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Office of the City Clerk
September 21, 1996

All Persons, Including Applicant,
Wishing to Speak before City Council
Must Fill Out a Speaker's Form (which
May be Found in the Rear of the
Council Chamber) and Present it to the
City Clerk.



Special Public Hearing Meeting
Saturday, September 21, 1996 - - 9:30 am

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Office of the City Clerk
September 21, 1996

All Persons, Including Applicants,
Wishing to Speak before City Council
Must Fill Out a Speaker's Form (which
May be Found in the Rear of the
Council Chamber) and Present it to the
City Clerk.

A C T I O N D O C K E T

Please take notice that there was a Special Public Hearing Meeting of City Council held on Saturday, September 21, 1996 [in lieu of the Regular Public Hearing Meeting of Saturday, September 14, 1996], at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber of City Hall, Alexandria, Virginia, for the purpose of considering the following items.

/s/Vola Lawson, City Manager
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OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The Meeting was called to order by Mayor Donley, and the City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present.
Council Action:_____________________________________________

2. Public Discussion Period. (No more than 30 minutes)
(This period is restricted
to items not listed on
the docket.)

(a) John Chapman Gager spoke during this period.

(b) Vivian Riefberg, 321 South Columbus Street, representing herself and area neighbors, requested Council's assistance for gathering all of the facts regarding the sale of the property at 314 South Columbus Street by Habitat for Humanity. This involves the City's Office of Housing, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and Habitat for Humanity. She requested for assurance that they follow a free, fair and open process that allows dialogue and encourages participation by all interested parties.

City Manager Lawson stated that the Office of Housing is responding in a written letter to them to provide them with the information.

Councilman Euille stated that he is involved with Habitat for Humanity. He indicated that it currently has a vacancy for Executive Director. He stated that he will see that the President of the Board of Directors will get in touch with her.

Mayor Donley requested Deputy Director of Housing Hansen to get the names, addresses and phone numbers from Ms. Riefberg of all interested parties before she leaves here this morning.



DOCKET -- SEPTEMBER 21, 1996 -- SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING -- PAGE 1
OPENING (continued)

2. Public Discussion Period (continued)

(c) Carolyn Merck, 324 North Royal Street, representing neighbors, requested free and open discussion with ARHA with respect to the RFP that has been made public by ARHA for redevelopment of the Samuel Madden Homes between Princess Street and Pendleton Street, and Pitt and Royal Streets. She stated that there has been no neighborhood community input. She stated that there are three suggested designs in the RFP for the development on that property. She very emphatically stated that the neighbors in that area went to the public hearings on this, spoke strongly, adamantly, and in numbers, saying that they would support the mixed-income mixed-density design in concept, and would be happy to continue to work with ARHA to work out the details. They were very clear that they did not like the suggested design of the EDAW report. She spoke to the design that would require a down ramp into a full City block size underground parking garage in the 400 block of Princess Street. In that particular block of Princess Street you have homes adjacent to hers, all of whom have no off-street parking. This is the block where they must park. The huge curb cuts would take at least three if not more parking spaces off of that block. In addition, there are two other illustrative plans in the RFP, one of which would call for in the southern block a massive, four-story 68-unit apartment building with a down ramp off of Princess Street into an underground garage, as well as a second curb cut into surface parking for two four-story garden-level apartments. This density is too high. She intends to attend the bidder's conference on Tuesday. She stated that there has been no effort on ARHA's part to involve the neighbors.

Members of City Council participated in the discussion.

(d) Susan Brita, 420 Princess Street, associated herself with Carolyn Merck's remarks. She expressed concerns about seeing a proposal with a four-story apartment building directly opposite her home and no one to her knowledge was even asked to participate in any kind of concept development. She stated that they agreed in concept to a mixed-income mixed-density proposal and that was all that they agreed to. She stated that they are looking to City Council to keep this an open process.

Mayor Donley explained the process of the task force that he and Councilman Euille sit on.

Council Member Rich suggested that Council express today some sense of Council that the RFP contains some suggestions that are just suggestions, that others would be welcome and there ought to be other ways that people in the community who have not had an opportunity to comment on some of the suggestions be able to do so. He thought that would be helpful to be taken to the pre-bid conference.

OPENING (continued)

2. Public Discussion (continued)

Ms. Brita stated that a reaffirmation that this proposal is just in concept would be extremely helpful, rather than that these are the concept designs. She further stated that Council is just reaffirming that in concept that it is, as well as the neighborhood, endorsing the concept of mixed-density and mixed-income and that all types of proposals would be considered by ARHA, not just the four that are in the RFP.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Councilman Euille and carried unanimously, the sense of Council is that the RFP for ARHA is conceptual and that the suggested land uses or designs are merely illustrative.

