-----Original Message-----
From: rkandjb@ioip.com [mailto:rkandjb@ioip.com]
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 9:24 AM
To: douglaspark@yahoogroups.com; arlington22204@yahoogroups.com;
ahca@yahoogroups.com; penrose@yahoogroups.com;
columbiaheights@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [penrose] Arlington Hardware building Development Project -

HALRB

Here's a brief report from the HALRB hearing on the Georgelas Project in the 2900 block of Columbia Pike from Lane Nemirow, a member of the DPCA executive committee who attended the Wednesday night meeting. Thanks Lane! CPRO has asked Douglas Park and other neighborhoods to appoint a principal to represent the neighborhood in review meetings on the project. DPers, contact me if interested.

Columbia Pike Lofts:

The Historical Affairs and Landmark Review Board (Board) was interesting last night. Seems like it is run very efficiently by it's chairwoman, Nancy Iacomini. The Columbia Pike Lofts project renderings were presented c. 8:30 by the developer (I have copies -- very nice). The current plans are for 8 stories since the Form Based Code permits a variance from the mandated 6 based on the plans. The building is 94 feet. I addressed the Board et al. briefly and confirmed the height and number of stories. The Board, County Staff (Tim Lynch, who said he spoke with you yesterday) and the developers were responsive and pleased that DP was (at least nominally) represented. The developers indicated that community outreach is part of their plan and will contact you shortly.

The Board approved a motion to designate the facade of Arlington Hardware as historic, rather than the whole building. The Board then discussed the plans and issues of concern. The Board conditionally approved a Certificate of Appropriateness (CoA) for the developer with the understanding that some issues would be more fully explained at the next Board meeting (March 31). Conditional CoA approval permits the developer to move forward the project.

>From Tim Lynch, CPRO:

. . . the Georgelas Group's development project for the SW corner of Walter Reed and Columbia Pike. This is the first Form Based Code submission. As a result of their use of the code we're not only getting new development on the Pike, we're getting a brand new Arlington Free Clinic space, preserving the Arlington Hardware building front, preserving the Blanca's Restaurant Building and losing . . . the Dominion power station at Walter Reed and 11th St. We will still have power.

At the meeting we will go over how the project conforms to the code and the next steps of the Form Based Code approval process. That process will include a presentation to the community before going to the Planning Commission and the County Board. Though the project is in Douglas Park it is certainly of interest to the "Four Corners" (Douglas Park, Columbia Heights, Penrose, Arlington Heights) neighborhoods and I hope that you or a representative of your neighborhood can join us.

We have boards of the project in the office for review.

Tim 

Timothy H. Lynch 
Executive Director 
Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization 
2611 Columbia Pike 
Arlington, VA 22204 
703-892-2776 
703-892-0358 fax