Economic Development Strategy Drafted For Town Of Vienna

VIENNA, VA — A draft of an economic development strategy for the Town of Vienna has been released and will be discussed at an upcoming meeting in September.

The town has put a greater focus on economic development with the hiring of its first economic development manager Natalie Monkou in late 2019. In early 2021, Vienna Town Council voted to contract with real estate strategy firm Streetsense to conduct a market study and create an economic development strategy.

That economic development strategy draft suggests policies, programs, and capital improvement programs for the town and its partners to make Vienna a business-friendly environment and a locally-serving destination.

The draft strategy includes the following recommendations:

• Ease restrictions for non-permanent frontage zone activation
• Allow blade signs on commercial corridors
• Develop storefront and sidewalk activation design guidelines
• Allow outdoor dining and create self-certification process
• Adopt generic use approach and incorporate permitted use tables in zoning code
• Develop trail-adjacent building design guidelines
• Allow as-of-right mixed use development on Maple Ave (long-term recommendation)

(above recommendations would be addressed by Code Create Vienna zoning ordinance update)

• Digitize and simplify business permitting process
• Create a business incubation program for targeted industry categories
• Provide incentives for commercial space improvements
• Create a web page for Town job postings and workforce training opportunities
• Expand tactical placemaking design projects
• Create a Town Green Activation, Events, and Animation program
• Complete sidewalks on Mill/Dominion with pedestrian lighting
• Develop streetscape master plan
• Conduct a town-wide parking feasibility study
• Establish parking management district
• Create side-by-side trails for bicyclists and pedestrians
• Create a pre-development incentive program (long-term recommendation)
• Revising ground floor zoning for Avenue East/West (long-term recommendation)

Residents can attend a meeting to discuss the proposed economic development strategy and their priorities for implementation on Sept. 30 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Register to attend virtually on Zoom or join in person at Town Hall.

The economic development strategy as well as a commercial market study were launched by the town to provide a roadmap to business recovery and investment decisions in the coming years. The market study was released in May.

See the full draft economic development strategy ahead of the Sept. 30 meeting.