Woodmont
Civic Association
Woodmont Center Improvements March 27th, 7:30 pm,
Woodmont Center, lower level
Woodmont Civic Association, April 24th, 7:30 pm,
Woodmont Center, lower level
Woodmont Second Annual Memorial Day Picnic, Monday,
May 26th, 11:30 am to 1:30pm.
In January 2002, the Woodmont Civic Association (WCA)
sent out a one-question survey to all 300 homes. The ballot asked, "Do you support a bicycle/pedestrian
bridge over Spout Run Parkway?"
Results of the survey showed: 129 households voted no; 59 households
voted yes; and two households abstained.
Based on this vote, the Woodmont Civic Association opposes the Spout Run
Bridge.
A core group of opponents of the bridge were selected
to attend several Arlington County meetings (including Bicycle Advisory
Committee, Transportation Commission, Parks and Recreation, and Planning
Commission) to voice Woodmont's position.
The Arlington County Board discussed the Spout Run Bridge at its March
15th meeting.
The Bicycle Advisory Committee removed the Spout Run
Bridge from a list of 11 projects. The
County Board voted to adopt this plan.
The most recent controversy over the Spout Run Bridge
demonstrated that the Woodmont Civic Association needs to change its by-laws to
avoid problems in the future. WCA
formed a by-laws, committee to address several issues including voting rights,
proper notice of a controversial issue before a vote, rules for special
meetings, and the number of attendees required for a quorum. Bill Swedish, Monty Tripp, Amy Ricchetti,
and Kris Meade have agreed to work on the committee. They will present their recommendations at the April 24th meeting
and the Woodmont Civic Association will vote on any proposals at the July 2003
meeting.
In addition to modifying the by-laws, members have
asked that WCA establish guidelines for those representing the association at
County meetings. These guidelines
would help the officers, delegates to the Arlington Civic Federation, task
force members, and representatives of the Neighborhood Conservation Program
better represent the majority of the people.
Dave Parks, Norm Mosher, Michael Foster, Larry Roberts, and Rose Kehoe
will work on this task and make recommendations at the April 24th meeting.
Several WCA members have formed a committee to share
their concerns about planned uses of Fort C.F. Smith including party rentals
with the Arlington County Board. Vice
President Stacey Brown is spearheading this effort along with Sally Garret,
Anuliina Santry, Amy Millen, Steve Baur, Michael Chellman, Judith and Victor
Muniec, and Wally Owen. They will
address the number of planned annual events, maximum capacity for outdoor
events, overflow parking, enforcement of the noise ordinance, and the liquor
license. The committee is drafting a letter to the County Board regarding these
concerns. Thanks to Anuliina Santry for hosting the February 26th meeting at
her home.
At the January civic association meeting, Lynne
Everly spoke on behalf of the Fort and promised to answer some of our questions
that she could not answer at the meeting.
Here are her comments:
How many rentals are anticipated per year? Approximately 1-2 events are expected per
week most of which will be weekday business meetings with an occasional weekend
wedding.
How many people will be permitted at an outdoor
event? According to the Cultural
Resources Management Plan, 200 people are the recommended carrying capacity for
large events at the Park. This
recommendation will be our guideline for all rentals and programs held at the
park.
How much parking is available at the park? There are 43 spaces available in the
Park's parking lot and approximately 27 spaces along the north side of 24th
Street for a total of 70 spaces. The
draft rental agreement indicates this limitation to the renter along with the
Park carrying capacity recommendation of 200.
What noise ordinance will be enforced? The County's Code Enforcement Office
enforces the County's noise ordinance before and after daylight hours (daylight
hours are defined as 7 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. weekends and
holidays). The draft rental agreement
limits the use of the property until 10 p.m., which includes all clean-up time. This decision was made in consideration of
the close proximity of the neighbors even though it will probably discourage
some rental customers. Additionally,
the agreement also requires the renter to turn-off any outdoor music at 9 p.m.
in order to comply with the County Noise Ordinance. You may note that most of
the other rental properties in the metropolitan area allow use of the property
until midnight
Will the County consider permitting only beer and
wine and not include liquor? The limitations for alcohol use in County Parks
are already strict. The County has chosen not to place this type of limitation
in any of the other parks where alcohol is permitted. And at this time, since we are trying to build a customer base,
staff does not recommend imposing further limitations at this time. Doing so will discourage customers because
it puts yet another restriction on what is allowed at the Park.
