Wetlands Studies Information & VT Letter

Unfortunately none of the HC Board members made it to the Jan. 30 information meeting. The Board is in touch with Nicki Foremski about the next opportunity. Meanwhile here are some materials for people to access. The Virginia Tech letter arises from concerns raised about the loss of trees in the Snakeden site, and though rather technical, Dr. Wynn makes it clear this is cutting-edgework which offers a chance of preventing long-term erosion which is already well advanced (also true for Lake Anne, unfortunately). VT will use this case study in an upcoming graduate course on stream restoration design.
Wetland Studies & Solutions, Inc Presentation from 1-30-10
Wetland Studies & Solutions, Inc Stream Restoration Brochure
Virginia Tech Letter

In our situation in Hickory Cluster (shown on the Wetlands project map as part of the Colvin Run Watershed project), the erosion is also very advanced and is now threatening a sanitary (sewer) line which runs alongside the stream. Because of the threat to the sewer line, not doing anything is really not an option, therefore the issue is how to optimize a solution which

(i) preserves our natural area,

(ii) stops the erosion process, and

(iii) costs the cluster as little as possible.

RA and the Wetland Studies & Solutions people are aware of our concerns and have promised to work with us to ensure the best possible outcome which satisfies their technical requirements as well as our commitment to retaining the wooded areas in Hickory. Since the Wetlands project would also finance replacement of our bridge and repair of the paths along the stream, this is a great opportunity for us provided we can find a workable compromise on the tree removal issue. In my view, if we decline to participate in the RA/Wetlands restoration project (by not voting to approve the required environmental easement) we will forego the 100% financing of their project but will eventually be forced into a less-sophisticated repair scheme because of the sewer issue, with unknown costs to the cluster and no guarantee as to the aesthetic outcome (since many trees are now undercut and in danger of falling, and realignment of the sewer line will inevitably also require major earth moving work).

The Virginia Tech letter illustrates that this is a complex issue, but the technical approach RA and Wetlands are using is considered leading-edge in the field. The letter does not mention the mitigation bank which would finance the project, which is a unique opportunity for the cluster to tackle some long-standing issues at no cost to ourselves. A conventional utility engineering solution forced on us by Fairfax Water might be much less attractive, so I urge all of you to read the materials we have posted and come prepared when the next outreach meeting takes place.

Thanks, Fred

HC Cluster Board President

Hickory Cluster Stream Restoration

Email note from Wetland Studies & Solutions, Inc sent in response to an inquiry from Jim Livingood in Block 1:

We are currently preparing the preliminary stream restoration plan for Hickory Cluster. The restoration in Hickory Cluster is complicated by two factors: 1) The stream pattern is currently instable with several sharp curves. This places increased stress on the stream banks, furthering erosion. 2) There are several sanitary sewer lines located within or crossing the stream. The stream has even eroded enough to expose manholes. Because of these two factors, restoration in Hickory Cluster will involve smoothing the curves to create a stable stream pattern and pulling the stream away from exposed utilities as best as possible with a minimum of tree impacts. At this point, we do not know the number of trees that will be cut or which trees specifically will be removed. This information will be calculated once we finish the first version of the preliminary plan. Then we will arrange a public meeting with the Cluster to discuss the alternatives that are possible, including any specific tree impacts. We expect to be able to have an interactive discussion(s) on the design and these types of potential impacts. As soon as we are close to asking for a meeting - the project Reach engineer, Russ Dudley, will make sure that you are copied on the request so that we are sure to have you included in the process.

Mike Rolband, Wetland Studies & Solutions, Inc

Blizzard of 2010

Hickory Cluster digs out from under another blizzard!

Thank you to all who pitched in to help each other clear the roads, cars and walkways. Great community effort!

If you need assistance removing snow, there are several teens who are out of school for the next few days and available to help. Many residents are available to help get to grocery stores, etc... Comment here or contact me or someone from the HC Board if you need assistance.

Also, if you have uploaded photos of the blizzard and you would like to share them, please send the url link to me and I'll publish here.

Sara & Isabel's photos

-Sara

This item was picked up by the Restonian & then via the Restonian on WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi radio show (approx. 25 minutes in).

Stream Restoration Meeting: Jan 30, 2010

Stream Restoration Meeting
Saturday, January 30, 2010: 9am-noon at Forest Edge Elementary.
Flyer for the Stream Restoration Meeting


Arlene Whittick
Neighborhood Outreach Specialist
Reston Association
1930 Isaac Newton Square
Reston, VA 20190-5093
Phone: 703-435-6503
Fax: 703-673-2040
Email: Arlene@reston.org

Fairway Apartments Expansion Plan

The owner of Fairway Apartments has been planning a major expansion/revitalization for that property for some time. There have been amendments to the plan as a result of meetings with the DRB and others. Whether you this is news to you or you have heard about this before, you will find the latest plans (below) of interest.

Fairway Expansion plans as of January 5, 2010.

Comments by David Edwards

UCP Expansion Landscaping Plan

Ralph Youngren and Greg Gallardo of our HC Board met with the UCP (United Christian Parish) folks, their landscape architect, and a Fairfax County arborist yesterday about their plans for plants to screen headlights.

Thank you to Ralph and Greg for attending this meeting!

From Greg:
The plan, shown on graphic, calls for native evergreen trees and shrubs (listed on the plan) to be planted along the edge of the parking lot. The county arborist would assist them in actual placement of the plants to optimize screening. He also suggested that the church have people attending night meetings to park facing the church, including backing into the parking spaces adjacent to Hickory Cluster. Neither the landscaper nor the arborist thought that planters would be a good solution as they'd require too much maintenance. They said that they'd consider planting a sample of the screening plants at some time, but couldn't think of any current example of such a planting that we could visit now.

Lakeside Pharmacy on the Market

A Lake Anne institution, the Lakeside Pharmacy & Cafe, is up for sale. More info here.

Blizzard of 2009

Thank you to Pam & Kristen Herring for the above three photos!

Digging Hickory Cluster out after the blizzard has been quite an undertaking. Thanks to friends and neighbors for pitching in and helping each other get the white stuff under control. If you have any HC photos from the weekend's snow you'd like to share please send them to me and I'll post. -Sara

James Rossant, Lake Anne Plaza Architect Dies at 81

James Rossant, architect and Reston master planner, died on December 15, 2009 at his home in France of complications due to leukemia. obit

UCP Church Expansion Meeting

Dear All,
The church will give an update on the building plans on November 19th at 7:30PM in the church.

This will be a good time to see the most recent drawings including the proposed traffic roundabout, and also find out the status of the permitting process, including outstanding DRB issues.

ps. added photo (sorry for the shadow!): click to enlarge, the traffic "roundabout" is visible in this drawing close to the proposed new entrance nearest HC. To my understanding, this end of the proposed parking lot will be excavated and will be approximately 6ft lower than the elevation of the land backing up to HC. -Sara