Last night was the second in a recent series of meetings stemming from last Thursday's flooding of lower Huntington from Cameron Run and the huge rains we had from Tropical Storm Lee's leftovers.
Brian Krebs wrote a quick article for Patch about last night's meeting. I'm not (yet) going to do much of a writeup, but wanted to include tweets from during the meeting itself. Three people, Brian, myself, and someone going by 22303huntington live-tweeted the meeting. Though some topics are duplicated between Brian and I, this should give you a fairly good feel for how the meeting progressed and what got discussed. I will admit that, at the beginning, I expected the meeting to be more contentious than it wound up being. All in all, it was a very civil meeting with almost no tempers flaring.
Here's the tweets in chronological order, starting around 7pm and lasting until about 9:30pm. Beware that this is a very long list:
ajfroggie
Here for a Huntington community mtg related to last week's flood. (@ Mount Vernon Mount Vernon Governmental Center) http://4sq.com/pyurCx
ajfroggie
Expecting a contentious mtg tonite. Lots of #Huntington folks were flooded out last week. ABC7 is here.
ajfroggie
Hoping to see @BelleHavenPatch and @22303huntington here. Will live-tweet what I can given the crappy 3G svc in this bldg. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Laying the ground rules early. Sure sign that this'll be a contentious mtg. #Huntington
ajfroggie
According to NWS numbers, this was 1000yr storm at Ft Belvoir & 500yr storm at Kingstowne. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Mention of numerous water rescues in lower #Huntington last Thurs night.
ajfroggie
Asking about Spanish speaking firefighters and response times.
ajfroggie
Siren at end of Fenwick that either doesn't work, or wasn't activated. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Standing room only at the Mt Vernon Gov't Center meeting to discuss #Huntington flooding. Never seen the parking lot so packed.
ajfroggie
Still 19 power outages in lower #Huntington.
ajfroggie
#Huntington Community Ctr being used as staging point for aid.
BelleHavenPatch
Currently 19 homes w/o power in #Huntington: one on Fenwick Drive & the rest on Arlington Terrace, —Michael Guditus emergency mgmt office
ajfroggie
Lots of talk fm county on continuous trash collection, mosquito control, and health/safety issues. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Free fans to those 60+y.o. #Huntington
22303huntington
Mt. Vernon Comm Center #Huntington flood meeting right now http://yfrog.com/gyd15lqj
ajfroggie
Praise from some for the county's and Red Cross's response. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Supervisor Gerry Hyland just walked into #Huntington flood meeting, greeted with applause.
ajfroggie
Sup. Hyland now here. Time for the serious talk on what to do next. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
One source told Hyland parts of #Huntington had "1000-year storm"
ajfroggie
Hyland asked FFX BoS on Tues to add #Huntington to a stormwater bond. Would go to voters Nov. '12.
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: Supervisors will discuss bond issue at retreat next year w/ new board and then budget session in April. Would be on ballot Nov. 2012
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: "Even if the board were to authorize the bond, we are still not going to have protection" for at least another five years
ajfroggie
$30M to do a levee & pump station in #Huntington.
ajfroggie
Another option would be to redevelop lower #Huntington. Wld require changing Huntington Conservation Plan.
ajfroggie
Concern from Hyland that the Conservation Plan protects #Huntington from being "bought out" by developers.
22303huntington
Talking points from #Huntington meeting: Future? Give owners fair market value? Storm bond for levy in 5+ years? Lift conservation plan?
ajfroggie
Someone just asked about dredging Cameron Run. Hyland: wouldn't keep water out of #Huntington.
BelleHavenPatch
"Dredging Cameron outside of your community is not going to allow us to keep the water out of your community" —Hyland quoting Corps study
22303huntington
#Huntington meeting talking points: Dredging not an option in Huntington, but maybe from GW parkway, says hydrologist.
ajfroggie
hyland: #Huntington floods becausenthere is a huge developed watershed to the west. Too much water & not enough stormwater management.
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland blames Cameron Run flooding at #Huntington "too much water coming out of the properties to the west. ... It's a capacity problem."
ajfroggie
Levee was asked for after '06 flood. Needed 6 votes fm BoS. Didn't get voted on. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Hyland: levee needed. Moran tried but won't get Fed funding. Will need to be funded locally fm bonding. Won't come fm gen fund.
BelleHavenPatch
Here's the info from Army Corps of Engineer report on #Huntington, Cameron Run flooding on @FairfaxCounty site: http://ow.ly/6uKdq
22303huntington
Hyland says, only short term way to save the lower #Huntington community is to build a levy, at flood meeting
ajfroggie
Apparently a flood control study was done 40yrs ago. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Each watershed has been studied, but implementation would cost multi-millions. Hyland: we don't have the time to wait for that. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Hyland supports stormwater bond, but need to put pressure on other Sups. #Huntington
ajfroggie
All: sorry for the mass horde of tweets. Live-tweeting a mtg abt #Huntington flood issues after last week's mess.
ajfroggie
Flows on Cameron Run last week were similar to '06 flood. Causes backups on storm drains & into basements. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Question abt pushing both the levy and revising-or-dropping the Conservation Plan. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
The community can pursue both options, Hyland said, attempt to get bond for levee and remove conservation plan to promote redevelopment
ajfroggie
Concern that new homeowners would lose out if Conservation Plan lifted. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Question if Conservation Plan could be lifted by street instead of lifting the whole plan. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
A resident asked about the ramifications for new homeowners. "What is our financial viability in this?"
