Yorktown Civic Association
  A neighborhood association in north Arlington, Virginia.
County Schedules Hearing on Accessory Dwelling Proposal
County Board to Take Up Proposal on July 19, 2008

Arlington's neighborhoods are likely to learn on July 19 whether the county will be establishing formal guidelines for allowing the inclusion of basement and attic apartments in homes in areas of the county currently zoned for single-family residences. Currently, the county does not legally allow such apartment units in single family homes, although they are known to exist throughout the county. Athough the "accessory dwelling" proposal has gone through several iterations since first being taken up by the county's Housing Commission, the approach advertised for consideration by the County Board would restrict such units to: 1) no more than 750 square feet, 2) no more than two occupants, and 3) owner-occupied homes that currently conform to lot size limits. Neighborhood residents interested in this issue are encouraged to submit their comments to the County Board prior to the July 19 hearing at: CountyBoard@ArlingtonVA.us.

  • Arlington County Accessory Dwelling Proposal Web Page
  • County Manager's Advertised Proposal
  • Arlington Civic Federation Accessory Dwelling Proposal Web Page

    APS Abandons Plan to Use Chestnut Hills Park for YHS Construction Parking
    Arlington's Most Popular Children's Park Would Have Been Severely Impacted by Plan

    On March 26, Superintendent Robert Smith abandoned plans to use part of Chestnut Hills Park on North Harrison Street for construction worker parking for the upcoming renovation of Yorktown High School.

    On March 13, Arlington public school (APS) officials had confirmed that they intended to proceed with plans to place all of the construction worker parking for the high school renovation project in a portion of Arlington's most popular children's park, our very own Chestnut Hills Park on North Harrison Street. This move would have set the precedent of allowing the school system to freely select open park land any where it wants to meet its excess parking needs. The area that would have been taken by the school system is a favorite place for kite flying, sledding and playing catch, and its loss would be felt by users. The plan would have involved building an extemely unattractive, industrial-looking graveled parking area across the entire 1 acre of open park lawn. Park users and neighbors felt that it would have destroyed the beauty and safety of the entire park. The plan was to have the parking in place at the start of the school construction project on June 15, 2008. The civic association had expressed strong opposition to this proposal and appreciates the help of members and park users in stopping it!

  • Message to YHS Planning Committee Members - 3/18/08 [pdf]
  • Message to YCA Members - 3/15/08 [pdf]
  • APS "Justification" of Plan - 3/17/08 [pdf]
  • APS Presentation at Williamsburg PTA - 3/13/08 [pdf]
  • Flyer Being Distributed at Chestnut Hills Park [pdf]

    Civic Association Annual Meeting Held Wednesday, January 30, 2008
    Civic Association Elections and Issue Updates

    The Yorktown Civic Association held its annual meeting on Wednesday, January 30, at Yorktown High School. In addition to adoption of the annual budget and election of civic association officer and executive committee positions, the major topic was the upcoming renovation of Yorktown High School, which is now scheduled to begin after the end of the current school year.

    At the meeting, an update was also provided on the upcoming expansion project at Marymount University, plus Arlington Couny urban forester spoke speak about tree preservation and maintenance issues in the neighborhood.

  • January 2008 Newsletter [pdf]
  • Agenda for Jan. 30 Meeting [pdf]
  • Yorktown High Final Design [pdf]
  • Yorktown High County Use Permit Conditions [pdf]
  • Summary of Accessory Dwelling Proposal [pdf]

    Civic Association Fall Meeting Held on Thursday, October 4
    County Board Member Barbara Favola Spoke at Meeting

    The Yorktown Civic Association will held its quarterly meeting on Thursday, October 4, 2007. County Board Member Barbara Favola was the guest speaker. The major topic was the upcoming renovation of Yorktown High School, which was scheduled to go before the County Board on October 13 for use permit approval.

    At the meeting, updates were also provided on the upcoming expansion project at Marymount University, and a vote was held on support for a 4-way stop at the N. 27th Street/N. Florida Street intersection (approved).

