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  Community Clips Smart Growth News for the Washington, DC Region June 16, 2006 In this issue:
Coalition Spring Reception a Great Success
Over 100 supporters of the Coalition enjoyed our annual Spring Reception and silent auction on May 24th. Held at the beautiful National Trust Historic Building in Dupont Circle, the fundraiser attracted conservationists, architects, developers, civic leaders, and elected officials from across the region. Guests enjoyed local wine made by Loudoun’s own Doug Fabbioli, delicious appetizers from Whole Foods, and the chance to bid on donated weekend getaways, carsharing, baseball tickets, spa packages, and more. The featured speaker, Dan Tangherlini, General Manager for WMATA, gave a motivating talk about improving Metro’s role in making the city and region more livable for all residents. Thanks to all staff and volunteers who made the night a great success! Where and How We Grow -- Loudoun County and DC Face Important Decisions Addressing where and how we grow in the DC region is the most critical issue we face. Spread-out development has contributed to major traffic congestion and has led to unequal levels of growth between the region's eastern and western sides. Now, rising gas prices increase the importance of linking housing and jobs with transit in walkable communities. Last week, Loudoun County’s Board of Supervisors held public hearings on the proposed new rural zoning laws that, if passed, would protect rural areas 30 and 50 miles distant from DC. With Loudoun already absorbing more growth than it can handle -- 25% of regional residential growth -- scores of residents from both western and eastern Loudoun spoke in favor of the plan to cut rural growth by 30,000 houses. They spoke out against the traffic that this growth would generate, noted the 37,000 houses already in the pipeline to be built, wanted more attention to infrastructure needs in eastern Loudoun, and supported protecting the rural lands that are critical to the county’s economy, tourism, and character. (Learn more at www.loudounsfuture.org) Meanwhile, in the District of Columbia, residents and non-profit groups came out to support revisions to the Comprehensive Plan that seek to focus development in corridors well-served by bus and rail transit, while protecting established residential neighborhoods. Transit-oriented development, mixed-use design, inclusion of affordable housing, and investment in parks and environmental protection are all features of the plan. The plan would allow more people to enjoy the convenience of living near transit and within walking distance of shops, schools, and offices. (Learn more at www.inclusivecity.org) Reality Check Plus: Imagine Maryland Maryland is hosting a series of four regional exercises that bring together planners, developers, residents, and elected officials to come up with the best strategy for accommodating growth in the state. At the sessions, known as "Reality Check Plus: Imagine Maryland, " participants place Lego blocks on maps to represent where development should go -- an exercise that often leads to rousing discussions. In the most recent exercise the often disparate groups tended to agree on the same core design principles as the DC regional Reality Check: the need to protect open space and resources such as drinking water and the importance of focusing growth in areas served by transit. Read the Baltimore Sun's coverage of the most recent exercise, held June 9. Congress for New Urbanism Conference From June 1-4, 2006, 1500 planners, architects, developers, and students gathered in Providence, Rhode Island to attend the Congress for the New Urbanism’s fourteenth annual conference, "Developing the New Urbanism: Implementation." Highlights of the Congress included the New Urbanists’ prominent role in the Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts, continuing revitalization of downtown Providence, Christopher Alexander’s ideas regarding the need to allow a development to “evolve,” and the partnership between CNU and the US Green Building Council to create more sustainable communities. For more information, visit www.cnuxiv.org. Book Predicts Energy Costs May Curb Sprawl In This Land: The Battle over Sprawl and the Future of America, author Anthony Flint examines how changing consumer tastes, including the desire for walkable neighborhoods and convenience, are combining with the pocketbook impact of rising energy prices in attracting people to cities and mixed-use, transit-friendly neighborhoods. "Pundits may not be facing up to the ultimate answer to rising energy costs -- our physical environment -- but the American consumer is already deep into the calculus," says Flint. Read a review of the book at Planetizen. GoDCGo.com Brings Travel Info Together in One Site Traveling to, through, and around the District just got a little easier with the introduction of GoDCgo.com, an up-to-date repository of information on transit, bicycling, carsharing, road closures, parking, and more. Check your transportation options before heading out the door by visiting GoDCgo.com. Zipcar Hosts Second Annual Transportation Fair Join fellow carsharing aficionados and experts at the second annual Zipcar Innovation in Transportation Fair. Come for the exhibitions on alternate forms of fuel, such as hydrogen, ethanol, and propane, and stay for the freebies, prizes, and discounts at nearby Teaism Restaurant. Join the fun June 22, 2006 from 3-8 pm. Look for the displays near the Fresh Farm Outdoor Market on 8th Street between D and E Streets, NW. For more information, email Zipcar or call (202) 737-2869. Upcoming Events
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