March, 2004 - Volume 88, No. 7
A Review of Development and Current Issues in Housing on Agenda
March General Meeting, Tuesday, March 2 , 2004.
7 PM Hazel Auditorium, Virginia Hospital Center-Arlington
(Map)
A Review of Development in the County
The first part of our March main program, organized by the Planning and Zoning Committee will focus on buildout in the County over the past 20 years and a comparison of development and traffic/public transit projections of 20 years ago with actual current buildout and current traffic counts and transit use. Bob Brosnan, who is director of the Planning Division, will present the data and comparison on buildout, and Mark Kellogg, of the Public Works division, will present the traffic and transit information. They will present overall County data and data for several Metro station areas for which data are available. The comparisons should be useful not only for measuring the differences between projections and actual buildout and transportation impact in several localized areas, but in attempting to measure the overall impact of recent development on County-wide infrastucure needs, ranging from
streets to transit, schools, parks, and sewer and water.
Current Issues in Housing
The second part of the main program in March will feature a panel presentation organized by the Housing Committee. The Committee will present (at least through handouts): factual information on changes in Arlington County housing costs and consequences of those changes; views of community groups and employers concerned about Arlington's dwindling supply of affordable housing; views of affordable housing developers and those in neighborhoods in which affordable housing proposals have been presented; options for what Arlington should be in the future and how such a vision could be achieved; alternatives under County Board consideration including affordable housing guidelines for site plan projects (now scheduled for County Board action on April 24); and views of the Alliance for Housing Solutions and others seeking "win-win" solutions that might respond to the interests and concerns of those interested in and affected by various proposals.
Community Forum
Pedals for Progress will be presenting at our March Community Forum. The organization collects used bikes and ships them to countries where there is great need for reliable transportation. You can recycle your old bike for a good cause. There will be a collection in Arlington on Saturday, April 17 from 9 to 3 in the Thomas Jefferson Middle School parking lot, 125 South Old Glebe Road, 22204. A donation of $10 is also requested to assist in the shipping costs. Receipts for the tax-deductible donation and bike value will be issued. Please contact 703-521-9484 with any questions. For background on Pedals for Progress, visit www.p4p.org.
The Community Forum is provided as a service to the community by the Civic Federation. It allows for private and government-based groups and organizations to speak to community leaders about what they do in Arlington. Any group wishing to participate should contact dan+.
Also At the Meeting
The Federation will consider whether to adopt a Special Rule for discussion and voting on the Planning and Zoning Committee's proposed budget at the April meeting. We will also elect a new Executive Committee member to replace Bobi Wallace. Finally, Tom Wiener from the Arlington Barbershop Quartet Group has asked that the Federation join with his organization in awarding an annual prize called the Award of Harmony to the Arlingtonian who epitomizes the ideal of bringing harmony to the community. We'll decide whether or not to accept that request.
Federation News
February Meeting Recap
In February the Federation passed resolutions supporting the creation of a public defender's office in Arlington and expressing views on the process of firestation relocations and the Cherrydale fire station in particular.
The Transportation Committee presented a great program on current issues in the County with a five-member panel.
The Federation also heard from the Arlington Forum, authors of the Civic Engagement Study recently completed for the County.
Upcoming Meetings
The annual Federation Awards Banquet will take place on the evening of Friday, March 26, 2003, at the Army-Navy Country Club. This year's speaker will be Scott McCaffrey, Managing Editor of the Arlington Sun Gazette. Invitations are on their way!
In April, the Federation will have a presentation from the Revenues and Expenditures Committee regarding the 2004-2005 County Budget, and may also hear an update on the Urban Space Master Plan. In May, our delegation from Richmond will be our guests, and in June we hope to invite the County Manager to speak on the state of County Government.
Arlington Neighborhood Day
Neighborhood Day will take place this year on Saturday, May 8th. The deadline to register your group or neighborhood event is April 2, 2004, so now is the time to start planning! We have a list of suggestions for neighborhood events with other ideas for your neighborhood on the Federation's Neighborhood Day Web site. A registration form for either the parade or an event you are organizing can be found on the County's website. (Don't worry if it says 2003 at the top and has the wrong date--it will work just fine.) Additional information can be obtained by telephoning 703-228-3155 or 703-228-3952 (703-228-4611 TTY) during regular business hour
Committee News
The Airport Issues Committee remains active in the on-going Part 150 Noise study underway at Reagan National Airport. For more information, please contact either Steve Geiger (steveg+ 703-522-0026) or Steve Baur (steveb+; 703-525-5580).
