Reminder: Citizen Focus Group (Sign Ordinance) Thursday October 27

Posted on October 26, 2011 | Comments Off on Reminder: Citizen Focus Group (Sign Ordinance) Thursday October 27

Meeting Announcement:

As you may be aware, staff is undertaking a project to comprehensively update the sign regulations in the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance. Staff is inviting targeted focus groups to share thoughts on sign regulations in the draft ordinance.

We are convening a focus group for Arlington County citizens from 7:00-9:00 pm on October 27, 2011 in Multipurpose Rooms B & C at the Walter Reed Community Center at 2909 16th Street South. Through this discussion we are asking for your feedback on the draft of the proposed ordinance, which is posted at: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CPHD/planning/studies/pdf/file83490.pdf.

Following each focus group discussion, a summary of the comments received will be posted on the project web site: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CPHD/planning/studies/SignRegUpdate.aspx.

The following provides the anticipated schedule for public review and consideration of a revised Ordinance by the Planning Commission and County Board, expected to be completed by early 2012.

  • November 19: County Board meeting – Request to Advertise (selected topics- umbrellas, sidewalk signs, coordinated parking garage signs)
  • November 28: Planning commission meeting consideration of selected topics (see above)
  • December 10: County Board meeting consideration of selected topics (see above)
  • June 2012: County Board meeting — Request to Advertise (full sign ordinance)
  • July 2012: Planning Commission and County Board consideration of the full sign ordinance

If you plan to attend and have not yet RSVP’d, please RSVP to Deborah Albert at dalbert@arlingtonva.us.

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3rd Public Meeting for Ballston (Beaver) Pond Improvment Project

Posted on October 17, 2011 | Comments Off on 3rd Public Meeting for Ballston (Beaver) Pond Improvment Project

Ballston Pond Improvement Project – Third Public Meeting:

There will be a third public meeting regarding the Ballston Pond Improvement Project, held on Monday, October 27th at 7:00 PM at National Rural Electric Cooperative Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd. Conference Center, near the Ballston Metro Station. There will be an open house at 7:00pm will multiple visual aids showing the design conecpt for this project, followed by the meeting at 7:30pm. Attend this meeting to learn about new concept for the pond. The pond is located just outside the boundaries of our Association at the corner of Fairfax Drive and I-66, and collects runoff from the highway and the surrounding area.
Click here to access the powerpoint presentation from the recent stakholder group meeting detailing the project goals and timeline.

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Posted in Ballston, Ballston/Beaver Pond, Community Meetings

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Upcoming Public Hearing for Update to County Sign Ordinance

Posted on October 17, 2011 | Comments Off on Upcoming Public Hearing for Update to County Sign Ordinance

The County is in the process of updating the County Zoning Ordinance in two phases, starting with a comprehensive update of the sign regulations. At out Association’s October membership meeting we will engage in a brief discussion about what changes the current draft of the new sign ordinance would bring to the current practices and uses of signs throughout the County. There will be several opportunities for public comment on the Ordinance. County Staff will be making a presentation regarding the draft of the new sign ordinance here in our neighborhood at Washington-Lee High School’s commons (cafeteria) 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday, October 19th. Click here for more information on this process.

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Two Upcoming Public Schools Events to be Held in Our Neighborhood

Posted on September 28, 2011 | Comments Off on Two Upcoming Public Schools Events to be Held in Our Neighborhood

Arlington County Public Schools will be hosting two upcoming events in our neighobrhood. This first of which is a public forum on the present capacity crisis that our school system is facing. The meeting will be held on Wed, Oct. 5 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Washington-Lee High School auditorium (1301 N. Stafford St.). For more information on this forum
see this recent article from ARLnow.com

Another upcoming APS event is the Annual Arlington Public Schools “College Night”, which will be held on Wed, Oct. 12th from 7-9 p.m. at the Ballston Common Mall. (Corner of Wilson Boulevard and Glebe Road)
Click here to view the APS press release regarding this event

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Posted in Arlington Public Schools, Ballston, Community Meetings

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County Board Approves Virginia Square Towers Complex

Posted on September 21, 2011 | Comments Off on County Board Approves Virginia Square Towers Complex

Our Association has been involved in this project for many months, including participating in four Site Plan Review Committee meetings to discuss the proposal. The BVSCA submitted a letter to the Planning Commission and Board Members on September 6 which contained our remaining concerns about the site plan. The letter stated opposition to the designation of “flex” space along the Wilson frontage of the project and raised concern about safety of the plaza on the new 9th St N, specifically with regard to the new interactive water feature. After the Planning Commission considered the project, the Commission also stated their opposition to the designation of “flex” space along Wilson Blvd in their letter to the Board.

