Barcroft NC Plan: Summary

Barcroft Neighborhood Conservation Plan

Summary

Background

The Barcroft School and Civic League (BSCL) began this Plan in 1987. All Barcroft residents were asked to participate by completing a neighborhood questionnaire which included 64 multiple part questions covering land use, streets, sidewalks, lighting, traffic, transportation, parks, recreation, beautification and County services. Over 1200 surveys were distributed among 830 single family homes and 400 apartments. The survey return rate was greater than 50% for the single-family residences, but less than 1% for the apartment residences. All responses and comments from the questionnaires were entered on a computer and tabulated. Block captains completed a physical survey and inventory of the neighborhood in 1988.

Using the results of the questionnaire and inventory, working committees prepared drafts on each area of neighborhood concern. The sections were consolidated into a single draft under the supervision of the committee chairs. After consulting with County staff and revising early drafts in 1989, the BSCL provided a copy of the draft Plan to each Barcroft resident and all non-resident property owners in December, 1989. Many Barcrofters gave comments on the draft Plan. On March 1, 1990, attendees at a community wide BSCL meeting made final revisions and approved the draft.

The preparation of the Plan began shortly after an historic landmark farmhouse in Barcroft was destroyed and replaced by a duster townhouse development. At the same time, Federal agencies announced redevelopment of the Arlington Hall site. Barcroft's residents realized that a concerned citizenry must make its views clear in a systematic way to preserve and enhance neighborhood conditions. In the course of preparing this Plan many diverse viewpoints were carefully evaluated and worked into the final consensus document. Preparation of this Plan has enhanced neighborhood identity, strengthened the sense of commitment to civic activism, and revitalized the Barcroft School and Civic League as a representative of the community.

The Plan Has Ten Sections

A History of Barcroft

The Plan opens with a History of Barcroft, tracing the development of the neighborhood from its 19th century mill and homes to the first sub division over 100 years ago, and then to its current mix of single-family homes with a border of apartments, townhouses and business properties.

Neighborhood Goals

The Plan lists 11 worthy goals beginning with preserving the neighborhood's essential character as an area of single-family homes and ending with encouraging neighborhood spirit and the open, friendly relations between neighbors that make Barcroft a fine place to live.

Land Use and Zoning

This section highlights Barcroft's determination to maintain the core area of the neighborhood as detached single-family housing and to discourage infill development. The most important element of this Plan is the statement that the neighborhood strongly prefers to maintain its current housing density and preserve the atmosphere of space and greenery it now enjoys. Barcroft actively supports neighborhood use of parkland on the Arlington Hall site. The Plan asks the County to designate unopened street rights-of-way along Four Mile Run (through Glencarlyn Park) as trails.

Transportation

This section is primarily devoted to Barcroft's traffic problems. The Plan recommends that cut-through traffic be contained on major arterials by facilitating free-flowing traffic movement on those main streets rather than by restricting the neighborhood's own internal movements. It details problems of speeding and cut-through traffic and requests the County's help in dealing with them, including better enforcement of speed limits. It recommends modifications to a number of intersections to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety, but rejects the use of nubs, speed bumps and street narrowing. The Plan notes that Barcroft needs good access to and across the major arterial streets that border the neighborhood. It requests installation of an off-ramp from westbound Arlington Boulevard at North Henderson Road, and better enforcement of parking regulations. It recommends widening 8th Street South between South Stafford Street and South Taylor Street. The neighborhood requests improvement of safety at the intersection of Columbia Pike and South Buchanan Street. Barcroft residents need and want to preserve convenient access to Arlington Forest Shopping Center. The neighborhood is concerned about the new Arlington Hall traffic patterns. Barcroft asks that the Paratransit Plan be implemented and that good metrobus service to metrorail stations be maintained.

Capital Improvements

The Plan recommends that curbs, gutters and sidewalks be constructed where missing, particularly on the County property along South Pershing Drive and on several streets used by school children. It identifies 18 locations where sidewalk repairs are now needed, and recommends that the County provide more frequent routine sidewalk maintenance. The Plan supports the installation of curb ramps for wheelchairs. It identifies drainage problems and areas where street lighting is inadequate. It recommends that lighting be installed on the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail along Four Mile Run.

Parks and Recreation

The Plan outlines recommendations for parkland within the Arlington Hall redevelopment, including a neighborhood park and a usable bicycle trail to the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. The Plan recommends that the County purchase a vacant site from Virginia Power, improve neglected County property on South Pershing Drive and improve Barcroft's pedestrian access to Glencarlyn Park along Four Mile Run. It recommends that the W&OD Trail along Four Mile Run be widened.

Community Services

This section welcomes the renovation of Barcroft School. The Plan recommends adding several streets to the snow removal plan. It calls for support of rehabilitation of affordable housing at the Buchanan Gardens Apartments, and asks for removal of trash on County property on South Pershing Drive.

Beautification

The Plan recommends that two County properties on South Pershing Drive and Columbia Pike be attractively landscaped, and that the appearance of the Arlington Hall site be improved as soon as possible. It asks that the County consider some type of ordinance or program to protect Arlington's more notable trees from destruction by developers. The Plan notes that placing utilities underground would be the single most effective measure to beautify the neighborhood. Barcroft requests neighborhood signs in two locations and asks the County to control erosion along Columbia Pike.

Commercial Development

The neighborhood welcomes the extension of Columbia Pike revitalization plans to Barcroft. It recommends encouragement of low-density redevelopment with a better mix of needed services and retail establishments. The neighborhood would oppose conversion of commercial areas on the Pike to residential use.

Historic Preservation

This section notes the possible eligibility of all or part of the neighborhood for designation as a Neighborhood Historic District, but concludes that Barcroft needs to explore this subject further. The Plan recommends that individual homeowners with eligible houses seek Historic District designation. It notes that the Barcroft Community House may be eligible for designation as a State landmark and for placement on the National Register of Historic Sites.

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This page was revised on: August 27, 2004.

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