Given the County's desire to keep groups small and
the current space, parking, and time limitations already narrow the grouping of
customers who may be interested in the facility. Putting a catering restriction in place may make it even less
attractive. The proposed rental
agreement imposes strict requirements for the renter and caterer who wish to
serve alcohol in terms of insurance requirements and supervision. Staff suggests that a trial period be
observed before this restriction is imposed.
I hope that I have answered all your questions. If you have any more, or if I can be of any
further service, please do not hesitate to call (703-228-7742).
Sincerely,
Lynne Everly
Conservation & Interpretation Manager
Many residents believe the Woodmont Center is
underutilized and in serious need of repair. If you are interested in
brainstorming your ideas on how we can better use the facility and park as a
family-friendly community center that is compatible to our neighborhood, please
come to a special meeting on Thursday, March 27th at 7:30 pm in the lower level
of Woodmont. All residents,
particularly those who live on 24th, 26th, and Fillmore Streets and those who
would be most impacted by any such changes, are invited to come and share their
ideas.
This summer, the Woodmont Center parking lot and
driveway will be under construction.
Most likely, the retaining walls will be excavated and constructed
first, then the driveways repaved, and finally the parking lot will be
re-graded and reconstructed. Arlington
County anticipates construction will last six to nine months. The design firm, KSI, will present its
preliminary plans at the March 27th meeting.
Yeonas & Ellis anticipate final approval from the
County in March to begin land development of the property in April. They will start by clearing, grading, and
landscaping, and will build the street.
Yeonas & Ellis have opened a sales center in the trailer on the
property that contains a detailed floor model of the 11 homes. They have sold one house to a family member
and plan to build three to five houses in 2003. Home prices will range from $1.2 to $1.35 million.
The coldest and wettest winter in recent history has
severely impacted County roads and created serious potholes in the
pavement. Arlington County is asking
residents to call 703 228-6485 to report any problem potholes.
Arlington County will begin street maintenance in
early April through November 2003, weather permitting. Flyers will be mailed out to affected
residents and a door hanger will be hung before street work will begin.
Sharon Rogers has agreed to serve as the Woodmont
representative on the Cherrydale Firehouse Task Force
Starting in March, the task force will meet twice a
month to explore a new location for the firehouse. The task force will report its recommendations to the County
Board on August 22nd.
At the January 30 meeting of the Woodmont Civic
Association, the members present voted unanimously to approve the sign designs
(for both small and large signs) that the sign committee had developed. Thanks very much to chair Palma Strand and
committee members Harry Bacas, Suzanne Fucella, Mariah Burton Nelson, Jim
O'Hara, and Carla von Bernewitz! The
essence of the sign design is a circle bearing the words "Woodmont
Neighborhood" surrounding a stylized tree with the date 1914 at its
base.
The Civic Association also approved four sign
locations-two certain and two tentative.
The two certain locations (small signs) are on the north side of Lorcom
Lane coming up from Spout Run Parkway before Edgewood Street and on the north
side of Lorcom Lane between Kenmore Street and Nellie Custis (toward Nellie
Custis from the split rail fence).
There is also a (large) sign planned for the northwest corner of
Fillmore Street and Lorcom Lane, the exact placement of which will be determined
as Yeonas' design for the development of that property progresses. Finally, a fourth (small) sign is
tentatively designated for placement along the west side of Nellie Custis
between Military Road and Lorcom Lane.
If any of the landowners there are interested in discussing the
placement of such a sign, please call Palma Strand, chair of the sign
committee, at 703-528-4067.
Once sign locations are approved, the signs will take
about 6 months to be installed. This
time is required for various internal county approvals, the manufacture of the
signs, and their installation.
Fort C.F. Smith Grand Opening Celebration
will be held Saturday, April 26th, 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, and Sunday, April
27, noon until 4:00 pm. Come learn
about the Civil War, enjoy music, games, and a hayride. The official ribbon cutting ceremony will be
held on April 27th at 1:00 pm. People
of all ages are invited, free of charge.
Reservations are not required.
Walking tours will be offered Wednesday, April 23rd
and May 21st, 3:00-4:00 pm. Walk the 19-acre park and learn about the park's
Civil War history and its habitat.
There is a $2 fee and registration is required. Please call 703 243-7329 for more
information.