospice and alliative are rganization ick ehrig edmon, eyton and raswell Joseph aggerty lexandria hamber of ommerce harlotte all otomac iverboat ompany nn arbour I lexandria ospital Jody anor ittersweet atering & afé avid artin old orks, Inc. by avid artin esign om sborne purgeon ewis ntiques ndrew almieri aul wing rnstein & ehr ichael orterfield artan roperties ommercial eal state ervices athy uskar alsh, olucci, ubeley & alsh, im utens loomers anielle omanetti fibre space ajuanna ussell usiness anagement ssociates d elarde agleank Josh everka orthern irginia ssociation of ealtors in inneman inneman Insurance aurie acamara ooz llen amilton. (kip) aginniss aginniss + del inno rchitects 09 egislative genda 3

15 For more information, please contact: aria iarrocchi hief perating fficer and ice resident of ublic olicy and rograms lexandria hamber of ommerce 834 uke treet lexandria, irginia

2018 Legislative Agenda

2018 Legislative Agenda 08 egislative genda IUI Inspired by the opportunity to help shape omorrow s lexandria, over the past year, the lexandria hamber of ommerce has fostered conversations on improving the climate for business