Bluemont Resident Since 1961 and Former Association President, Who Has Made Our Neighborhood a Better Place
ARLINGTON COUNTY VIRGINIA AUGUST 1999
NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION PLAN NEIGHBORHOOD CONSERVATION PLAN AUGUST 1999 Dedicated to JOHN WHITE A Bluemont resident since 1961 and former Association president, who has made our neighborhood a better place. Acknowledgments
Many Bluemont residents helped create Jane Latta this plan. They include: Carl Laroche Doug Levin Carl Hallinan Jim McElfish (Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Michele McClellan Plan [BNCP] Committee Chair) Marjorie Macieira Victor McMahon Gerry Procanick (BNCP Parks Subcommittee Co-Chair) (Bluemont Civic Association President and BNCP Commercial Subcommittee Co-Chair) Nancy Malin Louis Martin Ellen Armbruster Adrienne Pilot Robert Atkins Stacey Porro (BNCP Ordinances Subcommittee Chair) Bruce Reynolds Lynn Barton Dan Salsburg Brent Baxter Diane Schwarz Bernard Berne Patti Skinner Frank Bolger Carol Sloan Nancy Bort Barbara Szydla Kelly Christopher Brian Taylor Alicia Clark-Rochac Frank Tetreault Nathan Collamer John Van Doren Judy Collins Naomi Verdugo Worth Cooley-Prost (BNCP Tabulation Subcommittee Chair) Allen Cote Robert Waffle George Farah Charles Walden Ed Fendley Janet Weiner (BNCP Drafting Subcommittee Chair) (BNCP Streets Subcommittee Chair) Rene Gorski John White Joann Gottschalk Talmadge Williams (BNCP Parks Subcommittee Co-Chair) (BNCP Commercial Subcommittee Co-Chair) Pam Greene Lynne Willhoit Rick Hodges Alan Wright John Huennekens (BNCP History Subcommittee Chair) Many Arlington County employees also provided Sam Kubiak crucial guidance or assistance. The neighborhood’s (BNCP Traffic Calming Subcommittee Chair) special thanks go to Robert Collins, Chris Nixon, Jeff Sikes, Jim Allen, Nancy Michael and Jennifer King.
Acknowledgements i Table of Contents
Introduction ...... 1 Parks and Other Open Spaces ...... 23 Executive Summary ...... 1 Overview ...... 23 Development of the Bluemont Parks and Open Space Map ...... 24 Neighborhood Conservation Plan ...... 1 Waterways and Wetlands ...... 25 Bluemont Neighborhood Off-Road Trails ...... 25 Boundary Map ...... 2 Parks...... 26 Demographic Characteristics ...... 3 Other Open Spaces...... 28 History of Bluemont...... 5 Beautification ...... 28 Land Use and Zoning ...... 9 Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area ...... 31 Land Use ...... 9 Appendix A Ballston ...... 9 Recommended Projects ...... A-1 Zoning Map ...... 10 Appendix B Zoning Issues ...... 11 Summary of Policy Other Issues ...... 11 Recommendations ...... B-1
Streets and Street Safety...... 13 Appendix C County Board Report and Major Pedestrian Safety Standard Motion ...... C-1 Neighborhood Street Design ...... 13 Major Pedestrian Safety Projects Map ...... 14 Traffic Calming Measures for Neighborhood Principal Streets and Wilson Boulevard ...... 16 Arterial Intersections and Inappropriate Use of Neighborhood Minor Streets ...... 16 Urban Village Action Program ...... 19 Other Issues ...... 19 G E O CHAIN BRIDGE R G E
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Y E L IR Map1 SH LOCATION MAP A L E X A N D R I A Arlington County, Virginia Introduction
Executive Summary problem is dangerous streets. When We also make a number of other surveyed in 1998, Bluemont important recommendations. We luemont is a vibrant, friendly residents gave more than six ask that the County generally community of more than hundred specific comments on maintain local land use and zoning B5,000 people in west central various street hazards. Independent designations so that for generations Arlington County. The street design criteria confirm there to come Bluemont will remain a neighborhood’s special attractions is good reason to be dissatisfied. residential neighborhood of prima- include prize-winning flower Four out of every five through- rily detached homes. Land use and gardens, a wetlands refuge and streets are missing sidewalks on zoning patterns are especially beaver pond, streams, stands of one or both sides. Most streets are important to the many of us who heritage trees, noted schools, far wider than necessary, which are carefully watching the Ballston historic sites, a university campus, encourages speeding and increases development boom. In this docu- unique shops, and some of the the risk of injury-causing accidents. ment, we also make suggestions for finest bicycle trails in the Eastern Finally, almost every minor-street maintaining or improving our fine U.S. When residents were asked intersection in Bluemont is de- local parks and for making the what they liked most about the signed to favor fast moving through- Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area neighborhood, though, the most traffic instead of the needs of local more attractive and more acces- common response was parks. residents. sible. Indeed, no fewer than six popular County parks are wholly or partially These unfriendly streets are out of Finally, this conservation plan located in Bluemont. character for a progressive and introduces Bluemont. Until 1998, affluent municipality like Arlington. our neighborhood was known as In contrast to neighboring Ballston, They stand in particularly stark Stonewall Jackson. We now have a ninety percent of Bluemont’s land is contrast to the vision presented by new name and an invigorated civic devoted to low-density residential the Arlington County Board Chair in association membership. With this development, low-density commer- his January 1998 quality of life plan as a blueprint, we’re moving cial development, or parks. Neigh- initiative, which is based on “good forward. borhood residents want this land urban design, with walkable use pattern to continue. Detached residential areas and pedestrian- Development of the homes of varying ages and styles friendly commercial centers.” give Bluemont its predominant Bluemont character. There are also a number A primary purpose of this neighbor- Neighborhood of apartments, including one high- hood conservation plan is to help rise building complex, which us, the residents of Bluemont, to Conservation Plan provides one out of every seven reclaim our streets. We ask the Many Bluemont residents were housing units in the neighborhood. County’s support in building the actively involved in creating this Like many traditional urban infrastructure of a true urban plan. Indeed, it was a former neighborhoods, Bluemont has its village, featuring fluid but slow- neighborhood leader, Hal Gibson, own commercial district of small moving traffic and a network of who decades ago was instrumental shops and stores. Bluemont’s sidewalks that encourages people in the founding of the Arlington second commercial area, part of the of all ages to walk anywhere in the County neighborhood conservation Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, contains neighborhood. The specifics of such program. In February 1992, the higher-density development. a program are laid out in the neighborhood formally committed section on Streets and Street Safety On balance, Bluemont is a great itself to formulating a conservation and in Appendix A, Recommended plan. The neighborhood reactivated place to live. But the community Projects. faces challenges. The most pressing this commitment in 1997, forming a
Introduction 1 N. WASHINGTON BLVD.
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TE F F ROUTE 66 Lacey N. FREDERICK ST. 11th ST. N. Woods
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O&D Trail N 1 9 . F 0th R th A D. N K R IRF . WASHINGTON BLVD D. N AX CUSTIS TRAIL D R. St. Anns 10th ST. N. PAR 6 9th Church 6 ST. TE Cemetery OU AIR R 9th RD. N T. TE S TA . 9th ST. S
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G BEAVER N FAIRFAX DR.POND 8th RD. 9th ST. N. Arlington 8th Rd. N. Traditional N. LEXINGT Marymount N. KENTU School N. JACKSONVILLEN. ST. University N. KENSI 9th ST. N. WILSO Ballston N BLVD 8th R N. FARFAXCampus DR. D . . N. 8th ROAD N. N. HARRISON ST. Fields
K Park BURLINGTON N. FREDERICK ST. ABINGDON N. BUCHANAN ST. ROAD 8 8th STREET N. th N. EDISON ST. 8th RD. R E D . B T PAR . FIRE- T . T E N CONSTITUTION . T S STATION T S GARDEN L O A S 8th ST. . R
T G N ID 7th STREET N. S IE O EM S R GEORGE MASON DR. T. N R IS
FOUR MILE RUN IS B WOODROW N. O LO AK EFIELD R S N S O N W BLU R E . F R A A E N E LIN DRIVE N F R N MARLE . H N. EMERSON ST. A F . IL E 6th STREET N. . FR T. N . G H B N N. TAZEWELL N FLORIDA ST. C 7th RD. AL S BLUEMONT U
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R BU Arlington R
A Forest N. ABINGDON ST. VEPCO H Club FLORIDA 5th ST. N.
COUNTY CARLIN SPRINGS RD. FREDERICK BOARD CARLIN SPRINGS ROAD First Presbyterian Church of Arlington
Map 2. SCALE IN FEET Bluemont 0 300 600 900 1,200 Neighborhood Boundaries
2 Introduction neighborhood conservation commit- Demographics at a tee. The Civic Association in the spring of 1998 distributed to local Glance residences and businesses a survey Data from the 1990 census portray posing questions on land use, Bluemont as a relatively educated, zoning, streets, sidewalks, traffic, affluent and mobile community. At parks, community services and that time, most Bluemont adults other neighborhood issues. Ap- held a bachelor’s degree or higher. proximately 200 surveys were Median household income was completed and returned. More than $52,979. Only one in five of its fifty residents volunteered for residents at that time were born in committees that subsequently Virginia. In 1990, 60% of neighbor- examined and made recommenda- hood residents had moved into their tions on a variety of issues. Other homes within the previous 5 years. volunteers tabulated survey results The average household size in 1989 or helped draft the final report. Still was 2.4 people, and two out of more residents gave additional three housing units were occupied input at 1998 and 1999 Civic by their owners. Since 1970, the Association meetings and via percentage of rented housing has neighbors serving on conservation increased and the average house- plan committees. The plan repre- hold size has decreased. sents the consensus views of residents on what is best for their community.
Balls Crossing Conservation Bluemont Population and Housing Statistics Plan. The Bluemont neighborhood Source: 1990 U.S. Census includes the area known as Balls Population: 4,657 Crossing, which in 1987 obtained County Board approval of its own Population (1998 estimate): 5,350 Neighborhood Conservation Plan. Born in U.S. 86% The 1999 Bluemont Neighborhood Born in Virginia: 20% Conservation Plan encompasses Balls Crossing, and therefore White: 88% replaces the 1987 Balls Crossing Asian or Pacific Islander: 7% plan. Black: 2% Nomenclature. For brevity, the Hispanic qualifier “North” is not used when (independent of racial identification):5% referring to neighborhood streets. High school grad. or higher The unqualified term “Association” (of age 25 and up): 87% refers to the Bluemont Civic Bachelor’s degree or higher Association (or its predecessor, the (of age 25 and up): 55% Stonewall Jackson Citizens Asso- Workers self-employed: 7% ciation), and the unqualified term “County” refers to Arlington County. Workers classified as government workers: 29% Median Household Income: $52,979 Families below Poverty Level: 2% Housing Structures Built 1949 or earlier: 43% Housing Structures Built 1950 to 1979 33% Housing Structures Built 1980 to March 1990: 25%
Introduction 3 The skyline of eastern Bluemont, part of the Rosslyn-Ballston development corridor.
The Constitution Bicentennial Bell is rung on New Year’s Eve and other holidays.
4 Introduction History of Bluemont
Prehistoric Through tors, squatters and tobacco plant- ers spread across the land. At the Geological History of Bluemont 1700 AD time, Arlington was part of the When the African and North he area’s first settlers arrived Northern Neck Proprietorship American continents collided some 10,000 years ago at the owned by Lord Fairfax in England. 300 million years ago forming T close of the Ice Age. Their In 1739, the Bluemont area was the Appalachian Mountains, a descendants saw the effects of included in the second largest land piece of ocean sediment was global warming as conifer forests grant made within the confines of carried along. The bedrock under Bluemont is part of that were replaced by oak, hickory and today’s county. The new owner was sedimentary rock. Over the chestnut, and as the sea level rose a tobacco planter named John millennia, the rise and fall of the and flooded river valleys to form the Colville, who named his 1,321 acre seas sculpted Bluemont’s Chesapeake Bay. By 1600, the area parcel “The Lubber Tract” after its surface into the level terrace that would become Arlington was a location next to Lubber Run. along Wilson Boulevard, drained by Four Mile and Lubber runs to crossroads between trading routes Colville was born into a merchant either side. that followed the Fall Line north family, and after arriving in the area and south and those that followed on his own ship in 1733, decided to the Potomac east and west. In settle on Great Hunting Creek near addition, the Potomac was an Alexandria in an estate called Tankerville had the Lubber Tract important food resource, especially Cleesh. He promptly entered into divided into lots and sold at auction during spring migrations when fish the elite ranks of local society, in 1789. Some of the lot lines collected at Little Falls. holding offices in the County Court, survive today as Carlin Springs Militia, Truro Parish Vestry, and Road, Wilson Boulevard, 11th The written record of Native House of Burgesses. Colville bought Street, and 16th Street. American settlements in our area is and sold land tracts of tens of limited to the observations of early thousands of acres in his dealings English explorers and traders Antebellum: with William Fairfax, Lord Fairfax’s sailing up the Potomac. Archaeolo- brother and land agent in Virginia. 1780-1860 gists have identified Native Ameri- By 1749, Colville was the third can village sites near Long Branch Tobacco cultivation depleted the largest slaveowner in Fairfax Nature Center, East Falls Church, land, and by the time of Colville’s County. and a quarry along Four Mile Run. death, planters in the area were The spread of English settlements The extent to which Colville planted seeking alternate ways to maintain up the Potomac River was stalled the Lubber Tract is uncertain. In their incomes. The buyers of the around Stafford County by conflict 1754 he received permission from Lubber Tract lots faced the ob- with the Native Americans during the Fairfax County Court to build a stacles of worn-out fields and an the late 1600’s. By 1700 the area mill on the Lubber Tract. Mean- unstable national economy. The was vacant due to the effects of while, the crossroads of the ‘Road early 1800’s saw a collapse of disease, warfare and migration on from Falls Church to Awbrey’s agricultural land values in Virginia. the original residents. Ferry’ (Wilson Boulevard) and the Between 1817 and 1829 the ‘Road from Alexandria to Little assessed value of land in the state Colonial Period: Falls’ (Glebe Road) had been fell from $207 million to $90 developed with a tavern. Colville million. Squeezed by poor prices, 1700-1780 died in 1755 and his last will left shrinking assets and tight credit, many farmers lost their land to The dawn of the 18th century saw the tract to a cousin’s husband, The foreclosure. About 1 million the advance of English settlement Earl of Tankerville. After the Virginians packed up and migrated as waves of woodsmen, specula- American Revolution, the Earl of
