The North Rosslyn Civic Association will hold a General Meeting on December 5, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. in the Atrium community room. Our topic will be the most important single issue now facing North Rosslyn: the Central Place proposal now before the Planning Commission. This proposal could fundametally re-shape the heart of North Rosslyn for many years to come, which means that it is imperative for North Rosslyn residents to be heavily involved in the process.

The Central Place proposal (also discussed lower on this discussion board) could permit developers could build towers up to 500 feet high in the two Rosslyn core blocks by the Rosslyn metro station. By way of comparison, this would allow structures 40% higher than Rosslyn's twin towers (which some people still call the Gannett Buildings). Moreover, the County Board's decisions regarding Central Place will most likely set the stage for its reconsideration of the Rosslyn sector plan, which the Board plans to undertake in 2005. North Rosslyn needs to engage regarding such matters as height limitations, community amenities, pedestrian accessibility, street-level (and second-level) retail, destination restaurants, etc.

On December 5, North Rosslyn will hold a community briefing about the Central Place proposal. Leading the discussion will be two experts on the subject. Commissioner Pamela Gillen is the Planning Commission's point person on the Rosslyn Working Group, which has been considering the Central Place plan. Arlington County planning staff member Tom Miller has been the principal County staff planner working on the topic and is highly knowledgeable about all of the issues.

North Rosslyn may continue to focus on this issue for the next few months, but this issue is moving very quickly, and it is important that we become engaged now. The Planning Commission is expected to address Central Place shortly after North Rosslyn's meeting, so December 5 is clearly going to be an important meeting.