  • Agenda for Oct. 4 Meeting [pdf]
  • September 2007 Newsletter [pdf]
  • YHS Project Background

    County Schedules Hearings on Yorktown High Renovation Project
    Civic Association Continues to Seek Additional Parking

    Plans for a $100 million renovation to Yorktown High School continue to move forward with a slate of county hearings on the project scheduled this fall. The following hearings are currently scheduled on the project:
      Date Time Location
    Site Plan Review Committee Sep 10 7:30 pm 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Rm 311
    School Board Sep 20 7:30 pm 1426 N. Quincy St., 1st Floor
    Transportation Commission Sep 27 7:30 pm 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Rm 307
    Planning Commission Oct 1 7:00 pm 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Rm 307
    County Board Oct 13 9:00 am 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Rm 307


    The civic association continues to advocate for additional off-street parking for the project, as well as improvements to the building's appearance. The civic association has prepared a detailed analysis of parking and infrastructure concerns for the September 27 Transportation Commission hearing:
  • YHS Project Parking, Traffic and Pedestrian Safety: Analysis, Issues and Solutions, 9/24/07 [pdf]
  • For more details, click here to go to YCA webpage on Yorktown High Renovation Project

    Marymount University Plans Major Parking/Dorm/Classroom Project at 26th Street Parking Lot Site
    County Board Approves Project at July 9, 2007, Hearing

    Marymount University has received approval for a use permit from Arlington County for the construction of underground parking, along with two new buildings on the block currently used for surface-level parking at the corner of 26th Street North and Old Dominion Drive. Construction is expected to begin by mid-2008.

    Modifications to the project were presented at a task force meeting on May 1, 2007, that would eliminate a large auditorium from the project, thereby providing room for greater building setbacks and the reduction of one floor from the proposed dormitory height.

    The Yorktown Civic Association voted to oppose the original design for the project in October 2006 but supported the final design. At a November 20, 2006, Planning Commission review of the project, commissioners voted to defer taking a position on the project. On December 12, 2006, the County Board held a hearing on the project, and after taking testimony from 34 speakers, a decision on the project was deferred until the County Board's March 17, 2007, meeting, at which time a decision was again deferred. In the meantime, the County has hired Tracey Pilkerton to serve as a facilitator to sort out issues on the project. Meetings as part of the formal facilitation process begin in March.

    Marymount, itself, does not fall within a civic association boundary. The adjoining civic associations are: Yorktown, Old Dominion, Donaldson Run, and Rock Spring.
  • County web page on Marymount University Use Permit request

    The project would include:
  • Four levels of below-grade (or screened) parking
  • Dormitory building with aparment-style suites
  • Classrooms
  • Laboratories
  • Faculty offices
  • Read more on the Marymount project
  • YCA Resolution Opposing Marymount Project (pdf)
  • Arlington County Board December 6, 2006 Meeting Agenda

    County Board Chair Paul Ferguson Speaks at Civic Association Meeting
    Meeting Held on Monday May 7, 2007

    Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson was the guest speaker at the quarterly meeting of the Yorktown Civic Association on Monday, May 7. He addressed the the upcoming renovation of Yorktown High School, as well as the Marymount University expansion project, and took questions from neighborhood residents.

    Marymount's V.P. for Student Services, Chris Domes, will also discussed the latest changes to the Marymount project. Sarah Woodhead, APS Director of Facilities and Design, also attended the meeting to share the latest on the Yorktown High renovation project.

  • Agenda for May 7 Meeting [pdf]
  • Handout on Marymount Project [pdf]
  • Handout on YHS Project [pdf]
  • April 2007 Newsletter [pdf]

    WAVA Radio Tower Comes Down to Make Room for New Houses
    Surrounding Neighborhoods Opposed Tower Replacement Due to Interference

    The owner of the WAVA radio tower near the corner of Lee Highway and George Mason has been seeking approval from the Arlington County Board to replace its existing tower with a new, free-standing tower (without the existing guide wires) at the same location. The tower replacement appeared necessary due to development plans on the adjacent AT&T property site. The new owner/developer of that property brought suit against the WAVA owner for removal of the tower's support wire connections from their property.

    Even though the tower sits within the boundaries of the Leeway-Overlee Civic Association, the Yorktown Civic Association and two other adjacent neighborhoods have participated in several meetings about the tower replacement. The surrounding neighborhoods had insisted that efforts be made to reduce interference from the radio stations as part of any approval to allow construction of replacement towers. Nearby homeowners have reported interference on their radios and TVs, as well as a broad range of other electronic devices. And on April 10, the tower owner bowed to these concerns and opted to end plans to replace the tower.

