MVCCA BOARD

Co-Chairs Diane Donley ..................... co.chair2@mvcca.org

John Thillmann .................. co.chair3@mvcca.org

Katherine Ward ................ co.chair1@mvcca.org

Secretary Abby Wells ........................ secretary@mvcca.org

Treasurer Stephen Markman ............ treasurer@mvcca.org

Editor open .....................................................................

BUDG Matt Bell .............................. chair.bf@mvcca.org

EDUC Judy Harbeck ................... chair.edu@mvcca.org

E&R Cathy Ledec ........................ chair.er@mvcca.org

PL/Z Mark Viani ............................ chair.pz@mvcca.org

PS Bob McDonald .................... chair.ps@mvcca.org

TRANS Frank Cohn ....................... chair.tran@mvcca.org

SFDC Ellen Young ........................ rep.sfdc@mvcca.org

FCFCA Pete Sitnik ....... rep.fairfaxfederation@mvcca.org

Webmaster Karen Keefer ................. webmaster@mvcca.org

Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations Website: www.mvcca.org

MVCCA GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

July 27, 2016 Mount Vernon Government Center, Community Room 3

PRESIDING: Co-Chair John Thillman, Co-Chair Katherine Ward ATTENDING: Co-Chair Katherine Ward, Secretary Abby Wells, Committee Chairs: Judy Harbeck (EDU), Pete Sitnik (Federation), Cathy Ledec (E&R), Bob McDonald (PS), Andrew Vinisky (Land Use), Frank Cohn (TRANS), and Representative Ellen Young (SFDC). Voting Representatives (10) from: Belle View Condominiums, Hollin Hills, Huntington Community Association, Manors at Mount Vernon, Mason Hill, Mt. Vernon Manor, Pavilions at Huntington Metro Community Association, Stratford Landing, Wellington Heights, Woodlawn Manon Elected and Appointed Officials and Staff: Chief of Staff, Ms. Christine Morin Mount Vernon District Tree Commissioner Ms. Eleanor Quigley Mr. Tae Choi, Community Development and Land Use Aide

FROM THE CO-CHAIRS

DON'T LOSE YOUR VOTE!!

Dues are due in the MVCCA PO Box on or before September 30. Please check with your treasurer to be sure your organization has paid fiscal-year 2016-17 (July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017) dues. Membership forms are available under "About" on the MVCCA website. Thanks to those that have paid.

Volume XLIX, No. 8, September 2016

GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING Updates

September: * New time and location * September 28, 7:00 p.m., South County Center, Rm 221 Meals Tax Forum—Hear the Pro’s and Con’s from County officials and tax payers

October: Guest speaker is Charles Smith, Branch Chief of the FFX County Dept. of Public Works and Environ-mental Services, Stormwater Planning Division, Water-shed Projects Implementation Branch

November: Meeting rescheduled for November 30th

December: Meeting rescheduled for December 14th

2 THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016

The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. THE AGENDA as published in the July 2016 Record was approved. SECRETARY’S MINUTES of June General Council meeting were approved as published in the July Record. TREASURER’S REPORT was approved as published in the July Record, last report for the year. Will start fresh in Sept. COMMITTEE REPORTS B&F: There was no June meeting. Matt Bell not in attendance. Co-Chair Katherine Ward read note from Mr. Bell: B&F will facili-tate 3-4 speakers before GC meeting on September 28 with re-gards to the Fairfax County Meals Tax referendum being voted on November 8. This forum will be the only such public forum in Fair-fax County prior to election day. B&F have invited panelists on both sides of the issue “for” and “against”, as well as active county finance representatives. MVCCA has voted “for” previously … Secretary will check and reserve space for all 3 community rooms on 9/28/16 at 7:00 p.m. ED: Did not meet in July – News: state funding issues - $4.4 mil shortfall E&R: Met in early July – update of Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Vision - discussions on this will continue into September, FC Staff have agreed to consider MVCCA input via a resolution if put forward by the end of September. P&Z: Mark not here, co-chair Andrew Vinisky: Committee met on July 11 Linar 11-2 rec approval of comprehensive plan (will work on

resolution Sept) Linar coming to E&R sept meeting. Novice – gave presentation 12 -1 in favor of comprehensive

plan have not seen language from staff FFX Co DOT gave presentation on Embark

PS: Did not have meeting / Sept next meeting TRAN: As printed in July Record. SFDC REPORT: Ellen As printed in July Record. Next Meeting: Thurs 8/4/16 at 8:30 a.m. @ Holiday Inn, N. Richmond Highway: dealing with Trolls FAIRFAX FEDERATION REPORT: Pete – attended meeting Federation website as reported on MVCCA Record Legislative issues to be brought forward to federation Land use committee has been committee of one for years

Council Minutes

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

CO-CHAIR REPORT: Co-Chair Thillman New member - Boots Barnes / Manors of Mount Vernon - approved MVCCA off in August New section in upcoming issues of The Record: “Did you know?” Ratification of new chairs B&F Matt Bell RESOLUTIONS: MVCCA (TRAN) Yield Sign Resolution – 9-1 motion carries The General Council voted to approve the resolution, with 10 voting. MVCCA (TRAN) Crossing Guard Resolution – The General Council voted unanimously to approve the resolution, with 10 voting. NEW BUSINESS: Mike Rioux discussed status of Air B&B and VA STR (short term rentals) Approximately 112 - 120 STRs in Mt. Vernon District Working group created to determine whether legislation should be changed For more information see: VA Housing Commission ➔ Meetings ➔“Short Term Rental” working group, Mr. Tae Choi, Community Development and Land Use Aide introduced from Supervisor Storck’s office. email: Theodore.choi@fairfaxcounty.com The meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Minutes submitted by Abby Wells, Secretary.

