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Public Hearing Meeting
Saturday, February 23, 2008 - - 9:30 a.m.

* * * * *

Present: Mayor William D. Euille, Vice Mayor Redella S. Pepper, Members of Council Ludwig P. Gaines, K. Rob Krupicka, Timothy B. Lovain, Paul C. Smedberg and Justin M. Wilson.

Absent: None.

Also Present: Mr. Hartmann, City Manager; Mr. Pessoa, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Jinks, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Mason, Special Assistant to the City Manager; Ms. Harris, Communications Officer, City Manager's Office; Police Captain Ogden; Animal Control Officer Gordon; Mr. Kincannon, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Ms. Vosper, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Ms. Colton, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; Mr. Baier, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Culpepper, Deputy Director, Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Lambert, Transportation and Environmental Services; Ms. Hamer, Director, Planning and Zoning; Mr. Josephson, Deputy Director, Planning and Zoning; Mr. Farner, Planning and Zoning; Ms. Peterson, Planning and Zoning; Ms. Smith-Page, Director, Real Estate Assessments; Ms. Blott, Executive Director, Animal Shelter; and Mr. Lloyd.

Recorded by: Jacqueline M. Henderson, City Clerk and Clerk of Council

OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the City Clerk called the roll; all the members of Council were present.

OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Euille, and the City Clerk called the roll; all the members of Council were present.

2. Public Discussion Period.

(a) Gary Carr, 216 Aspen Street, said he has been on a marathon to bring running tracks to the City, specifically, to restore the tracks at Hammond Middle School and George Washington Middle School, and to build a championship track somewhere within the City, and he noted the reasons for building the tracks. He said he is a proponent of running for health reasons, for diet and exercise and character. He asked Council to pass a resolution to eliminate childhood obesity, starting with fixing the field at Hammond this year.

Mayor Euille noted that Council has a work session this Monday on the Capital Improvements Program, and that will be an opportune time for staff to report to Council but for Council to question staff relative to the status of the fields and tracks.

(b) Richard Calderon, 505 E. Braddock Road, #803, president, Colecroft Station Condominium, spoke about the flawed premise of the proposed Braddock Road Metro Plan. The effort attempts to provide affordable housing by zoning for multi-family high rise apartments. He said what City planners do not understand is that long term maintenance and operating costs of the buildings is high. Rather than plan for affordable townhouses with above-grade parking at 1.5 FAR, the Metro plan proposes to zone 2,345 condo and rental units at a nominal 2.5 to 3.0 FAR. Since the systems in the structures are two to ten times more expensive than townhouses, either the buildings will deteriorate to the condition of so many around Landmark because of poor capital repair, or high condo fees and rents will force out the teachers, firemen and others for whom the density was granted in the first place.

(c) Holly Hess, 610 N. West Street, Colecroft Station, spoke about the Braddock Road Metro Plan and in particular the transportation concerns. She said the transportation piece concerns her the most as it will negatively affect her community in a way that is irreversible. The proposal includes two very large office towers on the Braddock Road Metro Station and includes 3,020 office workers, generating 1,500 to 2,100 cars and the plan includes 900 to 1,500 bus and metro transit commuters under unrealistically optimistic transit assumptions and the increase in peak traffic would lock down traffic under the Braddock Road metro bridges, Wythe Street and West Street for many hours during rush hour. She said the plan ignores transportation impacts and fails to address basic assumptions of the Comprehensive Plan. She urged Council to eliminate the proposed office development on the Braddock Road Metro and use it as open space for the area.

(d) Maria Willcox, 334 N. Columbus Street, spoke about the Braddock Road Metro Plan, and she urged Council to halt approval of the misleadingly labeled Braddock Road Metro Comprehensive Plan, as the plan proposes that development grow the northwest end of Old Town and Parker Gray by 2,345 new condo and rental units, 231 townhouses, 4,240 office workers, generating 4,053 or more additional morning commuter trips and 3,394 additional transit riders. The proposed plan is not comprehensive because it does not address the true impact of the traffic on the neighborhood. She said the traffic consultants explained to the citizen workshops that the only way to accommodate the additional commuters is to lengthen the period of peak traffic congestion by many hours, and that is unacceptable and will depress property values in the neighborhood. She asked why repeat an outworn, stale, top-down program when Alexandria's homegrown grassroots model is so alive and successful.

(e) Pat Troy, 310 Wolfe Street, chair of the Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade, spoke of the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 1 - the first parade in the nation, and he noted that "Ballyshaners" means "Old Town." Mr. Troy thanked all the City Departments for all their help in planning the parade - Police, Fire, Sheriff, Transportation and Environmental Services and Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities. He noted the participants in the parade and noted the day begins with the dog show and an antique car show.

(f) Carlos Amaya, 519 Four Mile Road, #102, spoke of the need for the Arlandria Health Clinic and noted that there are no funds for the people that go to the clinic, and for the last year, he has had cancer and its been hard for him using the Arlandria Clinic. He noted that more doctors and funds are needed in the clinic so people can get served better.