    This is one of three towers south of Lee Highway. It is the thin tower that is the closest to the intersection (just behind the Bank of America building). It broadcasts WAVA AM and FM signals, as well as WBIG FM.

    In response to neighborhood concerns, the tower owner had presented the following mitigation plan and draft of conditions for the use permit approval:
  • WAVA Tower Mitigation Plan (Draft) [pdf]
  • WAVA Tower User Permit Conditions (Draft) [pdf]

    Arlington County Releases New Traffic Analysis on North Harrison Street
    Speeding and Volume of Southbound Traffic Increases Despite Recent Safety Improvements

    Despite recent safety improvements on North Harrison Street between Lee Highway and Little Falls Road, speeding is still a problem in front of Chestnut Hills Park, especially in the southbound direction, according to a comparative analysis released by the Arlington County Dept. of Environmental Services in February 2007.

    The report was prepared as a followup to the installation of bike lanes, parking lanes, a speed indicator signal, new crosswalks, and other sign and marking changes. The safety improvements were requested by the civic association and residents on Harrison Street in response to accidents and safety concerns near Chestnut Hills Park. While speeding has declined somewhat in the northbound direction, that improvement has been offset by an increase in traffic volume and speeding in the southbound direction. As a result the county is recommending installation of an additional speed indicator.

  • Harrison Street Comparitive Analysis (pdf)

    Civic Association Adopts Resolution Opposing Yorktown High Design at Winter Meeting on Tuesday, January 16
    Residents Urged to Attend School Board's Jan. 23 Meeting on School Project

    The winter meeting of the Yorktown Civic Association was held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007, at Yorktown High School. At the meeting, the civic association approved on a vote of 29 to 0 a resolution opposing Superintendent Robert Smith's recommendation to include just 268 parking spaces as part of the new design for Yorktown High when it is presented to the School Board on January 18. The School Board is also scheduled to hold a public meeting on the Yorktown High project at the school on Tuesday, January 23 (NOTE: the start time for that meeting has been changed to 8:30 p.m.), followed by a vote on the project at its February 1 meeting. Neighborhood residents were asked to attend the January 23 meeting and voice their opposition to the proposed design (flyer on Board meeting [pdf]).

    The meeting agenda also included a discussion of neighborhood priorities during a facilitation process initiated by the County Board for the Marymount expansion project prior to the Board's action on the that project at its March 17, 2007, meeting. At the civic association meeting, the annual budget was also approved.

  • Agenda for Jan. 16 Meeting [pdf]
  • January Newsletter [pdf]
  • Proposed YCA Resolution on Parking Issue [pdf]
  • YHS Design Presentation to School Board, January 18, 2007 [pdf]
  • Proposed YCA 2007 Budget [pdf]
  • Q & A on Completion of Greenbrier Park [pdf]
  • Our Yorktown High Renovation Project Webpage

    Neighborhood Meeting Held on December 7 on Yorktown High Parking and Traffic Issues
    School Project to be Presented to School Board in January

    A neighborhood meeting was held on Thursday, December 7, 2006 at Yorktown High School on the amount of off-street parking planned for Yorktown High School after its renovation.

    Arlington voters overwhelminly approved the fall bond election, which contained the first installment of funding for a $100 million renovation of the school, and in mid-January APS design and facilities plans to present the planned design for the project to the Arlington School Board. Unfortunately for neighborhood residents, APS staff is not living up to the terms of a master plan developed for the overall Greenbrier Park/YHS projects in 2002 which called for a total of 346 off-street parking spaces.

    At the meeting, residents agreed that that the combined Yorktown High/Greenbrier Park complex should have at least 400 off-street parking spaces, and that structured parking should be considered in the design for the new Yorktown High Building when the School Board takes up the project at its January meeting.

    For additional information on the school project and the parking issue see:
  • Yorktown High Renovation Project
  • Announcement of Dec. 7 meeting

    Yorktown Civic Assoc. Meet Held on Wednesday, October 18, 2006
    With School Board Member Libby Garvey as Guest Speaker

    School Board Vice Chair Libby Garvey was the guest speaker at the quarterly meeting of the Yorktown Civic Association on Wednesday, October 18, 2006, at Yorktown High School.

