WCA February Meeting
(02/27/01)

• Board Members: Leo Cabrales, Brett Fox, Ann Lunson, Dede O'Donnell
• Committee Members: Ellen Jones, Howard McGowan
• WCA members

Meeting called to order at 7:35.

Old Business

1. AT&T Monopole - Brett reported the last time he talked with the AT&T representative that AT&T has stated it wants to work with the community and understand its objectives and objections.
2. CVS Flagpole - Brett reported that it is not unlawful to fly the flag at night without being lighted as previously thought. It is protocol to fly the flag at night with lighting. We can ask the landlord to do something.
3. Community Flagpole - Brett reported the flagpole at the Williamsburg traffic circle is in bad shape. We can ask the County to remove it or replace it.

Current Business

Community Identification Signs (Ann Lunson): Ann reviewed key points on the signage, primarily the design that was selected (similar to the Colonial Williamsburg trademark) and the number and size of signs that will be installed. She went on to discuss the two issues requiring feedback from the citizens-color and location:

• Color: There are two choices with regard to color. The first is monochromatic (one color with various shades). If this is selected, the color the team selected was pinto (reddish brown). The second choice is multiple colors. The sign itself would be beige. The colored paints would be high gloss. The discussion centered on whether the colors would be bright, primary colors or whether they would be bright and muted tones combined to more closely reflect the drawing prepared by the team. Samples of other community signs were passed around. We were assured that we would see the final design by the sign company before a final decision was made. The vote was unanimous for multi-color signs assuming the final signs were acceptable.

• Location: Four sites were suggested for placement of the signs.

• The median at the intersection of Yorktown Boulevard and Little Falls Road.
• The Williamsburg traffic circle.
• Powhatan near the pump station (on the swail).
• The median at the intersection of Williamsburg Boulevard and John Marshall.

The discussion on placement of the sign at the traffic circle included the treatment of the current commemorative sign in the circle. Another issue on the placement of the signs was whether signs could be moved. For example, when traffic calming features are implemented on Little Falls Road near the school, the sign may have to be moved. The County has stated that moving signs is not a problem. The vote was unanimous for the placement of the signs.

Little Falls Project (Ellen Jones) · Ellen reported the task force has had four or five meetings. The recommendations the task force is pursuing are right out of the conservation plan, namely building raised, planted median strips. She stated the County has problems with tearing up roadway pavement unless they had the opportunity to replace it with a good-sized median. For that reason, we are staying away from the medians on Sycamore for now. The team has prepared a plan and sent it to the County with questions. Our outstanding action is to finalize the proposal and present it to the immediate (affected) residents in a petition.

A point of discussion was to ensure the County is aware of the school redesign project. This way the County and the School Board may work together on design issues of both projects. Another point of discussion was whether there was a hook to the Safe Routes to School program. The answer was there is. Further, sidewalks and gutters for the area in front of Nottingham School are part of the Safe Routes to School program and not part of our plan. (We later were told that these measures are part of a pedestrian initiative,) No dollar figures have been put together. There was discussion that these and other projects need to finalize proposals in order to meet the funding cycle of March 30th set by the NCAC.

Website Information: Ellen brought samples of the website pages that have been developed and posted for the WCA site. The sign in sheet included space for e-mail addresses. We need to collect as many of these as possible so we can communicate with the citizens via e-mail. We recognize that everyone does not have e-mail addresses but we should take advantage of those who do. E-mail is recognized as a supplement to other written communication to the people.

Minor Hill Project (Howard McGowan) · Howard reported that after several meetings a plan is finally coming together for Minor Hill. The County departments that have previously held negative attitudes toward developing the site have changed their positions and are now more willing to work with us. Howard explained that Minor Hill exists basically because of the services to the community. Sharpe Park was a natural resource area and everyone is interested in protecting the tree canopy that exists. The County is now willing to view the two sites as one He further stated that $40,000 is the estimate for preparing a land use study. It will take about 2 and ½ years to complete the land use study including time for bids and then time to develop the plan.

The County suggests a "use" plan plus a beautification plan for the site. Another suggestion is a hybrid proposal which would include the land use plan which brings the County in and also include other immediate actions for the site. The recommendation for immediate action are some beautification effort, a tot lot, exercise area between the reservoir and the green space. The County has indicated they may consider removing the fencing from the green space. It is believed that either the hybrid plan or pursing the land use plan could assist in warding off the monopole issue.

The tot lot is estimated to cost $180,000 mostly due to safety requirements and equipment. The location of the lot would be the grassy wedge along Powhatan, about 2500 square feet of space. It would be set for smaller children and would offset the park on Harrison Street. The total estimate for the site is $240,000 which includes the land use plan, the tot lot and smaller projects for beautification and general use. The vote was unanimous to continue the efforts of the Minor Hill project team.

New Business

1. Arlington East Falls Church Association is having a meeting on April 5th. They want a presentation on what our association is working. Brett will attend and provide the briefing.
2. On May 12, the County will hold the 5th annual Arlington County Neighborhood Day. It is the County's bicentennial so there is likely to be much activity for this event.
3. Brett shared a listing of volunteer activities that he received from the County.
4. Brett reminded those in attendance that the March meeting, scheduled for March 27th, would be an open meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15.