May 12, 2014 @ 7:30pm
Association President Bill Hendrick called the May general membership meeting to order at 7:32 pm.
Meeting Agenda:
- Police Report from Captain Scott Ogden
- Oakville Triangle Committee Update from Ben Flood (DRCA representative)
- House & Garden Tour Recap
- 2014-2015 DRCA Executive Board Nominee Introduction
- Land Use Committee Update from Danielle Fidler, including discussion/vote on 7-11 proposal
- Vote on Police Memorial Contribution
- Guest Speakers: City Director of Planning & Zoning Faroll Hamer, Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Guest Christina Mindrup (VP Commercial Real Estate), Councilman Justin Wilson
- Announcements
Police Report: Captain Scott Ogden
- Part I crime stats for the DRCA area: down -26.42%, city wide is down -8.95%
- He reported that an arrest was made around copper thefts throughout the city (scrap metal stolen from construction sites). William Bachman (with 9 cases against) was recently released from jail for same type of crime, operating throughout the region.
- He relayed an exciting update from Chief Earl Cook: promotions of two Captains (Tammy Hooper and Dianne Gittins) to Deputy Chief (first two females in history of police department to become Deputy Cheif).
- He provided a reminder on crime prevention tips:
o Always leave your doors locked, encourage your neighbors to keep doors locked
o Don’t leave packages out front
o Don’t leave car doors unlocked
o Lighting is most affordable form of crime prevention
o Keep bushes trimmed
Oakville Triangle Committee (9 person advisory committee)
Ben Flood, our very own DRCA representative, provided an update on the first committee meeting held on April 29th
- May 20th is the next meeting, location TBD
- He reminded members to visit website to get updates and stay involved: http://www.alexandriava.gov/planning/info/default.aspx?id=76672
- He gave a brief background and status on the project
o Owner: Blackstone Group
o Stonebridge Carreras (developer – designed John Carlyle building in Alexandria)
o 1.5MM sq. ft. mixed use residential/retail, possibly hotel
- He shared the proposed timeline:
o 1st 6 months: outreach to community, what are issues/concerns/what do we want/public amenities/things we don’t want
o Then, design guidelines will be created – future design plans will be measured against
o Public hearing to weigh in again with City Council, will approve a rezoning of property
o Then developers will come in for permits, site plans, etc
o End of 2016 until any kind of land disturbance or ground-breaking
- The meeting closed with a brainstorm and compilation of feedback from the Advisory Board
House & Garden Tour – congratulations on a fantastic job!
- Steering Committee and Chairs were thanked, led by co-chair Virginia Amos
- Sold $15k worth of tickets! Eventbright website facilitated the over 500 tickets sold pre-tour. We’ll clear about $14k – program sponsors covered most of the expenses. A fantastic new way to know your community. Next time – 2016! Be there.
Executive Board – Sarah Haut, chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, provided an update on the new nominees:
o President: Jay Nestlerode
o First Vice President: Elizabeth Pirsch
o Second Vice President: Danielle Fidler
o Third Vice President: Meg Schiffman
o Treasurer: Tim Herbert
o Secretary: Matt Youngblood
o Sergeant-at-arms: Rob Blumel
Land Use Committee Meeting update provided by Danielle Fidler
- Overview: the 7-11 on Mt. Vernon has requested to go 24 hours and noted that all other 7-11s in city are 24 hours, as is CVS close-by. Issues with landscaping that had not been addressed, but owner (who was in attendance) advised she is working with city to address landscaping issue. Concerns were raised from citizens. As it is considered a non-conforming use given its location in the neighborhood, the city had expressed initial view that extending hours would not be allowed.
- Initially Land Use Committee voted in favor – since that vote, 4-5 neighbors voiced concern
- Neighbors raised concerns during meeting regarding reasons for opposition (noise, delivery trucks, disrespectful customers, trash/urinating/excrement/other). Request to provide info on avg revenue of other 7-11s during midnight-5 am, Ms. Patel (owner) agreed to look into. She also advised that alcohol is not available during the requested extended hours. Comments also raised that studies have shown 24-hr stores help reduce crime due to additional traffic.
o Potential solutions raised:
- Security officer/police/sheriff
- Video surveillance
- Jon moved to postpone conversation until an option to vote, all were in favor.
Police Memorial: Bill then brought up the proposed police memorial contribution.
- Bill made a motion for DRCA to contribute $1,000 to the Memorial: all were in favor. Others then suggested we support with $2,000. Discussion ensued. Tim, Treasure, stated that nothing in bylaws states how we are to spend our funds. There are 8 different funds that we allocate money toward – no formal mechanism that suggests how funds must be spent. He gave a quick financial update: $5500 in money market and $67000 in general checking account – $74k total. It was explained that the contribution for the memorial fund is coming from the Charles Hill Park Fund ($4,300 in that fund now).
- For more info or to donate, visit http://www.alexandriapolicefoundation.org – can give on this website, and also via kickstarter.
- Vote on amendment proposed by Jay: to raise the contribution to $2000. Ayes took it. Main motion to provide contribution – $2000. The motion carried.
Jay made an announcement – May 20th: 6 pm – Monroe Ave Outreach – at Commonwealth Academy (Oakville Triangle meeting at 7 pm)
Bill then introduced retiring City Director of Planning & Zoning Faroll Hamer to speak about her experience and tenure.
