City Council to Vote on Falls Church Housing Corporation’s City Center South Proposal August 11th

The Falls Church City Council will vote on a proposal for affordable housing to be built by a partnership of the Falls Church Housing Corporation (FCHC) and developer Atlantic Realty Monday night August 11 at 7:30pm in Council Chambers at City Hall.

 The hearing can be viewed live on television on the following channels on cable: RCN Cable Channel (2), Cox Cable Channel (12), and Verizon Cable Channel (35).

This is the wording of the request that will be voted on by the Council Monday, August 11:
“The applicant is requesting a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and two Special Exceptions to allow the redevelopment of the two existing office buildings at 350 and 370 South Washington Street as a new mixed-use project consisting of a 174 unit, seven-story affordable residential apartment building with ground floor non-profit – office/service/program/amenity/common space.”

Specifically, the applicant has filed applications requesting:

• Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map Amendment from “Business” to “Mixed Use”
• Special Exception for Mixed Use (Residential use in a Business District)
• Special Exception for Height (80 feet rather than 75 feet max. allowed in B-2)”

In addition, the Council will consider an accompanying zoning code change:
Zoning Code Text Amendment (Exemption allowed from special Exception Primary criteria related to net new commercial square footage and revenue.) The City staff estimates a 25-space parking deficit for the project. According to the City memorandum, the applicant proposes to remediate the parking deficit by an off-site parking agreement. Specifically, the affordable housing project’s Wednesday evening peak deficit would be ameliorated by a shared parking agreement with the new office building on 360 S. Washington Street, which would have available parking on evenings and weekends.

The proposal regarding 360 S. Washington Street has not yet been officially reviewed by the Planning Commission or City Council. A memorandum of understanding, between the City, FCHC, and the owner of the 360 S. Washington property, Educational Options is also being voted on. The proposal entails tearing down the existing building and constructing a 4-story above-ground parking garage and a 3-story office building that would house the offices of Educational Options.

Issues raised by the Planning Commission and some members of City Council concerning the City Center South proposal include the following:

• lack of consultation with independent affordable housing experts
• concentration of a stand alone affordable housing development in an already affordable area of the City
• removal of senior citizens from easily accessed homes to a high rise amidst dense traffic and business mix
• possible conversion of the Winter Hill Apartments to first-time affordable homebuyers condominiums
• lack of adequate parking for the number of residents and office workers
• special exceptions to the Zoning code for mixed use, height, and a text amendment

A City memorandum notes that the development cost for the project has increased from $37 million to $46 million since November 2007. The City is being asked to use the $2 million CIP fund that is to be used for affordable housing in the City and is also requesting that the optional $4.2 million proffer set in place by Atlantic Realty in the City Center project be used to fund the FCHC’s City Center South project, as opposed to including 36 units in the approved City Center project.

The City’s cost for the project including direct (i.e. debt service on the bond and uncollected real estate tax revenue) and indirect costs (i.e. schools and services costs) will be $1 million plus per year during the loan period, which has yet to be determined. Financial projections for the loan period have been based on a 15 year schedule. The figure will escalate every year. Additionally, the indirect costs to the City may continue throughout the life of the building, not just during the life of the loan.

The memo goes on to note, “It is anticipated that the development and operating budget will further change once binding construction bids are received. FCHC has formally committed, in April 2008, to bear the costs of future changes if beyond the request to the City for the $2M CIP [capital improvement] funding and the real estate tax abatement.”

-Sally Brett

Tanned, Rested…and Ready for School to Start?

It’s now been over two months since the last day of the 2007-2008 school year, and hopefully you’ve had a relaxing summer of afternoons at the pool Or maybe you’ve had a summer of juggling a number of camps with varying schedules, vacation, out-of-town guests, and you can’t wait for the first day of school. No matter how your summer has been, time and tide wait for no man…and school begins in less than a month –

August 25 for St. James Catholic School
September 2 for Falls Church City schools

School Supplies and all that jazz.

Since only the most organized among us can find the lime green list of required school supplies that came home that “last day,” and even though a copy of these lists will also be included in the packet with teacher/section assignments either being mailed to your home or waiting to be picked up, as my 11-year-old daughter told me, “by then, all the good stuff is gone.” And you know what? She’s generally right. Who wants to visit 14 stores looking for white pocket folders the last week of summer vacation? So here is where you can find the information you need:

Mount Daniel and Thomas Jefferson school supply lists:
http://www.fccps.org/news/item/080722_01.htm

Mary Ellen Henderson school supply lists:
http://www.fccps.org/meh/

George Mason school supply lists:
Information contained in the August 2008 newsletter (just ignore the .pdf title; it really IS the August newsletter) provides important information about the start of school:
http://www.fccps.k12.va.us/gm/newsletters/October.pdf

St. James School supply lists

So WHEN do you find out about teacher assignments?

