Deliberation Falls Church City

Annual Concerts in Cherry Hill Park Series Kicks Off June 19

This summer, the Village Preservation and Improvement Society and City of Falls Church Recreation & Parks Division are proudly co-sponsoring the 16th Annual Concerts in the Park series. Every Thursday (except July 3) at 7 PM from June 19 to August 7, the entire community is invited to a free concert featuring musicians playing a variety of genres, from rock and roll to bluegrass.

The series began in 1993 as an outreach of the Village Preservation & Improvement Society to the community when local community icon David Eckert rekindled a tradition from Falls Church's early 20th century.  The concerts are held at Cherry Hill Park (312 Park Ave., Falls Church).  The VPIS organization aims to ensure a superb quality of living in the City of Falls Church by preserving and improving the character and landmarks of the city, promoting aesthetic values and community activities, and encouraging beautification of the city.

City resident and physician Gordon Theisz, who also is a board member of the Village Preservation and Improvement Society, is producer of this year's concert series.  He schedules the local entertainers, whom all have a connection to Falls Church. Musicians may have gone to high school in the area, reside or have relatives here. Dr. Theisz selected a variety of music to appeal to all ages.

The event is free: concert-goers need only to bring a picnic, blanket and lawn chairs if they wish. Refreshments will be sold.

Along with each scheduled musician, the concert spotlights a local artist from Falls Church Arts. Their artwork will be on display and for sale. In the event of rain, concerts will relocate to the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church). Call 703-248-5077 TTY711 for further information or visit www.fallschurchva.gov or www.vpis.org. 

This year's concert schedule is:

Gardner, Baroukh & Webb win, charter is unchanged

By Peter Behr

Falls Church voters reelected Mayor Robin S. Gardner and also chose newcomers Nader Baroukh and Lawrence L. Webb for four-year terms on City Council on Tuesday, but denied reelection to Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry.

A proposed referendum to limit condominium and apartment projects on commercial property through a change in the City charter was defeated, with 1,270 “no” votes to 962 in favor. The referendum was opposed by the Chamber of Commerce, a group of former Falls Church mayors, and the Falls Church News-Press, who warned it would tie the city’s hands on development. It injected partisan tensions in the city election, as prominent Democrats lined up against it, and leading Republicans supported it.

The referendum outcome “validates the development work that has been done and the faith of the community in the Council leadership,” said former mayor Dan Gardner. But others said the support for the referendum, coupled with Hockenberry’s defeat, indicated a sizable public concern over the impact of the City Council’s economic development program.

Hockenberry, a longtime Falls Church school teacher, and Robin Gardner, an account manager at a  Virginia technology company, have led the Council’s efforts to develop the City Center South project along West Broad Street, South Maple Avenue and Annandale Road. It would add $317 million in new residential, commercial and public developments and generate $2.7 million in net new tax revenues when completed in 2013, according to the plan. The city must have more revenue from development to support its school system, Hockenberry said.

Baroukh, a government attorney who lives in the Winter Hill neighborhood alongside the City Center site, served on a City review commission that proposed changes in the plan. He remained opposed the size and residential density of the project, approved by City Council 7 to 0 in February. His lead over the vice mayor in his Ward 1 neighborhood was 53 votes -- about equal to his citywide margin over Hockenberry.

There were no overarching issues such as the City Center in the three school board races that were also decided on Tuesday. School board incumbents Kieran Sharpe and Joan E. Wodiska were reelected, as was newcomer Charlotte Hyland, who had strong support from members of the city school PTA organizations. Kim Maller, wife of City Council member Dan Maller, and also an active PTA member, was fourth.

Hockenberry’s loss was the surprising and deflating news Tuesday at a post-election rally by members of Citizens for a Better City, the non-partisan civic organization that endorsed Gardner, Hockenberry and Webb. “What she has done on the Council ranks her with some of the most distinguished people who have ever served the city,” said CBC campaign manager Phil Duncan. CBC President Jody Acosta said Hockenberry’s defeat reminded her of the times favorites lost on the American Idol competition because too many people assumed they would win and cast their votes for others.

Candidates, a referendum and questions

by Pete Behr

There are eleven names on the Falls Church City election ballot for Tuesday May 6, and one question: a proposed referendum to restrict future economic development, advanced by opponents of the City Center South project.

