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. (Councilwoman Hughes arrived at 9:40 a.m.) 2. Public Discussion Period. (a) Jack Sullivan, 4300 Ivanhoe Place, spoke of the BRAC building and said the Office of Planning and Zoning is part of the problem and not part of the solution and the residents are sick and tired of the process. Mr. Sullivan said the residents of Seminary Hill have been talking to land owners on the east side of I-395, as well as the neighboring civic groups and propose to start their own planning process, and they invite the City Council and City Manager to attend those meetings, and the Planning Office is invited as observers, but they want no City consultants. (b) Dino Drudi, 315 N. West Street, said when he looks at the map of Alexandria, he sees the part of Arlington County south of Four Mile Run, and it would make sense for Alexandria and Arlington and the neighborhood to consider taking the portion of Arlington County south of 395 and giving it to Alexandria, and the little bit of land in Alexandria north of 395 to Arlington County. REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (3) Planning Commission 3. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2010-0017 4001 EISENHOWER AVENUE CAMERON RUN REGIONAL PARK Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for a development special use permit, with site plan, to install and operate a multi-level children's play feature; zoned POS/Public Open Space. Applicant: Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, represented by Dan Iglhaut PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated November 13, 2010 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 3; 11/13/10, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously, City Council approved the action consent calendar. The approval was as follows: 3. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. Councilman Smedberg asked the Planning staff to make the pictures in the reports clearer. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Fannon "aye" Donley "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER 4. Public Hearing to Receive Citizen Input on the Proposed City Legislative Package for the 2011 General Assembly Session. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandums dated October 19 and November 2, 2010, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 4; 11/13/10, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) The following persons participated in the public hearing on this item: (a) Richard Merritt, 2729 Franklin Court, said the Public Health Advisory Commission, the Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria, and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition have asked him to argue on their behalf in support of the enactment of State legislation that would significantly increase the State cigarette tax, which is currently set at $.30 a pack. (b) David Kaplan, 418 Queen Street, spoke of the omission of the request for legislation requiring drivers to stop for pedestrians crossing the street in a marked crosswalk, and he asked Council to consider adding the pedestrian safety measure to this year's package. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilman Smedberg and carried 6-0-1, City Council closed the public hearing and adopted the City's Legislative Package recommended by the City's Legislative Committee for the 2011 General Assembly Session. Councilwoman Hughes noted she would abstain from the vote because she serves on the Governors Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring and may have to consider matters later that may be in conflict with the positions taken today. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Smedberg "aye" Hughes abstain Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" 5. Public Hearing and Consideration of the Report of the City Council Naming Committee on the Proposed Naming of City Hall Room 2000 in Honor of Chet and Sabra Avery. (#10, 10/26/10) (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated October 21, 2010, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 5; 11/13/10, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Fannon and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing and approved the Naming Committee's recommendation to name City Hall Room 2000 in honor of Chet and Sabra Avery. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" 6. Public Hearing and Consideration of the Report of the City Council Naming Committee on the Proposed Naming of the Alexandria Adult Detention Center in Honor of the Late Deputy Sheriff William Truesdale. (#11, 10/26/10) (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated October 21, 2010, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 6; 11/13/10, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) The following person participated in the public hearing on this item: (a) Chief Deputy Sheriff Lenny George, 2003 Mill Road, spoke in favor of the naming and spoke of the circumstances regarding Deputy Sheriff Truesdale's death. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Fannon and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing and approved the Naming Committee's recommendation to name the Alexandria Adult Detention Center in honor of the late Deputy Sheriff Williams Truesdale. