The November 2025 newsletter is linked below. If you have any comments or questions, email editor@ashtonheights.org.
Ending 2025 in Ashton Heights
By Scott Sklar, President, AHCA
As we enter Autumn – with cool mornings and warm weather, leaves beginning to turn, school sessions in full swing – the beauty of our area is in full form.
Our signature issue this summer and fall has been our tree canopy campaign. Our amazing Tree Canopy committee circulated a tree canopy petition, which was signed by 609 individuals and then presented to the Arlington County Board on October 18th. We won a grant from the State of Virginia, which made possible the offering of 120 tree whips to AH neighbors. Our tree canopy effort has been embraced by the coalition of 23 civic associations working together on MMH/EHO, density, and lot coverage issues.
Our broad coalition of civic associations, established to address the Equal Housing Opportunity (EHO) has grown, become more sophisticated, and has seen results. We formed the coalition to address the Arlington County Board’s interpretation of Missing Middle (MMH), which they later morphed into EHO, and which is now lodged in court fights. As one who believes in opening up housing to lower-to-middle incomes, I was disappointed that the Board’s approach did not do that and has not resulted in that. Instead it allows two-to-six units per lot, routinely near or over one million dollars – far out of reach to young families and to service workers in healthcare, teaching, and other first responders.
Additionally, AHCA has had some great monthly meetings – including October where we had five candidates running for Arlington County Board. At that session, MMH/EHO was brought up with the five taking different perspectives. As the moderator, I did point out over 150 cities/counties have more proven and successful MMH approaches.
There are localities forming non-profit investment trusts and cooperatives which buy up old bungalows, upgrade them to meet modern building codes, maximize water and energy efficiency (to lower carrying costs), and sell them for smaller profits to buyers who meet established income thresholds. Maybe, just maybe – we can preserve tree canopy, slow McMansions, and increase access to homes by those who aid and protect all of us in the county.
As you all know, watching 10th Street being prepared for two new buildings at The Beer Lot and the Joyce Motors sites – we will have major construction for the next two years. This sets the stage for our next fight on the horizon to push for a park around and atop the Arlington firehouse at 10th Street North. As with the tree canopy campaign, this fight will set the stage for what kind of community we want for the next generation – one packed between mega cement structures, or a community integrated with nature, open spaces, outside community events, and of course lower noise and pollution.
By the time you’re reading this, we’ve likely had our Halloween celebration, and our legacy N. Jackson Street promenade of displays with over 1,000 viewers. AHCA with resident help, was able to again get police presence at the event to deter aggressive drivers and others. I want to thank, N. Jackson Street residents for giving of themselves, for what has become one of the several “go to” events on this fun day.
These quality-of-life issues, in part, have in some way lured each and every one of us who has moved to Ashton Heights. And those qualities are, in part, what has attracted us here – to stay here, add to our homes, and create a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
I thank all of you for your efforts, listserv comments, and just being great neighbors, colleagues, friends, and even scary trick-or-treaters.
Happy Fall and 2025 to each and everyone.