Author: chogan@directresearch.com

I’m going to have to rely on my neighbors to tell me what happened at last night’s (2/25/2019) “community engagement” meeting regarding the proposed 40 condo building at 380 Maple West.

I lasted about 60 seconds before I had heard enough and walked out.  And this is from a guy who has spent a big chunk of the past few months sitting in on public meetings, hearing stuff I didn’t want to hear.   As you can tell from the contents of this website.  And, as it turns out, I wasn’t the only one to walk out.  I was merely the first. Continue reading Community engagement plan, 2/26/2019

I attended the Board of Architectural Review meeting last night, but due to “operator error” (i.e., my stupidity) I did not manage to record it.  What follows are my notes, based on what was going to be the timing guide to the audio recording. Continue reading 2/21/2019 BAR meeting — notes only, no audio recording, 2/22/2019

At last night’s (2/21/2019) BAR meeting, we learned that there’s no wall separating the proposed Wawa from the adjacent neighborhood because, in 1974, the Town judged that a wall was not needed for that property.  And, apparently, despite the change in use (from a quiet little office building to a potentially 24/7/365 convenience store), … because they didn’t need one in 1974, the Town thinks they don’t need one now.  Or they can’t legally require one now.  Or something along those lines.

For their part, Wawa said that putting in the wall that would be required under Vienna commercial zoning regulations (masonry wall, 6′ tall, along the entire property line) would result in killing some mature trees.  So they didn’t want to be seen a stepping in and immediately cutting down mature trees.  Instead, Wawa offered to put in additional low (3′ to 4′) evergreen shrubbery along that lot line.

Fair enough.  But shrubbery doesn’t stop noise.  What to do?

Let me offer a suggestion:  Wawa should consider voluntarily putting in a 6′ concrete panel fence at the back of their property.

Detail follows. Continue reading Wawa wall, proposed solution, 2/22/2019

Wawa is going to occupy the vacated Coldwell Banker building at Maple and Nutley.     That is going to be discussed by the Town of Vienna Board of Architectural Review at 8 PM tonight 2/21/2109), and they are accepting comments from the public at this meeting.  You can find the most recent plans by going to this page, then clicking the link for Wawa.

While I feel sorry for the folks living behind that, mainly I’m relieved that this isn’t going to be another large MAC building.  As it stands, the Wawa will have more publicly accessible green space, more trees, and vastly more visual “open space” than 380 Maple West.  Despite having more or less the same size and shape of lot.

The wall at the back of that lot has come up as a fairly important issue.  Or, really, the lack of a wall at the back of that lot. Continue reading Wawa wall, 2/21/2019

I am recording and posting audio files for selected Town of Vienna public meetings.  Click on the individual pages, in the site menu, under this heading, to find those recordings.

The right of citizens to record these meetings is guaranteed by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Continue reading Audio recordings of Town of Vienna public meetings

The Board of Architectural Review meeting scheduled for 2/21/2019 will take place as scheduled, and they will accept public comment on the buildings being discussed, including Sunrise Assisted Living (Maple and Center), the Wawa (Maple and Nutley), and the Starbucks drive-through (former Taco Bell).  

This week there are two public meetings regarding MAC zoning. One meeting will be a lengthy and detailed discussion of proposed amendments to the MAC zoning law.  The other will be a first detailed look at the proposed Sunrise Assisted Living facility at Center and Maple.

All meetings are in Town Hall. You may attend these meetings, Edit:  This statement was incorrect:   but you will not have any opportunity to speak. These meetings will not be videotaped or live-streamed by the Town.

I plan to make audio recordings of both meetings and will post a link to the recordings on savemaple.org.   Listening to those recordings will probably be the best way for you to hear what was said if you don’t attend the meeting.

Cancelled due to wwather:  On Wednesday 2/20/2019 at 6:30 PM, there is a Planning Commission work session on proposed changes to the MAC zoning law.  This meeting may run close to four hours.  You can see my quick take on the proposed changes at: http://savemaple.org/draft-changes-to-mac-zoning-2-17-2019/

Meeting materials, including the draft changes, are here:
https://vienna-va.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=679992&GUID=90BF37F6-A08D-45D9-AF87-F7D2BE2A4554&Options=info&Search=

On Thursday, 2/21/2019, 8:00 PM, the Board of Architectural Review regular meeting will have six items including plans the new Starbucks drive through (repurposed Taco Bell), and Wawa (repurposed Coldwell Banker building), and (last on the agenda) discussion of the proposed 100-bed Sunrise Assisted Living facility at Maple and Center.  

Meeting materials are here:

https://vienna-va.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=679951&GUID=245A8FBF-42E5-4F82-AF3D-49CFAC1B2390&Options=info&Search=

The Town reserves the right to change or cancel meetings on short notice, so check the Town’s general calendar before you go, at this URL: https://www.viennava.gov/Calendar.aspx?NID=1&FID=220

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Edit 2/21/2019:  Upon reflection, I missed an obvious conclusion.  Whichever conjunction you choose, the phrase in question (in red below) should be removed from the MAC zoning rules.

Original posting follows.

The proposed revision to the MAC statute (.pdf on this page) has this text, with the red sentence being the text they are adding.

"Sec. 18-95.9. - Height limit.
A. The maximum height shall be the lesser of four stories or 54 feet, as shown in Figure 18-95.9.1, Determination of Height. 

The building(s) shall have the appearance of, at most, four stories when viewed from every cardinal direction."

As I have noted recently, that paragraph seems to make no sense.  If a building is no more than four stories tall, it will look like it has, at most, four stories.  Why add the other section? Continue reading That seems like a pretty crucial conjunction, 2/18/2019, EDITS 2/21/2019