BelleHavenPatch
Same resident said he would be financially devastated if he got less than what he paid for home.
BelleHavenPatch
Gerry Hyland speaking to a packed house at #Huntington flood meeting at Mount Vernon Government Center. http://yfrog.com/nuxfncxj
22303huntington
@BelleHavenPatch Can you ask if they will post a site or email box for public comment, please?
ajfroggie
Discussion on backflow preventers. Some commenting that they've installed them for $75 and it really helped.
BelleHavenPatch
Talk of backflow drains and disagreement on prices—ranging from $75 to $1000
BelleHavenPatch
Multiple residents have commented on how much they love their community. Lots of residents I've talked to, don't want to move.
BelleHavenPatch
One resident said community needs to band together to lift conservation plan and could get good price for redevelopment
ajfroggie
Speaker doubting viability of getting the levee & proposing homeowners band together so when developers come, homeowners get the best deal.
ajfroggie
Hyland: if this area gets redeveloped, we'd do everything possible to reduce the number of cars. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland said he won't condemn any properties for residents that don't want it
ajfroggie
Gotta wonder if process of changing/dropping the Conservation Plan will increase attendence at #Huntington Community Association meetings.
ajfroggie
Hyand citing Kelo vs. New London in how he'll defend homeowners. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Question how community will vote on this. Hyland's response is it'll probably go through #Huntington Community Association.
BelleHavenPatch
One resident, representing the Huntington Community Association, said the real value for the community is the land they own, not the homes
BelleHavenPatch
HCA representative asked Hyland for "concurrent planning" for bond referendum and lifting conservation plan for commercial development
ajfroggie
Resident: what we need from Hyland is a real estate expert to help us determine how/whether Conservation Plan should be changed. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Same resident: second thing we need is lawyers to guide us through the legal ramifications. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Resident request for real estate, lawyers to assist community if they decide to redevelop #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
3 professions with least respect: politicians, lawyers & used car salesmen, Hyland said. He's done first 2 but wants to go for 'trifecta'
BelleHavenPatch
Re: last tweet, Hyland seems more laid back, relaxed tonight compared to Saturday's meeting. Cracking jokes and shedding his suit jacket.
BelleHavenPatch
County staff official warns community about 'hold outs' in redevelopment. Cites communities in Vienna and near Dulles.
ajfroggie
County zoning staff citing what was done near Vienna Metro as an example. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Candidate for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Will Radle gets microphone to speak at meeting. #Huntington
ajfroggie
Candidate for County Chair is now speaking. Can't help but think he's speaking for votes. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
"We do have the resources," and should look forward to solutions for #Huntington, Radle said. Remarks met with brief, scattered applause.
ssurovell
At Gum Springs tonight with VDOT, FCDOT discussing US1, Sherwood Hall Ln, & doing something about traffic!
ajfroggie
HCA member now discussing the proposed Conservation Plan revisions that county never implemented. #Huntington
ajfroggie
@ssurovell Will you blog about that? Some of us next door w/Sup Hyland discussing Huntington flooding.
BelleHavenPatch
A developed #Huntington would include affordable dwelling units, Hyland said.
ajfroggie
Hyland: many in #Huntington here because they can afford it. If redevelopment happens, need to ensure there are plenty of affordable units.
ajfroggie
Hyland: higher than the current 12% set-aside. So that those who want to stay can afford to. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: "A lot of people will want to stay, and we need to find away for them to do that." #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: back flow preventers information should be available in "a couple days"
BelleHavenPatch
Every mention so far about the county's help with response, cleanup has been met with applause.
BelleHavenPatch
"I am going to be dogged to make sure I know how they feel." Hyland on residents who don't respond to outreach on route to take
ajfroggie
Lady speaking about defective storm drains and asking what county will do about them.
BelleHavenPatch
Important numbers: Gerry Hyland: 703.967.0157. Brett Kenney, Chief Aide to Hyland: 703.780.7518
BelleHavenPatch
One resident shares potential solutions for homeowners to mitigate flooding: raised furnaces and tankless water heaters
ajfroggie
Lady speaking for her father...concerned abt representation of seniors and "oldtimers" in the process. #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
One resident asks community to consider older, established residents, not just younger, new residents.
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland: Mount Vernon has largest % of seniors in Fairfax County of all magisterial districts.
ajfroggie
Speaker proposes dropping Conservation Plan & raisinf density immediately & allowing developers to landbank over time as residents sell out.
ajfroggie
Hyland disagrees, calls if "leapfrog development". #Huntington
BelleHavenPatch
Next: #Huntington Community Association meeting on Thursday, Oct. 6 invites Hyland and staff for more information and dialogue
BelleHavenPatch
HCA rep brings up Huntington Avenue development: "It seems to me that re-planning it seems in order"
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland asking #Huntington Community Association to create committee within to focus on redeveloping
BelleHavenPatch
Hyland said as many meetings that need to be will be "in order to involve as many as possible"
BelleHavenPatch
Future meetings will be held at Huntington Community Center, Hyland said.
BelleHavenPatch
@ajfroggie raises concern on the effect of transportation if Huntington's population density increases under redevelopment
ajfroggie
I mentioned the need to include transportation as a discussion point if dropping the Conservation Plan and increasing density is considered.
ajfroggie
http://twitpic.com/6l0d7t Scene from the #Huntington meeting hosted by Supervisor Hyland.
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