Newsletter of the Rose Hill Civic Association
June 2010
President
Carl Sell
703.971.4716
Vice President
Linda Nichols
703.971.0755
Secretary
Beth Kohm
703.338.4876
Treasurer
Carolyn Slenska
703.922.4135
Editor, The Rambler
Richard Downey
703.625.7046
Neighborhood Watch
Woody Betts
703.971.0520
Webmaster
Jim Sapp
303.816.0944
RHCA, P.O. Box 10891, Alexandria, VA 22310
President’s Message
Rose Hill Fish Fry on June 22
Instead of a formal meeting, the Rose Hill Civic Association will hold a Fish Fry on Tuesday, June 22 in the front yard 0f the Nichols’ properties, 6414 and 6416 Rose Hill Drive starting at 6 p.m. RHCA members will be admitted FREE (up to two per household). Other adults will be charged $10. Free hot dogs will be available for the kids. The menu includes fish, either fried or grilled, cole slaw, potato salad, lemonade and water. Participants are asked to bring deserts to share. Call Linda Nichols at 703-971-0755 with any questions. Walk or park on either Hayfield Place, Cottonwood Drive or Bee Street. Be careful crossing Rose Hill Drive
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING AND HOW MANY BY SUNDAY NIGHT AS WE ARE GOING FISHING MONDAY!
President’s Message
Rose Hill Reserve Development Underway,
RHCA, Neighbors Watching Like a HawkAs many of you know, Stanley Martin Homes has started development of the 22-plus acres bounded by Rose Hill Drive, Cottonwood Drive, Carriage Drive and Silo Road. Frankly, neither the developer nor the County got off to a good start. At the insistence of RHCA, both sat down and read the development conditions enacted by the Board of Supervisors at our request in 2004. Things then started to go more smoothly, but we need to continue to be vigilant.
Just as disappointing was to learn that numerous residents with properties bordering the site had NOT taken advantage of pre-development inspections of their homes to protect their interests in case of damage. As a result, RHCA has asked Stanley Martin Homes to once again contact everyone involved and offer the inspections even though that particular condition has expired. They have agreed and hopefully have contacted everyone by now.
In what may have been one of the largest pre-development gatherings for a property that size ever seen in Fairfax County, everyone got together June 3rd to go over the rules. Even then, some came to the meeting either unprepared or hadn’t read the conditions fully. They soon all learned that here in Rose Hill, we insist the rules be followed!
The next step was a walk of the perimeter of the buffer to make sure the outline taped by the developer was correct. The developer also learned that a fence would be required to protect the buffer during construction. White tape stuck on trees was not sufficient. We also were able to save additional space and provide extra plantings adjacent to several residences where the buffer was narrow or there was little or not vegetation.
It was agreed that after what is called a ‘Super Silt Fence’ was installed to protect the buffer from intrusion and control erosion, there will be another walk to make sure the program meets the conditions of development (NOTE: This may already have occurred by the time you read the June Rambler).
Residents are reminded that there will be NO dynamic compaction on the site. All pilings to protect slopes will be drilled. There is a long list of conditions that are posted on our web site, myrosehill.com. To read the conditions, go to the web site and click on Rose Hill Reserve.
It has been almost six years since this development was approved. To refresh your memory, RHCA voted unanimously to support the program because it is 14 houses LESS than what could be built by right and included a buffer zone between the new and more mature homes. There are numerous other controls. Please report any activity you think may not be in conformance with the conditions or good community relations.
Several people have asked about property values. The new homes will be expensive and therefore should raise the assessed value of their neighbors. That will mean more value and more taxes, a double-edged sword.
Another Development Looms
RHCA also has been contacted concerning the potential development of the vacant two acres on Telegraph Road as you go down the hill from Rose Hill Drive. The property is behind houses on Cottonwood Drive (including the president of RHCA) and Rose Hill Drive. There have been several previous attempts to develop the property from anywhere from one to five houses. None were approved. Like Rose Hill Reserve, the property contains marine clay and has serious erosion problems. A large open storm water channel runs through part of the property and has caused the erosion that has claimed part of the backyards of several homes. A home builder has engaged a firm to evaluate the potential for development, including addition borings to learn more about the marine clay issues. We will keep the neighbors informed as to the progress of this proposed development.
