Arlington promises better small-business environment
Newly installed Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman announced that his top priority for the new year is to improve the county’s relationship with small businesses. After hearing repeated complaints from local businesses, Zimmermann said it was time to change some of the burdensome regulations Arlington has on the books.
“Good regulation exists for a purpose, not as an end in itself. We don’t intend to throw unnecessary obstacles on the path to success,” Zimmerman said. “I am convinced that we can do a better job by modifying practices in a way that will benefit the whole community.”
Chief among the business-related laws with room for improvements is the county’s sign ordinance, which is intended to prevent the visual pollution of Arlington, but which Zimmerman said is now outdated and difficult for businesses to meet.
That law is also at the center of a First Amendment lawsuit. Kim Haughton, the owner of the dog day care and grooming shop Wag More Dogs, sued Arlington zoning administrator Melinda Artman after the county told Haughton to cover a mural because it constituted an illegal sign.
“There is a growing sense that our existing ordinance doesn’t quite achieve the result we want,” Zimmerman said. “Many feel that it is overly restrictive and that it is unnecessarily hard to understand and comply with.”
