Friday, April 8, 2011

Holzheimer Admits Arlington Neighborhoods Nationally Marketed as 'Redevelopment Opportunities'

Hello Yupette,

I live in a townhouse near Shirlington Village off Walter Reed Drive. I attended yesterday's meeting at the Shirlington Library about the parking and traffic problems resulting from Shirlington being poorly planned (no affordable housing, massive parking, existing streets inadequate, etc.).

Doing the County's presentation was none other than Terry Holzheimer, Arlington's Director of Economic Development. Who is Terry Holzheimer? He was formerly Loudoun County's Economic Development Director. Like many who make important planning decisions that affect our quality of life Holzheimer lives in McLean.

When questioned by a meeting participant he admitted that Arlington Economic Development is engaged in a major national campaign to market Arlington's neighborhoods as "redevelopment opportunities".

A look at the PR produced by Holzheimer's Economic Development Office indicates that the staff is indeed engaged in a massive attempt to totally urbanize Arlington. Holzheimers's presentation was nothing more than warmed over smart growth drivel, and the basic message aimed at residents yesterday was don't worry, be happy.

Warning to Arlington residents - Your neighborhood is a potential gold mine for developers, as mine was and is. Arlington County Government is focused on totally urbanizing Arlington. Anyone who complains about the traffic, parking problems, noise, degradation in quality of life, etc., resulting from urbanization is a 'troublemaker'. And the out-of-state REITs and developers (like Federal Realty, which redeveloped Shirlington) are laughing all the way to the bank.

Kathy

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wayne Wows CivFed With Minor Changes to a Bloated and Out-of-Control County Government

Hey Yupette,

Wayne Kubicki was a big hit at the Arlington Civic Federation budget meeting last night. His Revenues and Expenditures Committee report called for creation of an Inspector General, and a cut in the tax rate. Trouble is, Wayne didn't begin to touch the $100 to $200 million of waste and mismanagement in the County's $1 billion FY 2012 budget.

The County Board depends on lots of paygo and bond funds to buy votes from special interests and pay for its own extravagant pet projects, so it's unlikely they would want an IG looking over Barbara Donnellan's shoulder.

Give Wayne a lot of credit for political savvy. What the CivFed's R & E Committee proposed would take nothing from anyone except the County Board. Unfortunately, Arlington County is a financial disaster waiting to happen. But as long as Democratic County Board candidates can count on receiving 60% of the vote, election after election, nothing will change.

KarenS

Monday, April 4, 2011

EFC Area Plan to Planning Commission on April 6th

Hello,

Please note that the adoption of the East Falls Church Area Plan, adoption of the East Falls Church General Land Use Plan Amendments, and adoption of the East Falls Church Master Transportation Plan will be heard by the Arlington Planning Commission at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 6th in the County Board Room, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., 3rd Floor.

Adoption of Form Based Code zoning amendments including those affecting the redevelopment of the Rosenthal auto dealership site (Columbia Pike at South Glebe Road) will be heard by the Planning Commission on Monday, April 4th at 7 PM, in the Arlington County Board Room.

To be able to speak about these agenda items at Planning Commission meetings you must sign up on-line at arlingtonva.us (Planning Commission) or by calling the Clerk of the Planning Commission at 228-3525 by 3 PM the date the Planning Commission meets.

Susan

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Stop Single-Use Plastic Event Scheduled for April 3rd

Hey Yupette,

The Arlington Green Party, Arlingtonians for a Green Environment, and the Mt. Vernon Chapter of the Sierra Club are sponsoring a public panel discussion at Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, on Sunday April 3rd, 4-6 PM, on the topic of eliminating single use plastic bags and styrofoam containers from Arlington's retail stores and restaurants. The public is warmly invited to attend this panel discussion, which is free to all.

Beth