Conservation District Overlay (CDO) Requirements in Arlington
The Conservation District Overlay (CDO) in the City of Arlington protects neighborhoods and commercial areas with unique physical or architectural characteristics that do not yet meet historic district status. To be eligible for this designation, a proposed area must contain at least one full blockface and demonstrate that at least 75 percent of its structures were improved 25 years ago or longer.
Purpose and Intent of the CDO
The City of Arlington established the Conservation District Overlay to recognize and preserve the distinctive atmosphere of specific residential and commercial areas. The primary objectives of this overlay include:
- Strengthening unique design characteristics and physical features of existing neighborhoods.
- Providing residents with a planning tool for future development and redevelopment.
- Promoting the retention of affordable housing and the stabilization of property values.
- Ensuring orderly growth and economic revitalization while supporting neighborhood-initiated preservation efforts [Section 2.4.2].
Relationship to Base Zoning Districts
In the City of Arlington, all land within a Conservation District Overlay remains subject to its underlying base zoning district (such as Residential or Commercial). The CDO regulations apply in addition to the base district requirements. In any instance where an express conflict arises between the standards of the underlying base district and the Conservation District Overlay, the standards of the CDO shall control [Section 2.1.5].
Eligibility and Designation Criteria
For an area in the City of Arlington to be designated as a Conservation District Overlay, it must meet specific threshold requirements regarding its age and composition.
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Size | One full blockface (all lots on one side of a block) |
| Age of Structures | At least 75% of structures must have been improved 25+ years ago |
| Planning Requirement | Must be within the boundaries of an area with a City Council-adopted neighborhood plan |
| Current Condition | Structures must be currently improved |
Additionally, the area must possess one or more distinctive features, such as specific scale/size of construction, unique building materials, distinct lot layouts, significant streetscape characteristics (e.g., gardens or unique setbacks), or the presence of historic landmarks [Section 5.8.4].
Initiation of the CDO
A zone change to establish a Conservation District Overlay in the City of Arlington can only be initiated through three specific channels.
| Initiation Method | Threshold Required |
|---|---|
| Land Area Request | Property owners representing 60% of the land area in the proposed district |
| Property Owner Request | 60% of the total individual property owners within the proposed district |
| Director Request | Request by the Director of Planning and Community Development based on a neighborhood plan |
All requests for a CDO designation follow the standard procedures for Zoning Map Amendments in the City of Arlington [Section 10.4.2].
Development and Design Standards
While the general Unified Development Code (UDC) provides broad standards, the Conservation District Overlay often includes tailored regulations. These may override standard UDC provisions in the following areas:
Residential Design and Fencing
Specific residential design standards for single-family and two-family dwellings in the City of Arlington apply unless the individual CDO has established its own distinct standards [Section 5.5.3]. Similarly, the standard residential fencing requirements of the City of Arlington are superseded by any specific fence design standards adopted within a particular Conservation District Overlay [Section 5.3.4].
Architectural Features
The City of Arlington may utilize the CDO to regulate specific architectural attributes to maintain neighborhood character, including:
- Scale, size, and type of construction.
- Spatial relationships between buildings.
- Land use patterns, including unique mixes of activities [Section 5.8.4].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.1.2, Zoning Districts Established
- Section 2.1.5, Relationship to Overlay Districts
- Section 2.4.2, Conservation District Overlay | CDO
- Section 5.3.4, Fences
- Section 5.5.3, Standards for Single-Family and Two-Family Residential Dwellings
- Section 5.8.4, Conservation District Overlay | CDO
- Section 10.4.2, Zoning Map Amendments (Zone Changes)