    Ms. Garvey discussed plans for renovating Yorktown High School and other school projects scheduled for the fall school bond election. A topic of discussion was the YHS renovation plans in the area of parking, as the current plans for the school fall well short of the amount approved in the master plan for the overall Greenbrier Park/YHS renovation.

    The other major agenda was Marymount University's plans for new classrooms, dorms and underground parking at the current surface parking lot site at the intersection of Old Dominion and 26th Street. The membership voted to adopt a resolution opposing the Marymount project in its current form.
  • October Newsletter (pdf)
  • Meeting Agenda (pdf)
  • YCA Resolution Opposing Marymount Project (pdf)

    Yorktown High Phase II Renovation Funding Included in 2006 Fall Bond
    Construction Expected by Mid-2008

    On July 11, the County Board voted to provide initial funding, as recommended a few days earlier by the Arlington School Board, for complete renovation of Yorktown High School. The plan calls for $24.8 million to be included for the project in the 2006 bond election, with an additional $75 million included as part of the 2008 bond election. The approved plans calls for construction to begin around July 2008.

    The funding plan is based on a preliminary design selected on May 8 by the School Board-appointed Building Level Planning Committee (BLPC) for rebuilding Yorktown High School from five alternatives prepared by the project architect, Ehrenkranz Eckstut and Kuhn (EEK). That plan was presented to the Arlington School Board at its June 15, 2006, meeting, and on July 6 the School Board made its final decision to include funding for the project in the fall 2006 bond election.

    The BLPC action followed a public work session on the Yorktown High School renovation project which was held on Monday, April 17, 2006, at the school. The work session was required by both School Board and County procedures and members of the School Board attended, as did members of the Arlington County Planning and Transportation Commissions.

    Members of the Building Level Planning Committee (BLPC), a formally-appointed group of stakeholders in the project, have been meeting for several months on the project. The neighborhood is represented on the BLPC by Cate Mueller, Seth Verry, and Asmita Bhat. Planning Commissioner and Yorktown resident Ted Weihe also serves on the BLPC.
  • Yorktown High School Preliminary Design Report [55 page .PDF file - 7MB]
  • Design & Construction - Yorktown High School
  • Read More

    County Board Denies Use Permit for Garden City Night Club
    Live Entertainment No Longer Allowed at Palladium

    At its meeting on July 8, 2006, the County Board approved a staff recommendation to end a county-granted special use permit allowing live entertainment at the Palladium night clum in the Garden City shopping area. The neighborhood has long sought improvements in this very visible business area along Lee Highway, and the decision by the Board follows other recent efforts by the county staff to bring change to the area.

    The staff report prepared for the Board meeting concluded:
    "After renewing the use permit for live entertainment for two (2) months in November 2005 to allow the applicant time to remedy condition violations, the County Board heard the item in January 2006 and, based on the progress made by the applicant tempered by the concerns of the neighborhood, renewed the use permit for six (6) months. During the review process in January, staff committed to both the County Board and the neighborhood to continue to work with the applicant to ensure compliance with the conditions. An administrative review in April 2006 indicated that the applicant continued to operate in compliance with the conditions. However, following this administrative review, the applicant allowed an outside promoter to organize dance parties commencing on April 20, 2006 with live entertainment during times not permitted under the conditions of the use permit. Staff concludes that the activity was an egregious violation of the use permit conditions, and recommends that the County Board not renew the use permit."
  • More on Garden City
  • Staff Report [pdf]

    Sidewalk Planned for N. Harrison Street
    Segment Eligible for "Missing Link" Funding

    County staff have determined that the block of North Harrison Street between the Little Falls Road and Yorktown Boulevard is eligible for the expedited "Missing Link" sidewalk installation program. This block is currently the only segment of North Harrison from Patrick Henry Drive to the McLean border that does not have a sidewalk on both sides of the street.

    Installation of a sidewalk on this block was recommended by the neighborhood in its recently approved Neighborhood Conservation Plan update. However, the Missing Link application required review by both the Yorktown and Rock Springs neighborhoods since the segment straddles the boundary between the two neighborhoods.