History of Bluemont 5 to new lands in the West. Those Bluemont area became a no man’s and the couple resided west of families that held on survived by land between frontlines. Units of Veitch Road (Harrison Street). The growing grain or planting orchards the two armies scouted and skir- Bluemont area’s first landowner of and through improved agricultural mished from Hall’s Hill to Baileys African descent was Joshua practices like crop rotation and the Crossroads. For the remainder of DeVaughn, who in 1884 was given use of fertilizers. the war, the County was a staging land along Four Mile Run in return area and occasional home for the for taking care of an aging Mary Prospects for area farmers im- Army of the Potomac. Carlin. proved by the 1850’s as the growth of Washington, DC and the con- The area was transformed by the The growth of the community struction of the Alexandria, presence of thousands of soldiers, around the intersection of Wilson Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad living and foraging on the land. Boulevard and Glebe Road opened up new markets for their Fields, produce, forests, and prompted construction of the first produce. By the eve of the Civil War, buildings were confiscated by the church in our area. The First local families included the troops. By the end of the war, wood Presbyterian congregation dedi- Wilkinsons, Cathcarts, O’Reilleys and timber were so scarce that the cated a building in 1876 on the and Schneiders. North of the Falls army imported them from Loudoun. northwest corner of Ball’s Cross- Church Road (Wilson Boulevard), Many of the rural residents left the roads. William Birch served as a William R. Birch farmed the inherit- area, replaced by sutlers, camp trustee for the Walker School in ance of his wife Julia Shreve, a followers, and former slaves. Ballston, established in 1870. In descendant of an original Lubber 1881, neighborhood resident Tract lot owner. West of the Birch Reconstruction: George R. Adams became the first farm (beyond the line of Edison school superintendent dedicated Street), Julia’s uncle Samuel Shreve 1865-1890 solely to Alexandria County. His had sold his portion to Richard and A mix of old and new families predecessor Richard Carne had Frances Southern. Richard South- helped rebuild the area after the divided his services between both ern was an English immigrant and war. North of today’s 11th Street, a the City and the County. (Note that horticulturist who had once man- Union Army officer from Ohio Alexandria originally referred to the aged the gardens of the John Mason named Robert S. Lacey stayed to combined area of what is now estate on what is today called settle. The heirs of Thomas J. Arlington County and the City of Roosevelt Island. He called his farm Cathcart occupied the summer Alexandria.) Poplar Grove and is known for home their father had bought in being one of the first to popularize 1859 southwest of Ball’s Cross- Streetcar Suburb: the use of the tomato as a food. The roads (Wilson Boulevard and Glebe memory of both farms persists in Road). The Cathcarts were descen- 1890 to 1945 the form of family cemeteries. dants of American diplomat James In 1912, the Washington & Old Birch’s is now an empty lot on Leander Cathcart, who negotiated Dominion Rail Road completed the Abingdon Street, and the Southern- treaties with the Barbary Coast connection between Georgetown Shreve cemetery is marked today ‘pirates’ of Algiers, Tripoli and and its older line along Four Mile near St. Ann Church. Tunis. Along the south side of the Run. At the junction, passengers Georgetown Road (Wilson Boule- could catch a train to the railroad’s Civil War: 1860-1865 vard), from Lubber Run to Four terminus at the town of Bluemont in Mile, the family of George and Mary Loudoun County. This tiny town on The night after Virginia voted to Adams bought up a large farm at a the Blue Ridge gave its name to a secede from the Union on May 23, foreclosure auction. division of the rail line, the railroad 1861, army units crossed the junction, and eventually to a street, The Maria O’Reilley, Richard Potomac and occupied the shore- park, bicycle trail, civic association, Southern, and William Birch line of what is now Arlington and neighborhood. The Washington, families held on to their farms County. One detachment marched Arlington & Falls Church Electric between today’s Wilson Boulevard out the Georgetown Wagon Road to Railway had already constructed a and 11th Street. Over time, the the railroad, stopped a train, and trolley line through the Bluemont lands were divided up among the arrested everyone on board as area in the 1890’s with stops at different family members. Margaret “secessionists.” In August and Lacey (Glebe Road), Sunnyside Birch married Confederate veteran September of 1861, after the battle (Edison Street), Mulhall (Frederick George Veitch at Manassas / Bull Run, the Street) and Veitch Summit
6 History of Bluemont (Harrison Street). Road. The new community became Jackson School was closed, and dependent on the automobile after most neighborhood children were William R. Birch died in 1916 at the the trolley, and then the W&OD reassigned to Ashlawn School. In age of 100. Over the course of his discontinued passenger service. one typical bungalow on a quiet life, he had fought Native Ameri- Across Glebe Road, the Parkington side street, Rudolph Wendelin lived cans in the old Southwest Territory, Shopping Center featured a Hecht’s through this era, raising a family, survived the chaos of the Civil War, Department Store and the “world’s improving his home, and going into and lived to see electric trains and largest parking garage.” Other work at the Department of Interior, automobiles. Among his descen- merchants followed their customers where he created and rendered the dants living in the area were the as a commercial strip developed character ‘Smoky the Bear’ for over families of Harry and Julia Thomas along Wilson Boulevard. 30 years. on Jefferson Street, and Howard and Cora Fields who lived nearby at The 1950’s and 60’s saw a great In 1979 the Metro Orange Line was the intersection of Wilson and the deal of civic action as residents opened between Washington DC W&OD Railroad. Howard B. Fields dealt with issues such as school and Ballston. Three years later, the served 24 years as Sheriff of the improvement, integration, civil Custis Memorial Parkway (Inter- County before retiring in 1943. rights, and a proposal to build an state 66) was opened along the Harry R. Thomas and his son interstate highway through the former trolley and railroad right-of- Homer both served as judges on the neighborhood. In 1969, St. ways. The subsequent redevelop- Arlington County Circuit Court. Michael’s church member Barbara ment of Ballston as a major em- Kuehn started the Arlington Hotline ployment center has affected the Postwar Urbanization: as a volunteer outreach program Bluemont area. Parking space has for the parish. Her effort expanded grown tighter and traffic more 1946 to the Present into the Northern Virginia Hotline, a congested. Property values have The Bluemont neighborhood filled comprehensive referral service and risen. Apartment and townhouse up quickly after World War II and the second oldest continuous development has spread westward was essentially built out by 1960. hotline in the nation. across Glebe Road. Throughout the neighborhood, many older houses The new suburbanites participated By 1980, the Bluemont area had on large lots have been redeveloped in establishing institutions such as become a relatively affordable, with infill housing. Saint Ann’s church, Saint Michael’s family-oriented community conve- church, and the Arlington Forest nient to nearby parks, schools and Club. In 1951, the First Presbyte- shopping. As the baby boom grew rian congregation moved into their up and moved out, Stonewall new building on Carlin Springs
The Wilson Boulevard commercial area hosts unique businesses such as this shop specializing in used historical books.
History of Bluemont 7 This caboose, located on the site of the former Bluemont Junction Station, now serves as a park police substation.
Arlington Memorial Rose Garden in Bon Air Park often hosts wedding ceremonies.
8 History of Bluemont Land Use and Zoning
Land Use Boulevard between Glebe Road and Jefferson Street. Much of this Voices of Bluemont: Land Use esidential areas make up commercial strip is classified in the A sampling of neighborhood about 70% of the neighbor GLUP as Service Commercial. hood, while parks and other conservation plan survey com- R Businesses here are mostly per- ments on land use: public or semi-public places make sonal-oriented establishments up about 20%. Commercial and “Our concern is that the building including restaurants, service spree in Ballston will encroach on mixed-use areas make up the stations, barber shops, and a our neighborhood.” remaining 10% of Bluemont’s land. supermarket. (See Wilson Boule- Residents strongly favor the “Commercial development should vard Commercial Area.) be restrained, pedestrian friendly, continuation of this land use and not encroach further upon pattern. Bluemont’s secondary commercial housing.” area is the western part of the The great majority of Bluemont’s Ballston commercial district. This “Am happy to see a lot of apart- residential areas are classified as ments mixed with commercial commercial area is located along development.” Low Residential in the County Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive at the General Land Use Plan (GLUP), eastern edge of the neighborhood. “Keep undeveloped land.” with a corresponding density of 1 to Land use classifications here “Good mixed use development is to 10 units per acre and a zoning include Medium Office-Apartment- be encouraged.” classification of R-6 or R-5. Most of Hotel and High-Medium Residential “Let’s not overpopulate our area. the dwellings in these Low Residen- Mixed Use. This area has grown Let’s keep it nature friendly.” tial areas are single-family de- along with the rest of Ballston, and tached homes, with lesser numbers hosts a number of new or recently of duplexes and townhouses. refurbished buildings including within walking distance of an area Ballston Plaza, Ballston One, and A few areas in the neighborhood that has been praised nationally as the Holiday Inn Arlington contain low-rise apartment build- a model of smart urban growth. ings, classified as Low-Medium atBallston. Also found here are Residential in the GLUP. Bluemont Marymount University (Ballston But the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor also hosts a single high-rise Campus), Rosenthal Mazda, and also brings challenges and con- apartment complex, the Avalon at Bob Peck Chevrolet, a forty-year cerns for Bluemont. County officials Ballston, located at Glebe Road and neighborhood resident. should appreciate that while many Washington Boulevard. This area is Bluemont residents enjoy living classified as a mixture of High- Ballston near Ballston, they have made the Medium Residential and Medium conscious choice not to live in Office-Apartment-Hotel. Commercial and residential devel- Ballston. Neighborhood residents opment of the Rosslyn-Ballston worry that developers will look Bluemont’s public areas include Metro Corridor — particularly the more and more at Bluemont as a County parks and off-road trails. Ballston end — has moved at a potential site for high-density The neighborhood’s two sizable dizzying pace in recent years. commercial or residential projects. semi-public areas are the St. Ann’s Church property and the Arlington In many ways, this development is Bluemonters want to have a voice Forest Club property. (See Parks good for Bluemont. Ballston has in the decision-making process for and Other Open Areas.) brought new jobs, shopping, and the Rosslyn-Ballston development entertainment, not to mention corridor. Land use and zoning in Bluemont’s primary business enhanced property values for the the corridor affect Bluemont even district runs through the center of surrounding neighborhoods. Many when the concerned properties are the neighborhood along Wilson Bluemonters find it exciting to live not within the neighborhood’s
Land Use and Zoning 9 N. WASHINGTON BLVD.
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O S W IS R-8 O LE G 12th ST. N. I NST. N. IVANHOE ST. N . IN . ILLIN T O N E N R S N. GEORGE MASON DR. S R N. HARRISON ST. T A E R-6 11th RD. N.
TE F F ROUTE 66 Lacey N. FREDERICK ST. 11th ST. N. Woods
N. JE 10th ST. N. Park
W S-3A O&D Trail N 1 9 . F 0th R th A D. N K R IRF . WASHINGTON BLVD D. N AX CUSTIS TRAIL D R. St. Anns 10th ST. N. PAR 6 9th S-3A Church 6 ST. TE Cemetery OU AIR R 9th RD. N T. TE S TA . 9th ST. S
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G BEAVER N FAIRFAX DR.POND 8th RD. 9th ST. N. Arlington R-6 S-3A 8th Rd. N. Traditional N. LEXINGT RA8-18 Marymount N. KENTU School N. JACKSONVILLEN. ST. University N. KENSI 9th ST. N. WILSO Ballston N C-1-R R-6 8th N. FARFAXCampus DR. B RD R2-7 LVD. . N. 8th ROAD N. S-3A N. HARRISON ST. S-3A Fields
BURLINGTON K C-0-10 Park N. FREDERICK ST. ABINGDON C-1 N. BUCHANAN ST. ROAD 8 8th STREET N. th R N. EDISON R2-7ST. 8th RD. E D . B T PAR . T . T E N . T S P-S T S C-1-R L O A S 8th ST. . R R-6 T N G ID 7th STREET N. S IE O . EM S R GEORGE MASON DR. T N R S-3A IS
FOUR MILE RUN IS B WOODROW N. O LO AKEFIELD R S N S O N W BLU R E . F R A A C-2 E N DRIVE E N RA8-18 F R N MARLE . H N. EMERSON ST. A F . ILLIN E 6th STREET N. . FR RA8-18 N . G H B N N. TAZEWELL N FLORIDA ST. C 7th RD. AL ST. BLUEMONT U
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D R15-10T N . B NORTH G N. KENSINGTON ST. E R-6 N R
R R-5 5th S EEN EFIELD TR IC 7th ST. EET N. AK K
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N. EDISON ST. R-5 LUBBER RUN T. T IER N. W N. VERMONT ST. 7th ST. 4th STREET N. . S N BLUEMONT JUNCTION TRAIL PARK 6th ST. N. A N 5th STREET N. AN H R-6 ISO C
R U B VEPCO Arlington R
A Forest N. ABINGDON ST. Club H FLORIDA 5th ST. N .
COUNTY CARLIN SPRINGS RD. R-C FREDERICK BOARD S-3A CARLIN SPRINGS ROAD First R15-30 Presbyterian S-3A Church of Arlington
Map 3.
Zoning Map SCALE IN FEET
0 300 600 900 1,200 boundaries. For example, the conform to the letter and the spirit neighborhood could be negatively of County ordinances, they make Bluemont Remembers: Land Use affected by exceptions to Ballston’s Bluemont a better neighborhood. “We desire the opportunity to plan “step-down” zoning pattern, which At the same time, many residents our neighborhood’s future as a allows for the tallest buildings to be have noted with concern that residential community adjacent to built only in areas adjacent to the developers have often sought to the Ballston and Buckingham areas Ballston Metro station. The Asso- speculatively purchase County of intensive development. This effort ciation notes with concern that is being endangered by real estate residential properties with the developers regularly seek excep- promotion along Wilson Boulevard intent of seeking GLUP and zoning tions to this pattern in an effort to and now George Mason changes to allow them to build build high-rises at Ballston loca- Drive...Spot zoning attempts of this higher-density housing. Such tions away from the Metro station. nature are attempts at economic actions could change Bluemont’s block-busting and should be The County is currently considering predominant land use pattern. resisted by all county instrumentali- a proposal to improve access to the ties concerned with orderly develop- Residential construction, whether Ballston Metro station, with the ment.” for new homes or additions, affects possible addition of an entrance on the Four Mile Run watershed Edward R. O’Conner, President Fairfax Drive closer to Glebe Road. because most projects end up Stonewall Jackson Civic Bluemont would appreciate the replacing vegetation with imperme- Association continuing opportunity to have a able surfaces. (See Parks and August 1971. say in this process. Other Areas, Waterways and Recommendation 1. In order to Wetlands.) The Zoning Ordinance preserve Bluemont as a predomi- Review Committee, in their Novem- 1998 neighborhood survey, many nantly residential neighborhood of ber 1998 Interim Report of the residents expressed concerns over detached homes, the Association Infill-Residential Development violations of various County ordi- will work with the County to Study, indicated that only a few nances, including those regarding maintain in broad form the prevail- residential constructions approach abandoned cars, care of premises, ing land use and zoning patterns of the current maximum lot coverage improper residence occupancy, the neighborhood. The neighbor- level of 56%. Therefore, a modest improper parking, and residence- hood recommends specifically that decrease in the lot coverage based enterprises such as auto residents’ views be given due maximum level would preclude only repair. Some residents also ex- consideration in adjudicating any those few projects that have the pressed concern over disruptive rezoning request or zoning variance most effect on storm drainage. noises, including dog barking and request that would allow additional Recommendation 3. In order to Interstate 66 traffic noise. commercial development or higher diminish runoff and erosion prob- density development in the neigh- Recommendation 4. Working with lems, particularly with regard to borhood. the Association as appropriate, the Four Mile Run, the County should County should be responsive to Recommendation 2. Working with revise building codes and zoning residents’ requests for enforcement the Association, the County should ordinances for any residential of County ordinances on residential actively solicit the opinions of construction (including home use, residential care, parking, Bluemont residents on prospective additions and infill development) to: noise, and other health and quality modifications to the Ballston Sector a) reduce surface area of residen- of life issues. In acting on such Plan that include a part of the tial lots permitted to be covered by requests, the County should bal- neighborhood. The County should structures or other impermeable ance potential risks to health, welcome Bluemont’s input on other entities (e.g. reduce to the 50% safety, and welfare with the privacy prospective Ballston projects, coverage level suggested by the rights of local residents. The County including Metro station access Civic Federation); and b) require is to be commended for initiating a projects. that new land uses do not create program to investigate reported drainage problems for adjacent violations at night and on week- property owners. Zoning Issues ends, since those times are often The Association believes that as the only opportunities to observe long as newly built homes are Other Issues certain violations. attractive, well constructed, and Ordinance Violations. Through the Changes to County Property. The
Land Use and Zoning 11 neighborhood would appreciate the opportunity to weigh in on any planned changes to County prop- erty. Although County property is not subject to site plan develop- ment requirements, the neighbor- hood encourages the County to proceed as if site plans were needed. Recommendation 5. For all pro- spective changes to County prop- erty within the neighborhood, the County is encouraged to proceed as if site plan development require- ments applied. Zoning - GLUP Discrepancies. There exist inconsistencies between the General Land Use Plan and the Many of Bluemont’s single-family homes Zoning pattern in the Bluemont were built prior to World War II. neighborhood, including with regard to parkland. The Association welcomes the continuing efforts of County staff to eliminate these inconsistencies.
Grey House Potters, an artisans’ cooperative, is a Bluemont landmark.
