To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to appeal against the use of 898 N. Columbus as alternative parking for staff of Great Beginnings Early Learning Center (GBELC).
First off, GBELC was (1) never notified of the parking lot going for sale or (2) the City of Alexandria approval of the sale. Had GBELC been notified and given the option to buy, they would have taken that route for the benefit and safety of their patrons.

Secondly, the alternative parking does not meet the conditions of the current parking lot usage:

The current lot served a two-fold purpose:
1. The by-law required amount of parking for staff – 10 parking spaces
2. Parents used the lot for pick-up and drop-off of their children.

In addition, the proximity of the current sold lot provides:
1. Safety for parents, children and staff to not have to cross any streets
2. Lowers congestion and competition for residential street parking
3. The approved pick up spaces on Wythe does not provide adequate number of spots for parents nor does it provide adequate off-street parking for staff
4. Weather related safety/hazard issues picking up and dropping off children at the daycare

By law, daycares are required to have parking available 500 feet away or closer (Ordinance 4-1407 Parking (Neighborhood Retail Zone, Alexandria). The new lot does not meet this provision. Hence the SUP alternative solution that is going for board approval Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 7pm.

However, my issue is that it does not meet the standards of what the current lot provides as detailed above.

1. Planning Commission’s Regular Meeting Tuesday, Oct. 3 is for the approval of the alternative parking for staff on 898 N. Columbus
a. If no one speaks or does not sign a petition, the alternate parking will be approved and the new owner of the current parking lot can break ground to build the townhomes.
b. Plan is to petition against the alternate parking to force the new owner and City of Alexandria to come to the table for alternative opti

The spaces approved recently for pick-up and drop-off are not sufficient; It does not provide the same use, safety standards, and convenience detailed above.
• Two parking spaces on Wythe for pick-up
• Two parking spaces on N. Washington for drop-off