BUDGET AND FINANCE

The MVCCA Budget & Finance committee met on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Government Center. Attending were representatives from Huntington Community Association, Midtown Alexandria Station Condomini-um, Mount Zephyr Citizens Association, Mount Vernon Civic Association, Potomac Valley River Bend, Stratford Landing, Wellington, and Woodlawn Manor. At the meeting the committee hosted a 2017 Virginia General Assembly Budget & Legislative Discussion. The guest speakers were Delegate Vivian Watts (HD-39) and Delegate Dave Albo (HD-42). The delegates explained the Virginia General Assembly budget process, discussed the issues with FY 2016 budget short-fall, and took questions from Mount Vernon community members.

support throughout the school years. This is obviously an expen-sive proposition and one well beyond our customary structures. However, on a pragmatic basis, the cost of continuing the cycle of poverty with associated problems of crime and unemployment will prove far greater, especially since the workforce of the future will have little opportunity for the unskilled or undereducated. In other matters, the Committee discussed the importance of a positive vote on the meals tax referendum. FCPS’ needs for more funding to reduce class size, raise teacher salaries to competitive levels and meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student body are well known. The County needs a more diversified tax base and the meals tax is well-suited to move in that direction. About 30% of the tax would be paid by tourists and visitors, as Fairfax County residents do when they eat in Alexandria, Arlington, DC and the other surrounding areas which have the tax. Further, revenue from the meals tax would not be counted in the Local Composite Index (LCI) to reduce Virginia school funding; when property taxes are increased it can have the effect of reducing states support—a sort of double whammy. School Board member Corbett-Sanders gave an update on several school issues. She noted that school construction and renovation in our area is proceeding apace: Ft. Belvoir Upper School opened, renovations at Stratford Landing, Bucknell and Newington Forest are on schedule. A number of students residing on the west side of Route One were transferred smoothly from Woodley Hills to Woodlawn in keeping with the Committee’s hopes to allow more children to attend neighborhood schools. Boundary discussions regarding increased capacity at Bucknell may begin soon but the Committee and Corbett-Sanders agreed that a comprehensive and holistic review is merited rather than school-by-school shuffling as has been the rule. One significant issue is that West Potomac continues to grow well beyond capacity, so that there is not even room for more trailers or modular units. Corbett-Sanders also reported considerable progress on Project Momentum; the majority of schools targeted have been taken off “warning” and others missed by only 2 or 3 students. Next meeting: 8 p.m., October 5, 2016, Whitman MS library

ENVIRONMENT & RECREATION

The E&R committee met September 7, 2016, at 7.15 p.m. Attending were representatives from Belle View Condominium, Collingwood-on-the-Potomac, Hollin Hall Village, Hollin Hills, Huntington Community, Manors at Mount Vernon, Pavilions at Huntington Metro, Riverside Estates, Wellington, Wellington Heights, Williamsburg Manor (non-voting), Woodlawn Manor, 4 guests, and E&R Chair. We were also joined by the Fairfax County Park Authority Board Member and Tree Commissioner for the Mount Vernon District.

THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016 3

The MVCCA Budget & Finance committee is hosting a Meals Tax Referendum panel on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at 7 p.m. at the South County Center. The MVCCAA Budget committee will meet next on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Govern-ment Center.

EDUCATION The MVCCA Education Committee met at 8 p.m., September 7, 2016, in the library of Whitman Middle School. Associations repre-sented included: Mt. Zephyr, Sulgrave Manor, Newington Forest, Collingwood on the Potomac, Potomac Valley/Riverbend, Riverside Gardens, Williamsburg Manor North, Spring Bank, Huntington and Collingwood Springs. School Board member Karen Corbett-Sanders also attended. The Committee had been tasked by the MVCCA Board with devel-oping proposals related to educational issues for potential inclusion in MVCCA’s inaugural effort at a 2017 legislative package for our elected representatives at the state and federal levels. That directive was the primary focus of the meeting. Members had been asked to review the School Board’s and County’s 2016 Legislative Programs (the 2017 programs will not be adopted until December 2016) as exemplars but also to consider other areas. The Committee decided to approve the School Board 2016 pack-age in its entirety, but adding emphasis in a few areas, notably in the areas of financial support and unfunded mandates which have so burdened FCPS and County taxpayers. In particular, the Committee noted the inequities of federal support to educate the more than 2000 students who reside on Ft. Belvoir and thus pay no property taxes and no sales taxes at the Commissary. Moreover, decisions to build office buildings and service businesses on base have also reduced revenue while educational costs net of federal impact aid exceed $28M for the resident students. It is felt this is a national expense which ought be spread among the nation and not be borne so heavily by local taxpayers. One new proposal would recognize that truly addressing the achievement gap will require efforts well beyond K-12 and pre-school. Ongoing brain research indicates that the brain’s neural structures which affect the ability to learn and process information and make connections are substantially formed by age 3. Thus it is critical that babies receive appropriate stimulation, nurturing, nutrition and medical care so that the developing brain can reach its educational potential; though still critical preschool may actually be too late to fully address the issues of poverty. Besides assuring that parents have the knowledge and resources to optimize their babies’ development, families and children will need ongoing

