Special Meeting
Saturday, April 4, 1992 - - 9:30 a.m.
(Public Hearing -- Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens SAP)
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Present: Mayor Patricia S. Ticer, Vice Mayor William C. Cleveland, Members of Council Kerry J. Donley, T. Michael Jackson, Redella S. Pepper, Lonnie C. Rich, and David G. Speck.
Absent: None.
Also Present: Ms. Steele, Deputy City Manager; Mr. Sunderland, City Attorney; Ms. Evans, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Casey, Chairman of Ad Hoc Committee on Potomac Yard; Mr. Braswell, Chairman of Planning Commission; Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Community Development; Mr. O'Kane, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services; Mr. Gitajn, Director of Financial and Information Services; Mr. Sanderson, Director of Real Estate Assessments; Mr. Grossman, Division Chief of Planning and Community Development; Mr. Brannan, Assistant City Manager; Mr. Kauffman, Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities; and Sergeant Corle, Police Department.
Recorded by: Susan K. Seagroves, Deputy City Clerk and Clerk of Council.
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The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Ticer, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present, except Councilman Jackson who arrived at 11:35 a.m.
(It was noted that a Notice of this Special Meeting had been previously served upon each Member of Council pursuant to a provision of the City Charter, a copy of the Notice certified by each Member of Council being in file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council.)
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
Planning Commission
2. Public Hearing on and Consideration of the Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens Small Area Plan.
NOTE: THE PUBLIC HEARING BEGAN AT 9:30 A.M. WITH PRESENTATIONS BY STAFF, PROPERTY OWNERS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POTOMAC YARD TASK FORCE AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, FOLLOWED BY TESTIMONY FROM THE PUBLIC.
(A copy of the Agenda entitled "City Council Work Session on the Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens Small Area Plan, Saturday, April 4, 1992, 9:30 a.m., City Council Chambers" is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated April 1, 1992, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 2 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
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A copy of the "List of Materials Furnished for City Council Public Hearing on Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens Small Area Plan April 4, 1992," is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 3 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum, with replacement page 87 attached, dated April 1, 1992, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 4 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandun regarding Alexandria 2020 Concept Plan Map for Potomac Yard and Potomac Greens dated April 1, 1992, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 5 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated March 24, 1992, is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 6 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference,
A copy of communications received on this item are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 7 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.
A copy of a partial verbatim of the Work Session portion of the meeting is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked as Exhibit No. 8 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference.)
(The following persons participated in the City Council Work Session:
Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Community Development, presented an overview of the planning process, including some of the legal issues. (The City Attorney did not make a presentation.);
IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF COUNCIL not to discuss today, or to have staff address today, the concept of a reversible roadway when the Council has made it clear that what it wants to do is to retain that right-of-way for the future.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council agreed to permit Mr. Redele to make his presentation first.
Mr. Redele, Chairman of Savage Fogarty, made a presentation on behalf of Potomac Greens; a copy of Mr. Redele's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 9 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference. Mr. Redele announced that he, on behalf of Potomac Greens, has agreed that if the City and 2020 can work together to work up a suitable plan he will work with Mr. Riggs and RF&P;
Mr. Hart, 307 North Washington Street, attorney representing Alexandria 2020, spoke in support of Alexandria 2020; a copy of the overheads from the Alexandria 2020 presentation is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 10 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
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Mr. Hayden, a member of the Appraisal Institute and an appraisal expert for Alexandria 2020, commented on the economic model;
[Mr. Hart will provide a written copy of everybody's remarks and the overheads to Council.]
[Councilwoman Pepper requested that Mr. Mayden's testimony be discussed at the April 30 work session.]
(Discussion. There was considerable discussion on rates of return, discount rates and absorption rates among Council Member Rich, Councilman Donley, the City Attorney, Mr. Hayden and Mr. Riggs.)