Representatives from our civic association spoke at public comment during the Board’s consideration of the project on Saturday, September 17. Chairman Zimmerman and other members of the Board agreed with our Association and the Planning Commission that there should not be “flex” space as part of this project. Therefore, the Board adopted an amendment to the site plan condition #63, which eliminated the proposed “flex” space along the Wilson frontage, and made all the commercial space on both Wilson Blvd and Fairfax Dr dedicated, service commercial. After consideration, the County Board approved the Virginia Square Towers site plan in a unanimous vote.

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Posted in Ballston, Site Plan, SPRC, Virginia Square

Update: Proposed Revisions to Sign Ordinance

Posted on September 15, 2011 | Comments Off on Update: Proposed Revisions to Sign Ordinance

See the message below from Deborah Albert, Planner with Arlington County Department Community Planning, Housing and Development regarding the progress on the progress on the revision of the sign ordinance:

Please find a working draft of a proposed sign ordinance at the following link: http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/CPHD/planning/studies/pdf/file83148.pdf

Please review this draft as a work-in-progress. It reflects comments heard during the initial outreach phase, which took place from February through June, 2011. Additionally, it reflects a compiliation of preliminary recommendations from both our consultant, Duncan Associaties, and from staff.

The second phase of outreach began with a public forum last night, and thanks to all who came out last night to participate in the discussions based on select policy issues codified in this working draft. There will be additional opportunities, listed below, to provide review and feedback throughout this second phase of outreach. Comments received during this phase will be reviewed and considered, and any refinements will be incorporated into a final version that will be attached to a Request to Advertise brought before the County Board at their October meeting. Additionally, should any interim drafts be available during the review process, they will be posted on the ZOCO and sign regulations web pages.

A comments matrix will be compiled to include all comments received during this phase of outreach, with staff responses. Continue reading →

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Posted in Meetings, News

Memories of Washington-Lee High School Through the Decades

Posted on September 15, 2011 | Comments Off on Memories of Washington-Lee High School Through the Decades

The Arlington Historical Society and the Washington-Lee Alumni Association are set to co-host a presentation detailing the history of Washington-Lee High School. Memories of Washington-Lee High School Through the Decades will take place Thursday September 15th at 7:00pm at Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St. Arlington, VA 22201). Washington-Lee High School has been a cornerstone of our community for many years. Come learn more about it’s rich history and place in our community. Please click here for more information about this presentation.



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Upcoming Public Forum for Ballston/Beaver Pond Restoration Project

Posted on May 30, 2011 | Comments Off on Upcoming Public Forum for Ballston/Beaver Pond Restoration Project

Ballston Pond Improvement Project – Second Public Meeting. Monday, June 13th, 7:30 PM. National Rural Electric Cooperative Building, 4301 Wilson Blvd. Conference Center. Near Ballston Metro Station.

This will be the second public meeting on the Ballston Pond project. Attend this meeting to learn about, and give us feedback on, initial concepts for the restored pond! The pond is at the corner of Fairfax Drive and I-66, and collects runoff from the highway and the surrounding area. The improvement project goals include:

o Creation of a new flow pattern to keep water in the pond longer, allowing the wetland plants to filter the stormwater; Maximizing the capacity of the pond;
o Control of litter and sediment that flows into the pond;
o Removal of invasive plant species, and re-planting with a wider variety of native plants, enhancing wildlife habitat; and
o Improved access and interpretive signage

Check out the new project Blog! Please click here for more information on the Ballston/Beaver Pond Restoration Project.


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Posted in Ballston/Beaver Pond, Meetings, News

Metro Seeks Input on Proposed Weekend Rail Cuts

Posted on May 17, 2011 | Comments Off on Metro Seeks Input on Proposed Weekend Rail Cuts

ArlNow.com reports that WMATA will hold a public hearing on proposed service cuts at the Arlington County Board Room (2100 Clarendon Blvd) this Wednesday. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow with an “open house,” followed by a “town hall meeting” at 6:00 p.m. and a public hearing at 6:45 p.m.

WMATA is proposing scaling back weekend rail service, which would increase from 12 minutes to 18 minutes until 9:30 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays, headways will increase from 15 minutes to 20 minutes before 9:30 p.m. After 9:30 p.m. on both days, you’ll have to wait 25 minutes between trains.

We encourage all residents to go to this meeting to address any concerns they have with these proposed cuts. Check out our News Section for more information. Also, click here for more information on the proposed changes.

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Public Process of Ballston/Beaver Pond Restoration Project Continues

Posted on March 2, 2011 | Comments Off on Public Process of Ballston/Beaver Pond Restoration Project Continues

The public process of the Ballston/Beaver Pond Restoration Project continued with the second of several public meetings put on Arlington County and the hired consultant team. This meeting marked the first of multiple opportunities for residents to weigh in and voice their input regarding the plan for this project. Access Arlington County’s webpage for this project to find more about the background and need for the project and to view materials presented by county staff and the project development team.



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