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

Council Minutes Committee Reports

4 THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016

We welcomed Sandra Stallman, Manager, Park Planning Branch, Planning and Development Division of the Fairfax County Park Authority. She presented materials for us on the projects that have been identified for the 2016 Fairfax County Park Authority Bond that will be on the ballot this November. $94.7 million is for the Fairfax County Park Authority and 13.3 is for NOVA Parks. There is an on-line presentation on the park bond which can be found here: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/2016bond.htm There was a discussion about the FCPA’s Asset Management System that is used to track and schedule replacements of equip-ment, facilities, buildings and the like. A Committee member asked about the size of the maintenance backlog. Ms. Stallman stated that in the Asset management system a projection of needs, includ-ing existing upgrades needed and maintenance needs was done. This identified $900 million needed for existing upgrades and maintenance. This is broken into 3 categories (1) critical (5 years or less) (2) sustainable (up to 10 years) and (3) visionary. Critical upgrades and maintenance are approx. $155 million. This bond will cover $50 million of this. North Hill and the Fairchild property are not yet part of the FCPA property portfolio. Land acquisition is also included. Sites are not pre-identified. The FCPA has estab-lished criteria used to determine if a site is acceptable for acquisi-tion; this is discussed in the Comprehensive Plan under the appen-dices for the Park Plan. Land acquisition as an activity is moving to total cost of ownership which will include maintenance and operat-ing costs. There are other sources of funding for land acquisition. Here in the Mount Vernon District there are very few properties known to be available and the FCPA is also looking at leasing property as a possibility. If committee members hear of opportuni-ties for land acquisition, Ms. Stallman encouraged sharing this information with the FCPA. In closing, Mr. Gorham noted that $27 million of the $94.7 million bond is slated for the Mount Vernon District. A large portion of this is for work planned on the Mount Vernon Recreation Center, currently the FCPA’s oldest recreation center. Next we welcomed Sara Mariska of Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley and Walsh who is representing two development projects in the Mount Vernon District. In order for both of these projects to proceed an amendment to Fairfax County’s Comprehensive Plan is needed. Plan Amendment language was distributed to committee members for review in advance of the meeting and this was also distributed to help guide the discussion. The first is Plan Amendment # PA 2014-IV-MV3 for the Huntington Transit Station Area. This Plan Amendment is proposed in the Huntington Transit Station Area for parcels 83-1((1)) 42 and 49A, Land Units C (part), D (part) and G (part); location further described as south of Cameron Run and north of Huntington Avenue, gener-ally between Metroview Parkway and Fenwick Drive. Lennar Multi-family Communities LLC is the Developer for this project. The current Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan supports only office use at this location and this Plan Amendment adds residential as

an option. The Huntington Community is the community closest to the subject property. HCA’s E&R Representative presented their position on the project. They (1) believe residential use for Unit C is compatible with surrounding development and does not oppose the amendment of the Comprehensive Plan to allow residential use on this parcel, (2) oppose amending the Comprehensive Plan to change height restrictions at the eastern end of Land Unit C, (3) request that future development on Land Unit C be no higher than the existing Parker apartment building height to the west. The Developer has agreed to continue discussions with the MVCCA’s Environment and Recreation Committee and the HCA as project details come together covering environmental issues including tree cover, planting areas, bird friendly windows, stormwater, rain gardens, and other suggested improvements to the project that will provide for a high quality living experience for future residents and enhance the neighborhood. A number of questions were raised by committee members and will be discussed further as the project moves forward with more details available. At this time the project is proposed to be a 360 unit building (this may change slightly as details come together) that will taper in height to the maximum allowable in the current comprehensive plan. The building height will increase as it gets closer to the Metro side of the building up to a maximum of 150 as stated in the Plan Amendment. This site has Resource Protection Area (RPA) and Flood plain (FP). There is also a tidal stream that also carries stormwater to Cameron Run that will become non-tidal when the Huntington Levee is constructed. This stream will be piped (it is piped from upstream and daylights in the middle of this site for approximately 575-580 feet with 8-10 feet across. It is in degraded condition, the banks are eroding and the current pipe is undersized to carry storm water from upstream; this increases the velocity of the stormwater from upstream contributing to even more erosion of the stream banks. Due to limited space on the site for the building and required fire lanes around the entire perimeter of the building it is necessary to pipe the stream to have more buildable area. The construction of the Huntington Levee will change the Flood plain and RPA boundaries, these are not yet demarcated and work will be done with FEMA on this. On top of the piped stream is planned to be a vegetated pedestrian and bicycle trail that will bring future residents towards the future trail along the edge of Cameron run. A Committee member noted that these pedestrians and cyclists will be directed towards Huntington Avenue, where there is currently no crosswalk providing no protections for these travelers who may be crossing the street to get to the Metro station. Many details of the project have not yet been finalized, this important issue will be considered by the developer. Another area of the development will be left as a natural area. A Committee Member from the south end of the Huntington Transit Station Area noted a number of challenges with their community where construction was completed in 2005. Both the Huntington Community representa-tives and the developer were very interested in learning from their experiences and look forward to following up. Additional details on

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

Committee Reports

THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016 5

this project can be found in the December 2015 E&R meeting here: http://www.mvcca.org/record/record_2015-12.pdf A motion was made and seconded to support the Plan Amendment except for any change in height restrictions. There were no further questions and a vote was taken resulting in unanimous support with 8 voting in favor, none opposed. See the Resolutions section of this edition of The Record for this document. Next Ms. Mariska presented on Comprehensive Plan amendment # PA 2015-IV-MV3, the Novus King’s Crossing proposed develop-ment. The subject property is in the Penn Daw Community Busi-ness Center, Land Unit G and MV3 Greater Belle Haven Communi-ty Planning Sector; location further described as on the East side of Richmond Highway north of Fairview Drive. The proposed plan amendment adds as an option midrise multi-family residential use with a max of 375 dwelling units and will consolidate Tax Map Parcels 83-3 ((1))18, 19, 20, with ground floor retail use or amenity space subject to additional conditions described therein. The closest community to the subject property is the Springbank Community (SBC), a single family residential neighborhood planned for residential use at 3-4 du/ac and zoned R-4 and is located to the east and southeast of the subject property; they support the Comprehensive Plan Amendment. The Developer has agreed to continue discussions with the SBC and the MVCCA’s Environment and Recreation Committee as project details come together on environmental matters including, tree cover, storm water, bird friendly windows, and other suggested improvements to the project that will provide for a high quality living experience for future residents. A Committee member asked about the % of open space, how much will be plantable. Ms. Mariska noted that 20% open space is required and added that quality open space will be provided in the northern part of the property, tree canopy requirements will also be met. This developer has been working closely with the Springbank community for some time and this community supports the development. A motion was made, and seconded and with no further questions a vote was taken with 7 in favor and 1 opposed. The motion passes for E&R to support the comprehensive plan amendment. See the Resolutions section of this edition of The Record for this document. Next item on the Agenda is a carry over of old business from our July 2016 meeting. At that meeting we discussed the update to the Board of Supervisor’s Environmental Agenda and committee members provided the chair with a multitude of items to add. A resolution was presented that included suggestions from committee members and re-worked other areas of a draft resolution from July. Committee Members were provided with an opportunity to review a revised resolution. More details on this July 2016 item can be found in the July 2015 E&R minutes here: http://www.mvcca.org/record/record_2016-07.pdf A motion was made and seconded. No further questions were raised so a vote was taken to approve

