Old Dominion Citizens’ Association (ODCA)

Community Presentation to 26th and OD Task ForceJacki Wilson, ODCA NCAC Representative

January 24, 2019

Intro to ODCA

• Residential neighborhood• 450 households, mostly single family• Donaldson Run headwaters Historically significant Host to numerous county facilities

Historic Old Dominion

• The Washington and Old Dominion streetcar

• Frank Lyon’s home Lyonhurst (now Missionhurst)

• Older homes remain but are rapidly being replaced by larger homes (and more children)

Introduction to ODCA (Cont’d)

ODCA hosts numerous county services

Salt storage and Leaf storage and

distribution mulch distribution

Additional county services/property in ODCA (less well known)

260,000 gallon water tower Water pumping station Cellular antennas and 1.5 million gallon reservoir

JAN 2019 Neighborhood Survey Needs

Neighborhood Needs (Activities)

JAN 2019 Neighborhood Survey Comments

• Majority mention “Green Space”• Minimal paving• Consolidate county services near mulch pile• Nothing that brings cars/congestion• Dual use for different seasons/activities• Signage about Chesapeake Bay/Resource

Protection Area

Neighborhood Survey Concerns

Quote from 2002 Neighborhood Conservation Plan:

“The appearance and possible expansion of those (county)

services continues to be a major concern to Old Dominion

residents.”

Neighborhood Survey Concerns

• Comments: • “Inappropriate use of natural green space above Donaldson

Run RPA”

• Storm water runoff

• Odor, noise, toxins, “Freshwater Salinization Syndrome”

• Paving green space and cutting down trees exacerbates the negative impacts

• Also inappropriate in a residential neighborhood/area next to a children’s playground or park

93 spaces, approx. ¾ acre

Neighborhood Survey Concerns• Dispatching from site is inefficient given projected

county growth• Combination of industrialization and traffic worsen

inefficiencies• Public safety also impacted by more large truck traffic,

blocked sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike paths

2015- 2017 VDOT Annual Avg Daily Traffic Count (Vehicles Per Day/VPD)

Increase = 40 vehicles per hour average

13,000 VPD

(2015)

14,000 VPD

(2017)

Neighbors’ Perception of County’s Vision for Site Neighbors’ Vision for Dominion Green

Pave surfaces, build buildings Grass, trees, open space

Industrialize green space Playground, community gathering spot

Increase congestion Public safety for area residents

Exacerbate potential environmental hazards Protect the environment

How to bridge between two visions?

1) Relocate/consolidate existing county services

2) Ensure safety for residents, children, and workers

3) Ensure environmental protections:- RPA, water supply, wildlife, toxins, noise, traffic

4) Remember: you cannot replace open green space which is key to quality of life for Arlington residents

What could this look like? ODCA’s 2015 Concept Drawing

Summary: • The primary goal of the Arlington County Comprehensive Plan:

“Retention of the predominantly residential character of the county …”

• ODCA already hosts a fair share of county facilities-this is not NIMBY • The county should focus on uses are consistent with:

• The character of the neighborhood;

• The wise use of green space/natural resources;

• The efficiencies the county says it needs; and,

• Appropriate for this sensitive environmental green space. • Additional comments from our survey:

• “County actions in regards to this site over the last 25 years have shaken my faith in our local government"

Thank you!