Mr. Humphrey, an Alexandria appraisal expert for Alexandria 2020, spoke on financial issues relating to the project;
Mr. Riggs, President of RF&P Corporation, made a presentation on behalf of Alexandria 2020. Mr. Riggs assured Council that he would like to work with Council to find a solution and repeated that he and Potomac Greens have reached an understanding that allows them, if a suitable plan can be agreed to, to work with the City to address the entire area, including the issue of the interchange;
Mr. Kent, Executive Director of Alexandria 2020, made his presentation and expanded on the agreement reached by Potomac Greens and RF&P;
[Council Member Rich requested a detailed proposal from Mr. Kent as far as the phasing issue so staff can work on it prior to April 30.]
Mr. Casey, Chainian of the Ad Hoc Committee on Potomac Yard, spoke on behalf of the Task Force;
At this point, 11:35 a.m., Councilman Jackson arrived.
Mr. Hope, Member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Potomac Yard, read the minority report dated February 27, 1992, sent to the Planning Commission and City Council; a copy of Mr. Hope's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 11 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Mr. Braswell, Chairman of the Planning Commission, spoke on behalf of the Planning Commission position; and
Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Community Development, made closing remarks and addressed some staff disagreements with the Planning Commission position.)
Whereupon, at 12:29 p.m., City Council recessed for lunch.
Thereupon, at 1:26 p.m., the meeting was reconvened and the following transpired:
(The following persons participated in the public hearing:
Marlin G. Lord, 2724 Hickory Street, representing the Park and Recreation Commission, was concerned that the Commission's correspondence was not included in the correspondence received by City Council, and emphasized the need for use of active recreation space rather than open space; a copy of correspondence from the Park and Recreation Commission is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 12 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Jim Mulligan, 4600 Duke Street, Chairman of the Park and Recreation Commission, included Potomac Greens in the Commission's offers made previously to work with others involved, and spoke in support of active recreation;
[Mayor Ticer asked staff to be ready to address the issues in the memorandum[s] of the Park and Recreation Commission dated January 17, 1992, regarding CDD Guidelines Regarding Open Space, on April 30.]
Georgia Cannady, 1103 Dartmouth Road, President of the League of Women Voters, spoke in support of development at levels the City's infrastructure can support and only development compatible with the existing City; a copy of Ms. Cannady's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 13 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Donna Fell, 8A Auburn Court, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
Bob Hemphill, 2302 South Nash Street, Arlington, an Arlington representative to the Ad Hoc Committee, addressed economic viability of the project and spoke in support of the Planning Commission recommendation;
(Councilman Speck and Mr. Hemphill participated in a discussion on discount rates and contingency fees.)
Ted Saks, 1016 South 26th Road, Arlington, a member of the Citizens Committee, spoke supporting phasing of development and linking of residential to commercial and retail development;
Diggs Bishop, 405 East Windsor Avenue, spoke in support of the 2020 project;
Virginia Payne, 123 East Linden Street, does not approve of the proposed highway;
Nellie R. Davis, 119 East Linden Street, stated we do not need a highway going through her property;
George M. Hagerman, Jr., 124 East Rosemont Avenue, spoke of his concerns about transportation issues relating to an alternative highway and in support of ODD principles recommended to the Planning Commission by the Ad Hoc Committee; a copy of Mr. Hagerman's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 14 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
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Art VonHerbulis, 6601 Little River Turnpike, representing the Association of Building and Contractors of Virginia, spoke in support of 2020;
Charles Huettner, 218 South Fayette Street, President of Old Town Civic Association, spoke in support of the Ad Hoc Committee recommendation;
Bob Dempsey, 214 Prince Street, member of the Ad Hoc Task Force, questioned to what extent the by-right zone is economically viable;
[Councilwoman Pepper requested that staff respond to the question of the by-right zone being economically viable for April 30.]