12 Land Use and Zoning Streets and Street Safety
luemont residents respond of retrofitted traffic calming mea- ing to the 1998 neighbor sures. (See Section B below). Voices of Bluemont: Street Safety B hood survey gave more than Retrofitted traffic calming measures 600 comments regarding the safety should also be considered for In the 1998 neighborhood conser- of the neighborhood’s streets. About neighborhood streets that are vation survey, approximately three 200 of these were requests for new commonly used by motorists to of every four households answering or improved sidewalks or other avoid arterial intersections. (See the question described themselves pedestrian facilities. There were “Voices of Bluemont”). as “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about vehicles speeding also about 100 complaints on each in the neighborhood. Most respon- of the issues of speeding vehicles, Neighborhood Street dents thought that the lack of cut-through traffic, and unsafe or sidewalks and other pedestrian problematic intersections. These Design facilities created hazards for comments made up by far the Pedestrian Networks. Intercon- schoolchildren and other pedestri- largest category of concerns nected sidewalks are of paramount ans. Better sidewalks were identi- expressed in the survey. They importance to pedestrians. Missing fied as the type of enhancement represent the community’s collec- or unsafe sidewalks on either side that was most likely to get people to tive request for neighborhood of a street restrict the range in use their car less. A sampling of the more than 600 comments on street streets that favor the needs of which a resident feels comfortable safety: residents, not the convenience of walking. Many people can’t or won’t through traffic. walk even a short distance in an “People might walk more if they felt it were safer.” Guidelines of the Institute of unsafe or unwelcoming area — Transportation Engineers indicate they’ll simply drive, never again to “We’d like to see new sidewalks on that correctly designed streets do consider making the trip on foot. through roads and better speed not normally need to be retrofitted For children, seniors, and people limit controls and enforcement.” with traffic calming measures like with special needs, continuous and “It’s only a matter of time before speed humps, nubs, stop signs, or safe sidewalks are even more someone is seriously injured or traffic circles.1 Regrettably, many of crucial. killed crossing Glebe Road” Bluemont’s streets don’t have any of In Bluemont, unfriendly streets are “The 25 mph speed limit is fre- the most important characteristics the rule. Of the neighborhood’s 51 quently violated.” of a safe street. For the benefit of street segments that aren’t dead “We need sidewalks! Especially pedestrians, bicyclists, and motor- ends, 40 are missing sidewalks on since we get so much cut through ists, the neighborhood believes that all or portions of one or both sides. traffic and kids walking to school.” the first order of business should Six more streets have sidewalks on “Cars go way too fast.” be to correct these fundamental both sides that don’t meet minimal design flaws. safety standards. Only five of “We don’t have continuous side- walks on either side so pedestrians At the same time, the need for the Bluemont’s through streets have sidewalks on both sides that meet are having to cross the street every County to fix Bluemont’s street two blocks.” design problems should not delay minimal safety standards. Examples or preclude the implementation of of the 40 streets with missing other measures to make neighbor- sidewalks include every one of hood streets safer. The Association Bluemont’s neighborhood principal appreciates that County officials routes — Kensington Street, have met with neighborhood Jefferson Street, and Harrison residents to discuss the application Street — as well as a principal arterial road, Washington Boule-
Street and Street Safety 13 N. W ASHING11 TON BLVD.
E ST.
. IVANHO 12th ST. N. IN NST. N T O N. INGLEWOOD ST. E N. ILLINOIS ST. R S N. GEORGE MASON DR. S R N. HARRISON ST. T A E 11th R
T F D. N
E . F ROUTE 66 Lacey N. FREDERICK ST. 11th ST. N. Woods
N. JE 10th ST. N Park
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IR N TE Cemetery OU A R 9th RD. N T. TE ERSO S A O T . 9th ST. S
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E 8th ROAD N. N D O N. HARRISON ST. E D R Fields G 13 K . F Park IN BURLINGTON B R N 10 N. BUCHANAN ST.A ROAD A 8 8th STREET N. 5 th N. EDISON ST. 8th RD. R E CONSTITUTION D GARDEN B T P FIRE-
E N STATION L O 1 8th ST. 7th STREET N. G
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N. EMERSON ST. 6th STR E N. HARRISON ST. EET N 4 B . N. ILLINOIS ST. N. TAZEWELL N. GREENBRIER ST. FLORIDA ST. 7th RD. BLUEMONT AL 7th R D. N. JEFFERSON ST. N GREENBRIER U N. KENSING RK NORTH N. BUCHANAN ST. 5th STREET N. PA R AIL 7th ST. R R E T . N B IO T CT B N U N. EDISON ST. U . L S T J T N N 7th ST. 4th STREET N. N. WAKEFIELD ST. N. VERMONT ST. MO S E O LU 6th ST. N. N B A D N G 5th STREET N. A H IN C B U B Arlington 8 . A Forest 6 N VEPCO HARRISON Club FLORIDA 5th ST. N. 3
COUNTY CARLIN SPRINGS RD. FREDERICK BOARD CARLIN SPRINGS ROAD First Presbyterian Church of Arlington
Map 4. SCALE IN FEET Major Pedestrian Safety Projects 0 300 600 900 1,200 Note: See Appendix B for project description. vard. Streets with grossly inad- children, notwithstanding the fact Recommendation 7. To make equate sidewalks include what that children can be prone to streets safer for all users and should be the neighborhood’s “Main darting out from behind parked reclaim greenspace while continu- Street”, Wilson Boulevard. cars3. Furthermore, the American ing to accommodate two-way traffic Association of State Highway and and emergency vehicles, the County Recommendation 6. In cooperation Transportation Officials design (in cooperation with the Associa- with the Association, the County guidelines indicate that in areas tion) should prescribe for neighbor- should build a safe and continuous where single-family homes prevail, hood minor streets a curb-to-curb pedestrian network in Bluemont. narrower streets with two-sided width of between 24 and 26 feet With the exception of streets with parking can accommodate two-way with parking on both sides. For very minimal traffic where residents traffic with a “remarkably low” level neighborhood principal streets, the specifically oppose the construction of inconvenience for motorists4. County should prescribe the of sidewalks, the County should minimum curb-to-curb width construct curbs and sidewalks on Many of Bluemont’s neighborhood consistent with national street both sides of every neighborhood streets, including numerous dead design guidelines for traditional street. Sidewalks of extra width ends and others with very low neighborhoods, which should be should accompany every arterial traffic volumes, are 36 feet wide. less than 36 feet. (See Appendix A, road. The County should use the While street width in Bluemont Recommended Projects.) reclaimed land from street right- does not correlate with traffic sizing (see Recommendation 7) to volume, street width does correlate Intersections. Intersection design locate sidewalks and accompanying with local speeding. In the affects vehicle speed and pedes- planting strips. (See also Appendix Bluemont neighborhood survey, the trian safety. Minor intersections in A, Recommended Projects.) ten streets most identified by many traditional neighborhoods residents as having speeding have curb return radii of 5 or 10 Street Width. Injury-causing acci- problem were all 35 feet wide or feet, which means that pedestrian dents are four times more likely on more. On the other hand, none of crossing distances are minimized 36-foot wide streets than on 24 the neighborhood’s 26-foot wide and vehicles need to slow down foot-wide streets2. The Institute of streets were in the top ten speeding when turning. (The curb return Transportation Engineers (ITE) list even though several of these radius is a measure of how far street design guidelines indicate narrower streets, including curbs extend into the intersection.) that properly designed narrower Wakefield Street and Emerson Most intersections in Bluemont streets with two-sided parking will Street, have elevated levels of have curb return radii between 15 cause drivers to automatically traffic. and 35 feet. This means pedestrian choose lower speeds and less crossing distances are much bigger, aggressive behaviors. According to often over 50 feet. Cars, mean- ITE, such roads can be safer for all while, can turn with ease at higher users, including bicyclists and speeds. The intersection of Edison Street and 5th Street, for example, has a curb radius of 35 feet, What are all those poles doing in the middle of the allowing vehicles to make what Wilson Boulevard sidewalk? traffic engineers call a free right turn. So does the intersection of The more appropriate question is, what is a sidewalk doing in the middle Emerson Street and Bluemont of all those poles? A proper sidewalk is more than a walkway. It should Drive. Intersections the length of contain a planting strip to buffer pedestrians from traffic. The wider the Kensington Street and Jefferson street, the wider the planting strip and sidewalk should be. Planting strips Street south of Wilson Boulevard have curb return radii between 18 can also be used to locate signs, fire hydrants and other roadside necessi- and 35 feet. These intersections ties. Wilson Boulevard and many other local streets are particularly encourage unsafe speeds and dangerous and obstructed for pedestrians because they have no planting unnecessarily increase the risk of strip at all. A narrow sidewalk without a planting strip will also dip when- accident. ever it crosses a driveway, since there is no transition area in which the Recommendation 8. To enhance driveway can rise from street level to the slightly higher level of adjacent vehicular and pedestrian safety property. while continuing to allow for emergency vehicle access, the
Street and Street Safety 15 of Wilson Boulevard in the Bluemont Street Classifications neighborhood; b) Kensington Street and Jefferson Street (and Controlled Access Roads (1) - Interstate 66 their connector streets) between Other Principal Arterial Roads (5) Carlin Springs Road between Carlin Springs Road and Wilson Kensington Street to George Mason Drive; Wilson Boulevard, Washington Boulevard; and c) Harrison Boulevard; George Mason Drive; and Glebe Road. All of these are four Street, between Wilson Boule- lane roads except Washington Boulevard, which has two lanes. vard and Washington Boulevard, Minor Arterial (1) Carlin Springs Road between George Mason Drive and 10th Street between Harrison Glebe Road. and George Mason Drive, and Neighborhood Principal (2) - Kensington Street from Carlin Springs Road Frederick Street between to 7th Street, continuing on 7th Street to Jefferson Street, continuing on Washington Boulevard and the Jefferson Street to Wilson Boulevard; and Harrison Street from Wilson Custis Trail. (See also Appendix Boulevard to 10th Street. A, Recommended Projects.) Neighborhood Minor (37) All or portions of other remaining streets in the Recommendation 10. In community. cooperation with the Associa- tion, the County should take necessary action to correct problems of limited visibility caused by vegetation or other bated by a steep southbound down- obstructions on Harrison Street County (in cooperation with the between Washington and Wilson Association) should prescribe a slope. In the neighborhood survey, Harrison was also the street most Boulevards. The County should standard curb return radius of 10 respond expeditiously to other feet for intersections of all non- cited by residents as having poor visibility because of overgrown requests from residents regard- arterial neighborhood streets in ing sight obstructions from Bluemont. (See Appendix A, vegetation at intersections and because of the street’s slope. vegetation or other obstacles. Recommended Projects.) The Association encourages Speeding occurs on Wilson Boule- neighborhood residents to Traffic Calming vard on its entire length through the proactively trim vegetation on Measures for neighborhood. The situation is their property as appropriate. exacerbated by the steep hill near Neighborhood where Wilson passes Bluemont and Arterial Principal Streets and Bon Air parks. Intersections and Wilson Boulevard As part of the preparation of this conservation plan, neighborhood Inappropriate Use In central Arlington County, there is residents met with the County no north-south arterial road west of of Neighborhood Department of Public Works George Mason Drive. Therefore, Minor Streets officials to discuss traffic calming motorists often use Jefferson and measures for areas throughout the As many residents noted in the Kensington Streets or Harrison neighborhood. The neighborhood neighborhood survey, when Street to go between Route 50 and appreciates the County’s respon- drivers can’t move with ease Wilson Boulevard or between siveness to residents’ concerns over along arterial streets, many will Wilson Boulevard and Washington these streets and looks forward to instead use neighborhood Boulevard, respectively. A 1997 the implementation of appropriate streets. This causes noise, County study found approximately traffic-calming measures indepen- vibrations and emissions in 2,300 vehicles per day travel at an dent of prospective street design residential areas, in addition to average speed over the speed limit improvements. making streets more hazardous. along the Kensington/Jefferson route, which includes the connector Recommendation 9. In coop- George Mason Drive (GMD) streets of 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th eration with the Association, the and Wilson Boulevard. Drivers Streets or 8th Road. Similarly, County should apply appropriate who use Bluemont minor streets Harrison Street has a significant County-approved retrofitted traffic to avoid this intersection affect speeding problem, which is exacer- calming measures to: a) the length the adjacent neighborhoods.
16 Street and Street Safety Examples of Bluemont Street Design Hazards
Kensington Street, Jefferson Street, and their connec- 10th Street between Emerson Street and Edison tor streets of 5th Street, 6th Street, 8th Street and 8th Street, a frequent pedestrian route, is missing Road between Wilson Boulevard and Carlin Springs sidewalks and curbs on both sides. Thirty-six foot Road are each 36 feet wide and have curb return radii widths on 10th Street and nearby Frederick Street and of between 18 and 35 feet, encouraging speeding. a 31-foot wide, restricted-parking portion of Frederick Each of these streets is missing sidewalks, forcing Street encourage speeding and encourage drivers to children and other pedestrians to walk in the roadway avoid the intersection at Washington Boulevard and to get to and from Ashlawn School, Bluemont Park, or George Mason Drive. Excessive curb radii on 10th Bluemont Junction Park. According to a December and Frederick Streets encourage unsafe turns and 1997 County Police study, approximately 2,300 greatly increase pedestrian crossing distances. vehicles per day travel these streets, with an 85th Twenty-five foot curb radii at the 10th Road cul-de-sac percentile speed of seven miles per hour over the and the Emerson Street cul-de-sac result in pedes- speed limit. trian crossing distances of 50 feet at each location. Frederick Street on its West side has an unbuffered, Harrison Street is one of only two north-south streets obstructed, narrow sidewalk. running through most of the neighborhood, yet it has almost no sidewalks on its East side between Wilson 6th Street between Edison and Emerson Streets, a and Washington Boulevards. On its West side, frequent passage point for pedestrians and bicyclists Harrison has a narrow, unbuffered sidewalk in which going to and from Bluemont Junction Trail or the there are 26 poles and other obstructions. Harrison’s Wilson Boulevard stores, is missing a sidewalk. This excessive travel lane widths encourage speeding, with area is made more hazardous because of sidewalks. curb-to-curb widths of 36 feet (two sided parking), 31 Thirty-five foot curb return radii at intersection of feet (one sided parking) and 26 feet (no parking). Bluemont Drive and Emerson Street and at intersec- Unbuffered, walled pedestrian paths over Interstate 66 tion of Edison Street and 6th street encourage are hazardous and unwelcoming to pedestrians. speeding and through traffic. Harrison’s slope exacerbates southbound vehicle Fairfax Drive near Abingdon Street and the Holiday speeding. Notwithstanding these hazards, there are Inn, a major travel route for pedestrians and bicyclists school bus stops on this street, and it is also fre- to and from Ballston has a narrow, unbuffered, quented by children and other pedestrians going to obstructed sidewalk. The wide turn-in circle for and from Swanson and St. Ann schools, and the Holiday Inn makes the sidewalk disappear for long Wilson Boulevard commercial district. stretches. Pedestrian and bicycle passages are Vermont Street and Abingdon Street between Wilson constricted where the Bluemont Junction Trail ends Boulevard and Carlin Springs Road are 36 feet wide, near Abingdon Street. This area is made even more encouraging speeding and through traffic. Sidewalks hazardous because drivers come off Interstate 66 at are missing on Vermont Street and nearby Wakefield high speeds and flow directly onto Fairfax Drive, with Street. Abingdon Street has unbuffered, obstructed, visibility limited by the adjacent sound barriers. narrow sidewalks. Turn lane design on Carlin Springs Pedestrians and bicyclists often risk injury or death by Road “slingshots” motorists turning onto Abingdon crossing Fairfax Drive in the unmarked area immedi- Street, encouraging speeding. ately after the sound barriers in order to avoid the sidewalk in front of the Holiday Inn Washington Boulevard, a principal arterial road, has no South side sidewalk between Frederick Street and Ivanhoe Streets.
