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Trees vs. Design Center

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by Save The Trees, Mar 31, 2008.

  1. msflynn

    msflynn New Member

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    Ok so I will post it for you :happygrin:

    Staci
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    Oh look at this the big gift of parkland to the broadlands from the hospital might not be a gift after all, looks like it was there all along since 1999 by the looks of that great big green area. As a matter of fact the hospital gift might actually be smaller then the originally planned park land. hmmmm
     
  3. GeauxTigers

    GeauxTigers Member

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    Shouldn't this be in the hospital thread?
     
  4. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    I banned my self from posting there and this is about a map that shows parkland before the hospital so called gift. That is not on the hospital thread. Besides I am talking parkland and existing zoning. :)
     
  5. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    You probably do believe that you aren't talking about the hospital. sad
     
  6. Southern Walk Hokie

    Southern Walk Hokie New Member

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    I was able to speak with Brian Boone from the Loudoun County Department of Building and Development. Here is summary of what I was told:
    • Section 208 consists of two parcels of land – an eastern parcel and a western parcel.
    • The eastern parcel is an area that was cleared of tall trees years ago and is directly across from Broadlands Marketplace.
    • The western parcel, where Van Metre is planning to squeeze in a design center and parking spaces, is an undeveloped area that still has many tall trees and a creek running through it. It is not directly across the street from Broadlands Marketplace, but rather across from another wooded area closer to the pool. Currently, this area serves as an excellent buffer from the sights and sounds from Wynridge Drive and Broadlands Marketplace.
    • The purpose of the boundary line adjustment, according to the County, was to move the boundary line between the eastern and western parcels—although Mr. Boone couldn’t explain for certain whether the boundary line was moving the line toward the east (decreasing the size of the eastern parcel and increasing the size of the western parcel) or toward the west (increasing the size of the eastern portion and decreasing the size of the western parcel).
    • The application for the boundary line adjustment was approved by the County on March 18, 2008.
    Also, Mr. Boone provided the following additional information:
    • A floodplain easement exists on the western parcel.
    • Van Metre is required to submit a site plan for the Section 208 parcels.
    • A site plan (STPL-2007-0042) for an “office park” has been submitted and approved for the eastern parcel.
    • Van Metre submitted a site plan for the western parcel (STPL-2007-0020) for a “home design center,” but withdrew the site plan on March 20, 2008. The County did not have information as to why the plan was withdrawn by Van Metre.
    The upshot of this information is that the boundary line adjustment may result in a smaller parcel of land for the proposed design center, which could increase the environmental impact the center has on the area. Moreover, a reduction in the size of the western parcel could mean that instead of Van Metre providing a larger buffer between the center and homeowners (say 100-200 feet), it is only providing the minimum required by law.

    As for the withdrawn site plan for the western parcel, I think that this provides an opportunity for homeowners and Van Metre to discuss the development (or non-development of this area). Yes, the proposed use appears consistent with the zoning regulations, but these same regulations still requires an approved site plan.

    While Van Metre may be well within their rights to cut down the trees and squeeze in a design center on a smaller piece of land, nothing prohibits the homeowners from asking Van Metre not to. Why can’t we express our concerns about losing part of our tree save area and wildlife buffer? Why can’t we suggest alternatives?

    Remember, just because they can do something, doesn’t mean they should. And the opinions of homeowners who will be affected (many of whom paid lot premiums and put their trust in Van Metre) are absolutely valid reasons for not taking an action regardless of your right to do so.

    I look forward to the opportunity to have a dialogue with Van Metre about their future plans. My hope, perhaps naively, is that we might work together to find a solution that will satisfy the interests of all the stakeholders. Apparently what we need first, though, is a paradigm shift.
     
  7. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    you can have a dialog with VM representatives with virtually no effort.. simply ask the item to be put on the agenda and rally your troops for next tuesday
     
  8. latka

    latka Active Member

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    Why do they need a design center here in Broadlands? Aren't we close to being built out by now?
     
  9. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    ideas I heard expressed before were that the current design center was in an industrial park, not the most desired environment and the lease cost could be avoided if they built their own. And Broadlands is a "signature" Van Metre community and gives them a chance to show off a community that represents more of what they are selling. There will be some increased traffic overall to the community of perspective buyers...

