Loudoun :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Town holds information meeting for debated access road
Posted by:
Loudoun County News
()
Date: September 23, 2011 06:38AM
Town holds information meeting for debated access road
Tuesday, Sep. 20 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/town_holds_information_meeting_for_debated_access_road123/
Linden Hill and Leesburg Country Club residents gathered to learn about the prospect of their new neighbor – the Town of Leesburg.
During an information meeting on Sept. 20 with town employees and residents of both subdivisions, more than 40 people came to question the town about the road and the purchase of 1 County Club Drive.
The Linden Hill access road project, which would be an addition to the South King Street widening project, is set to start in the spring of 2012, and would add a one-way road between the the two subdivisions.
A set-back for the access road would decrease the amount of land on the lot at 1 Country Club Drive and give no parking in front of the home. Council is set to bid on the house on Sept. 23 at the Loudoun County Courthouse in order to obtain the property for the road, then attempt to resell the home.
“Who do you think is going to buy that house when you put a street through it?” John Rzewnicki, a Country Club resident asked.
The 36-house development of Linden Hill has had its residents petition council numerous times in the past to get the access road approved and set up for design and construction. The problem Linden Hill residents are facing is that if the widening project is completed without the access road, they will have to turn right on South King Street, then make a U-turn if they want to go into the Town of Leesburg.
Residents of County Club, many who have lived there for more than 30 years, say the road is going to significantly impact the neighborhood’s safety, traffic congestion and real estate value.
“We’re being impacted more negatively,” a resident of Country Club said about the influx of more traffic with the proposed road. “We pay a lot of taxes, we are a larger community and we’re paying for this smaller community to impact us greatly.”
The proposed access road would be a one-way road with a 16-foot width and it would be 70 feet from South King Street. The sign located at the front of Country Club where the road would be placed behind would stay in place. The project would also give a second left-hand turn lane out on Country Club Drive.
“You’ve allowed Woodlea to come in through Bradfield and they zoom on through, you’ve allowed Greenway to come through, and now you want Linden Hill too?” Stephanie Lalumiere, a resident of Country Club said. “I thought you guys voted this down. I thought this was a done deal. Make up your minds.”
Marla Decriscio ,who lives at 2 Country Club Drive, asked if the project could cost to the upwards of $1 million and the town said it could be a possibility. Decriscio said that not only will she be impacted by the road but neighbors farther down from 1 Country Club Drive would lose parking as well.
Some Country Club residents think with the addition of the road there will be more traffic congestion at the intersection of South King Street and Country Club Drive.
“I think you’re setting yourself up for a major safety issue,” Rzewnicki said. “I’ve seen the number of 15 cars line up with one [traffic light] cycle on Country Club Drive.”
The project requires funding of $835,000 for the purchase of the house and the construction of the road which would be paid through a General Obligation Bond that the town has borrowed.
During the meeting, different scenarios where placed on boards for residents to see. One idea that some residents of both Linden Hill and Country Club could see as an alternative would be to place a traffic light at the entrance of Linden Hill.
According to the town’s traffic study performed for the South King Street Widening project, a signal would have a negative impact on traffic operations and would increase the potential for collisions. The traffic signal would cost between $200,000 and $250,000.
“Through our engineering analysis we found that it did not meet standards, it is too close in proximity to the other traffic light,” Tom Brandon of Capital Projects for the town said of the proposed traffic light at Linden Hill Way. “Drivers do not expect to see two signals so close together and there would be an increase of traffic collisions.”
Other scenarios the town had considered involved a break in the median on South King Street, relocating Linden Hill’s entrance to a midway location in Country Club and Greenway drives or roundabouts. They also studied an access road to the south that would connect Linden Hill Way to Wing Tip Court in Greenway Farms or relocating the entrance of Linden Hill altogether.
According to the town, all scenarios were not acceptable cost or safety wise and for traffic operations reasons.
“Right now we have two intersections that are too close together. There is no way that we can fit another intersection in between Country Club and Greenway Farms,” Brandon added.