Street and Street Safety 17 Drivers traveling between intersection should friendlier for pedestrians and Wilson Boulevard and The swiftest traveler is at the same time bicyclists. To allow for the safer and Carlin Springs Road can he who goes afoot. make it safer and easier flow of vehicles, lanes should avoid GMD altogether by -Thoreau easier for pedestri- be better marked and consideration using any of the following: ans and bicycles to should be given to the addition of cross, especially left-turn arrows. Left turns from • Vermont Street, Wakefield since this intersection is a crucial Wilson Boulevard westbound to Street, or Abingdon Street; part of the Bluemont Junction Trail Glebe Road southbound should be • Emerson Street combined connecting the neighborhood to permitted at all times, including with Edison Street; Ballston. Pedestrian crosswalks afternoon rush hours. Consider- should be shortened as much as ation should be given to restricting • Harrison Street or Frederick possible and be better marked. afternoon rush hour left turns from Street, combined with 5th Wilson Boulevard westbound to Street, Greenbrier Street, Glebe Road and Wilson Boulevard. Vermont Street southbound to Bluemont Drive, and This intersection endangers drivers, residents only. At Tazewell Street, Emerson Street. There are bicyclists and pedestrians. Lanes signs should be added across from also several neighborhood on Wilson Boulevard are unclear. As the Mazda dealership to preclude streets negatively affected a result of the oblique angles of the inadvertent left turns. by congestion at the crossing and the location of the intersection of GMD and islands segregating the right-hand Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive. Wilson; turn lanes, cars tend to drift into Users of the Bluemont Junction the crosswalks or the other lane. • Many drivers use 6th Street Trail and the Custis Trail going to or Walk signals do not allow sufficient and Emerson Street to from Ballston, as well as many time for crossing in any direction, avoid queuing to turn left and it is necessary to cross the from GMD northbound to uncontrolled right-turn lanes to Bluemont Remembers: Wilson Boulevard west- reach the call buttons. Turning left Interstate 66 bound; from Wilson eastbound to Glebe Excerpts from the Arlington County • Combinations of 7th Street, northbound is difficult, and the Public Library 1990 Oral History 7th Road, Buchanan Street, intersection is so wide that cars are Interview of Mr. Henry Hulme, and Albemarle Street are sometimes left stranded after the Arlington County Director of Public used to avoid turning left light has turned red. Turning left Works, 1977-1989: from Wilson westbound to from Wilson Boulevard westbound Interviewer: The decision to depress GMD southbound or to to Glebe Road southbound is the road [Interstate 66] to reduce avoid turning right from prohibited during the afternoon the noise was one of the latest GMD northbound to Wilson rush hour. This encourages motor- concessions, wasn’t it? eastbound. ists to turn left on Vermont Street, Mr. Hulme:...Hal Gibson [of the backing up traffic during rush hour None of these cut-through streets Stonewall Jackson Civic Associa- - the “Do Not Block Intersection” are designated neighborhood tion] was in the forefront and I sign there is often ignored. Nearby principals, and Bluemont residents would say, probably opened the Tazewell Street is one way north- oppose making them so. eyes to a lot of people about what bound, but if heading west on could be done to soften the impact Recommendation 11. To make Wilson or entering Tazewell from of the highway, particularly from the Bluemont safer and more livable, the adjacent Mazda dealership, standpoint of sound walls and from the County (in cooperation with the drivers may not realize this until the standpoint of lowering it. The Association) should improve the they have already turned onto the state was very, very reluctant to traffic control system and/or design street. lower I-66 in the Glebe Road- Washington Boulevard area of the intersection at George Mason Recommendation 12. At the inter- primarily because when you lower Drive (GMD) and Wilson Boulevard. section of Glebe Road and Wilson it, you had to make sure that you Particular consideration should be Boulevard, the County (in coopera- cleared the top of Lubber given to accommodating left turns tion with the Association) should Run....Then you had to make it so from GMD northbound to Wilson lessen crossing distances by right- that...you could then get under westbound, and to accommodating Washington Boulevard....That’s why sizing vehicle travel lanes, better left turns from Wilson westbound to Washington Boulevard bridge is so mark crosswalks, and otherwise GMD southbound. Changes to the high... make the intersection safer and
18 Street and Street Safety other pedestrians, pass through sidewalks that are the foundation of their offices. Furthermore, many this intersection. Long distances a livable urban community. Even if Metro riders drive in from more and tiny safety islands make for a the entire Capital Improvement distant suburbs, park in Bluemont, frightening and dangerous crossing. Program (CIP) were implemented and walk to the Ballston Metro As Ballston continues to grow, according to plan, the County’s station. Some areas in Bluemont pedestrian and traffic volumes at sidewalk mileage would increase by have already sought and received this intersection will continue to just 1.5%. In the CIP plan running County permission to establish increase. through the year 2005, there are neighborhood restricted parking just two modest sidewalk projects zones. The Association expects Recommendation 13. To allow planned for all of Bluemont. At this these requests to continue. This will residents to travel safely on foot or rate, it would take about 115 years be all the more true if an additional bicycle to and from Ballston, the to build the pedestrian infrastruc- entrance to the Ballston Metro is County (in cooperation with the ture that Bluemont needs to built near the intersection of Association) should make the become a walkable community. Fairfax Drive and Vermont Street, intersection of Glebe Road and Even the addition of substantial as County and Metro officials are Fairfax Drive pedestrian-friendly. neighborhood conservation funds is considering. Such an entrance Crosswalks should be better unlikely to make Bluemont walkable would effectively push the range of marked, medians (with curb cuts) within our lifetime. Ballston-area parking 1000 feet to should extend into the crosswalk, the west, encompassing more areas and islands and medians should be In recognition of the fact that safe of Bluemont. expanded, lanes narrowed, or streets and pedestrian facilities are crossing distances otherwise a primary element of a model urban Recommendation 16. In coopera- minimized. village, Bluemont urges the County tion with the Association, the to implement the recommendations County should respond expedi- Other Crossings. contained in this section and in tiously and favorably to residents’ Residents identified also identified Appendix A, Recommended requests to establish or expand other areas, noted below, that are Projects. restricted neighborhood parking particularly dangerous crossing zones in those portions of the points for pedestrians. Recommendation 15. In recognition neighborhood that are most heavily of the fact that a) safe streets and Recommendation 14. In coopera- affected by non-resident parking. pedestrian facilities are a primary tion with the Association, the element of a model urban village, Recommendation 17. To alleviate County should improve or create and b) Bluemont’s hazardous weekend, weeknight and summer- pedestrian crossing locations: a) at streets and inadequate pedestrian time parking problems around and around the intersection of facilities are inconsistent with the Arlington Traditional School, the Carlin Springs Road and Glebe prevailing character of the neigh- County (in cooperation with the Road, as well as other locations borhood and the County as a whole, Association) should allow users of along Carlin Springs Road; b) the County (in cooperation with the across George Mason Drive at Association) should rebuild neigh- Fairfax Drive; and c) across Wilson borhood streets to favor slow- Boulevard at Emerson Street (near moving local traffic, improve the Bluemont Remembers: the Safeway) and across Wilson flow of arterial roads, and build 1920’s Streets Boulevard at the bus stop near safe and continuous pedestrian and Kensington Street. In all cases, Excerpts from the Arlington County bicycle networks. To this end, the consideration should be given to Public Library 1985 Oral History County should seek supplementary well-marked crosswalks and other Interview of Mr. William N. Garrett: funding from State and Federal measures that would alert drivers sources. Interviewer: Do you remember when to go slower. the streets were paved around here? In the 1920’s, were the streets paved? Other Issues Urban Village Mr. Garrett: Must have been in the Action Program Parking. As Ballston develops, ‘20’s, latter part of the ‘20’s because parking is becoming scarce in some Carlin Springs Road was a dirt road Bluemont welcomes the County areas of Bluemont. People who then when I left here... Mrs. Miles used Board’s vision of Arlington as an work in Ballston increasingly park to serve mail on there with a horse and urban village. But this alone won’t for the day in the Eastern part of buggy...Rural Free Delivery. build the friendly streets and Bluemont and walk to and from
Street and Street Safety 19 Arlington County Ad Hoc Committee on Neighborhood Traffic Calming Proposed Array of Measures
Active, non-restrictive measures that employ • Street narrowing: Street width directly corre regulations or physical buffers to calm traffic. sponds with prevailing vehicle speed. As street width increases, the rate of injury-causing • Flat-top speed humps: 3.5 inches high and 22 accidents rises exponentially5. feet long, these raised sections of roadway should not be confused with speed humps or • Gateway treatments: create a noticeable speed bumps. transition from an arterial street to a neighbor- hood street, alerting the driver to the fact thata neighbor- • Raised crosswalks: essentially flat-top speed hood has been entered. Gateway treatments include humps used as crosswalks. They often have a road pavers, landscaping, signage and narrowed street different surface than the roadway, such as entrance. brick pavers. • Rumble strips: thermoplastic strips or grooves • Chicanes: staggered, triangular curb exten- cut into the roadway that cause a rumbling sions that transform the traffic movement sound when driven over at high speeds. from straight to curving. • Roadway markings: crosswalks, stop bars at • Nubs or chokers: curb extensions installed at stop signs, bicycle and parking lanes, cross- intersections or midblock that allow on-street hatchings at lane narrowings, centerlines and parking while visually narrowing the roadway. curb lines. Markings can also be used to clarify • Intersection geometry changes: modify and the path of lanes across complex intersections. control traffic through channelization, re-direction and • Woonerf: a residential street treatment where tightening of turning radii. the roadway is made of brick pavers, and curbs • Left turn lanes and left turn signals: reduce and sidewalks are dispensed with, giving the cut-through traffic on neighborhood streets sense that the motorist is in a driveway. that are adjacent to busy intersections. By facilitating left • Speed display units (SMART set): a portable, self- turns, motorists are discouraged from bypassing contained speed display units make motorists intersections by cutting through neighborhood streets. aware of the speed they are traveling and the • Medians: raised or flush islands can be used to posted speed limit. Compliance is voluntary. narrow the roadway, channelize traffic, control Restrictive measures that employ regulations or turning movement or provide pedestrians mid- physical obstructions to restrict traffic. road safe refuge. • Truck restrictions: trucks over 7500 pounds could • Multiway stop signs: intended to assign right of be restricted from certain streets, except for the purpose way at intersections. County staff apply strict of receiving loads or making deliveries. criteria before implementing this solution, due to evidence that it loses effect when used as a • Full or half street closure: a physical barrier traffic calming measure. closing the street to through traffic and creating a midblock or intersection cul-de-sac. • Traffic circles: a small island placed in the middle of an intersection (usually four-way). • Diverter and diagonal street closure: a barrier Generally used in series to address speeding installed diagonally across a four-way intersec- and thus reduce cut-through traffic. tion, converting it into two opposing right-angle turns, but allowing no straight-through traffic. • Speeding fine notice signs: indicate that motorists exceeding the posted speed limit • One-way street designations: vehicle access could be liable for fines of up to $200. is partially restricted in order to break up cut- through routes. Passive, non-restrictive measures that employ voluntary or subliminal means to calm traffic. • Turn and access restrictions: “Do Not Enter” and “No Turn” signs.
20 Street and Street Safety the school grounds and nearby Fields Park to park in the school lot Notes and on Edison Street. Signs should 1Traditional Neighborhood be changed accordingly. Development Street Design Guidelines. Institute of Transportation Engineers Alleys. Traditional neighborhood Transportation Planning Council design encourages the use of alleys. Committee 5P-8, Washington, D.C., 1997. Regrettably, a lack of routine 2 cleaning and maintenance has P. Swift, D. Painter, M. Goldstein. Residential Street Typology and Injury affected some of Bluemont’s alleys. Accident Frequency, 1997, Swift and The alley south of Wilson Boulevard Associates, Longmont Colorado. between Wakefield and Abingdon 3ITE, supra. Street has a tree blocking any 4AASHTO Policy on Geometric Design prospective vehicular traffic. of Highways and Streets, 1990. In coopera- American Association of State Recommendation 18. Highway and Transportation Officials, tion with the Association as appro- Washington, D.C. 1990. priate, the County should clean and 5Swift, supra. maintain Bluemont’s alleys more regularly. Lighting Residents have requested the installation of street lamps at several locations that are lacking in sufficient lighting of any kind. In addition, the Association welcomes the replacement of arched streetlights with Coach-style lamps or Carlisle lamps at any location where residents so desire. Recommendation 19. To enhance safety in the neighborhood, the County (in cooperation with the Association) should install attrac- tive nighttime lighting at the locations specified in Appendix B, Recommended Projects A20 through A27.
The Custis Trail runs through Bluemont on its way to Key Bridge.
Street and Street Safety 21 Parks and Open Space
Overview Voices of Bluemont: luemont enjoys a relative Parks and Open Spaces abundance of parks and B other open space. Within Three out of four households responding to the neighborhood conservation this small urban neighborhood are plan survey thought neighborhood parks were adequate and well maintained. Bluemont Junction Park, Fields Almost 90% of survey respondents supported the preservation of neighbor- Park, Lacey Woods Park, half of hood trees and green space. A sampling of survey comments follows. Bluemont Park, half of Bon Air “Maintain the parks we have — they’re a real treasure!” Park, part of Lubber Run Park, a “We live near Bon Air Park and Bluemont Park. What more could we want!” wetlands preserve known as Beaver Pond, historic Southern-Shreve “Let’s preserve trees and green space anywhere we have left!” Cemetery, and Arlington Constitu- “The parks are already excellent. It would not be sensible to seek further tional Garden and Bicentennial improvement.” Bell. Passing through the neighbor- “As the use of parks increases. It’s harder to keep parks from becoming tired.” hood are Four Mile Run and Lubber Run, as well as three of the area’s premier bike trails, the Custis Trail, the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, and the Bluemont Junction Trail. Together, these parks and some of the few remaining parcels other open spaces offer a wide of undeveloped neighborhood or range of recreational and nature- County land. oriented activities, from bird- watching and bicycling to tennis Recommendation 20. Recognizing and trout fishing. that recreational, historical, and natural space is of critical impor- The people of Bluemont cherish tance to the well-being of the these open spaces. Overwhelm- community and to the livability of ingly, they support the County’s the neighborhood, the people of continuing efforts to preserve and Bluemont encourage the County to maintain them. At the same time, maintain the highest standards for many residents think that a good the neighborhood’s parks and other thing can be made even better. public spaces. As the number of Their specific suggestions to park and trail users continues to improve parks and other open areas grow, the County should (pursuant are described below. In addition, to the Open Space Master Plan) many residents wonder more seek to improve and expand generally whether the existing green space so that the neighborhood’s open spaces are next generation of residents can getting too popular for their own continue to enjoy a wide range of good. With more and more people recreational, historical, and natural making use of Bluemont’s parks and resources. trails, conflicts occur over limited space. Accordingly, many residents Recommendation 21. Recognizing encourage the County to increase the value of mature trees and other the supply of parkland by acquiring flora, the Association encourages
Parks and Open Space 23 N. WASHINGTON BLVD.
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O LE G 12th ST. N. I NST. N. IVANHO N . IN . ILLIN T O N E N R S N. GEORGE MASON DR. S R N. HARRISON ST. T A E 11th RD. N.