Mayor Euille noted that Council had an opportunity to attend a 10th anniversary celebration for the Arlandria Health Clinic last night, and Council knows that as a non-profit operation, they do as much as they can and they have done a yeoman's job and they are most appreciative.

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (3)

Planning Commission

3. 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: Recommend Approval 6-0

(A copy of the Planning Commission report dated January 3, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 3; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

4. Public Hearing and Consideration of the Report of the Naming Committee Proposing the Naming of the Open Space at the Corner of Janney's Lane and Quaker Lane in Honor of the Late President Gerald R. Ford. (#12, 1/22/08)

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 18, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Gaines and seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council adopted the consent calendar, with the addition of item #4, as follows:

3. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation.

4. City Council held the public hearing, thanked the members of the Gerald R. Ford Memorial Committee for their work on behalf of the City, and requested the Public Art Committee of the Alexandria Commission on the Arts to meet with the members of the Ford Memorial Committee to discuss the best approach to pursue the idea of placing a three-dimensional statuary or bust of President Ford on the site and report back to Council with its recommendations.

The voting was as follows:

Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Pepper "aye" Lovain "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Wilson "aye"

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

5. Public Hearing and Consideration on the Alexandria Commission for the Arts Report, Prepared by Lord Cultural Resources, Inc. (#13, 1/22/08)

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated January 17, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Kincannon made a presentation of the staff report.

The following persons participated in the public hearing:

(a) Alan Wile, 4825 Little Falls Road, Arlington, president of the Alexandria Arts Forum and immediate past president of the Alexandria Harmonizers, spoke in support of the report.

(b) Pat Miller, 1806 North Cliff Street, spoke in support of the report.

(c) Edgard Zamalloa, 105 N. Union Street, spoke in support of the report.

(d) George Chadwick, 2930 Holly Street, chair of the Alexandria Performing Arts Association, spoke in support of the report.

(e) Ulysses Jaines, 4009 Gibbs Street, representing the Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Association, spoke in support of the report.

(f) Sylvia Alimena, 6017 Jewell Court, music director of Eclipse Chamber Orchestra, spoke in support of the report.

(g) Linda Elliff, 8977 Fort Hunt Road, president, Del Ray Artisans, spoke in support of the report.

(h) Linda Hafer, 105 N. Union Street, executive director of The Art League, spoke in support of the report.

(i) Susan Cohen, Torpedo Factory Arts Center, spoke in support of the report.

(j) Matthew Harwood, 1755 N. Cliff Street, Chair, Public Art Committee, Alexandria Commission for the Arts, spoke in support of the report.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Councilman Wilson and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting was as follows:

Smedberg "aye" Pepper "aye"
Wilson "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Lovain "aye"

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council received the report and thanked the members of the Commission for the Arts for their efforts on behalf of the City and to incorporate and include that the next step is to have a joint work session with the Arts Commission to further discuss the contents of the recommendations, the specifics in terms of processes, goals, missions and outcomes, to be followed by an implementation process.

The voting was as follows:

Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Pepper "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Wilson "aye"

Mayor Euille asked staff to get back to Council as soon as possible with the date for the joint work session with the Commission and Council.

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

6. TEXT AMENDMENT #2007-0006
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: Recommend Approval 6-0

(A copy of the Planning Commission report dated February 5, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Ms. Peterson, Planning and Zoning, made a presentation of the staff report and she and Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning Josephson responded to questions of Council.

The following person participated in the public hearing on this item:

(a) Julie Crenshaw Van Fleet, 26 Wolfe Street, spoke of the five feet of unobstructed sidewalk space and said the five feet needs to be from the edge of the sidewalk, not into the border of the brick in the treewell. In speaking to unobstruction, the new restaurant on the corner of Washington Street had a sandwich board in the middle of the sidewalk and a fellow serving food, and those things need enforcing. On the reduction of the umbrella height, she said she gathered that was at the lowest point of the umbrella, as it makes a difference for tall people. She spoke of the lack of courtesy to the small businesses related to the outdoor dining. She said on the prohibition of smoking in the outdoor dining area, if they don't want people to smoke inside, how can they deny them from smoking outside, and at some point, peoples' rights are being infringed on in that they can't smoke anywhere.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Krupicka, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Krupicka "aye" Lovain "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Wilson "aye"

In response to a question from Council, Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning Josephson said the five feet is measured from the edge of the sidewalk and should not go into the treewell. In response to questions about bar stools and directors chairs, Mr. Josephson noted they would work with Hard Times to come up with a solution that is satisfactory to the restaurant and the City.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. The voting was as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Wilson "aye"

7. TEXT AMENDMENT #2008-0001
FLOOR AREA TRANSFER IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to amend Article 7 of the Zoning Ordinance by adding Section 7-2300 allowing the transfer of floor area in private schools. Staff: Department of Planning and Zoning

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 6-0

(A copy of the Planning Commission report dated February 5, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

The following person participated in the public hearing on this item:

(a) Duncan Blair, 524 King Street, attorney representing Alexandria Country Day School, spoke in favor of the text amendment.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing and approved the Planning Commission recommendation. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Wilson "aye"

8. MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT #2008-0001
TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN
Public Hearing and Consideration of an amendment to the Transportation Chapter of the City's Master Plan. Staff: Department of Transportation and Environmental Services

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Adopted Resolution and Recommend Approval 6-0

(A copy of the Planning Commission report dated February 5, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Baier, along with Ryan Ferguson, consultant with Michael Baker, Inc., Paul Prideaux, with Michael Baker, Inc., Mr. Lambert, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator, T&ES, Mr. Culpepper, Deputy Director of T&ES, along with Poul Hertel, vice chair of the Commission, made a presentation of the staff report and responded to questions of City Council.

