Just a couple of quick hits:
1. For all of you that were wound up about the re-write to the zoning code, the draft of the first stage will be reviewed in a Land Use meeting on Thursday night. This would be the definitions section and the review appears to be right on schedule. No, I don't know if there is specific language on abortion clinics but I'm guessing we'll find out on Thursday.
2. The "Stormwater Utility" is one step closer to reality. I really don't like the thing – it's essentially just another tax that will fund Chesapeake Bay related stuff. I think if the Feds want the bay cleaned up, they should have the guts to pay for it themselves but that isn't the trend these days. We'll cover that on Tuesday. Plus, it just distracts our Public Works and utilities people who seem to struggle somewhat with their current workload.
3. Yet another work session on opening Lake Manassas. Why on earth we continue to beat this particular dead horse I don't understand. 2 things: 1: if you think it can be done at no cost to the citizens of Manassas, you're dreaming. If the water utility wants to spend money on recreation, they can fund a Parks & Rec department for the citizens. 2: why we spend time considering funding & opening a water attraction 10 miles outside the city while we have no Parks & Rec program is beyond me. I'm sure the residents of PWC would appreciate it but we should be spending our time on sorting out the problems we already have….inside the city limits. Also on Tuesday
Busy Week…..
September 21, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Concur.
September 21, 2014 at 10:13 pm
Concur with you on #2 and Stormwater, although I am a lone voice that says for Single Family Homes, there needs to be a "sliding scale" on the fee versus proposed flat rate. Those that have built, and built and built fixed structures on concrete to the point they have maxed out their property for coverage under City Code, should pay a higher fee. I have around 1/3 acre, and of it, maybe about 2,500 sq ft of imperable surface vs. a neighbor who has house, two car driveway, and two very large "sheds".
But back to Number 1, and the Clinic: I have been following the ZORC's work and the definitons; mainly to make sure any and all references to Housing are following HUD definitions. We don't need a repeat of 2006. As for the Clinic, you won't find it specifically refererenced as "Abortion Clinic" – it falls within the draft definitions of June 25, 2014 – Line #582 – as "Medical Care Facility" (or MCF so I don't have to type so much) which are other than Hospital or Nursing Home which have inpatient beds – Line #447. The MCF definition is in line with State Code, and also, basically, includes all outpatient services. Line #666 is "Office, Medical" and the Clinic does not meet the draft definition for same.
As for location of MCFs, major overhaul of Article VII on September 11th to align the Zoning Districts to match the approved Comprehensive Plan's "Business Corridor Character Areas". MCFs fall into the definition of "Assembly and Institutional" on Page 7 of the draft.
Yup, watching the definitions like a hawk I be!
September 23, 2014 at 10:24 pm
While there are many lakes/waterways in the area that allow free launching, there are also many waterways that charge a launching fee, even from the shore. I have not been able to find any studies that the City has done regarding charging a launching and/or fishing fee to cover the costs of keeping the lake open for public access. The reasons that are cited for keeping the lake closed to public access are questionable to the point of begging the question if homeowners whose properties access the lake are having unreasonable influence on the decision to allow or not allow public access. Why does this issue keep coming up? Because it hasn't been addressed to the satisfaction of those that would like to pursue the option of opening Lake Manassas, although it's obviously been addressed to the satisfaction of those that would like to keep it closed.
September 24, 2014 at 5:57 am
Margie:
If you look at the agenda packet, you'll see that GMU has what they're calling a "business plan" to work, with Manassas City, on opening the lake. Even the draft is $20k in the red and there are many questionable assumptions in there as well. Our previous experience is that you lose money doing this kind of thing. Years ago the operator of the marina came to the city every couple of years for an infusion of cash. Past difficulties are no guarantor of future failure but I run a business for a living – have for almost 15 years – and when I look at that business plan I see Manassas taxpayer money funding a water attraction in the County. Given our challenges, I fail to understand why this should be a priority.
September 24, 2014 at 6:53 am
Seems like someone is trying to distract the voters from his actual record….shame on Council for wasting time on this. We're watching!
September 24, 2014 at 8:45 am
I can understand wanting a feasibility study (one more time) which will most likely replicate what GMU did. I hope this will be only City Staff….as spending another round to have a consultant say the same thing already in record would be "hilarious" considering the number of times votes have gone to reduce/cut funding for more worthy endeavors.
September 24, 2014 at 8:46 am
P.S. forgot to add….understand wanting the study only to quiet the ones who keep raising the issue
October 3, 2014 at 10:12 am
Zoning Ordinance Review Committee (ZORC) taking up "Medical Facilities" definition in their work session, next Wednesday, October 8th. http://manassascity.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/6072
October 7, 2014 at 12:47 pm
Possibly we could request that GMU give back some of the $5mil (I think) the City gave to help build the arts facility on their campus. That would purchase and maintain a lot of ball fields, bike paths and yes fishing facilities for a lot of years. Just a thought (and a reminder).
October 15, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Even if the ramp operates $20k/year in the red that is still a $60k improvement seeing as the city currently pays $80k/year for security to keep people out! Opening Lake Manassas to the public who paid for it to be stocked is the right thing to do!