Nancy O'Hara, 2430 South Lynn Street, Arlington, President of the Arlington Ridge Civic Association, spoke in support of the Planning Commission recommendation;
Mary Wood, 309 North Fayette Street, a member of the Inner City Civic Association, spoke in support of the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation to study the feasibility of a reversible road or other transportation alternatives;
Jesse Jennings, 1019 Oronoco Street, spoke to health issues related to traffic;
Rod Kuckro, 209 East Alexandria Avenue, representing the Del Ray Citizens Association, spoke on traffic issues and presented to Council the results of the Association's survey on Potomac Yard development; a copy of Mr. Kuckro's statement and a copy of the Del Ray Citizens Association Potomac Yards Development Opinion Survey is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 15 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Lou Genuario, Sr., 218 North Lee Street, President of the Alexandria Building Industry Association, spoke in support of the Alexandria 2020 plan; a copy of Mr. Genuario's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 16 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Marilyn Doherty, 12 West Mount Ida, President of No Gridlock!, spoke about traffic issues and in support of the Planning Commission recommendation;
Sarah Becker, 1200 Princess Street, President of the Inner City Civic Association, spoke in support of a Metro station, rerouting of construction-related traffic and the study of a reversible road, and presented a petition of 310 Inner-City residents in support of these recommendations; a copy of the petition is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 17 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Bob Maslyn, 703 Devon Place, President of the Northeast Citizens Association, presented the views of the Association: support low density, keep the Monroe Avenue Bridge, remove PCBs, oppose a study of the reversible road, and that there is no guarantee of a return of $39 million to the City; a copy of Mr. Maslyn's testimony is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 18 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
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Charlotte Landis, 928 Oronoco Street, representing herself and her neighbors, spoke in support of the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation to study a reversible land road;
Lionel R. Hope, 1107 Gibbon Street, spoke in support of the minority position of the Ad Hoc Citizens Committee; a copy of the minority position dated February 27, 1992, regarding development levels in Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 19 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Michael Brown, 18 East Custis Avenue, a resident of Del Ray, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
Ben Brenman, 4600 Duke Street, #1609, spoke in support of the 2020 plan; a copy of Mr. Brenman's statement is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council marked Exhibit No. 20 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Bob Richard, 121 Duke Street, representing the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of a plan with adequate density as stated by the resolution passed by the Chamber Board of Directors;
John A. Patrick, 13A East Oak Street, representing the Rosemont Citizens Association, spoke about the cost of cleaning up hazardous waste, that the AMTRAK station be maintained and remain an AMTRAK station, and presented a petition with 350 names against a study of the reversible road; a copy of the petition is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 21 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
(Councilman Jackson stated for the record that he is employed by AMTRAK and possibly could have a conflict on this issue. He therefore removed himself from the table during this discussion.)
(General Discussion. There was considerable discussion among Council Member Rich, Councilman Speck, Councilwoman Pepper, Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Community Development, Mr. Hart and Mr. Riggs about the AMTRAK station, which is owned by the 2020 developer, and whether Union Station will remain as an AMTRAK station with the development of 2020.
Mr. Lynn advised that a proposed letter to AMTRAK is coming to Council at its next session asking AMTRAK precisely to clarify their position, namely if they are offered a location at Potomac Yard, if they move there would they give up the station at King Street.)
[Councilwoman Pepper asked to be added to the April 30 Work Session list for discussion a comparison of other projects which have provided environmental clean-up without receiving density credits.]
Robert Stropky, 513 North Patrick Street, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Potomac Greens and Potomac Yards and representing the Inner City Civic Association, spoke in support of CDD Guideline #29 and the study on the reversible roadway as proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee;
Al Attiliis, 203 Hume Avenue, representing Common Sense for 2020, spoke in support of 2020;
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Kris Price, 120 North Alfred Street, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
Eric Joseph, 2607 Terrett Avenue, spoke in support of 2020;
Pamela Shoaff, 519 East Custis Avenue, a neighbor of the rail yard, spoke in support of 2020;
John C. Pappas, Post Office Box 20281, spoke in opposition to the 2020 and Potomac Greens development;
Philip Sparks, 203 West Mason Avenue, representing No Gridlock!, spoke in support of the Planning Commission recommendation;
Gil Zimmerman, 601 Princess Street, suggested a cooperative financing effort with the developer as an alternative for infrastructure costs;
[Mr. Lynn will prepare a response to Mr. Zimmerman's question about total number of cars that will be on the site.]