- Land Use & Urban Design. Notable that city council and manager have been very clear in directing that we put growth where growth policy dictates – rapid transit corridors and transit stations. Protect large single-family neighborhoods from rapid growth where it would be incompatible. Consistent about managing growth.
- City has aligned transportation investments with land use policies and growth, e.g. bike-ped master plan, bike share, and other major improvements like Rte. 1 rapid transit.
- Waterfront plan – a controversial plan, but it is a plan about open space & access to water with a modest development plan (only 20% more than was allowed by pre-existing zoning). Finally was approved, began on park plan, piers – much support. Carr Hotel is moving forward, more connectivity to water. New offices in warehouses, Oronoco building has been re-skinned and will be a residential building – many smaller efforts that show pent up demand for development.
- Potomac Yard & new metro station – has taken a long time, but it will be economically viable and best course for the city.
- Braddock Metro – first plan she worked on in 2007. Retail has finally come to the space, plus a small interim city park
- Future plans – 25% of taxes are from new development – helps fund services, schools and amenities in the city; improves quality of life. Back to the city movement happening everywhere (millenials, boomers), enjoying public spaces more. Also important to stay focused on office development. High end residential provides more taxes but office is even better for city’s coffers. Offices are consolidating workers, will eventually come back. Big opportunity is Potomac Yard Metro – 87% of all office in metro region is within ¼ mile of a metro stop. Potomac Yard North – 50% office, South is much less office.
- Relationship b/w Mt Vernon Ave and Oakville, Potomac Yard
Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Guest Christina Mindrup, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate.
- Reviewed mission statement – attracting and supporting local businesses in city of Alexandria; liaise between city and business.
- She suggested that members email her with suggestions on what businesses we’d like to see in the area: [email protected]
- She reviewed a very interesting presentation (which we will post here) including Del Ray & Alexandria statistics, retail make-up and measures of success
- She discussed the current Giant location
o Grocers like the site but concerned about traffic count
o Broker has ideas for what to put there – regarding what’s being developed in Potomac Yard (Giant going in there)
- Del Ray is doing so well that landlords are pushing rents to levels that aren’t sustainable.
Bill introduced Councilman Justin Wilson to update us on city issues.
- Budget:
o On May 1st, a budget was adopted – extremely difficult budget process. Real estate market is doing aright on residential side, some weakness on commercial side (high vacancy rate). Challenge is consumption-based taxes – struggling for the city. Federal payroll in DC region decreased by .5% last year – on avg it grew 6.8% for previous 10 years straight.
o Big budget drivers: school enrollment growing dramatically, large capital expenditures (sewer work throughout city is the largest)
o Difficult cuts on the table – biggest fight was around seniors vs schools (tax abatement vs school board budget proposal request)
o Tax rate raised by .5% – restored some proposed cuts
- Potomac Yard Metro:
o Council will have a locally preferred option.
o When Metro plan was adopted in 2010, determined it would be funded three ways: by developer, special tax district – higher real estate tax in area, and by diverting a portion of real estate tax revenue from new development (total of $61 Million in the bank when development starts)
- Food Trucks:
o Currently not allowed in Alexandria
o Task force was created last August – controversial topic; majority opinion of task force: in some areas of city, higher levels of regulation (4 corridors: Old Town, Carlisle, Mt Vernon Ave, Washington St) – outside of these areas, they can operate wherever they feel demand exists
o Allowing food trucks at special events, private property, farmers market if allowed by market master, city parks
o Council will decide tomorrow night with staff recommendation, public hearing docketed for Saturday
o Del Ray: staff recommendation is 3 spots next to health department
Farrol Hamer then gave her thoughts on the future of Del Ray development:
- She reinforced the trend/importance of experiential retail
o Restaurants, bars, gyms, fitness
o Traditional retailers: Apple, Nike, Lego
- Vibrant Streets Project – what is it that these streets share?
o We have them here in Del Ray
o Physical retail appropriateness – 12 ft. ceilings, wide sidewalks, great streetscapes, crosswalks, street trees, utilities are undergrounded
o Perception of safety
o Signs of investment – private & public
o Anchor that is not commercial: schools, library, rec center, parks, high walk score = 91 (# of nearby amenities determines whether people will walk)
o 23 restaurants within a 15 minute walk
o Needs to be unified – Mt. Vernon strong point (artistic, green, funky) – murals, outdoor dining, street furniture
o Vibe is dependent on local retailers – not national retailers
o Accessible
- Areas for Del Ray improvement:
o Continuity could be better – big and small holes with retail experience (car dealerships, Giant/CVS) – opportunities for future development, ensure they are mixed used
o Parking (consider adding meters – ensures there is almost always a place on the street)
o Growing pains are because our street is so successful
o Lighting/color of lighting
Finally, announcements were given:
Cinema Del Ray – this Saturday!
Outdoor Theater sponsored by Jen Walker
Movie: Frozen, bring a blanket, starts at dusk
June First Thursday
Health & Wellness in Del Ray
Field Day, and lots of fun stuff
Taste of Del Ray
June 8th
1-3 pm in parking lot behind VA Commerce
Young & Hungry food editor will be celebrity judge
The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 pm.
Please comment or email with questions! [email protected]. Thanks for reading.