Tuesday, March 31, 1998

MEMBERSHIP MEETING 7:30 P.M.

Meeting at the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA), 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia, 22203-1860, Ellipse Conference Center (Room CC2), Free Parking for Membership Meeting, Garage Entry Up to 8:00 P.M. (See Details Below)

1. Brompton's at Clarendon Town Houses

Presentation by representatives of the site plan applicant for the Peete Property at Kirkwood Road, Arlington, Virginia, on their site plan proposal for a 23 unit townhouse development on the corner of Washington Boulevard and North Kirkwood Road in Clarendon, bordering on the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association neighborhood. A rezoning request from "C-3" and "R-5" to "R15-30T" accompanies this application. The proposed density is 22 units per acre, which is consistent with the "R15-30T" proposed rezoning. A total of 51 parking spaces is proposed, at a ratio of 2.22 spaces per unit. Since the units would have 2-car garages, there would be five (5) surface parking spaces designated for visitors which is consistent with the Zoning Ordinance requirement for .2 visitor parking space per unit.

As of March 10, 1998, the proposed coverage was 67% and height was 4 stories (52.83 feet). The front setback: (from property line) Washington Boulevard and 13th Street was 14 feet and 25 feet, respectively. The side street setbacks: (from property line) North Johnson Street and North Kirkwood Road was 12.5 feet and 13.5 feet, respectively. The Association understands that the Arlington County Planning Commission voted on March 23, 1998, to support the proposed site plan with a reduced number of units (from 8 to 7) on Kirkwood Road and a corresponding increase on North Johnson Street.

Also, the Association understands that the developer and the Lyon Village Citizens Association both support the higher number of units (8) on Kirkwood Road. Further, it is important to note that none of the proposed townhouses egress onto Kirkwood Road. The Association encourages members and interested citizens to attend this meeting and express your views. The proposed site plan is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board soon, at the upcoming Board meeting on Saturday, April 4, 1998. (7:30 to 8:00 p.m.).

2. Update on Virginia Square Condominiums Development Project

Presentation by the site plan applicant on the status of the building development and proposed changes to site plan resulting from recent acquisition of property adjoining development site. The Virginia Square Condominiums project is located on Fairfax Drive between N. Lincoln and N. Monroe Streets. (8:00 to 8:15 p.m.).

For your information, the Association previously reported on this project in its March 1997 BVSCA Newsletter. Briefly, we reported that the building would contain 230 condominiums in a 16 story building with a gross floor area of 256,000 square feet. The condominiums would range in price from the $120's to the mid $300's. Each condominium would feature Corian kitchen countertops, marble foyers, kitchens and baths, gas fireplaces in the living room, gas heat, over 8 1/2' ceiling height in living areas, full size washer and dryer, range with microwave oven, crown molding, chair rail and private balconies. The building amenities would include a spacious exercise facility, outdoor pool, lounge, game room and a community meeting/party room, and four (4) levels of underground parking. Projected occupancies for the building would begin in late 1998/early 1999.

3. Update on Virginia Square Associates Site Plan

At the site of the former Chesapeake Seafood Restaurant, Wilson Boulevard, Virginia Square Metro stop, construction is scheduled to begin in the Summer 1998 for a 121,000 square foot six (6) story office building. Three (3) levels of underground parking at this site are planned. The project is being developed by the John G. Shooshan Company. This company also developed and now owns and manages 4001 North Fairfax Drive, Quincy Street Station, home to the new Tara Thai restaurant. The Association has invited the developer to make a brief presentation on their proposed plans at our next Membership Meeting, Tuesday, March 31, 1998. (8:15 to 8:30 p.m.).

Adjournment (no later than 9:00 p.m.).

1997-'98 Membership Meeting Schedule. Monthly Membership Meetings of the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association are scheduled at the National Rural Electric Association (NRECA), 4301 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia, Ellipse Conference Center (Room CC1 except as noted) for the following Tuesday evenings: 4/28, 5/26, 6/30, 7/28, 8/25 (Room CC2), 9/29, 10/27, and 11/24/98. These meeting dates are the last Tuesday of the month.

