Virginia LULAC Encourages Latino participation on Commissions, and Congratulates Arlington County Commissioner Karen Guevara as the first Latina Vice Chair of the Arlington County Planning Commission
- Virginia LULAC
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
January 7, 2026
Virginia LULAC proudly congratulates Commissioner Karen Guevara on her recent election as Vice Chair of the Arlington County Planning Commission. Commissioner Guevara has been a strong voice for her community, and in this leadership role she continues to advance Latino representation and civic engagement in Arlington. She is the first Latina Vice Chair of the Arlington County Planning Commission, helping ensure that diverse community perspectives are included in key local decisions.
The Planning Commission is one of the most important advisory bodies in Arlington, as it is the only commission that Virginia law mandates to exist. The Planning Commission guides and advises elected officials on planning, zoning ordinances, and land-use matters. With more than 240,000 residents in Arlington and billions of dollars in real estate assets, having voices that represent local community needs in these decisions is absolutely crucial.
During her tenure, Commissioner Karen Guevara has been a strong advocate for community-centered development. She has championed efforts to address Arlington’s affordable housing shortage, advocated for multi-bedroom family units so families of all sizes can remain in Arlington, supported adaptive reuse projects that convert vacant office buildings into housing, and advanced environmental sustainability in development so current and future residents can mitigate heat-island effects and benefit from native flora, fauna, and a strong tree canopy.
Major projects brought before the Planning Commission during her tenure underscore the scale and impact of this work. These include the Pentagon City Phased Development Site Plan, with an estimated value exceeding $1 billion, and the Goodwill / AHC Affordable Housing redevelopment project, which will deliver 100% affordable housing, a Goodwill retail space on the ground floor, and an on-site childcare facility — a model of development that meets economic, social, and community needs.
Why Being on a Local Commission Matters:
Serving on a local commission is one of the most important and impactful ways everyday residents can shape their communities. Here’s how:
Shape the Decisions That Shape Your Life: Commissioners don’t just attend meetings — they help decide how neighborhoods grow, where housing is built, how traffic flows, education, parks, and public facilities go, and how communities plan for the future. Their recommendations directly influence the votes of elected officials and the direction of the county or city.
Be the Community’s Voice at the Table: Serving on a commission means bringing real community concerns directly to decision-makers. Commissioners speak up for residents, neighborhoods, and families — ensuring everyday voices are heard in rooms where policies are shaped.
See How Power Really Works: Commission service gives you an inside look at how local government actually operates — how decisions are made, how budgets and plans come together, and how policies move from idea to reality. It’s civic education you can’t get from the outside.
Grow as a Leader: Commissioners build respected leadership skills — public speaking, negotiation, problem-solving, and strategic thinking — that translate into professional success, community leadership, and even future elected office.
Build Real Influence and Connections: You’ll work side-by-side with county board members, planners, agency directors, and community leaders. These relationships open doors, strengthen your influence, and position you as a trusted voice in local affairs.
Stand Up for Communities That Are Often Left Out: For underrepresented communities, commission service is powerful. It ensures that Latino voices and other marginalized perspectives are present when critical decisions are made — not after the fact, but at the start.
Your Civic Engagement Starts Here:
Virginia LULAC strongly encourages every interested resident to consider applying for service on a local commission. Whether your passion is housing, planning, transportation, education, environment, youth, or public safety — your voice is valuable and needed.
📣 Want to learn more or get involved? Please reach out to us at virginialulacofficial@gmail.com. Advancing Latino representation and broadening civic engagement is one of our core missions — and local commissions are one of the best places to start.
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About Virginia LULAC
Virginia LULAC is the state chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Our mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, health, housing, and civil rights of Hispanic Americans in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.
Virginia LULAC
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