TE F 4 F ROUTE 66 Lacey N. FREDERICK ST. 11th ST. N. Woods
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O&D Trail . N 1 9 . F 0th R 8 th A D. N K R IRF . WASHINGTON BLVD D. N AX CUSTIS TRAIL D R. St. Anns 10th ST. N. PAR 9 66 th S Church E 1 T. 7 T Cemetery OU AIR R 9th RD. N T. TE S TA . 9th ST. S
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G 10 BEAVER N FAIRFAX DR.POND 8th RD. 9th ST. N. Arlington 8th Rd. N. Traditional N. LEXINGT Marymount N. KENTU School N. JACKSONVILLEN. ST. University N. KENSI 9th ST. N. WILSO Ballston N BLVD 8th R N. FARFAXCampus DR. D . . N. 8th ROAD N. 3 9 N. HARRISON ST. Fields K Park BURLINGTON N. FREDERICK ST. ABINGDON CONSTI- N. BUCHANAN ST. ROAD 8 8th STREET N. TUTION th N. EDISON ST. 8th RD. R E GARDEN D . B T PAR . FIRE- T . T E N . T 11 S STATION T S L O A S 8th ST. . R 2 T N G ID 7th STREET N. S IE O . EM S R GEORGE MASON DR. T N R IS O
FOUR MILE RUN IS B WOODROW N. O L AKEFIELD R S N S O N W BLU R E . F R IN A A E N E L DRIVE N F R N MARLE . H N. EMERSON ST. A F . IL E 6th STREET N. . FR T. N . G H B N N. TAZEWELL N FLORIDA ST. C 7th RD. AL BLUEMONT U
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COUNTY CARLIN SPRINGS RD. FREDERICK BOARD CARLIN SPRINGS ROAD First Presbyterian Church of Arlington
SCALE IN FEET Map 5. 1 Bon Air Park 2 Bluemont Park 0 300 600 900 1,200 Parks and 3 Fields Park 4 Lacey Woods Park Open Space 5 Lubber Run Park 6 Bluemont Junction Trail Park 7 Custis Trail 8 WO&D Trail 9 Four Mile Run 10 Ballston Beaver Pond 11 Constitution Garden the County to a) vigorously enforce Bluemont neighborhood. The Park. The W&OD trail is up to 12 site plan procedures meant to stream joins Four Mile Run in feet wide and is maintained by the safeguard trees and other vegeta- Arlington Forest, one-half mile County and the Northern Virginia tion; b) control nonnative vines that south of the neighborhood. Beaver Regional Park Authority. threaten trees; and c) collaborate Pond Park, classified as Natural At the Northern end of Bon Air with Virginia Power to properly Resource Open Space, is a wetland Park, the W&OD connects to the train tree trimming crews and to area built as a storm water reten- starting point of the Custis Trail, a ensure the strictest quality stan- tion area for Interstate 66 between County-maintained pathway run- dards. Washington Boulevard and Fairfax ning through the Bluemont neigh- Drive. The pond overflows into borhood along the North side of Lubber Run. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Waterways and Interstate 66 on its way to Wash- Service officials working at that ington, D.C.. The trail is lighted and Wetlands agency’s Ballston office have about 9 feet wide. Mature oaks and volunteered their expertise to Four Mile Run passes through the other old growth trees line parts of protect Beaver Pond Park’s wildlife, center of Bon Air Park and the trail, especially in the Western which includes not only beavers but Bluemont Park on its way to the portion between Harrison Street a number of native birds. Potomac River. Mature trees line and Bon Air Park. The county has both stream banks, shading the planted additional trees in the area stream and its wildlife. The Arling- Off-Road Trails near George Mason Drive. However, ton County Department of Parks, Bluemont hosts three paved off- nonnative vines threaten many Recreation and Community Re- trees. Graffiti is a persistent sources, in conjunction with the road trails, each of which is an important part of the exemplary problem along the Custis Trail. The Northern Virginia chapter of Trout County is to be commended for its Unlimited and the Virginia Depart- Northern Virginia multi-use trail network. Bluemont’s trails are often quick efforts to remove or paint ment of Game and Inland Fisheries over the graffiti. each spring stocks the stream with filled with walkers, joggers, in-line trout, giving residents and visitors a skaters, and recreational and unique urban fishing opportunity. commuter bicyclists. But the very popularity of the trails presents Like other Northern Virginia new challenges. Heavy usage Bluemont Remembers waterways, the health of Four Mile becomes even more of a problem Run is threatened by pollutants. when some trail-users speed or Excerpts from the Arlington County Also, as impermeable material otherwise ignore trail guidelines. Public Library 1985 Oral History Interview replaces vegetation in much of the of Mr. William N. Garrett. Recommendation 23. The neighbor- stream’s watershed, unfiltered Mr. Garrett: There’s water all around us storm runoff causes erosion. (See hood urges more frequent, year- here. Tiber Creek, I got a call from the Recommendation 3 on lot coverage) round bike patrol policing of County one time, said they never heard of Four Mile Run does not currently neighborhood parks and trails to it. I said, “What? Never heard of Tiber meet Federal and State water encourage trail etiquette and to Creek?” You go to George Mason Drive quality standards. enhance trail and park safety. here at Lubber Run, see there’s a culvert Furthermore, the County should there, and if I ain’t mistaken it’s still over Recommendation 22. The Associa- respond expeditiously to residents’ behind those houses on Abingdon Street. tion commends Arlington County for reports of non-permitted consump- It’s still open. On Wilson Boulevard there’s joining Fairfax County and the tion of alcohol, drug-using or other a culvert there that goes over it. Tiber Cities of Alexandria and Falls nefarious activity in neighborhood Creek goes on... where the hospital is over there. Comes down there and Church in creating a new monitor- parks or trails. ing system for Four Mile Run. The intercepts with Lubber Run... At that time there was a one way bridge across there Association encourages additional The Washington and Old Domin- known as McCarthy’s bridge... It used to vigorous efforts to restore the ion (W&OD) Trail, located on the site of the former railroad bed, runs be an open branch until they put that health of the stream, its wildlife, other street in there or paved the road. and its vegetation. continuously from Purcellville, Virginia to the Potomac River. The Interviewer: You mean, Lubber Run flows south-southeast trail passes on the western edge of George Mason? through the eastern edge of the the Bluemont neighborhood, Mr. Garrett: George Mason. Yeah, neighborhood. The northern edge of running along Four Mile Run George Mason. Lubber Run Park is within the through Bon Air Park and Bluemont
Parks and Open Space 25 Bluemont Junction Trail runs 1.3 and a parking lot. A well-worn dirt National Park Service, with curved miles from the W&OD trail in path crosses from the southeastern tops and pull down flap openings in Bluemont Park to Fairfax Drive in corner of the parking lot to the order to control vermin and reduce Ballston. More and more people are Four Mile Run Trail. the amount of scattered trash. using the trail not only for recre- The Northeast portion of Bluemont Bluemont Junction Park. While ation but to get to the booming Park includes an athletic field, and the Bluemont Junction Trail (see commercial district of Ballston. a train caboose and exhibit com- above) is the highlight of this park, Regrettably, going to or from memorating the site of the former there are also grassy areas wide Ballston is difficult and dangerous Bluemont rail junction. Arlington enough to host informal athletic because of the trail’s crossing at County youth soccer leagues as activities. Residents believe the the intersection of Wilson Boule- well as a private school lacrosse park would be enhanced by the vard and George Mason Drive. This team often use the field. The construction between Emerson intersection is dangerous for western central portion of the park Street and Kensington Street of a pedestrians and bicyclists because is a large open area that includes tot lot and playground area to it is wide, poorly marked, and three baseball diamonds. Often, the accommodate the many children because a right-turn lane (going fields are used all day, with several living nearby. The large number of from Wilson eastbound to George games of the same or various park and trail users would also Mason Drive southbound), encour- sports going on at a time. The benefit from other modest improve- ages motorists to turn on red Southwest portion of the park ments including the addition of a without checking for people in the contains a lighted basketball court, drinking fountain and tables or crosswalk. (See Recommendation a children’s playground, a Disc Golf benches. While the park was once 11.) Course, picnic tables, barbecue planted with wildflowers, it is now Pedestrians and bicyclists face pits, and another parking lot relatively bare between Emerson additional hazards where the trail entered from Manchester Street. and Kensington Streets. Replanting ends near Fairfax Drive. The trail is This portion of the park is popu- wildflowers and adding other constricted by a guard rail near lated with mature trees. appropriate landscaping would Abingdon Street, and then gives improve the park’s appearance, The Southeast portion of the park is way to a narrow, unbuffered, especially in the years it will take predominately an open athletic field obstructed sidewalk in front of the until the park’s many young trees surrounded by a forest of mature Holiday Inn. This area is made even become mature. Many people use trees, and includes a picnic pavilion more hazardous because drivers the trail after dark, but it is poorly and a tree-covered picnic area. The come off Interstate 66 at high lit in some areas, particularly area is accessed by low concrete speeds and flow directly onto between Fairfax Drive and George footbridge that fords Four Mile Run Fairfax Drive. Motorists’ visibility is Mason Boulevard. Residents believe and is designed to allow water from limited by the adjacent sound that the completion of all of these the stream to overflow the bridge barriers. (See Appendix A, Recom- modest improvements would not during heavy rain. The area is a mended Projects) alter the park’s character as a popular spot for group picnics with predominantly open and unim- over 50 picnic tables and eight proved area. Parks barbecue grills. Recommendation 25. In Bluemont Bluemont Park, classified by the Open metal mesh trash cans are Junction Park between Emerson County as community open space, located in adequate numbers Street and Kensington Street the is located between Wilson Boule- throughout Bluemont Park. But County (in cooperation with the vard, Carlin Springs Road and because these cans are uncovered, Association) should construct a tot Manchester Street. This large park they attract rats and other vermin, lot and a playground, and install a has a number of recreational, which scatter trash about the park drinking fountain and additional natural, and historical attractions and stream especially near picnic benches or tables. Wildflowers and that are popular with neighborhood areas. Residents have noted similar other appropriate landscaping residents and visitors. Many vermin problems in other neighbor- should also be added to improve the residents believe that some specific hood parks. projects would make the park even park’s appearance between better. Recommendation 24. The County Emerson Street and Kensington should consider replacing all trash Street. The County should also The Northwest portion of Bluemont cans in neighborhood parks with a install - as needed along the length Park includes lighted tennis courts type similar to those used by the of the trail - additional nighttime
26 Parks and Open Space lighting sufficient to eliminate dark tions, which draw visitors from Constitutional Garden and Bicen- spots but not so bright as to disturb throughout the area: tennial Bell. A stone marker in the adjacent residents. The viability of park is inscribed, “In memory of Arlington Memorial Rose Garden, safety phones should also be Maryanna Fields 1922 - 1985.” The one of the finest collections of considered for this trail as well as park consists primarily of a Ber- roses in the region, which contains other trails in the neighborhood. muda-grass athletic field used some 3,500 rose bushes of 157 Residents believe that the comple- mostly for youth soccer. There are varieties, 32 of which have been tion of all of these modest improve- also small bleachers and two picnic awarded the American Rose ments would not alter the park’s tables. Trees line the park on its Society’s award for excellence. The character as a predominantly open East, West and North sides. Adja- garden was established in 1944 and unimproved area. (See Appen- cent private property is separated with donations from individuals dix A, Recommended Projects) from the park by a chain-link fence whose families included members with lock and gate entrances for There are persistent fears among who had served in the armed forces each property owner some residents that the soil near in World War II. The garden moved Kensington Street and Carlin to Bon Air in 1961 from its original The County is to be commended for Springs Road by the Virginia Power site at Arlington Hospital. The its maintenance of the split-rail substation was contaminated with Potomac Rose Society and other fence surrounding much of the park toxic polychlorinated biphenols (or groups periodically give presenta- and for controlling weeds and vines PCB’s). Some residents are also tions in the garden on the culture that are prone to grow on the fence. concerned that PCB contamination and care of roses. Wedding ceremo- This is important because the in Bluemont Junction Park may nies are often held here; wooded area which abuts the have resulted from overhead athletic field is filled with poison The Azalea Garden, which includes electric transformers, which, before ivy, wild raspberries with thorns, camellias and rhododendrons and a they were placed underground, pokeberry (liked by birds but large variety of azaleas. In early would occasionally explode. poisonous to humans), and invasive spring, extensive plantings of wild grape vine. Recommendation 26. The County narcissi provide a striking display; should thoroughly investigate and Lacey Woods Park, classified as Sunny and Shade Gardens, which take appropriate action in response community open space, is regarded contain extensive demonstration to concerns over the possibility of by residents and visitors as a small plantings of bulbs, perennials, toxic waste in the soil of Bluemont treasure of urban forestry. The park wildflowers and other plants that Park near the Virginia Power is located southwest of George are suited to local growing condi- substation and in Bluemont Junc- Mason Drive and Washington tions. The Master Gardeners of tion Park near the location of Boulevard. While only about 13 Northern Virginia maintain the former overhead electric transform- acres, Lacey Woods Park contains gardens. ers. one of the largest and most impor- Residents are concerned over tant concentrations of woods in the Bon Air Park’s 23.9 acres are traffic congestion and parking neighborhood and County. Lacey classified by the County as commu- problems in the park on weekends, Woods Park contains a heavily used nity open space. The park is especially when there are large basketball court and an athletic bounded by Wilson Boulevard, group or family picnics and soccer field. The park also has a popular Arlington Mill Drive, Interstate 66, games. Neighbors are also con- children’s playground. A garden and and Lexington Street. Bon Air is a cerned over loitering and possible benches are to be added. The park popular location for group picnics drug dealing in the parking lot after has two picnic shelters and a fire as well as family gatherings and the park is closed. Restricting the ring that is put to use by local scout individual respites. It is also used parking lot pay phone to allow troops and during the for events such as Arbor Day and outgoing calls only could help neighborhood’s annual Halloween Arlington Neighborhood Day. In reduce such inappropriate after- celebration. Parking is available on addition to Four Mile Run and the hours activities. adjacent streets. Residents have W&OD Trail, the park contains two noted that some dog owners fail to tennis courts, a basketball court, a Fields Park, classified as neighbor- leash their pets or to clean up after baseball diamond, a volleyball hood open space, is located near them. court, playgrounds, and picnic the intersection of George Mason tables and grills. Bon Air also hosts Drive and Wilson Boulevard next to Recommendation 27. In Lacey the following horticultural attrac- the Bluemont Junction Trail and the Woods Park and other neighbor-
Parks and Open Space 27 hood parks and trails, the County Bicentennial Bell weighs 250 started in 1872, moved to its (in cooperation with the Associa- pounds and has a 30-pound clapper present location at the corner of tion) should seek to better enforce that is inserted to ring the bell on Carlin Springs Road and Vermont ordinances requiring dog owners to ceremonial occasions such as the Street in 1950. The tall white- leash their pets and to clean up Fourth of July, federal holidays and spired church, parking lot, and after them. The County should at midnight on New Year’s Eve. playground sit on a 3 acre site, one inform owners of relevant ordi- of the largest remaining green The Arlington Metaphysical nances when owners register their spaces in the Ballston area. Chapel, dating from 1981, is pets. located on Wilson Boulevard near Saint Ann Catholic Church and A privately owned parcel of wood- Jefferson Street. Its quaint white School celebrated its 50th anniver- land stands on the Northeast frame building blends in with the sary in 1997. Its large lot, bounded corner of George Mason Drive and surrounding residences. by 10th Street, Custis Trail, Washington Boulevard, catty-corner Frederick Street and Harrison Arlington Traditional School, from Lacey Woods Park. This parcel Street, contains an attractive slate- classified as neighborhood open is within the Waycroft-Woodlawn roofed, Flemish-bond church and space, is a public magnet elemen- Neighborhood various other church and school tary school located west of George buildings. Most of the lot not Recommendation 28. In accordance Mason Drive, just north of Wilson covered by buildings is paved over with the preference of the majority Boulevard. On the large lot sur- for parking. The church lot also of Waycroft-Woodlawn residents rounding the school are play- contains two basketball hoops and responding to that neighborhood’s grounds, a basketball hoop, and an a children’s playground. recent conservation plan survey, athletic field with backstop that is the County should acquire the used for both ball games and Saint Michael’s Episcopal parcel on the Northeast corner of soccer. (See also recommendation Church, built in 1948 of native George Mason Drive and Washing- 17 on parking at Arlington Tradi- Virginia stone, is located at Ivanhoe ton Boulevard and maintain it as a tional School.) Street and 11th Road. The church’s natural-woods County park land chimes can be heard across the Arlington Forest Club, classified similar to neighboring Lacey Woods northern portion of the neighbor- by the County as semi-public land, Park. hood. The attractively landscaped lies south of Bluemont Junction grounds include an education Park at the corner of Harrison building, outdoor altar, memorial Other Open Spaces Street and Carlin Springs Road. garden, and children’s playground. Arlington Constitutional Garden This private recreation association and the Constitutional Bicenten- offers its members pool and lighted Southern-Shreve Cemetery, nial Bell, classified by the County tennis facilities. Because the club’s classified by the County as a as neighborhood open space, is mature trees and landscaping make Historic Resource, is located along located at the corner of Wilson such a contribution to the neighbor- with an accompanying marker Boulevard and George Mason Drive. hood, the Association encourages south of Saint Ann Church at The garden plot measures just 70 the club to maintain its greenery Fairfax Drive and Harrison Street. by 15 feet but is planted with and to consider adding trees or (See Historic Section notes on the approximately 900 flowering plants other landscaping along Harrison Shreve and Southern families, early in the spring, summer and fall. The Street. settlers to the area.) garden and bell commemorate the Bon Air Baptist Church, estab- bicentennial of the U.S. Constitu- lished in the early 1900’s, is a Neighborhood tion. They were established in 1987 attractive, well-maintained facility Beautification as a joint effort of the Arlington located in the middle of 800 Illinois Beautification Project and the Street, a residential block. The front Streets are the most visible and County. The project received a of the church is nicely landscaped important public spaces in neigh- certificate of official recognition with seasonal plants year round, borhoods. Unfortunately, from the State of Virginia under the while the back area has been Bluemont’s attractive parks stand in Living Legacy program. Local converted into a parking lot extend- stark contrast to its streets, where residents and many passers-by ing to Jefferson Street. concrete and power lines are far have complimented the garden’s more visible than vegetation. The County-maintained colorful display First Presbyterian Church The Association encourages County of annual flowers. The bronze First Presbyterian congregation,
28 Parks and Open Space effort to build more attractive, Association believes this is a Recommendation 30. The County landscaped streetscapes, particu- reasonable position in view of the should not permit the installation of larly along arterial roads. fact that commercial buildings in telecommunications towers or Ballston are at a higher elevation facilities in the neighborhood. The neighborhood’s above-ground than any neighborhood location and utilities are an impediment to Recommendation 31. Provide could accommodate such towers or improved street landscaping. Utility neighborhood identification signs facilities more lines and poles are not only unat- with plantings at designated entry efficiently than any stand-alone tractive themselves, but are points into the community and/or at structure in Bluemont neighbor- especially unkind to trees. Regretta- public space within the neighbor- hood. bly, burying utilities throughout the hood. neighborhood is prohibitively expensive at this time. However, as with other Arlington neighbor- hoods, a partnership between the County and local businesses could conceivably produce sufficient funding to bury utilities along Wilson Boulevard. (See Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area.) There are minimal buffer and transition areas between commer- cial facilities and adjacent residen- tial neighborhoods in much of the neighborhood. This is particularly true for buildings with older site plans. Examples in the Glebe Road Commercial Area include the Holiday Inn and Bob Peck Chevrolet. In the Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area, there is a The Beaver Pond is a refuge for many native birds and mammels. particular lack of landscaping at the Safeway and the former Balmar Printing and Graphics facility. In each of these cases, commercial activities take place directly adjacent to or across from residen- tial dwellings with minimal or no benefit from landscaping or other forms of screening. Recommendation 29. The Associa- tion encourages local businesses to develop and maintain attractive landscaping, especially in those areas adjacent to residential areas. The Association welcomes the involvement of County business development offices in encouraging such practices even if not specifi- cally required by County ordinance. Residents also oppose the prospec- tive construction of any telecommu- nication towers or facilities on Four Mile Run in Bluemont Park is stocked with trout each year. county parks or other land. The
Parks and Open Space 29 Four Mile Run forms the Western boundary of Bluemont, and provides a scenic focal point in Bluemont Park.
