Crystal City Development
In 2006, the Arlington County Board established the Crystal City Task Force. The purpose is to create “a vision for the next generation of development in Crystal City… The charge of the Task Force is three-fold:
- Help identify planning issues for the future development of Crystal City and review the County staff/consultant-generated concept plan and policy framework (Phase I);
- Advise the County Board on the final concept plan and policy framework recommended by staff (Phase I);
- Review a Phased Development Site Plan proposal for Crystal City to determine whether it meets the adopted policy framework and concept plan (Phase 2).”
Membership in the Task Force is designed to maximize citizen input and AHCA is one of the participants. Ted Saks is the AHCA representative. He welcomes your comments, questions, or concerns. Ted Saks uses our listserve (join the community listserve on Yahoo Groups ) and oral reports at the AHCA meeting to keep all apprised of Task Force activities, which is currently in Phase 2.
More information about Crystal City redevelopment, including the preliminary concept for the future of Crystal City, a list of questions and answers, dates and locations of upcoming meetings, and summaries of previous meetings are available on the Arlington Economic Development Website.
Pentagon Centre Site
The third and final meeting of the County's Long Range Planning Commission, devoted to general planning for the Pentagon Centre site, provided an opportunity for discussion of the draft Guiding Principles. These principles include: compatibility with surrounding existing uses, a balanced mix of uses, heights and densities tapering down to meet adjacent existing low-rise residential development, well-designed publicly accessible open space, improved pedestrian, bicycle, transit and vehicular access, streetscapes that maximize pedestrian-friendly features, below-grade parking, green building principles, and phased design.
The County's Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC) schedule has information on upcoming meetings. The posted site plan calls for a new network of streets, buildings, and open space, and shows the three phases of development.
Tim Weberstein is the AHCA representative. He welcomes your comments, questions, or concerns. Ted Saks is a member of the SPRC as a result of his three terms (12 years) on the Arlington Planning Commission (elected Chairman twice) and welcomes input from the neighborhood.
Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP)
The Arlington County Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) “is being upgraded and expanded to meet new state and federal regulations, continue safely processing wastewater for a growing population and preserve our environment.” Much of the plant lies within the boundaries of the AHCA.
Residents of AHCA and the adjoining Arlington Ridge Civic Association have suffered from months of pile driving. AHCA is working to hold County officials accountable for the negative effects on our neighbors and ensuring our neighborhood receives the positive benefit from the County commensurate with shouldering the burden of the WPCP.
The WCPC Website notes phase one of the pile driving is complete. Pile driving is scheduled to resume in 2009 for three, two-month periods during February - March, July - August, and November - December. The WCPD Website also has a link to sign up for a listserv to get regular updates on the progress of the plant construction. More information is available from Phil Loar (703-228-6867), the County's designated point of contact.
The AHCA sent an e-mail letter to the County Manager and Board, asking them to adopt noise abatement measures to alleviate citizen distress when pile driving resumes.
AHCA Actions
- Bruce Cameron, President of the AHCA, sent a follow up letter to the County Board after the May 17, 2008 County Board Meeting. Topics addressed in the letter include Virginia Highlands Park, Volleyball Courts, Maintenance, Softball Fields, Spray Park, Sidewalks/street and traffic safety and the NC process, CCBID, Inc., Waste Water Treatment Plant, Virginia Hills Community Center/Old Fire House #105, Wakefield, ADU, and Crystal City Long Term Plan.
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Mr. Cameron also sent a second letter to the County Board Members and the County Manager on the Virginia Highlands Park and the impact of the proposed two new lighted volleyball courts.
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Mr. Cameron sent the following regarding the results of the ADU survey:
Dear County Board Members and County Manager,
Aurora Highlands Civic Association (AHCA) made an extension effort to reach out to our broad community. Attached are the results of our AHCA ADU survey. I hope you will pay careful attention to the feedback presented. I have a feeling it is representational of what broader Arlington community would say if it really understood this county initiative. Even the minority that support this initiative has real concerns about how the process has been occurring regarding citizen input and the lack of clarity of parameters of the proposed program.Bruce Cameron
President, AHCA