March 13 – 19, 2008
F.C. Council Preliminarily OK’s Hilton Hotel
The Falls Church City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to give a preliminary “first reading” approval to waivers and special exceptions needed for the construction of a 110-room Hilton Garden Inn hotel in the 700 block of West Broad Street. A large contingent of concerned parents and educators at the neighboring St. James School were in attendance to oppose the project for its proximity to the school. But the Council had examined the project in previous work sessions and was pleased with the improvements to its architecture and design that were made since its first application by the Young Group in August 2007. The project includes a three-story office building at its rear facing onto Park Avenue, and a two-level parking garage. It is projected by the City staff to provide net revenues to the City of $475,000 a year.
Judge Upholds Falls Church City Zoning Ruling
Arlington Circuit Court Judge Benjamin N. A. Kendrick issued an opinion this week upholding the actions of the Falls Church City staff to refuse a building permit to a property owner. The property owner acquired a 6,000 square foot parcel of property with the intent to subdivide it. Judge Kendrick ruled the plaintiffs in the case, Smith V. Fraser and the Falls Church City Council, “illegally subdivided” the seller’s property. F.C. Councilman Dan Maller, who as an attorney was allowed to brief and argue the case on behalf of the City, urged citizens to continue efforts to “stop the subversion of our zoning ordinance and the pattern of reckless residential infill that has occurred over the past several years.”
F.C. Schools to Conduct Triennial Census
The Falls Church City Public Schools will join Virginia’s 131 other school divisions in conducting the 2008 Triennial School Census of Children. The census count is conducted every three years, and the data are used to determine how much sales tax revenue should be returned to local communities. “It is important for all families with children up to age 19 to respond to the census, even if their children attend private or parochial schools, are home-schooled, or are away in the military or at college,” said Hunter Kimble, assistant superintendent. “Otherwise, the City will receive less than its fair share of state sales tax revenue.” The accurate count of school-age children is expected to generate nearly $1,0000 per child per year in the City of Falls Church.
New Postmaster to Be Sworn In for Falls Church
On March 21, Donna Bradley will take the oath of office to become the 32nd Postmaster of Falls Church, Virginia, according to a press release from the U.S. Postal Service. During the last year, Ms. Bradley served as the officer in charge of the Falls Church Post Office, which recently earned the 5-Star customer service award for the eighth consecutive quarter. As Postmaster, she will oversee operations of post office locations in Falls Church, Bailey’s Crossroads, Mosby, Pimmit and Seven Corners. With 47,200 deliveries a day on 106 routes, she will manage a staff of over 200 employees and managers.
Spectrum Grand Opening Celebration This Weekend
Waterford Development will hold a grand opening celebration for Spectrum, a brand new mixed-use project approaching completion in the 400 block of West Broad St. The two-day event starts at noon and will feature tours of a variety of condominium residences, building amenities and the green roof. It will include refreshments, incentives and several giveaways. During the weekend, anyone who buys a new Spectrum condo will receive a $2,500 gift certificate to Crate & Barrel, Best Buy or West Elm, to be used after move-in to help furnish their new home. MIX 107.3 radio personality Jimmy Alexander will be on hand.
