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 City Council were present. 2. Public Discussion Period. (a) Bert Ely, P.O. Box 21010, spoke about the postal services and said with regard to the relocation of the George Mason station, he wanted to thank the City and Council for joining in the effort to keep that station located within the immediate downtown area, ideally located between Prince, Fairfax, Cameron and Patrick Streets. He said the process is moving slowly but it may not be completed by March 31 when their present lease expires. Mr. Ely said the other issue is initiatives that the Postmaster has undertaken to consider the removal of a lot of postal boxes throughout the City. He said it is important to continue to express through Business Facilitator Tom Fairchild any concerns one might have about an excessive removal of street collection boxes, as the boxes contribute to the walkability of Old Town. He said he hoped Council would be supportive of retaining collection boxes as it has been in keeping the George Mason station in the area. Mayor Euille said this was a topic of discussion with staff yesterday relative to the status of the post office facility on South Washington Street. He said he also has been in conversation with Bernie Allen, the executive director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about their needs to expand, and the Economic Development people are working with them to help to resolve some of their immediate space needs, but to also slow the process down. Mayor Euille said the issue of the deposit boxes is new to him, and staff is trying to arrange a meeting with Congressman Moran to discuss the status of the post office, so that will be brought to his attention. (b) Jim Hurysz, P.O. Box 5191, Arlington, spoke about energy conservation, buildings being under-insulated and inefficient windows in government buildings. He said Arlington is renovating its County office building by replacing old incandescent lighting with new incandescent lighting and it is time for local governments to set the standards for energy efficiency in buildings. Mr. Hurysz also spoke about the retirement of the Mirant Plant and said it couldn't happen too soon for him. (c) Mariella Posey, 915 Second Street, said that with the departure of Eileen Fogarty, there are many who are concerned that her initiative of community involvement early in the concept stage of development, before any formal hearings, will slowly become a thing of the past. She asked Council to direct the new director to continue the process, as community involvement resulted in better projects throughout the City. Ms. Posey said Ms. Fogarty was a great asset to the community and was a joy to work with. (d) Charles Trozzo, 204 Duke Street, congratulated Council on the election and the beginning of the new session. He read a letter from the Historic Restoration and Preservation Commission, in which they expressed appreciation and best wishes to Ms. Fogarty. He said there were a lot of congratulations to Ms. Fogarty at her party last night, but it is not time to rest on their laurels. It is time to pick up the beat, to recruit and hire a new planning director who will continue this direction and pursue it aggressively. He said the Planning and Zoning division has gone through a rather tough time, losing a number of personnel, and he encouraged the City's pursuing the replacement of those personnel as aggressively and timely as possible. REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (3-13) Planning Commission SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0052 3648 KING STREET ATLANTIS FAMILY RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant and for a parking reduction; zoned CG/Commercial General. Applicant: Vasilios Patrianakos PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 3, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 4. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0053 4932-B EISENHOWER AVENUE LIGHT AUTOMOBILE REPAIR Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a light automobile repair business; zoned OCM(100)/Office Commercial Medium. Applicant: Martha Elizabeth Medin PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 4, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 5. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0055 610 MONTGOMERY STREET COFFEE HOUSE Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a coffee house style restaurant and for a parking reduction; zoned CDX/Commercial Downtown(Old Town North). Applicant: Marie Doyle PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 5, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 6. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0058 300 CALVERT AVENUE NATURE BY DESIGN Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to expand an existing outdoor garden center; zoned I/Industrial Applicant: Nature By Design by Carla Thomas and Randee Wilson PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 6, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 7. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0059 607 NOTABENE DRIVE COMMUNITY LODGINGS, INC Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for an extension of a previously approved special use permit to expand an existing community center, with modifications, and for a parking reduction; zoned RA/Residential. Applicant: Community Lodgings, Inc. by Bonnie Baxley PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 7, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 8. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0060 5308 EISENHOWER AVENUE (Parcel Address: 5800 Eisenhower Avenue) SPORTROCK, INC. Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to change the ownership and hours of operation of an indoor amusement enterprise (rock climbing facility); zoned OCH/Office Commercial High. Applicant: Sportrock, Inc. by Lillian Chao-Quinlan PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 8, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 9. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0065 3108 MOUNT VERNON AVENUE PHO VIET RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for an expansion of an existing restaurant to include an increase physical space, seating and hours of operation; zoned CRMU-M/Commercial Residential Mixed Use Medium. Applicant: Vo Thin by James C. Pan PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 9, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 10. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0067 2461 EISENHOWER AVENUE - 215 & 219 RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant; zoned CDD-2/Coordinated Development District. Applicant: Chuchart Kampirapang PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 10, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 11. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0063 630 NORTH COLUMBUS STREET PARKING REDUCTION Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for a parking reduction for a new residential dwelling; zoned RB/Residential. Applicant: James A. Merklinger PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 11, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 12. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0056 3830 SEMINARY ROAD OTRADA, ADHC, INC. (ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE CENTER, INC.) Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate an adult daycare center; zoned R-20/Residential. Applicant: Alexandria Adult Day Health Care Center, Inc. by Victoria Vinokur PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval As Amended 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 12, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) 13. SPECIAL USE PERMIT # 2006-0050 614 SOUTH WASHINGTON STREET ROBERTS MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for a parking reduction; zoned CL/Commercial Low. Applicant: Roberts Memorial United Methodist Church by Joanna C. Frizzell, attorney PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 13, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the action consent calendar, with the removal of item #10, as follows: 3. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 4. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 5. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 6. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 7. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 8. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 9. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 11. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 12. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. 13. City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" 10. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0067 2461 EISENHOWER AVENUE - 215 & 219 RESTAURANT Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant; zoned CDD-2/Coordinated Development District. Applicant: Chuchart Kampirapang PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 10, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Councilman Smedberg said he wanted to make sure they are okay with the recommendation of just automatically granting an extension in operating hours. He said he was concerned with setting a precedent where restaurants come forward that are surrounded more by residential areas, where it may run into problems down the road. Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning Josephson said staff looks at each one on a case-by-case basis and try to be consistent with a community standard for that area. City Attorney Pessoa said from a legal perspective, as long as there is a rational basis to distinguish the hours of one restaurant from another, they are okay making that distinction. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Smedberg, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. The voting was as follows: Smedberg "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Krupicka "aye" Lovain "aye" REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER None. REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued) Planning Commission (continued) 14. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2006-0057 4800 BRENMAN PARK DRIVE PARK IMPROVEMENTS Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to install a playground at Ben Brenman Park; zoned CDD-9/Coordinated Development District. Applicant: Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities by Roger Blakeley PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0 (A copy of the Planning Commission report dated September 7, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item. No. 14, 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) Mayor Euille said he would dispense with the public hearing if the three speakers who are signed up in support agree, which they did. WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilman Krupicka, seconded by Councilwoman Pepper and carried unanimously, City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation. The voting was as follows: The voting was as follows: Krupicka "aye" Macdonald "aye" Pepper "aye" Gaines "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS 15. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Expand the Membership of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC.) (#18, 9/12/06) (ROLL-CALL VOTE) (A copy of the City Manager's memorandum dated September 5, 2006, is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and Clerk of Council, marked Exhibit No. 1 of Item No. 15; 9/16/06, 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. 15; 9/16/06, 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. 15; 9/16/06, and is incorporated as part of this record by reference.) WHEREUPON, upon motion by Councilwoman Pepper, seconded by Councilman Gaines and carried unanimously by roll-call vote, City Council passed an ordinance to expand the membership of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. The voting was as follows: Pepper "aye" Macdonald "aye" Gaines "aye" Krupicka "aye" Euille "aye" Lovain "aye" Smedberg "aye" The ordinance reads as follows: