Spare That Tree? Not Likely, Says Commission

By GINGER PINHOLSTER
Special to The Falls Church Times

October 31, 2010

The Falls Church City Tree Commission passed a motion October 27 urging the City Council to “investigate all options for saving the 70-inch tulip poplar on Lot 2-A at Fulton and North Lee, given that it is of the caliber that could be considered a specimen tree.”

Commission Chair Larry Dorr acknowledged, during the group’s first official meeting since 2009, that the tulip poplar probably can’t be saved. It’s located on developer-owned property that’s being subdivided from two to five lots. The tree’s monstrous size would prevent any development of one of the lots, Dorr noted.

But William (Bill) Hicks, director of construction and engineering within the city’s Department of Environmental Services, noted that “there is an open space fund.”

Arborist Jeremy Edwards, who has resigned his post effective this week, said the lot “would be a beautiful pocket park.”

All agreed that purchasing the 8,000-square-foot lot would almost surely be cost-prohibitive for the City in the current economic climate. Still, Hicks recommended routing the motion to the Planning Commission and also entering it into public comments at the next City Council meeting.

The Commission had tried to save the tree some years ago by having it identified as a “specimen tree,” but the prior property owner refused to agree to the designation. The tree “is a real stunner — absolutely Avatar quality,” City Council member Johannah Barry said during the Tree Commission meeting.

As of June 1, 2009, the city’s specimen tree list included 53 trees, ranging from basswoods, beech, and holly, to black oaks, redwoods, hemlocks, maples, pecan, various maples and tulips.

Also during the meeting, Dorr requested the signature and seal of the expert who had completed a survey of trees on the property at Fulton and North Lee Streets.

Hicks said his office received the subdivision plan October 26, and comments are due by November 10.

In other business, Hicks reported that the city is now actively recruiting a new arborist to replace the outgoing Edwards. “Jeremy has been with us five years,” Hicks said. “We’re sorry to see him go. We will have a new arborist.”

The Commission also passed a motion recommending that the Council should accept an offer by the Virginia Department of Forestry to assess the City’s tree canopy, pending the negotiation of any state requirements. (There was some discussion of whether the state would require a 5 percent increase in tree canopy over the next 10 or so years, in exchange for the assessment.)

Yet another motion was approved to uphold the current tree-removal fee within the city, which is set on a “per-event” basis, regardless of the number of trees being removed at one time. The cost per event is $50 for single-family residential property, or $100 for all other categories.

The tree-removal fee applies only when single-family residential property is under development. With some technical exceptions relating to stream buffers, the fee does not apply to single-family residences that are not engaged in development. The fee was imposed administratively by the City to offset costs incurred by the City Arborist who reviews these site plans.

Finally, the Commission passed a motion thanking Edwards for his service as an arborist and urban forester, and wishing him the best of luck in his new role in a private firm.

The Tree Commission is scheduled to meet the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30 p.m., but they haven’t been able to maintain that schedule because they often don’t have a quorum. The City’s website has an application for the commission.

CITY MEETINGS: November 1 – 5

 Click on [Read More] to access links.

Monday 11/1:  City Council/School Board Work Session.  Mary Ellen Henderson School Cafetorium, 7:00 pm.  Agenda.  

Planning Commission. CANCELLED. 

Tuesday 11/2:  Electoral Board.  Office of the General Registrar, First Floor, East Wing, 5:00 am.

Economic Development Authority.  Training Center – G Level, 7:00 pm.

Wednesday 11/3:  Electoral Board.  Administrative Conference Room, Third Floor, East Wing, 9:00 am.

Recreation and Parks Advisory Board.  Community Center, 7:00 pm.  Agenda.

City Council Closed Session.  The Oak Room (formerly Administrative Conference Room), 7:30 pm.

Architectural Advisory Board. Council Chamber, 7:45 pm.

Thursday 11/4:    City Council Legislative Committee.  The Oak Room, 7:30 am.

School Facilities Advisory Working Group.  Thomas Jefferson School Library, 7:00 pm.

Long Range Financial Planning Working Group.  The Magnolia Room (formerly Planning Conference Room), 7:30 pm.

