Over the Fence
News for Neighbors
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS CIVIC ASSOCIATION
October 2002
www.geocities.com/ahcawebsite
AHCA Meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 15,
7 pm
by Jay Jacob Wind <jay.wind@att.net,
703-920-5193>
Arlington Heights Civic Association (AHCA) invites you to its membership meeting Tuesday, October 15, 7:00 pm, at Patrick Henry Elementary School's library. Agenda:
Arlington Heights Townes Homeowner's Association has applied for a site plan amendment to the townhouse plan on the corner of Glebe Road and 5th Street South to allow for the addition of decks.
First, an explanation. We found out the County did not allow decks on our townhouses when I applied for a building permit for my home at 3376 S. 5th Street. After gathering as an association, we realized none of us had been informed by Dittmar that building a deck was applied for and denied, and in fact a few of us asked the builder directly about decks and were not told. Since then, I have applied for an administrative change to the site plan, not realizing this had been denied to Dittmar previously, and of course it was denied again because it has to go back to the Board. Then, the County directed me to apply for the site plan amendment which I have done, and plan to present to the board for their approval. Our case was originally scheduled to be heard at the 9/14 meeting, but because the Civic Association position did not meet in August, and their official position is not available to the Board, we will be rescheduled for 11/16/02. I applied for my building permit in March, and have been working on this since then.
I researched the archives of the group mail and found that there is opposition to the decks being built from a few individuals. I would like an opportunity to discuss this, and understand everyone's opinion, perhaps at the Civic Association meeting in October. While I read the e-mails, I was unable to determine the actual reason for the strong sentiment to deny us being able to have a deck on our houses.
I realize a good deal of the opposition was when Dittmar applied, and I don't know all the history, but we are not Dittmar anymore. We are your neighbors, and I believe a positive addition to the community who would like your support. I'm sure I have seen and talked to many of you on my walks with the dog. We of course want to have a deck because it will improve our lifestyle to be able to enjoy a deck like I'm sure many of you do. But in addition to that, it will increase the value of our homes, which is of benefit to the neighborhood as a whole. I can tell you if the builder had been honest with me about not being allowed to build a deck, I wouldn't have bought an expensive home with giant sliding glass doors that could never be used for anything.
Arlington Heights Towns Homeowners plan to take an active interest in the decision on what is or is not permitted for our homes so the case may be reviewed with all the facts and opinions, especially of those involved. We will be at the Arlington Heights Civic Association meeting on 10/15 (yes we plan on joining) to present all the information we have to you about the proposed decks, and our intentions. I, or one of the other homeowners will personally visit all the homes that are next to, or have a view of the townhouses to see what their opinions are, so everyone affected will have a say. I agree with the previous comments that to those who have not been receiving these e-mails, the decisions may be weighed unfairly.
I apologize for not communicating earlier on this matter,
but I am a first time homeowner, and all the usual business associated
building a deck has been a new experience. Plus, this has been compounded
by the additional requirements for the administrative change, and the site
plan amendment. I have been trying to learn all the things that need to
be done, community support, and I didn't know about the Civic Association's
interest or role in this. I look forward to meeting you at the October
meeting.
Every six months, AHCA must vote on our Neighborhood Conservation priorities, or else we lose points in the project ranking process, risking postponement of our much-needed neighborhood improvements.
We submit our top three projects to Arlington's Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Commission; we keep track of all projects in the queue. For the October 15 meeting, I move the following priorities:
"Motion: Arlington Heights Civic Association approves of the following NCAC projects and prioritizes them in the following order:
"1. Installation of Carlyle type street lights on 2nd Street South between South Glebe Road and South Fillmore Street; on 1st Road South between South Glebe Road and Old Glebe Road; and on Old Glebe Road between 1st Road South and 2nd Street South.
"2. Completion of installation of Carlyle type street lights on 6th Street South between South Glebe Road and South Walter Reed Drive, and installation of Carlyle type street lights on South Garfield Street between 6th Street South and 7th Street South.
"3. Installation of curbs, gutters, and Carlyle type streetlights on South Garfield Street between Arlington Boulevard and 2nd Street South.
