Subject:
Title
Public Hearing on the Necessity of Public Improvements within the Windover Heights Historic District adjacent to and/or on the property located at 348 Windover Avenue NW.
Body
DATE(S) OF PRIOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE: This item was originally scheduled for January 6, 2025, but was rescheduled to this meeting because of the cancellation of the January 6th meeting due to the snowstorm. No previous meetings or work sessions have been held related to this property. However, the Town Council did consider the necessity for public improvements in Windover Heights at a public hearing that was held on March 18, 2024.
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
Davis Chau, the applicant, is the owner of the property located at 348 Windover Avenue NW, and is the project engineer, with GeoEnv Engineers. Mr. Chau is proposing to demolish the existing single-unit detached house and construct a new single-unit detached house in the RS-16, single-unit detached residential zoning district
On such projects throughout Vienna, Section 18-402, Frontage Improvements, requires the construction of certain public improvements. Within the Windover Heights Historic Overlay District (WHHD), however, per Town Code Sec. 18-237.2., the Town Council must decide whether such improvements are necessary, after having received a recommendation from the Windover Heights Board of Review (WHBR).
In late 2023 and early 2024, the same process for review occurred in response to proposed redevelopment at 288 Windover Avenue NW. The WHBR recommended against the construction of the public improvements; and, in March 2024, the Town Council decided not to approve such construction. However, the property owner agreed to address stormwater on site at a level greater than what is normally required.
Attachment 1 is the staff memorandum. That document, plus the other attachments, provides background and details about infrastructure that could be designed and built, information about the property, the relevant language from the Town Code, and photos.
Attachment 6 provides a memorandum from the Chair of the Windover Heights Board of Review, providing information about their deliberations and their recommendation that the Town Council find that the public improvements are not necessary.
Departmental Recommendation: The Department of Planning and Zoning and the Department of Public Works recommend that the Town Council:
1) Hold a public hearing;
2) Consider all oral and written testimony, including the recommendation of the Windover Heights Board of Review; and
3) Reach a determination regarding the necessity of public infrastructure related to the proposed redevelopment of 348 Windover Ave., NW.
Finance Recommendation: n/a
Purchasing Recommendation: n/a
Town Attorney Recommendation: Pursuant to Town Code Sec. 18-237.2., the Town Council must hold a public hearing and, after having received a recommendation from the Windover Heights Board of Review (WHBR), formally decide whether such improvements are necessary,.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council choose the option that is most consistent with their past decisions.
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
• Option 1:
I move that all the standard public improvements, including curb, gutter, and sidewalks, are necessary adjacent to 348 Windover Avenue NW, in association with the proposed redevelopment plan per the requirements of Town Code Section 18-402, Frontage Improvements, and that the Town’s standard street profile for a street of this kind be implemented.
• Option 2:
I move that the following public improvements are necessary adjacent to 348 Windover Avenue NW, in association with the proposed redevelopment plan per the requirements of Town Code Section 18-402, Frontage Improvements:
_________
_________
• Option 3:
I move that public improvements are not necessary adjacent to 348 Windover Avenue NW, in association with the proposed redevelopment plan per the requirements of Town Code Section 18-402, Frontage Improvements, and that staff may approve a site plan without the standard street profile design.
• Option 4: Other option that the Town Council may choose.