Friday 11/5: City Council Economic Development Committee.  The Oak Room, 7:30 am.

Meeting notices are obtained from the City and School Board on-line calendars and from the notice board at the east entrance of City Hall.  Meetings may be subject to re-scheduling or cancellation.  Meetings are held in City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, unless otherwise indicated.

FOOD: ‘Brew-Ha-Ha’ in the Little City

By ILENE SMITH
Falls Church Times Staff

October 29, 2010

The weather’s turning crisp, leaves are turning colors, and fall traditions are in full swing – including football season and beer.  Beer, one of the oldest beverages known to man, has been making quite a ‘brew-haha’ in Falls Church City with the recent addition of Mad Fox Brewing Company.

October and November are great months to sample the robust flavors of seasonal beer, so my husband and I grabbed some friends and headed out for a night of beer tasting right in our own back yard.  We had heard raves about The Mad Fox Brewing Company and wanted to check it out for ourselves.  We were also intrigued by its fanatical DC following and large repertoire of craft brew recipes.

Before I get too far ahead, I should introduce Bill Madden, owner and operator of Mad Fox Brewing Company, who is considered among the top craftbeer brewers in the nation.   Mad Fox is Falls Church City’s first independent brewpub.   A brewpub is distinguished from a microbrewery because it brews and consumes its beer on the premises, whereas a microbrewery is limited to 15 thousand barrels of beer per year and distributes it beyond the premises.  There are quite a few national chain brewpubs, but very few independently owned brewpubs, even in the entire NOVA and DC region. 

Count the Little City among the fortunate few!

As with the organic food revival, there is an explosion of microbreweries and brewpubs all over the US that brings with it a new generation of beer connoisseurs who are part of this growing craft industry.   Ironically, this trend is reminiscent to yesteryear when Old English pubs and monks in monasteries would brew their own beer for the village. In fact, locally brewed ale is even catching up to the wine industry, with no abating in sight. As Good Beer Guide editor Roger Protz says:

The main reason is a simple one: craft brewers are responding to genuine consumer demand.  More and more people want to think local and drink local and real ale meets that demand. 

I think Bill Madden would agree with Protz, since people are drinking his brews as fast as he can make them!   

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

With that introduction, back to our recent evening of beer tasting at Mad Fox. We walked through the  front doors and were immediately “greeted” by our reflection in the massive stainless steel barrels behind the counter. And massive they are, with the total capacity to hold over 10,000 gallons, a lot of beer by any measure!   Once past the sleek, modern canisters the décor and layout of the restaurant captures the ambience of the old ‘local taverns’ that were community gathering places where locals met to discuss everything from politics to daily life.   Mad Fox even has a “Stammtisch” – a communal table dedicated to regulars. But the pub area is the main attraction with a 62 foot bar, 42 stools and a wait staff that is well versed in the process of customer service.  A dining room is also available to relax and sip your beer casually in a quieter space. 

We ordered a few Samplers of 4 Beers (4 ounces each) for 6 bucks.   Here are the results of our admittedly small, unscientific taste test:

Punkinator (5.0% ABV) – Made from 250 pounds of pumpkins from McClure farms in Maryland and 6 pounds of spice from Penzey’s Spice right across the street.  Pours a cloudy orange with a thin head; has a light spiced nose; definitely can taste the pumpkin flavor but light spices, cider taste- very good.  This is a medium bodied beer, but almost tastes like a light beer. Drinkability is great…goes down smooth and we would both drink another one.  Impressive!

Kolsch (4.4% ABV) – This is Madden’s signature beer and tastes like an authentic German Kolsch.  Pours a pale golden color with a small head.  Rather weak nose with a slight grassy hint. Tastes clean, crisp and dry, but with German malt to give it the body; extremely smooth and even.  Drinkability is excellent. Our friends loved this beer.

Wee Heavy (8.6% ABV) – Bill Madden’s interpretation of the malty scotch ale; Wee Heavy- aged in Catoctin Creek Distillery Rye Whiskey barrels.  This beer goes down smooth with each sip even though it’s a strong pale ale with a touch of sweetness and a slightly higher alcohol content.   A well balanced, full bodied beer that is complex with a hint of coffee- heavy, yet smooth.  My husband gave this beer 2 thumbs up.

