Mt.V.
Art on 7/26/07 Chip#2
<ro>"I think we are there."
<ro1>— Gerald Hyland, Mount Vernon District Supervisor
<hd>Kings Crossing On Fast Track
<sh>Political and civic leaders give thumbs up to latest plan
<1b>By Chuck Hagee
<2b>Gazette
<bt>Kings Crossing is not only alive and well but appears to be on its way to finally becoming a reality. That was the consensus of political and civic leaders gathered in the conference room of Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerald Hyland early Wednesday morning.
Following a detailed presentation of the latest development site plan by Aaron C. Liebert, vice president & managing partner, JPI Development, the prime developer of the 11-plus acre site at the intersection of Richmond and South Kings highways, all those in attendance expressed their approval of the revised layout. There were some questions about certain elements but overall the group agreed it was a far cry from the original plan unveiled nearly 40 months ago.
"I feel very comfortable with what you have put on the table here this morning. We have spent a lot of time to make this happen and I'm very encouraged. I think we are there," Hyland said at the conclusion of Liebert's presentation.
The only two groups conspicuous by their absence were Spring Bank Community Association and The Voice of Kings Crossing. The latter represents residents of the Penn Daw Mobile Home Park that abuts the original Kings Crossing site at the rear of Shields Avenue. "Both the Spring Bank and the Penn Daw Mobile Home people were invited. I'm sorry they are not here," Hyland said in opening the information session.
Prior to Liebert's presentation, Barbara Byron, director, Office of Community Revitalization & Reinvestment, Fairfax County, said, "We have encouraged JPI to keep going with this project. They presented us with this new plan and we are very encouraged by it."
However, she also cautioned, "To make this happen within a reasonable time frame it needs to move quickly [through the approval process]." Hyland assured the group, "I'll be happy to move the motion forward with the Board of Supervisors as soon as we get it."
JPI HAS NOW joined with JBG Rosenfeld Retail in developing the new plan. Archon of Dallas, Texas, owns the site. "JPI and JBG have focused their efforts on developing this new plan. We already have a few land owners under contract and the rest have basically agreed to our proposal," Liebert said.
"We hope to get the package wrapped up in the next 30 days. But, we need to make sure everyone is still on board," he said.
The only remaining ongoing negotiation is with the owner of the Penn Daw Mobile Home site, according to Liebert. "This new plan includes that site," Liebert said in answer to a question.
If the plan receives final approval by the County and hits no additional civic opposition, groundbreaking is expected during the first quarter of 2009. Under the present County schedule, as distributed at the meeting by Cathy Lewis, staff coordinator, County Planning & Zoning Department, staff review would take place in October 2007 with submission to County Planning Commission on Jan. 17, 2008 and then to the Board of Supervisors in February 2008.
"It is the applicant team's responsibility to ensure that material is submitted on time," Lewis noted in her handout.
Highlights of the revised plan are as following according to Liebert's presentation:
* Distribution between residential and commercial development remains at a 70/30 percent split with the former being residential.
* There will be approximately 1,280 residential units split between apartment rentals and condominiums. The exact split will not be determined until closer to their construction, now estimated by Liebert to be approximately four years distant. There are also 14 townhouses planned.
* An estimated 12 percent of the residential units will be affordable/workforce housing. That percentage will be split five percent affordable, approximately 66 units, and seven percent workforce, approximately 70 plus units. Estimated rental rate for affordable units will range between $800 and $900 per month. Rates for workforce units will depend on size and configuration, according to Liebert.
* Wegman's Grocery has declined due to their parking requirements. Negotiations are ongoing with other grocery retailers such as Whole Foods and Harris Teeter.
* Underground parking for commercial space has been increased giving the plan more open space. Presently there are eight main commercial buildings planned throughout the site. No hotels are in the present plan. First under construction will be three commercial buildings. The site will be developed in phases.
* The park area at the rear of the main property, that includes Quander creek, remains a significant part of the revised plan.