New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Donley spoke to his memorandum that he had sent to City Council regarding the ARHA Board appointments that Council were planning to make Tuesday. He asked Council's concurrence to defer the appointments and consider some changes to the ARHA Board. He suggested that Council eliminate the Landlord-Tenant representative to ARHA, but do not forego that linkage, that in its place, there would be an ARHA representative going to Landlord-Tenant. This would eliminate one seat on the ARHA Board. He also asked that the two remaining citizen seats that Council is about to fill on Tuesday be delayed and that Council only fill one of those seats. He stated changes to the enabling legislation would have to be amended. He indicated that the applicants who had filed for those seats, their applications would still remain active for the one remaining seat, but it probably would have to be readvertised for that particular position.

WHEREUPON, upon motion by Council Member Rich, seconded by Vice Mayor Pepper and carried on a vote of 6-to-1, City Council deferred the appointment of the two citizen positions and asked the City Attorney to bring back the appropriate resolution in an amended form to adopt this concept within 30 days.

Councilman Cleveland stated that the appointments that are there should remain there. He stated that ARHA should have advocates for low- and moderate-income housing. He stated that lowering the number is not going to make that much of a difference, and he thinks that this Council should stick to its original proposal to keep the Board the way it is.

Councilman Euille requested that when this comes back he would like to know why it was expanded in 1990 to the current number of 9. He would like to know more about the rationale for the numbers in terms of 9 versus 7, or 5 versus 7, etc.

OPENING (continued)

2. Public Discussion (continued)

Councilman Speck returned to the discussion regarding the RFP for the Housing Authority. He raised the question that if you are stating that the specific proposals in the RFP are now concepts that we might have difficulty in having bidders respond. The City Attorney will look at the RFP to see if a bid problem has been created by just changing specific request to concept. The City Attorney will report at the end of the meeting.
Council Action:_____________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (3 - 17)

Planning Commission

WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council removed Docket Item Nos. 4, 5, and 16 from the Consent Calendar.

3. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #96-0100 -- 221 NORTH WEST STREET
COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 6-0
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

13. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #96-0118 -- 1302 MOUNT VERNON AVENUE -- SOUTH CHINA RESTAURANT
END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of Docket Item Nos. 4, 5, and 16 which were considered under separate motions. Noted the deferral of Docket Item 21 to the Saturday, October 19, 1996 Public Hearing Meeting. The Planning Commission recommendations are as follows:

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

3. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

4. Councilman Cleveland suggested that 306 and 308 North Patrick Street not be deleted from the list until the draining problems are corrected.

Members of Council directed questions to Real Estate Officer Thomas.

Vice Mayor Pepper spoke to 113 North Fayette Street. She indicated that this was a house that had earlier come to Council's attention by a developer who wanted to raze the building. He was given a year to find an owner or a use for this house so that it would not have to be razed.

Council Member Walker also has received complaints that this man is making no effort to sell the house.

Urban Planner Smith stated that the owner of the property is currently working with an architect to develop the property as a multi-family house with an addition behind the house. An application will probably come in within the next two or three months for the redevelopment of the property.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations; and approved the recommendation of the City Manager that City Council (1) approve the addition and deletion of the properties listed on pages 2 and 3 to the currently approved List of Blighting Influences in the Potomac East Conservation District and the Potomac West Neighborhood Strategy Area (NSA), including the deletion of 624 Notabene Drive; (2) approve, pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.06 of the City Charter, the possible acquisition for rehabilitation/redevelopment and resale to low- and moderate-income persons or for resale "As Is" to the private market for rehabilitation/redevelopment of the one Potomac East property to be added to the List (as listed above and on page 2); (3) authorize the City Manager to enter into contracts for the purchase of properties on the Blighting Influences List if it becomes necessary to acquire such properties because of the failure of the owners to comply with the program's guidelines, with the understanding that staff is going to conduct a discussion and consultation with the owner of 306-308 North Patrick Street regarding the drainage problem. (Separate Motion)

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

5. Councilman Speck asked questions regarding the genesis of this particular amendment.

Planning and Zoning Director Lynn and Finance Director Neckel responded to questions asked by the Members of City Council. City Manager Lawson participated in the discussion.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations, and when this item comes back as an ordinance, staff will come back with a report on the issues raised on why staff want to do this and how they are going to implement it. (Separate Motion)

6. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

7. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

8. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

9. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

10. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

11. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

12. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

13. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

14. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

15. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

16. William C. Thomas, attorney representing the applicant, requested that Council incorporate a 29'8" handicap ramp into the encroachment.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission, as amended, and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations, incorporating the modification submitted by the applicant relative to the handicap access ramp. (Separate Motion)

17. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.

21. WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council noted the deferral of this item to the Saturday, October 19, 1996 Public Hearing Meeting.

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_____________________________________________

Planning Commission (continued)

18. SITE PLAN #96-018
5425 DUKE STREET
SENDI OFFICE BUILDING ADDITION
Public Hearing on and Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Planning Commission at its July 2, 1996 meeting, denying a request for site plan approval to construct a one-story 4,500 square foot addition to an existing office building located at 5425 Duke Street. The site plan area contains 0.39 acres. A modification to the side yard setback is requested. The site is zoned OCM/Office Commercial Medium. Applicant and Appellant Dr. H. Michael Sendi, by Harry P. Hart, Attorney.

COMMISSION ACTION: Denied 5-1

Council Member Walker spoke to landscaping of the property and the location of the dumpster.

Mr. Hart, attorney for the applicant, stated that Dr. Sendi does agree to do reasonable landscaping and improvements to the north side of his building to additionally make that area more attractive to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Director. Mr. Hart stated that the dumpster goes into the garage under the building.

City Council reversed the action of the Planning Commission and approved the site plan.
Council Action:_____________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Board of Architectural Review

19. CASE BAR-96-0155
Public Hearing on and Consideration of an appeal of a decision of the Board of Architectural Review, Old and Historic Alexandria District, at its July 17, 1996 meeting, denying a request for approval of the painting of the previously unpainted brick townhouse at 733 South Pitt Street, zoned RM Residential. Applicant and Appellant Mr. and Mrs. James Wheless.

BOARD ACTION: Denied 6-0

City Council denied the appeal and upheld the decision of the Board of Architectural Review.
Council Action:_____________________________________________

Planning Commission (continued)

20. TEXT AMENDMENT #96-07 -- ROOFTOP SCREENING WAIVER
COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Denial 6-0

City Council upheld the recommendation of the Planning Commission and denied the request.
Council Action:_____________________________________________

WITHOUT OBJECTION, City Council deferred this item until the Public Hearing on Saturday, October 19, 1996.
Council Action:_______________________________________________

Item Nos. 22 and 23 were considered together and under one motion.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.
Council Action:_______________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission, as amended, and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations, and amended Condition #14 as suggested by staff in its memorandum dated September 20, 1996.
Council Action:_______________________________________________

Mayor Donley spoke to a potential parking problem. Planning and Zoning Director Lynn explained the parking survey done by staff.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.
Council Action:______________________________________________

COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0

Members of Council spoke to the parking problems and traffic circulation and requested the applicant to convey its concerns to the Washington Real Estate Investment Trust.

Staff of Planning and Zoning and Transportation and Environmental Services were requested to get with the owners of the property sometime over the next few months to discuss the circulation plan previously made on this shopping center to see how willing they are to participate. There is a possibility to get some state participation on this project too.

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations.
Council Action:_______________________________________________

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved the request, subject to compliance with all applicable codes, ordinances and staff recommendations and the added Condition #9.
Council Action:_______________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

27. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to amend the City Code to allow insurance to be purchased by the City through brokers whose services have been retained through the competitive procurement process. (#14 9/10/96) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council finally passed the ordinance on its Second Reading, as amended. ORD. NO. 3885
Council Action:______________________________________________

28. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE vacating a portion of the public sidewalk right-of-way in the 3800 block of Old Dominion Boulevard. (#15b 9/10/96) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council finally passed the ordinance on its Second Reading. ORD. NO. 3886
Council Action:______________________________________________

29. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of AN ORDINANCE to revise the make-up of the Community Criminal Justice Board in accordance with legislation enacted by the 1996 General Assembly. (#16 9/10/96) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council finally passed the ordinance on its Second Reading. ORD. NO. 3887
Council Action:_____________________________________________


REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR (30 - 39)

COMMISSION ACTION: Deferred 6-0-1
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

END OF DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR

WITHOUT OBJECTION, Council noted the deferrals and withdrawal.
Council Action:_____________________________________________

AT THIS POINT, the City Attorney gave a brief report about the items raised earlier today regarding the RFP for the redevelopment of the Berg. Council agreed to the motion that was passed earlier today.
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The meeting was adjourned at 12:37 p.m.
This action 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 Council.

Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the City Council meeting may call the City Clerk'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.

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. Meeting materials are also available on-line at https://alexandriava.gov/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.
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