    And Southernwalk Hokie - that was really well written and organized... thanks for taking the time to share the info and present some of your thoughts and concerns. I think one of the best steps you could take is like Steve said, get this on the agenda of the next HOA meeting.
     
  10. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    They already have a design center in the industrial section in an industrial building over Beaumeade.
    Perhaps it is not classy enough for their homeowners to go over there anymore. hmmmm It is interesting since they are finishing up to build a design center there especially when they could build on the commercial land they have that is vacant and no trees first. Like I say the zoning in this county has been done by a bunch of ninny's, especially since it started from a clean slate.
     
  11. Southern Walk Hokie

    Southern Walk Hokie New Member

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    Thanks, Zeratul. I think Cliff has added it to the agenda. If not, I believe the matter can be raised as new business.
     
  12. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Lee-
    That is a completely different area, to the east of Clyde's. The HCA property is to the west of Clyde's. Hmmmmm..........
    Once again you demonstrate you don't know what you're talking about...Hmmmmm.......
    You've already had two posts removed from this thread due to your obsession with the hospital.
     
  13. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    This item is not on the agenda. It is a Developer, not an HOA issue. The property in question is not now, or ever will be, under the control of the HOA.
    What I have said is that at our HOA meetings, we have a period for "owner (residents) comments". Since Van Metre has 5 seats on the Board, they will be there to hear the comments. They can choose to answer questions and discuss the issue if they'd like, but I can't force them to.
    I encourage anyone who would like to speak regarding this issue to attend the meeting.
     
  14. Southern Walk Hokie

    Southern Walk Hokie New Member

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    Cliff, what exactly is an "HOA issue"? Where can I find this definition? Is there an established definition for that term or are you simply using your authority as HOA president to assert that this issue is not within the HOA's purview? I can understand your desire for this not to involve the HOA, but on what basis are you determining that it is not an HOA issue? If there is not an established definition for “HOA issue” and instead you are exercising your discretion and presidential prerogatives to establish that term’s meaning, I would expect that you would not abuse your discretion by acting in a manner that could be deemed arbitrary or capricious.
     
  15. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    Sorry my friend look at this map
    http://www.broadlands.org/comm_siteplan.htm

    And look at the very big letters that say Clydes, Cliff. Looks like the park is on the hospital side of Clydes does it not????
     
  16. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    I think what Cliff means by this is that the HOA has absolutely nothing to do about this, and has no control and/or authority over the situation. All the HOA can do is facilitate the communication between the residents and VM on this particular issue, which is what Cliff proposed when he indicated that residents could come and speak to the HOA about their concerns, since 5 VM representatives will be sitting there listening.
     
  17. Lee

    Lee Permanent Vacation

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    Cliff I am just showing how misleading these maps can be to the general public. The county should have down-loadable maps of everything built in this county and what is zoned on the vacant land. And further they should also make all this available on the web for free, so there is no misunderstanding. I know where this park is in relationship to Clydes and the school building but if the average person looked at this map they would think it is west of Clydes. Just making a point. I love the way you throw your little digs in there Cliff about people, I guess that makes you feel better. :happygrin:
     
  18. latka

    latka Active Member

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    Bu Clyde's is not where that map shows it. It is directy across from Chicacoan.
     
  19. sharse

    sharse TeamDonzi rocks!!

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    Southern Walk Hokie... I think this answers your question. The HOA has zero authority in this matter. Van Metre owns the property, not the HOA.
     
  20. Southern Walk Hokie

    Southern Walk Hokie New Member

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    I do not think that you and Cliff see the contradiction in your own statements. You have pointed out that Van Metre controls the HOA—5 out of the 9 members represent Van Metre—the “Developer.” So, in a very real sense, any matter that involves the concerns of homeowners in Broadlands and Van Metre are de facto “HOA issues.”

    I do not wish to deflect attention away from the main issue—Trees vs. DesignCenter (or possibly some combination thereof). However, I would like to remind those who care about their homes, their investment, and in the spirit of democracy, to recall a similar instance in time when another powerful entity (not unlike Van Metre, in some respects) prevented a group of people from determining the path of their lives, exercise their liberty, and their pursuit of happiness. That experience culminated in an historic document which begins with the words … “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another . . . .” Just something to consider.
     

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