Katrina Ashmore

The public hearing addressed multiple special use permit requests, including operations for a restaurant, a temporary office trailer for a church, a wellness/massage center, a children's fitness facility, a tae kwon do school, and a grocery store selling prepared food. Items moved from the consent calendar involved a request for expansion of a health and athletic facility and a request to operate a bakery/cafe. Unfinished business included recommendations for approval of amendments to the Eisenhower East Small Area Plan and associated implementation formulas, as well as approval of interim infill zoning regulations. The commission also considered the acquisition of four parcels on Mount Vernon Avenue and multiple development requests related to the Mill Road Lane Development and the Marriott Residence Inn at Mill Road. Other items included approval of design guidelines for Carlyle Master Plan Block P, an extension for a fitness facility, amendments for an existing restaurant's outdoor dining area, and a parking reduction request for a church.

The City Council public hearing addressed multiple agenda items, beginning with a Public Discussion Period where community members provided input on the FY2015 budgeting process, transparency, and building community trust. The council reviewed and approved several Special Use Permits (SUPs) and requests related to property use, including those for a private academic school, restaurants, vehicle storage, a daycare, automobile repair, and a market expansion. The council also addressed a text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance regarding townhouse access ways, approved the Waterfront Landscape Design and Flood Mitigation Plan, and considered several zoning map and Master Plan amendments related to the Cameron Park project and South Patrick Street development. Furthermore, the Council approved an ordinance to sell City property at 1505 Powhatan Street, approved ordinances related to motor vehicles/traffic and food establishment regulations, and passed ordinances concerning FY2014 supplemental appropriations and FY2015 appropriations. Resolutions were approved concerning Virginia Retirement System contribution rates and 2014 Personal Property Tax Relief Rates. Several items, including a public transit regulation amendment and a funeral home SUP request, were deferred.

Prior to the regular session, the City Council held a work session to discuss the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Guidelines and the Council's Strategic Plan, and met with the Alexandria Transit Company Stockholders. During the meeting, the Council observed a moment of silence and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Recognitions included the presentation of the Senior Services of Alexandria's Calendar for 2007 and proclamations for The Twirl Factory, City Employee of the Month (Patricia Ferrao), Potomac West "Turkey Trot" Day, and the Campagna Center's Scottish Christmas Walk Anniversary. New Business item 1 involved a presentation of a history book on the Alexandria Police Department. The Consent Calendar covered the receipt of resignations from several boards and commissions, and uncontested appointments to various committees, including a discussion regarding the waiver of residency requirements for two at-large members of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, Inc. Action was taken regarding the receipt of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the period ending June 30, 2006. The Council also addressed the introduction and first reading of an ordinance for supplemental appropriations for FY 2007. Contested appointments were resolved for the Alexandria Commission for the Arts (Eileen O'Brien) and the Alexandria Park and Recreation Commission (Lindsey Swanson), and the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee (Dena Corson). Key reports included a presentation on the Draft Pandemic Influenza Interim Planning Report. The Council voted to incorporate an addendum to the 2007 Legislative Package to monitor legislation requiring a paper audit trail for voting machines. Authorization was granted for a $92,000 grant application for sexual and domestic violence services, and procedures were established for advertising delinquent real estate taxes and writing off balances under twenty dollars. A revision was approved for the Home Rehabilitation Loan Program (HRLP) to institute an anti-speculation policy, and the addition of a fourth bay to the proposed Potomac Yard Fire Station was approved, with funding to be considered in the FY 2008 CIP. Council members provided oral reports on items including sound wall construction review, the Distinguished Educational Leader recognition, the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum re-opening, ongoing work with the Environmental Policy Commission regarding an action plan, the status of the T. C. Williams High School project, and discussions on leaf collection procedures. Finally, the Council adopted a resolution establishing the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Targets for the City Government and Public Schools, and scheduled several future work sessions.

The City Council meeting included a work session concerning the Housing Master Plan. Key actions involved endorsements of proclamations declaring April 20, 2013, as Earth Day and Arbor Day, and recognizing Lt. John Zook. The 2012 Annual Report from First Night Alexandria was received. The council processed several uncontested appointments and resignations for various boards and commissions, including the Public Health Advisory Commission and the Torpedo Factory Art Center Board. Under the consent calendar, the council considered the February 2013 financial report, the appointment of the Alexandria Poet Laureate (appointing Tori Lane), authorization for donations to a Police Department Silent Auction, and receipt of the Eco-City Progress Report. Numerous ordinances were introduced on first reading and set for a public hearing on April 13, 2013, covering topics such as storm water discharge, supplemental appropriations, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance (W-1 Zone and landowner protest procedures), increased impound service charges, extended parking meter operations, the City's cigarette tax, General Obligation Bonds issuance, and requiring taxicab credit card payments. An appointment to the Human Rights Commission was also made. Recommendations from the Ad Hoc Towing Services Advisory Board were received and forwarded for consideration. Council members provided oral reports on community events, the passing of Don Fowler, public safety statistics (noting zero homicides in 2012), and upcoming pavement management assessments. The session concluded with an executive session to discuss litigation and economic development opportunities.

The Planning Commission meeting addressed several action items. Unfinished business included the recommendation for approval of the Eisenhower West-Landmark Van Dorn Developer Contribution Policy. New business involved public hearings and consideration of multiple requests, including a rezoning request (Rezoning #2018-0008) concerning 1604-1614 King Street and 1604 Dechantal Street for a multifamily dwelling development, and related special use permits. The Commission voted to initiate and recommend approval for this rezoning, as well as recommend approval for the associated Development Special Use Permit and Transportation Management Plan Special Use Permit. Text Amendment #2018-0008 regarding life care facilities was deferred. For the Potomac Yard Landbay H project (Master Plan Amendment #2018-0008, Text Amendment #2018-0014, etc.), the Commission voted to recommend approval for the master plan and text amendments, and recommended approval for the concept plan amendment and development special use permit, which involves constructing life care facility buildings with ground floor retail. A subdivision request (Subdivision #2018-0004) for properties at 3050 Potomac Avenue and 3601 Jefferson Davis Highway was approved, followed by a recommendation for approval of the related Rezoning #2018-0003. The consideration of minutes from the October 2 and October 4, 2018 meetings was deferred to the December meeting.