September 2000
vol3, no9

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Bluemont Civic Association
PO Box 5134
Arlington, Virginia 22205
http://members.nbci.com/bluemont/

BCA Officers and Representatives

9th Street Multi-Lot Infill Development

The Bluemont Civic Association has been asked for its views on a potential infill development at 5129, 5133 and 5137 9th Street North. The owners of those properties, according to their representative, are considering seeking approval to remove the existing three houses and replace them with four new single-family houses. Such a development would require approval by the Arlington County Board under the Unified Residential Development process.

At the September 27 general meeting of the Bluemont Civic Association, members will hear a presentation by the owner-representative of these properties.

The Association will then vote on whether to encourage the property owners to embark on the formal Unified Residential Development process, which would require further consultation with the Association and County officials, as well as the immediate neighbors of the properties in question. The Unified Residential Development process is intended to encourage the construction of single-family homes in a manner that is more advantageous to the neighborhood than would be possible if the properties in question were redeveloped "by right".

In the case of 5129, 5133, and 5137 9th Street, Arlington County staff have indicated that a "by right" redevelopment would likely allow for the removal of the three existing houses and their replacement with three single family houses, one of which would be on a so-called "pipe-stem" lot set away from the street.

Traffic calming and sidewalk projects

Residents of Jefferson Street, Harrison Street, and 10th Street are moving forward in their efforts to slow down traffic and improve safety for children and other pedestrians.

Homeowners on Jefferson Street between Wilson Boulevard and 5th Street and homeowners on Harrison Street between Wilson Boulevard and Washington Boulevard have agreed to seek Arlington County funding for the installation of speed humps.

County staff has already granted preliminary approval for speed humps on those two streets. Jefferson and Harrison Street homeowners are also continuing to consider the installation of sidewalks, with a majority of residents on each street giving a preliminary approval for an extension of the sidewalk network.

On 10th Street between George Mason Drive and Frederick Street, residents are pursuing the installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks. Pending consideration by 10th Street residents of a final design proposal from Arlington County staff, Bluemont Civic Association members at the September 27 general meeting may be asked to approve seeking County funding for a 10th Street project.

Residents of Kensington Street between Wilson Boulevard and Carlin Springs Road, and Abingdon Street between Wilson Boulevard and Carlin Springs Road are looking at various options for traffic calming and pedestrian safety improvements.

Separately, Arlington County staff has proposed the installation of a raised crosswalk or similar improvement for the Bluemont Junction Trail intersection with Kensington Street.

The Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Plan calls for a raised crosswalk at this location, and Bluemont Civic Association members will be asked at the September 27 general meeting to approve a motion to support the construction of the crosswalk.

Wilson Boulevard traffic management

A group of Bluemont residents is continuing to work hard to improve pedestrian safety and slow down speeders on Wilson Boulevard, without affecting traffic flow.

Initial proposals from the group include improvement of specific crosswalks and a lowering of the speed limit to 30 mph for the length of Wilson Boulevard in the Bluemont neighborhood.

For the September 27 general meeting of the Bluemont Civic Association, County officials have been invited to participate in a discussion on the problems and possible solutions for Bluemont's Main Street. Bluemont resident Robert Waffle, chair of the Wilson Boulevard Working Group, will also give a presentation on traffic management and pedestrian safety measures that are being successfully used in other states.

A recent study by Arlington County has confirmed what many local residents have long known - the prevailing speed of cars and trucks on Wilson Boulevard is significantly higher than the posted limit.

Halloween Parade

Come in costume and join the Parade. It's almost time for the 5th Annual Halloween Parade at Lacey Woods Park.

Sunday, October 29 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
Registration: 1:30 p.m.
Parade: 2:30 p.m.

As always, we'll be telling Halloween stories at the Fire Circle starting at about 3:30 p.m. This year's storyteller will be Jon Spelman. We will also be celebrating the opening of the new tot lot at the Park.

This event is organized and run by neighbors like you. However, we do not have enough volunteers for this year's event yet. If you have attended this event before, please consider volunteering an hour or two before or during the event. To volunteer or for more information, contact Gerry Procanick at 524-3764 or Talmadge Williams at 522-5575.

Bluemont E-mail Listserv

Bluemont is setting up an e-mail listserv for announcements or requests for volunteers at egroups.com. Please join by e-mail or by visiting egroups.com.

To join this group via e-mail: Send a blank e-mail to bluemontcivicassoc@eGroups.com.

You will receive a subscription confirmation message. Reply to this message and your subscription will be complete.

Send e-mails to bluemontcivicassoc@egroups.com. Please limit them to announcements of interest to the association.

For more information contact Karen DeCarlo at kgdecarlo@netzero.net.

Water main relining

The County government will begin relining water mains under the streets between Edison and Jefferson Streets, the Bluemont Trail and Wilson Boulevard. If you have questions or concerns about the work, contact 703-228-3589 or 703-228-4611.

BCA Calendar - Meetings & Events

Officers

Membership

BCA membership costs $12 per household per calendar year. Dues are prorated $1 per month for new members who join after the beginning of the year (e.g., currently, membership is $10 for the remainder of 2000). To renew or join, send a check to: Treasurer, Bluemont Civic Association, PO Box 5134, Arlington, VA 22205 (Please include your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and phone number).