30 Parks and Open Space Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area
Overview repair shop, a skate board and parking; and sidewalks that are roller blade shop, a T-shirt and shoe narrow, obstructed and lacking he Wilson Boulevard commer- store, an animal hospital, and a even the most minimal buffer from cial area is Bluemont’s commercial door service company. traffic. In addition to the 105 T downtown. Residents gener- The main centers of commercial telephone poles and other obstruc- ally appreciate Wilson’s blend of activity in this area are the Safeway tions along Wilson Boulevard, there small businesses, craft shops, and grocery store and the McDonald’s are 50 dips in the sidewalks for a few chain establishments. But Restaurant at the intersection of driveways and parking lots, not while neighbors don’t want to turn Wilson Boulevard and George including curb cuts at street the area into a continuation of Mason Drive. intersections. Wilson Boulevard’s Ballston, they are also generally sidewalks are impassable for supportive of making the Wilson Challenges people with special needs, and are Boulevard commercial area more hazardous to anyone else who cohesive, more attractive, and more Pedestrian Safety. Wilson Boulevard ventures on them. Crossing Wilson pedestrian-friendly. In keeping with is grossly unsafe for pedestrians. Boulevard is dangerous throughout the urban village concept, aesthetic Local businesses and residents the neighborhood, though residents and access improvements to suffer as a result. Many residents think that the crossings at Emerson Wilson’s commercial strip could go have noted specifically that after Street (by the Safeway) and by the a long way toward establishing a having made one trial walk to the bus stops near Kensington Street traditional town center that pulls Safeway, they now drive to non- are in particular need of improve- together the community. local stores even for small items. ments. Name a pedestrian hazard, and The Wilson Boulevard Commercial Store and Parking Alignment. Area extends from Glebe Road west Wilson’s got it: speeding traffic; wide, insufficiently marked crossing Parking is generally restricted to to Jefferson Street. It consists of a the area directly in front of the narrow strip of commercially zoned points; front-of-store diagonal properties interspersed with apartments, townhouses, and single family homes. The businesses Voices of Bluemont: located here are spread out either Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area in single buildings or in buildings housing two to five businesses. The Two out of three households responding to the neighborhood conservation area includes family restaurants, plan survey thought local commercial establishments met their daily service stations, barber and beauty shopping needs, were clean and well maintained, and made a positive contribution to the community. Still, many people suggested improvements. shops, dry cleaners, a video store, a A sampling of survey comments: convenience store, a former printshop and warehouse, a bakery, “We’re fortunate to have small businesses. a funeral home, an electronic Let’s support them, not destroy them.” appliance repair shop, and profes- “I go to the Lee/Harrison shopping area because the Wilson area seems sional offices. dreary and seedy.” There are also a number of busi- “Improve pedestrian and bike access.” nesses within the Wilson Boulevard “Wilson Boulevard shops are cut off from those residents north of them.” Commercial Area that are unique. These include a pottery consign- “Storefronts look bad, but the services are good.” ment shop, a well-regarded used “Just plant more trees and gardens.” book store, a leather and shoe
Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area 31 business storefronts. Drivers going as a model for the other businesses should include: burying utility lines in and out of these parking areas of the Wilson Commercial Area. using the combined resources of can endanger themselves as well as the County, commercial area For all its shortcomings, the Wilson nearby pedestrians, especially if property owners, and Virginia Boulevard Commercial Area is the drivers have to back into traffic Power; development of consolidated valued as one of the few remaining on Wilson Boulevard. Front-of-store behind-store parking wherever locations in Arlington County where parking is also a reason the area is possible; construction of sidewalks small businesses, sole proprietors, generally unattractive. and planting strips on both sides of and crafts-people can still find Wilson Boulevard between Glebe Appearance. In addition to block- affordable commercial space. Most Road and Jefferson Street of ing the path of pedestrians and the neighborhood residents regard sufficient width and design to meet sight-lines of drivers, Wilson’s Wilson Boulevard as a unique national standards for traditional Boulevard’s forest of telephone resource that needs to be nurtured, neighborhood business areas; the poles and utility lines is unsightly. not replaced. Along this line, the addition of trees and other land- And in a commercial area, appear- Association believes these busi- scaping wherever possible; and the ances count. An almost total lack of nesses would become even more of replacement of streetlights with landscaping adds to a bleak, an asset to the community if access attractive street lamps. uninviting look. There are whole were improved and the area given a blocks of Wilson Boulevard with no more inviting look. Recommendation 33. Should green at all. Safeway company officials decide to Recommendation 32. The County, in renovate or expand the store at The Association understands that at partnership with local business Wilson Boulevard and Edison some point the Safeway at Wilson owners and the Association, should Street, the neighborhood encour- and Edison may be renovated or develop a phased urban village ages consideration of a new design expanded. Such a project would be action plan to improve the appear- that is more pedestrian friendly and an ideal opportunity for owners to ance of the Wilson Boulevard has more curb appeal. Behind-store make the store more attractive and Commercial Area, to enhance parking, attractive landscaping, and pedestrian friendly. A renovated vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian welcoming pedestrian walkways Safeway reconfigured on its existing access, and to generally encourage should be considered. property to allow for behind-store the establishment of a traditional parking, attractive landscaping, and town center that pulls together the good pedestrian access could serve community. Goals of the plan
Bluemont Remembers Excerpts from the Arlington County Public Library Oral History Interview in 1989 of Ms. Sarah B. Brugh. Interviewer: ... We have a map in front of us that shows Stonewall Jackson [school, now Arlington Traditional School]. It’s a 1938 map of Arlington County and index of streets and what-not. Ms. Brugh: The farmhouse was down on Wilson Boulevard right there where McDonald’s is now. There was a farm there. Pastures, they had a barn and the pasture was right behind the barn that came up by the school...Then when George Mason [Drive] was built it was on the last addition that they put the principal’s office, the nurse’s office, the confer- ence room and the gymnasium... When I first came to Arlington, I walked along the cornfield which is now the Stonewall Jackson ballfield playground
32 Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area Landscapers Help Spruce Up Main Street Small Cities Regain Charm and Business at a Low Cost
Reprinted by permission of Landscaping, on the other hand, is relatively inexpensive. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL Urban planner say if a city has proper infrastructure, viable 1998 Dow Jones and Company Inc. activities and commercial investment, but still no real spark, a All rights reserved. Originally published August 24, 1998. bit of fresh landscaping may be just what the doctor ordered. By Lucinda Harper, “Landscaping is not the answer to economic development, but Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL it is a critical part of the answer,” says David Godschalk, professor of city an regional planning at the University of VALDOSTA, Ga. - Four hundred trees, 45 park benches, 234 North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He cautions, though, that there lampposts, one old-fashioned street clock. That’s all it took. is no clear way to measure the impact. “You can’t say that if For more than a decade, this small city has been trying to you put down 100 trees, you’ll get X as a return.” revitalize its downtown: It gave funds for facade restoration, discounts on electric bills and sponsored concerts on the Still, many small towns are plugging away. Some are trying to courthouse lawn. Nothing seemed to do the trick. create a sense of nostalgia to appeal to baby boomers. The city of Temucula, Calif., is remodeling the center of its Upscale Businesses downtown to resemble a frontier town in the Old West. Aside from the planting of new California Sycamore trees, landscap- But two years ago, Valdosta decided to invest $9 million on ers a re replacing boring concrete sidewalks with wooden new landscaping, a large sum for a town of 48,000. Most boardwalks, installing hitching posts and putting in oak trash existing trees in an eight-block radius were uprooted. New barrels -all at a cost of $5 million. elm, oak and magnolia trees, as well as azalea, holly and juniper bushes, were put in their place. Sidewalks were John Meyer, housing and redevelopment manager for the city widened and streets were narrowed, bringing back an of 48,000, says the theme was chosen to keep in line with the ambiance of Southern charm that had left the district many, town’s history as a stage stop on the Overland Stage mail many years before. route and a large cattle ranch. The result: New, hip and trendy businesses cropped up in “Once this is completed, there will be more reason for once-abandoned buildings even before the project was commercial building, and the quality of the buildings will be completely finished a few weeks ago, and people are coming better,” Mr. Meyer predicts. from surrounding areas to shop. In an extremely poor area in Newport News, Va., the commu- “Before, the downtown was old-timey. Not old-timey enough to nity opted to spend $4 million on new landscaping along an be cute, but old-timey enough to be tacky,” says Becky Myers, 18-acre tract of waterfront property rather than build high- who started an upscale children’s clothing boutique here in priced condominiums or an industrial Park. March. “This is probably one of the last undeveloped pieces of Carol McDonald, who opened an antique shop with her sister waterfront between New York and Florida,” says Shaun Brown, here recently, agrees. “Basically, people used to come chairman of the Hampton Roads Waterfront Task Force. “But downtown for a reason, and then they left, she says. “Now, the feeling is that if we let the park go” to development, the people stroll around just to look, and they are really enjoying community would flounder, she said. it.” Knoxville, Tenn. is working to revitalize its riverfront, indus- Call it economic development on the cheap. But some smaller trial area and old city area. Knoxville’s Department of cities and towns are discovering that new trees and lush Administration director, Ellen Adcock, cautions cities that are greenery can be more effective than tax breaks, abatements using heavy landscaping as a development tool to remember and other economic incentives when it comes to luring new safety. “Sometimes, people end up feeling unsafe with a lot of businesses and shoppers. shrubbery,” she says, noting that criminals can hide behind it. “It is important that you pay attention to lighting and the ‘A Sense of Community’ positioning of trees.” With a strong economy leaving many municipalities flush with Still, trees are an integral part of Knoxville’s redevelopment cash from tax revenues, more cities than ever are trying to efforts. “The mayor (Victor Ashe) is very tree-oriented,” Ms. spruce up their surroundings in hope that the facelift will keep Adcock says. “Before a tree is cut down on any piece of public middle-income taxpayers from moving to newer communities. property, he has to be personally notified.” “Many small towns are fighting to keep people there, and landscaping is a way to build a sense of community,” says Before the landscaping project started two years ago in Richard Spurber, president of suburban-Los Angeles-based Valdosta, the tax base downtown was declining. It is now on Valley Crest, which provided the landscaping for Valdosta and the rise, says the town’s Main Street director, Mara Register. some other small towns looking to freshen their image. Ms. Register also points out that seven new businesses Of course, redesigning shabby downtowns isn’t new. Large opened downtown in 1997, among them an engineering firm cities have been turning decaying neighborhoods into festive and a trendy coffee house, despite the fact that landscaping marketplaces and waterfront pavilions for decades. But those and street construction were at their peak, and it was often projects often required massive new infrastructure and costly difficult to walk around the city streets. construction, far too expensive for small towns.
Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area 33 APPENDICES APPENDIX A Recommended Projects
A1. Kensington Street between Carlin Springs and right-size 26-foot width to 23 foot width main- Road and 8th Road; Jefferson Street between 5th taining parking prohibitions on both sides; b) con- Street and Wilson Boulevard; 5th Street, 6th struct sidewalks on east side, using reclaimed land Street, 7th Street, and 8th Street between from street right-sizing; and c) widen or otherwise Kensington Street and Jefferson Street; and 8th improve pedestrian pathway over I-66, or add land- Road between Jefferson Street and Lexington scaped buffer of contained plantings. Street. Other Recommendations. As discussed with County Design recommendations. The County should a) officials the County should implement County- construct sidewalks with planting strips on both sides approved retrofitted traffic calming measures includ- of each street, using reclaimed land from street right- ing measures to control speed, such as increased sizing; b) right-size 8th Road and 5th Street to 26 foot police enforcement and use of SMART sets, a perma- curb-to-curb width, right-size Kensington Street and nent SMART set or speed warning sign, or flat-top Jefferson Street to 30 foot curb-to-curb width or speed humps and 4-way stops. other width as determined by prevailing national A3. Vermont Street, Abingdon Street and standards for traditional neighborhood street design; Wakefield Street, all between Wilson Boulevard c) maintain two sided parking on each street; and d) and Carlin Springs Road. reduce curb return radii at all minor road intersec- tions to 10 feet. Design recommendations. The County should a) right- size Vermont Street and Abingdon Street to 26 foot Other recommendations. Improve pedestrian path curb-to-curb width maintaining parking on both sides; from Kensington Street dead-end at Wilson Boulevard b) construct sidewalks with planting strips on both toward the Wilson Boulevard bus stop. Construct sides of each street where sidewalks are missing, differently textured, differently colored, and/or raised using reclaimed land from street right-sizing; c) crosswalk where Bluemont trail bike path crosses reduce curb return radii at minor road intersections Kensington Street. Consider marking bike lanes on to 10 feet; and d) redesign turn lane for Carlin Jefferson Street. Implement appropriate County- Springs Road onto Abingdon Street to discourage approved retrofitted traffic calming measures such as speeding. flat-top speed humps, traffic circles or other physical restraints as discussed with County officials. Con- A4. 7th Street between Buchanan Street and sider changing the yield sign on Lexington Street at George Mason Drive; Buchanan Street between 8th Road to a stop sign to ensure drivers have enough 7th Road and 7th Street; Albemarle Street be- time to properly gauge oncoming traffic. tween Wilson Boulevard and 7th Road. A2. Harrison Street between Washington Boule- Design recommendations. The County should a) vard and Wilson Boulevard. construct sidewalks with planting strips on both sides of each street where missing; and b) reduce curb No-cost recommendations. Consistent with County- return radii at minor road intersections to 10 feet. approved traffic calming measures, the County should immediately allow one sided parking in 26 foot wide A5. Buchanan Street, between Fairfax Drive and sections and immediately allow two sided parking in Wilson Boulevard; 8th Road between Fields Park 30 or 31 foot wide sections, subject to line-of-sight, and Buchanan Street. grade and other safety considerations and with Design recommendations. The County should a) consideration given to rush-hour parking restrictions. construct curbs and sidewalks with planting strips on Design recommendations. The County should a) right- both sides of each street; and b) reduce curb return size 36 foot curb-to-curb width to 30 feet or other radii at intersections to 10 feet. appropriate width, maintaining two sided parking, A6. 5th Street, between Greenbrier Street and
Recommended Projects A-1 Frederick Street; Frederick Street and Harrison to 10 feet. Street between 5th Street and Carlin Springs A9. Bluemont Junction Park. Road; Illinois Street between 5th Street and Bluemont Drive; Greenbrier Street between 5th Recommended improvements. Between Emerson Street and Bluemont Drive. Street and Kensington Street the County should construct a tot lot and a playground, and install a Design recommendations. The County should a) right- drinking fountain and additional benches or tables. size each street to 26 foot curb-to-curb width; and b) Wildflowers and other appropriate landscaping should construct curbs and sidewalks with planting strips on also be added to improve the park’s appearance both sides of each street where sidewalks are miss- between Emerson Street and Kensington Street. The ing, using reclaimed land from street right-sizing; and County should also install as needed along the length c) reduce curb return radii to 10 feet. of the trail additional nighttime lighting sufficient to A7. 10th Street between Frederick Street and eliminate dark spots but not so bright as to disturb George Mason Drive; Frederick Street between adjacent residents. The viability of safety phones 10th Street and Washington Boulevard. should also be considered for this trail as well as other trails in the neighborhood. Residents believe No-cost recommendations. To alleviate parking that the completion of all of these modest improve- problems and slow traffic while still allowing for fluid ments would not alter the park’s character as a through traffic, the County should immediately allow predominantly open and unimproved area. two sided parking in the 31 foot wide section of Frederick Street, consistent with County-approved A10. Wilson Boulevard between Glebe Road and traffic calming measures. Four Mile Run. Design recommendations. For both 10th Street and Design recommendations. For the length of Wilson Frederick Street the County should a) right-size both Boulevard through the neighborhood, the County streets to 26 foot curb-to-curb widths maintaining should construct buffered, landscaped sidewalks of a parking on both sides; b) construct sidewalks with width consistent with prevailing street design guide- planting strips where missing on both sides of each lines for traditional neighborhoods. street using reclaimed land from street right-sizing; Other recommendations. The County should enhance and c) reduce curb return radii at minor road inter- enforcement measures and implement passive sections to 10 feet. Note that the County Department methods such as SMART sets to discourage vehicular of Public Works in 1997 declined the request of local speeding. residents for retrofitted traffic calming measures on Frederick Street, citing the fact that daily traffic A11. Washington Boulevard between Ivanhoe volume was low. In view of this low traffic volume, the Street and Frederick Street. County will presumably not object to the removal of Design recommendations. The State of Virginia should parking restrictions or to the right-sizing of these construct curb and sidewalk with planting strip of a streets. width consistent with prevailing street design guide- Other recommendations. Pending the completion of lines for traditional neighborhoods. To enhance street design recommendations, the County should pedestrian safety and accommodate adjacent prop- consider County-approved retrofitted traffic calming erty owners, two-sided parking should be maintained. measures including flat top speed humps, 4-way A12. Frederick Street between its dead end at stops, or curb nubs. Interstate 66 and Wilson Boulevard; 9th Street A8. 6th Street between Edison and Emerson between Frederick and Edison; 8th Road be- Streets, Edison Street between Carlin Springs tween Greenbrier and Edison streets. Road and 6th Street; Emerson Street between Design recommendations. The County should con- 6th Street and Wilson Boulevard. struct sidewalks as follows: Frederick Street, both Design recommendations. The County should a) sides where missing between its dead end at Inter- construct sidewalks with planting strips parkway state 66 and Wilson Boulevard; 9th Street, south side where sidewalks are missing, maintaining parking on between Frederick and Edison streets (curbs only to both sides of each street; b) right-size 6th Street be built on north side); 8th Road, both sides where between Edison and Emerson to 26 feet, using missing between Greenbrier and Edison streets. reclaimed land for sidewalk and parkway; and c) A13. Fairfax Drive near Abingdon Street and the reduce curb return radii at minor road intersections Holiday Inn.
