To the Editor:
Kate Bates, president & CEO of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce released the following statement regarding the Arlington County Board's approval of an amendment that requires a second signature in order to remove vehicles that are illegally parked on private property:
The Chamber is extremely disappointed that the Arlington County Board approved the second authorization towing requirement, despite lack of support from the county manager and strong opposition from the Chamber, the Economic Development Commission, the Trespass Towing Advisory Board — including all three Arlington County police representatives — and a number of other business groups, businesses, and individuals. The opposition to the second signature amendment was further reflected by the public testimony at [the] hearing, with 13 out of 16 people speaking out against the amendment.
The reality is that Arlington has a parking shortage problem, not a towing problem. Allowing local government to dictate how private property owners and lessees handle illegally parked vehicles will not fix our parking shortage problem, but this new burdensome regulation will only make local businesses suffer. Many County Board members have even acknowledged that the second signature requirement does not solve the towing issues they believe need to be solved.
The Chamber reiterates its willingness to work collaboratively with the county to find a real solution that will actually fix these issues. We are frustrated, however, that the burden and onus for this collaboration has been placed entirely on the business community, and we are discouraged that the County Board believed it necessary to approve something that they acknowledged is undesirable for the parties involved.
The Chamber will continue to push back against the second signature requirement, while working towards a practical, fair solution both locally and in Richmond to protect and empower Arlington businesses.
Kate Bates
President & CEO
Arlington Chamber of Commerce