R-11-47 RESOLUTION NO. R -11 -47
BLENHEIM USE POLICYFOR PRIVATE RENTALS
WHEREAS, the City Council approved the Blenheim Use Policy in 2009 in
conjunction with the opening of the Civil War Interpretive Center; and
WHEREAS, on October 11, 2011 Mayor and Council requested staff amend the
policy thereby allowing greater opportunities for Blenheim to be utilized for rentals.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the attached amended Blenheim Use
Policy for Private Rentals is hereby adopted in its entirety and shall supersede the former
Blenheim use Policy approved February 10, 2009.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the revised Blenheim Use Policy for Private
Rentals shall be effective as of November 1, 2011, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administration of the policy will be directed
by the City of Parks and Recreation Department.
Adopted this 25 day of October, 2011.
Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Cler
The vote on the motion to approve was recorded as follows:
VOTE:
Councilman Drummond Aye
Councilman Greenfield Aye
Councilman Meyer Aye
Councilmember Schmidt Aye
Councilman Silverthorne Aye
Councilman Stombres Aye
City of Fairfax, Virginia
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BLEHEIM USE POLICY
FOR PRIVATE RENTALS
Initial adoption 2/10/09
(Updated 10 /25/11)
Location: Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim
3610 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030
Blenheim is a suitable location for wedding receptions, outdoor weddings, bridal
showers, anniversaries, corporate dinners, rehearsal dinners, business meetings, and other
formal events. The beautiful 12 -acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places and includes the famous c.1859 brick house with Civil War soldier inscriptions. A
new Civil War Interpretive Center, designed by award - winning architects Glave &
Holmes, was completed on the site in November 2008. The site's primary purpose is
educational as a Civil War site, and it is open to the public free of charge Tuesday -
Saturday from Noon -4pm with 1pm site tours daily. Designed in a modernistic rural
style, the Interpretive Center features a glass- roofed atrium lobby, multipurpose assembly
room with historic heart pine flooring, and glass walls throughout offering extensive
vistas of the historic house and grounds. A Pergola Terrace and covered Veranda Porch
offer options for outdoor cafe seating, and the grounds adjacent to the Interpretive Center
are suitable for outdoor tented functions.
Rental Hours and Rates (appropriate security deposit required)
Year Round except closed Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day
4pm -11pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
*8:30am — 4pm, subject to room availability
3pm -1 1pm Saturday
Sam -1 1pm Sunday and Monday
Rentals
(Rental time must include set up and clean up)
$ 50 per hour Monday to Friday (except Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, New Years Day)
$ 60 per hour Saturday and Sunday and City observed holidays
Security Deposit $200
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City residents and City businesses receive a 10% discount off an hourly rental
Civic Associations, City Service Groups, City Boards and Commissions
Receive a 20% discount off an hourly rental
Discounts do not apply to A la Carte items
Historic tours of the site are available to rental users for an additional fee of $25.
A la Carte pricing
Set up in Atrium Lobby $25 per hour
Use of Pergola area for additional set up $25 per hour
Use of porch/deck for additional set up $25 per hour
Use of lawn area for Tent $75 per hour
Staff for Set up $15
Staff for Breakdown $15
Staff for set -up and breakdown $25
Portable Projector $175
Portable Screen $50
Projector and screen $200
DVD Player $45
60" Plasma monitor $25
Amplified Podium $75
Easels $10
Tablecloth rental (white) $12.00 per cloth
Coffee Urns $25.00 per urn
Caterer's Corner $50
Interpretive Center Capacity and Outdoor Site Capacity
Standing (e.g standup cocktail reception)
*(More than 102 requires Auxiliary Parking and Traffic Plan) 102 -120*
Seated with everyone served at same time 90
Seated auditorium style, no tables 90
Outdoor Pergola Terrace 80
Outdoor Veranda Porch 80
Outdoor Site Capacity (Requires Aux. Parking Plan) 190
Parking Capacity
17 paved parking spaces including 2 ADA/handicapped
17 overflow parking spaces on reinforced grass turf
No parking is allowed on Old Lee Highway or in surrounding residential neighborhoods.
On -site parking can accommodate events up to 102 persons (measured at 3 persons per
car); for events larger than 102 persons an Auxiliary Off -Site Parking and Traffic Plan
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(form will be provided in Reservation materials) will be required where the User
indicates where cars will be parked at the rate of 3 persons per car (for example, an event
for 120 persons would require an Off -Site parking plan for 6 cars, and an event for 150
people would require an Off -Site plan for 16 cars), and if event ending time coincides
with church traffic on Old Lee Highway a Traffic Plan will be required. Users may
contact nearby schools, churches, or other facilities to explore Off -Site parking
availability.