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued) Planning Commission (continued) 7. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2010-0015 1701 DUKE STREET EDMONDSON PLAZA - AMENDMENT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for an amendment for special use permit approval to allow a sign with illumination on a building taller than 35 feet and an amendment to an existing development special use permit condition to allow an illuminated sign; zoned OCH/Office Commercial High. Applicant: 1701 Duke Street, LLC presented by Leigh Bell and Jude Collins of Kearney and Company PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated November 13, 2010 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 7; 11/13/10, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Ms. Contreras, Planning and Zoning, made a presentation of the staff report and she, along with Ms. Wright, Planning and Zoning, responded to questions of City Council. The following persons participated in the public hearing on this item: (a) Brion Kearney, 1701 Duke Street, with Kearney and Company, spoke in favor of the request. (b) Jude Collins, 840 Golden Arrow Street, Great Falls, spoke in favor of the request. (c) Poul Hertel, 1217 Michigan Court, asked that the lighting on the statute be appropriate. He spoke of an item found during excavation and there seemed to be a miscommunication regarding handing it over to the Archeology Department. (d) Leigh Bell, 8403-J Richmond Highway, Alexandria, with Signs Unlimited, Inc., spoke in favor of the request. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting on the motion was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye" Donley "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Vice Mayor Donley and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing and approved the Planning Commission recommendation, with the proviso that the ordinance on item #18 on the docket be approved. The voting was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Fannon "aye" Donley "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Pepper "aye" 8. MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT #2010-0004 CDD CONCEPT PLAN #2010-0001 AMENDMENT TO THE DESIGN GUIDELINES ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT #2010-0004 DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2010-0012 SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2010-0033 SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2010-0058 1401,1801,2401, 2403, 2405, 2901, 3901 POTOMAC AVENUE; 2301,2801 3951 JEFFERSON DAVIS HIGHWAY; 800, 1000, 1400, 1600, 1800, 1801, 2000, 2001, 2300, 2301, 2600, 2601, 2800, 2801, 2802, 2900 MAIN LINE BOULEVARD; 650 MASKELL STREET; 600 EAST MONROE; 1702, 1880 POTOMAC GREENS DRIVE (Properties within the boundaries of CDD #10 and the Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens Small Area Plan) POTOMAC YARD DEVELOPMENT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for: (a) an amendment to the Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens Small Area Plan to increase building height limits within Landbays H, I and J, to increase the amount of office floor area, decrease the amount of retail floor area and allow the flexibility to convert office use to residential or retail uses in Landbay G, and to allow flexibility in the location of residential and commercial uses in Landbays H, I and J; (b) various amendments to the CDD concept plan and design guidelines related to uses, floor area, densities, surface and above-grade parking and parking ratios, infrastructure, and to provide for a monetary payment in lieu of requirements for the North Trail and pedestrian bridge and other changes to update the conditions of the CDD concept plan; (c) an amendment to the CDD table in Section 5-602 of the City's Zoning Ordinance to increase the total office floor are to be converted to residential units or retail floor area in Landbay G; (d) an amendment to conditions of development special use permit #2006-0113 to remove or revise the requirement for construction of the North Trail and other enhancements in Landbay K and provide for a monetary contribution in lieu of designing and constructing the North Trail and associated amenities, and to remove any references to the construction of the pedestrian bridge; (e) an amendment to remove conditions of special use permit #2008-0028 regarding the construction of the pedestrian bridge; and (f) an amendment to conditions for special use permit #2008-0027 to modify the timing of and provide an option for a monetary contribution in lieu of requirements for the Rail Park; Landbay D; zoned CDD #10/Coordinated Development District #10 - Potomac Yards/Greens. Applicant: Potomac Yard Development, LLC and RP MRP Potomac Yard, LLC by M. Catharine Puskar PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: MPA #2010-0004 Initiated and Adopted w/amendments, 7-0 CDD #2010-0001 Recommend Approval w/amendments 7-0 DESIGN GUIDELINES Recommend Approval w/ amendments 7-0 ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT Initiated and Recommend Approval 7-0 DSUP #2010-0012 Recommend Approval 7-0 SUP #2010-0033 