Wells + Associates was retained to complete the Multimodal Transportation Assessment (MMTA) for the 2.79-acre site located at 2134 N. Taylor Street north of Lee Highway (Route 309) in Arlington County, Virginia. The site is adjacent to several condominium buildings and residential apartment units.

The proposal was to improve the site with a six-story, 175-unit general assisted-living facility. The units included approximately 80 memory-care unit and 95 assisted-living units. The MMTA analyzed six offsite study intersections to determine the potential impacts of the development. The project would improve surround streetscape, provide a short-term pick-up/drop-off area and a 40-foot bus stop, and a parking area that would allow for a future bike lane installation. The project also proposed a detailed Transportation Management Plan (TMP) to reduce site trips by utilizing the surrounding multimodal facilities and transit options.

The site was the first approved assisted-living project to utilize the reduced parking ratio requirement approved by the Board of Supervisors in December 2019. The new rate would allow 1 space per 2 beds. The site proposed a parking ratio of 0.62 spaces per unit in a single level of underground parking.

Artis Senior Living is located within the Plan Lee Highway Core Study Area. The Plan Lee Highway process was started in 2016 with a visioning event that solicited stakeholder input on a variety of land use and planning details. Phase 2 of the Plan Lee Highway project is currently underway with concept plans anticipated in mid-2021. Information and updates regarding the Plan Lee Highway study can be found at the Arlington County Plan Lee Highway web page.

Images courtesy Architecture Inc.