The following notes are from our neighborhood’s PYMIG liaison, Steve Crime.
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“August 5, 2019, PYMIG Meeting Summary
The PYMIG held a meeting at the Charles Houston Rec Center on August 5, 2019, at 7pm. The purpose of the meeting was to update the status of environmental permits, review the City’s Board of Architectural Review (BAR) actions, and update the construction schedule and impacts for the August-December 2019 timeframe. The agenda, presentation materials, and video of the meeting are available at: https://www.alexandriava.gov/PotomacMetroWorkGroup (Note: The presentation material slides will significantly aid in understanding the synopsis of the different change options. You can view them here: City_PYMIG_presentation_8-5-2019_FINAL.)
Permits. The comment periods for the environmental permit applications to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the VA Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) have both closed. The VDEQ will present its recommendation on the permit to the State Water Control Board (SWCB) at a public meeting on September 6, 2019, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Richmond Airport, 445 International Center Drive, Sandston, VA. Time is TBA. The SWCB will make the final decision on the permit application. The City anticipates SWCB will approve the permit. USACE’s final approval of the permit is dependent on SWCB approval.
BAR Actions. The BAR approved the height, scale, footprint and architectural character of the new station during their July 10, 2019 meeting. The BAR approved the mass and scale of the piers and mass and scale of the mezzanine and platform roofs during their July 24, 2019 meeting.
Construction Update.
1. Preconstruction surveys. Homeowners within 250 feet of the construction limits have until August 9, 2019, to request a pre-construction survey. Surveys will be completed by August 30, 2019. The survey contractor will not provide a copy of the survey/photos to homeowners at this time. Homeowners who submit a claim for construction damages when construction is complete will receive a copy.
2. Preparatory Work. Work cannot begin in the wetlands until environmental permits are issued; however, work IS allowed in non-wetland areas. Preparatory work has already started for construction of the generator building between the WMATA and CSX tracks. The builders installed a new construction entrance by the OTG tennis courts (slide 7). Construction trailers have been placed near the location of the new generator building (slide 8). Preparatory work will also begin in August within the fenced area of the park at the north end of our community. The large entry gate to the construction area will be closed and locked. The fence on the east side will be extended north approximately 15 feet to close off access on that side. The builders will install a gate in the opening to the small park with the “Reserved for Future Metro” sign. The builders will then reinstall the black screening along the east side of the fence, remove the gazebo, remove some of the sod within the area and replace it with materials appropriate for construction traffic and material storage. A paved entrance, similar to the one at the new entry by the OTG tennis courts, will be placed at the primary entrance to the fenced area.
3. Construction traffic. Construction traffic will use Potomac Greens Drive (not Carpenter Road). Solar-powered crosswalk signs will be installed for the crosswalk between the Clubhouse and Rose Square (slide 10). The intersection of Potomac Greens Drive, Carpenter Road, and the construction entrance will become a 3-way stop (slide 11).
4. The builders will remove the circle in the next 2-3 weeks. The resulting intersection will be modified into a 3-way stop (slide 12). Work on the new pocket park will begin approximately three weeks after the circle is removed. The design of the pocket park has been changed somewhat to facilitate drainage. Slides 13 and 14 depict the new design and provide pictures of the proposed plants and hardscape.
The date and time of the next PYMIG meeting are TBD.