For those of us without instant recall, here is the process of finding out who your child’s teacher is and when they will meet them (by school):

Mount Daniel Elementary School (Grades K-1):
August 19 Class assignments and information about the school year mailed home
August 28 Meet the Teacher Day (Kindergarten-1:30 p.m.; 1st-2:00 p.m.; Pre-K-2:30 p.m.)

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (Grades 2-4):
August 20-29 Class assignments packet pick-up at TJ
August 28 Meet the Teacher Day -12:45 pm

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (Grades 5-7):
week of August 18 Class assignments mailed home
August 26 5th grade locker orientation (8:00-10:00 a.m.)
August 27 Back to School Social 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

George Mason High School:
Information contained in the August 2008 newsletter (just ignore the .pdf title; it really IS the August newsletter) provides important information about the start of school:
http://www.fccps.k12.va.us/gm/newsletters/October.pdf
August 27 8th Grade Orientation at noon in the Mustang Cafe

St. James Catholic School:
August 22 Open House and Uniform Exchange

Getting your head in the game…

And finally, there’s still time for your children to finish their summer reading requirement. Check out the summer reading lists* at:

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School:
http://www.fccps.org/meh/

George Mason High School:
http://www.fccps.k12.va.us/gm/outlines/summerreading/summerreading.html

St. James School Summer Reading List

* Mount Daniel and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools do not have reading lists. But for a list of recommended books, visit Reading Resources at the Falls Church Elementary PTA Web site:
http://www.fallschurchpta.org/pta-resources.html

You’re all set now…or are you?

Earlier this summer, instructions for updating Falls Church City student information via Infosnap were mailed to parents of returning students. This online process was implemented last year to reduce paper and to make the registration process for both parents and staff more efficient. If you have not already updated your information, please do so as soon as possible. If you have questions, or if you are unable to locate your student’s “snapcodes,” please contact the central office at 703-248-5612.
– from the Falls Church City public schools

And now if someone could just tell me where they sell pre-sharpened pencils!

– Annette Hennessey

How to Get Agendas for City Council, Planning Commission Meetings

Want the agendas for important City meetings? Here’s how to get them:

City Council Meeting packages and work session notices/agendas: Email your request to the City Clerk, Kathy Buschow kbuschow@fallschurchva.gov

• Planning Commission notices and agendas: Email your request to Debra Gee in the Planning Department dgee@fallschurchva.gov dgee@fallschurchva.gov

-Sally Brett

Save the Trip to Tysons: DMV Services in Falls Church

Falls Church residents can now conduct many Department of Motor Vehicle transactions at Falls Church City Hall, avoiding a trip to the Tysons Corner DMV. Vehicle titles, registrations, license plates, driver transcripts and records changes can be made at the Falls Church DMV office at 300 Park Avenue. Office hours are 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. Phone is (703) 248-5019, and e-mail is commissioner@fallschurchva.gov. Drivers licenses and tests are still handled at the Tysons Corner office on Gallows Road.

-Stan Fendley

Register Online Now for Sports and Other Activities

Falls Church residents may now register online for activities organized by the Falls Church Recreations and Parks Department. Read more

Sports In and Around Falls Church

There are lots of sports opportunities in and around Falls Church. Here are a few.

Youth Sports (Elementary and Middle School)

Baseball. Baseball is big in Falls Church. Youth baseball is organized by the Falls Church Kiwanis Little League, which has been around since 1948. Both spring and fall ball are offered for kids ages 7-12. See www.fckll.org for more information. After age 12, many Falls Church players participate in the Arlington Babe Ruth league, http://leagueathletics.com/?org=Arlingtonbb.org. There are often teams that form formally or informally to play tournaments throughout the summer, including the Doc Bonaccorso Summer Classic, played in late July in honor of the founder of Arlington Babe Ruth. www.eteamz.com/arlingtonbaberuth/

Basketball. Youth basketball in Falls Church is organized by the Falls Church Community Center, which has a large gymnasium accommodating two small side-by-side courts with variable height goals for younger players, or a full size court for older players. The Center is located at 223 Little Falls Church, Falls Church, next to City Hall and Cherry Hill Park. Contact: (703) 248-5077, http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Departments/CommunityServices/RecsParks/Registration.aspx?&cnlid=1461. At the Under-10 level, players have the opportunity to try out for a select team, which plays at Fairfax County locations. Select try-outs occur in the fall, followed by recreation league try-outs in November. In rec league, all players are placed on teams through a draft process, designed to keep teams balanced. Select team practices begin in November and games start in December. Rec league practices begin in December and games in January. Typically the seasons run into March. More competitive players will find their way onto Falls Church travel teams, which compete successfully around the DC Metro area.