Snap IPA (range 5.5 -7.5% ABV) – dry hopped with Chinook (a type of hop) for extra zest.  Pours a darker copper color with an earthy nose.   Tastes a bit “hoppie”, but not overly so, with a slight zing.   Drinkability is excellent as evidenced by its selection as our group favorite on this night of tasting.

Altbier (5.4% ABV) – Definitely tastes like an old German style beer (which is exactly how it translates) from a vat.   Begins light on the hops, but a nice balance with the German malts.   Medium bodied with a hint of sweetness and finishes with a hint of bitterness. Drinkability is very good.

English Summer Ale (5.2% ABV) – This lightly hopped beer pours a pale yellow.  It tastes very crisp, light and is quite a refreshing  English pale ale– great to drink in the summer months  after a long run or bike ride on the trails.  Drinkability is excellent.

ESB (5.0%) – Pours a copper color and really packs a punch!  Lots of strong flavors, but very well balanced.   Extra malt and hops brings down the bitterness.  Drinkability is very good.

Porter (6% ABV) – English style brew, very heavy, dark in color with a note of chocolate – very well balanced. Drinkability is excellent.

As you can see from the results compiled by my panel of independent beer aficionados, there wasn’t much we didn’t like among our Samplers. 

You can  judge Bill Madden’s beer for yourself at the Rally for the Senses tonight at the world-famous Brickskeller at 1523 22nd Street NW in Washington, DC. On the eve of the Fear/Sanity rally, sanity-bearing Bill Madden will be presenting his full-bodied Oaked Wee Heavy and his earth-drenched Snap IPA, competing against Fear-inducing Jason Oliver of Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company, in Roseland, Virginia, plus more…

I would be remiss if I don’t mention that the food served up at Mad Fox is not your ordinary pub fare.  Sure, Mad Fox hits the mark with all the lip-smacking bar favorites – for example, the BBQ wings and beer battered onion rings are to die for! But it also offers an array of entrees ranging from roasted chicken and stuffed meatloaf, to St. Louis-cut ribs and duck breast. 

The sandwiches and burgers also live up to their billing – our favorites – the sausage sandwich and the slow smoked brisket sandwich with the housemade Porter BBQ sauce.  For the traditional pizza and beer lovers, there are two pizza ovens – one used to bake New York style (chewy and thin crust) and the other for the Neapolitan (thicker and moister) pizzas.  Bored with the usual pepperoni pizza? Try their Neapolitan ‘Fig and Balsamic Blues’ pizza.. ..we did and loved it!  And there’s plenty of other tempting alternatives on the starting pizza line-up, and obviously no shortage of brews to complement the selection. 

One final word of warning- note the “ABV” listed by each beer. This denotes its alcohol by volume content, and is not to be taken lightly.  Some of the craft beers can have significantly higher alcohol content than, say, a Budweiser.   However, these well-made craft brews also have more flavor and body because of the higher sugar content in the alcohol.  Please take that into consideration as you enjoy your evening at Mad Fox, and of course, always “drink responsibly.”

With that disclaimer out of the way, be sure to visit Mad Fox and raise a glass to toast your local home brewed ale – PROST!

New, Improved Signs on W&OD Trail Replace Those Stolen

SPECIAL TO THE FALLS CHURCH TIMES

October 29, 2010

Twelve weeks to the day after the City installed pedestrian crossing safety signs where the W&OD trail crosses City streets, the City has installed new signs.

The original signs lasted only a day, after which they were stolen. The City had no money budgeted to replace them, so the Friends of the W&OD Trail chipped in with $2,500.

And in an act sure to spite whoever removed the original signs, they are being replaced with twice as many. Originally, a two-sided sign was erected in the center of each crosswalk. Some users complained that this obstructed the crosswalk, so the new signs are single sided, with one positioned on each side of the crosswalk.

Signs have been installed at the intersections of the W&OD Trail at West Street, N. Oak Street, Little Falls Road, Grove Avenue and Gordon Road.

“Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right of way” — Deputy Chief Mary Gavin

Friends of the W&OD Trail President Roger Neighborgall, Deputy Police Chief Mary Gavin, and David Snyder, Vice Mayor of the City of Falls Church were present at the ceremony, as well as Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority staff, and supporters.

“The purpose of the signs is to increase safety for all trail users – bikers, walkers, strollers, etc. – and vehicles crossing the trail,” said Deputy Chief Gavin. “Vehicles should slow down when approaching a crosswalk and stop if a bicyclist or pedestrian is in the walkway, because pedestrians and bicyclists have the right of way.  Bicyclists must also observe the stop sign before entering the crosswalk, and everyone is reminded to look both ways before crossing the road,” she said.

Falls Church Police are continuing to investigate the theft of the original signs.  Anyone with information should call 703-241-5050 or Crimesolvers at 703-534-7867. City officials say the new signs are made differently and will be harder to steal.

For information about the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Park, operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, visit www.nvrpa.org .  For more information about the Friends of the W&OD visit www.wodfriends.org .

Council, Planning Commission Continue Gateway Discussion

By GEORGE BROMLEY
Falls Church Times Staff

October 28, 2010

Lacking a quorum for a regular meeting, the Falls Church City Council held a work session with members of the Planning Commission last Monday evening during which they discussed voluntary concessions for the 200 unit Gateway project (500-520 N. Washington St.).  Project developer Akridge, which is seeking rezoning and two special exceptions for the site, is proposing 10 concessions.  The City officials and staff reviewed each draft proposal in conjunction with Akridge’s Mike Gill.

Affordable Housing  -  The developer’s contribution will be 8 affordable dwelling units (ADUs), $1.3 million in cash, or a combination of the two.  The proposed value of the individual ADUs would be $162,500 if the City were to select a mix of units and cash.

Mayor Nader Baroukh noted that clarification was needed as to how many of the ADUs would be either one bedroom or two bedroom.   Planning Commission chairman John Lawrence advised that it was the City’s option as to the mix.  Mr. Gill said that the projected ADU mix would follow that of the project, which is 70% studio/one bedrooms and 30% two bedrooms. 

If rented, the rents for ADUs would be based on 60% of the HUD median income as determined by the Housing Commission for the next 15 years.   If sold, the developer would agree to sales prices of $187,410 for one bedrooms and $221,173 for two bedrooms in accordance with the 80% HUD median income.

Pedestrian Oriented Design Elements  -  Akridge will provide streetscape improvements along a dedicated 20 feet right-of-way including brick sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, refuse and recycling receptacles, stormwater management, street furniture, utility undergrounding, and other features set forth in the adopted N. Washington streetscape plan.  The mayor asked the Commission to review the details of the developer’s proposal to assure sufficient pedestrian width.  Commissioner Melissa Teates advised that the 20 feet width had been “really vetted out.”   

Transportation Improvements  -  Gresham Place will be widened to two lanes to facilitate right turns.  After the issuance of building permits the developer will provide a $150,000 contribution to upgrade the traffic signal at Gresham and N. Washington and to improve stream and stream bank on Four Mile Run.  Contingent on VDOT approval, Akridge will provide a raised median running along the centerline of N. Washington from Gresham to E.  Jefferson St.  Mr. Gill noted that this was a City request.  The developer also will effect various repairs and improvements to Gresham and E. Jefferson at the end of construction.

Mr. Lawrence referenced the issue of two parking spaces on Gresham.  City manager Wyatt Shields advised that they were not currently part of the concession and that the issue was still to be discussed between the City and the Gresham HOA.

The mayor noted that there previously had been a contribution assigned to the now terminated GEORGE bus system and suggested that the developer consider a cash proffer for transportation improvements, ideally toward the west gateway/entrance to the Metro station.   Commissioner Lindy Hockenberry concurred and suggested other developers along N. Washington be encouraged to offer similar support.  