Tent Usage and Requirements
A tent may be rented and erected in the designated location on the north side of the
Interpretive Center, an hourly space rental fee will be charged. Tents over 30x30 feet
require a permit from the City of Fairfax Code Administration office (City Hall, Room
208, 703- 385 - 7830), and must comply with all inspections regarding safety, lighting, and
electrical. The User is responsible for contracting tent rental; tents can be erected one
day prior to an event and must be take down no later than one day after the event.
Procedures and Restrictions
• Modification: City reserves right to modify procedures, restrictions, and related
guidelines as circumstances dictate.
• Reservations: Reservations will be accepted on a first -come basis; applications
will be reviewed and the City reserves the right to cancel reservations if
reservation agreement circumstances change or for reasonable cause.
• Personnel: The City will provide one staff person to monitor each rental event.
• Access: The exhibit gallery in the Interpretive Center and the Blenheim House
will be closed during rentals but can be shown during site tours available
for an additional fee.
• Alcohol: Alcohol may be served under the following conditions: 1) a private
affair (by invitation only and no cash bar) — no permit required; 2) if open
to the public or cash bar, permit must be procured through the regional
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board office, 500 Montgomery
Street, Alexandria, by calling the ABC office at 703 518 -8090 or by
visiting the ABC website at www.abc.state.va.us. (Permit processing
usually requires a minimum of two weeks).
• Restroom Facilities: The Interpretive Center has ADA compliant restrooms.
• Open Flames: User must seek approval prior to the event for the use of burning
candles, chaffing dishes and other similar open flame sources. Sparklers
and other types of fireworks are not permitted.
• Electricity/Utilities: Electricity is provided for outdoor tented events via exterior
outlets on Interpretive Center; User must coordinate electrical needs
during application process.
• Noise: As the site is adjacent a residential area, User must comply with City's
regulations pertaining to noise in all cases.
• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted inside the Interpretive Center but is
permitted outside the building and on the grounds; User will use ash urns
provided on the site.
• Decorations: No decorations or other items may be tacked, taped, or affixed in
any way to the walls of any building. Rice and confetti are not permitted:
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birdseed and grass seed are permitted outdoors subject to clean -up
requirements specified in the Reservation Agreement.
• Catering Requirements: The Interpretive Center has a full warming kitchen
with refrigerator, stove, sink, and counter space, available for a fee.
Cooking of food in the kitchen is not allowed. The Interpretive Center has
nine five -foot round tables and will provide chairs for seating up to 90
persons; six six -foot rectangular tables are also available. User must
provide all other equipment including dishes, tableware, linens, other
accessories and service personnel. All catering deliveries, setup, cleanup
and equipment removal must occur during the rental period. All catering
deliveries should occur through the rear door. Caterers are responsible for
cleaning up after themselves.
• Clean -up: If the user chooses to add on breakdown for their rental, they are still
responsible for removing all of their belongings from the building,
including decorations, rentals items, gifts, etc. If the user chooses to
breakdown, all tables and chairs need to be wiped down and stored away.
All trash and debris is to be taken to the designated dumpster area.
Cleaning supplies will be provided.
• Damages: User is responsible for all damages to the property. The City and the
User will review the buildings and grounds prior to and after use to
determine conditions and any potential damage charges. Damages will be
deducted from the security deposit.
• Ground Disturbance: The Blenheim property is archaeologically sensitive.
Subsurface ground disturbance (other than tent stakes) is not permitted;
tent location will be approved during the application process.
• Liability /Injuries: User is responsible for all injuries to guests. The City
reserves the right to require the User to furnish a "Certificate of Insurance
for Public Liability Insurance" in the limit of $500,000 with coverage to
cover the sale or serving of alcoholic beverages. The User will save
harmless the City of Fairfax, the lessor and the City's and lessor's officers,
employees and agents on any and all claims whatsoever arising out of the
use of Blenheim, including any liability for death, personal injury or
property damage, where incurred by the lessor, lessee (or member if lessee
is an organization or group) or any and all third parties.
• Violation of Law: Violation of any laws prevailing in the City of Fairfax by any
person while in attendance will be sufficient grounds for immediate
termination of the event, with forfeiture of fee and security deposit.
• Policies: The City reserves the right to amend the policies with the City
Manager's approval.
• Failure to Comply: Failure to comply with these policies and conditions will
result in immediate termination of the event, with forfeiture of fee and
security deposit.
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