Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) District Guide
The Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district in the City of Arlington is a specialized residential zone intended to create a sustainable community in southwest Arlington with a distinct rural, village-like character. Development within the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district requires a minimum single-family lot area of 7,200 square feet and strictly prohibits front-facing garages to preserve the aesthetic integrity of the streetscape. Residential projects in the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district must also adhere to specific open space requirements ranging from 10 to 20 percent based on the density of the development.
Purpose and General Character
The City of Arlington established the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district to provide a financially and environmentally sustainable residential community in the southwest portion of the municipality [Section 2.2.9.A]. The general character of the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district is defined by:
- Rural Atmosphere: The district is designed to maintain a rural character and a "village-like" atmosphere [Section 2.2.9.A].
- Sustainable Design: The standards promote environmental sustainability through integrated open spaces and high-quality housing options [Section 5.5.5].
- Pedestrian-Friendly Orientation: By prohibiting standard front-facing garages and requiring specific streetscape buffers, the district prioritizes the appearance and function of the neighborhood streets [Section 5.5.5.A.1].
Permitted Land Uses
The Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district primarily supports single-family residential living alongside compatible public, institutional, and utility uses.
Principal Uses
According to the City of Arlington’s Table of Allowed Uses, the following principal uses are permitted in the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district [Section 3.1.5]:
| Use Category | Specific Use Type | Permission |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Uses | Dwelling, single-family detached | Permitted (P) |
| Public & Institutional | Government administration and civic buildings | Permitted (P) |
| Philanthropic institution (other than listed) | Specific Use Permit (S) | |
| Religious assembly | Permitted (P) | |
| Public or private school | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) | |
| Community garden | Permitted (P) | |
| Public park or playground | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) | |
| Commercial Uses | Bed and breakfast inn | Specific Use Permit w/ Supplemental Standards (S*) |
| Industrial Uses | Airport or landing field | Specific Use Permit (S) |
| Utilities | Gas well | Specific Use Permit w/ Supplemental Standards (S*) |
| Electric utility substation | Permitted (P) | |
| Utility lines, towers, or metering station | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) | |
| Telecommunication Facilities (various) | Specific Use Permit w/ Supplemental Standards (S*) |
Accessory and Temporary Uses
The following accessory and temporary uses are authorized within the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district [Section 3.3.4, Section 3.4.3]:
| Use Type | Classification | Permission |
|---|---|---|
| Accessory | Accessory building/use (not listed) | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) |
| Alternative energy system | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) | |
| Caretaker’s quarters | Permitted (P) | |
| Private Garage | Permitted (P) | |
| Home-based business | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) | |
| Secondary living unit | Specific Use Permit w/ Supplemental Standards (S*) | |
| Private Swimming pool | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) | |
| Temporary | Construction field office | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) |
| Construction storage yard | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) | |
| Real estate sales office | Permitted w/ Supplemental Standards (P*) |
Dimensional Standards
All development in the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district must comply with specific area and setback requirements [Section 2.2.9.C, Table 5.5-3].
| Standard | Single-Family Requirement | Non-Residential Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Lot Area | 7,200 square feet | 15,000 square feet |
| Min. Lot Width | N/A | N/A |
| Min. Lot Depth | N/A | N/A |
| Max. Building Height | 40 feet | 40 feet |
| Max. Lot Coverage | (Refer to base standards) | (Refer to base standards) |
| Setback: All Roadways | 20 feet | 20 feet |
| Setback: Alley/Private Access | 20 feet | 20 feet |
| Setback: Interior Side | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| Setback: Interior Rear | 5 feet | 5 feet |
| Setback: Adjacent to Single-Family | N/A | 30 feet |
Minimum Dwelling Unit Size
In the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district, the minimum size of a dwelling unit is tied to the contiguous acreage of the development as determined by the preliminary plat [Section 5.5.5.B]:
| Minimum Contiguous Acreage | Min. Dwelling Unit Size (sq. ft.) |
|---|---|
| 20 acres or more | 2,250 |
| 10 to 19 acres | 2,500 |
| Less than 10 acres | 2,750 |
Design and Development Standards
The City of Arlington mandates higher-tier design requirements for the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district to ensure the community remains attractive and high-quality [Section 5.5.5.A].
Garage Requirements
Standard front-loading, front-facing garages are prohibited in the Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district. To accommodate vehicles, dwellings must use a J-swing garage providing parking for at least two vehicles. A separate third garage bay is permitted only if it is set back at least 40 feet from the front property line and at least 20 feet from the front building façade [Section 5.5.5.A.1].
Open Space and Streetscape
The Village on the Green at Tierra Verde (VG) district requires significant common open space and specialized buffers [Section 5.5.5.C, Section 5.5.5.D]:
- Common Open Space: Subdivisions with 10 or more lots must provide common open space based on density. For example, a development with 4.5 units per acre requires 20% common open space [Table 5.5-4].
- Perimeter Streetscape Buffer: A buffer is required along all arterials and collectors. This buffer must be between 20 and 30 feet wide depending on density and must include one perimeter street tree per 30 linear feet of frontage [Table 5.5-5].
- Fencing: Fences adjacent to the Tierra Verde Golf Club or within perimeter buffers must consist of brick, wrought iron, or split rail materials [Section 5.5.5.C.2, Section 5.5.5.D.3].
Sections Cited
- Section 2.2.9: Village on the Green at Tierra Verde | VG
- Section 3.1.5: Table of Allowed Uses
- Section 3.3.4: Use Tables for Accessory Uses and Structures
- Section 3.4.3: Use Tables for Temporary Uses
- Section 5.5.3: Standards for Single-Family and Two-Family Residential Dwellings
- Section 5.5.5: Residential Design Standards for Village on the Green at Tierra Verde