On January 25, 2025, the Arlington County Board approved Twenty-Third Street Corridor, LLC’s minor site plan amendment to update Site Plan #206 and use permit request to allow Scapegoat Beer Garden to have more outdoor seating than indoor seating. The restaurants subject to these approvals are located in Crystal City’s famous Restaurant Row.
As approved, the site plan amendment will reconfigure the parking area, reflect the existing outdoor seating areas, and add landscaping. Additionally, a dumpster partially located on 22nd Street South will be relocated and enclosed to ensure safe pedestrian travel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the County created the Temporary Outdoor Seating Area (“TOSA”) permit program to allow restaurants to install outdoor seating so they could continue serving the community in a safe manner. Twenty-Third Street Corridor, LLC, landlord for restaurants like Bob & Edith’s Diner, Bonsai Grill, Enjera, and the coming-soon Scapegoat Beer Garden, supported their restaurants in obtaining TOSA permits. The addition of outdoor seating areas conflicted with Site Plan #206’s approval which had not been updated since 1983 and showed uses no longer on site. The minor site plan amendment ensured the restaurants were in compliance with their site plan and made improvements to the site. Additionally, the use permit allowed Scapegoat Beer Garden to install a greater number of outdoor seats than indoor seats. Scapegoat Beer Garden agreed to nearly 20 conditions proposed by County staff to mitigate potential impacts of the outdoor seating area on the nearby residential community. Such conditions include no live entertainment or dancing, no audio or video piped outdoors, and an 11pm closing time for the outdoor seating area. Overall, the restaurants within the Site Plan #206 area have 308 outdoor seats and 253 indoor seats.
Families, friends, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful Crystal City scenery while eating delicious meals indoors and outdoors. Restaurant Row is a staple of the community and this approval helps ensure the area will continue to thrive for years to come.
Walsh Colucci has substantial experience representing large and small restaurants throughout the region. We are available to help you navigate Arlington County’s zoning regulations and policies. Walsh Colucci shareholder Nicholas V. Cumings and associate Jessica T. Washington assisted Twenty-Third Street Corridor, LLC throughout the process.