    Actual construction of the sidewalk is expected in late-summer of 2006

    Traffic Calming Planned for N. Lexington Street
    Plan Approved by County Board on July 11

    At its July 11, 2006, the County Board adopted project funding recommendeds for the spring funding round of the Neighborhood Traffic Calming program. Of the four projects included, one is nearby N. Lexington Street.

    As approved, the Lexington Street traffic-calming project consists of the following components:
  • One textured-pavement gateway at Lee Highway
  • Three speed cushions
  • One 20-foot circle at the intersection of 25th Road North
  • Three textured crosswalks on the north, east, and west side of North Lexington Street.
  • One textured crosswalk at the intersection of 27th Street North
  • Four nubs at the intersection of 27th Street North and North Lexington Street with updated curbs ramps
  • Two nubs and textured crosswalk at 28th Street North
  • One textured pavement gateway and two nubs at the intersection of Little Falls Road

    North Lexington Street from Lee Highway to Little Falls Road falls within the Williamsburg and Leeway Overlee Civic Associations neighborhoods and is designated as a neighborhood-minor street and carries approximately 1,504 vehicles per day.

  • Staff Report [pdf]

    Civic Association Meeting Held on June 14
    Yorktown High Renovation, Marymount U. Project and Garden City on Agenda

    The quarterly Yorktown Civic Association meeting was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2006, at Yorktown High School. The agenda included discussions of the upcoming renovation of Yorktown High School, the expansion of Marymount University, and conditions at the Garden City shopping area. County, school system, and Marymount staff answered questions on these topics at the meeting. The membership voted to oppose renewal of the Palladium's live entertainment use permit at Garden City, and considered - but rejected - a motion to support deferral of funding for the Yorktown High renovation until the 2008 county school bond.
  • June Newsletter (pdf)
  • June 14 YCA Meeting Agenda

    Stop Light Planned at Harrison Street/Yorktown Blvd. Intersection
    County Seeks Neighborhood Feedback on Design

    Arlington's Transportation Engineering staff has released plans for traffic safety improvements at the intersection of Yorktown Blvd. and N. Harrison Street. While the intersection falls within the boundaries of the Rock Spring Civic Association, Yorktown neighorhood residents have long expressed interest in safety improvements at the intersection. The plans call for stop lights on pedestals with modern count-down crosswalk signals. Nubs will also be installed at each of the crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety. Please direct comments on the plans to county traffic engineer Valerie Lee at 703/228-3722 or by email at Vlee@arlingtonva.us.
  • Yorktown & Harrison Design Proposal (pdf)

    Construction Begins on Lee/George Mason Intersection Improvements
    Left Turn Lanes and Sidewalk Improvements Coming to Busy Intersection

    The long-planned improvements for the accident-prone Lee Highway intersection with George Mason Drive are finally underway. When completed later this spring, the project will add dedicated left-turn lanes from Lee Highway onto George Mason from both directions, as well as new traffic signals. The project also involves signficant improvements and widening to the sidewalks near the intersection, as well a slight reallignment of the intersection of George Mason with the adjoining side streets.
  • Construction Plan

    County Board Ch. Zimmerman Speaks at Civic Association Meeting on Monday, March 27, 2006
    Marymount Building Plans Also on Agenda

    The Yorktown Civic Association quarterly meeting was held on Monday, March 27, at Yorktown High School. Current Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman was the guest speaker. The agenda also included a discussion of Marymount University's building plans for the current surface parking lot location at the 26th Street North and Old Dominion Drive, as well as renovation plans for Yorktown High School.
  • March Newsletter (pdf)
  • Meeting Agenda (pdf)
  • Garden City Status Report (pdf)

    Little Falls Traffic Calming Improvements Moving Forward
    Nubs to Narrow Little Falls/Harrison Intersection

    Construction has begun on traffic calming improvements approved in 2004 on Little Falls Road from the Harrison Street to Yorktown Boulevard intersections. The most significant aspect of the project is the installation of "nubs" at the Little Falls/Harrison intersection to improve pedestrian safety and traffic safety at the intersection's existing 4-way stop Read more..
  • Project Area (pdf)

    County Holds Greenbrier Park Renovation Kickoff Event on Saturday, March 11
    County Board Members Attend "Greenbrier Project Preview @ The Tent Event!"