the moving forward of a resolution that provides E&R input to the 2016 updated of the Board of Supervisor’s Environmental Agenda. The vote was 7 in favor, with none opposed. See the Resolutions section of this edition of The Record for this document. Committee Members are reminded about the October 17, 2016 Mount Vernon – Lee District Tree Forum that will be held from 7-9 p.m. at the Walt Whitman Middle School. Our next meeting will be Wednesday October 5, 2016 at 7:15 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA. We will hear from Fairfax County Staff on the North Hill Project and the proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment for that project.

PLANNING & ZONING The MVCCA Planning and Zoning Committee met at 7:30 p.m. on the evening of September 12, 2016 at the Mount Vernon Govern-ment Center on Parkers Lane. The meeting was chaired by Mark Viani, Andrew Vinisky and Diane Donley, Co-Chair Liaison. Plan-ning Commissioner Earl Flanagan as well as the following Fairfax County staff attended: John King, Ken Sorenson and Marianne Gardener. Representatives of the following citizens’ associations were in attendance: Mount Vernon Park, Pavilions at Huntington, Stratford Landing, Tauxemont, Mount Vernon Civic Association, Huntington Club, Potomac Valley River Bend, Huntington Civic Association, Wellington, Montebello, Hollin Hills Civic Association, Holling Hall Village, Belle View Condos, Wellington Heights Citizen’s Association, Gum Springs, Waynewood, Collingwood-on-the-Potomac, Mt. Zepher, Westgrove, and Engleside. Sara Mariska attended on behalf of the applicants. 1. Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment 2015-IV-MV3;

Lennar at Huntington.

Following the Committee’s July meeting, County staff issued a report that set forth the text of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment and recommended approval of the same to the Planning Commission. The Committee discussed this report. The Committee also received a report from Huntington Civic Associa-tion that it had passed three resolutions to: 1) support the change of the land use recommendation for Land Unit C from office to resi-dential: 2) oppose any change the height restrictions at the eastern end of Land Unit C; and request that future development on Land Unit C be no higher than the existing Parker apartment building to the west of Land Unite C. Lastly, the Committee received a report that the Environment and Recreation (“E&R”) Committee had voted to recommend that the General Council approve a draft resolution prepared by that committee, which recommended approval of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment, subject to the three conditions set forth by Huntington Civic Association. The Commit-tee confirmed with Lennar’s representatives that they accepted the E&R Committee’s draft resolution. By a vote of 17-0, the Commit-

Committee Reports

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

6 THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016

tee voted to amend the E&R Committee’s resolution to make it a joint resolution of the two committees. The text of this joint resolu-tion is provided in the Resolutions section of this Record. 2. Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment 2014-IV-MV3;

Novus at Penn Daw.

Following the Committee’s July meeting, County staff also issued a report that set forth the text of the Penn Daw proposed comprehen-sive plan amendment and recommended approval of the same to the Planning Commission. The Committee discussed this report. The Committee received a report that the E&R Committee had voted to recommend that the General Council approve a draft reso-lution prepared, which recommended approval of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment. Representatives from Novus and the Spring Bank Community confirmed that they agreed with the proposed text amendment and the terms of the draft resolution presented by the E&R Committee. By a vote of 18-0, the Commit-tee voted to amend the E&R Committee’s resolution to make it a joint resolution of the two committees. The text of this joint resolu-tion is provided in the Resolutions section of this Record. 3. Short Term Rentals

The chair, Mark Viani, distributed a memo from Mike Rioux, Presi-dent of the Mason Hill Citizen’s Association, which detailed the problems some communities are having with homes that are being used for short term rentals (i.e. Air BNB) and a proposed legislative response. Accompanying this memo is a draft resolution. The Committee will review this material and consider whether to take action at the October meeting. 4. Townhouse Community Proposed in Gum Springs

A proposal to develop a townhouse community on the former Kramer storage property in Gum Springs is being deferred indefi-nitely. It may come back in 2017. The applicant was encouraged to first present the project to the Gum Springs Civic Association before scheduling a presentation to this committee. 5. Planning Commissioner Flanagan’s Report

Planning Commissioner Flanagan gave a brief presentation on the Embark Richmond Highway replanning process. Because the August 22 Embark meeting had been cancelled there was nothing new since the July meeting. The next meeting of the Embark process is set for Monday, September 26, 2016, between 7-9 p.m. at the South County Center, Room 221C, 8350 Richmond High-way, Alexandria, VA 22309 6. North Hill Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment

County staff made a brief presentation to the Committee on the status of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment necessary for the proposed redevelopment of the North Hill site with an afford-able housing apartment community, a for-sale market rate town-

house community and the dedication of 11 acres for a passive recreation public park. Through questions with staff, it was clarified that the proposed affordable housing community would be availa-ble to families ranging from 10-60% of the area median income. There were questions raised about the ability of the public to use or practically access the proposed public park, whether Dart Drive should connect in with adjacent road or remain with a cul-de-sac end as proposed by the applicant. When asked about the actual terms of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment, the Committee learned that the text of the amendment would be released as part of the staff report on October 6, with a Planning Commission review scheduled for October 20 and Board of Supervisors review and action on December 6. Noting the short amount of time this schedule would permit for MVCCA to review the text of the proposed comprehensive plan amendment and the need for the Board of Supervisors to act by December 6 to enable the project to apply for low-income housing tax credits (which are necessary to finance this project), the appli-cant and County staff agreed to devise an alternative approach which would involve an advance presentation of the draft compre-hensive plan amendment, priority review by MVCCA and its committees and deferral of the Planning Commission meeting to a time to permit such review without jeopardizing the December 6 review date by the Board of Supervisors. The Committee’s next meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 3rd in the Mount Vernon Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane.

PUBLIC SAFETY The Public Safety Committee of the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations met on September 1 in the Mount Vernon Center Community Meeting Room #1. The meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. with the following communities represented: Collingwood on the Potomac, Gum Springs, Hollin Hills, Mount Vernon Civic Association, Mount Vernon Manor, Riverside Estates, Stratford Landing, Southwood, and Westgrove. There was no guest speaker for the meeting. Old Business: The committee discussed the need to determine the adequacy of the Fire and Rescue Department’s staffing and budget. The committee discussed local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training. There is currently a class being taught at the Saint Louis Catholic Church, and there is a possibility of train-ing at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. The chair will forward CERT training schedule emails to the committee members.

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

Committee Reports

THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016 7

The committee discussed a variety of school security issues, including crime and gang activity in schools and the logistics of prolonged school lockdowns. The chair will contact the Education Committee to set up a joint meeting on these issues. New Business: The committee discussed the need for crosswalks at the intersec-tion of Pole Road and Sacramento Drive. This issue will be passed to the Transportation Committee. The committee discussed the interaction of police with Concealed Handgun Permit holders. The chair will contact the Fairfax County Police Department on this issue. September is National Preparedness Month. All citizens are encouraged to ensure that their households take reasonable steps to prepare for emergencies. The Fairfax County Emergency Information website is an excellent resource: https://fairfaxcountyemergency.wordpress.com The new email address for the Public Safety Chair is chair.ps@mvcca.org. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mount Vernon Government Center.

TRANSPORTATION The MVCCA Transportation Committee met at 7:30 p.m. on the evening of September 12, 2016 in Community Room 3 of the Mount Vernon Government Center on Parkers Lane. The meeting was chaired by Frank Cohn. Katherine Ward, Co-Chair Liaison; Planning Commissioner Earl Flanagan; and Mary Ann Gardener of Fairfax County Planning and Zoning participated in the meeting. Representatives of the following citizens’ associations were in attendance: Belle View, Manors at Mount Vernon, Mason Hill, Mount Vernon Manor, Pavilions at Huntington Metro, Southwood, Waynewood, Wellington, Williamsburg Manor North, and Woodley Hills. The Committee addressed a request from the Fairfax County Department of Transportation for community input on decreasing the speed limit on the Richmond Highway from the current 45 mph to 35 mph in anticipation of widening of the highway from Jeff Todd Way to Napper Road to six lanes and establishment of Bus Rapid Transit service. The Committee voted unanimously to retain the current speed limit. The Committee chairman will bring this recom-mendation to the General Council at its next meeting for verbal approval and support.

The Committee discussed the evening rush hour congestion at the intersection of the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Jeff Todd Way and the Richmond Highway. Boots Barnes will conduct an on-site observation of the intersection traffic and provide a report to the committee next month. Commissioner Flanagan reminded us that, in the past, the Transportation Committee had addressed similar lane configuration issues at other intersections such as Sherwood Hall and Richmond Highway. In those cases, the Committee position proved successful. Speeding on the George Washington Memorial Parkway remains a problem. Following the Committee’s recent discussion with Park Police personnel, there was an initial increase in enforcement efforts, but it seems to have waned due to inadequate manning. The Committee decided to readdress the suggestion of seeking Fairfax County Police augmentation of enforcement efforts along the Parkway. There is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Fairfax County and Park Police that governs interactions between the two police forces. The Park Police officers who spoke to the Committee several months ago seemed open to the idea of augmentation, but we have not addressed this issue with the Fair-fax County Police. The Chairman will bring this question up to the Chair of the Public Safety Committee for their determination of further action. The committee chairman reported that he had dispatched a letter to the Belle View Flood Mitigation Task Force. It asked that our concerns for the traffic safety of the Belle View intersection be incorporated into the final Task Force report, or to advise us when we can proceed unilaterally to recommend that Belle View intersec-tion be reconfigured to mirror the current configuration of the Belle Haven intersection. Mike Rioux presented a report on the Aircraft Noise Working Group’s initiatives to date. These include meeting with staffers in Senator Warner’s office to advocate support for our south-flow departure proposal, a Fly Quiet program at Reagan National Air-port, stopping further exceptions to the 1,250 mile perimeter rule, and moving more flights to Dulles. While revised north-flow depar-ture patterns are being implemented in November, changes to the south-flow departures, that affect Mount Vernon, have just started the design and adjustment process that could take some 12 to 18 months to complete. The resolution to approve the design assess-ment process for a new south-flow departure was approved on August 11. The Prince George’s County Working Group repre-sentative dissented to the departure route change this Committee recommended in MVCCA Transportation Resolution 2016-01. The Committee is quite concerned that, while the Board of Supervisors backed our south-flow departure proposal, it did not address the Fly Quiet proposal and extending the Working Group’s charter beyond its current December 31, 2016 “sunset” date. Katherine Ward will send a note to Sharon Bulova requesting that those issues be readdressed by the Board of Supervisors. Mike was requested to draft language for Katherine’s e-mail/note to Sharon

