OPINION: Why Is Our City For Sale?

I’ve just read that the City of Falls Church is going to get “branded.”

A local marketing firm has been hired to advertise Falls Church to the public and produce a “brand video.” The idea seems to be that with the right kind of advertising, more people will want to live, dine, and do business in our fair City.

A steering committee has been appointed, and the members form an impressive list of City activists – the cream of the crop, really, and I’m grateful for their record of service.

So – who am I to dare question the idea? Well, whenever an idea surfaces that “nobody” would object to, I remember Emily Dickinson’s poem, “I’m nobody! Who are you?”

I’m not the devil – just his advocate. And I ask: What does the City of Falls Church need that can be supplied through publicity, advertising, and a brand image? Read more

Discussions to Fix Affordable Housing Plan Bumped Again

Another delay has occurred in discussions over the city’s affordable housing project, the City Center South Apartments (CCSA).  The work session between the Falls Church Housing Commission and the city Planning Commission (PC) has been removed from the February 2 PC agenda and bumped to February 17, with a vote on the site plan scheduled for March 2. 

 This calls into question statements by city officials in December that the PC’s rejection of the CCSA site plan due to inadequate parking would threaten the project’s tight financing deadlines.   

No explanation has been provided on why the work session will not proceed next week or whether financing deadlines have also slipped.   

Many observers had speculated that new appointees to the Falls Church Planning Commission would force a speedy rescission as early as January 5 of the PC’s December 2008 rejection of the site plan.  When that rescission did not occur, a work session with the Falls Church Housing Commission was scheduled to discuss that organization’s plan to remedy PC concerns over parking. 

The Planning Commission latest meeting information appears below.

Joint City Council/Planning Commission Work session Presentation on Application 20081039, Conditional Rezoning (T-1 to B-1), 120 North Lee Street/609 Park Avenue City Hall – Training Center 7 PM
AGENDA
MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF THE

CITY OF FALLS CHURCH PLANNING COMMISSION

TO BE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

300 PARK AVENUE, FALLS CHURCH, VA

MONDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2009, 7:45 PM

 The Planning Commission’s Rules of Procedure limit each speaker, other than an applicant, to a three (3) minute initial presentation.  Plats, plans, and reports are available for review in the Planning Division, 300 Park Avenue, Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM; and at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Reference Section, 120 North Virginia Avenue, Monday-Thursday, 9 AM-9 PM, Fridays and Saturdays, 9 AM – 5 PM, and Sundays, 1 PM – 5 PM.

 1.        Call to Order:

 2.        Roll Call:

 3.        Planning Commission Reports:

 4.        Receipt of Petitions:

 5.        Planning Director’s Report:

 6.        Old Business:

 A.       Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2010-2014

            Hold Public Hearing and Continue to 17 February 2009

 B.       Annual Report to the City Council

            Review Draft, Modify as Needed, Approve and Forward to the City Council

7.         New Business:

            Application 20080979, Special Exception Amendment, Retail, Retail Service, and

            Office Uses, 410 South Maple Avenue, Pearson Square

 Advertised Public Hearing (Applicant requests continuance to 17 February 2009)

 8.        Other Business:

 A.       Amendments to Planning Commission Rules of Procedure

            Adoption of Amendments

 B.       Certificates of Appreciation to Former Planning Commissioners

            Adoption of Certificates

 9.        Approval of Minutes:  21 January 2009

 10. Adjournment

 AGENDA

City of Falls Church Planning Commission

Work session Immediately Following the Meeting

 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Public Works (General Fund and Utility Fund) Transportation; and Outstanding Issues

 The City of Falls Church is committed to the letter and to the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability call 703.248.5040 (TTY 711).

 MATTERS SCHEDULED CURRENTLY FOR FUTURE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS AND LISTING OF WORKSESSIONS SCHEDULED

 Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Fiscal Years 2010-2014 – Public Hearing and Recommendation to the City Council Application 20080979, Special Exception Amendment, Retail/Service and Business, Professional, Medical, and Dental Office Uses, 410 South Maple Avenue, Pearson Square – Public Hearing and Recommendation to the City Council Work session on Site Plan for City Center South Apartments/360 Office, and Subdivision (Consolidation) for City Center South Apartments/360 Office, Three Lots to Two Lots

 Monday, 2 March 2009

Site Plan for City Center South Apartments/360 Office – Preliminary and Final Approval Subdivision (Consolidation) for City Center South Apartments/360 Office, Three Lots to Two Lots – Preliminary and Final Approval

Monday, 30 March 2009

Joint City Council/Planning Commission Worksession – Capital Improvements Program

            (CIP) Fiscal Years 2010-2014 and General Fund Budget

MATTERS NOT CURRENTLY SCHEDULED

Application 20070528, Special Exception-Height/Special Exception-Mixed Use/Rezoning  for 500, 510, and 520 North Washington Street, “Gateway”

Application 20080512, Site Plan for City Center South

Application 20080767, Special Use Permit for Bank with a Drive-Through Use at 1230 West Broad Street (U1488-08)

Application 20081039, Conditional Rezoning (T-1 to B-1), 120 North Lee Street/ 609 Park Avenue

Application 2009004, Subdivision, 411 East Jefferson Street North Washington Street Streetscape Design

Council Salutes Former Planning Commissioners and EDA Chairman

The Falls Church City Council presented certificates of appreciation Monday night to three former members of the Planning Commission and the outgoing chairman of the Economic Development Authority.  Honored were commissioners Maureen Budetti, Suzanne Fauber, and Christine Sanders, and Ed Saltzberg of the EDA.