Many Country Club residents felt that they didn’t have a chance to inform the town if they were against the road or for it.
“I think the reason we are here is that the flow of information hasn’t reached us. Some of us didn’t even know about this. Getting information to residents is something that needs to be improved on,” Timothy Schott, a resident of Country Club said.
The town has been holding public meetings since October 2009. Country Club residents were also informed of two meetings on July 20, 2010, and July 27, 2010, that asked for public input and different scenario options.
Many residents of Country Club said they did not receive any notifications for meetings, and the Sept. 20 meeting was one of the first notifications they received. Town officials said only parts of Country Club were informed for certain meetings
“There have been newspaper articles and pictures for two years, where have you guys been all this time?” Sandy Camp, a resident of Linden Hill asked. “Linden Hill has asked for your help. This was not something we wanted this was something that was forced on us, we wanted a trip light so traffic could stop and we could get out. We asked for a flashing light, that’s it. This is sort of our last option. I’m frustrated that you guys haven’t been here with us. We needed you two years ago.”
If council gets the final bid of the house on Sept. 23 they will decide what to do during their closed work session on Sept. 26 and they have an option of backing out of the settlement. Town staff also informed residents that council could back out of this at any time before the auction on Sept. 23 if they call an emergency meeting.
“What I’d like to know is whether the mayor or town council is hearing our voices,” Rick Jackson, a resident of Country Club asked. “If they go back in their secret session and hear us and say no to the access road and yes to the U-turn, I think it’s that simple. I mean with 400 of us inconvenienced, majority rule and [council] is that majority.”
Mayor Kristen Umstattd and Council members Katie Hammler and Dave Butler attended the meeting.
The South King Street Widening Phase 1 is slated to start in spring 2012 and be completed in fall 2013. The Linden Hill access road is to start in spring 2012 and be finished by fall 2012.
Other improvements for the South King Street Improvements include Virts Corner Intersection to begin spring or summer 2012 and Battlefield Parkway connection to King Street in spring 2013.
Attachments:
Tuesday, Sep. 20 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/town_holds_information_meeting_for_debated_access_road123/
Linden Hill and Leesburg Country Club residents gathered to learn about the prospect of their new neighbor – the Town of Leesburg.
During an information meeting on Sept. 20 with town employees and residents of both subdivisions, more than 40 people came to question the town about the road and the purchase of 1 County Club Drive.
The Linden Hill access road project, which would be an addition to the South King Street widening project, is set to start in the spring of 2012, and would add a one-way road between the the two subdivisions.
A set-back for the access road would decrease the amount of land on the lot at 1 Country Club Drive and give no parking in front of the home. Council is set to bid on the house on Sept. 23 at the Loudoun County Courthouse in order to obtain the property for the road, then attempt to resell the home.
“Who do you think is going to buy that house when you put a street through it?” John Rzewnicki, a Country Club resident asked.
The 36-house development of Linden Hill has had its residents petition council numerous times in the past to get the access road approved and set up for design and construction. The problem Linden Hill residents are facing is that if the widening project is completed without the access road, they will have to turn right on South King Street, then make a U-turn if they want to go into the Town of Leesburg.
Residents of County Club, many who have lived there for more than 30 years, say the road is going to significantly impact the neighborhood’s safety, traffic congestion and real estate value.
“We’re being impacted more negatively,” a resident of Country Club said about the influx of more traffic with the proposed road. “We pay a lot of taxes, we are a larger community and we’re paying for this smaller community to impact us greatly.”
The proposed access road would be a one-way road with a 16-foot width and it would be 70 feet from South King Street. The sign located at the front of Country Club where the road would be placed behind would stay in place. The project would also give a second left-hand turn lane out on Country Club Drive.
“You’ve allowed Woodlea to come in through Bradfield and they zoom on through, you’ve allowed Greenway to come through, and now you want Linden Hill too?” Stephanie Lalumiere, a resident of Country Club said. “I thought you guys voted this down. I thought this was a done deal. Make up your minds.”