Stream Improvements  -  In order to reduce the pollutant load on the adjacent Four Mile Run the developer will remove any contaminated soil from the site and provide stormwater management which is currently lacking.  The office building will have a green roof and the residential building will utilize cisterns.   Mr. Shields stated that all the recent mixed-use projects have provided improved stormwater management but that the concessions provided here “raised the bar” even higher. 

Underground Parking  -  Officials expressed strong interest in keeping the commercial part of the garage open to public access after business hours. 

School Capital Cost Contribution  -  The developer will offer $6,746 for each sale condominium unit and $7,511 for each rental apartment unit.  Mr. Shields stated that payments should be made at issuance of certificate of occupancy, rather than via installments.  The mayor recommended studying whether there should be adjustments in the model used to derive these figures.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Criteria  -  Akridge agrees to a design that will enable the office building to receive LEED Silver status for the office building and LEED certified for the residential building.  This would be guaranteed by a performance bond as LEED certification isn’t achieved until two or three years after project completion.   Mr. Shields said the developer has resisted attempting to achieve LEED Gold for the office building or LEED Silver for the residential.  Mr. Gill stated that there are very few structures achieving these levels of certification in Virginia.  

Phasing  -  This assures that no certificate of occupancy (CO) for residential units will be issued until the CO for the office building has been issued by the City.  The mayor asked the City attorney to see if there was a way to “shore up” the language of this concession and that on residential ownership structure.  

Residential Unit Ownership  -  Each unit will be taxed as a separate lot of real estate.   The developer and future condo unit owners will have the right to rent each unit.  Mr. Shields noted that the value of rental versus condominium properties can ebb and flow over time and that there was no guarantee that condos would always achieve a higher value.

Street Level Retail Uses  -  Akridge agrees to reserve 4,000 gross square feet in the office building and 2,000 gross square feet in the residential building for retail and service uses.   CommissionerTeates felt the frontage space should be dedicated to retail, with service space off to the side.  Commissioners Lawrence and Hockenberry expressed concern about the developer’s listing of prospective uses for the space.   Mayor Baroukh agreed that the uses need to be better defined and encouraged the Commission and City planning staff to provide guidance to the Council.

The project’s request for special exceptions will need a resolution which will require one Council reading.  The zoning change application will require an ordinance which will involve two readings.   The mayor observed that the earliest date of a first reading would be November 8, but said he did  not want to have a second reading during the holidays.  Mr. Lawrence advised that the Commission could hold a project work session on November 15 and a public hearing on December 6.      

Councilwoman Johannah Barry reiterated her view that some of the concerns of E. Jefferson St. residents had not been satisfactorily resolved.  She advised that the E. Jefferson neighborhood association will be meeting with Mr. Gill in the next couple of weeks. 

Video of the meeting is available on the City website.

COMMUNITY COMMENT: Homestretch Celebrates 20 Years

By KIERAN SHARPE

October 28, 2010

While this Saturday’s gala (www.homestretchgala.org) may recognize me as one of Homestretch’s founders, the celebration should focus elsewhere. Homestretch was born of a caring community’s love for some of its most vulnerable members. A love put into action by many faith and civic organizations and professionals and politicians in local government. They met the immediate needs of adults who had lost jobs or health, but perhaps more importantly, the needs of the future represented by children who were often hungry, out of school and into troublesome habits.

Through the Falls Church Community Service Council (FCS) and similar organizations in other parts of Fairfax County, needy families for many years received food baskets, clothes and grants for utility payments. These organizations still do this today and they often succeed in restoring families to self-sufficiency.  However, a severe recession of the late 1980s had overwhelmed their efforts. Since there were only a few family shelter units, scores of families took long stays at motel s at high local government expense.

Adequate assistance for these families would mean houses and apartments over many months and links to job training, health care, and many other services.  Some organization would have to step up — be responsible for this housing and coordinate the community’s efforts.

I helped form a Homes Committee within FCS, and later extended the committee membership to SHARE (McLean) , CHO (Vienna) and ACCA (Annandale).  We secured a county grant of $67,000 in July 1990, and by the end of August hired Nancy Taxson as the part-time administrator for our roughly $80,000 total effort that would aid a half dozen or so families in our first year.

