Tuesday, September 28, 1999 - Arlingtonva
ARLINGTON COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 414 Arlington, Virginia 22201 Final Meeting Minutes December 17, 2013 The meeting was called to order at 7:05PM. Commission Members Present: Paul Holland, Chairman Peter Hage Caroline Haynes Elizabeth Gearin
Bill Ross Richard Epstein Alonzie Scott Brian Coyne
Guests: Cindy Yun, DC Social Sports Club Henry Dunbar, Executive Director of Phoenix Bikes Toby Smith County Staff: Jane Rudolph, Director, Dept. of Parks and Recreation Wilfredo Calderon, Assistant County Manager for Constituent Services Caroline Temmermand, Chief, Parks and Natural Resources Division Laura Lazour, Chief, Sports and Recreation Division Erik Beach, Planning Supervisor, Park Development Division Diane Probus, Commission Liaison Chairman’s Introduction and Review/Approval of Meeting Minutes The Commission approved the October 22, 2013 and the November 26, 2013 meeting minutes. Public Comment: No public comments. Meeting Minutes: Long Bridge Aquatics Center Update [Jane Rudolph, Laura Lazour and Erik Beach] Summary: Jane Rudolph, Laura Lazour and Erik Beach provided the Commission with updated information on the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center operations plan. Specifically, revised estimates for anticipated operating costs and expenditures were reviewed. The Commission thanked the staff for their work on developing more detailed estimates and acknowledged the importance of providing updated information as it becomes available. Commission Action: No action. Phoenix Bikes Proposal [Henry Dunbar and Caroline Temmermand]
Summary: Henry Dunbar and Caroline Temmermand provided the Commission with information on the history of the Phoenix Bikes program and their proposal for building a new facility on County owned property. Commission Action: Rick Epstein will draft a letter to the County Board to share the Commission’s comments about the Phoenix Bikes proposal for a new facility, which will focus on concerns about the siting process, the need to preserve existing forested land, especially as we seek to increase parkland, and opposition to the use of County-owned land for exclusive use by a private non-profit organization. Ballston Pond Restoration Project Information [Diane Probus] Summary: Diane Probus provided the Commission a response to their concerns about building observation decks which extend out from the shoreline of the pond. Diane had talked to Alonso Abugattas, a Management Specialist with DPR Parks and Natural Resources, to get his response on whether the decks would impact wildlife in the pond. Alonso was not concerned about the impacts of the observatory decks and their planned locations. Given that the existing animals had to be removed for the construction process, and that this is not a natural water feature, he indicated that impacts on wildlife in the pond would be minimal. Some space in the pond will remain inaccessible to visitors. The primary reason for the observation decks around the pond is to provide a unique outdoor educational opportunity for the County. Commission Action: No action. Staff Report [Diane Probus] Summary: Diane Probus updated the Commission on an active memorial plaque request for John Bottum. This request is scheduled to be considered at the February Commission meeting. Commission Member Reports Budget Subcommittee [Epstein / Scott / Haynes] Columbia Pike Form Based Code [Peter Hage] Community Canine Areas [Ashley Stafford] Courthouse Square Planning and Urban Design Study Workgroup[Bill Ross] Four Mile Run [Stafford] Grants/Awards Committee [Scott / Coyne] -- Bill Thomas Award Update -- Park Enhancement Grants (PEG) Land Acquisition and Preservation Policy [Holland / Epstein / Scott] Long Bridge Park [Alonzie Scott] Mosaic Park Planning Team [Paul Holland] Natural Resources (NRJAG) [Haynes/ Gearin/ Hage] Written report prepared by Caroline Haynes: Jason Papacosma, Arlington County Watershed Programs Manager with DES, provided updates with respect to NRMP recommendations number 3, 7 and 9 including progress on the new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, the new storm water ordinance, the revised Resource Protection Area (RPA) maps, and the status of the Four Mile Run “living shoreline” approach. The new MS4 permit will be implemented in three stages in order to reach the required specific pollution reductions in increments of the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL): 5% by 2017, 35% by 2022, and 60% by 2027. This establishes what can be thought of as a pollution budget
for the Chesapeake Bay, including mitigation methods such as tree plantings, biotic monitoring, watershed retrofits, storm water wise landscaping, and training. New state-wide storm water regulations will be issued in July 2014 and Arlington County is working to implement a new storm water ordinance to comply with the new regulations. The GIS update of the RPA maps indicate that approximately 400 properties will be affected by the more precise analysis and DES anticipates the need for extensive outreach to property owners before guiding the new RPA maps through the approval process.
