Minutes of the BSCL Meeting
February 7, 2002
Prepared by: Eric Parker
Announcements
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at approximately 7:30 PM.
Traffic Calming Plan
The County Board approved Barcroft's traffic calming plan at its last meeting. Pat Williamson Edwards led a round of applause to both commemorate this event and to express our thanks to the many hours of work put in by Elaine Squeri, Kenny Harrell and the traffic calming committee.
American Cancer Society "Relay for Life"
Annmarie Harold announced that the local American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" event is being held in Arlington this year at Wakefield High School. She encourages residents to sign up and participate in the event and associated activities.
Presentations
Parking
Inta Malis, NCAC deputy vice chair and president of the Columbia Forest Civic Association gave a presentation on the parking issues in Columbia Forest and some of the initiatives taken by their civic association to address these issues. Some of their approaches may be applicable to Barcroft.
Pat read a letter from Tom Palance of S. Eighth Rd. reporitng that his street is heavily used for parking by drivers who do not live on his street. Problems have included lack of available parking for residents, noise, and fights. He requests the support of the BSCL in addressing these issues.
Pat put out the call for a parking committee and asked for a volunteer to lead it. There were no immediate responses.
Columbia Pike Initiative
Bryant Monroe, Barcroft representative to the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO), announced that the County Board will hear comments on, and potentially vote approval of, the recently completed Columbia Pike Initiative Plan at their March 9 meeting. Barcroft should inform the County Board of its support of the Columbia Pike Initiative Concept Plan prior to the board's March meeting.
Bryant introduced Bob Rulie from the Arlington County Department of Economic Development, and Tim Lynch, Executive Director, CPRO. Attendees were invited to ask questions about the plan.
An extensive debate ensued, centered primarily on the inclusion of six-story, high density, buildings at the intersection of Columbia Pike, Buchanan, and Four Mile Run, in the plan. The discussion had two general factions:
1. Many residents are concerned that the plan contains any six story buildings along the Barcroft stretch of Columbia Pike, especially given the concern expressed at earlier meetings. There was a general feeling that the drafters of the plan sought the community's input, then ignored it. Additionally, even if the six story buildings could not be built "by right," there was still a concern that the presence of six story buildings in the plan could be interpreted by developers and the county as a passive acceptance of buildings of this size. Providing input into this point of view were Randy Swart, Dave Michaelson, and Peg Lefebvre.
2. Other residents were more accepting of the presence of the six story, high density, buildings in the plan specifically because the plan does not give developers the right to build these buildings. It does give the neighborhood bargaining power to demand concessions from a builder (such as additional parking, landscaping, traffic relief, etc.) in return for approving construction of a building that exceeds the existing zoning restrictions for a site. Residents providing input into this point of view included Kenny Harrell and Bryant Monroe.
Several neighbors voiced concerns about the density of development for the Columbia Pike/George Mason intersection. They wanted it made known that we must "step down" the development as we enter the neighborhood.
Additional discussion revolved around the types of development open to builders. These are:
· By-right: The developer can do what they want because their proposed building does not exceed existing zoning limitations for the site.
· Site-planning: The developer can exceed existing zoning limitations, to a limited extent, by involving and getting the approval of their plans by the surrounding neighborhood and the county.
· Administrative Exception: This allows the developer to work out a change in zoning directly through County staff, without neighborhood involvement.
A motion was raised to table a vote on the resolution until the next BSCL meeting, which is scheduled two days before the board's next meeting. The motion was voted down.
Bryant Monroe presented his draft of a neighborhood resolution of support. Harvey Berlin presented an alternative resolution. Both versions expressed support for the plan but also expressed reservations. Harvey's resolution was more specific and requested that certain components of the plan be removed. Bryant's version was more general, and requested only that the Board note that it is BSCL's understanding that the plan is just a concept for Columbia Pike and that we have concerns with certain components.
A motion to vote for Bryant's resolution was made and seconded. The vote was 16 for, 6 against.
It was noted that one sentence in Bryant's resolution made it sound like the community is in favor of the realignment of Four Mile Run (minor) with Buchanan Street at Columbia Pike. Bryant will re-word this sentence to make it clear that the community is, in fact, concerned about the consequences if this realignment takes place.
The Committee Report and Old/New Business agenda items were postponed until the next meeting due to the time.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:40 PM.
This page was last revised on: February 17, 2002.
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