The next Executive Committee meeting will be held on March 16th at 7:30 p.m. at Fire Station No. 9 (off S. Walter Reed Drive). As always, Committee Chairs and Co's and any delegates or alternates who have something they wish to bring before the full Federation are welcome to attend -- as is anyone who wishes to join us to decide if you'd like to serve next year! Nominations are coming up!!! For questions, please contact Kim Smith at jadam@erols.com or kim+.
At the February 10 meeting, the Housing Committee heard a review of alternative proposals regarding affordable housing guidelines for site plan projects presented by Jack Cornman, president of the Alliance for Housing Solutions.
The Housing Committee deferred action on a pending resolution recommending that the Civic Federation support the Alliance for Housing Solutions. The committee agreed first to develop newsletter communications and discuss AHS and affordable housing issues with ACCF delegates and member organizations.
At its March 9 meeting, the Housing Committee will develop recommendations on housing-related FY 2005 County Budget items for consideration by the ACCF Revenue and Expenditures Committee and continue discussion of current affordable housing issues.
The newly constituted Public Relations Committee is now active with acting chair Beth Offenbacher. Beth reports: a few weeks back, I met with Federation Presidant, Dan Krasnegor to review the community relations goals for the Federation. During the coming weeks and months, our committee will be focusing on the following tasks:
- Inform print, broadcast and online media about the Federation. Our goal is to educate them about the Federation, its positions on issues and pending resolutions.
- Educate Arlington County civic and condo associations about the Federation, its purpose and its activities. We'll accomplish this goal by trying to have future Federation meetings broadcast on Channel 69.
- Educate Arlington County residents about the Federation, its purpose and its activities. We intend to do this by distributing copies of the Civic Voice throughout the community and promoting various Federation special programs and meetings.
If you have experience working with the media, or would like to work on outreach activities targeting civic and condo associations and their members, we need you! Please feel free to contact me at the phone number or the email address below. I look forward to working with you!
For more information, contact Beth.Offenbacker@american.edu 703-683-4815 x202.
The Public Services Committee continues to track the Public Defenders Office as it makes its way through the General Assembly and is awaiting developments on issues initiated last month. The next meeting will be announced at the General Membership meeting on March 2 and will be posted on the Web Site.
The Revenues and Expenditures Committee met on February 8th and adopted its meeting schedule for general fund budget FY'05 review. The Committee will meet every Sunday, February 22nd through April 4th at 1:30PM at Randy Swart's home. The Committee discussed and approved review procedures, voted to ask the Executive Committee and Federation for a repeat of recent years' standing rule for discussion of the proposed budget, and made early plans for a review of the impending CIP report (now on a 2 year cycle). Many new members attended; more are welcomed. For more information, contact Randy+ or bob+.
The Transportation Committee reports that progress has been made with both the arterials and parking issues. At the Transportation Commission meeting on February 18, the consultant's report was "accepted" (thus not necessarily denoting approval or disapproval of the recommendations). In addition, the Commission adopted a resolution to proceed on four short term issues on which it believes there is consensus support: increased on-street parking, a pilot program for "shared" parking facilities, a pilot program for car sharing (on-street parking for ZipCar and Flexcar), and improved public information about the availibility of public parking. The Arterials Task Force met February 19 to discuss a draft "toolbox" of traffic management measures, draft street concept drawings as might be applied in three locations, and possible initial county budgeting for implementing proposals in some locations. The next step will be public meetings on March 30 and 31 and April 1 to present the concept proposals for western Wilson Boulevard, Carlin Springs and Four Mile Run at locations in each of those neighborhoods.
In addition, the County Board approved the proposed street design for Columbia Pike. For more information, contact jerry+ or ed.+
While the Federation's committees provide opportunities to stay involved and make a difference, it won't help you, unless you and your organizations participate. You say that you don't have time? You can't stand meetings? Well, thanks to the hard work of Jay Wind over the last few months, there is a new, easy way to stay in the loop. Internet discussion groups have been established for all Civic Federation Committees. The new discussion groups make it easy to join committees, participate in discussion, and to keep up-to-date on the latest news without taking up all your time. Anyone who belongs to a Civic Federation member organization is eligible to join up. To sign up, all you have to do is go to www.civfed.org/egroups.htm and follow the instructions on the page.
Community News
Recognition of Local Business' support of the Disabled
A "Proclamation" program to recognize local businesses and organizations employing persons with developmental disabilities will be held Tuesday, March 9th in the Ballston Mall Food Court.
