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  Community Clips Smart Growth News for the Washington, DC Region March 23, 2006 In this issue:
Message from the Executive Director: Speaking Out for Better Planning I am excited by the increasing commitment of local officials to transit-oriented development, mixed-use and new urbanism, and safer, pedestrian friendly streets. We know we have to do better at planning our communities if we are going to reduce traffic, preserve open space and quality of life, and meet the needs of our changing population. That’s the common theme found in the “Tidbits” and the issues discussed below. Fairfax County estimates that people over 65 will increase by 80% by 2020, calling for a different mix of housing types, more transit and safer, pedestrian friendly streets. Unfortunately, transportation officials in both Maryland and Virginia keep pushing for large projects without regard to their impact on land use, and without regard to the role changes in land use and community design can play in reducing traffic and infrastructure needs. The coming week offers several opportunities to speak out for better planning, and I hope you will do so. Calling for Transportation Reform in Virginia The Virginia legislature is still deadlocked over transportation funding. What is more important than where the money comes from is where and how it is spent. All too little information has been provided in this regard, which is why we did our own analysis. The transportation funding proposals lack a strong tie to better land use planning and they earmark a dozen unneeded sprawl and traffic producing projects. Be sure to attend Governor Kaine’s next Town Hall meeting on Tuesday in Sterling and write to the Governor and your legislators to call for growth management and reform of VDOT planning. Support for ICC Drops A majority of voters believe Maryland should rethink the ICC and consider other transit options, such as metro improvements and changes to local roads, according to a new poll of Montgomery county residents. The poll found that support for this $3 billion project dissipates when residents learn that the State Highway Administration's own study determined the ICC would not relieve congestion on the beltway, I-270 or I-95 and that it would require $7 round-trip tolls. The poll, commissioned by Audubon Naturalist Society with several local partners, showed that 60 percent of Montgomery residents agreed that transit, Metro, and traffic and safety improvements to existing roadways should be a priority over major new road building like the ICC. Learn more. District Adds On-Street Carsharing Spaces Finding a carsharing vehicle in the District just became easier as the Department of Transportation announced an additional 38 on-street spaces. Considered a public amenity, comparable to designated taxi stands and bus stops, on-street carsharing spaces provide highly visible, safe parking spaces clearly marked with orange poles, special signs, and pavement markings. With research showing that 6-10 individuals or households can share each car, the initiative promises to reduce parking demand by providing an alternative to individual car ownership. By designating spaces in low-income areas, the District is also helping to provide a transportation alternative to residents who cannot afford a car. Check out our carsharing page to learn more. MetroWest at Vienna Metro On Monday, the Fairfax County Board will consider and vote on the MetroWest rezoning at Vienna Metro. This mixed-use, pedestrian friendly development will concentrate housing, retail and office space at one of Fairfax’s five existing Metro stations. It will provide much needed housing with access to transit. The long process of input by the community, staff, developer and elected officials has improved the project over time, but it is essential that the commitments be met for building retail and office space, and for reducing traffic. We continue to support the project, but call on the Board to ensure the project is realized as proposed. Please attend and support Metrowest (Application RZ 2003-PR-022). Dulles Rail and Tysons Corner On Tuesday, the project managers for Dulles Rail will present their latest changes to station designs. We have always said that we support rail to Tysons Corner provided the land use and urban design are done right. The elevated stations above highway-like arterials present a real challenge, and we remain very concerned that the stations have not been designed in close coordination with the redesign of Tysons Corner. Without good urban design, the project is at risk of not achieving its goals to maximize transit ridership and reduce car trips. Contact Chairman Connolly to ask for better integrated design of Dulles Rail and Tysons Corner. DC Mayor Seeks Public Input on New South Capitol Gateway As part of an initiative to link the neighborhoods on both sides of the Anacostia River, the District Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on four proposed designs for replacing the aging Frederick Douglass Bridge. In tandem with the bridge replacement, the District seeks to spark redevelopment along South Capitol Street, in part spurred by the approval of the new baseball stadium a block from the Anacostia River. View videos of the proposed bridges, showing a range of perspectives, and see the area by taking a bike tour sponsored by the Sierra Club. The redevelopment of the bridge offers a terrific opportunity to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections. Submit your comments today and emphasize the need for a strong connection to the bikeway network, better design for reduced speeds on South Capitol Street, and bike facilities on neighboring streets. Upcoming Events
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