Sweet & Sour News
RECENT NEWS
Dunkin Donuts franchise owner Chris Mellgren responded to complaints about lack of maintenance of their sidewalk tree island on Lee Hwy with a promise to “tighten up”. Remember the lovely landscaping the previous restaurant Mediterranee created? Let’s hope for something better from this extremely prosperous local business. If you frequent Dunkin, remind the manager of Mr. Mellgren’s promise, and of our hopes that they give back to the community from which they prosper so greatly.
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Help is needed to gain permission for a memorial plaque by Duck Pond in Cherry Valley Nature Area in honor of Megan Kieffer. A young Arlingtonian, Meghan was killed in a car accident several years ago. Her mother Barbara Keiffer and her work colleagues at BB&T donated a park bench and three trees to Cherry Valley. But the latest we heard was that the actual memorial plaque was disallowed by Parks and Recreation Commission. Please write directly to the County Board Chair Fay Fisette to cut the bureaucracy and get this small plaque approved of that a mother’s loss need not be deepened by refusal. Changes Proposed to Site Plan Proposal for Condo/Retail Building.
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The Christopher Company, which owns 3565 Lee hwy, (building on corner of Lee and N Monroe) wants permission to make changes to the 2006 site plan. This plan approved a luxury condo building, 5 stories, with first floor retail and excellent parking for residents and retail. They now want to increase density by 50 more units and change it possibly to affordable housing, lower the parking ratio, and alter some of the trim details. The applicant wants to increase the number of residential units through additional bonus density for LEED and possibly affordable housing (there’s already bonus density for LEED). They will attempt to improve the building from LEED Certified to GOLD LEED Certified. The retail footprint remains the same, the same entrance points, and the same height (4 stories with a 5th floor set back). The building design would remain basically the same, with the same GFA, but with approximately 50 more, but smaller units and possibly more windows. The residential parking ratio, which was approved at a high level to meet concerns of the neighborhood, will be significantly reduced. Please attend the January 20th CCA Meeting to review the applicant’s proposal and give feedback. There will also be a hearing by the Planning Commission. But your attendance at this months meeting is very important.
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Fight illegal drug use - LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS! Neighbors are once again reporting small change stolen from unlocked cars. Two years ago a couple of thieves were arrested for doing this throughout N Arlington, hitting over 500 cars a night. They made enough money in small change to maintain a devastating drug habit. (Do the math, if even one dollar is stolen from each unlocked car, thieves have made 500 bucks, and that’s a low estimate, often they made 2,000$ a night.) You want to report the crime immediately so the police can dust for fingerprints. These thefts are not a small thing. I hope it's just kids, but then, that's not good either bc it's clearly becoming a habit that can lead to a lifetime of crime. And when a neighborhood gets a reputation for being an easy hit, it can draw more serious crimes like breaking and entering.
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The investigation into the homicide of Carl Diener at North 13th Street and N. Irving near Clarendon continues. Carl worked at Sport & Health where he prepared the gym for its daily opening at 5am. On the morning of the attack, he was almost certainly en route to Sport & Health since it was not uncommon for him to arrive substantially before opening time. Detective Rosa Ortiz can be reached at (703) 228-7402 or witnesses can also call the Arlington Police Tip-Line at (703) 228-4242
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And I forgot to write up my call to RED TOP CAB complaining about their lack of snow shoveling along Lee Hwy (they own IVY Welding land and the SE corner of Lincon St). I had to call them several years ago too when we had a heavy snow. Mr. King, their customer relations manager, sent someone out the next day to clear the sidewalks and promises to remember about Cherrydale with the next snowfall too. Clearly we need to remind commercial property owners that we have expectations of good property and sidewalk maintenance. If you have a passion to help in this effort by working on a commercial revitalization and relations committee, contact me!