For your information, NRECA provides free garage access for one hour at NRECA's underground parking garage for participants attending the BVSCA Membership Meeting (30 minutes prior, to 30 minutes following, the starting time of our meeting). The garage's automatic exit device allows exit-only traffic after the garage is closed. BVSCA participants should be prepared to state they are attending the BVSCA Membership Meeting in order to receive free parking. Members should be advised that the garage will be accessible only up to 8:00 p.m., 30 minutes following the 7:30 p.m. starting time of our Membership Meeting, and that once the garage closes vehicles will still be able to exit the garage. Access to the Conference Room will be provided at 7:00 p.m.; the room must be completely vacated no later than 9:45 p.m. Also, general cleaning of the room, including trash removal, is the responsibility of BVSCA. Further, furniture and equipment should not be moved or adjusted by non-NRECA personnel.

1997-'98 Executive Committee Meetings. The Executive Committee meets as often as is necessary to attend to the issues which come up and need to be dealt with. For the 1997-'98 membership year, at a minimum, the Committee will meet following the end of the Membership Meeting or the first Wednesday of the month. The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for April 14. The Committee's meetings are open to any dues paid member of the Association.

BVSCA Announcements. On March 17, 1998, the Executive Committee appointed David Ryan, as one of the Association's Civic Federation Delegates for the remainder of the BVSCA 1997-'98 Association year, to fill the vacancy created when BVSCA Delegate Deem Gillmore passed away the second week in January 1998. The late Deem Gillmore was elected as one of the four BVSCA Civic Federation Delegates at the Annual Membership Meeting on May 28, 1997, to serve as one of the BVSCA Executive Committee members. Pursuant to the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association's By-Laws, Article IV. Officers, Section 4. Vacancies, "In the event that any office or other elected executive post becomes vacant, the Executive Committee shall appoint any qualified member to serve until a successor is elected."

Arlington County Announcement. In a letter dated March 23, 1998, the Chairman of the Arlington County Board, Christopher Zimmerman, announced that he is pleased to inform our Association that this spring the County will again be offering its award-winning seminar on Arlington's land use planning and development process.

The course, last presented in October 1997, will cover all aspects of the County's planning process and how individual citizens can make their voices heard. The five-hour course will be offered in two segments on April 28 and May 5. The course is free-of-charge and all participants will receive the "Citizens Planning Kit," a packet of useful materials about the County's planning and development processes.

According to the pamphlet enclosed with Chairman Zimmerman's letter, the program will focus on: (1) past influences on County land use, (2) procedures currently set in place to guide the decision-making process, (3) land use and planning terms and concepts, (4) how you can get involved in the County planning process, and (5) breakout groups to discuss current [County] issues such as "Infill Development, Urban Village, and Transportation Planning." Speakers will include citizen activists, County Board members, County staff, and others.

To help make your evening less rushed, the County has announced in this pamphlet, that they will have box suppers available for your convenience, consisting of a turkey sandwich, salad, drink, and brownie, catered by Spice of Life in Rosslyn.

You must request and pay for supper(s) before April 17. The cost is $6.00 per night for each person. Please make check payable to Treasurer, Arlington County, and mail with your course registration. The County cannot refund payment after April 17.

The Land Use Planning Seminar will take place on Tuesday evenings, April 28 and May 5, 1998, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Check-in and supper are to begin at 6:60 p.m.

The location of this seminar is the former Safeway building at Columbia Pike and South Dinwiddie Street, now known as the Arlington Mill Community Center, 4975 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204.

You may register by mail, fax, or phone: Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 608, Arlington, Virginia 22201. Fax: (703) 228-3543, Attention: Ina Chandler. To register, or for further information about the seminar, please call (703) 228-3580.