Bowling. Bowl America at 140 S. Maple Avenue, Falls Church offers bowling for all ages. Contact: 703) 534 – 1370

Figure Skating. Figure skating instruction and competition is available at a number of area ice arenas, including Kettler (Ballston); www.kettlercapitalsiceplex.com; Fairfax, www.fairfaxicearena.com; Skatequest Reston and Prince William, http://skatequest.com/; Mount Vernon, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/mvrec.htm#mvcalendars; Cabin John, http://www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/enterprise/ice/index.shtm; and Fort DuPont, http://www.fdia.org/Home.asp

Football. Falls Church youth footballers typically play in either the Fairfax County Youth Football League, http://www.fcyfl.org/, or the McLean Youth Football — http://www.myathletics.org/football/index.html. Registration begins mid summer.

Golf. A number of public golf courses and programs are available in the area. Closest is the nine-hole Jefferson District Golf Course, operated by Fairfax County, at 7900 Lee Highway. Jefferson District also has miniature golf, but NOT a driving range. Contact: (703) 573-0444, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/jefferson/directions.htm. A local favorite is the East Potomac Golf Course at Hanes Point in DC, which offers golf with terrific views of the Potomac River and the Washington Monument. East Potomac has one 18-hole and two 9-hole courses, a large driving range, a number of practice greens, and a golf school. Contact: (202) 554-7660, http://www.golfdc.com/gc/ep/gc.htm. Also close to Falls Church is the Oak Marr Golf Course in Oakton, VA, also owned by Fairfax County, (703) 255-5390, http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/golf/oakmarr/. Oak Marr has a 9-hole course, a large driving range, and short-game practice area.

Gymnastics. Monkey Business, 442 S. Washington Street, Falls Church is popular with younger kids. http://www.monkeybiz4kids.com/, (703) 241-7529. The YMCA Arlington Branch offers gradual and comprehensive gymnastics. 2422 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington. Contact: (703) 527-4966.

Ice Hockey. A number of Falls Church youth play ice hockey at area rinks. The closest is at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, a terrific facility located at the top of the Ballston Mall in Arlington, 10 minutes from downtown Falls Church. www.kettlercapitalsiceplex.com. The Kettler arena is operated in conjunction with the Washington Capitals NHL team, but its youth program is growing from the bottom up so other programs may offer greater competition for older players. A number of other programs in the area are more established and offer high levels of competition at both the House and Travel levels. These include the Reston Raiders, www.restonraiders.org, Northern Virginia Ice Dogs, http://nova-icedogs.com/web/index.html; Ashburn Xtreme, www.ashburnxtreme.com; Virginia Wild, www.virginiawild.com; and Montgomery County Blue Devils, http://www.myha.org/. The winter season runs from October to March, and spring season April and May. Registration typically begins in July for the winter season and March for the spring season. Fort DuPont Ice Arena in DC offers an excellent Saturday learn-to-play program with free used equipment. http://www.fdia.org/Home.asp.

Irish Dance. The O’Neill-James School of Irish Dance in Arlington was established in 1969 by esteemed instructor Laureen O”Neill-James, herself an All-Ireland Medal Winner. www.oneilljamesschool.com/. The school is located at 6406 16^th Street North, Arlington. Contact: (703) 241-1978

Martial Arts. Popular martial arts programs for youth include Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do http://www.jhoonrheetkd.com, U.S. Wushu Academy http://www.uswushuacademy.com/index.htm and Enshin Karate of Nova http://www.virginiakarate.com.

Raquetball. Top quality raquetball courts are available at Providence Recreation Center http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/prorec.htm and Oak Marr Recreation Center in Oakton http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/omrec.htm, and Chinquapin Recreation Center in Alexandria http://alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=12352

Skateboarding. Cherry Hill Park has skateboard ramps available at no charge during park hours. Five minutes away, Arlington offers perhaps the best skate and BMX bike park in the Washington area at Powhatan Springs Skatepark, 6020 Wilson Boulevard, for a small fee. Contact: (703) 533-2362.

Soccer. Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Falls Church, both at the youth and high school levels. Falls Church youth soccer players 7-14 participate in the Arlington and Falls Church Virginia Soccer Association, www.arlingtonsoccer.com. Falls Church players register online at the Falls Church Community Center, http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Departments/CommunityServices/RecsParks/Registration.aspx?&cnlid=1461 (703) 248-5077. There are spring and fall seasons, with registration typically beginning in January for the spring season, and July for the fall. Many Falls Church players are also active in travel soccer, playing for teams from Falls Church, Annandale, Arlington, McLean, and Vienna and other surrounding areas. Information on area travel soccer is available from the two major travel leagues, National Capital Soccer League (NSCL) (www.ncsl-soccer.com) and Old Dominion Soccer League (ODSL)(www.odsl.org). A number of Falls Church youth participate in the Olympic Development Program, http://www.vysa.com/odp/index_E.html. Winter indoor soccer is available at a number of facilities, including Fairfax Sportsplex www.fairfaxsportsplex, Dulles Sportsplex www.dullessportsplex.com, and Barcroft Sports Facility in Arlington, www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/comm_center/ParksRecreationScriptsComm_centerBarcroft.aspx. Futsal, or five-to-a-side soccer, is also played at a variety of facilities.