"4. Installation of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and Carlyle type streetlights on South Fenwick Street between Arlington Boulevard and 2nd Street South. [Editor's note: this project requires special design to accommodate a mature tree at Fenwick and 2nd.]
"5. Installation of curbs, gutters, and Carlyle type streetlights on South Irving Street between Arlington Boulevard and 2nd Street South.
"6. Installation of Carlyle type street lights on South Ivy Street between South 7th Street and South 9th Street, on South Highland Street between South 9th Street and Columbia Pike, and on South 9th Street between South Glebe Road and Walter Reed Drive.
"7. Installation of Carlyle type street lights on South Highland Street between South 7th Street and South 9th Street.
"8. Installation of Carlyle type streetlights on South 5th
Street between South Glebe Road and South Jackson Street."
Visit Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization's web site www.columbiapikepartnership.com for continual updates regarding the charette results.
We invite you to attend Columbia Pike Transit Forum, Friday, October 18, 7:30 pm, at Sheraton National Hotel, 900 S. Orme Street in Arlington. The presentation describes public transportation options for Columbia Pike.
We also invite you to a meeting on the Form Based Code,
Monday,
October 28, 7:30 pm, at Sheraton National.
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A=Lawns and Leaves B=Baby Sitting C=Pet/plant Sitting D=Odd Jobs/Errands E=House Sitting F=Snow Shoveling • Danielle Cook (703-279-3227) C
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Melvin Dunn 703-680-3015 A professional firefighter Fireplaces, wood stoves, chimney caps, furnace flues, gutter cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, chimney repairs |
Bond Issues on November 5 Ballot
by Lewis Bromberg <lbromberg@sysplan.com>
Arlington's ballot on November 5 includes a bond issue for Arlington Community Projects encompassing six components - community conservation; parks and recreation; public safety; pedestrian systems, streets, highways, and traffic; Metro; and storm drainage -- grouped together into one bond question totaling $67,428,500.
Community conservation provides funding for the construction
and rehabilitation of streets, curbs and gutters, bikeways, sidewalks and
other pedestrian ways including traffic calming efforts, including $9 million
for citizen-initiated improvements through Arlington County's Neighborhood
Conservation Program. Parks and recreation includes funding to acquire
open space and develop recreation and community facilities. Public safety
funding improves three Arlington fire station facilities. Pedestrian
systems, transit, and transportation projects include the construction,
rehabilitation or replacement of and improvements to pedestrian systems,
streets, highways, transit, bridges, curbs and gutters, bikeways and sidewalks.
Metro funds fulfill Arlington's continuing obligation to Metro.
Storm drainage
funding improves and replaces storm drainage systems
throughout the county.
Contractors are deep into Arlington Heights Park, fixing
phone cables damaged during fiber optic excavations in spring.
According to Kevin Welch of Arlington County's Department of Parks and Recreation, work begins on the park by the end of October. Work includes the installation of a fence, benches, and a trash can. Once this work is done, next year, AHCA requests funds from the County to add a drinking fountain to the park.
Greengrocer Stan Jackson has asked to return to the park after
it is transferred from Public Works to Parks and Recreation. AHCA can consider
this request on October 15.
I thank Mary Hashemi (maryhashemi@yahoo.com)
and Megan Booth
(jj-megan@mindspring.com) for editing this edition of Over
The Fence, and I look forward to working with them on future editions.
Thanks!
Wayne Cofer of South Garfield broke his arm is a fall. He is
home recuperating and appreciates calls and visits.
Thomas Jefferson Community Center's renovated gym opened September 5 with a new floor, track, basketball backstops, and bleachers. It's well worth a visit. Fall hours at TJCC are M-F 6:25 am - 9:50 pm, Sat 8:00 am - 5:50 pm. Friday night high school track mmeets start on December 6.
We also hear that TJCC's remodeled auditorium will be open to the public
soon.
