Cost of Living Going Up, So Is The Views at Clarendon

With the unanimous support of the Arlington County Board, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority yesterday voted to raise taxes and fees yesterday by $334.3 million. 

Fully 90% of that will make it more expensive to either buy and sell a home, or to buy and maintain a car.

• $171 million will be raised by a 40% increase on the grantors tax charged when selling a home.
• $64.6 million will be raised by a 1% tax on the purchase of a new car.
• $33.2 million will be raised by a $10 regional inspection fee and a $10 regional registration fee on your car.
• $33.2 million will be raised by a 5% sales tax on labor for your car repairs.

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In other news, an Arlington Circuit Court Judge yesterday dismissed the lawsuit of Clarendon residents opposed to Clarendon Baptist’s construction of the Views at Clarendon - 116 unit apartment building on the church’s property.  Last year, the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the Views, originally approved in 2004, for violating Arlington’s zoning, but the County Board re-approved the plan in February.  Unless a higher court intervenes, the church, child care and housing will be built over objections of the neighborhood.