Church Easement: Not Approved

After the votes were counted last night, it was announced that there were less than the 2/3 (60) ballots required. Therefore, the church easement vote was not approved. The church pastor stated that the church would most likely not ask Hickory Cluster to do another vote on the easement in the future.

The church is planning on having a new access into their property from North Shore Drive where the current rectory is but because of the easement vote it will only be a one-way access going into the church.

There was some new explanation by the church representatives about changes that will have to be made in their parking lot plans with the inclusion of a "roundabout" so their traffic can turn around on the property to use their now sole exit. The church pastor posed that this might be more disruptive to HC residents due to the added headlight disturbance at night.

There was also some discussion about status of the church designs with the Reston Association Design Review Board (DRB). It seems that there may be more opportunities for HC resident's concerns to be heard at future meetings on the church plans. The church has not, as it was previously understood, had final approval from the DRB. Check the blog for more information on this to come.

Church Easement Vote Set for October 7th

All residents should have received a packet from TWC in the mail containing notification of the upcoming Hickory Cluster SPECIAL MEETING: CHURCH EASEMENT VOTE on October 7th at 7:30pm RCC-Lake Anne as well as a proxy form. Note: Proxy must be received at the office of TWC on or before 1pm 10/7/09.

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Background from earlier post...

Over the last few years, the United Christian Parish Church has been working on plans to expand their present building to approximately triple the size of what it is now. The plan includes the removal of the "rectory" house that currently exists on North Shore Drive next to Hickory Cluster (Block 3) and a portion of the existing woods and trees to be replaced by additional parking and a brand new parking lot access onto North Shore Drive.

The above drawing (click to enlarge) reflects the church expansion plans as of October '08. The church has approached HC to ask for a HC vote on a county easement (2/3 of resident "yes" vote needed) on cluster property bordering North Shore Dr. between HC and the proposed new parking lot outlet that would require HC to remove all obstructions to visibility (trees, vegetation, green power box, etc.) back 25ft to satisfy the county by increasing motorist visibility while exiting the church from the new access. The church has offered to pay for the cost of the vote and the costs involved in complying with the easement.

United Christian Parish Expansion

Over the last few years, the United Christian Parish Church has been working on plans to expand their present building to approximately triple the size of what it is now. The plan includes the removal of the "rectory" house that currently exists on North Shore Drive next to Hickory Cluster (Block 3) and a portion of the existing woods and trees to be replaced by additional parking and a brand new parking lot access onto North Shore Drive. The above drawing (click to enlarge) reflects the church expansion plans as of October '08.

The church has approached HC to ask for a HC vote on a county easement (2/3 of resident "yes" vote needed) on cluster property bordering North Shore Dr. between HC and the proposed new parking lot outlet that would require HC to remove all obstructions to visibility (trees, vegetation, green power box, etc.) back 25ft to satisfy the county by increasing motorist visibility while exiting the church from the new access. To date, the church has offered to pay for the cost of the vote and the costs involved in complying with the easement. The date for the vote TBA.

-Sara