Tuesday, October 15, at Patrick Henry Elementary
School
7:00 pm - Potluck Dinner
7:30 pm - AHCA Membership Meeting
Friday, October 18, 7:30 pm - Columbia Pike Transit Forum, Sheraton National Hotel
Saturday, October 19, 10:00 am to Noon - Community Day, Patrick Henry Elementary School
Tuesday, October 22, 7:30 pm - Neighborhood Watch Meeting, 300 S. Jackson Street
Sunday, October 27, 2:00 pm - Children's Halloween Party
Monday, October 28, 7:30 pm - Columbia Pike Form Based Code Presentation, Sheraton National Hotel
Wednesday, October 30, 7:00 pm - Halloween Carnival for children 3-7, Shirlington Library
December 1-20 -- AHCA Holiday Decorating Contest
Friday, December 13, 6:00 pm - Holiday Caroling Meet at TJ parking lot at 2nd Street and South Ivy
Tuesday, January 15, 2003, Patrick Henry Elementary
School
7:00 pm - Potluck Dinner
7:30 pm - AHCA Annual Membership
Meeting (Elections)
Q. Patrick Henry has a new principal?
A. Yes, my name is Lisa Piehota. I began serving as Principal
of Patrick Henry Elementary a few days prior to the opening of school.
My family and I have recently moved to Virginia from New Jersey where I
was Principal/Superintendent in a small elementary school district. During
my career, I have been a classroom teacher, curriculum coordinator, assistant
principal of an elementary school, and principal of both elementary and
middle schools. I have also taught early childhood education courses at
the college level. Prior to entering the field of education, I served seven
years active duty with the U.S. Air Force.
My educational background includes a Bachelor Degree from Florida
State University in Elementary Education, Masters Degree in Educational
Leadership, and Doctorate in Child and Youth Studies with an emphasis on
Curriculum Development and Systemic Change. My husband and I have two children,
seventeen year old twins, who are currently in their senior year of high
school and looking forward to entering college next year.
Q. What do you think of the programs at Henry?
A. It is my personal goal to provide students with an environment
that will facilitate the highest level of learning potential as well as
encourage advanced levels of personal development and I am excited by the
opportunities for educational advancement that children receive at Patrick
Henry. The faculty works diligently to meet the diverse needs of each and
every child.
Q. What about overcrowding? Was that resolved?
A. Since the boundary changes were implemented in September,
2001, Patrick Henry has a student population of 419, which is below our
capacity of 437.
Q. When Mrs. Johnson was at Patrick Henry, we were able to volunteer
in various ways. Do you plan on including the community?
A. I believe strongly in home, school, and community collaboration.
As a matter of fact, on October 19, we have a community picnic and school
grounds clean-up. The school holds a grounds clean-up 10:00 am -12:00 noon
on Saturday morning followed by a picnic at 12:00 noon. There are a variety
of ways in which community members can volunteer at Patrick henry. I invite
community members to join me in continuing our progress through a collaborative,
educational effort between the community and school. For more information,
please call Ms. Chris Doherty at 703-228-5820.
| Juggling the Move up Process
by Casey O'Neal (advertisement) A note to let you know how we can help your family, friends, and work associates you refer to us. Carol & Kevin had considered moving from their small 2 bedroom colonial in South Arlington. Once their new baby arrived, they definitely needed more space. They had been referred to Casey O'Neal by John, a neighbor who Casey had helped sell and buy another home. Casey and Rosemarie consulted with Carol & Kevin about strategies for selling and moving up to a larger home. Because they had significant equity in their home, Casey referred them to a lender who could qualify them to purchase a new home before selling their existing home. Carol and Kevin didn't want to feel pressured and wanted to have enough time to find the right home. When they found a desirable home, they had to act quickly because of multiple offers on the property. Casey & Rosemarie were integral in working with the listing agent to negotiate the purchase for their clients. Then Carol & Kevin listed their existing home and sold it quickly. Casey & Rosemarie orchestrated a simultaneous closing which eliminated the need for bridge financing, with a rent back option to allow for a smooth move directly from one home to the next. Carol & Kevin and their young son now live in a wonderful 4 bedroom home with plenty of room for their growing family. The Judi Finney/Casey O'Neal Team at RE/MAX Horizons www.HomeSaleAdvisor.com
PS. If you or someone you know could benefit from expert buyer or seller representation, please call or email us for advice! |
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| Join AHCA for 2002
Send to Bob Dannemiller, 215 South Ivy Street, Arlington VA 22204 Name ________________________________________
[__] Family membership
... Enclosed is $12.00 to AHCA
Membership year is January to December |