Updates from Letty – Jan 8, 2016 edition
Dear Friends,
Happy new year! I hope 2016 has been off to a great start for you.
Want to Get Involved? Boards and Commissions VacanciesConsider volunteering your time and expertise to fill a vacancy on one of the City’s Boards and Commissions – a great way to get involved and dip your toes in local government. These citizen-staffed groups are charged with the development and oversight of city policy and to advise Council – areas spanning parks, economic development, housing, human services, environment, and many more. Here are current vacancies and the application to apply.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2016. I look forward to getting to work.
Best,
Letty
A) Mason Row topics discussed:
Link to documents: http://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=691&meta_id=51427
1. As a recap – the most notable changes submitted in December by developer: moving the theater to above ground behind Park Ave and reduction of apartments from 340 to 322.
2. Since the December submission – new changes and concessions were made as negotiations continued:
-As a result of much community feedback, the loading dock permission was removed from the submission and the trash bay that was located on West St. will be removed; the developer is working on a solution to locate both internally.
-Additional assurances were put in place to ensure both theater and hotel would be built. If granted, the Special Exception would not be final until there is an executed lease with specific rent payments outlined for the theater and an executed agreement for hotel construction and operation. Also, the final block of apt occupancy permits will not be issued until building permits and construction is underway for the theater and hotel.
-There is a new commitment in the VCs (Voluntary Concessions) that there will be a restaurant on the ground floor of the hotel. There is already a commitment that a minimum 20K square feet will be dedicated for food/beverage (out of 62K square feet total commercial space, not including hotel or theater). There is a list of prohibited uses and also a list of “conditional uses” – primarily service-oriented retail, and the conditional uses cannot exceed 15% of the commercial space.
-Added VC to provide St James 30 parking spots on Sunday – there was verbal commitment from the developers to increase to 50 spaces
-Metro shuttles will run for both hotel and residential
3. Updated fiscal impact analysis was done based on the new changes and available in the staff reported posted above. It is projected to provide $1.3-2 MM net fiscal impact ($1.1-1.8 MM net net). The net figures include the service and operating costs the city would incur for new residents and students in schools. “Net net” subtracts current revenue generated from the existing buildings on the properties, about $200K.
4. Key Items that need resolution and formal commitments before vote
-Uniform 20′ setbacks on West and Broad
-No shuttle to run on Grove Ave.
-Increase St. James parking to minimum 50 spots
-Addition of gun stores to list of prohibited retail uses
-Regular community meetings and liaison role during construction
-Propose a drop off area for theater
5. Theater Tax:
The current proposal is modeled after the BJs tax sharing agreement – the City would levy a new 10% theater tax on ticket sales (no other taxes on tickets, like sales tax). The City would receive the first $20K in taxes, the developer gets the next $340K. The City receives any taxes above $360K. There is a 3% annual increase on both the City and developer share, with a 20 year term of the tax sharing, which would be the length of the theater lease.
As the theater is proposed to be a dining concept, the City expects to receive revenue from meals tax (about $265K/year) which is included in the fiscal impact analysis above.
(B) Council Committees
Economic Development Authority (EDA) – 1/5/16
Link to Agenda: http://www.fallschurchva.gov/AgendaCenter/Economic-Development-Authority-6(A) West Broad Small Area Plan