January 2016 Newsletter

Original PDF: January 2016 Newsletter AHCA

All Aurora Highlands residents are invited and encouraged to come to our monthly meetings where we meet neighbors, discuss topics of interest, and share information. MEETING – Wednesday, January 13 at 7 p.m. Aurora Hills Community Center Come early for refreshments and socializing! Doors open at 6:30. Email Natasha ASAP if you will need childcare.

Aurora Highlands Civic Association Newsletter – January 2016

Hello Neighbors, and Happy New Year!

2016 promises to be a busy one for the Aurora Highlands community. We are all looking forward to getting to know you as we work together on various issues coming up in the next 12 months. We are planning a range of social activities around the community to get people acquainted with their neighbors, so stay tuned. In the meantime, please join us this Wednesday, January 13, to hear our priorities for the coming year, and to tell us yours.

Meeting Agenda

1. Introductions
2. Community Updates

• Public Spaces Master Plan – a chance to voice your priorities for our public spaces
• Community Facilities Plan – recommendations for planning and siting public facilities, including schools, fire stations, parks, community centers, etc.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant – kicking off its Master Plan for treatment of solids
• South Arlington Working Group for Schools
• Virginia Highlands Park – finishing touches on the east side
• Aurora Hills Community Center Refurbishment – final plans for review Jan. 20, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

3. For Discussion

• Virginia Highlands Park – planning for a west-side makeover
• Civic Federation – proposed resolution on bond funding for parkland acquisition (see p. 2)

4. Open Forum (as time permits) – what would you like to see on AHCA’s agenda this year?

How to Stay up on AHCA News

News of particular interest to the civic association as well as community events, meeting minutes, and other records are posted on our website aurorahighlands.org. If you have items you think should be posted, please email one of the officers.

Please sign up with the Aurora Highlands group on Nextdoor at http://www.nextdoor.com to talk with your neighbors and stay informed about happenings in the hood, including AHCA-related issues. And invite your neighbors to the group! We also encourage people to use Nextdoor as a way to spread the word about events or other items of interest to the whole 22202 community.

AHCA January Social, January 27, 6–8 p.m. – We hope to see you there. 

Join your neighbors at the Crystal City Sports Pub, second floor. The Sports Pub has generously offered a food & drink special for our group.

Civic Federation – Proposed Resolution on Parkland Acquisition

The Arlington County Civic Federation has requested that civic associations share the following resolution with their members to gauge support prior to a Federation vote in February.

WHEREAS over the last quarter century Arlington County added 45,500 population, but acquired only 76 acres of parkland—only 1.67 acre per each additional 1,000 population.

WHEREAS Arlington’s population is expected to grow by up to 31% in the next 25 years, adding 66,000 people to reach a population of 283,000 by 2040 and requiring hundreds of acres of additional parkland to maintain the current level of service.

WHEREAS parks provide economic benefits, enhancing property values, increasing tax revenue, and attracting businesses, workers, homebuyers and retirees.

WHEREAS parks are an important element of smart growth, strengthening the urban core, enhancing mixed development and redevelopment strategies, and mitigating the effects of increasing density.

WHEREAS the level of park bond funding approved by the County Board dropped from an average of $8.5 million per two-year bond cycle between 1995 through 2008, to $2.8 million per two-year bond cycle between 2008 to 2014;

WHEREAS the cost of land in Arlington continues to increase, and

WHEREAS the Community Facilities Study recommends a robust County public land acquisition program, including for the acquisition of parkland, to ensure adequate land to meet growing demand for services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the Arlington County Civic Federation recommends that the County Board authorize a minimum of $15 million for parkland acquisition in the November 2016 Parks and Recreation bond referendum.

Important Websites

Support AHCA – Join Today!

If you are interested in the quality of life in our neighborhood and want to participate in keeping our community safe and vibrant, please join AHCA. Household dues are only $20 per year and support newsletters, community events, etc. Donations are always welcome. Pay by mail, in person, or by Paypal – See aurorahighlands.org/join-ahca

AHCA Bank Account Balance (required by by-laws): $8509.58 as of January 6, 2015

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