Marla Decriscio ,who lives at 2 Country Club Drive, asked if the project could cost to the upwards of $1 million and the town said it could be a possibility. Decriscio said that not only will she be impacted by the road but neighbors farther down from 1 Country Club Drive would lose parking as well.
Some Country Club residents think with the addition of the road there will be more traffic congestion at the intersection of South King Street and Country Club Drive.
“I think you’re setting yourself up for a major safety issue,” Rzewnicki said. “I’ve seen the number of 15 cars line up with one [traffic light] cycle on Country Club Drive.”
The project requires funding of $835,000 for the purchase of the house and the construction of the road which would be paid through a General Obligation Bond that the town has borrowed.
During the meeting, different scenarios where placed on boards for residents to see. One idea that some residents of both Linden Hill and Country Club could see as an alternative would be to place a traffic light at the entrance of Linden Hill.
According to the town’s traffic study performed for the South King Street Widening project, a signal would have a negative impact on traffic operations and would increase the potential for collisions. The traffic signal would cost between $200,000 and $250,000.
“Through our engineering analysis we found that it did not meet standards, it is too close in proximity to the other traffic light,” Tom Brandon of Capital Projects for the town said of the proposed traffic light at Linden Hill Way. “Drivers do not expect to see two signals so close together and there would be an increase of traffic collisions.”
Other scenarios the town had considered involved a break in the median on South King Street, relocating Linden Hill’s entrance to a midway location in Country Club and Greenway drives or roundabouts. They also studied an access road to the south that would connect Linden Hill Way to Wing Tip Court in Greenway Farms or relocating the entrance of Linden Hill altogether.
According to the town, all scenarios were not acceptable cost or safety wise and for traffic operations reasons.
“Right now we have two intersections that are too close together. There is no way that we can fit another intersection in between Country Club and Greenway Farms,” Brandon added.
Many Country Club residents felt that they didn’t have a chance to inform the town if they were against the road or for it.
“I think the reason we are here is that the flow of information hasn’t reached us. Some of us didn’t even know about this. Getting information to residents is something that needs to be improved on,” Timothy Schott, a resident of Country Club said.
The town has been holding public meetings since October 2009. Country Club residents were also informed of two meetings on July 20, 2010, and July 27, 2010, that asked for public input and different scenario options.
Many residents of Country Club said they did not receive any notifications for meetings, and the Sept. 20 meeting was one of the first notifications they received. Town officials said only parts of Country Club were informed for certain meetings
“There have been newspaper articles and pictures for two years, where have you guys been all this time?” Sandy Camp, a resident of Linden Hill asked. “Linden Hill has asked for your help. This was not something we wanted this was something that was forced on us, we wanted a trip light so traffic could stop and we could get out. We asked for a flashing light, that’s it. This is sort of our last option. I’m frustrated that you guys haven’t been here with us. We needed you two years ago.”
If council gets the final bid of the house on Sept. 23 they will decide what to do during their closed work session on Sept. 26 and they have an option of backing out of the settlement. Town staff also informed residents that council could back out of this at any time before the auction on Sept. 23 if they call an emergency meeting.
“What I’d like to know is whether the mayor or town council is hearing our voices,” Rick Jackson, a resident of Country Club asked. “If they go back in their secret session and hear us and say no to the access road and yes to the U-turn, I think it’s that simple. I mean with 400 of us inconvenienced, majority rule and [council] is that majority.”
Mayor Kristen Umstattd and Council members Katie Hammler and Dave Butler attended the meeting.
The South King Street Widening Phase 1 is slated to start in spring 2012 and be completed in fall 2013. The Linden Hill access road is to start in spring 2012 and be finished by fall 2012.
Other improvements for the South King Street Improvements include Virts Corner Intersection to begin spring or summer 2012 and Battlefield Parkway connection to King Street in spring 2013.