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

Committee Reports

8 THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016

Bulova. Katherine Ward advised, before these minutes were draft-ed, that she spoke with Christine Morin in Supervisor Stork’s office, and he understands how important these two issues are and intends to bring a Board Matter to reinstate these issues to the BOS for action on September 20th. Mike Rioux intends to introduce resolutions to the MWAA Noise Working Group on the Fly Quiet program and the establishment of a permanent Noise Advisory Group at its September 29 meeting. Fairfax County BOS support of these items would be beneficial in getting resolutions approved by the Noise Working Group. The issue of addressing aircraft noise on approaches to Runway 01 at DCA have not been discussed yet. The chairman reported that Metrorail is undertaking a review of the safety and cleanliness issues the Committee raised about the Huntington Metro station and its surroundings. The Committee will revisit the issue of completing a usable and safe sidewalk between the Mount Vernon High School and Richmond Highway. Keith Kerr agreed to check this out and report on it at our next meeting. The Committee received an update on the letter we had asked the Supervisor to send to the senior management of the Mount Vernon Estate requesting a crossing guard at the cross walk at the stop sign between the Parkway and the Mount Vernon Memorial High-way during evening rush hours and major events at the Estate. While there had been no response to our letter, Jack Coulter reported that one of the executives of the Estate had explained that the Estate had no authority to control traffic at the intersection and that the crossing guards they placed there during a few major events were Fairfax County Police hired during their own free time. Evidently the letter we had asked be signed out by Supervisor Storck never left his office. On the day following our meeting, Katherine Ward checked and Supervisor Storck has this on his “to do” list and will be taking it up, along with several other issues, with the Estate’s leadership. The lack of a crosswalk at the intersection of Sacramento and Pole Road was discussed briefly. Peter Kuck agreed to check on this and report back to us at the next meeting. The committee had another intense discussion about the function and direction of the Embark Richmond Highway effort. Mount Vernon Embark representative Frank Cohn expressed his concern that there has been no serious discussion about funding sources for the initiatives that Embark is addressing and that serious political energy needs to be applied to that aspect of planning for Richmond Highway. Mary Ann Gardener of Fairfax County’s Planning and Zoning joined in the discussion. She explained the sequencing of Comprehensive Plan revision, Environmental Assessment process, and Engineering efforts needed to reshape the Richmond Highway Corridor. She and Katherine Ward were quite clear about the need to create both development density and mass transit planning in lock-step in order to justify the needed

funding. Funding will be from a combination of Federal funds, grants and local sources. A scheme for funding the widening of Richmond Highway from Jeff Todd Way to Napper Road is already well along. All agreed that maximum citizen participation at Embark meetings is important. All committee members and interested citizens are encouraged to attend Embark Richmond Highway Advisory Group and Community meetings to manifest Mount Vernon community interest in the future of Richmond Highway. Advisory Group Meeting #11 is scheduled for Monday September 26th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 221 of the South County Center, 8350 Richmond Highway. The next meeting of the Transportation Committee will be in Community Room 3 in the Mount Vernon Government Center on Parkers Lane at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, October 3rd.

SFDC

Reminder that the next SFDC Summit is on Thursday, September 22. The notice was sent out on the listserv, since the General Council meeting is the following week. The topic is "New Uses, Old Buildings" (such as the Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, and the upcoming old Mount Vernon High School). The speakers are Matt Hopkins, Director of Architecture and Heather Arnold, Managing Director and Director of Research & Analysis - both of Streetsense. The little cation is the Hampton Inn & Suites, 5821 Richmond Hwy, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. Join the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce help Inova Mount Vernon Hospital celebrate the hospital's 40th anniversary! The date is Saturday September 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Rain or Shine. The location is the hospital at 2501 Parkers Lane, where you'll find live music, a kids' zone and food trucks. There was no meeting in August, so come to the General Council meeting on Wednesday, September 27 for a full report from our September 21 meeting. Everyone is also invited to the next Embark Richmond Highway Advisory Group meeting on Tuesday, September 26, 7 p.m. at the South County Center.

FAIRFAX FEDERATION July 28, 2016 & August 25, 2016 Board Meetings Both meetings were devoted almost entirely to the 2017 Legislative Survey. Establishing the time line from drafting the survey, the many steps needed to the completion of a final survey, the distribution, data

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

Committee Reports

THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016 9

collection & sorting, Board actions, and final Membership selec-tions of 10 to 15 issues/bills for the final package, that in turn will be shared with all interested FFC residents & with our elected representatives on or about November 1, 2016. All residents in Fairfax County are encouraged to take the survey & anyone can by following the link that was in the survey invitation. That is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRXYJD2 Warning: The survey tool limits input to one time per computer. So if more than one in a household wishes to complete the survey they must use different computers for individual responses. The survey is scheduled to close September 13. Minutes & additional information can be found on the Federation Web Page: http://www.fairfaxfederation.org Survey Invitation The Fairfax County Federation of Citizen Associations conducts its annual survey for opinions about issues facing Fairfax citizens. Your response contributes to making a better Fairfax County and Virginia Commonwealth. All Survey responses are compiled into Issues that are relative to either of nine Federation Committee services who research these Issues. Each Committee produces two to five draft Issue papers. These are edited for accuracy and reviewed by the Federation Board. A posting on the Federation website will announce the October 27 Membership meeting with a link to all (up to 25) of the draft Issues for your review. These will be discussed and voted on by the Federation Membership for the final Federation Legislative Pack-age Top 10 Issues. The Top 10 is sent on November 1 to each of the 25 members of the Fairfax delegation to the Virginia General Assembly and to each of the ten members of the Board of Supervisors. The survey has three multiple choice questions, two write-in responses, and takes four to ten minutes to complete. Click http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRXYJD2 to start the survey.