The following persons participated in the public hearing on this item:

(a) Charlotte Landis, 433 N. Patrick Street, spoke in favor of the first phase of the bus rapid transit program from Glebe Road to Potomac Yard to the metro as long as the vehicle is of appropriate size for the streets, travels onto First Street and goes directly to the metro line, and she spoke in opposition to the second phase. She also spoke about a Freedom of Information Act request she filed in which she requested specific studies from 1993 on environmental quality along Route 1, which she knew existed but that she was told did not exist. She asked for special language to go in about parking, preservation and quality of life.

(b) Robert Grove, 419 N. Patrick Street, speaking against the plan, spoke about pedestrian safety on Route 1 and buses running where cars are right now, noting that the ADA requires 36 inches of clear passage and on his block of Patrick Street, there are several places where the paved areas are just 30 inches. Mr. Grove spoke of noise, vibration, pollution, impact on home values and parking.

(c) Leslie Zupan, 1309 Queen Street, president, Inner City Civic Association, said the Association voted to oppose the concept of rapid transit on N. Patrick and Henry Streets south of the Braddock Road Metro Station. Ms. Zupan said there are no buses that run on N. Patrick and N. Henry Street. She also spoke to the threat to the Inner City with trucks and to the potential loss of parking on the street.

(d) Bill Hendrickson, 304 E. Spring Street, spoke against the plan and also spoke to the bicycle and pedestrian mobility plan, and he thought the overall improvement of the plan will be modest. He said the Plan does not deal with larger issues, what should be the proper balance between pedestrians and bicyclists on the one hand and motor vehicles on the other. He said they need to more clearly define the goals for the future. He urged Council to request staff to research the questions and present specific and realistic options for building on the plan being adopted.

(e) Mark Freeman, 421 N. Patrick Street, spoke against the plan and said it is frustrating to hear from staff that there is no planned route for BRT or dedicated lanes, and this is a concept that can change down the road, and he said that completely ignores what is written in the document. The way the plan has been changed is to widen the line down Patrick and Henry and widened it to include three blocks in either direction, and it still says the purpose is to accommodate through trips. He also spoke to the dedicated lanes, which is the main emphasis of the plan.

(f) Sarah Becker, 1200 Princess Street, said she is the past Inner City Civic Association president who led the Route 1 effort in the early 1990's, and she spoke against the plan. A transit system on Route 1 will result in the loss of parking. She also spoke to the 1992 transportation master plan that does speak to neighborhood protection measures and she noted several old newspaper articles about the trucks and traffic on Route 1.

(g) Annabelle Fisher, 5001 Seminary Road, spoke to the overall issue of a transportation plan, and she said it is very important that a transportation plan be in place before any real development is done. The plan needs to meet each neighborhood, and they need to not decrease parking. She asked why the feasibility study is being done after it and not before. She suggested on bicycling that bicycles must have government issued licenses like motorcycles.

(h) Julie Crenshaw Van Fleet, 26 Wolfe Street, said the reason it is called the Route 1 corridor is because that's what its been called for many years. She said the constrained long-range plan approved by the Transportation Planning Board has had the Route 1 corridor on the plan for a decade or more, and the representative from Alexandria has always approved it. She said it might be a good idea for Councilmember Lovain, who is the representative now, to bring up that Alexandria doesn't want to do some of it. She said another form of transportation is the taxi system, and that has to be a part of the transportation plan, and it has to look at it from the demand side and not from the providing it side, and it cannot be a monopoly.

(i) Andres Domayko, 1312 Kingston Avenue, spoke in support of the plan on behalf of the Eisenhower Partnership, but noted the plan is still incomplete. The plan should consist of the vision and the implementation, but what Council has is only the vision, but they are pleased to hear that the implementation process is on-going and advancing. He said in some places it says "replace" the existing transportation plan and in others that it is an amendment to it. He noted their position that the old plan should not be replaced until the second phase (implementation) of this plan is in place.

