Arlington County Hires Zoning Administrator

Published on July 27, 2016

Arlington County has named its Acting Zoning Administrator, Arlova Vonhm, permanent Zoning Administrator.

[caption id="attachment_5656" align="alignright" width="260"] Arlova Vohnm[/caption]

"Arlova has demonstrated she understands this community and the zoning issues we face," said Steve Cover, director, Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development. "She is the most qualified candidate for the job."

Vonhm, who joined the County in 2012 as a principal planner, leads a team of 30 Zoning staff. Her team collaborates with Inspection Services and other County staff to process and approve building permits, while actively enforcing the County's Zoning Ordinance.

Working with residents, business owners, builders and developers, Zoning staff interprets the regulations contained in the Zoning Ordinance. Staff keeps the public informed of zoning changes and zoning regulations necessary for approval of building permits. Staff members also provide technical support and  interpretation of conditions.

Zoning administrator has led major planning projects

Vonhm started her career in 2002 as a zoning planner for the city of Evanston, Ill. and as the city's Zoning Administrator. As a planner with the District of Columbia, she led a comprehensive effort to rewrite and organize the city's 50-year-old zoning ordinance and public review processes for major development projects. As a principal planner with Arlington County, Vonhm led the public review process for major developments, including Pierce Queen Apartments in Rosslyn, Latitude Apartments in Virginia Square, and the Pentagon Centre redevelopment.

Vonhm helped design a streamlined application intake process for site plan projects, updated advice regarding the treatment of gross floor area in site plans and improved internal staff review processes of administrative changes.

Zoning administrator part of One-Stop Permitting effort

Vonhm is part of the team leading the One-Stop Arlington Permitting Initiatives. The initiatives aim to make it easier for the public to do business with the County by improving the building permit process. The County plans to roll out its new permitting system in December 2017.

Vonhm received an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan. She also served as a board member of the National Capital Area Chapter of the American Planning Association for six years.