Attachments:
Council backs out on intent to bid on Country Club house Tuesday, Sep. 27 by Laura Peters
Posted by:
Loudoun County News - Update
()
Date: September 29, 2011 06:25AM
Council backs out on intent to bid on Country Club house
Tuesday, Sep. 27 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/council_backs_out_on_intent_to_bid_on_country_club_house123/
Leesburg Country Club may not be having the town as their new neighbor after Leesburg Town Council voted Sept. 27 not to bid on 1 Country Club Drive in order to build an access road.
Council voted 5-2 with Council member Tom Dunn and Mayor Kristen Umstattd dissenting.
The motion was moved by Council member Katie Hammler and seconded by Council member Dave Butler.
“The key point was a strategy to reduce the cost of the right-of-way. Very quickly there was a significant decline in value of the property, second, there was a decline in the amount the town would offer for the property, three the town staff was unable to get the additional information to get into the property and resale information,” Hammler said. “For fiscal reasons we are requesting the town attorney no longer participate in an auction to get this specific house.”
Residents of Country Club went around during the weekend of Sept. 24 and 25 to gather 276 signatures in opposition of the proposed road.
The Linden Hill access road project, which is set to start in the spring 2012, would be an addition to the South King Street widening project and would add a one-way road between Linden Hill and Leesburg Country Club.
“This resolution does not mean that we will not build the access road and it does not mean that we will not buy the house,” Butler said. “We don’t have to buy the house, we could acquire right-of-way [for the land] and we can do that. The easiest thing is to say is forget the house.”
A set-back for the access road would decrease the amount of land on the lot at 1 Country Club Drive and give no parking in front of the home. Council was going to bid on the house on Sept. 23 at the Loudoun County Courthouse in order to obtain the property for the road, then attempt to resell the home.
After petitions from residents of both neighborhoods and the cancellation of the foreclosure auction, Council decided to bring it up at their next meeting. Council even called a special meeting for Sept. 23 in order to discuss bidding on the house, but cancelled it after the auction was cancelled.
Linden Hill, a 36-house development, has had its residents petition Council numerous times in the past to get the access road approved and set up for design and construction. The problem Linden Hill residents would face with the widening project without the access road wouldn’t allow them to turn left into the Town of Leesburg. They will have to turn right on South King Street, then make a U-turn if they want to go into town. Residents of Linden Hill say if there were no access road the U-turn option would be a huge inconvenience and make their travel into town significantly longer.
“I do not think this access road is the way to go,” Vice Mayor Kevin Wright said.
“Countinuing down this path of purchasing this house is not getting us anywhere,” Council member Ken Reid added.
Residents of County Club, many who have lived there for more than 30 years, say the road is going to significantly impact the neighborhood’s safety, traffic congestion and real estate value.
“Maybe we should put a median all the way through, so those of you who think it’s not an inconvenience to make a U-turn ... have you all do it,” Dunn said. “I would be more interested in killing the whole South King Street widening.”
According to the town, a traffic light or a median break are not viable options due to state and local regulations.
“I am aware that residents of Country Club believe that the Linden Hill community is large enough to create a traffic jam on Country Club Drive, but too small to justify the expense of the access lane,” Umstattd wrote in a letter to residents of Linden Hill and Country Club. “I believe that the impact of the Linden Hill residents driving onto Country Club Drive at the access lane will be largely unnoticed.”
The proposed access road would be a one-way road with a 16-foot width and it would be 70 feet from South King Street and a second left-hand turn lane would be added on Country Club Drive.
“I do not believe that the access road will endanger or inconvenience Country Club residents, nor do I believe the reconfiguration of the intersection of Country Club Drive and S. King Street will be a negative,” Umstattd wrote. “Quite the opposite, I think the addition of a second left turn lane out of Country Club Drive onto northbound King Street will be extremely beneficial to the residents of Country Club. It will allow twice as many Country Club residents to exit the neighborhood simultaneously on one light.”
The mayor said she believes with Tuesday night’s vote the plan for the access road will not survive.