In response to a request from Council, Mr. Culpepper said it is an amendment to the City's Master Plan, which consists of a number of sections, and this section would replace the 1992 adopted transportation element of the City's Master Plan.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Krupicka and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Krupicka "aye" Lovain "aye"
Euille "aye" Smedberg "aye"
Wilson "aye"

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka and seconded by Councilman Smedberg, City Council deferred action to the March 11, 2008 City Council meeting, at which time staff can bring it forward again with changes that the Council discusses today, as well as any other adjustments that develop over the next two and a half weeks, and that the proposal from staff as it relates to a permanent transportation planning body come forward at the same time so Council can review both matters at the same meeting, and that nothing goes back to the Planning Commission. The voting was as follows:

Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Wilson "aye"

9. CITY CHARTER, SECTION 9.06
CASE #2008-0001
1 & 7 EAST DEL RAY
Consideration of a proposal by the City of Alexandria to acquire the property at 1 & 7 East Del Ray Avenue, pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.06 of the City Charter. Staff: Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Approved w/amendments 6-0

(THIS ITEM IS NOT SET FOR PUBLIC HEARING BUT IS FOR CITY COUNCIL'S INFORMATION ONLY - NO APPROVAL IS NECESSARY.)

(A copy of the Planning Commission report dated February 5, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 9; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

10. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of An Ordinance to Permit the Owner of the Property at 700 South Royal Street to Construct a Brick Garden Wall Which Will Encroach into the Public Right-of-way Along Franklin Street. (#15, 2/12/08) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the informal memorandum explaining the ordinance is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 10; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.

A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 10; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council passed the ordinance to permit the owner of the property at 700 South Royal Street to construct a brick garden wall which will encroach into the public right-of-way along Franklin Street.

Councilman Smedberg asked the Planning Director to make sure the owner knows that several neighbors and others want to see the project come to an end, as it has dragged on for a long time.

The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Wilson "aye"

The ordinance reads as follows:

ORDINANCE NO. 4518

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the owner of 700 South Royal Street to establish and maintain an encroachment for a brick garden wall.

WHEREAS, James Warbasse is the Owner of the property located at 700 South Royal Street, in the City of Alexandria, Virginia, and, together with his successors in interest as owner of the subject property, are referred to as “Owner” herein; and

WHEREAS, Owner desires to establish and maintain a brick garden wall which will encroach into the public sidewalk right-of-way at that location; and

WHEREAS, the public sidewalk right-of-way at that location will not be significantly impaired by this encroachment; and

WHEREAS, this encroachment has been approved by the Planning Commission of the City of Alexandria at one of its regular meetings subject to certain conditions; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Council of the City of Alexandria that this encroachment is not detrimental to the public interest; now, therefore,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. That Owner be, and the same hereby is, authorized to establish and maintain an encroachment into the public sidewalk right-of-way at 700 South Royal Street, in the City of Alexandria, said encroachment consisting of a brick garden wall with pillars for the wall facing Franklin Street extending no more than 2.4 inches, and 48 feet along, the public right-of-way of Franklin Street in front of the property, as generally shown on the plat attached hereto, and as approved by the Old and Historic Board of Architectural Review, until the encroachment is removed or destroyed or the authorization to maintain it is terminated by the city; provided, that this authorization to establish and maintain the encroachment shall not be construed to relieve Owner of liability for any negligence on his part on account of or in connection with the encroachment and shall be subject to the provisions set forth below.

Section 2. That the authorization hereby granted to establish and maintain said encroachment shall be subject to and conditioned upon Owner maintaining, at all times and at his own expense, liability insurance, covering both bodily injury and property damage, with a company authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth of Virginia and with minimum limits as follows:

Bodily Injury: $1,000,000 each occurrence
$1,000,000 aggregate

Property Damage: $1,000,000 each occurrence
$1,000,000 aggregate

This liability insurance policy shall identify the City of Alexandria and Owner as named insureds and shall provide for the indemnification of the City of Alexandria and Owner against any and all loss occasioned by the establishment, construction, placement, existence, use or maintenance of the encroachment. Evidence of the policy and any renewal thereof shall be filed with the city attorney's office. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event this policy of insurance lapses, is canceled, is not renewed or otherwise ceases to be in force and effect, the authorization herein granted to establish and maintain the encroachment shall, at the option of the city, forthwith and without notice or demand by the city, terminate. In that event, Owner shall, upon notice from the city, remove the encroachment from the public right-of-way, or the city, at its option, may remove the encroachment at the expense and risk of Owner. Nothing in this section shall relieve Owner of his obligations and undertakings required under this ordinance.

Section 3. That the authorization hereby granted to establish and maintain said encroachment shall in addition be subject to and conditioned upon the following terms:

(a) Neither the City of Alexandria nor any public or private utility company shall be responsible for damage to Owner’s property encroaching into the public right-of-way during repair, maintenance or replacement of the public right-of-way or any public facilities or utilities in the area of encroachment.

(b) The Owner shall be responsible for replacement and repairs to the adjacent City right-of-way, including any areas damaged during construction activity.

(c) The Owner shall be required to control weeds within 12 feet of his front property line.

Section 4. That by accepting the authorization hereby granted to establish and maintain the encroachment and by so establishing and/or maintaining the encroachment, Owner shall be deemed to have promised and agreed to save harmless the City of Alexandria from any and all liability (including attorneys' fees and litigation expenses) arising by reason of the establishment, construction, placement, existence, use or maintenance of the encroachment.

Section 5. That the authorization herein granted to establish and maintain the encroachment shall be subject to Owner maintaining the area of the encroachment at all times unobstructed and free from accumulation of litter, snow, ice and other potentially dangerous matter.

