May 6, 2022
Dear Green Hedges Neighbors,
Thank you again to those who were able to join us last month at our neighbor meeting via Zoom. Below are answers to many of the questions that were asked during that meeting. We hope that these answers provide you with clarification. As a reminder, neighbors are welcome to attend the Town of Vienna Planning Commission's work session on May 11 at 6:30 p.m. to learn more about our plans for the campus.
Setback
What’s the difference between the current setback and the proposed setback?
We are working with our civil engineer and they plan to outline the setbacks clearly on an updated site plan that will be discussed in further detail at the Planning Commission's work session on May 11.
Noise
What noise abatement will be implemented?
The School is invested in helping to control noise on campus. Green Hedges is planning for the planting of mature landscaping around its campus once construction is finished to help with noise abatement. During construction, we will be mindful of keeping construction to normal workday hours. Before the School begins construction, it will be in communication with neighbors to inform them of the timeline and any other relevant information pertaining to noise on campus from construction.
Parking Lots/Traffic
Why are all the parking lots along the neighborhoods?
This is part of a concerted effort to make better use of campus grounds by controlling the crossings and exposure between pedestrian and vehicular circulation on campus. Locating parking lots on the perimeter of campus adjacent to the public roadways is a way for the School to be both safe and efficient. Further, the perimeter parking creates a natural boundary between the public roadways of Nutley and Windover Streets and our campus. In addition, the location of the parking makes their use by the Town of Vienna community groups or Madison High School on the weekends easier. The project intends to provide a landscape buffer between the parking lots and any homes and streets.
Has Green Hedges considered limiting traffic by encouraging carpooling, mini buses, and walkers?
Yes, the School is considering buses in the future and there are several families who have walkers. A number of our families carpool and we make concerted efforts to link families for carpooling purposes. We also encourage students who live near campus to ride bicycles and recently installed a bike rack for that purpose.
Rental
Will any of the facilities be available for rental?
Yes, facilities will be available for rental, adhering to the School’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP).
You mentioned that the neighborhood will be able to use the updated grounds. What does that mean exactly?
Per our current CUP, the School will provide priority scheduling for use of facilities to neighborhood youth teams, clubs, and organizations. The School will also charge a reduced rate to these neighborhood groups.
Will the gym be available for rental?
We expect to make the gym available for use by community groups within the terms of the CUP.
Lighting
What is being done to address lighting?
Lighting will be compliant with industry standards including incorporating sustainable approaches such as dark sky or similar. Green Hedges is not looking to add any unnecessary lighting to its campus. Instead, it will light the campus for safety, abiding by the Town’s Board of Architectural Review recommendations. The School plans to light building entries, the drive, and perhaps some lights on paths. Fields and playgrounds will not be lit.
CUP
Green Hedges has a history of getting approval for CUPs and not proceeding. What time limits will be implemented to ensure if the start/end times are time-boxed or the CUPs vacated?
The School has completed many portions of past CUPs. For example, we installed new signs, improved and installed the parking area, did curb and gutter work on Nutley Street, developed the Science and Native Garden, and built the Karen Wiechelt Stable.
The CUP will require implementation within a certain time period as may be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The School anticipates working with the Town and community on a phasing plan as part of the CUP review process.
Beyond adding the newly acquired home on Lewis to the CUP, what are the plans for that part of the property?
Without definite plans, for the time being, we plan to keep the 206 Lewis property as a rental for Green Hedges personnel.
Will the new Lewis property be incorporated into Green Hedges plat?
Yes, the goal of the School is to have the Lewis Street property incorporated into the Green Hedges plat.
Phases
When will all phases be completed?
Phase 1 of this project, in which Green Hedges adds to the back of Kilmer Hall and updates playgrounds and play spaces, will be approximately 15 months from start to completion. Potentially, Phase 1 could start as soon as Summer 2024 depending upon permitting and other factors. Phase 2 and Phase 3 are expected to begin in five-year intervals after completing Phase 1.