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

Committee Reports Did You Know?

10 THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016

ENVIRONMENT & RECREATION

Proposed MVCCA Resolution 2016-02 (Environment and Recreation) MVCCA INPUT TO THE 2016 UPDATE OF THE FAIRFAX COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’ ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA 1. WHEREAS the Fairfax County (FC) Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted the Environmental Agenda on June 21, 2004; this was revised on March 26, 2007 and is being updated at this time; 2. WHEREAS BOS guidance documents, especially this Environmental Agenda, should influence decision-making throughout Fairfax County (FC), and be widely disseminated for use; 3. WHEREAS the implementation of recommendations from the Route 1 Multi-modal Alternatives Analysis is an important opportunity to improve environmental conditions in the Mount Vernon District; 4. WHEREAS the environmental impact from all development projects, including the implementation of recommendations from the Route 1 Multi-modal Alternatives Analysis, should be minimized in all cases;

5. WHEREAS while environmental impacts are described separately in the Environmental Agenda they are inextricably interconnected and should be mitigated in order to improve environmental conditions, a healthier environment, healthy people and healthy communities, all stakeholders want this;

6. WHEREAS as a priority FC should pursue balanced growth agenda that sets improvement of environmental conditions as a priority; this will result in a higher quality of life for current and future residents, increase property values, and, create a highly desirable area that will attract future residents and businesses to locate in the Mount Vernon District;

A. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the MVCCA supports the update of the Environmental Agenda of the BOS as long as it includes the recommendations described herein,

B. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MVCCA requests that the Mt. Vernon District Supervisor deliver to these recommendations to the Fairfax County Environment Coordinator for inclusion in the update of the BOS’ Environmental Agenda;

RECOMMENDATIONS: i. The goals, objectives and audience(s) need to be clearly

described for the Environment Agenda, ii. The concepts of protect, conserve, enhance, manage

sustainably, and restore should be incorporated throughout the Agenda,

iii. Stormwater management regulations as they address stream reclamation and infill lot development must include the role of trees in water and soil retention. Tree retention is not sufficiently credited in state and county storm water management regulations;

iv. Incorporate trees, landscaping and green spaces in all county human health, sustainability, and economic development policies and initiatives, this is particularly important in revitalization areas like the Richmond Highway corridor;

v. Trees, landscaping, and green spaces improve the quality of life for low income residents and increase environmental justice;

vi. Strengthen the education components of the Agenda to include education of the next generation of environmental stewards and education of the general public;

vii. Invasive species need to be addressed as a threat to public health (e.g.: zika virus/Asian tiger mosquito link), the environment (due to ecosystem degradation), and the local economy (e.g. public and private costs associated with removing trees killed by emerald ash borers in residential areas).

viii. Potential environmental quality investments should be compared based on their environmental cost-effectiveness, i.e.: benefits gained per dollar invested.

ix. Deer need to be recognized as a potential source of environmental degradation and property damage in areas of Fairfax County where their populations exceed the carrying capacity of the wild food resources, and those deer populations should be managed to reduce the risk of that degradation and damage.

x. The targeted County tree canopy should be 40% on average, and no magisterial district should be below 35%.

xi. County agencies should take all available steps to constrain developers from removing trees.

xii. The average age of County watershed plans should be no more than five years old, and no individual watershed plan should be more than eight years old. Watershed plans should include the benefits and costs for all contemplated projects. Watershed restoration projects should be viewed as opportunities for public-private partnerships.

xiii. Re-development in older parts of the County should include provisions for a net increase in pervious surfaces.

xiv. Encourage the business community to sell native plants for landscaping and discourage the business community from selling non-native plants.

xv. County facilities, including Fairfax County Public Schools, should be models of sustainable and environmentally friendly

Committee Resolutions

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016 11

practices both in their operations and associated construction activities;

xvi. Articulate and create plans that acknowledge and build on the documented impacts of trees, landscaping, and green spaces on mental health families and community building;

xvii. The following topic areas should be added and discussed: a. Climate Change, b. Biodiversity, c. Invasive species as a threat to public health, the

environment and the economy, d. Renewable Energy: Solar- include timeline for adding

Solar on rooftops of FC buildings, schools, parking garages,

e. Actions required to improve environmental conditions, f. Measurements for evaluation and success, g. Dissemination and Reporting, h. Accomplishments, including dates and specific actions

completed dating back to the initial Agenda of 2004, i. Air Quality – include strategies for encouraging use of

low-emitting vehicles and encouraging increased usage of public transportation, installing vehicle charging stations at FC properties (including schools), include priority parking spaces for low emitting vehicles at FC properties and schools.

xviii. The topic areas while discussed in detail individually are inextricably linked, this linkage and interdependence should be described;

xix. Describe collaborative partnership team(s) or working groups at all levels that have been established to implement this Agenda including (a) FC Advisory Committees and Commissions that advise the BOS on environment matters (including EQAC), (b) FC Agencies, (c) Non-governmental organization partnerships, (d) Neighboring County (or State) Agencies whose activities indirectly (or directly) impact FC’s environment, and (e) State and County Agencies beyond our region (including internationally) to share and gain expertise from best practice projects and strategies from outside FC (such as through the 8 80 cities initiative found at www.880cities.org), leverage both technical expertise and capacity across agencies, and, budget for maximum impact of County-wide efforts;

xx. A clear strategy and timeline for dissemination and implementation of this Agenda is needed;

xxi. Growth should not be pursued just for the sake of growth rather it should be pursued so as to effect improved environmental conditions. We know that a healthier environment leads to healthy & attractive community for current and future residents, and this will create a community that is a highly desirable place for future residents and businesses to locate;

xxii. A technical edit of the full document is needed. END: PROPOSED RESOLUTION E&R-2016-02