Section 6. That nothing in this ordinance is intended to constitute, or shall be deemed to be, a waiver of sovereign immunity by or on behalf of the City of Alexandria or any of its officers or employees.

Section 7. That the authorization herein granted to establish and maintain the encroachment shall be terminated whenever the City of Alexandria desires to use the affected public right-of-way for any purpose whatsoever and, by written notification, demands from Owner the removal of the encroachment. Said removal shall be completed by the date specified in the notice and shall be accomplished by Owner without cost to the city. If Owner cannot be found, or shall fail or neglect to remove the encroachment within the time specified, the city shall have the right to remove the encroachment, at the expense of Owner, and shall not be liable to Owner for any loss or damage to the structure of the encroachment or personal property within the encroachment area, caused by the removal.

Section 8. That this ordinance shall be effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.

11. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of An Ordinance to Permit the Owner of the Property at 923 King Street to Add Brick Veneer to an Existing Wall Which Will Encroach into the Public Right-of-way Along North Patrick Street. (#16, 2/12/08) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the informal memorandum explaining the ordinance is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 11; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.

A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 11; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Pepper, seconded by Councilman Wilson and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council passed the ordinance to permit the owner of the property at 923 King Street to add brick veneer to an existing wall which will encroach into the public right-of-way along North Patrick Street. The voting was as follows:

Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye"
Wilson "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Euille "aye" Lovain "aye"
Smedberg "aye"

The ordinance reads as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 4519

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the owners and tenant of the property located at 923 King Street to construct and maintain an encroachment for a brick veneer wall at that location.

WHEREAS, Conklyn's Florist & S/R Flowers, Inc., are the Owners ("Owners") of the property Located at 923 King Street, in the City of Alexandria, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Allen Ramazon is the Tenant (“Tenant") of the property located at 923 King Street, in the City of Alexandria, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, Owners and Tenant desire to establish and maintain a brick veneer to an existing wall which will encroach into the public sidewalk right-of-way at that location; and

WHEREAS, the public sidewalk right-of-way at that location will not be significantly impaired by this encroachment; and

WHEREAS, this encroachment has been approved by the Planning Commission of the City of Alexandria at one of its regular meetings subject to certain conditions; and

WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Council of the City of Alexandria that this encroachment is not detrimental to the public interest; now, therefore,

THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. That Owners and Tenant be, and the same hereby are, authorized to establish and maintain an encroachment into the public sidewalk right-of-way at 923 King Street, in the City of Alexandria, said encroachment consisting of a brick veneer on the existing block wall that faces west and fronts on North Patrick extending approximately 5 inches into the public right of way for a length of approximately 31.51 feet, as generally shown on the plat attached hereto, and as approved by the Old and Historic Board of Architectural Review, until the encroachment is removed or destroyed or the authorization to maintain it is terminated by the city; provided, that this authorization to establish and maintain the encroachment shall not be construed to relieve Owners or Tenant of liability for any negligence on their part on account of or in connection with the encroachment and shall be subject to the provisions set forth below.

Section 2. That the authorization hereby granted to establish and maintain said encroachment shall be subject to and conditioned upon Owners and/or Tenant maintaining, at all times and at their own expense, liability insurance, covering both bodily injury and property damage, with a company authorized to transact business in the Commonwealth of Virginia and with minimum limits as follows:

Bodily Injury: $1,000,000 each occurrence
$1,000,000 aggregate


Property Damage: $1,000,000 each occurrence
$1,000,000 aggregate

This liability insurance policy shall identify the City of Alexandria and Owners and/or Tenant as named insureds and shall provide for the indemnification of the City of Alexandria and Owners and/or Tenant against any and all loss occasioned by the establishment, construction, placement, existence, use or maintenance of the encroachment. Evidence of the policy and any renewal thereof shall be filed with the city attorney's office. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event this policy of insurance lapses, is canceled, is not renewed or otherwise ceases to be in force and effect, the authorization herein granted to establish and maintain the encroachment shall, at the option of the city, forthwith and without notice or demand by the city, terminate. In that event, Owners and Tenant shall, upon notice from the city, remove the encroachment from the public right-of-way, or the city, at its option, may remove the encroachment at the expense and risk of Owners and Tenant. Nothing in this section shall relieve Owners and Tenant of their obligations and undertakings required under this ordinance.

Section 3. That the authorization hereby granted to establish and maintain said encroachment shall in addition be subject to and conditioned upon the following terms:

Section 4. That by accepting the authorization hereby granted to establish and maintain the encroachment and by so establishing and/or maintaining the encroachment, Owners and Tenant shall be deemed to have promised and agreed to save harmless the City of Alexandria from any and all liability (including attorneys' fees and litigation expenses) arising by reason of the establishment, construction, placement, existence, use or maintenance of the encroachment.

Section 5. That the authorization herein granted to establish and maintain the encroachment shall be subject to Owners and Tenant maintaining the area of the encroachment at all times unobstructed and free from accumulation of litter, snow, ice and other potentially dangerous matter.

