Oct 1999
vol2, no3

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

BCA Officers and Representatives

School Board Member Elaine Furlow
to Discuss School Boundary Changes
BCA Meeting Wednesday Oct 27th
7PM at Arlington Traditional School

Arlington School Board is currently developing its process for changing school boundaries and has asked for community comment on criteria that staff could use should the Board decide to consider boundary change options. There are no specific proposals on the table for any school boundary changes at this time.

School Board member Elaine Furlow will be attending the October BCA General Membership meeting to address the boundary change criteria and other community-related issues. The meeting will be in the Multi-Purpose Room of Arlington Traditional School 7:00 p.m. Wed, October 27.

A list of criteria below was approved by the School Board on June 17 for the purpose of holding public discussions in September. The results of these suggestions will be reflected in a proposed policy on boundary changes to adopt in early November.

School Boundary Changes

  • Keeping the size of schools within stated capacities.
  • Creating boundaries that provide the greatest proximity of student residences to schools.
  • Providing appropriate and safe walking distances, appropriate and safe bus routes, small busing costs.
  • Maintaining learning conditions for those whose attendance boundaries are revised at least as favorable as experienced before the change.
  • Maintaining traditional neighborhood communities together.
  • Recognizing natural and man-made geographic features as potential boundaries.
  • Identifying unitary school level feeder patterns.
  • Providing for student diversity.
  • Maintaining contiguous school attendance areas.
  • Avoiding frequent change for the same residence.

When changing school boundaries, the School Board will consider these criteria to the extent possible, though not necessarily in the order listed. More information is at http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/publicinfo/bound_change.html Comments may be sent to: Arlington School Board, 1426 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22207, or schoolbd@arlington.k12.va.us or by FAX 703-228-7640.


Projects Committee

The Projects Committee has been working hard to implement the pedestrian safety and traffic calming goals of the Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Plan.

Abingdon Street: At the October 27 general meeting, the Association will vote on whether to support the proposed project for Abingdon Street (between Wilson and Washington) in the Spring round of NC funding. The Association has already approved the project in principle. County procedures require an additional Association vote for project funding. By general petition, more than 75% of the 52 street residents have approved the concept of vehicular speed and traffic volume control through street width reduction. County staff have also approved the project in principle and are ready to proceed with design and technical requirements. Project components may also include new street lamps, tree planting, gateways, and speed humps.

Projects

Washington Boulevard Sidewalks: Rich Viola of the Arlington County Planning Division met with Washington Boulevard residents on October 2 to discuss the planned sidewalk construction on Washington Boulevard. Ten of the 18 homeowners with affected frontage were in attendance. Mr. Viola went over a map that he brought with him, proceeding property-by-property, discussing with the homeowners their individual concerns. They then proceeded to walk the entire project area, reviewing each homeowners’ specific concerns. Mr. Viola will contact Frank Bolger, the neighborhood contact, in about 8 weeks with a 'first pass' detailed plan of what the project will look like. Frank will notify all homeowners at that time to set a meeting. Frank has also spoken with two other homeowners that could not attend the meeting, bringing the total that know the status of the project to 12

 

 

Projects (Continued from Previous Column)

Harrison Street: After numerous meetings of residents, traffic calming efforts are proceeding along dual tracks, taking steps to pursue long-term solutions while seeking interim measures having an immediate effect on speeding problems (including installation of flat-top speed humps, left-turn restrictions onto Harrison St from Wilson and Washington, restrictions on commercial, and school crossing signs near St, Ann’s School) It is hoped that the County could act on these interim measures relatively quickly. In fact, a preliminary assessment by County staff confirmed that established thresholds for certain of these measures have already been met.

Jefferson /Kensington St: After several meetings it was concluded that, like Harrison St, traffic calming will proceed along dual tracks, taking steps to pursue long-term solutions while seeking interim measures which will have an immediate effect on speeding problems. The interim measures include the installation of flattop speed humps and painted bike lanes and restrictive signs. Long-term measures will require the narrowing of the 36’ roadways to 30-32’ in width by way of sidewalk installations, street nubs, curb extensions and street re-lampings. The bike path crossing on Kensington Street may include nubs or street extensions that will narrow the traffic lane passage forcing vehicular traffic to pass at safer speeds while permitting bike path patrons more time to react to oncoming traffic. County plans are underway to provide an initial petition to survey the residents commitment for street narrowing. Like Harrison & Abingdon Street, if this process is successful, the county staff will assist the residents in determining specific details of the project. Upon tentative project committee approval of the plans a second petition will be drafted and forwarded to the residents for signature.


I-66 Committee

Recent proposals by Rep. Frank Wolf and Gov. Gilmore to add lanes to the Arlington portion of I-66 are moving quickly with little consideration of the views of Arlingtonians.

Last month, Congress quickly overturned parts of the compromise agreement reached in 1977 between the federal government and the county. The agreement was necessary to pave the way for the construction of I-66 due to strong opposition by County residents to the new freeway. That agreement promised that I66 would remain at 4 lanes in the County, required HOV restrictions, and banned trucks.

Now the state is free to widen I-66. Details of the plans aren’t clear yet. Would more homes be destroyed? How much will it cost? Will it really relieve congestion? Are there any better alternatives? And most important, how will it impact the County and the region’s development and traffic?

Many people in Bluemont and across the County want answers to those questions. Concerned Bluemont neighbors have formed an I-66 committee. Our executive committee passed a resolution (below) calling for a voice for Arlington citizens in the decision process.

Representatives will meet with County Board members to learn more and seek their active participation. If you are interested in the I-66 discussions or have comments, please call I-66 committee co-chairs Adrienne Pilot or Rick Hodges

Resolution: Whereas constituencies outside Arlington Co. are interfering with a long standing agreement between Arlington Co. and the state of VA along with the US Dept. of Transportation, and local planning concerns are being totally ignored.

Whereas The Arlington Community has not been consulted in discussions leading to the decision to reverse the so-called Coleman Agreement;

Whereas the proposed plan, in whatever form it may take, has not been linked to the comprehensive Regional 2020 Transportation Plan adopted after full public hearings;

Resolved that the Executive Board of the Bluemont Civic Association aggressively pursue and lobby the Arlington County Board to put in place a formal process for ensuring that the interests and concerns of the citizens of Arlington County are considered with respect to any plans to change I66.

 

BCA Calendar

Unless otherwise noted, General Membership meetings are held on the 4th Wed of each month in the Multi-Purpose Room of Arlington Traditional School (855 N. Edison Street, behind McDonald's) at 7:00 p.m. and Executive Board (all are welcome) meetings are held on the 2nd Tues of each month in the Extended Day Room of Arlington Traditional School at 7:00 p.m.

10/27/99 7:00 p.m. General Membership
10/31/99 1:30 BCA Halloween Parade
(Lacey Woods Park)
11/11/99 7:00 p.m. Executive Board
     
at Sha Thai restaurant in front of Safeway on Wilson
11/23/99 7:00 p.m. General Membership
12/14/99 7:00 p.m. Executive Board
12/22/99 7:00 p.m. General Membership

 

 

Calling All Bluemonsters, Angels, And Ghosts!

Bluemont’s fourth annual Halloween Event will be held in Lacey Woods Park (at the corner of George Mason and Washington Blvd.) on Sunday, October 31st, from 1:30 to 4:30. The costume parade will begin at 2:15; please come early to register. Other activities will include visits from McGruff the Crime Dog and our local firefighters (with fire engine), refreshments, and storytelling at the Fire Circle. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. Among the judges will be Jay Fisette of the County Board, Elaine Furlow of the School Board, Toni Hubbard, Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation, and Fire Chief Edward Plaugher. Over 130 children and their families attended last year’s event. Join your neighbors for Bluemont’s autumn festival. For further information call Adrienne Pilot or Gerry Procanick .

 


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