Swimming and Diving. Swimming and diving in Falls Church is organized primarily by community pool associations, which typically offer outside pools, plus tennis and table tennis. Popular community pools include High Point http://www.highpointpool.net/Contact.htm, Lee Graham http://www.leegrahampool.org, Poplar Heights (Call (703) 237-7946), Sleepy Hollow, www.shrasharks.org, and Dunn Loring http://www.dlsc.net/. In 2008, area pool memberships cost around $450 per year, plus a one-time initial fee. Indoor swimming is available at Providence Recreation Center http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/prorec.htm in off Route 50, Oak Marr Recreation Center in Oakton http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/omrec.htm, and Chinquapin Recreation Center in Alexandria http://alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=12352.

Tennis. Although there is no organized youth tennis league in Falls Church, there are a number of public tennis courts available, as well as those at the community pools mentioned above (see “Swimming and Diving.”) The Falls Church Community Center has two lighted tennis courts.

High School Sports.

The George Mason Mustangs compete in baseball, basketball, cross country, cheerleading, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleball and wrestling. Mason boasts state championships in a number of sports and has seen its athletes play at the college level around the country. For more information on George Mason’s sports programs, see http://www.masonathletics.org/

Adult Sports. Coming Soon!

There’s the Letter of the Law, and There’s the Spirit of the Law

At the recent meeting of the City Council, erstwhile vice-mayor Lindy Hockenberry was appointed to the Planning Commission. The point was raised that Hockenberry, who lost her recent bid to return to her Council seat, is not eligible for a City appointment as city regulations forbid any such service within one year after active service.

Hockenberry declined payment for serving on the Commission, which the City Attorney has interpreted as relieving Hockenberry of the obligation to follow the restriction.

Here is the regulation from the City Code:

Sec. 4.01. Composition.
The council shall consist of seven (7) members, who shall be qualified voters of the city actually residing within the corporate limits, and they shall be elected as provided in Chapter 3. They shall each receive in full compensation for their services such salary as the city council may fix in accordance with state law. No member of the council shall during the term for which he was elected and one year thereafter be appointed to any office of profit under the government of the city.

By Sally Brett

Adding On But Not Expanding

A last-minute proposal for the Falls Church Housing Corporation’s (FCHC) City Center South Apartments (CCSA) project, designed to address parking problems with proposed multi-family housing building on Maple Street and offices on South Washington, was added to the City Council Work Session this week.

As currently proposed, the underground parking and limited surface parking for the 7-story building on Maple St. does not meet City code. Should the parking garage be built at the site of the 360 S. Washington Street building, as proposed in the new scheme, the number of parking spaces will not increase because the underground parking garage will not be built.

The City plans to purchase the 360 S. Washington Street Building from its current owner, Educational Options, for $2 million dollars and then transfer ownership to Falls Church Housing Corporation. There was some confusion as to who would own the building, FCHC, the City, or Educational Options. The financial agreements and details are still being negotiated.

Final reading and public hearing on the FCHC City Center South Apartments proposal is scheduled for Monday, August 11th. The original scope of the project included two buildings located at 350 and 370 S. Washington Street and the Winter Hill Apartments.

The apartments, currently occupied by mostly elderly Section 8 residents, is to be used as collateral for FCHC to build the 7-story building on Maple. FCHC has proposed converting the apartments to first time, affordable homebuyer condos. Whether these would continue being affordable housing is at question. There is no guarantee and no agreements in place in the current proposal.

The buildings at 350 and 370 South Washington Street, and now a third building at 360 South Washington Street, are to be torn down. The new proposal is to build a 4-story above ground parking structure with a 3-story office building on the 360 S. Washington site.

Two of the four stories of parking would be claimed by Educational Options, which would also occupy the 3-story office building. The remaining two stories would be shared with the residents of the proposed 174 units of multi-family affordable housing on Maple St. Current residents of the Winter Hill apartments are being given the first right of refusal to relocate to this proposed seven-story building; as planned, the housing has two elevators.Residents of the Winter Hill/Cherry Hill community, which consists of townhomes and condos, have met twice with the FCHC to review the proposed City Center South Apartments plans. They are opposed to the lack of information regarding the conversion of the existing units. Elderly residents have expressed concerns at being moved from individual street-level units to units in a seven-story multi-family complex with two elevators.

Sally Brett

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