Public Facilities Review Committee [ Elizabeth Gearin] Rosslyn Sector Plan Update [Paul Holland] Site Plan Review: Written report prepared by Ashley Stafford: 2900 S. Glebe Road [Ashley] I went to the Dec. 9th SPRC meeting on the Berkeley. They were mostly talking about land use and zoning, but items of note are the fence (like you mentioned previously) and a potential chunk of land zoned S3A. The history of this piece being zoned S3A was unknown, but could be a potential for public use instead of how they are using it now. Alternatively, depending on historical intention, there could be an easement for public spaces to offset giving up the S3A chunk. This is being looked into by staff. I commented on these two items at the meeting as being a concern for us, but I'm sure we will have further comments as design moves along and open space is discussed. Here are a few more notes: -An alternative to the fence, while maintaining safety is being thought about by the developers for the next meeting, or at least a different kind of fence. An Alexandria rep there mentioned the fence at the treatment plant, and between that and this looks prison-like. -The developers are aware and claim they are abiding by the Master Plan. There was a concern about this being in a garden district and maybe sticking out, especially before the parcel across the street is re-developed. -The buildable area is limited due to setbacks and easements on site. They have pretty much maxed out the site. -FMR task force representation was strong. The FMR plan is going to be shown at the next meeting. We will examine how this compliments (or needs to) the FMR plan. -They have a large drive aisle (pervious pavement) due to building construction phasing and location of the power source. This is being looked into further and thought about for the next meeting. -I commented on wanting to know further about the S3A chunk and agreed that the current fence was undesirable.
1000 N. Glebe Road [Caroline] 1401 Wilson Boulevard [Alonzie] Gables N. Rolfe St [TBD] Sports Commission Liaison [Bill Ross] Urban Agriculture [ ? ] Urban Forestry Commission [Caroline Haynes] Written report prepared by Caroline Haynes: Implementation of the Natural Resources Management Plan Alonso Abugattas, Arlington County Natural Resource Manager, provided an update on the progress of implementing the 19 recommendations of the Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP). The presentation focused on the progress of establishing a small native plant nursery in Arlington (despite having no dedicated operating budget for the unit); the remapping of the Resource Protection Areas; the stalled progress on the development of the
Administrative Regulation to protect significant natural resources; the development of the individual park management plans for each of seven Natural Resource Conservation Areas identified in the NRMP; ongoing work in re-establishing functioning meadows; regional research and work being conducted on deer management, and; the progress in working across County departments.
Urban Forest Master Plan Vincent Verweij, Arlington County Urban Forester, presented some preliminary research on Urban Forest plans across the nation and provided a general direction of the outline he anticipates for the update of Arlington County’s Urban Forest Master Plan. He has been constrained from working on the update due to the inability to fill the urban forester vacancy, but he hopes to begin working on the update in 2014. Western Rosslyn Area Planning Study [Paul Holland]
Future Business and Up Coming Meetings Paul - announced that he is stepping down from chairing the commission. The board will announce the new chair for the commission on January 1.
January 28, 2014 Meeting Public Spaces Master Plan Update Site Plan Review Process Presentation [Samia Byrd, Department of Community Planning and Housing Development]
Meeting adjourned at 9:30PM.
Bill Ross Richard Epstein Alonzie Scott Brian Coyne
Guests: Cindy Yun, DC Social Sports Club Henry Dunbar, Executive Director of Phoenix Bikes Toby Smith County Staff: Jane Rudolph, Director, Dept. of Parks and Recreation Wilfredo Calderon, Assistant County Manager for Constituent Services Caroline Temmermand, Chief, Parks and Natural Resources Division Laura Lazour, Chief, Sports and Recreation Division Erik Beach, Planning Supervisor, Park Development Division Diane Probus, Commission Liaison Chairman’s Introduction and Review/Approval of Meeting Minutes The Commission approved the October 22, 2013 and the November 26, 2013 meeting minutes. Public Comment: No public comments. Meeting Minutes: Long Bridge Aquatics Center Update [Jane Rudolph, Laura Lazour and Erik Beach] Summary: Jane Rudolph, Laura Lazour and Erik Beach provided the Commission with updated information on the Long Bridge Aquatics and Fitness Center operations plan. Specifically, revised estimates for anticipated operating costs and expenditures were reviewed. The Commission thanked the staff for their work on developing more detailed estimates and acknowledged the importance of providing updated information as it becomes available. Commission Action: No action. Phoenix Bikes Proposal [Henry Dunbar and Caroline Temmermand]
Summary: Henry Dunbar and Caroline Temmermand provided the Commission with information on the history of the Phoenix Bikes program and their proposal for building a new facility on County owned property. Commission Action: Rick Epstein will draft a letter to the County Board to share the Commission’s comments about the Phoenix Bikes proposal for a new facility, which will focus on concerns about the siting process, the need to preserve existing forested land, especially as we seek to increase parkland, and opposition to the use of County-owned land for exclusive use by a private non-profit organization. Ballston Pond Restoration Project Information [Diane Probus] Summary: Diane Probus provided the Commission a response to their concerns about building observation decks which extend out from the shoreline of the pond. Diane had talked to Alonso Abugattas, a Management Specialist with DPR Parks and Natural Resources, to get his response on whether the decks would impact wildlife in the pond. Alonso was not concerned about the impacts of the observatory decks and their planned locations. Given that the existing animals