Comments at Arlington County Board Meeting, 2/23/19
I am speaking on my own behalf and not on behalf of the Transportation Commission, which heard this item on February 7.
I support affordable housing in general and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH)’s mission to provide it in particular. However at over $400,000 per unit, which is the price of a luxury condo, I do not believe that APAH actually provides affordable housing.
Regarding the American legion site, I am concerned that issues raised by the neighborhood have been ignored. The Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association submitted a letter dated 2/7/19 to both the Planning and Transportation Commissions detailing its concerns. It concluded:
In conversations with several planning commissioners, it has been made clear that Arlington County’s need and desire for affordable housing means this project is moving forward regardless of its deleterious impacts to nearby residents. It is feared that neighborhood concerns are not being fully considered and given the weight they duly deserve. In this way, citizens have participated throughout the process, but their voice has been lost.
I concur with this assessment. In particular I’m concerned about the decision to remove the fence separating this development from the 12th Road residential neighborhood in order to provide egress to emergency vehicles.
In another letter a resident of that block pointed out that 12th Road is a narrow, one way street with no sidewalks or adequate lighting. If indeed emergency access is needed to 12th Road, then the County should treat this situation like it does any other easement.
The County should require compensation from the developer to pay for needed street improvements. To me upgrading 12th Road is both a matter of public safety and simple equity. The fact that APAH would find millions to spend on the American Legion site–over $38 million–while beggaring the neighborhood is amazing.
This is typical of the county board, unfortunately. As Ballston residents, we raised safety issues about traffic flow, pedestrians and potential health hazards to children at the daycare center for county employees. We were ignored and told we hated children. Although no accidents have occurred yet there have been some close calls. When garbage trucks pick up the refuse and are parked just inches from the play enclosure, I can see kids holding their ears, as the noise can be at the pain threshold. Additionally, the Children’s Center has not followed the site plan, as they promised at a board meeting.