A-2 Recommended Projects Street design recommendations: The County should A19. 9th Street between George Mason Drive and construct a sufficiently wide, landscaped sidewalk in Buchanan Street (improvement of storm drains). front of the Holiday Inn. The Holiday Inn turn-in circle At the following locations, nighttime lighting should entryways should be narrowed. Pedestrian and be installed or improved: bicycle paths should be separated and widened at their merge point near Abingdon Street. Note also A20. Fairfax Drive at George Mason Drive Appendix A, Recommended Project A20. through the area near Fairfax Drive at the Holiday Inn. A14. Florida, Greenbrier, Harrison and Illinois Street cul-de-sacs at Bluemont Junction Park. A21. 8th Road near Kensington Street. Street design recommendations: The County should A22. Frederick Street between its dead end at construct curbs and attractive entryways that allow Interstate 66 and Wilson Boulevard; 9th Street for passage by bicycles, pedestrians, or people with between Frederick and Edison Streets. strollers. A23. 7th Street between Tazewell and Wakefield At the following locations, curbs and gutters should Streets; Tazewell Street between 7th Street and be constructed or storm drains improved: Wilson Boulevard. A15. 12th Street between Frederick Street and A24. Albemarle Street between Wilson Boulevard Harrison Street (curb/gutter). and 7th Street. A16. 11th Road between Frederick Street and A25. Exit ramp from Carlin Springs Road west- Illinois Street (curb/gutter). bound onto George Mason northbound. A17. Bluemont Drive where missing between A26. Greenbrier Street between Bluemont Drive Illinois and Frederick Streets (curb/gutter). The and 5th Street, including at Bluemont bike path. end of Bluemont Drive at Illinois Street should A27. 7th Road near Abingdon Street. also be neatened and repaired. A18. Greenbrier Street cul-de-sac at Interstate 66 (curb/gutter).
Recommended Projects A-3 APPENDIX B Summary of Policy Recommendations
Land Use and Zoning 5. For all prospective changes to County proerty within the neighborhood, the County is encour- 1. In order to preserve Bluemont as a predomi- aged to proceed as if site plan development nantly residential neighborhood of detached requirements applied. homes, the Association will work with the County to maintain in broad form the prevailing land use and zoning patterns of the neighborhood. The Streets and Street Safety neighborhood recommends specifically that 6. In cooperation with the Association, the County residents’ views be given due consideration in should build a safe and continuous pedestrian adjudicating any rezoning request or zoning network in Bluemont. With the exception of variance request that would allow additional streets with very minimal traffic where residents commercial development or higher density specifically oppose the con-struction of side- development in the neighborhood. walks, the County should construct curbs and 2. Working with the Association, the County should sidewalks on both sides of every neighborhood actively solicit the opinions of Bluemont resi- street. Sidewalks of extra width should accom- dents on prospective modifications to the pany every arterial road. The County should use Ballston Sector Plan that include a part of the the reclaimed land from street right-sizing (see neighborhood. The County should welcome Recommendation 7) to locate sidewalks and Bluemont’s input on other prospective Ballston accompanying planting strips. (See also Appen- projects, including Metro station access projects. dix A, Recommended Projects.) 3. In order to diminish runoff and erosion problems, 7. To make streets safer for all users and reclaim particularly with regard to Four Mile Run, the greenspace while continuing to accommodate County should revise building codes and zoning two-way traffic and emergency vehicles, the ordinances for any residential construction County (in cooperation with the Association) (including home additions and infill develop- should prescribe for neighborhood minor streets ment) to: a) reduce surface area of residential a curb-to-curb width of between 24 and 26 feet lots permitted to be covered by structures or with parking on both sides. For neighborhood other impermeable entities (e.g. reduce to the principal streets, the County should prescribe 50% coverage level suggested by the Civic the minimum curb-to-curb width consistent with Federation); and b) require that new land uses national street design guidelines for traditional do not create drainage problems for adjacent neighborhoods, which should be less than 36 property owners. feet. (See Appendix A, Recommended Projects.) 4. Working with the Association as ap-propriate, the 8. To enhance vehicular and pedestrian safety while County should be responsive to residents’ continuing to allow for emergency vehicle requests for enforcement of County ordinances access, the County (in cooperation with the on residential use, residential care, parking, Association) should prescribe a standard curb noise, and other health and quality of life issues. return radius of 10 feet for intersections of all In acting on such requests, the County should non-arterial neighborhood streets in Bluemont. balance potential risks to health, safety, and (See Appendix A, Recommended Projects.) welfare with the privacy rights of local residents. 9. In cooperation with the Association, the County The County is to be commended for initiating a should apply appropriate County-approved program to investigate reported violations at retrofitted traffic calming measures to: a) the night and on weekends, since those times are length of Wilson Boulevard in the neighborhood; often the only opportunities to observe certain b) Kensington Street and Jefferson Street (and violations.
Summary of Policy Recommendations B-1 their connector streets) between Carlin Springs 13. To allow residents to travel safely on foot or Road and Wilson Boulevard; and c) Harrison bicycle to and from Ballston, the County (in Street, between Wilson Boulevard and Washing- cooperation with the Association) should make ton Boulevard, 10th Street between Harrison and the intersection of Glebe Road and Fairfax Drive George Mason Drive, and Frederick Street pedestrian-friendly. Crosswalks should be better between Washington Boulevard and the Custis marked, medians (with curb cuts) should extend Trail. (See also Appendix A, Recommended into the crosswalk, and islands and medians Projects.) should be expanded, lanes narrowed, or crossing distances otherwise minimized. 10. In cooperation with the Association, the County should take necessary action to correct prob- 14. In cooperation with the Association, the County lems of limited visibility caused by vegetation or should improve or create pedestrian crossing other obstructions on Harrison Street between locations: a) at and around the intersection of Washington and Wilson Boulevards. The County Carlin Springs Road and Glebe Road, as well as should respond expeditiously to other requests other locations along Carlin Springs Road; b) from residents regarding sight obstructions from across George Mason Drive at Fairfax Drive; and vegetation or other obstacles. The Association c) across Wilson Boulevard at Emerson Street encourages neighborhood residents to (near the Safeway) and across Wilson Boulevard proactively trim vegetation on their property as at the bus stop near Kensington Street. In all appropriate. cases, consideration should be given to well- marked crosswalks and other measures that 11. To make Bluemont safer and more livable, the would alert drivers to go slower. County (in cooperation with the Association) should improve the traffic control system and/or 15. In recognition of the fact that a) safe streets and design of the intersection at George Mason Drive pedestrian facilities are a primary element of a (GMD) and Wilson Boulevard. Particular consid- model urban village, and b) Bluemont’s hazard- eration should be given to accommodating left ous streets and inadequate pedestrian facilities turns from GMD northbound to Wilson west- are inconsistent with the prevailing character of bound, and to accommodating left turns from the neighborhood and the County as a whole, the Wilson westbound to GMD southbound. Changes County (in cooperation with the Association) to the intersection should at the same time make should rebuild neighborhood streets to favor it safer and easier for pedestrians and bicycles slow-moving local traffic, improve the flow of to cross, especially since this intersection is a arterial roads, and build safe and continuous crucial part of the Bluemont Junction Trail pedestrian and bicycle networks. To this end, the connecting the neighborhood to Ballston. County should seek supplementary funding from Pedestrian crosswalks should be shortened as State and Federal sources. much as possible and be better marked. 16. In cooperation with the Association, the County 12. At the intersection of Glebe Road and Wilson should respond expeditiously and favorably to Boulevard, the County (in cooperation with the residents’ requests to establish or expand Association) should lessen crossing distances by restricted neighborhood parking zones in those right-sizing vehicle travel lanes, better mark portions of the neighborhood that are most crosswalks, and otherwise make the intersection heavily affected by non-resident parking. safer and friendlier for pedestrians and bicy- 17. To alleviate weekend, weeknight and summer- clists. To allow for the safer and easier flow of time parking problems around Arlington Tradi- vehicles, lanes should be better marked and tional School, the County (in cooperation with consideration should be given to the addition of the Association) should allow users of the school left-turn arrows. Left turns from Wilson Boule- grounds and nearby Fields Park to park in the vard westbound to Glebe Road southbound school lot and on Edison Street. Signs should be should be permitted at all times, including changed accordingly. afternoon rush hours. Consideration should be given to restricting afternoon rush hour left 18. In cooperation with the Association as appropri- turns from Wilson Boulevard westbound to ate, the County should clean and maintain Vermont Street southbound to residents only. At Bluemont’s alleys more regularly. Tazewell Street, signs should be added across 19. To enhance safety in the neighborhood, the from the Mazda dealership to preclude inadvert- County (in cooperation with the Association) ent left turns.
B-2 Summary of Policy Recommendations should install attractive nighttime lighting at the a drinking fountain and additional benches or locations specified in Appendix A, Recommended tables. Wildflowers and other appropriate Projects A20 through A28. landscaping should also be added to improve the park’s appearance between Emerson Street and Parks and Open Spaces Kensington Street. The County should also install - as needed along the length of the trail - addi- 20. Recognizing that recreational, historical, and tional nighttime lighting sufficient to eliminate natural space is of critical importance to the dark spots but not so bright as to disturb well-being of the community and to the livability adjacent residents. The viability of safety phones of the neighborhood, the people of Blue-mont should also be considered for this trail as well as encourage the County to maintain the highest other trails in the neighborhood. Residents standards for the neighborhood’s parks and other believe that the completion of all of these modest public spaces. As the number of park and trail improvements would not alter the park’s charac- users continues to grow, the County should ter as a predominantly open and unimproved (pursuant to the Open Space Master Plan) seek area. (See Appendix A, Recommended Projects) to improve and expand existing green space so that the next generation of residents can con- 26. The County should thoroughly investigate and tinue to enjoy a wide range of recreational, take appropriate action in response to concerns historical, and natural resources. over the possibility of toxic waste in the soil of Bluemont Park near the Virginia Power 21. Recognizing the value of mature trees and other substation and in Bluemont Junction Park near flora, the Association encourages the County to the location of former overhead electric trans a) vigorously enforce site plan procedures meant formers. to safeguard trees and other vegetation; b) control nonnative vines that threaten trees; and 27. In Lacey Woods Park and other neighborhood c) collaborate with Virginia Power to properly parks and trails, the County (in cooperation with train tree trimming crews and to ensure the the Association) should seek to better enforce strictest quality standards. ordinances requiring dog owners to leash their pets and to clean up after them. The County 22. The Association commends Arlington County for should inform owners of relevant ordinances joining Fairfax County and the Cities of Alexan- when owners register dria and Falls Church in creating a new monitor- their pets. ing system for Four Mile Run. The Association encourages additional vigorous efforts to restore 28. In accordance with the preference of the majority the health of the stream, its wildlife, and its of Waycroft-Woodlawn residents responding to vegetation. that neighborhood’s recent conservation plan survey, the County should acquire the parcel on 23. The neighborhood urges more frequent, year- the Northeast corner of George Mason Drive and round bike patrol policing of neighborhood parks Washington Boulevard and maintain it as a and trails to encourage trail etiquette and to natural-woods County park land similar to enhance trail and park safety. Furthermore, the neighboring Lacey Woods Park. County should respond expeditiously to resi- dents’ reports of non-permitted consumption of 29. The Association encourages local businesses to alcohol, drug-using or other nefarious activity in develop and maintain attractive landscaping, neighborhood parks or trails. especially in those areas adjacent to residential areas. The Association welcomes the involve- 24. The County should consider replacing all trash ment of County business development offices in cans in neighborhood parks with a type similar encouraging such practices even if not specifi- to those used by the National Park Service, with cally required by County ordinance. curved tops and pull down flap openings in order to control vermin and reduce the amount of 30. The County should not permit the installation of scattered trash. telecommunications towers or facilities in the neighborhood. 25. In Bluemont Junction Park between Emerson Street and Kensington Street the County (in 31. Provide neighborhood identification signs with cooperation with the Association) should plantings at designated entry points into the construct a tot lot and a playground, and install community and/or at public space within the neighborhood.
Summary of Policy Recommendations B-3 Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area 32. The County, in partnership with local business owners and the Association, should develop a phased urban village action plan to improve the appearance of the Wilson Boulevard Commercial Area, to enhance vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian access, and to generally encourage the estab- lishment of a traditional town center that pulls together the community. Goals of the plan should include: burying utility lines using the combined resources of the County, commercial area property owners, and Virginia Power; develop- ment of consolidated behind-store parking wherever possible; construction of sidewalks and planting strips on both sides of Wilson Boulevard between Glebe Road and Jefferson Street of sufficient width and design to meet national standards for traditional neighborhood business areas; the addition of trees and other landscap- ing wherever possible; and the replacement of streetlights with attractive street lamps. 33. Should Safeway company officials decide to renovate or expand the store at Wilson Boulevard and Edison Street, the neighborhood encourages consideration of a new design that is more pedestrian friendly and has more curb appeal. Behind-store parking, attractive landscaping, and welcoming pedestrian walkways should be considered.
