<sh>Maple Avenue Meeting
<bt>The first meeting of the Town of Vienna's Maple Avenue Feasibility Study will be held on Tuesday, May 16 at 8 p.m. in the council chamber at Town Hall, 127 Center St., S. The meeting, open to the public, will identify key concerns and discuss overall goals.
The study will compare the use of a form-based zoning code — a method of regulating development by controlling physical form primarily, and land use secondarily — and alternatives such as overlay zones, mixed-use zoning and the existing zoning code to determine the most viable options for the study area, which includes Maple Avenue between Lawyers Road and Beulah Road.
The Town Council commissioned the Maple Avenue Feasibility Study based on the recommendation of the Maple Avenue Vision Committee, created to study land use patterns along Maple Avenue, for the use of a form-based code. The goal of the study is to determine which form of zoning can best achieve the town's goals of residential preservation and continued commercial viability. For more information, call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-255-6341.
<sh>Clean Car for a Clean Evening
<bt>As part of the Northern Virginia office of Mothers Against Drunk Driving's (MADD) emphasis on keeping students safe during prom season, the organization is trying to get students to sign a pledge not to consume alcohol or other drugs during their prom celebration. Mr. Car Wash is helping to encourage participation by providing free car washes to students going to prom — if they sign the pledge.
Five prom night dates have been selected, and students at schools that have proms those evenings can get free car washes.
The hours for the free car washes will be from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. The dates and locations are:
Friday, May 12 at North Arlington Mr. Car Wash, 101 N. Glebe Road; Saturday, May 20 at Falls Church Mr. Car Wash, 3013 Gallows Road; Friday, May 26 at North Arlington Mr. Car Wash; Saturday, June 3 at Vienna Mr. Car Wash, 540 Maple Ave.; Saturday, June 10 at Alexandria Mr. Car Wash, 3407 Mount Vernon Ave.
All a student needs to do is bring in a dirty car to the specific Mr. Wash that has the banner that day, along with his or her ticket for prom that night, and then sign the promise banner.
There will be MADD volunteers at the car wash locations to assist with the pledge signing and to answer questions.
<sh>Public Hearing on Budget
<bt>At its May 8 meeting, the Vienna Town Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed town budget for fiscal year 2006-07. The meeting will begin at 8 p.m. in the council chamber at Town Hall, 127 Center St., S. Citizens will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed budget and ask questions about the appropriation of town funds for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The total proposed budget represents an increase of about 7.9 percent over this year's adjusted budget. The real estate tax rate was again lowered this year to offset the continuing rise in assessments. The average household would see an increase of $32.17 over last year in real estate and water taxes combined.
Copies of the proposed budget are available for review at Town Hall and at Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave., E. A "Budget in Brief" summary may be obtained free of charge at Town Hall and at www.viennava.gov. The entire budget document may be purchased. Call 703-255-6350.
<sh>Vienna Has Top Bond Rating
<bt>Vienna's general obligation bonds have been rated "Aa1" by Moody's Investors Service. This rating for a local government the size of Vienna is enjoyed by few towns in the United States. The rating enables the town to finance debt at more favorable interest rates compared to those of municipalities with lower bond ratings, resulting in substantial savings for Vienna taxpayers over the life of the bonds. Moody's said the rating is based on Vienna's healthy economy, sound financial condition and rapid debt retirement.