[Amy Slack of DRCA has been kind enough to put all this together for me to post here - it should help us all understand better the background and issues related to the city's attempt to close the Del Ray firehouse. ~ EZ]
Potomac Yard Fire Station and Affordable Housing Task Force
Upcoming Meetings:
- Aug. 29 – 7 p.m., GW Middle School, public comment invited
- Sep. 5 – 7 p.m., GW Middle School, public comment invited (Final Public Meeting)
- Sep. 7 – 7 p.m., Mt Vernon Recreation Center, Task Force work session
- Sep. 10 – 2–5 p.m., Mt Vernon Recreation Center, Task Force work session
- Sep. 14 – 6 p.m., Mt Vernon Recreation Center, Task Force Finalizes Report
Past Meetings:
- July 18 – Meeting Minutes
- July 25 – Meeting Minutes
- July 25 – Presentation of Fire Data Given to Task Force
- Projected Population Data Requested by Task Force
- Potomac Yard Alternative Concept Plan
- Projected Timeline – Work Program
Past meeting minutes and presentations are available on line at: http://ci.alexandria.va.us/planningandzoning/potomac_yard.php
Background:
Pulte Homes and Centex Homes teamed to form Potomac Yard Development, LLC, purchasing the 165-acre Potomac Yard site from Crescent Resources early in 2005. Pulte and Centex known as national developer/home builders, plan to proceed with construction under the approved Concept Plan and urban design guidelines, for a the mixed use development: 1.9 million square feet of office space, 135,000 square feet of retail (in addition to the existing 600,000 square foot Potomac Yard Shopping Center), 1700 residential units and 20+ acres of open space.
The Concept Plan divides the site into developmental landbays, defines their size and land uses, determines location of framework streets, and urban design characteristics.
In 2003, the City supported an Alternative Concept Plan, to construct a replacement of the Monroe Avenue Bridge and straighten the course Rt. 1 takes over Landbay K.
In January 2005, Potomac Yard Development, LLC agreed to assume the City’s share for the cost of a new bridge and began in earnest to develop preliminary designs for Landbay H, +/- 13.35 acres dubbed ‘Swann Neighborhood’ located on Rt. 1 opposing the Oakville Industrial Triangle. They met with Planning staff to determine what methods would be employed to achieve mutual goals as allowed under the Concept Plans Urban Design Guidelines.
Over the course of 2005, the Department of Planning & Zoning staff presented progress reports of the design negotiations to the Planning Commission in a series of community meetings and work sessions. Community groups and residents were encouraged to attend and participate to learn about development plans for the site as well as provide feedback. In addition, PYDAC (Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee) and the Park and Recreation Committee have met and will continue to do so over the course of the entire Potomac Yard planning and application process.
Spring of this year Code Enforcement reviewed the preliminary design. After modeling fire suppression service access, the Director determined that the design presented difficulty in providing acceptable levels of service in instances when the approach was from the south. The preliminary design calls for houses to be set close to the streets and alleys to be shielded from view. The Director informed Potomac Yard Development, LLC they would need to consider alternatives to their design.
The alternative Potomac Yard Development, LLC proposes is to construct a new fire station on the northern end of the site in Landbay G. This proposal will not eliminate the difficulty fire suppression has accessing the alleys but will locate fire suppression units closer and more often to begin the response approach from the north.
On June 13, 2006 City Council resolved to create a Task Force that would work over the summer to gather information, solicit public comment, and discuss the pros and cons of relocating fire suppression units from Station 202 on Windsor Avenue, to a new station in Potomac Yard and the inclusion of affordable housing in the new building. In mid-September, Task Force is to report back to Planning Commission and City Council in time for public hearing in October.
Planning Commission – October 3, 2006
City Council – October 14, 2006
The decision will be whether to accept a new fire station in Potomac Yard with an affordable housing component constructed above the station AND to remove the fire suppression equipment and personnel from Del Ray, reassigning it to the new station by the end of calendar year 2008 OR to decline the offer. If the offer is declined, Potomac Yard Development, LLC will need to alter their design in a fashion that wins approval.
Past Meetings, Presentations and Documents:
- June 6, 2006 – Planning Commission Worksession re: PY Fire Station, Affordable Housing, Land Use Implications
- June 2, 2006 – Planning and Code Enforcement Presentation to Civic Associations
- May 4, 2006 – Planning Commission Worksession Presentation Regarding Route 1 Frontage
- April 10, 2006 – PYDAC Meeting Presentation Regarding Design Guidelines for Route 1
- March 9, 2006 – Planning Commission Worksession Presentation Landbay H
- Dec. 6, 2005 – Planning Commission Worksession Presentation
- Dec. 6, 2005 – Potomac Yard Development: Brief Outline 1987-Present
- Aug. 25, 2005 – Status Report on Potomac Yard Development
- May 16, 2005 – PYDAC Meeting Presentation
- May 3, 2005 – Work Session Presentation
- April 18, 2005 – Status Report on Potomac Yard Development
- March 10, 2005 – PYDAC Meeting Presentation
- March 1, 2005 – Work Session Presentation
- Feb. 25, 2005 – Potomac Yard Memorandum of Understanding
- Nov. 16, 2004 – Work Session Presentation
- June 15, 1999 – Staff Report and Conditions: Potomac Yard
Images, Maps and Plans:
- Rendering of the New Monroe Avenue Bridge
- Potomac Yard Concept Plan
- Potomac Yard Elevation Illustrations: Landbay H
If you have questions about the Potomac Yard development, please contact Amy Tarce, Principal Planner at amy.tarce@alexandriava.gov or by calling 703.838.4666.