had to be removed for the construction process, and that this is not a natural water feature, he indicated that impacts on wildlife in the pond would be minimal. Some space in the pond will remain inaccessible to visitors. The primary reason for the observation decks around the pond is to provide a unique outdoor educational opportunity for the County. Commission Action: No action. Staff Report [Diane Probus] Summary: Diane Probus updated the Commission on an active memorial plaque request for John Bottum. This request is scheduled to be considered at the February Commission meeting. Commission Member Reports Budget Subcommittee [Epstein / Scott / Haynes] Columbia Pike Form Based Code [Peter Hage] Community Canine Areas [Ashley Stafford] Courthouse Square Planning and Urban Design Study Workgroup[Bill Ross] Four Mile Run [Stafford] Grants/Awards Committee [Scott / Coyne] -- Bill Thomas Award Update -- Park Enhancement Grants (PEG) Land Acquisition and Preservation Policy [Holland / Epstein / Scott] Long Bridge Park [Alonzie Scott] Mosaic Park Planning Team [Paul Holland] Natural Resources (NRJAG) [Haynes/ Gearin/ Hage] Written report prepared by Caroline Haynes: Jason Papacosma, Arlington County Watershed Programs Manager with DES, provided updates with respect to NRMP recommendations number 3, 7 and 9 including progress on the new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, the new storm water ordinance, the revised Resource Protection Area (RPA) maps, and the status of the Four Mile Run “living shoreline” approach. The new MS4 permit will be implemented in three stages in order to reach the required specific pollution reductions in increments of the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL): 5% by 2017, 35% by 2022, and 60% by 2027. This establishes what can be thought of as a pollution budget
for the Chesapeake Bay, including mitigation methods such as tree plantings, biotic monitoring, watershed retrofits, storm water wise landscaping, and training. New state-wide storm water regulations will be issued in July 2014 and Arlington County is working to implement a new storm water ordinance to comply with the new regulations. The GIS update of the RPA maps indicate that approximately 400 properties will be affected by the more precise analysis and DES anticipates the need for extensive outreach to property owners before guiding the new RPA maps through the approval process.
Public Facilities Review Committee [ Elizabeth Gearin] Rosslyn Sector Plan Update [Paul Holland] Site Plan Review: Written report prepared by Ashley Stafford: 2900 S. Glebe Road [Ashley] I went to the Dec. 9th SPRC meeting on the Berkeley. They were mostly talking about land use and zoning, but items of note are the fence (like you mentioned previously) and a potential chunk of land zoned S3A. The history of this piece being zoned S3A was unknown, but could be a potential for public use instead of how they are using it now. Alternatively, depending on historical intention, there could be an easement for public spaces to offset giving up the S3A chunk. This is being looked into by staff. I commented on these two items at the meeting as being a concern for us, but I'm sure we will have further comments as design moves along and open space is discussed. Here are a few more notes: -An alternative to the fence, while maintaining safety is being thought about by the developers for the next meeting, or at least a different kind of fence. An Alexandria rep there mentioned the fence at the treatment plant, and between that and this looks prison-like. -The developers are aware and claim they are abiding by the Master Plan. There was a concern about this being in a garden district and maybe sticking out, especially before the parcel across the street is re-developed. -The buildable area is limited due to setbacks and easements on site. They have pretty much maxed out the site. -FMR task force representation was strong. The FMR plan is going to be shown at the next meeting. We will examine how this compliments (or needs to) the FMR plan. -They have a large drive aisle (pervious pavement) due to building construction phasing and location of the power source. This is being looked into further and thought about for the next meeting. -I commented on wanting to know further about the S3A chunk and agreed that the current fence was undesirable.
1000 N. Glebe Road [Caroline] 1401 Wilson Boulevard [Alonzie] Gables N. Rolfe St [TBD] Sports Commission Liaison [Bill Ross] Urban Agriculture [ ? ] Urban Forestry Commission [Caroline Haynes] Written report prepared by Caroline Haynes: Implementation of the Natural Resources Management Plan Alonso Abugattas, Arlington County Natural Resource Manager, provided an update on the progress of implementing the 19 recommendations of the Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP). The presentation focused on the progress of establishing a small native plant nursery in Arlington (despite having no dedicated operating budget for the unit); the remapping of the Resource Protection Areas; the stalled progress on the development of the
Administrative Regulation to protect significant natural resources; the development of the individual park management plans for each of seven Natural Resource Conservation Areas identified in the NRMP; ongoing work in re-establishing functioning meadows; regional research and work being conducted on deer management, and; the progress in working across County departments.
Urban Forest Master Plan Vincent Verweij, Arlington County Urban Forester, presented some preliminary research on Urban Forest plans across the nation and provided a general direction of the outline he anticipates for the update of Arlington County’s Urban Forest Master Plan. He has been constrained from working on the update due to the inability to fill the urban forester vacancy, but he hopes to begin working on the update in 2014. Western Rosslyn Area Planning Study [Paul Holland]
Future Business and Up Coming Meetings Paul - announced that he is stepping down from chairing the commission. The board will announce the new chair for the commission on January 1.
January 28, 2014 Meeting Public Spaces Master Plan Update Site Plan Review Process Presentation [Samia Byrd, Department of Community Planning and Housing Development]
Meeting adjourned at 9:30PM.