B-4 Summary of Policy Recommendations Appendix C ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
August 25, 1999
TO: The County Board of Arlington, Virginia FROM: William T. Donahue, County Manager SUBJECT: Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation (NC) Plan
RECOMMENDATION: Accept the Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Plan with the comments specified in this report. ISSUES: The Plan makes specific recommendations regarding neighbor- hood traffic problems that will require further study. Should property owners and the County concur with the project recommen- dations (i.e., sidewalks on both sides of the street or the numerous street width narrowings), many projects will be extremely costly to implement due to demolition of existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk. SUMMARY: The Bluemont neighborhood is a community of more than 5,000 residents, located in west central Arlington, immediately west of Ballston. The neighborhood straddles I-66 and is bounded on the south by Carlin Springs Road and on the north by I-66, except between N. Jefferson Street and George Mason where Washing- ton Boulevard is the northern boundary. The western boundary is Four Mile Run from Carlin Springs Road to I-66 and N. Jefferson Street from I-66 to Washington Boulevard. The neighborhood’s eastern boundary is Glebe Road south of I-66 and George Mason Drive to the north of I-66 (See map – Attachment1). The neighbor- hood is comprised mostly of single-family detached homes of varying styles and some apartment buildings. Small shops and stores make up the commercial development along Wilson Boulevard. Bluemont is fortunate to have six popular parks within or adjacent to the community. The Bluemont neighborhood has stated that “A primary purpose of this neighborhood conservation plan is to help us, the residents of Bluemont, to reclaim our streets.” The neighborhood desires to have County support “in building the infrastructure of a true urban village, featuring fluid, but slow-moving traffic and a network of sidewalks that encourages people of all ages to walk anywhere in the neighborhood.”
STAFF: Nancy Michael, Neighborhood Conservation Planner, Office of Neighborhood Services, DCPHD
Reviewed by County Attorney: ______
C-1 County Board Report In addition to street and sidewalk recommendations, a number of other goals are presented in the plan including: • Maintaining land use and zoning designations to preserve the single-family de tached residential nature of Bluemont • Maintaining and improving local parks • Improving the accessibility and attractiveness of the Wilson Boulevard commercial area The Bluemont NC plan references 32 policy and 27 project recommendations that the citizens consider important to the continual improvement of the neighborhood. Staff has provided comments on several of the recommendations or concepts included in the plan. Staff generally supports the plan and recommends County Board acceptance of the Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Plan. BACKGROUND: Known at the time as the Stonewall Jackson Civic Association, residents of Bluemont formally committed to developing an NC plan in 1992. The neighborhood recommitted itself in 1997 and distributed a survey to all Bluemont residents and business owners in Spring, 1998, which returned about 200 responses. Over 50 resident volunteers actively participated on committees that subsequently yielded the recommendations included in the plan. The Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee reviewed the document on June 10, 1999 and recommended it be forwarded to the County Board and Planning Commission for acceptance. DISCUSSION: The Bluemont NC Plan makes recommendations covering a broad spectrum of topics. NC staff and the staff from other appropriate County departments will work to implement the community projects as initiated by the neighborhood, subject to funding availability and/or NCAC approval. For non-capital recommenda- tions, NC staff will act as a liaison between the community and other County agencies. To follow are staff comments, listed by Department, on various sections in the Bluemont NC Plan where additional explanation or information is useful. This memorandum will be printed and bound with the NC plan when it is published.
Priority Issue Recommendation Plan Recommendation Comment (Department) Number or Heading Page Numbers
Land Use and Zoning The neighborhood recommends specifically that The Planning Division agrees. For variances, the Recommendation 1 residents’ views be given due consid-eration in Board of Zoning Appeals must find that the Page 14 adjudicating any rezoning request request “will not be of substantial de-triment to or zoning variance request that would allow adjacent pro-perties nor will it change the additional commercial development or higher character of the zone district.” (DCPHD- Planning) density development in the neighborhood.
County Board Report C-2 Priority Issue Recommendation Plan Recommendation Comment (Department) Number or Heading Page Numbers Land Use and Zoning The County should actively solicit the As in the past with the Balls Crossing NC Recommendation 2 opinions of Bluemont residents on Plan, County staff will defer to the Bluemont Page 14 prospective modifications to the NC Plan (upon its acceptance by the County Ballston Sector Plan…. Board) for recommendations related to Bluemont and its environs, including the Ballston area. The County will review the Bluemont NC Plan should any modifications to the Ballston Sector Plan arise. (DCPHD- Planning and ONS)
Land Use and Zoning In order to diminish runoff and erosion Coverage in residential development Recommendation 3 problems…the County should revise will be addressed in zoning ordinance Page 15 building codes and zoning ordinances amendments for the purpose of con-trolling for any residential construction… to infill development, in order to preserve a) reduce surface area of residential lots neighborhood character. The County’s permitted to be covered by structures or Stormwater Detention, Chesapeake Bay, other impermeable entities…; and and Erosion & Sediment Control ordinances b) require that new land uses do not regulate runoff and erosion. (DCPHD- create drainage problems for adjacent Planning) property owners.
Land Use and Zoning The County should be responsive to The Code Enforcement Section will Recommendation 4 residents’ requests for enforcement of inspect for violations on request. The Page 15 County ordinances on residential use, County has increased Code enforcement staff residential care, parking, noise, and other recently in response to citizen needs. health and quality of life issues. (DCPHD- Planning)
Land Use and Zoning For all prospective changes to County The County uses this type of process for Recommendation 5 property within the neighborhood, the major facilities, but employs other public Page 16 County is encouraged to proceed as if processes depending on the particular site plan development requirements change proposed. Some changes, such as applied. rezoning applications, require public processes. (DCPHD- Planning)
Streets and Street Safety Except where resident’s oppose it or on Because of funding constraints, design Recommendation 6 very minimally trafficked streets…the limitations and unexpected resident Page 18 County should construct sidewalks on opposition, a more realistic approach might be both sides of every neighborhood street… to attempt to install a sidewalk on at least one side of every street to build a continuous sidewalk network. (DPW)
Streets and Street Safety To make streets safer for all users and reclaim DPW will continue to work with neighbor- Recommendation 7 greenspace while continuing to accom- hoods to define the appropriate street width Page 19 modate two-way traffic and emergency for neighborhood street improvement projects vehicles, the County (in cooperation with the given the existing conditions, safety concerns, Association) should prescribe for neighbor- and desires of residents. hood minor streets a curb-to-curb width of between 24 and 26 feet with parking on both A street width of 24 to 26 feet (measured sides. For neighborhood principal streets, the curb-to-curb) is too narrow to allow parking on County should prescribe the minimum curb- both sides of neighborhood streets. to-curb width consistent with national street Streets this narrow would allow no room for a design guidelines for traditional neighbor- motorist to maneuver should a child or pet run hoods, which should be less than 36 feet. out between parked cars. (DPW)
Streets and Street Safety …the County should prescribe a standard The County has recently adopted modified Recommendation 8 curb return radius of 10 feet for intersection design standards for curb return radii at Page 19 of all non-arterial neighborhood streets in intersections of neighborhood streets, which Bluemont. can be as low as 15 feet. The 10-foot curb return radii are too tight and would create turning conflicts at intersections, especially when the streets are narrow. (DPW)
C-3 County Board Report Priority Issue Recommendation Plan Recommendation Comment (Department) Number or Heading Page Numbers
Streets and Street …the County should apply appropriate Traffic calming measures can be considered Safety Recommendation County approved retro-fitted traffic on neighborhood streets provided the criteria 9 calming measures to [various Bluemont have been met. The criteria for specific traffic Page 21 streets]… calming measures are being developed currently, but are not complete yet. County staff and the Neighborhood Traffic Calming (NTC) sub-committee will also develop a problem severity ranking system to rank problem locations on a County-wide basis. The county will address the most severe NTC problems first. (DPW)
Streets and Street Safety …the County…should improve the It is difficult to make improvements to the Recommendation 11 traffic control system and/or design of the intersection of George Mason Drive and Page 22 intersection at George Mason Drive Wilson Blvd. because of the limited right-of- and Wilson Blvd. way available. This is especially true for the northbound-to-westbound movement. A leading left-turn arrow was recently installed on northbound N. George Mason Drive at Wilson Blvd. to facilitate left turns and reduce the length of the back up traffic approaching the signal. A left turn lane on eastbound Wilson Blvd. at N. George Mason Drive was painted within the past year.
Staff is investigating this intersection to improve pedestrian and bicyclist crossing. Crossings may be improved with more prominent crosswalks, better curb ramps, and refuge islands. (DPW)
Streets and Street Safety Pedestrian and bicycle crossing is difficult along A citizen committee is reviewing the Recommendations 12, 13, Glebe Road at the intersections of Fairfax Drive, pedestrian crossing issues along Glebe and 14 Wilson Boulevard, and Carlin Springs Road. Road with the intent to find ways to make Page 23 improvements. There are both County staff and Bluemont neighborhood representatives on the committee. (DPW)
Parks and Open Space …the Association encourages the County The Zoning Office enforces site plan Recommendation 21 to…vigorously enforce site plan procedures conditions, including those related to Page 27 meant to safeguard trees and other landscaping. (DCPHD- Planning) vegetation;
Parks and Open Space Unbuffered, obstructed sidewalk in front of Staff is currently working on the widening of First paragraph the Holiday Inn that serves as part of the the trail at this location. However, walls and Page 30 Bluemont Junction bike trail. private property will limit the amount of widening that can be done. (DPW)
Parks & Open Space Replace trash cans in parks with ones that have The County is pilot testing these type of cans Recommendation 24 curved tops and pull-down flap opening to now, but recognizes significant maintenance Page 30 control vermin and reduce scattered trash. impacts. (DPRCR)
Parks & Open Space Various improvements to Bluemont Junction A master plan process should be considered Recommendation 25 Park including the construction of tot lot/ in this situation to help ensure a coordinated Page 31 playground and the installation of a drinking approach to design and installation. Bluemont fountain, additional benches or tables, Junction Park, per se, is not currently on lighting along trail, and landscaping. The PRCR’s master plan list. However, Bluemont installation of safety phones should also be Park will be looked at next year by PRCR and considered along trail. Bluemont Junction Park may be able to be considered at the same time. (DPRCR and DCPHD-ONS)
County Board Report C-4 Priority Issue Recommendation Plan Recommendation Comment (Department) Number or Heading Page Numbers Parks and Open Space The County should not permit the installation Federal law prohibits local governments Recommendation 30 of telecommunications towers or facilities in from banning these facilities altogether. Page 35 the neighborhood. Arlington can control these facilities to some extent by requiring use permits and imposing conditions. (DCPHD- Planning)
Wilson Boulevard Should Safeway company officials decide The Planning Division agrees. If Safeway Commercial Area to renovate or expand the store at Wilson submits plans that require Planning Division Recommendation 32 Boulevard and Edison Street, the neighbor-hood review, staff will encourage this type of design. Page 38 encourages consideration of a new design that is (DCPHD- Planning) more pedestrian friendly and has more curb appeal. Behind-store parking, attractive landscaping, and welcoming pedestrian walkways should be considered.
Recommended Projects Portions of Kensington Street, Jefferson This project is quite large as proposed and Project A1 Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, 8th would require major redesign of many streets Page 45 Street and 8th Road to be improved by and intersections. redesigning the street to right-size street width, installing sidewalks and planting strips, A sidewalk project is included in the CIP for maintaining two-sided parking on all roads, FY 2003 that will provide sidewalk improve- and reducing curb radii to 10 feet. ments along N. Kensington Street. However, major street reconstruction as proposed by the neighborhood will greatly exceed funds available for this project. The intersection of Lexington Street and 8th Road has a good safety record, with no reported accidents in the past five years. The yield signs work well at three-way intersections, especially when almost all the turns are to the left, and the west side of the intersection is a dead end stub.
DPW supports a raised crosswalk for the bike trail crossing of Kensington Street south of Fifth Street North. (DPW)
Recommended Projects Missing sidewalks on North Kensington A project to install sidewalks is included in Project A1 Street. the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Page 45 FY 2003 funding. (DPW)
Recommended Projects Missing sidewalks on North Harrison Street. A sidewalk project was constructed in the mid- Project A2 1980s to provide curb, gutter and side-walk on Page 45 the west side of Harrison between Washington Blvd. and N. 11th St. There was insufficient right of way to provide for parking or a sidewalk on the east side. Because the right-of-way increases south of 11th Street, it may be possible to add a sidewalk on the east side of Harrison. (DPW)
Recommended Projects Alternative recommendations for Harrison For safety reasons, DPW does not support one- Project A2 Street related to traffic calming, right-sizing sided parking on North Harrison Street where Page 45 street widths, allowing one- or two-sided the width is 26 feet. parking, constructing sidewalk, improving the pedestrian pathway over I-66, and/or adding Police enforcement or deployment of the Smart landscaping. Set can be requested directly by residents by calling the Special Operations Sections at 228.4141. (DPW)
C-5 County Board Report Priority Issue Recommendation Plan Recommendation Comment (Department) Number or Heading Page Numbers Recommended Projects Portions of Vermont, Abingdon, and Because of existing traffic volumes on these Project A3 Wakefield Streets. Recommends that the streets, it would not be prudent to narrow these Page 45 County right-size Vermont and Abingdon streets. There is probably some right of way Streets to 26 feet in width with parking on available for a continuous walk on Vermont both sides; construct sidewalks and planting Street. (DPW) strips from reclaimed land on both sides of street; reduce curb return radii to 10 feet; and redesign turn lane on Carlin Springs going to Abingdon Street.
Recommended Projects Alternative recommendations for traffic calming DPW does not support allowing parking Project A7 on 10th Street and Frederick Street. Includes on both sides of Frederick Street where the Page 46 recommendations related to one- cross section is 31 feet because of sight and two-sided parking on Frederick Street; distance problems. Traffic calming devices can right-sizing street widths to 26 feet with two- be considered if these streets meet sided parking; constructing sidewalks and the criteria to be developed by the NTC planting strips with reclaimed land; reducing sub-committee. (DPW) curb radii to 10 feet; or installing other traffic calming measures such as flat top speed humps, 4-way stops, or curb nubs.
Recommended Projects Inadequate sidewalks on Wilson Boulevard. There is insufficient right of way on Project A10 Wilson Boulevard to widen the width of Page 47 the sidewalks. Wilson Boulevard is a heavily traveled arterial street and already has narrower than standard 11-foot lanes. (DPW)
Recommended Projects Missing sidewalk on Washington Boulevard A project was funded for this in Project A11 between Frederick Street and Ivanhoe Street. FY 1999. (DPW) Page 47
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The acceptance of the CONCLUSION: Staff generally supports the Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Plan Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Plan and does not have any immediate fiscal impact upon recommends County Board acceptance. County operations. If recommendations from this plan requiring funding or staff resources outside of the NC bond allocation are brought forward for implementation, they will each be analyzed as part of the County budget process.
County Board Report C-6 Standard Motion County Board Acceptance of Neighborhood Conservation Plans
Whereas, the County Board created the Neighborhood Conservation Program in 1964 to encourage neighborhoods to carry out neighborhood improvement plans and provide dedi- cated funding to implement those plans; and Whereas the Neighborhood Conservation Program is a mechanism for improvement and maintenance of areas where residents indicate a desire to achieve an improved neighborhood and fulfill a broader vision of the modern “urban village” through coordination of public and private efforts; and Whereas, these plans are initiated and prepared by the neighborhoods, who work with the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee and County staff; and Whereas, Neighborhood Conservation Plans have three purposes: 1) To build a neighborhood vision and consensus on issues affecting the neighborhood, to evaluate County service delivery and the state of the neighborhood, and to suggest policies and projects that will improve the neighborhood 2) To establish eligibility for Neighborhood Conservation funding 3) To provide guidance to the County Board, Commissions, Departments and staff concerning issues in neighborhoods; and Whereas, the County Board created the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee (NCAC) to guide the Neighborhood Conservation Program, and the NCAC reviewed this new, updated or amended Neighborhood Conservation Plan and recommends plan acceptance; and Whereas the Planning Commission also recommended acceptance of this plan. Now, therefore be it resolved that after careful consideration of the recommendations of the Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee, the County Board hereby accepts the Bluemont Neighborhood Conservation Plan as a statement of the neighborhood and directs the County Manager to ensure that the recommendations of this plan are considered in decision-making and actions that affect Bluemont.
C-7 County Board Report Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development Office of Neighborhood Services Neighborhood Conservation Program
Telephone: 703-228-3820 Facsimile: 703-228-3834
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