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Community Clips
Smart Growth News for the Washington, DC Region

October 13, 2005


In this issue:
  • Virginia Transportation Taxes and Tolls Challenged
  • Comment Period on DC Comp Plan Ends Saturday
  • Metro Riders Advisory Council Applications Available
  • Regional 6-Year Transportation Plan Comments Due Saturday
  • Upcoming Events

Virginia Transportation Taxes and Tolls Challenged

A statewide business-backed campaign for massive increases in transportation taxes and tolls fails to address the fundamental link between transportation and land use planning. "Until state and local governments in Virginia work to change development patterns and the design of communities to reduce the number and length of vehicle trips, spending more money to build more highways will only make things worse, not better," according to Chris Miller of Piedmont Environmental Council. Learn more.

Comment Period on DC Comp Plan Ends Saturday

DC residents are invited to participate in the development of the Comprehensive Plan, the document that will guide how and where the city will grow. Input is being solicited on a wide range of topics, including land use, transportation, and economic development, among others. Questionnaires are available online through Saturday, October 15.

Metro Riders Advisory Council Applications Available

Metro's Board of Directors is currently accepting applications for a new Riders Advisory Council, which will include a mix of rail and bus riders and MetroAccess passengers from across the region. If you're interested in playing a part in improving Metro, this is your chance to get involved. Click here to apply. Applications are due by Monday, October 17, 2005 at 5:00 pm.

Regional 6-Year Transportation Plan Comments Due Saturday

The Transportation Planning Board (a committee of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments) is voting on the 6-year regional transportation improvement program (TIP). Included in the proposal are the controversial "Techway" bridge project and funding for the ICC and a 12-lane Beltway project, projects which all reflect a lack of public consultation and disclosure. Lean more, including how you can take action. Comments to the Board are due by Saturday, October 15 at 5:00 pm.

Upcoming Events

Oct 15 (Sat)
10:00 am - 3:00 pm		 Oxon Hill MetroFestival
Oxon Hill, MD
Oct 20 (Thu)
7:00 pm		 Livable Communities and Smart Growth Workshop
Presented by Alexandria City Council
600 Dulaney Street, Alexandria
For more info call Eileen Fogarty at (703) 838-4666
Oct 25 (Tue)
11:30 am - 1:30 pm		 The Shrinking Federal Presence in Arlington - Leadership Arlington Speaker Series with Congressman Jim Moran and Arlington County Director of Economic Development, Terry Holzheimer
2775 South Quincy Street, Arlington
Oct 28-31 (Fri-Mon)

Great Markets, Great Cities International Public Markets Conference
Washington, DC

Oct 30 (Sun)
2:00 pm - 5:30 pm		 Fall Festival at Butler's Orchard
Celebrate Rural Montgomery
Oct 31 (Mon)
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm		 Intown Living Around the Country and in DC
National Building Museum

Nov 3-5 (Thu-Sat)

Form-Based Code: An Introductory Course
Alexandria, Virginia (for Professional Planners)
Nov 8-10 (Tue-Thu) Green Highways Forum
College Park, Maryland
Nov 10 (Thu)
(4:00 PM - 7:00 PM)		 Northern Virginia 6-Year Transportation Plan Public Meeting to review interstate and primary roadway construction projects and receive an update on rail and public transportation initiatives.
Alexandria, Virginia
Nov 14 (Mon)
7:00 pm		 Walkable/Livable Communities Workshop
Presented by Alexandria City Council
600 Dulaney Street, Alexandria
For more info call Rich Baier at (703) 838-4966

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Coalition for Smarter Growth
4000 Albemarle St, NW, Suite 310
Washington DC 20016
(202) 244-4408 (202) 244-4438 fax
www.smartergrowth.net




TIDBITS

Open Letter to GMU: Choose Transit Site, Not Loudoun Sprawl
Read

"Community leaders should not simply place their fate in the hands of developers and hope that growth will happen in an agreeably sustainable way."
(Roanoke Times)
Read

Interactive Map Plots Source of Funding for Virginia Candidates
Read

Citizens Pack Loudoun Hearing
Read

Time to use less land and embrace town-center idea
(Times Dispatch)
Read

The Coalition for Smarter Growth has been chosen by the Catalogue for Philanthropy as one of the best small charities in the Region.