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  Community Clips Smart Growth News for the Washington, DC Region September 22, 2006 In this issue:
From the Executive Director Our Community Clips took a vacation in August, but regional land use and transportation debates were as hot as ever. Public demand for land conservation and for vibrant, walkable and transit accessible communities couldn't be greater, but often it's been clashing with old ways of doing things. For example, Loudoun Board members are working against their own citizenry who overwhelmingly support rural conservation and a more sustainable pace of growth. DOD's proposal to shift 22,000 jobs away from transit-accessible locations to Fort Belvoir promises traffic meltdown for which there may be no effective solution. The current decision to forego the tunnel puts at risk the redesign of Tysons Corner and the success of the rail system, but we hope for a tunnel revival. On a sunnier note, Fairfax officials are leading the way with efforts to re-envision and redesign commercial corridors and centers like Tysons Corner and Springfield. Prince George's County is seeing a boom in transit-station development. Public sentiment In Montgomery County is shifting against the Intercounty Connector because of its high cost, tolls, community and environmental impact and sheer ineffectiveness. And, recognition that we cannot build out way out of congestion simply by building more and wider roads, has both Democratic and Republican leaders in Virginia promoting the need for better land use planning. For great reading about new thinking coming out of the sprawling Hampton Roads region see two pieces in Bacon's Rebellion by Philip Shucet and Burrell Saunders. Action item: Call/email the Governor and your Senator and Delegate to support land use and transportation reform. Don't miss the upcoming Virginia Environmental Assembly in Falls Church on September 30th. Hear renowned atmospheric scientist Dr. Robert Correll on global warming and the Artic and learn about local solutions. Tysons Tunnel -- Time for "Two-Track" Competitive Procurement With billions of dollars at stake, it's important to get the Dulles Rail project done right. The American Society of Civil Engineers deemed the tunnel to be cost-effective and nearly everyone recognizes that the tunnel is better for the urban design of Tysons Corner (see our op-ed in DC Examiner). To get a sense of what's at stake one has only to imagine if Arlington had opted 40 years ago to build an elevated rail from Rosslyn to Ballston. The full benefits of transit are realized when riders can emerge from stations in the midst of walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods. That's why, despite the current decision to forego the tunnel, many want to see a "two-track" approach. Virginia just gave a $10 million interest free loan to companies proposing toll lanes on I-95/395 so similar funding for tunnel design/analysis would be worthwhile, followed by head-to-head competition with the Bechtel/Dulles Transit Partners elevated system. Currently, word has it that Virginia is not planning to compete the build contract for Dulles Rail. Write the Governor. Prince George's Mixed-Use Boom -- Good Design is Critical Prince George's County is experiencing a building boom at its Metro stations. According the Gazette, mixed-use developments are proposed or under construction at 8 out of 15 stations in the County. With more stations than any jurisdiction outside DC, the County is poised to leverage the potential of its Metro accessibility to create walkable transit-oriented neighborhoods. Read the full Gazette article. The market has finally recognized the value of Prince George's County, but it is critical that the County plans and developer projects incorporate high quality, "new urbanist" design. Development cannot just be "transit adjacent" but must be "transit-oriented" and pedestrian-oriented. Good design details make the difference in creating a vibrant community environment that maximizes transit, walking and bicycling and minimizes car trips and traffic. Loudoun Board Derails Zoning Plan Loudoun citizens have been fighting for their say in where and how their county will grow. Too rapid growth and the resulting traffic have motivated citizens to support rural land protection and better planning for eastern Loudoun. A last-minute amendment from Supervisor Mike Staton derailed a vote for rural zoning in Loudoun County. After months of hearings, and in the face of citizen input running 15:1 in favor of the "Clem-Burton" proposal, Supervisor Staton proposed a new alternative. The Staton proposal will require another round of hearings, chilling involvement from weary citizens, and allowing more of western Loudoun to be carved up before the new zoning is adopted. Learn more at the Campaign for Loudoun's Future. Crystal City / Potomac Yard Transit Improvements High-capacity bus service is coming to the five-mile corridor between the Pentagon and Braddock Road Metro. The new service, which will feature dedicated bus lanes, frequent service, and attractive bus stops, will provide a much-needed transportation link on the busy and growing corridor. Implementation is timed to correspond with new development along the route. See maps and photos at www.ccpytransit.com. Washington Smart Growth Alliance Recognizes Local Developments In its ongoing efforts to help developers gain approval for good development proposals, the jury of the Smart Growth Alliance recently recognized seven projects across the region. These mixed use developments all promise to add vibrancy to their communities. Read about the proposals near you. Creating Regional Incentives for Smart Growth Communities The Transportation Planning Board at the Council of Governments is considering adopting a regional incentive program to help local governments plan, design and implement pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development near transit. TPB Chairman Michael Knapp, a Montgomery County Councilmember, has been spearheading the effort. In remarks to the TPB, on Sep 20, Knapp noted that officials know what we need to do implement the TPB Vision goals and we simply need to apply the resources to do it. A good local model has been the Maryland Department of Transportation funding and coordination of transit station plans for West Hyattsville and New Carrollton Metro stations. A regional model is the $30 million San Francisco Bay Area Housing Incentive program which provides bonus transportation funds to support smart-growth housing development near transit. Smart growth groups are urging adoption of a program as robust as the Bay Area program. Learn more from Allen Greenberg's article. Good and Green Development Candidates' Briefing More than twenty candidates running for public office in Washington, DC gathered in August at Friends of the Earth to hear a briefing on Good and Green Development in the District. Attendance was highest among those running for the Wards 3,5, and 6 Council seats. Highlights included Jessica Millman’s lecture explaining the relevance of smart growth in the District and Carrie Thornhill’s discussion of the Marshall Heights Community Development Organization’s successes. Janet Brown’s presentation on affordable housing caught the interest of many candidates, who used the discussion as a springboard to express their concern with the lack of affordable housing in the city. Candidates also showed special interest in the Comprehensive Plan and growth planning. Action item: Support the new draft Comprehensive Plan. Sign up to speak by September 22. Comments can be submitted through September 26. Volunteer Opportunities The Coalition needs volunteers to help staff our table in two hour shifts at the DC Green Festival October 14-15. Volunteers get free admission to the entire festival. For more information contact Lauren at lauren<at> smartergrowth.net. Upcoming Events
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