    On Saturday, March 11, 2006, at 11:30 a.m., the Arlington Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs held a special event at Greenbrier Park to highlight the improvements currently being made. Construction at the park started earlier this year, but an earlier groundbreaking ceremony was canceled due to poor weather conditions.
  • Event Announcement (pdf)
  • Greenbrier Park Project Updates

    Annual Civic Association Meeting Held on Wednesday, December 7, 2005
    Elections Conducted; Arlington's Parking Manager Discusses Parking Around YHS and Greenbrier Park

    The Yorktown Civic Association annual meeting was held on Wednesday, December 7, 2005, at Yorktown High School in room 1B beginning at 7:30 p.m. In addition to election of officers and approval of the annual budget, the meeting will focus on several current issues for the neighborhood. Arlington County's Parking Manager, Sarah Stott, will discuss the residential permit parking program and answer questions about parking problems that can be expected during the upcoming construction at Greenbrier Park. Steve Larson, the school system's point person on parking issues will also be at the meeting. The agenda will also include a discussion about the plans for renovating Yorktown High School and for upcoming meetings regarding zoning enforcement and the need for improvements at the Garden City Shopping Center.
  • December newsletter (pdf)
  • Agenda (Word doc)

    County Board Approves Greenbrier Park Construction
    Construction Planned from January 2006 through June 2007

    At its meeting on November 16, 2005, the County Board voted 5-0 to award the $10.4 million contract for renovating Greenbrier Park to Corinthian Contractors, Inc., of Arlington. The project will include installation of a new synthetic turf football field and new concrete bleachers. A new track will be built around the football field, and the existing lower park tier will be replaced with 2 new tiers containing two dedicated softball diamonds and a new baseball diamond with its own seating. The project also involves the replacement of the press box, concession stand, and rest rooms. More information on the renovation of Greenbrier Park can be found by clicking this link.
  • Download County Board report on contract approval (.pdf file).
  • Download final Greenbrier Park operational plans (Word .doc file).

    Quarterly Civic Association Meeting Held Monday, Sept. 26, 2005
    School Board Vice Ch. Mary Hynes Guest Speaker

    The Yorktown Civic Association held its quarterly meeting on Monday, September 26, 2005, at Yorktown High School. The final plans for the renovation of Greenbrier Park were presented (more). And Mary Hynes, Arlington School Board Vice Chairmain, addressed the planned phase II renovations of Yorktown High School, and related issues.
  • Meeting Agenda
  • September newsletter (pdf)

    2005 Spring Meeting Held Wednesday, May 18, 2005
    Board Chairman Fisette Addresses Neighborhood Issues

    The Yorktown Civic Association Spring Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at Yorktown High School, with County Board Chairman Jay Fisette as the guest speaker. Chairman Fisette shared his thoughts on the upcoming renovations of Greenbrier Park, recent Board action involving the Garden City Shopping Center, residential in-fill zoning changes under consideration by the county and other current issues. Members will also received a presentation on the Neighborhood Watch program from the Arlington Police Department.
  • Spring Meeting Agenda
  • May newsletter (pdf)

    County Board Approves Garden City Use Permits
    May 7 County Board Hearing Focuses on Problems at Garden City

    On May 7, 2005, the County Board considered the renewal of the live entertainment use permit for Garden City's Palladium nightclub and a new use permit for the Tacos Dona Mary restaurant. While the Board did vote to approve these permits, they did so with fairly restrictive conditions and with a commitment to seek long term improvements. (More ..)

    2005 Neighborhood Day at Chestnut Hills Park on Saturday, May 14

    Arlington held Neighborhood Day 2005 on Saturday, May 14, and the Yorktown Civic Association joined in the fun by hosting its annual Neighborhood Day at Chestnut Hills Park event. The event featured a clown, a fire truck, snacks for the kids and lots of balloons. For a complete list of all Neighborhood Day events in Arlington see: http://www.arlingtonva.us/nd2005/NeighborhoodDayEvents.aspx.

