The BCA Neighborhood Conservation Plan (NCP) Update Committee continues to meet both as a full committee and separate subcommittees. The subcommittees are organized around eight different subject-matter categories: (1) Land Use and Zoning, (2) Commercial/Business Areas, (3) Street Conditions, (4) Transportation/Traffic Management, (5) Housing, (6) Public Facilities and Services, (7) Historic Preservation, and (8) Urban Forestry.

In 2012, the NCP Update Committee will begin posting on the BCA Website drafts of chapters for the new Bluemont NCP so that Bluemont residents may read them and offer comments. The first chapter to be posted should be the urban forestry chapter. It’s hoped that the chapter will be posted in mid-February to coincide with the publication of the February newsletter and the February 22 BCA General Membership meeting. All BCA residents are encouraged to submit their views and suggestions as each NCP chapter is rolled out for comment.

The NCP Update Committee could always use more help. If you’re interested in volunteering your services, please contract David Van Wagner at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Caroline Haynes at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Bluemont’s boundaries include a variety of parks and open spaces with a surprising number of significant natural resources, considering that they are in the heart of our urban village. The recently completed Natural Resources Master Plan created a geographic information system (GIS) map of each park marking champion trees, natural geologic features, and significant native plants that will be reviewed before the construction of any trail or park enhancement begins. Knowing what we have is the first step to preserving our treasurers.

On December 19, Circuit Court Chief Judge William Newman, Jr., set March 27, 2012, as the date for the special election to replace County Board member Barbara Favola. (Favola was elected to the Virginia Senate in November 2011.) Favola’s seat will remain unfilled from December 31, 2011, when she formally resigned, until a replacement board member is elected.
 
Election officials originally thought the special election would be held on April 17, but Judge Newman chose an earlier date. This adjustment has forced the local parties to move up the dates for their party caucuses and canvasses.
 
The Arlington County Democratic Committee’s (ACDC’s) new caucus dates are Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7 pm–9 pm, at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N. Stafford Street) and Saturday, January 21, 2012, 11 am–7 pm, at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road). The Democratic caucus will select a candidate to run for the open board seat.
 
The Arlington County Republican Committee (ACRC) will hold its party canvass on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 6 pm–8 pm, at ACRC headquarters (405 S. Glebe Road). ACRC’s party canvass will nominate a board candidate to run in the special election.
 
Arlington Green Party member and recent County Board candidate Audrey Clement has expressed her intent to run in the special election. Under Virginia law, she must collect petition signatures to get on the ballot and must run as an Independent.

To vote in the special election, you must be registered to vote by Monday, March 12.
 
In addition to the County Board special election, a presidential primary (for Republican candidates) will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. To vote in the presidential primary, you must be registered to vote no later than Monday, February 13. For voter registration information, visit http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/voterregistration/voterregistrationmain.aspx or call 703-228-3456.