Woodbine Expansion Proposal: Citizens Oppose Rezoning
James Roberts
Planning and Zoning Department
City of Alexandria
Dear Mr. Roberts:
Cambridge
Healthcare has circulated a proposal seeking a special zoning change and
a variety of special permits for land that is currently zoned
single-family residential, immediately adjacent to the existing Woodbine
facility on King Street. Cambridge Healthcare is seeking this drastic change so
that it might construct a high-density multi-story building on the property -- which
is not at all in keeping with the surrounding neighborhood or the Small Area Plan.
We, the undersigned neighborswould like to register our opposition and urge that the proposal for a zoning
change, etc. be denied.Over the past several years, there
have been repeated attempts to change our residential neighborhood by expanding
Woodbine and/or changing the zoning of the property.Each
time, these attempts have been wisely rejected by City of Alexandria Department ofPlanning
and Zoning.
Traffic along King Street is already very heavy and entry and exit to the
current Woodbine facility already creates a dangerous situation, since the
entry to Melrose Street is directly across from it. Any expansion of
parking for Woodbine or any new facility would only exacerbate this situation.
The neighborhood is made up of single family homes, both historic homes as well
as many others that were constructed more than 50 years ago.
Woodbine is the only commercial property for 1 mile in either direction on King
Street, adjacent to Ivy Hill Cemetery, a historic nonprofit community cemetery.
City of Alexandria experts have examined this issue in the past, and the
current zoning for the property, which is single family residential, remains
the appropriate one.
We all strive to be good neighbors to Woodbine and appreciate its service to
senior citizens, but we cannot support construction that would significantly
alter our neighborhood and thus urge the Planning and Zoning Commission to
reject the proposal and keep the current zoning requirements intact.
SIGNED
Comment