These early efforts involved many volunteers, even children who would carry boxes on moving days and ride along to deliver leases and grant papers.  By the way, “homestretch” was in part the obvious play about stretching ordinary rules to get homeless families into housing, but was also a quiet homage to my parents who were avid horse racing fans.

The Homes Committee morphed into the Homestretch Board, and after a few years, Homestretch, Inc., became an entirely separate entity from FCS. Nancy instantly embraced the task, and in just a few years extended her job to full time and began taking on part-time, and later full-time, social workers.

The addition of Ricky Weiss as a part-time grant-writer was a key to a rising flow of funds that fueled Homestretch’s growth.

County grants have continued and grown over the years, and grants from many others have followed, including CapitalOne, Dulin Methodist Church, Freddie Mac, federal and state housing agencies, Project Performance, and Excella Corporations, the City of Falls Church, and Bowman Construction, plus Fannie Mae through its annual Walk for the Homeless — and oh yes, a federal earmark or two.

Board members generally loved their work and tended to stay a long time. Many like Morgan Crafts, David Legge, Rip Sullivan, Susan Gates, Tim McGough, Roger Charin, Carmine Zarlenga, John Dapogny, Karin Arnette, and David Goldberg brought great management skill and fundraising expertise from their business,  law and accounting firms. Others like Jane Dickerson, Ron Brousseau, and Phil Loar focused on building a strong community network and strategic planning. Like me, all board members have enjoyed great support from spouses and other close family.

Nancy’s importance can’t be overstated.  She dived deeply into all facets of the organization – visiting families, squeezing the bureaucracy, schmoozing the politicos, running fundraising events, renting and buying properties, commanding staff, and cajoling the board.

Chris Fay, Brenda Wilks, and other staff have consolidated Homestretch’s success over the last few years and, as this event may attest, have taken the leap toward a new era of innovation and growth.  It amazes me that Homestretch now budgets more than $2 million each year, has 20+ full-time staff, owns its headquarters building, owns or leases dozens of housing units, and most importantly, achieves outstanding success with more than 100 families each year.

What Nancy seemed to know instinctively, and the board applied with intellectual skill, is that certain incentives are the root of Homestretch’s success.  The affluent have incentive to give if they see that the homeless can obtain jobs, educate their kids, and pay their bills and taxes. The homeless have an incentive to work hard, follow rules, and properly parent their kids, if they see that they can live in decent housing, sustain a productive lifestyle, and become self-sufficient.

Some have called it a “tough love.”  I believe it’s the path to genuine rehabilitation and reflects the glory of God with us.

THURSDAY 10/28: Cartoonist Nick Galifianakis at ArtSpace

By FALLS CHURCH TIMES STAFF

An exhibit of Nick Galafianakis’ cartoons will open in the Falls Church Arts Gallery at ArtSpace (410 S. Maple Avenue) on Thursday, October 28 with a meet-the-artist reception at 7 pm.

Nick, whose cartoons enliven the “Carolyn Hax” advice column in the Washington Post, has a new book coming out soon, If You Loved Me, You’d Think This Was Cute: Uncomfortably True Cartoons. Nick will return to the FCA Gallery at ArtSpace on Thursday, November 11 at 7 pm for a book signing.

The exhibit, presented by Falls Church Arts, will be open weekends through November 14.  ArtSpace is located at 410 S. Maple Avenue.  Free parking is available in the garages at 410 and 400 S. Maple Avenue.  For more information about the exhibit and book signing, see www.fallschurcharts.org

SATURDAY 10/30: Farmers Market Chef Demonstration Featuring Liberty Tavern

Come to another great Falls Church Farmers Market Chef demonstration Saturday, October 30, from 9 a.m.  – 11 a.m. Executive Chef Liam LaCivita of Liberty Tavern will be bringing out the big grill.

Last year, Liam and his team had the market buzzing with the wonderful aroma from the grill! Great way to spend the fall weekend and enjoy all the Farmers Market vendors who dress up in costume!

Liam will be preparing Grilled Polyface Pork Belly with homemade apple mostarda, pickled radish over braised mustard greens.

The Farmers Market is held at 300 Park Avenue in Falls Church.

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