BASEBALL: Vienna Post 180 wins state crown • Story, Page 3
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UNITED CONTINUES TO EXPAND FOOTPRINT AT DULLES AIRPORT
FIRST CASE OF WEST NILE FOR 2018 REPORTED IN THE COUNTY
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Sun Gazette VOLUME 39
GREAT FALLS McLEAN OAKTON TYSONS VIENNA
Changes to ‘MAC’ Zoning Possible
At Forum, Ramp Plan Draws Flak BRIAN TROMPETER
Staff Writer
Continued on Page 18
ONLINE
AUGUST 9-15, 2018
I-495, Georgetown Pike
BRIAN TROMPETER
Vienna’s Maple Avenue Commercial ordinance, or MAC, is big, has received a chilly public reception and is about to go under the knife for some revisions. The Vienna Planning Commission, during a special meeting held July 30 at Town Hall, fielded comments from about two dozen residents regarding several changes to the ordinance. Their main message: Put the brakes on such applications until town officials and the public can reach a consensus on how much development is desirable. “There are too many unanswered questions,” said resident Steve Potter. “The long-term implications of oversights are too serious to ignore. This is not something we should be rushing into unprepared.” Town planning staff members have proposed several alterations to the MAC, including capping the number of
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Staff Writer
MAKING A SPLASH IN DIVING COMPETITION Dunn Loring’s Elsa Marsden (left), Vera Korff (top) and Lennon Brucker (above) were among those taking part in Northern Virginia Swimming League diving competition in recent weeks. See full covPHOTOS BY DEB KOLT erage in Sports.
It never hurts to ask, but the answer sometimes makes one cringe. Some McLean residents have pushed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to consider a four-monthlong pilot program that would close the northbound I-495 entrance ramp off of Georgetown Pike from 1 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Neighbors living in that vicinity have been irritated by poor driving conduct at the Pike’s intersection with Balls Hill Road and lengthy vehicle backups that have made getting out of nearby driveways difficult. But when VDOT officials discussed the idea at an Aug. 2 community forum at McLean High School, the overwhelming majority of the roughly 280 people who showed up strongly opposed the proposed ramp closure. John Undeland, who lives in the Langley Oaks area of McLean and sometimes does consulting work for VDOT, said forcing residents to backtrack to Route 123 in order to access the Beltway’s Inner Loop would be a major hassle. “This proposed solution is a cure that’s worse than the disease,” he said. “This would maroon us from our communities Continued on Page 18
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