(As revised 11-20-04)
Whereas Arlington County and specifically DPRCR have violated for at least five years and continue to violate Section 31A of the County Zoning Ordinance by allowing a dog park and its amenities to remain in the Fort Ethan Allen Historic District;
Whereas operation of
the dog park at its present site has caused serious damage
has occurred to a this site, which that is
listed on the Virginia and Federal Registers of Historic Places; and has
resulted in the loss of turf, shrubs and trees;
Whereas such damage
may have been caused by the operation of the dog park; has also
caused serious damage to the
environment resulting in the loss of green space and many trees;
Whereas the County proposes to relocate the dog park to a
site adjacent to residences, a playground, a tot lot and a recreation
center, senior center and community center all in violation violating
Sections 4.2 and 4.9 of DPRCR’s Operating Memorandum
E.24 of January 1997;
Whereas OM E.24, which
was developed and included as part of the
“County Wide Dog Exercise Areas Work Group Report” of May 4, 1999, and insofar as
we know is the only official county regulation governing
procedures and guidelines for dog parks, and
was intended to reassures and protects
the community and neighborhoods from the arbitrary and improper siting of dog
parks;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Civic Federation calls on
the County to;
a) Immediately and officially
determine and state whether or not they are in compliance with these ordinances
and regulations;
b) if not in compliance, to provide reasonable and adequate justification as to
why the present situation merits an exception; or,
c) to comply with these and all of its laws and regulations,
or provide reasonable and adequate justification as
to why the present situation merits an exception.