JOINT RESOLUTIONS ENVIRONMENT & RECREATION

PLANNING & ZONING Proposed MVCCA Resolution 2016-J02 (Environment and Recreation/Planning and Zoning) SUPPORT FOR PLAN AMENDMENT 2015-IV-MV3 EXCEPT FOR CHANGES TO HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: LENNAR AT HUNTINGTON (1) WHEREAS Comprehensive Plan Amendment (PA) # PA 2015-IV-MV3 is proposed in the Huntington Transit Station Area for parcels 83-1((1)) 42 and 49A, Land Units C (part), D (part) and G (part); location further described as south of Cameron Run and north of Huntington Avenue, generally between Metroview Parkway and Fenwick Drive; (2) WHEREAS the current Fairfax County Comprehensive Plan supports only office use at this location and PA #2015-IV-MV3 adds residential as an option;

(3) WHEREAS the Huntington Community Association (HCA) is the community closest to the subject property and has taken the following positions with respect to the proposed comprehensive plan amendment:

a) residential use for Unit C is compatible with surrounding development and does not oppose the amendment of the Comprehensive Plan to allow residential use on this parcel,

b) oppose amending the Comprehensive Plan to change height restrictions at the eastern end of Land Unit C,

c) request that future development on Land Unit C be no higher than the existing Parker apartment building height to the west;

(4) WHEREAS the Developer has agreed to continue discussions with the MVCCA’s Environment and Recreation Committee and the HCA as project details come together covering environmental issues including tree cover, planting areas, bird friendly windows, stormwater, rain gardens, and other suggested improvements to the project that will provide for a high quality living experience for future residents and enhance the neighborhood; (5) WHEREAS the Developer has agreed to continue discussions with the HCA and MVCCA’s Planning and Zoning Committee as the project advances through additional development applications to address compatibility (including but not limited to height of improvements) of the proposed development with adjacent and nearby communities;

A. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the MVCCA supports this Comprehensive Plan Amendment except for any changes to the height restriction;

Committee Resolutions

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

12 THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016

B. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MVCCA recommends that the Mt. Vernon District Planning Commissioner and Mt. Vernon District Supervisor support the Comprehensive Plan Amendment except for any changes to the height restrictions. END: PROPOSED JOINT RESOLUTION MVCCA E&R/P&Z 2016-J02

Proposed MVCCA Resolution 2016-J03 (Environment and Recreation/Planning and Zoning) SUPPORT FOR PA 2014-IV-MV3: PENN DAW COMMUNITY BUSINESS CENTER (1) WHEREAS Comprehensive Plan Amendment (PA) # PA 2015-IV-MV3 is proposed in the Penn Daw Community Business Center, Land Unit G and MV3 Greater Belle Haven Community Planning Sector; location further described as on the East side of Richmond Highway north of Fairview Drive; (2) WHEREAS the proposed plan amendment adds as an option midrise multifamily residential use with a max of 375 dwelling units and will consolidate Tax Map Parcels 83-3 ((1))18, 19, 20, with ground floor retail use or amenity space subject to additional conditions described therein;

(3) WHEREAS the closest community to the subject property is the Springbank Community (SBC), a single family residential neighborhood planned for residential use at 3-4 du/ac and zoned R-4 and is located to the east and southeast of the subject property; they support the Comprehensive Plan Amendment;

(4) WHEREAS the Developer has agreed to continue discussions with the SBC and the MVCCA’s Environment and Recreation Committee as project details come together on environmental matters including, tree cover, storm water, bird friendly windows, and other suggested improvements to the project that will provide for a high quality living experience for future residents.

(5) WHEREAS the Developer has agreed to continue discussions with the SBC and the MVCCA’s Planning and Zoning Committee as the project advances through additional development applications to address compatibility of the proposed development with adjacent and nearby communities; A. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the MVCCA supports the Comprehensive Plan Amendment; B. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MVCCA recommends that the Mt. Vernon District Planning Commissioner and Mt. Vernon District Supervisor support this Comprehensive Plan Amendment # PA 2014-IV-MV3. END: PROPOSED JOINT RESOLUTION MVCCA E&R/P&Z 2016-J03

Committee Resolutions

WWW.MVCCA.ORG

THE RECORD ► SEPTEMBER 2016 13 WWW.MVCCA.ORG

COMMITTEE CALENDAR

MVCCA Council—Sept. 28, 7:00 p.m., SCC, Room A/B1 MVCCA Board—October 13, 7:30 p.m., MVGC Comm. Rm 3

Comm Date Time Place Chair

2BUDG 10/5 7:30 MVGC Comm Rm Bell

EDU 10/5 8:00 WWMS/Lib Harbeck

E&R 10/5 7:15 MVGC, Rm. 3 Ledec

PL/Z 10/3 7:30 MVGC Viani

PS 10/6 7:30 MVGC, Rm. 3 McDonald

TRAN 10/3 7:30 MVGC, Rm. 3 Cohn

1 Note change of time and venue 2 BUDG is hosting a Meals Tax Referendum panel on Wed,

9/28 7 p.m. at the South County Center

The Record is published monthly except August by the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens’ Associations, P.O. Box 203, Mount Vernon, VA 22121-0203.

NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, September 28, 7:00 p.m. South County Center, Room 221 A/B1 8350 Richmond Highway, Alexandria

AGENDA

Call to Order Guest Speakers Approval of Agenda Approval of Secretary’s Minutes Approval of Treasurer’s Report Committee Reports Co-Chair’s Report on Board Actions

Published Items and Resolutions

New Business Member Association Time Mount Vernon Supervisor Time Other Elected Officials and Public Time

Adjournment 1 Note change of time and venue

Treasurer’s Report