PenPlace: Planning Background

The County Board approved a previous site plan application for the PenPlace block in 2013. The approved proposal was a mixed-use, phased development site plan with nearly 2 million square feet of offices, ground-floor retail businesses, a hotel and the option of up to 300 residential units to the largest parcel of undeveloped land in Pentagon City. The development proposal included three connected open spaces within the block. A community planning process focused on the open space network consulted with stakeholders to develop an open space network concept and guidelines.

• County Board meeting minutes with approved site plan conditions (Item #58)
• Adopted PenPlace Design Guidelines
• Adopted PenPlace Open Space Guidelines

A new site plan application was submitted in February 2021 and is currently under review. If approved, the new application would supersede the previously approved site plan.

Phased Development Site Plan

In 2013 the County Board voted to adopt and amend the ordinance to the Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan (PDSP) as follows:

• Up to 1,809,000 square feet of office, 300 hotel units, an option for 300 residential units (in lieu of equivalent office density) and 50,000 square feet of retail.
• Transfer of density and development rights totaling 610,951 square feet from five County-owned properties located along Long Bridge Drive; and transfer of density and development rights from the “Teardrop Parcel” for an additional 60,000 square feet on the PenPlace site.
• Establishment of design guidelines for future site plans.
• Recognition of the strategic location of the PenPlace PDSP for the possible future development of a secure facility.

Applicant Materials

• Revised Design Guidelines (Jan. 2014)
• Revised Urban Design Guidelines (Aug. 28, 2013)
• Revised Urban Design Guidelines (May 24, 2013)
• Revised Urban Design Guidelines (Nov. 8, 2012)

Meeting Materials

Site Plan Review Committee

• Sept. 21, 2013 – County Board: Agenda (Item #58) | Board Report (FINAL-Revised Recommendation) | Supplemental 1 | Supplemental Report #2 | Attachment (Drawings) | PenPlace Design Guidelines | Planning Commission Letter |Letters from the Public | Meeting Minutes (Item#58) | County Board Staff Report | Supplemental Report #1 | Supplemental Report #2

Site Plan Review Committee

• June 13, 2013 – SPRC: Staff Presentation
• May 20, 2013 – SPRC: Staff Presentation
• April 4, 2013 – SPRC: Applicant Presentation on Open Space/Streets
• Jan. 31, 2013 – SPRC: Staff Presentation | Applicant Presentation
• Sept. 27, 2012 – SPRC: Applicant Presentation 

Additional Information

• Design Guidelines Summary of Changes (July 2013)
• Compiled History of SPRC Summary Notes
• CC Historical Traffic Counts
• Mixed Use TDM Requirements
• Arlington County Master Transportation Plan Overview
• Phased Development Site Plan Drawings (Aug. 9, 2013)
• VDOT 527 Review
• Traffic Impact Analysis | Applicant Response to TIS Comments | Citizen Comments
• Response to Comments (May 2, 2012)
• Traffic Impact Analysis Appendix

Return to the PenPlace project homepage