Then there are a host of other questions not on the ballot that link the candidates and the referendum.

The proposed referendum would require future developments on commercially zoned land to be at least 60 percent commercial or retail. Would that requirement tie the City’s hands?  Does Falls Church have the economic clout to tell prospective developers what they must build here?

City council candidates on the issues

by Pete Behr

Nader Baroukh said the Council has failed to set clear economic development guidelines. “This has led to artificially inflated values in properties, because owners realize that the current majority of the Council will approved almost any project, including those that are disproportionately residential….”

“It is critical that commercially zoned land be used predominantly for commercial purposes….Despite mammoth new developer-friendly projects that threaten our neighborhoods and add significant new public service costs, commercial properties make up only about 25 percent of the city’s total tax assessments….Rather than responding to what developers bring to the table, we must pursue developments that preserve the city’s many unique qualities that set it apart.” Baroukh opposed the City Center project and supports the proposed referendum.

Mayor Robin S. Gardner, running for reelection, said if the resolution passed, “We would lose the flexibility and tools that attract creative development….We would be resigned to…strip malls, fast food franchises, palm readers and check cashing stores on our major corridors.” The City Center “is a good first step toward giving Falls Church a true, appealing downtown.”

Gardner said she supports “projects that are appropriate to our community’s scale and that broaden our revenue base.” The Council’s actions, she said, are “keeping our school system well-funded and strong, and enabling us to avoid large tax increases that would price people out of their homes….We must make sure we can pay for and deliver the services expected by our communities.” She voted for the City Center, and opposes the referendum.

Independent E.B. “Ed” Hillegass said that “by placing more and more residential units on commercially zoned property, the existing city council has continued to narrow the revenue base by placing more of the tax burden on the homeowner….We need a greater percentage of this (commercial) property to be occupied by businesses -- national chains -- that will generate positive revenue for our city….”

He said the financial models for the new condominium and apartment projects “have not accurately projected student enrollment. So the newly elected council will need to get its fiscal house in order, which would keep our school system strong and stabilize our property values.” He supports the proposed referendum.

Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry, running for reelection, said the proposed referendum to change the City charter, is nearly identical to one that was rejected by the City’s voters in 2002, and it should rejected as well. “If passed, it would essentially shut down future development in the City, killing our efforts to expand our revenue base and ease the tax burden on homeowners….As a result, the future of our independent City and our excellent school system would be in jeopardy.”

She said the city’s greatest challenge “is ensuring the economic sustainability of our independent city and outstanding small school system.” The Council must “broaden our tax base and provide a reliable future revenue stream that does not rely overmuch on residential taxpayers.” She called for more “affordable housing for our employees who want to live here and for our citizens who wish to remain in the city.”

Margaret W. Housen, said the referendum, by requiring 60 percent commercial and retail uses on commercial land, “will bring a great deal more money to the City coffers and lower tax rates for City residents. It will also keep school enrollment down and classrooms small…. Lowering taxes, at this time, can only be accomplished by City Hall tightening its belt with fewer employees.” She questioned whether the cornerstones of the proposed City Center -- a new hotel and a Harris Teeter grocery store -- will become realities.

Patrice A. Lepczyk said “the City may not have received sufficient concessions in exchange for ceding rights and variances such as exceeding height limits, which also allowed additional residential units in this development adding to citizens’ concerns that an influx of families would adversely affect the City’s services and resources….Although [the City Center] development will bring in very much needed resources for the city, the negotiating of the packaging may have been stronger.” She opposes the referendum as “unlikely to have any positive effect for the City’s future.”

Lawrence L. Webb, said the referendum, if approved,  “would handcuff the City’s ability to attract the kind of quality businesses that we want and need in our commercial corridors.” The School Board “must have the resources it needs,” but the Council should “look for savings in department budgets.” He said the most urgent challenge was “holding down the residential real estate tax rates [by considering] commercial and mixed-use redevelopment….Smart modernization along our main highways will help us expand our revenue vase, easing the tax burden on individual property owners.” 

Gardner, Hockenberry and Webb are running with the endorsement of Citizens for a Better City. The other candidates are independents.

The above quotations are taken from the League of Women Voters Voter Guide, from "Growth Policies Are Key as Seven Contend for 3 Seats" and from candidate profiles in the Washington Post.  Click on the hyperlinked candidate name to reach each Washington Post profile.