John Lawrence, current chairman of the Planning Commission, noted that the three former members had served well for a total of 25 years and that the Commission had lost 70% of its experience with their departure.  Mr. Lawrence stated that the perception that the commissioners had been anti-development was unfounded, citing the numerous projects that were built or approved during their terms. 

Mayor Robin Gardner had high praise for Mr. Saltzberg’s dedicated leadership over the past 8 years.  He will continue to serve as vice chairman of the EDA.

Traffic-Light Cam Returning to Falls Church?

Better slow that car down, leadfoot.  Remember those traffic-light cameras that used to be on Broad Street, one at Broad and Annandale, and one at Broad and Birch?  Looks like they’re coming back.  Last night the Falls Church City Council agreed to the first reading of an ordinance to reinstate them.  (Not necessarily on Broad Street, mind you.) 

Councilman David Snyder, speaking in favor of their installation, stated that cameras are a critical safety measure, that they help prevent accidents, and that they allow law enforcement officers to focus on more important activities. 

An engineering safety analysis must be performed at an intersection before a camera is activated.  Under Virginia Code, the maximum fine for a violation will be $50.  

The vote to approve the first reading was 6-0.  Vice Mayor Hal Lippman did not attend Monday night’s session.

A public hearing and second reading is scheduled for February 9.  The motion to approve the ordinance:

http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Government/Council/Meetings/2009/January26/PhotoRed012909.pdf

2009 Falls Church Relay for Life Off to Strong Start

An estimated 100 people turned out on Sunday, January 25 for the Relay For Life Kick-Off Event at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School. Last year’s relay saw 40 participating teams raise more than $83,000 to support the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

“We’re very excited with the level of interest we’ve already seen for this year’s event,” said Co-Chairs Katie Clinton and Terri Rollo. “We’re confident that the 2009 Relay will be even bigger and better.”

All City schools will be participating in this year’s relay. Dr. Lois Berlin, superintendent of the Falls Church City Schools, will be serving as an honorary co-chair. Carol Ann Siciliano, a City resident and cancer survivor, will serve as the other honorary co-chair.

Persons interested in entering a team or joining an existing one can sign up for the relay at www.fallschurchrelay.org. The organizers also are interested in reaching out to cancer survivors in Falls Church and encouraging them to participate.

* Thanks to Gary Mester for the photos.
Left photo: Terri Rollo, Supt. Lois Berlin and Katie Clinton, co-chairs and honorary co-chair of the 2009 Relay.
Right photo: George Mason High School chorus performed at the event.

Planning Chair Raises Questions re ‘Perrier Jouét’ Building

Some aspects of recent development have been questioned by Falls Church Planning Commission Chair John Lawrence.  His memo to the City Planning Department follows.

Memorandum

From:             John D. Lawrence
To:                  Planning Department
Subject:         The “Perrier Jouét” Building at 800 W. Broad

I have received numerous notes and comments from people about the building at 800 West Broad.  Please see the pictures below as I presume that this building will be named (much like a stadium) after a corporate sponsor that appears to be Perrier Jouét champagne.  Given its appearance, I feel the need to ask some important questions concerning this structure.

1.       Did the City Arborist approve the type of vegetation displayed?  Is this a native plant?

2.      Is it an invasive species that might end up on the 706 building as a result of the shared parking agreement?  Need opinion of the ESC’s Invasive Species Task Force.

3.      Is it deciduous in winter?  If not, how will it provide adequate screening?

4.      If deciduous, does DES have equipment large enough to collect and dispose of the leaves?

5.      If swept to the curb for fall leaf collection, will this impede westbound traffic on West Broad Street? Read more

Water Turbidity Standard May Have Been Exceeded

Falls Church residents received a mailer today alerting them that a small portion of water of elevated turbidity (cloudiness) may have entered the city water system in late December 2008.  Turbidity has no direct health effects but can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium of rmicrobial growth.  Persons with compromised immune systems may have an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness.  For more information, contact Mr. Thomas Jacobus at 202-764-0031 or Mr. Robert Etris at 703-248-5335.

The Stacks Are Packed: Library Desperately Seeks to Expand

The Mary Riley Styles Public Library is becoming a victim of its own success.

By virtually every measure the Library had a banner year in FY 2008 (July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008).  For the fourth consecutive year it broke its circulation record as nearly 366,000 items were borrowed.  Twelve thousand children and more than 600 adults attended Library programs.   Over 25,000 people now have Falls Church Library cards, including 92% of the City’s residents.

However, it is questionable as to how long the Library can continue to efficiently deliver this level of service.  The size of its collection has increased by over 21% since FY 2005 and now numbers over 154,000 items.  A recent survey conducted by PSA-Dewberry estimated the Library’s space needs at 40,000 square feet, nearly triple the area now available.  Meeting space is very limited and parking is sufficient only for the Library’s staff.

Last Wednesday, Jeff Peterson, chairman of the Space Committee of the Library Board of Trustees, expressed these concerns in remarks to the Falls Church Planning Commission.  Citing what he termed the Library’s desperate need to expand, Mr. Peterson proposed a $6 million program, $2 million of which he recommended be included in the City’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for FY 2011.

Mr. Peterson also suggested that Falls Church consider renovations proposed for City Hall and the Library as a single project and a single line item within the CIP.  He theorized that any future referendum on these improvements would be more likely to pass if they were presented to the public as one initiative.

While few would disagree with Mr. Peterson’s description of the Library as a cherished community resource and the intellectual heart of the City, it may be difficult to fund the proposed expansion in the current economic environment.  This likely will be one of the many hard decisions Falls Church will face in the coming years.

To learn more about the Library, visit its website:

http://www.falls-church.lib.va.us/

To support the Library, consider contributing to the Mary Riley Styles Library Foundation Trust:

http://www.falls-church.lib.va.us/support/foundation.html

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