Other Properties to Watch
There are several other undeveloped properties in Rose Hill that no doubt will once again be the subject of development proposals. Residents on Thornwood Drive, Climbhill Drive and Driftwood Place should keep their eyes open for activity on the adjacent property that stretches down to Telegraph Road. Same goes for those on Maryview Street who border to vacant property between them and the Cox Communications facility on Highland Drive. And, residents of Bee Street, Rose Hill Drive and Willowood Drive should keep their eye on the property in their backyards now reached by Rock-A-By Road. If you see any survey or development activity, contact RHCA. We’ll let you know if we are contacted. All of the above properties have been the subject of previous development proposals. Because of poor soils and other problems, none have been approved. No doubt other attempts will be forthcoming.
National Night Out
The annual National Night Out to fight crime and support our emergency personnel, including the police, sheriff’s office and fire and rescue, is scheduled for Tuesday, August 3. RHCA will sponsor a gathering at the Nichols home, 6416 Rose Hill Drive, from 6 p.m. to dark to support this effort. Communities all across America will be staging gatherings to show their support. Fairfax County is a leader in the effort in the Washington area and the Franconia District Police Area is the County leader. RHCA will provide free hot dogs with all the trimmings, chips, potato salad and other goodies as well as lemonade and water. Residents are invited to attend and bring a dessert to share.
Representatives of the police department will visit as well as area political figures. We hope to have some music and may break out in song. If you are a neighbor, it would be a good idea to join in rather than try to tune us out. This is our opportunity to show our emergency personnel how much we appreciate their efforts. Mark August 3 on your calendar.
Follow The Rules!
Recently, a Rose Hill resident contacted me to report that he had heard a real estate agent (an outsider, of course) tell a prospective buyer that even though an carport had been enclosed without a permit, it was OK because once the property changed hands it would be legal. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Zoning and permits run with the land and/or building, not the owner. If you are contemplating buying or selling use one of our local real estate agents who are familiar with the land use, zoning and building permit regulations. Remember, failure to obtain permits could negate your homeowner’s insurance. While we are at it, here are some other friendly reminders: It is illegal to park unlicensed or inoperable vehicles, trailers and other large vehicles on our streets. Likewise, it is illegal to park unlicensed or inoperable vehicles on private property if they can be seen from ANY property line. It also is illegal to allow your grass to grow uncut; stockpile trash on your property; park on more than 25 percent of your front yard; violate occupancy rules or the noise ordinance, or allow barking dogs or keep exotic animals. The biggest complaint in Rose Hill centers on overcrowding. Lets all work to keep Rose Hill a great place in which to live.
And……..Curb Your Dog
Dog owners are reminded that Fairfax County requires you to clean up after your pet, especially on public or your neighbor’s properties. Also, the County has a leash law, so don’t allow your pet to run loose. When I had a dog, he always insisted that I put him on a leash and take a cleanup bag when he took me for a walk!
Both Sides Tour IV
This is a reminder that the Franconia Museum is sponsoring a Both Sides Tour Civil War trip on Saturday, August 7. This tour will visit the Mary Surratt house in nearby Prince George’s County and the site of the large Federal prisoner of war camp at Point Lookout where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay. Mary Surratt was hanged for her role in the assassination of President Lincoln by harboring John Wilkes Booth. The tour starts at 8 a.m. at the Franconia Museum, located in the Franconia Government Center, 6121 Franconia Road. Also included is a stop at Sharon Chapel for a report on nearby Union army installations and the story of two young casualties who are buried there. Go to myrosehill.com and click on Both Sides Tour for information. You can also e-mail me at sellcarl@aol.com or call me at 703-971-4716.
Advertising in the Rambler
We have recently received several inquiries concerning advertising in the Rambler. While a listing in the Business Directory is free to Rose Hill residents who own their business, placing an actual advertisement is open to all with rates as follows per month:
Business Card size
3 1/2" x 2"
$10
Quarter page size
3 1/2" x 4 3/4"
$25
Half page size
7 1/2" x 4 3/4"
$50
Full page size
7 1/2" x 9 3/4"
$100
Ads may be bought for either one month only, month-to-month, or as many months in advance as desired. Our newsletter is published nine times a year, excluding July, August and December.
Advertising in the Rambler is an excellent way to reach the 700+ homes in our community. In addition, the ads each month are placed on our website www.MyRoseHill.com for the world to see.
Anyone interested in placing an ad may call the editor (me) at 703.910.6316. I will need the artwork sent to me either electronically in a .tiff or .jpg format or as a hard copy through the mail. Checks made out to RHCA may be included with ads mailed to me, or sent to our PO Box 10891 for quick access to the treasurer.