Recommend Approval 7-0 SUP #2010-0058 Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated November 13, 2010 is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 8; 11/13/10, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) The following item was heard out of turn: 22. Consideration of a Resolution Regarding Funding a Pedestrian Bridge in Potomac Yard. (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated November 12, 2010, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 22; 11/13/10, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Ms. Wright, Division Chief, Planning and Zoning, along with Deputy City Manager Jinks, made a presentation of the report and responded to questions of City Council. The following persons participated in the public hearing on this item: (a) M. Catharine Puskar, 2200 Clarendon Blvd., attorney representing Potomac Yard Development LLC and RP MRP Potomac Yard, LLC, spoke in favor of the request. She noted the glitch on the application on the first note on the first page to define who is bound by the CDD conditions and one of the words that was added was "predecessors and interests." She said they want to have on the record that above-grade parking is permitted, subject to certain criteria and they will come through a DSUP. Ms. Puskar said they are offering to give up-front money, $2 million, on the pedestrian bridge to go towards the feasibility for the Metro with incorporated pedestrian access. She said they cannot agree to pay an extra $1 million up-front. (b) Neal Tomblyn, 1817 Potomac Greens Drive, spoke about the process the City is deploying to develop the Potomac Yard area, including the proposed Metro Station, and he asked what WMATA says about the new Metro Station. He said the City will pay for the new Metro Station with a special tax levied upon a few for the benefit of many. He said the tax is unfair and should not be allowed and he asked Council to turn back to the business, logical and common senses and focus on following the proper processes and make fiscally responsible decisions regarding the Potomac Yard development. He said on the resolution on the bridge, he is in support of the builder and developer and giving funds to the City. (c) Mark Anderson, 705 Rose Street, spoke about the pedestrian bridge and said their board defends the location of the bridge being south and to be a stand-alone structure and not put together with Metro. He asked how, if included as part of the Metro construction, the bridge gets over the three crossings of the railroad tracks. (d) Poul Hertel, 1217 Michigan Court, said they know that the developer agreed to underground all the parking in return for shifting the densities on the Yard, and they now wish to rescind their obligation because of the contingent deal on landbay F, and he noted the problems associated with that. (e) David Fromm, 2307 E. Randolph Avenue, said that until Metro is approved, it seems they are giving away a lot in the application, since if it is not approved, there are no conditions. If Metro is not approved, it can go back to undergrounding parking. Mr. Fromm said solving the pedestrian bridge is a problem. (f) Foster Henderson, 1846 Potomac Greens Drive, said he is all for Metro but not for the special taxes. He recommended putting a school in the development and the money there. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council closed the public hearing. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Pepper "aye" Hughes "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Smedberg "aye" WHEREUPON, a motion was made by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Hughes, that City Council approve the Planning Commission recommendation, with the following changes: condition #11a on page 42 to read: "all parking must be underground, except that above-grade parking structures are permitted in any subsequent development special use permits in the following locations, subject to the criteria in 11B, C and D", which changes may be to "are"; in finding/note 1, to delete the word "predecessors"; on page 51, change the amount of the monetary contributions to $500,000 reflected in i, ii, iii, and v and $1 million in iv in condition p to reflect a $2 million contribution. Councilman Smedberg offered a friendly amendment on pages 51 and 52, conditions q and r, as relates to the rail park and Potomac Yard linear park, adding the wording that it be placed in a sequestered fund for the stated purposes. The amendment was accepted by the maker and seconder of the motion and becomes part of the main motion. A SUBSTITUTE MOTION WAS MADE by Councilman Smedberg that condition #11a stay as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion failed for lack of a second. The voting on the motion was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Pepper "aye" Smedberg "aye" WHEREUPON, upon motion by Vice Mayor Donley, seconded by Councilwoman Hughes and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council approved the resolution regarding funding of a pedestrian bridge in Potomac Yard. The voting was as follows: Donley "aye" Fannon "aye" Hughes "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Pepper "aye" Smedberg "aye" The resolution reads as follows: