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Office of the City Clerk
April 15, 2002

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.

If you have a prepared statement, please present
it to the City Clerk.


Public Hearing Meeting
Saturday, April 13, 2002 - - 9:30 a.m.


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OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

The Meeting was called to Order by Mayor Donley, and the Deputy City Clerk called the Roll; all Members of City Council were present, with Councilman Euille arriving at 10:15 a.m.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

New Business Item No. 1: Mayor Donley announced that there will be a special meeting of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Neighborhood Task Force on Monday, April 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council workroom. Virginia Secretary of Transportation Whittington Clement is coming to Alexandria at our request to discuss Alexandria's noise mitigation requests. The new commissioner, Mr. Shucet, will be here as well to receive a briefing and meet with the Task Force. Prior to the meeting, Council will be having a tour of the area, and the Mayor will meet with the Secretary prior to the tour.

2. Public Discussion Period. [No more than 30 Minutes] [This
period is restricted to items not
listed on the docket.]

(a) Philip Marston, 612 South Fairfax Street, on behalf of the Coalition for a Sensible Bridge, spoke on the expenditure of federal funds on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction when the mandated regional authority has never been formed;

(b) Judy McVay, 207 North Columbus Street, speaking on behalf of the Coalition for a Sensible Bridge, addressed the task force which is to be appointed in an effort to have historic easements granted to the Hunting Towers and Hunting Terrace complexes, and she urged that this task force be formed so that negotiations can begin with VDOT before this affordable housing can be demolished;

OPENING (continued)

(c) Bert Ely, 200 South Pitt Street, speaking on behalf of the Coalition for a Sensible Bridge, addressed the need for downsizing of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project, and he went over the serious financial problems and the increased cost of the bridge project; Mr. Ely's statement, with charts, are on file in the office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council;

For the record, Mayor Donley stated that he will deliver the materials Mr. Ely has given to Council directly to the Secretary of Transportation on Monday when he meets with him, and he will ask for a formal response.

Mayor Donley directed questions to Mr. Ely about a press conference held by the Coalition for a Sensible Bridge at the Lyceum, where he understands that a public information officer from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project was present but asked to leave by members of the Coalition, and that information passed out to the press was not given to the representative. The Mayor stated his opinion that The Lyceum is a public building accessible to the public, and people should not be denied access or information.

(d) Julie Crenshaw, 816 Queen Street, suggested that utilization of native plants for landscaping of the City would decrease the amount of care and water required, and keep the area looking nice without spending a lot of money or resources;

(e) Amy Slack, 2307 East Randolph Avenue, spoke to the Mount Vernon Avenue Guidelines, pointing out that the Guidelines were formulated for the entire Mount Vernon Avenue, and she suggested that Council incorporate these Guidelines into some of the planning going forth since a great deal of time has been spent on this. These are merely guidelines and can only be enforced through the special use permit process, but she would like to see businesses encouraged and given incentive to buy into these Guidelines. Lighting of signage and overflow into the atmosphere need to be given more attention as well; and

Councilman Euille arrived at 10:15 a.m.

(f) Katharine Smeallie, 6700 Woodland Terrace, spoke in support of full funding for the proposed skate park.

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR

Planning Commission

Without objection, City Council removed docket item nos. 4 and 7 from the Action Consent Calendar and considered them under separation motions.

3. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0006
3310 LANDOVER ST
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

4. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0017
295-297 S VAN DORN ST
VAN DORN PLAZA
JUMEIRA RESTAURANT 5. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2001-0135 6. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0010
7. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0001
3901 MT VERNON AV
LILLIAN'S RESTAURANT
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

8. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0005
END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the Action Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of docket item nos. 4 and 7. The action of City Council follows:

3. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

4. Councilman Speck spoke to his concern of the cumulative effects on parking and traffic of individual parking reductions given to applicants, similar to the Bradlee situation. Planning and Zoning Deputy Director Ross participated in the discussion, as did Mayor Donley, Vice Mayor Cleveland, and Councilwoman Pepper.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission. (Separate Motion)

5. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

6. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

7. Councilman Speck removed this item because of his concern about the expanded hours. Planning and Zoning Deputy Director Ross responded to his queries, and Councilwomen Eberwein and Woodson participated in the discussion.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission. (Separate Motion)

8. City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

9. Public Hearing on the Draft One-Year Action Plan for Housing and Community Development for the City's Fiscal Year 2003.

