Town to Host Meetings on Proposed Parking Garage

The Town of Vienna will host two community meetings on plans for a Church Street parking garage Thursday, continuing the discussion on whether the proposed four-story structure fits into both the aesthetic character and zoning ordinances of the town.

The community meeting, scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in Council Chambers in Town Hall, comes ahead of an Aug. 20 public hearing that would address a change to the height limit requirements for municipal parking garages from 35 feet to 50 feet. 

The Department of Planning and Zoning pushed forward two ordinance drafts for Council to consider, both of which would increase the height limit for municipal garages to 50 feet. The more detailed ordinance draft also specifies 1) garages may not exceed a maximum of four levels and 2) total height with functional or decorative elements should not be more than 115 percent of the 50-foot limit, nor "exceed 10 percent of the area of the parking structure footprint."

Planning and Zoning Director Greg Hembree has recommended the Council adopt the simpler version of the ordinance change.

In March, Town Council accepted a proposal for , the first pitch to come in under the town's  The proposal is not yet approved.

The project from Arrington Properties LLC would cost between $5.8 million and $6.6 million, the plan said. The private building would be developed and funded by Arrington. Land for the parking structure would be sold to Vienna for $1 and construction, estimated to cost between $2.8 million and $3.3 million, would be financed by the town. 

Council hosted two public hearings, on April 16 and May 21, during which residents expressed concern about the height limits altering the character of the town and the impact the two new buildings could have on Church Street traffic.

"If a parking structure is built it should conform to the rest of the guidelines for the town," said resident Howard Uman, who lives on nearby Wilmar Place, at the April 16 hearing.

Some business owners along with an estimated 12- to 24-month timeline for the project, which they feared would limit access to their stores.

The town will also host a meeting with Church Street merchants from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the proposed location for the garage, 120 Church St. NW.

Kirstyn Barr discusses the status of the Church Street parking garage in this week's Ask the Town.