W. Michael Holm, 445 Old Town Court, representing the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of 2020;
Dana Lawhorne, 107 West Alexandria Avenue, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
Joseph W. Darling, 1211 Janney's Lane, spoke in support of quality development in Alexandria and the 2020 plan;
James VanZee, 2710 Sycamore Street, a resident and professional planner, spoke in support of 2020;
Dave McCreedy, 322 North Patrick Street, spoke against the 2020 development;
Kathy Emmons, 118 East Taylor Run Parkway, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
Mark Colley, 9 West Cedar Street, spoke in support of the Ad Hoc Committee recommendation and opposes the concept of a new highway along the railroad right-of-way;
Peter Smirniotopoulos, 2411 Terrett Avenue, spoke in support of the 2020 proposal; a copy of two articles from the Urban Land Institute on neotraditional town planning is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked collectively as Exhibit No. 22 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
John Phipps, 400 Madison Street, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
David Barnett, 501 Slaters Lane, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
Glenn P. Hoetker, 26 Mt. Vernon Avenue, spoke against the study for a reversible road, for mass transit and improving traffic;
Robert J. Meyers, 222 North Patrick Street, spoke against the 2020 development and in support of the study of a reversible road;
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Brian Marquis, 39 Mt. Vernon Avenue, spoke in support of the smaller area plan and against the study of the two-lane reversible road; a copy of "Don't Let This Become Our View of the World Alexandria" is on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 23 of Item No. 2; 4/4/92, and is incorporated herewith as part of this record by reference;
Lorraine Oerth, 491 Naylor Place, spoke in support of the 2020 plan;
David Wallace, 1318 Princess Street, spoke in support of a traffic study in connection with the development of Potomac Yard/Potomac Greens;
Lee Quill, 1111 North Pitt Street, 2A, recommends that Council consider the facts of both the City staff as well as the development teams and the concerns of the populace;
Marie Yovanovitch, 117 Mt. Vernon Avenue, spoke in opposition to any further study of the reversible road;
Leonard Forkas, Jr., 32 East Maple Street, spoke in support of 2020; and
Ellen Pickering, 123 West Maple Street, representing the Rosemont Civic Association, spoke in support of the Planning Commission recommendation and the citizen board and addressed the need to increase the 30-foot buffer to 50 feet for both landscaping and the bike trail.)
The public hearing was concluded.
Mayor Ticer asked Mr. Riggs for a copy of the appraisal for VRS mentioned by Mr. Riggs.
Mayor Ticer requested something in writing from Mr. Kent about the phasing to start discussion on the subject and stated that the public will have to be allowed to comment on anything that would come out of the negotiations taking place.
Mr. Lynn, Director of Planning and Community Development, will provide to Council a list of the main issues to be determined and the list of questions which were raised today.
Councilwoman Pepper requested that either Mr. Hemphill or Mr. Wagner, or both, attend the April 30 Work Session so that Council can ask them questions.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, Council determined that the committee to discuss the idea of phasing which 2020 introduced today will consist of: two members of Council, the City Attorney, the Director of T&ES, the Planning Director, two representatives from 2020 and two citizen representatives (one from the Planning Commission and one from the Task Force), to operate in a quick time line within the schedule outlined by Council.
IT WAS THE CONSENSUS OF COUNCIL that Mayor Ticer and Councilman Speck will serve as the City Council representatives to the committee.
Council Member Rich asked for the impact of, instead of the developer doing the Metro station, that the City do so itself.
Councilwoman Pepper asked that discussion on the traffic study and what assumptions went into it be included for April 30.
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WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council agreed that staff will meet with 2020 first as a working group to discuss how phasing might work, and then staff and 2020 will meet with Council.
City Council will discuss the progress of negotiations and the calendar at its April 14 meeting.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO BE CONSIDERED, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Jackson and carried unanimously, at 6:15 p.m., the Special Meeting of April 4, 1992, was adjourned. The voting was as follows:
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Pepper "aye" Cleveland "aye"
Jackson "aye" Donley "aye"
Ticer "aye" Rich "aye"
Speck "aye"
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PATRICIA S. TICER MAYOR
ATTEST:
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Susan K. Seagroves, Deputy City Clerk
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This docket is subject to change.
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