    2005 Winter Meeting Held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005
    Members Adopt Neighborhood Plan

    The Yorktown Civic Association Winter Meeting was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2004, at Yorktown High School. The major agenda was the discussion and adoption of the Yorktown Neighborhood Plan that has been prepared as part of the Arlington Neighborhood Conservation Program. The Civic Association has been working on the plan update for more than a year. The effort was started in late 2003 with a survey of every household in the neighorhood. The plan goes on to county staff for review and goes to the County Planning Commission and the County Board for approval.
  • Winter Meeting Agenda
  • February newsletter (pdf)
  • Yorktown Neighborhood Summary of Recommendations
  • Yorktown Neighborhood Plan (draft) (pdf)
  • Neighborhood Survey Results
  • More on the Yorktown Neighborhood Conservation Plan..

    Greenbrier Park Operational Meeting Held on February 17, 2004
    Park Renovation Construction Scheduled for Fall 2005

    On Thursday, February 17, the fourth and final public forum on the design specifics for Greenbrier Park's planned renovations was held at Yorktown High School. The focus of the meeting was operational issues, such as hours of operation, public access to the track, etc. The first of the "park design workshops" on the upcoming redevelopment of Greenbrier Park was hosted by the Arlington Parks Department on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004, at Yorktown High School. On June 26, 2004, the Arlington County Board approved a contract authorizing the expenditure of up to $775,000 for the detailed design of Greenbrier Park improvements. The Board also voted to include $8.6-million in the fall 2004 bond election for Greenbrier Park improvements. These actions signal that construction of park improvements is likely to begin in 2005. In addition to the meeting on Sept. 21, two additional public meetings are expected to be scheduled later this year regarding the park design. Read more..

    Arlington Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee Approves Yorktown Projects
    Neighborhood Work Groups Developed Plans for 27th Street N. and Little Falls Rd.

    After several months of work that included a formal petition process of neighborhood residents, the Arlington Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee (NTCC) voted to include two neighborhood projects in a package of 7 projects that would be forwarded to the County Board for funding as part of the NTCC's fall funding round. The first of the 2 projects is Little Falls Road between Harrison Street and Yorktown Boulevard and it will include a speed cushion and nubs at the Harrison intersection. Smaller nubs will also be installed at Greencastle Street and Yorktown Boulevard. The second project is on 27th Street N. between Harrison and Lexington Streets. This segment was considered as part of the Traffic Calming Program's expedited speed bump effort, and 3 speed humps will be installed. Read more..

    Yorktown Civic Association Holds 2004 Fall Meeting on Wednesday, October 20
    County Board Chairman Barbara Favola Guest Speaker

    Neighborhood residents attended the civic association's Fall Meeting on Wednesday, October 20, 2004. County Board Chairman Barbara Favola was the guest speaker. Association members also discussed and voted on neighborhood traffic calming projects, and discussed Greenbrier Park redevelopment efforts and other neighborhood projects. Information was also made available on the latest plans for the Friendly's restaurant site at the corner of George Mason and Lee. October newsletter .. (pdf)

    Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Candidates Needed
    Slots Reserved for Neighborhood Residents in Fall Class Schedule

    Several volunteers are needed from the neighborhood to participate in training as part of the Arlington Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Several slots have been reserved for the Yorktown neighborhood in training classes that begin in early October. If you are interested in this training please contact YCA President David Haring at dharing@YorktownCivic.com or at 703/241-8111 (h).

    Traffic Calming Plan for 25th and 26th Streets Approved by County Board
    Neighborhood Plan Approved for Construction

    At its July 10, 2004, meeting, the Arlington County Board approved projects included in the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Committee's spring funding round. On June 17, the Committee voted to send to the County Board plans developed by neighborhood residents for traffic calming measures on 25th and 26th Streets. The committee's approval came after roughly 80% of the 255 households in the project area signed petitions of formal support for the project.

    Development of the projects was kicked off on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, when members of the Arlington County Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program approved N. 25th and 26th Streets between George Mason Drive and Glebe Road for consideration of traffic calming measures. Traffic calming assistance was requested by several residents on each street. An organizational meeting for this effort was held on Feb. 25, followed by additional meetings to discuss project options. Program rules require, however, that at least 60% of the 200 households in the affected area sign petitions in support of the project. An open house on April 14, 2004, gave affected residents an opportunity to review the plans and ask questions about the project. Read more..