Section 6. That nothing in this ordinance is intended to constitute, or shall be deemed to be, a waiver of sovereign immunity by or on behalf of the City of Alexandria or any of its officers or employees.

Section 7. That the authorization herein granted to establish and maintain the encroachment shall be terminated whenever the City of Alexandria desires to use the affected public right-of-way for any purpose whatsoever and, by written notification, demands from Owners or Tenant the removal of the encroachment. Said removal shall be completed by the date specified in the notice and shall be accomplished by Owners or Tenant without cost to the city. If Owners or Tenant cannot be found, or shall fail or neglect to remove the encroachment within the time specified, the city shall have the right to remove the encroachment, at the expense of Owners or Tenant, and shall not be liable to Owners or Tenant for any loss or damage to the structure of the encroachment or personal property within the encroachment area, caused by the removal.

Section 8. The terms "Owners" and "Tenant" shall be deemed to include Conklyn's Florist & S/R Flowers, Inc., Conklyn's Inc., and Allen Ramazon and their respective successors in interest.

Section 9. That this ordinance shall be effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage.

12. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Revise the City’s Regulations Concerning Vicious and Dangerous Dogs to Conform to Changes in State Law. (#18, 2/12/08) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

(A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated February 8, 2008, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 12; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.

A copy of the informal memorandum explaining the ordinance is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 12; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.

A copy of the ordinance referred to in the above item, of which each Member of Council received a copy not less than 24 hours before said introduction, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 12; 2/23/08, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.)

The following person participated in the public hearing on this item:

(a) Tracy Compton, 2930 Sycamore Street, spoke in support of the ordinance to conform to the State law.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting was as follows:

Wilson "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Lovain "aye"

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Wilson, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council passed the ordinance to revise the City's regulations concerning vicious and dangerous dogs to conform to the changes in State Law. The voting was as follows:

Wilson "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Lovain "aye"

The ordinance reads as follows:

ORDINANCE NO. 4520

AN ORDINANCE to amend and reordain Article C (DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS), Chapter 7 (ANIMALS AND FOWL), Title 5 (TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES), and to amend and reordain Section 6-1-2.2 (SAME B DOG EXERCISE AREAS; DESIGNATION BY CITY MANAGER; PROHIBITED CONDUCT), Chapter 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS), Title 6 (PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES), all of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended.

THE CITY COUNCIL OF ALEXANDRIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

Section 1. That Article C, Chapter 7, Title 5 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same is hereby, amended and reordained to read as follows:

ARTICLE C Dogs and Other Animals

Sec. 5-7-31 Definitions.

Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context clearly indicates a different intention, the following terms shall, for the purposes of this article, have the following meanings:
(2) if both animals are owned by the same person,

(3) if such attack occurs on the property of the attacking or biting
dog's owner or custodian, or

(d) Dog. The word "dog" shall include both the male and female sex of the species.

(m) Vicious dog. Any canine or canine crossbreed that has

(2) inflicted serious injury to a person, including multiple bites, serious
disfigurement, serious impairment of health, or serious impairment of
a bodily function; or
Sec. 5-7-32 Running at large prohibited.

No dog or exotic or poisonous animal shall run at large within the city at any time.

Sec. 5-7-33 Owners and custodians not to let dogs or exotic or poisonous animals run at large.

It shall be unlawful for the owner or custodian of any dog or exotic or poisonous animal to permit his dog or exotic or poisonous animal to run at large in the city at any time. Any owner or custodian who permits his exotic or poisonous animal to run at large shall, in addition to any penalty provided under this article, be liable for a fee determined by the city manager to cover the costs incurred by the city in locating and capturing, or otherwise disposing of, the animal.

Sec. 5-7-33.1 Running at large prohibited in public parks or playgrounds; owners not to let dogs run at large in public parks or playgrounds; keeping dogs under physical restraint in public parks or playgrounds.

(a) No dog shall run at large within any public park or playground at any time.

(d) In addition to the officers identified in section 5-7-46, any city employee who is (1) specifically designated by the city manager, (2) wearing a uniform and (3) carrying identification may enforce the provisions of this section in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 5-7-46. As used in the subsection "uniform" shall mean a shirt, jacket or coat on which is permanently displayed and visible the seal of the city together with the name of the employee's department, office or agency, and "identification" shall mean a card or badge issued by the city to identify the employee by name and photograph, or badge number, and indicate that the employee is an authorized enforcement officer.

Sec. 5-7-34 Impounding of dogs running at large; redemption of impounded dogs; disposition of unredeemed dogs.

(3) All the other applicable sections of this article shall be complied with.

Sec. 5-7-35 Keeping dogs under physical restraint.

Sec. 5-7-36 Vicious and dangerous dogs generally.

Sec. 5-7-36.1 Reserved.

Sec. 5-7-36.2 Reserved. Sec. 5-7-37 Confinement of animal which has committed an attack.

Sec. 5-7-38 Inoculation of dogs against rabies.