City Council (1) closed the public hearing on the Draft One-Year Action Plan for Housing and Community Development for FY 2003, which includes the City's application for Federal Fiscal Year 2002 funding for $1,241,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies and $671,000 in Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) monies; and (2) docketed the Action Plan and Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program applications for final Council consideration on May 14, 2002.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

10. MASTER PLAN AMENDMENT #2002-0001 PRESTON CONDOMINIUM AND TOWNHOMES
City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

11. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0001 PRESTON CONDOMINIUM AND TOWNHOMES
City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

12. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0002
Staff will look into the concern expressed by Councilwoman Pepper that the Texaco station next door to this site has more than the approved lighting.

City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation as amended with the following changes: Condition #20 will now read: "20. The Applicant shall maintain existing landscaping in good condition, and provide and maintain in good condition landscaping, and repaint the light posts in a manner generally consistent with staff's plan (dated March 2002) to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Zoning."; and Condition #43 will now read: "43. The exterior lighting shall be shielded or directed so as to confine the area of diffusion to the property which it is intended to illuminate, and the amount of the illumination shall not exceed 50 foot candles, reduction to 32 foot candles one hour after the end of business. Relocation of any light standards shall be to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Zoning."
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

13. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0007
Councilman Speck noted for the record, on page 10 under Parking Requirement Reduction, "The applicant should be aware that substantial parking problems in the neighborhood related to the restaurant are likely to necessitate changes in the special use permit." He also noted Condition #18, that employees who drive to work are required to use off-street parking.

Councilwoman Pepper asked that parking on the site be closely monitored by staff in case a reduction in the number of seats is necessary.

City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission with the amendment to condition #24 to read: "... Directional signage attached to the building [such as 'No Parking' or 'Loading Area' ] is allowed. The existing sign on the Nelson Avenue side (southern side) of the subject building shall be removed. A replacement sign of smaller size [without internal illumination] may be erected on the building to the satisfaction of the Director of Planning and Zoning, after consultation with the applicant and the citizens association."
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

14. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2001-0026
City Council approved the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

15. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend the provisions of Title 2 of the City Code to establish the Ladrey Senior Building as an election precinct and polling place, instead of the United Way of America election precinct and polling place. (#24 4/9/02) [ROLL-CALL VOTE]

Councilwoman Eberwein inquired whether looking at a nine-district option for School Board would entail coming up with all new polling places. City Attorney Pessoa reported that staff have been looking at that and have been trying to produce the nine-district plan to minimize any impact on the existing precincts.

City Council finally passed the Ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. ORD. NO. 4245
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

16. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to amend the provisions of Title 3 of the City Code which establish penalties for the late filing and payment of certain local taxes. (#25 4/9/02)[ROLL-CALL VOTE]

City Council finally passed the Substitute Ordinance upon its Second Reading and Final Passage. ORD. NO. 4246
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER

17. Public Hearing on the Recommended Concept Plan for Windmill Hill Park. (#18 4/9/02)

Councilman Euille stated that Council needs to bring this to closure, particularly in terms of identifying funding. He asked if the Governor's proposed new $5 per ton fee for trash haulers coming into the state that will generate about $75 million annually would be available for payment toward the cost of this plan. City Manager Sunderland reported that the funds are going into a current preservation program and the City is not likely to be eligible; however, he will look into it.

City Council held and concluded the public hearing on this item. Final consideration is scheduled for May 14, 2002.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR (18-21)

18. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2000-0032
19. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2000-0031 20. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2000-0085
REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

21. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2002-0004
END OF DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council noted the deferrals.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The Meeting was adjourned at 1:52 p.m.
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Note: The action docket is a summary of Council's meeting deliberations prepared largely for staff follow-up. Formal Minutes of the meeting, when approved by Council, become the official record of the meeting and of Council decisions made at the meeting.
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Budget Calendar

Tuesday, April 16, 2002, 7:30 p.m. -- Joint Work Session with City Council and the School Board on the Schools' CIP and FY 2003 Operating Budget at the Samuel Tucker Elementary School in the Cafeteria.

Thursday, April 18, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on Proposed FY 2003 Operating Budget and FY 2003-2008 CIP (topic to be determined).

Monday, April 29, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on BFAAC Report and Preliminary Add/Delete List.

Monday, May 6, 2002, 6:30 p.m., Council Workroom -- Work Session on the Final Add/Delete List.

Monday, May 6, 2002, 7:30 p.m., Council Chamber -- Special Meeting on the Adoption of the Budget for FY 2003.

This docket is subject to change.

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