Tuesday, Sep. 27 by Laura Peters
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.php/news/article/council_backs_out_on_intent_to_bid_on_country_club_house123/
Leesburg Country Club may not be having the town as their new neighbor after Leesburg Town Council voted Sept. 27 not to bid on 1 Country Club Drive in order to build an access road.
Council voted 5-2 with Council member Tom Dunn and Mayor Kristen Umstattd dissenting.
The motion was moved by Council member Katie Hammler and seconded by Council member Dave Butler.
“The key point was a strategy to reduce the cost of the right-of-way. Very quickly there was a significant decline in value of the property, second, there was a decline in the amount the town would offer for the property, three the town staff was unable to get the additional information to get into the property and resale information,” Hammler said. “For fiscal reasons we are requesting the town attorney no longer participate in an auction to get this specific house.”
Residents of Country Club went around during the weekend of Sept. 24 and 25 to gather 276 signatures in opposition of the proposed road.
The Linden Hill access road project, which is set to start in the spring 2012, would be an addition to the South King Street widening project and would add a one-way road between Linden Hill and Leesburg Country Club.
“This resolution does not mean that we will not build the access road and it does not mean that we will not buy the house,” Butler said. “We don’t have to buy the house, we could acquire right-of-way [for the land] and we can do that. The easiest thing is to say is forget the house.”
A set-back for the access road would decrease the amount of land on the lot at 1 Country Club Drive and give no parking in front of the home. Council was going to bid on the house on Sept. 23 at the Loudoun County Courthouse in order to obtain the property for the road, then attempt to resell the home.
After petitions from residents of both neighborhoods and the cancellation of the foreclosure auction, Council decided to bring it up at their next meeting. Council even called a special meeting for Sept. 23 in order to discuss bidding on the house, but cancelled it after the auction was cancelled.
Linden Hill, a 36-house development, has had its residents petition Council numerous times in the past to get the access road approved and set up for design and construction. The problem Linden Hill residents would face with the widening project without the access road wouldn’t allow them to turn left into the Town of Leesburg. They will have to turn right on South King Street, then make a U-turn if they want to go into town. Residents of Linden Hill say if there were no access road the U-turn option would be a huge inconvenience and make their travel into town significantly longer.
“I do not think this access road is the way to go,” Vice Mayor Kevin Wright said.
“Countinuing down this path of purchasing this house is not getting us anywhere,” Council member Ken Reid added.
Residents of County Club, many who have lived there for more than 30 years, say the road is going to significantly impact the neighborhood’s safety, traffic congestion and real estate value.
“Maybe we should put a median all the way through, so those of you who think it’s not an inconvenience to make a U-turn ... have you all do it,” Dunn said. “I would be more interested in killing the whole South King Street widening.”
According to the town, a traffic light or a median break are not viable options due to state and local regulations.
“I am aware that residents of Country Club believe that the Linden Hill community is large enough to create a traffic jam on Country Club Drive, but too small to justify the expense of the access lane,” Umstattd wrote in a letter to residents of Linden Hill and Country Club. “I believe that the impact of the Linden Hill residents driving onto Country Club Drive at the access lane will be largely unnoticed.”
The proposed access road would be a one-way road with a 16-foot width and it would be 70 feet from South King Street and a second left-hand turn lane would be added on Country Club Drive.
“I do not believe that the access road will endanger or inconvenience Country Club residents, nor do I believe the reconfiguration of the intersection of Country Club Drive and S. King Street will be a negative,” Umstattd wrote. “Quite the opposite, I think the addition of a second left turn lane out of Country Club Drive onto northbound King Street will be extremely beneficial to the residents of Country Club. It will allow twice as many Country Club residents to exit the neighborhood simultaneously on one light.”
The mayor said she believes with Tuesday night’s vote the plan for the access road will not survive.
Re: Town holds information meeting for debated access road
Posted by:
Finally
()
Date: September 30, 2011 06:59AM
Well that is that!