City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 4, 2015
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
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Consideration of the Dedication to the City of a 9,205 Square Foot Property at 312 Beverly Drive for Use as Open Space and Expansion of Monticello Park.
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ISSUE: Consideration and acceptance of a 9,205 square foot priority open space property to be dedicated to the City of Alexandria to expand Monticello Park.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve and accept the 9,205 square foot
property dedication to expand Monticello Park.
BACKGROUND: The property owner of 312 Beverly Drive seeks to donate that property to the City to expand the adjacent Monticello Park in conjunction with the City’s Open Space Master Plan. The property under consideration, an identified priority open space site, is immediately adjacent to Monticello Park. Monticello Park is an important natural resource area and park in Alexandria, and a nationally recognized site for migratory bird-watching.
DISCUSSION: The Open Space Master Plan established a framework for addressing Alexandria’s short and long term open space needs. The Plan framed the initiative with a list of 15 goals, and a subsequent set of open space site criteria and priority sites were approved by City Council in 2004 to support those goals. The receipt of this land donation helps the City to meet the following goals of the Open Space Master Plan:
• Goal 1: Protect and enrich existing parks;
• Goal 4: Protect and expand the stream valleys and other environmentally sensitive areas;
• Goal 9: Create public open space from vacant land; and
• Goal 12: Expand citywide street tree program and protect existing trees and woodland areas.
Many of the properties adjacent to Monticello Park were identified as priority open space sites, and the criteria for acquiring open space support sites that are adjacent to existing parks and open space. The proposed generous donation of this property by the current owners supports a continued commitment by the City and its citizens to implement the Open Space Master Plan, and to Council’s Strategic Plan, which envisions serious efforts to ensure a quality of life for all its citizens.
The Planning Commission considered the Section 9.06 action at its October 6, public hearing and unanimously approved the recommendation that the City accept the donation of the 312 Beverly Drive property.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no cost to acquire the property due to the generosity of the current owners. Future maintenance costs of this added open space will be minimal and included with the general maintenance of Monticello Park.
ATTACHMENTS: Planning Commission 9.06 Action Staff Report
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
James Spengler, Director, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
Laura Durham, Open Space Coordinator