DC Water and Sewage Authority (DC-WASA), a tri-state utility, held two open public meetings, on June 30, 2010 and March 4, 2010, to discuss their plans to (a) build a 20 foot tall Odor Control building for the maintenance of a vent system and (b) essential updating, replacing, relining, and repairing its 60-year old sewage pipelines located in Northern Virginia Regional Park and River Bend Park. These projects will have an impact on several of our roads including Walker, River Bend, Beach Mill, and the Deepwoods/River Park/Yarnick area.

Among key issues still under study are locations of existing and possible additional easements, size and weight of trucks to be utilized, and repair of roads and private landowner properties that might be damaged by the necessary truck usage.

The Potomac Interceptor is a 50-mile long gravity sewer system that transports wastewater to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Washington, DC. It runs through several suburban jurisdictions that add their wastewater to the system. The sewer system has a number of vents that require newly designed controls to abate odors, particularly during warmer weather. State-of-the-art technology is being utilized to reduce hydrogen sulfide gases that cause the corrosion of concrete sewer pipes.

Proposed Assisted Living Facility on Colvin Run Road

Brightview, an experienced assisted living operator, at a June 30, 2010 public meeting, discussed its preliminary pre-application plans to develop a 90-unit assisted living rental facility on Colvin Run Road, partially on the property formerly known as Thelma’s Ice Cream Store. The plans include 58 parking spaces and separate outdoor recreational areas for non-dementia and dementia residents. Since a portion of the proposed 2.5 acre site is zoned R-1 residential, a County special exception probably will be required.

Commercial Recreation Use (Motorcycles) on Leigh Mill Road

Comstock Tree Farm, which owns ten acres on Leigh Mill Road near Georgetown Pike, at an upcoming Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing will oppose County violation letters to discontinue commercial recreational use not permitted in a residential district (noisy dirt motorcycle racing and jumping), adding soil in excess of allowable area and depth, etc.

Other Issues

Most justified complaints are settled quietly and peacefully without formal County zoning violation actions. For example, discontinuing commercial trucks and equipment operating from a residential lot on Utterback Store Road near an elementary school, noisy lawnmower usage after 9 p.m., etc.