Peter Behr is a freelance writer and a member of the steering committee for Deliberation Falls Church City.  He is also a member of the Citizens for a Better City.

School board candidates speak out on eve of election

by Pete Behr

Charlotte Hyland said it was important “to retain small class sizes, particularly in the elementary grades, so our teachers are able to really know all students and attend to their needs appropriately…..The Board should support the Council’s ongoing efforts to promote economic redevelopment, which is generating the new tax revenue we need to keep our teacher’s salaries competitive with neighboring jurisdictions.”

Kim Maller said extending the International Baccalaureate program into the primary and middle schools “will help continue our tradition of curriculum excellence. We also must continue to attract and retain the very best personnel….High quality teachers are essential to our students’ success.” Maintaining excellent schools “is essential for our students, and in doing so, our real estate values will remain as strong as possible during these years of economic uncertainty.”

Incumbent Kieran Sharpe said “we must sustain small class and school sizes, retain and recruit top-notch teachers, administrators and other staff, and give students, staff and parents access to facilities suitable for a world-class education.  He said, “our [school] calendar is the shortest of any district in our area and much shorter than in many other countries…We should find ways for students to have more time with teachers and use time more effectively.”

Incumbent Joan E. Wodiska said that “community engagement is essential to our schools’ success.” She has worked on the board to share information with the public “in a clear, transparent and consistent manner.”  The city faces “challenges of tightening budget pressures and maintaining competitive salaries …. Educational innovations must continue [by] better utilizing existing funds and working with City Council to diversify our community’s tax base, while reducing the burden on local homeowners.”

Hyland, Maller and Wodiska were endorsed by Citizens for a Better City. Sharpe is running as an independent. 

The above quotations are taken from the League of Women Voters Voter Guide, from "Chairman Departs, Leaving Three Seats for Four Candidates" and from candidate profiles in the Washington Post.  Click on the hyperlinked candidate name to reach each Washington Post profile.

Peter Behr is a freelance writer and a member of the steering committee for Deliberation Falls Church City.  He is also a member of the Citizens for a Better City.

Council candidates on YouTube and election forums on Tues 4/22 & Wed 4/23

At the DFCCVA channel on YouTube, you can view video clips from the LWV/VPIS City Council candidates' forum on 4/16/08.  Just click on the sidebar links to the left to view the clip of your choice.  The candidates' self-introductory clips are two minutes each; the twelve Q&A clips include remarks from six candidates and run from 5 to 7 minutes each. 

The two-hour LWV/VPIS forum will be rebroadcast on local cable station FCCTV  -- Cox Ch. 12, RCN Ch. 2, and Verizon Ch. 35.  Rebroadcasts are presently scheduled for Tuesday April 22nd at 11:30am; Wed/23rd/8:00pm; Sun/27th/10:30am; and, Tues/29th/7:30pm.  Click here for the latest FCCTV program schedule.

Two upcoming events:

First, the City Council candidates will speak again in a public forum sponsored by the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday 4/22 at 7:30 pm at the Falls Church Community Center.

Second, the Economic Development Authority will host a forum on questions surrounding the charter referendum   

WHEN:  Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 7 - 9 p.m.

WHERE:  Falls Church Arts Room (Community Center, upper level).

WHO:  The panel is expected to include:

    * Stewart Schwartz Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth
    * Joe Svatos, Senior Vice President, The Akridge Company
    * Lisa Benjamin, Senior Managing Director, Newmark Knight Frank
    * James Snyder, Senior Planner (Retired), Arlington County, VA
    * Grant Ehat, Principal, JBG Rosenfeld Retail
    * Jonathan Meyers, Vice President, Development and Acquisitions, Washington Property Co.
    * Abigail Byers Ferretti, Bay Area Economics

Four of six City Council candidates oppose charter change at LWV/VPIS forum

By Peter Behr

Four of the six Falls Church City Council candidates appearing at a candidates’ forum on April 16 said they opposed a referendum on the May 6 city election ballot that would limit the amount of residential units in major new commercial developments.

“Usually charter changes are to allow the city to have more leverage, to be able to do more things, not to restrict a community. And that’s what this is doing,” said Mayor Robin Gardner, arguing against the referendum. The proposal, put forward by opponents of the City Center South project, would amend the City charter to require that mixed-use developments have at least 60 percent commercial space. “It’s not simply restricting City Council, it’s restricting the community from being able to evaluate the best projects for this community,” she said. Gardner heads a three-member slate endorsed by Citizens for a Better City.

Independent candidate Nader Baroukh, a referendum promoter, took the opposite side. One of the referendum’s early sponsors, he said, “I think the referendum is an extremely difficult issue. I think that our city must expand its tax base in order to maintain its independence and exceptional schools.” But the city’s current development strategy is too vague and weak, he continued. “It doesn’t drive the market in any way. It has led to artificial inflation in land values because owners know that the majority of Council will approve almost any project no matter how disproportionately residential it is.”

Mabry exits Council race to push referendum instead

By Pete Behr

Former Vice Mayor Sam Mabry has dropped out of the Falls Church City Council race, saying that he would focus on seeking voter approval of a referendum on future development in the city.

There had been speculation that Mabry might seek to lead a slate of independents against the candidates endorsed by Citizens for a Better City in the May 6 election, Mayor Robin Gardner, Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry and newcomer Lawrence Webb. In addition to Mabry, four other independents qualified for the ballot.  (See Eight Vie for 3 City Council Seats.)  Mabry led the slate for the defunct Falls Church Citizens Organization in several sharply-fought contests against CBC candidates over the past decade.

Mabry said he decided the referendum should be his priority this time. "I thought I would concentrate on the referendum and try to get that passed. I didn't think I could do both (the referendum and the City Council race). I'm getting old and tired and downtrodden. I love my yard." He said his care for his mother is taking more of his time, as well.

The referendum would establish a fixed formula for future economic development projects, requiring that the Council approve only those with at least 60 percent of the square footage committed to commercial or retail use, limiting residential space to 40 percent. 

Eight vie for 3 City Council seats

By Pete Behr

Eight candidates have signed on to seek three open seats in the May 6 City Council election, which has become a contest over the merits of the $317 million City Center project approved by the Council on February 28.

Former Vice Mayor Sam Mabry, an outspoken critic of Council development strategies in the past, made a late move into the race. Mabry sponsored a successful petition drive to put a referendum on the May ballot seeking to limit the amount of residential space in future development projects. If passed, the referendum -- an amendment to the City Charter -- would have to be approved by the Virginia legislature to take effect.

Joining Mabry on the ballot is attorney Nader Baroukh, a resident of the Winter Hill neighborhood adjoining the City Center site on Annandale Road, and an active critic of the project’s size and design.  Mabry and Baroukh are running as independents, as are three other residents, Edward Hillegas, a Postal Service employee; Margaret Housen, an unsuccessful candidate for City Treasurer in 2006, and Patrice Lepczyk, a freelance writer and artist. Whether Mabry winds up leading an anti-City Center slate with other independents remains to be seen.

Mabry and Baroukh have pitched their candidacies against the current City Council leadership of Mayor Robin Gardner and Vice Mayor Lindy Hockenberry, both champions of the City Center project, who are seeking reelection in May. Gardner and Hockenberry received the endorsement of Citizens for a Better City, at the non-partisan organization’s nominating convention last month, as did a third Council candidate, Lawrence Webb. The Falls Church News-Press noted that Falls Church has never before had eight candidates for three City Council seats.

Four candidates will contend for three School Board slots: Incumbent Joan Wodiska and newcomer Kim Maller, who were endorsed at the CBC convention, and Charlotte Hyland, who was added to the CBC slate by CBC’s executive committee after incumbent Kieran Sharpe decided to run as an independent.

Gardner, Hockenberry and the rest of the seven-member Council approved the City Center project on February 28, calling it a crucial expansion of the city’s commercial tax base that will invigorate the businesses along West Broad Street at the Washington Street-Lee Highway intersection.

Council approves City Center South

By Carol DeLong

By the end of a 4 1/2 hour meeting Thursday night, the Falls Church City Council had unanimously approved all legislative items on its agenda relating to the Atlantic Realty proposal for the City Center area south of Broad Street.  Also approved was an amendment to the "Land Use and Economic Development" chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, emphasizing the City's strong desire for non-residential, indeed commercial, development to dominate land use on the north side of Broad Street.