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Office of the City Clerk
March 19, 2012



Public Hearing Meeting
Saturday, March 17, 2012 - - 9:30 a.m.

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OPENING

1. Calling the Roll.

Mayor Euille called the meeting to order and the Deputy City Clerk called the roll. All the members of Council were present, with Councilwoman Hughes arriving at the meeting at 9:53 a.m.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

2. Public Discussion Period.

(a) Bernard Schulz, 3272 Martha Custis Drive, representing Historic Alexandria Resources Commission (HARC), spoke on behalf of HARC regarding the exclusion of funding for the Alexandria Preservation Management Plan and encouraged City Council to: (1) authorize the submission of the grant application to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant Program, not to exceed $25,000; (2) authorize the submission of a grant application to the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VDHR) Cost Share Grant Program, not to exceed $9,000; (3) authorize the submission of the grant application to Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) Conservation Grant Program for a Professional Services Grant, not to exceed $25,000 in services; and (4) authorize the submission of the grant application to Historic Alexandria Foundation (HAF) for survey equipment, not to exceed $5,000. Mr. Schulz also requested that Council support reinstatement of the original budget request made by Office of Historic Alexandria if these grant funds are not awarded.

(b) Poul Hertel, 1217 Michigan Court, spoke on the proposed development of a metro station at Potomac Yard, highlighting the build alternative that would affect the view shed of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. Mr. Hertel requested that Council review the alternatives and be mindful of its effects on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

(c) Nancy Jennings, 2115 Marlboro Court, spoke about the planning process for the Beauregard Corridor Small Area Plan, noting that there needed to be a more detailed plan for bicycle facilities included in the plan that connects Alexandria's trails to the other trails in the greater Washington Metropolitan area.

(d) Sarah Haut, 228 East Nelson Avenue, spoke about the flaws in the special use permit (SUP) process that allows retroactive application for changes after violations in SUPs occur. Ms. Haut reported that there is a restaurant in the Del Ray neighborhood that is currently in violation of their SUP and the changes in seating that they have applied for in will adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood.

Council requested that Planning and Zoning staff give an explanation of what is occurring with the SUP and the violations and how City staff has handled the revision of the SUP. Council requested further information on this particular complaint. Deputy Director of Planning and Zoning Ross noted that it would be under consideration at the April public hearing meeting and gave an overview of the violations and solutions undertaken by the restaurant.

(e) Bill Cleveland, 2121 Jamieson Avenue, spoke in support of the Alexandria Public School system holding classes in Landmark Mall.

(f) Amy Slack, 2307 East Randolph Avenue, stated that the processes set by Council are important to make it easier for businesses to run and staff to enforce the rules. Ms. Slack noted that the citizens are now the eyes and ears for the City and they are having a difficult time finding the information needed to help the City run efficiently. Ms. Slack requested that the access to information be a little easier and more consistent throughout the City and on the internet.
Council Action:__________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES

ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR (3-7)

Planning Commission

THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY - NO APPROVAL NEEDED
3. CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.06 #2012-0001
840 North Alfred Street -- James Bland Public Park
Consideration of a request to acquire the subject property for use as a public park in accordance with section 9.06 of the City Charter. Staff: Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Approved 7-0

4. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2011-0086
801 North Fairfax Street - Restaurant
Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant with a parking reduction; zoned OCM (50)/Office Commercial Medium (50). Applicant: Philip McCombie

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0

5. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2011-0088
2900 Seay Street - Longview Terrace Apartments
Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for a parking reduction; zoned RC/High Density Apartment Zone. Applicant: Alexandria Housing Development Corporation by Duncan Blair

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval w/amendments 7-0

6. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2011-0089
702-704 King Street -- Nando's
Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to operate a restaurant; zoned KR/King Street Retail. Applicant: Nando's of Alexandria, LLC by M. Catharine Puskar, attorney.

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 7-0

7. SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2011-0077
1640 King Street - Dunkin Donuts Restaurant
Public Hearing and Consideration of a request for amendments to an existing restaurant; zoned KR/King Street Retail. Applicant: QBC, LLC D/B/A Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval w/amendments 7-0
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

END OF ACTION CONSENT CALENDAR

City Council approved the action consent calendar, with the exception of docket item #7, which was approved under separate motion.

3. City Council received the item as information.

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. (separate motion)

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

Planning Commission (continued)

8. TEXT AMENDMENT #2012-0001
Public School Use in CR/Landmark Mall Zone
Public Hearing and Consideration of an amendment to Section 4-700 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow a public school use within the CR/Commercial Regional Zone (Landmark Mall). Staff: Planning & Zoning:

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval 6-1

City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

9. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT # 2010-0016
CITY CHARTER SECTION 9.06 #2012-0002
3650 and 3700 Commonwealth Avenue - ASA Four Mile Run Pump Station
Public Hearing and Consideration of (A) a request for a development special use permit, with site plan, to construct an above ground pump station with public bathrooms and office space, below grade storage tanks, an athletic field, a recycling facility and a storage shed at an existing sanitary sewer pump station including a special use permit for building height exceeding 15 feet and a modification to the crown coverage requirement; and (B) the transfer and acquisition of public property pursuant to section 9.06 of the City Charter; zoned POS/Public Open Space and Community Recreation. Applicant: Alexandria Sanitation Authority represented by Kenneth Wire, attorney and the City of Alexandria

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: DSUP #2010-0016 Recommend Approval 7-0
9.06 #2010-0002 Approved 7-0

City Council approved Planning Commission recommendation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

10. DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL USE PERMIT #2011-0026
701 Seaton Avenue (old parcel address 2801 Main Line Boulevard) - Potomac Yard Landbay G, Block F
Public Hearing and Consideration of a request to amend a previously approved development special use permit with site plan (DSUP#2007-0022) from a two-story retail building to five-story multi-family residential building as permitted by the CDD concept plan and a modification for vision clearance; zoned CDD #10/Coordinated Development District 10. Applicant: Mid-Atlantic Realty Partners, LLC represented by M. Catharine Puskar, attorney

PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION: Recommend Approval w/amendments 7-0

City Council approved the Planning Commission recommendation.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

11. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance Authorizing and Empowering the Issuance, Sale and Delivery of General Obligation Bonds to Finance Various City and School Capital Projects. (#10, 03/13/12)

City Council approved the final passage of an ordinance authorizing and empowering the issuance, sale and delivery of general obligation bonds to finance various city and school capital projects. (ORD. NO. 4755)
Council Action:________________________________________________________

12. Public Hearing, Second Reading and Final Passage of an Ordinance to Establish the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library as an Additional Absentee Voting Site for the 2012 Presidential Election. (#10, 2/28/2012)

City Council approved the final passage of an ordinance to establish the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library as an additional absentee voting site for the 2012 Presidential Election. (ORD. NO. 4756)
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

REPORTS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES (continued)

DEFERRAL/WITHDRAWAL CONSENT CALENDAR

Planning Commission (continued)

None.
Council Action:_________________________________________________________

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

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.


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 alexandriava.gov/council
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