It shall be the duty of every resident of the city owning or in possession of a dog four months old or older within the city to have such dog inoculated with an anti-rabic vaccine approved by the director of public health, which inoculation shall be repeated as often as the director of public health may from time to time specify. The expense of inoculation of dogs against rabies shall be borne by the owners of such dogs. The inoculation shall be made by any licensed veterinarian. A certificate of vaccination shall be presented by the veterinarian within 10 days after inoculation.

Sec. 5-7-38.1 Inoculation of cats against rabies.

Sec. 5-7-39 Procedure as to dogs and cats suspected of having rabies.

Dogs and cats suspected of having rabies and exhibiting the common symptoms of this disease shall be impounded either at the animal shelter or at a private veterinarian's establishment in solitary confinement and kept under observation for a period of 10 days. At the time any dog or cat is impounded, an attempt shall be made by an animal control officer to determine whether the dog or cat has been previously inoculated against rabies. If it is found that the dog or cat has not been effectively inoculated or there is any doubt as to whether or not the dog or cat has in fact been inoculated, then the dog or cat shall be inoculated on the last day of the above-mentioned observation period. The director of public health is hereby given authority to cause to be destroyed any dog or cat which in his opinion has rabies, and to have the head of the dog or cat examined. All expenses in connection with the provisions of this section shall be borne by the owner of the dog or cat in question.

Sec. 5-7-40 Reports of animal bites.

Sec. 5-7-41 When muzzles required, exception.

Whenever it becomes necessary to safeguard the public from the danger of hydrophobia, the city manager, with the written approval of the director of public health, may issue a proclamation ordering every person owning or keeping a dog to confine it securely on his premises, unless the dog shall have a muzzle of sufficient strength to prevent its biting any person. Any unmuzzled dog running at large during the time covered by the proclamation shall be seized and impounded. This section shall not be construed to prevent the owner of a dog or the agent of the owner from taking the dog unmuzzled from the premises of the owner, if the dog is upon a leash.

Sec. 5-7-42 Female dogs in season; allowing dog to urinate, etc.; noisy dogs; offensive odors from dogs; dogs prohibited on posted playground areas and on school grounds.

The following conduct is declared a nuisance and is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for the owner of a dog to:

Sec. 5-7-42.1 Dog defecation in public parks or playgrounds.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of a dog to knowingly or willfully allow his dog to defecate in any public park or playground; provided, that defecation by a dog in any public park or playground shall not constitute a violation of this section if the owner of the dog immediately removes the material defecated and disposes of it in an appropriate trash receptacle. In addition to the officers identified in section 5-7-46, any city employee who is (1) specifically designated by the city manager, (2) wearing a uniform and (3) carrying identification may enforce the provisions of this section in accordance with the procedures set forth in section 5-7-46. As used in the subsection "uniform" shall mean a shirt, jacket or coat on which is permanently displayed and visible the seal of the city together with the name of the employee's department, office or agency, and "identification" shall mean a card or badge issued by the city to identify the employee by name and photograph, or badge number, and indicate that the employee is an authorized enforcement officer.

Sec. 5-7-43 Powers of operators of animal shelter generally.

The operators of the animal shelter shall have the following powers:

(a) to destroy unredeemed dogs, as provided in section 5-7-34;

(f) to destroy dogs as provided in section 5-7-39.

Sec. 5-7-44 Appointment and powers of chief animal control officer and deputy animal control officers.

A chief animal control officer shall be appointed by city council and may be removed by council or the city manager. The city manager may appoint one or more deputy animal control officers, who may be removed by the manager, to assist the chief animal control officer in the performance of her duties. The chief animal control officer and deputy animal control officers shall, within the city and subject to any limitations imposed as a condition of their appointment, have the powers of an animal control officer as conferred by the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the powers of a state game warden as conferred by the city charter in the enforcement of the dog laws of the city, and the power to enforce the provisions of this article and section 6-1-2.2 of this code.

Sec. 5-7-45 Killing certain animals that cannot be safely taken up and impounded.

If any vicious or dangerous dog or any dog, cat or other animal suspected of, or having rabies, found at large, cannot be safely taken up and impounded, the dog or other animal may be slain by any law enforcement officer.

Sec. 5-7-46 Penalties.

Sec. 5-7-47 License--required; disposition of revenue.

The owner of a dog or cat required to be licensed by this article shall obtain the license and pay the license tax within 30 days of moving into the city, acquiring the animal, or attainment of the required age by the animal, which ever is later.

The owner of a dog or cat with an existing license required by this article shall renew the animal's license and pay the license tax within 10 days after expiration of such animal's license.

Sec. 5-7-48 Same--tax imposed; tax rates; expiration.

Sec. 5-7-49 Same--application; issuance; records to be kept.

Any owner may obtain a dog or cat license by making a signed written application to the city manager or the manager's designee. The application shall contain the name, sex, age, breed and description of the dog or cat and the name and address of the owner, and shall be accompanied by the amount of the license tax and a certificate of vaccination or other evidence from a licensed veterinarian showing that the dog or cat is inoculated against rabies and the expiration date of the vaccination. Upon receipt of a proper application, accompanied by the amount of the license tax and a proper certificate of vaccination or other evidence, the city manager or the manager's designee shall issue a license receipt and an appropriate tag to the owner, and shall record upon the receipt and upon records maintained by the city the name and address of the owner, the date of issuance, the period of time for which issued and date of expiration of the rabies vaccination, the serial number of the license and the sex, age, breed and description of the dog or cat.