A reception with refreshments served will begin at 8:30 am and the ceremony will start at 9:00 am. The keynote speaker will be Barbara Favala, Chairman of the Arlington County Board. The public is invited. Parking is available in the garage for $1.00.
To show that Arlington is a "caring community," the Arlington County Government has renewed its commitment to expand employment opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities. It is hoped that this move will encourage other area businesses and organizations to open up positions which could utilize people who are disabled.
Availability of jobs to persons with disabilities in the community will provide a much needed public service, and enable persons with developmental disabilities to live and work in their local communities, as supported by federal and state laws. For more information, please contact Patrick Hope at (703) 528-8956.
2004 Preservation Design Award Nominees Solicited
Are you proud of a great restoration or new construction project in Arlington? If so, you can nominate it for the 6th Annual Preservation Design Awards competition!
Sponsored by Arlington County's Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB), this awards program honors local projects that are sensitive to historic preservation, design, and craftsmanship. The public is invited to submit nominations for historic residential, commercial, or institutional buildings, as well as new buildings compatibly designed for an existing neighborhood.
The 2004 Preservation Design Award categories are: Restoration/Renovation; Major Additions; and New Infill Construction.
All projects should complement the original character, integrity, massing, scale, architectural style, and materials of an existing historic building or Arlington neighborhood. All projects must be located in Arlington County, have been completed within the past five years, and involve buildings at least 50 years old (except for new infill construction). Written consent of the property owner(s), a brief project narrative, and visual materials are required for all entries. Nominations must be either postmarked by or delivered to 2100 Clarendon Boulevard (Suite 701) by 5 PM on Friday, April 9, 2004.
Official entry forms and contest guidelines are now available. Award recipients will be selected by a jury of design professionals and winning property owners, architects, and general contractors will be recognized at a ceremony to be held in honor of Historic Preservation Week in May. For detailed submission requirements or to request an entry form by mail, please contact Cynthia Liccese-Torres at 703.228.3831 or cliccese@arlingtonva.us
A PDF version of the 2004 Preservation Design Awards brochure and nomination form is now also available online.
And you still have a few more months to take a peek at last year's winners....
Are you still receiving your of The Civic Voice by mail? Save the Federation some of its limited resources-get the electronic version of the newsletter. Not only will you save the Federation money, but you will receive the newsletter several days earlier, and get the "full color" version! It's easy to switch-just send an e-mail to dan+, with "E-mail version" in the header.
The Arlington County Civic Federation
Officers 2003-2004
President Daniel Krasnegor (dan+)
Vice President Patrick Smaldore (pat+)
Treasurer Tim Wise (tim+)
Secretary Frances Finta (703-528-2882)
Executive Committee
Chairman Kimberly Johnson-Smith (kim+)
Vice Chairman Nancy Graham (nancy+)
Member Randy Swart (randy+)
Member Ken Marcus (ken+)
Committee Chairs
Ad Hoc Airport Issues Committee (Co-chairs) Steve Baur
(steveb+) Steve Geiger (steveg+)
Bylaws Scott McGeary (scott+)
Community Relations - Beth Offenbacker (beth+) (acting)
Cultural Affairs Herschel Kanter (herschel+)
Environmental Affairs (Co-chairs) Ben Axleroad (other co-chair vacant)
Governance - vacant
Housing Joe Wholey (co-chair) (other co-chair vacant)
Legislation Nancy Graham (nancy+)
Membership Frances Finta 703-528-2882
Parks & Recreation (Co-chairs) Jay Jacob Wind (jay+) (other co-chair vacant)
Planning & Zoning (Co-chairs) William Gearhart
(bill+) Martha Moore (martha+)
Public Services (Co-chairs) Anne Fisher (anne+) Kim Smith (kim) +
Public Preparedness Initiative Jackie Snelling (prepared) +
Revenues and Expenditures (Co-chairs) Robert Atkins (bob+) Randy Swart (Randy+)
Scholarship (co-chairs) Tim Reese, Jim Pebley jim+
Schools (Co-chairs) Roger Meyer (roger+) Terri Prell (terri) +
Special Events (Co-chairs) Ann Rudd annrudd+; Adam Parkhomenko (adam+)
Transportation (Co-Chairs) Jerry Auten (jerry+) Ed Parks (ed) +
Arlington County Civic Federation
c/o Dan Krasnegor
1305 N. Longfellow St.
Arlington, VA 22205
This page was last revised on: February 26, 2004.
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Arlington County Civic Federation