    Garden City Commercial Revitalization
    Civic Association Submits Application for Funding Under New County Program

    On June 18, 2004, the Yorktown Civic Association submitted an application for funding for improvements at the Garden City Shopping Center, at the intersection of Lee Highway and George Mason Drive, under Arlington County's new Commercial Revitalization program. The program was established with bond funding approved by Arlington voters in the 2002 bond election. It is currently anticipated that the County Manager will select a number of candidate projects from the initial applications sometime in late 2004. The civic association also signed onto a separate application submitteed jointy by several civic associations along Lee Highway for a longer-term effort to study development along Lee Highway. Read more..

    Harrison Street Traffic Workshop Produces Plans for Improvements
    County Transportation Dept. Present Plans on June 28

    Arlington County transportation officials met with neighborhood residents on Monday, June 28, to present plans for possible traffic improvements along Harrison Street from Lee Highway through the Little Falls intersection.

    The plans are the result of a planning meeting held with residents on April 20, 2004, to collect neighborhood input on traffic speed and pedestrian safety concerns in the segment of North Harrison Street from Lee Highway through the Little Falls Road intersection. The meeting involved tabletop planning excercises that helped facilitate discussion of possible solutions, and gave residents an opportunity to talk about the sign and striping changes made late last year, as well as plans for the Lee Highway interesection and recent discussions about the possibility of nubs at the Little Falls interesection. This segment of Harrison has also been included in a major county initiative to develop traffic calming options for arterial streets. Read more..

    School Board Approves Funding for Yorktown High Phase II Design
    $2.23-million Included in Fall 2004 Bond Vote

    The Arlington Public School Board is in the process of performing a multi-phase upgrade to the Yorktown High School facility. Phase I, which involves construction of a 30-classroom addition, is slated for completion in time for the start of the 2004-05 school year. Phase II would involve the renovation of the existing structure, and planning for that phase is slated to begin in 2005. The FY05-10 Capital Improvement Program includes $2.23-million in planning and design funding for phase II. Arlington voters will be asked in the November, 2004, general election to approve the bond that would pay for that CIP. The phase II renovation is currently projected to cost $54-million and would occur beginning in FY2007. Read more..

    Meeting Held on Lee Highway Options
    Stop Light Scheduled for Installation at Lee Highway and Edison Street

    The Arlington County Public Works Department held a public meeting with residents of the Yorktown, Langston and Old Dominion neighborhoods to discuss short and long term options for improving traffic flow and safety along Lee Highway between Buchanan and Edison Streets. The meeting was held at Langston School on Tuesday, March 9. One of the first steps to be taken will be the installation of a traffic light at the corner of Lee Highway and Edison Street. For further details on the options being considered by the County, contact Bridget Obikoya of the Transportation Engineering and Operations Division at (703)228-7511 or by email at bobikoya@arlingtonva.us. The County's analysis can be found at: Corridor Analysis of Lee Highway from North Buchanan to North Edison Streets.



    Yorktown Blvd. Safety Modifications
    Median at High School Exit

    The Public Works Dept. and Public School System have agreed upon a plan to construct a median and nubs on Yorktown Boulevard at the exit from Yorktown High's bus drop-off area on the school's north side. These changes to Yorktown Boulevard would be funded under Arlington County's "Safe Routes to Schools" program, with construction taking place during the summer of 2004. Drawing (pdf file)..

    Isabel's Aftermath
    Board Members Meet With Yorktown Neighborhood Residents

    Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson toured the Yorktown neighborhood and met with residents on Saturday, Sept. 27, recovering from a week-long power outage in the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel. Joining Ferguson were fellow Board members Barbara Favola and Walter Tejada, along with County Manager Ron Carlee and a representative of Virginia Dominion Power company. Read more..

    Florida Street
    Traffic Calming Project Approved by County Board

    At its meeting on July 19, 2003, the Arlington County Board approved a round of traffic calming projects, which included one project in the Yorktown neighborhood. The project involves the installation of speed humps and other improvements on North Florida Street from George Mason/Lee Highway to 26th Street. Read more..
  • (c) Yorktown Civic Association, Arlington, VA, David Haring, Pres.