Donaldson Run Neighborhood Conservation Plan
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Arlington County, Virginia October 2000 Donaldson Run Neighborhood Conservation Plan Donaldson Run Civic Association Neighborhood Conservation Plan .......... Arlington County, Virginia October 2000 Donaldson Run Neighborhood Conservation Plan Final 11/08/00 Table of Contents Executive Summary .......................................................................................................1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................9 General Neighborhood Characteristics ....................................................................... 11 History of Donaldson Run........................................................................................... 14 Early Inhabitants (10,000 BC – 1860 AD)........................................................................14 The Civil War and Following Decades (1860-1890)........................................................15 Gentry, Trolley Lines and the Beginning of a Commuter Community (1890-1929)..16 The Depression and World War II (1929-1946)..............................................................17 1946 to the Present...............................................................................................................18 Donaldson Run Today.........................................................................................................20 General Neighborhood Concerns................................................................................ 21 Neighborhood Setting..........................................................................................................21 In-fill development ...............................................................................................................23 Pipestem development.........................................................................................................23 County Guidelines for Development ................................................................................24 Designated Historical District.............................................................................................24 Local Shopping .....................................................................................................................25 Other Areas of Interest to Donaldson Run Civic Association.....................................26 Mulch Pile ..............................................................................................................................26 Salt Dome ..............................................................................................................................28 Missionhurst ..........................................................................................................................29 H-B Woodlawn .....................................................................................................................30 Cherrydale Library ................................................................................................................31 Lee Pumping Station............................................................................................................32 Marymount University .........................................................................................................33 Donaldson Run Recreation Association Pool..................................................................34 Washington Golf and Country Club..................................................................................35 Zachary Taylor Elementary School....................................................................................36 ii Donaldson Run Neighborhood Conservation Plan Final 11/08/00 Neighborhood Traffic..................................................................................................37 General Discussion - Transportation and Traffic............................................................37 Bicycle Traffic and Bus Service ..........................................................................................38 Specific Concerns and Recommendations........................................................................38 North 26th/31st Street ........................................................................................................39 26th Road North...................................................................................................................40 Lorcom Lane .........................................................................................................................40 Military Road .........................................................................................................................41 Vermont Street......................................................................................................................42 Beechwood Circle/Beechwood Place................................................................................42 Marcey Road..........................................................................................................................42 Vacation Lane........................................................................................................................42 Throughout the Neighborhood..........................................................................................43 Reduce non-resident on-street parking..............................................................................44 Parks and Recreation Areas .........................................................................................45 Our Parks...............................................................................................................................45 Protecting and Retaining Natural Areas............................................................................45 Zachary Taylor Park .............................................................................................................46 Lee Heights Park...................................................................................................................50 Marcey Park...........................................................................................................................51 Donaldson Run Park............................................................................................................52 Potomac Overlook, Northern VA Regional Park Authority .........................................53 Potomac Heritage Trail on US Federal Park Land..........................................................53 Bikers, Hikers and Joggers...................................................................................................54 Neighborhood Playgrounds ................................................................................................54 Zachary Taylor Elementary School....................................................................................55 iii Donaldson Run Neighborhood Conservation Plan Final 11/08/00 Neighborhood Beautification......................................................................................57 Storm Drains and Grates.....................................................................................................57 Sidewalks, Curbs and Gutters.............................................................................................58 Street and Paving Problems ................................................................................................61 Street Lights...........................................................................................................................63 Graffiti....................................................................................................................................65 Community Services.............................................................................................................65 Landscaping, Overgrowth and Plantings ..........................................................................66 Non Traffic Signage .............................................................................................................67 Appendix A—Background on Crows ..........................................................................69 Appendix B—Marymount Land Use Permit Summary ..............................................70 Appendix C—Map of Survey Responses.....................................................................76 Appendix D—Arlington County Staff Report .............................................................77 Appendix E—County Board Acceptance Motion of Neighborhood Conservation Plans.............................................................................83 iv Donaldson Run Neighborhood Conservation Plan Draft Three Executive Summary This Neighborhood Conservation Plan discusses the Donaldson Run Conservation Area as shown in the shaded area on Map 1. Donaldson Run is a neighborhood of single-family homes, containing a lot of wooded area and green space. The Neighborhood Conservation Plan process was started in June of 1999 and the first step was the distribution of neighborhood survey in July of 1999. The project culminated with the approval of this plan by the Civic Association in March of 2000. The Plan is intended to guide future development of the neighborhood and to make specific recommendations for its improvement. Of equal importance, the Plan is intended to protect those features of our neighborhood that make it such an attractive place in