Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines. In this Issue: In this Issue: 1. Virginia’s Finance Secretary: Commonwealth's economy “chugging along” 2. SBA lifts caps on loans earmarked for energy efficiency projects 3. Workgroup, lawmakers fine-tuning accessory dwelling unit proposal 4. County Supervisors Advance Two-Work Group Approach to Address Dulles Airport Noise 5. City Council amends outreach policy for creating Business Improvement District in Old Town
by Danielle Finley, Associate Director of Political Engagement
Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of public policy issues and headlines from around the Northern Virginia Region, the Commonwealth, and Capitol Hill.
There was good economic news out of Richmond Tuesday morning as Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Secretary of Finance updated Virginia’s legislature. “We have still continued confidence on where we stand with the Virginia Economy,” said Finance Secretary Stephen Cummings, speaking before a House Appropriations Committee meeting.
BY ANDY MEDICI, Washington Business Journal
Small businesses looking to make their buildings more energy efficient or to transform new buildings are getting a leg up from the Small Business Administration.
BY CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS, Virginia Mercury
In the short term, the workgroup is planning to explore how localities could allow for ADUs within their comprehensive plans without fully requiring them to develop local zoning ordinances for them. The full Housing Commission is set to meet on July 15, where the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is expected to present data. Coyner anticipates the ADU work group will meet again later in July to utilize that data in its next steps.
BY HANNA PAMPALONI, Loudoun Now
Residents near Dulles Airport raising concerns about noise from aircraft overflights might have a chance at some relief after the Board of Supervisors on Thursday voted to move forward with a process to propose mitigation options to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved new outreach guidelines for the potential creation of a Business Improvement District (BIDs) in Old Town on Tuesday night. Without buy-in from 60% of impacted property owners, previous efforts to get BIDs started in Old Town failed. Consequently, City Council on Tuesday night approved the amended rules stipulating that property owners will now be sent petitions via certified mail, and that their non-response within 30 days will be counted just as if they vote in opposition.