1. Calling the Roll. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the Deputy City Clerk called the roll; all the members of Council were present. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 2. Public Discussion Period. (a) Frank Fannon, 1105 Duke Street, spoke about the state of the real estate market in the area and how it might affect Council's decisionmaking during the budget process. Mr. Fannon suggested that Council be mindful of the economy and the market as they consider the budget this year. (b) Bert Ely, 200 South Pitt Street, requested that Council consider repealing the requirement that taxicab companies serving Alexandria have an average of two dispatched calls per cabbie per day. (c) Heidi Ford, 1022 Oronoco Street, expressed concerns about the Ad Hoc Transportation Task Force amendment recommendations to the City's Master Transportation Management Plan, specifically the proposal to establish a high capacity transit corridor along Patrick and Henry Streets. Ms. Ford stated that she was opposed to the proposal because it would increase the amount of congestion on Patrick and Henry Streets and eliminate some of the on-street parking available. Ms. Ford noted that many of the older, historic homes on Patrick and Henry Streets are being damaged by the heavier vehicles traveling along these corridors. (d) Robert Grove, 419 North Patrick Street, stated that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a bad idea because the corridor does not service Alexandrians, but other people using the streets as a pass through route to other metropolitan areas. Mr. Groves noted that Parker-Gray is an historic district with Board of Architectural Review (BAR) requirements. Mr. Grove stated that there was a disconnect when a neighborhood had to get approval for dryer vents and window boxes is considered for placement of major transportation corridor. Mr. Grove pointed out that by making Route 1 a major transportation corridor, more people would probably start using it, thereby increasing the amount of traffic traveling the route. (e) Leslie Zupan, 1309 Queen Street, president of the Inner City Civic Association, stated that 50 residents of Patrick and Henry Streets signed a petition protesting using those streets as a transportation corridor. Ms. Zupan stated that the Ad Hoc Transportation Task Force recommendations were a political document and one of the major sources of the debate is who the corridor will serve. Ms. Zupan pointed out that establishing a corridor along this route would service the Pentagon and Fort Belvoir, not citizens of Alexandria. (f) Mark Freeman, 421 North Patrick Street, stated that he was opposed to the BRT proposal, noting that parking was at capacity for this neighborhood and that placing the corridor on Patrick and Henry Streets would compromise the historic character of the neighborhood. Mr. Freeman stated that the way to address the congestion in the area would be to invest more money into the Metro system. (g) Collin Lee, 515 North Patrick Street, spoke in opposition the BRT proposal, noting that in would only increase the amount of traffic along Route 1, eliminate needed on-street parking and pose a safety concern for the residents along the proposed route. Mr. Lee stated that there is a regional responsibility for traffic in the area but he asked Council to consider who the proposed BRT would be serving. Mr. Lee showed a flag that was damaged by the pollution from the traffic along Route 1. (h) Joe Trahern, 425 North Patrick Street, spoke in opposition the BRT proposal, noting the proximity of the homes to the proposed dedicated lanes for the buses. Mr. Trahern stated that the proposal would increase the congestion already present on Route 1. Mr. Trahern commended Councilmen Krupicka and Wilson for their efforts to show the benefits of Metro based approach from Potomac Yard, successful connecting Arlington, Alexandria and the Van Dorn Street. (i) Charlotte Landis, 433 North Patrick Street, spoke in opposition to the proposed Master Plan from the Ad Hoc Transportation Task Force. Ms. Landis noted that at the last Braddock Road charette it was reported that City Council would be voting on the proposals in February. Ms. Landis stated that she hand-delivered a petition to Council one year ago, which she resubmitted for the record. Ms. Landis stated that Route 1 is not appropriate for BRT and will not benefit residents in the immediate neighborhood. (j) Jack Sullivan, 4300 Ivanhoe Place, representing the Seminary Hill Association, presented Council with a resolution on the Hunting Terrace site that was passed by the Executive Board of the Association at its January meeting last Thursday. Mr. Sullivan noted that Council adopted language very close to the resolution when it accepted the recommendations of the Mayor's Economic Sustainability Workgroup. (k) Julie Crenshaw Van Fleet, 26 Wolfe Street, reported that she spoke before Council on December 15, the Police Chief reviewed the tape of her call to the Police Department and sent her a nice apology from the Police Department, noting she had given more than enough information to respond to the call and the individual had been talked to and sent to additional training. Ms. Crenshaw Van Fleet stated that it actually had a positive benefit to the department and she thanked the Police Chief for the response. (l) Caston Jarvis, 1020 Oronoco Street, spoke about the concerns of BRT on Route 1, noting that the project would mainly benefit individuals that do not live in the City and it appears that Alexandria residents are being asked to pay the cost that benefits others. Mayor Euille noted that there will be a joint work session with the Ad Hoc Transportation Task Force on February 12, 2008, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Work Room. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (3-7) Planning Commission 3. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0114 540 JOHN CARLYLE STREET (Parcel Address: 520 John Carlyle Street) ZIKARYET RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for an amendment to increase the hours of operation and seating at a restaurant; zoned CDD-1/Coordinated Development District. Applicant: Joyce Abdallah PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 6-0 4. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0116 664 SOUTH PICKETT STREET (Parcel Address: 620 South Pickett Street) EL TIPICO RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for an amendment to increase the hours of operation at an existing restaurant; zoned CG/Commercial General. Applicant: Walter Granados-Lazano PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 6-0 5. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0117 1423 POWHATAN STREET UNIT 7 THE BODY IN BALANCE CENTER Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a wellness and massage therapy establishment; zoned CSL/Commercial Service Low. Applicant: The Body In Balance Center by Ann Barlett PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval w/amendments 6-0 6. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0127 2730 EISENHOWER AVENUE RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant; zoned OCM/Office Commercial Medium. Applicant: Backstreets, LLC by Ulka Patel, attorney PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 6-0 7. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0124 506 NORTH HENRY STREET (Parcel Address: 525 North Fayette Street) RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant; zoned CRMU-H/Commercial Residential Mixed Use High. Applicant: Diamond Commercial, LLC by David Chamowitz, attorney PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval w/amendments 6-0 END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR City Council adopted the consent calendar, with the exception of docket items #5 and #7, which were considered under separate motions, as follows: 3. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 4. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 5. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation, deleting the sentence in condition #6 stating, "Licenses and photos of licensees must be on display in the establishment." (separate motion) 6. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 7. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation, with the addition to condition #2 stating, "After one year, the Planning Director with the concurrence of the Chief of Police, may approve a minor amendment to extend the hours for dine-in and carry-out until midnight." (separate motion) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER None. REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued) Planning Commission (continued) 8. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0005 (A) SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0051 (B) 800 NORTH HENRY STREET THE MADISON Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for a development special use permit, with site plan and modifications to construct a mixed use residential/retail building, a request for a parking reduction and a special use permit request for approval of a transportation management plan (TMP); zoned CRMU-H/Commercial Residential Mixed Use High. Applicant: TC MidAtlantic Development III, Inc., by Duncan Blair, attorney PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 6-0 City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. Council Action:_________________________________________________________ ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 9. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Change the Name of Barecroft Place to President Ford Lane. (#9, 1/8/08) City Council passed an ordinance to change the name of Barecroft Place to President Ford Lane. (ORD. NO. 4513) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 10. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Extend the Interim Zoning Infill Regulations. (#10, 1/8/08) City Council passed an ordinance to extend the interim zoning infill regulations. (ORD. NO. 4514) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 11. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Approve an Encroachment For a Hotel Marquee at 480 King Street. (#11, 1/8/08) City Council passed an ordinance to approve an encroachment for a hotel marquee at 480 King Street. (ORD. NO. 4515) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ 12. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Permit Hotels To Offer Massage Services To Registered Guests, Subject To Licensing and Regulation By The City. (#11.1, 1/8/08) City Council passed an ordinance, with amendments, to permit hotels to offer massage services to registered guests, subject to licensing and regulation by the City. (ORD. NO. 4516) Council Action:_________________________________________________________ REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued) DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR (13-14) Planning Commission (continued) 13. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2007-0115 510 SECOND STREET HOLIDAY INN - COFFEE SHOP Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant within an existing hotel; zoned CD/Commercial Downtown. Applicant: Carr Hospitality by Hammad Shah PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Deferred 14. TEXT AMENDMENT #2007-0117 KING STREET OUTDOOR DINING Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to amend Section 6-800 of the Zoning Ordinance, the King Street Outdoor Dining Overlay Zone. Staff: Department of Planning and Zoning PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Deferred (Staff's request) END OF DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR City Council noted the deferrals. Council Action:_________________________________________________________