CPHD
O’Connell High School Athletic Fields -- Updates & Information
Use Permit Amendment Application (U-1159-55-1 and U-2110-77-2)
LATEST UPDATES: The CB, on their own motion, decided to deny the use permit amendment request to expand the permitted use of the site by lighting the athletic fields.
Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School submitted an application for a use permit amendment to expand the permitted use of their site by installing lighting for the athletic fields. The school is also proposing to renovate their football and baseball fields under this use permit amendment request. Staff will provide additional information and updates as they become available:
- The County has been working with the applicant -- since July 2010 -- to provide information regarding requirements for the application related to planning, zoning (height, setbacks, and placement), and transportation.
- Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School conducted a series of community meetings with the Arlington East Falls Church Civic Association and the Williamsburg Civic Association, to inform the surrounding neighborhoods about the proposed use permit amendment request and to understand community concerns.
- These community meetings prompted the creation of a working group consisting of Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School representatives, members of the Arlington East Falls Church and Williamsburg Civic Associations, and County staff. The working group has met five (5) times: November 1, 9, and 16, 2010, December 13, 2010, and January 3, 2011 to discuss various issues related to the use permit amendment request.
- The working group consists of the following people:
- Evan Pritchard (Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley, Emrich & Walsh, P.C.)
- Mark Goetzman (Bishop Denis J. O’Connell)
- Kevin Fay (Bishop Denis J. O’Connell)
- Kathleen Prebble (Bishop Denis J. O’Connell)
- Joe Vorbach (Bishop Denis J. O’Connell)
- Chris Hulett (Parks and Recreation Commission)
- Chris Collins (Arlington East Falls Church Civic Association)
- David Swiger (Arlington East Falls Church Civic Association)
- Jayne Bultena (Arlington East Falls Church Civic Association)
- Anne Collins (Arlington East Falls Church Civic Association)
- Dennis Price (Arlington East Falls Church Civic Association)
- Liz Altobell (Arlington East Falls Church Civic Association)
- John Seymour (Williamsburg Civic Association)
- Ruth Scher (Williamsburg Civic Association)
- Marco Rivero (Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development)
- Peter Schulz (Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development)
- Dolores Kinney (Department of Environmental Services)
- John Blevins (Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources)
- In order to address County requirements and community concerns, working conditions of the use permit amendment request will be formulated.
- County staff requested additional information from the school (which included updated photometric analysis information, site plan details showing heights and setbacks for proposed structures, parking layout, management information, and landscaping information. The applicant provided this information to staff on Friday, December 17, 2010.
- The initial filing of the use permit amendment application presented significant, outstanding zoning related issues primarily related to the height and setback of the proposed athletic field lights and other structures on the fields. The applicant addressed these issues.
- The zoning for this site is “R-6”/ “R-8”, One-Family Dwelling Districts and is designated "Semi Public” (Country clubs and semi-public recreational facilities; Churches, private schools and private cemeteries) on the General Land Use Plan (GLUP). Under these zoning districts the heights for the proposed field lights cannot exceed 58 feet (based on the maximum building height allowed under these zoning districts at a maximum of 35 feet, with an additional 23 feet allowed pursuant to Section 31.B.2.a. of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance for "Structures Permitted above the Height Limit"). The property has frontage on four (4) streets: Little Falls Road, N. Underwood St., N. Trinidad St., and 26th St N. The required setbacks are measured 50 feet from the centerline of the street or 25 feet from the street right-of-way. The County Board cannot modify height and/or setback requirements with a special exception use permit within the “R-6” and “R-8” zoning districts.
- County staff met with the applicant in mid-January to address ongoing issues and concerns regarding the materials submitted on December 17, 2010. Staff asked for more information regarding parking, traffic, landscaping, lighting, and information on additional activity and capacity that will be generated from the proposed, expanded athletic facilities. This information should be available for review by early February.
- This use permit amendment request has been deferred by the County Board four (4) times since September 2010 in order to allow the applicant more time to address these issues and to provide feedback to community concerns.
- A staff recommendation has not been developed at this time pending review of the updated materials from the applicant and will take into account ongoing discussions by the working group.
Next Steps:
This use permit amendment request has been deferred, and will be heard on regular agenda at the Tuesday, March 15, 2011 County Board recessed meeting.
Informational Materials:
Application by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, dated 7-16-10.
Revised Supplemental Materials by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, dated 12-17-10.
*This includes revised cover letter, statement of support, new site plans, landscape plans, parking layout, and photometric analysis.
Proposed Fence Graphics by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, submitted 1-5-11
General Information by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, dated 12-17-10.
Information Sheet for Athletic Fields Renovation Project by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, submitted 1-4-11.
Draft Parking Management Plan (PMP) Proposed by Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, dated 12-17-10.
Letter to Neighbors from Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, dated 1-11-11.
Time and Day Restrictions for County High Schools and Select Public Parks
Parking Impact Study from Residents of the Arlington East Falls Church and Williamsburg Civic Associations, dated 12-7-10.
Real Estate Impact Study from Residents of the Arlington East Falls Church and Williamsburg Civic Associations, dated 12-21-10.
Memorandum from a Citizen Regarding Lighting Issues, dated 12-29-10.
Athletic Field Lighting Opinion Letter Submitted by an Arlington County Resident, dated 2-18-11.
High School Comparison Letter from Residents of the Arlington East Falls Church and Williamsburg Civic Associations, dated 3-1-11.
Zoning Determination Letter from the Arlington County Zoning Office Regarding O'Connell Field Improvements, dated 7-12-10.
DRAFT Working Conditions for Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School Use Permit Amendment Case
Traffic Accident Reports for Areas Near Yorktown High School and Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School (information from the Arlington County Police Department).
Various Letters from Arlington Residents Concerning the Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School Use Permit Amendment Request (multiple dates).
Informational Materials (Links):
Aerials of High Schools and Select Public Parks Showing Distances from Fields to Surrounding Residences (PDF Document)
CONTACT US
Please contact Marco Rivero (DCPHD) if you have questions or need additional information.