Sec. 5-7-50 Same--components; information to be on tags.

A dog or cat license shall consist of the receipt referenced in section 5-7-49 and a tag of a style adopted by the city. A tag shall be stamped or otherwise permanently marked to show the serial number, the calendar year for which issued and the name of the city.

Sec. 5-7-51 Same--preserving and displaying receipts; dogs to wear tags.

Dog and cat licenses shall be carefully preserved and exhibited promptly upon request of any law enforcement officer, authorized agent of the director of public health, or animal control officer. Dog license tags shall be securely fastened by the owner to a substantial collar which shall be borne by the dog.

Sec. 5-7-52 Same--duplicate tags.

If a dog or cat license tag is lost, destroyed or stolen, the owner shall at once apply to the city manager or her designee for a duplicate license tag, presenting the original license receipt, if available. Upon affidavit of the owner that the original license tag has been lost, destroyed or stolen, the city manager or her designee shall issue a duplicate license tag which the owner shall immediately affix to the collar of the dog. The city manager or her designee shall endorse the number of the duplicate and the date issued on records of her office and on the face of the original license receipt, if available. The fee for a duplicate tag shall be $1.

Sec. 5-7-53 Same--effect of a dog or cat not wearing collar bearing a tag.

Any dog or cat not wearing a collar bearing a license tag of the proper calendar year shall be presumed to be unlicensed, and in any proceedings under this article the owner of such dog or cat shall have the burden of proving that the dog or cat is in fact licensed.

Sec. 5-7-54 Same--maintenance of records.

The city manager or her designee shall keep orderly lists and accounts with respect to receipts, disbursements, licenses issued, and how unsold tags are disposed of, and annually shall provide an accounting of her activities with respect to dogs and cats and dog and cat licenses for use by the director of finance.

Sec. 5-7-55 Same--transmittal of funds to director of finance.

All persons responsible for the issuance of dog and cat licenses and the collection of license taxes shall keep accurate records and shall transmit all funds collected to the director of finance at least every 30 days.

Sec. 5-7-56 Making false statement to secure license.

It shall be unlawful for any person to make a false statement in order to secure a dog or cat license.

Sec. 5-7-57 Limitation on number of dogs and cats kept per dwelling unit.

Secs. 5-7-58 through 5-7-70 Reserved.

Section 2. That Section 6-1-2.2 of The Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia, 1981, as amended, be, and the same is hereby, amended and reordained to read as follows:

Sec. 6-1-2.2 Same--dog exercise areas; designation by city manager; prohibited conduct.

(a) As used in this section:

(1) more than three dogs;

(3) a dangerous dog as defined in section 5-7-31(c);

(4) a vicious dog as defined in section 5-7-31( m );

(5) a female dog in season;

Section 3. That this ordinance shall become effective upon the date and at the time of its final passage; provided, however, that this ordinance shall not affect any offense or act committed or done, any administrative determination made or rendered, any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any contract or agreement established, prior to its effective date; nor shall it affect any prosecution, suit or proceeding pending on, nor any judgement or judicial decision rendered prior to, its effective date.


REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR (13)

Planning Commission (continued)

13. TEXT AMENDMENT #2007-0008 (A)
REZONING #2007-0003 (B)
DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0005 (C)
SPECIAL USE PERMIT (TMP) #2007-0071 (D)
1199 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET
HUNTING CREEK PLAZA/HUNTING TERRACE
Public Hearing and Consideration of (1) a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to increase height limitations and FAR on the subject property in accordance with Section 3.43 of the Hunting Creek Plan; (2) a request to amend the Height District Map within the RC zone to change the height districts for the subject property; (3) a development special use permit, with site plan and modifications, to construct a multi-family residential building; (4) a request for a parking reduction; (5) a request for increased height and density in accordance with Section 3.43 of the Hunting Creek Area Plan; and (6) a request for a transportation management plan; zoned RC/High Density. Applicant: Hunting Creek, LLC by J. Howard Middleton, attorney.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Deferred 5-1

END OF DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council noted the deferral.

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THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilmember Lovain, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried unanimously, the City Council public hearing meeting of February 23, 2008, was adjourned at 1:39 p.m. The voting was as follows:

Lovain "aye" Pepper "aye"
Smedberg "aye" Gaines "aye"
Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye"
Wilson "aye"

APPROVED BY:


_____________________________
WILLIAM D. EUILLE MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________________
Jacqueline M. Henderson, CMC, City Clerk


This docket is subject to change.

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Full-text copies of ordinances, resolutions, and agenda items are available in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of the Council.
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Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk and Clerk of Council's Office at 838-4500 (TTY/TDD 838-5056). We request that you provide a 48-hour notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.

City Council meetings are closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.
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