NEWS AND ISSUES FOR THE LYON PARK COMMUNITY
This page will feature short writeups on current issues. Other details may be found in the current newsletter.
Community House Renovation
In September 2008, the Board of Governors voted to approve a plan for the renovation of the Community House. Click HERE to see a copy of those plans. There was some community opposition to the plan and the process that developed it, and in February, LPCA President Natalie Roy distributed several possible alternatives. Click HERE to see a copy of these. At the February 12, 2009 LPCA meeting, the membership voted not to contribute funds to the BOG plan, effectively stalling its implementation. Click HERE to see a copy of the voting results.
In April 2009, The Board of Governors announced the creation of a new public process to arrive at a design concept for the renovation. This process is actually run by a Steering Committee, composed of community volunteers. Click here to see an outline of the overall process. In late April, the Steering Committee began its work, and meetings to receive community input were held on April 29 and May 2. More on the Steering Committe's past and future activities are contained HERE.
Neighborhood Conservation
In Arlington County, the term Neighborhood Conservation is used to address neighborhood improvement projects. LPCA has nominated a project to provide traffic calming and other measures for N. Hudson Street, and the proposal is in the queue awaiting approval and funding. LPCA is also applying for a Park Enhancement Grant to add an all-season water fountain at Clay Park. We will look at possibilities for a grant for the Lyon Park next year.
In Arlington County, the term Neighborhood Conservation is used to address neighborhood improvement projects. LPCA has nominated a project to provide traffic calming and other measures for N. Hudson Street, and the proposal is in the queue awaiting approval and funding. LPCA is also applying for a Park Enhancement Grant to add an all-season water fountain at Clay Park. We will look at possibilities for a grant for the Lyon Park next year.
Lee Shopping Center Development (2201 N. Pershing Drive)
Abbey Road Property Group proposed an extensive redevelopment of this 1950's strip-mall shopping center, which has been declared one of the County's "Most Endangered Historic Sites." The development would contain 188 apartments/condos, parking, and shopping areas. On October 10, the LPCA membership passed a resolution supporting the proposal, if certain conditions were met, and a letter to that effect was sent to the County Board. Although one condition, additional parking, was met, the developer did not meet the community's request for a reduction in density and for a park or green area, and many Lyon Parkers spoke at the December County Board meeting, both for and against the measure. The County Board approved the zoning change in January 2008. The Abbey Road Property Group web site has developer's pictures, plans, and drawnings, and more about the project.
Status report from the Developer on 10 Aug 08: All the retail tenants at the Lee Center have now vacated their stores, with the exception of Dan Kain Trophy, who will continue to operate throughout the winter. Engineering testing activity is ongoing, and the architectural photographic study of the building as required by the County approvals should be underway shortly. We are also looking into the possibility of fencing off portions of the site. At the Duron Center, the state liquor warehouse is planning to move out by year end. All of the other tenants continue to operate as usual for now. The overall project schedule has been delayed a bit, and our current projection is to start site work next summer, with demolition beginning several months earlier, possibly in several phases.
April 09 update: VDOT provided preliminary approval of the redesign for the right turn ramp from Route 50 onto Pershing Drive, designed to slow traffic entering the neighborhood. The state liquor store moved out late in 2008, and Duron Paints moved over the summer of 2009, and Armand's is scheduled to move in late September.
December 09 update: No change. Still waiting on improvement in the economic situation.
Garfield Park Development (2900 N. 10th Street)
In June 2004, with the agreement of the Lyon Park Citizens Association, the County Board approved development plans for a project at 2900 N. 10th Street to construct a 5-story building with 149 residential units, retail stores, and 283 parking spots. Little was done on the project for four years. As part of the approval process, the developer, Tom Schooltz of TCS Realty Associates, agreed with the County Board to give the Lyon Park Community Center $17,500 to support its renovation plans and to give the County $50,000 to fund traffic calming measures in Lyon Park. In July 2008, Schooltz indicated that the project was now moving forward. Tenants CVS and the Sala Thai restaurant vacated in early August 2008. Ground breaking was scheduled for "after Labor Day," but has been delayed. Construction was scheduled to be complete in the Fall of 2010.
Copies of two County-approved plans for the site: Mobilization Plan, Parking Plan
April 09 update. Site demolition has been completed and the site cleared. Project appears to be on hold awaiting improvement in the financial markets.
Other short items
LPCA has been involved in use permits for Jay's Saloon and El Manatiel Restaurant. Also, with Ashton Heights and Lyon Village Community Assoications, LPCA has is expressing concerns about potential zoning along 10th Street. See page 10 of the April, 2009 Newsletter for more details.
On November 12, 2008, LPCA sent a letter to the County Board urging replacement of the clay-composite field at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. The letter had been approved by the membership at the November meeting.
On October 18, 2008, the County Board approved a permit for El Manatial Restaurnant to have karaoke. LPCA provided significant input concerning restrictions to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood. The County will conduct six-month and one-year reviews of the permit to address any problems that may arise.
On November 12, 2008, LPCA sent a letter to the County Board urging replacement of the clay-composite field at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. The letter had been approved by the membership at the November meeting.
On October 18, 2008, the County Board approved a permit for El Manatial Restaurnant to have karaoke. LPCA provided significant input concerning restrictions to mitigate the impact on the neighborhood. The County will conduct six-month and one-year reviews of the permit to address any problems that may arise.
On July 7, 2008, LPCA sent a letter supporting continuance of the Use Permit for the Doorways Home for Women and Families, and the County Board approved the continuance on July 19th.
Accessory Dwelling Units -- On July 19, 2008, the County Board agreed to legalize in a limited manner these small apartments inside single family dwellings and also agreed to legalize caregivers living in currently-approved family suites. See more on this contentious issue at the Arlington County Civic Federation web site, and the press release on the Arlington County web site.