Falls Church Village Preservation & Improvement Society
Approved Minutes
October 13, 2005
Tinner Hill Office
105 N. Virginia Ave. Suite 310
Falls Church, VA 22046
Present:
Keith Thurston, Barry Buschow, Karl Ensign, Cay Wiant, Mark Gross, Jeff Peterson,
Dave Eckert/ Annette Mills, Jason Douglas, Jon Hundley, Sallie Twentyman
Absent:
Nancy Brandon, Les/Cindy Brorsen, Sally Philips, Joanne Rodman/Wesley Warren,
Mike Slonim, Ruth Rodgers, Melanie Griffith, Midge Wang
Call To Order: 7:40 pm by President Keith Thurston.
Treasurer’s Report
Sallie Twentyman provided a Treasurers report reflecting approximately $1,300 was
spent from last month. No new proceeds reported.
Membership Report:
231 members – Credit to Annette and the Concerts in the Parks. Swamp White Oaks of
trees for 8 members are needed and will be researched.
Minutes Approval of September, 2005 Minutes
Barry Buschow moved, Peterson seconded acceptance of minutes as written - passed
unanimously.
Book Sales Report
Stacy’s Coffee on Broad Street agreed to be a retail outlet for VPIS products.
BOARD AND VPIS INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES
Legal Status
501 c (3) reports sent in with no response yet from the government.
Fall Meeting
After a discussion, it was agreed that the content of the Fall Meeting will be Sarah
Sargent of Charlottesville, the design expert and writer who wrote article on Milton
Grigg, a treasured Virginia Architect of traditional styles who designed many
important buildings in Williamsburg and Charlottesville and the designer of the
Christian Science Reading Room on Little Falls Street. The Reading Room may be
threatened with demolition by a new contract owner of Madison Homes. President
Thurston will research the Christian Science Reading Room, Odd Fellows and the
Woman’s Club for a location. The Biannual Excellence in Design Awards
presentation will occur at the Fall Meeting.
Nominating Committee
A report of the Nominating Committee (Mark Gross, Karl Ensign and Keith
Thurston) was provided. The nomination slate for the upcoming Board election was
presented to the board. With no objections, the slate will stand for election at the Fall
Meeting.
Tree/Open Space Task Force Report
Tree Foundation
Barry and Keith will search for new name of that function to include trees and open
space to operate within the structure of the Society. The issue is to not confuse the
effort with a foundation with legal status – which this is not.
Open Space Report
Based on the work of the Open Space Task Force, Chaired by VPIS (Barry
Buschow) the City signed a contract to acquire the Hamlett Property for Open
Space and Park land. Congratulations on the good work of Barry and others for
accomplishing this effort that has been desired for at least 15 years. Mr. Buschow
moved, Mr. Ensign seconded and Board passed unanimously:
MOTION:
The Society will write a letter to Planning Commission and City
Council urging acquisition of the Hamlett property and will
congratulate the Council for this opportunity.
Neighborhood Tree Program
The Fall Planting Party is scheduled for November 5, 2005 – Offutt Drive and Falls
Avenue will be the focus area. Tree Squad on November 19 will plant throughout
the City.
Consideration of a New Tree Program
The Neighborhood Tree Program provides trees for public right-of-ways, not
private property. There are places where there is not adequate public right-away for
street trees and requests from home owners for trees in front yards. After
discussion, the President appointed Mills, Eckert & Buschow, and Thurston to
study a new Society program to offer trees on front yards in the City – and to return
to the board for consideration.
Arbor Day Monument
Eckert reported a meeting with State official who demonstrated positive support for
fundraising and promotion.
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
Comprehensive and City Center Plans
Jeff Peterson reported that Society input is influencing Council on the City Center
plan. He recommends providing Council further support. Mark Gross recommended
and the Board concurred that the following concepts need to be promoted to
Council:
1. Heartened by increased discussion by need for adequate economic model.
2. City Center best served by substantial commercial center.
3. All forms of housing increase the school population and impact City staff.
Gross recommended that we keep our focus on the Council’s progress and on
current and changing status of Council statements.
Excellence in Design Awards
12 nominations – Ellen Gross is arranging tours and awards. Judging of
nominations will occur on October 28, and awards will be made at the Fall Meeting.
Dr. Smallwood Office
Mr. Thurston reported that Historic Falls Church Inc. had received several offers
and the best offer was to return the cottage to Green Gables and place it on the
opposite side of the original location, which is now occupied by new homes.
Cultural Issues
Silver Service Set from Woman’s Club
The Woman’s Club of Falls Church is down sizing operation and wants to give
VPIS a historic Silver Service. President Thurston provided background and a
purpose for its uses and storage. Following a discussion, Mills moved, Ensign
seconded and the Board unanimously passed:
MOTION:
VPIS will accept the donation of the Silver Service from the Woman’s
Club.
Watch Night
Following discussion over the status of Watch Night, Gross moved, Ensign
seconded, and Board passed unanimously:
MOTION
VPIS will support Presbyterian Church venue on Watch Night with
financial support up to $900 with staffing.
ADJOURN TO SOCIAL: 9:45 pm
Minutes by David Eckert and Keith Thurston