Community Clips
Smart Growth News for the Washington, DC Region

January 12, 2007


In this issue:

From the Executive Director -- Creating Great Communities

Welcome to the Coalition for Smarter Growth’s 10th Anniversary Year! The region’s leading environmental groups founded the Coalition to coordinate and support a smart growth future for the DC region. That vision, captured in a Blueprint for a Better Region and earlier reports like a Network of Livable Communities, is now widely accepted – most recently in the recommendations of the DC regional and Maryland “Reality Check” summits. I extend my personal thanks for the passionate commitment of our staff, partner organizations, volunteer network, and the foundations, companies and individual donors that so generously support our work. We look forward to your continued support.

We hope you will join us this year in a wide-ranging series of educational forums, tours, and community efforts to design great, transit-oriented, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly neighborhoods. -- Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director

Coalition and Washington Regional Network
for Livable Communities (WRN) Merge

WRN, a pioneering regional non-profit, is merging with the Coalition for Smarter Growth. WRN has led the fight for improved affordable housing policies, for transit-oriented revitalization on the east side of the region, and for more equitable access to jobs and investment. Cheryl Cort, WRN Executive Director, will become Policy Director for the Coalition, and Stephen Wade will lead affordable housing policy. Our combined team will maintain a focus on achieving more equitable development in the Washington DC region. WRN’s stellar forum series will continue and expand. Readers of INTERSECT! will receive Community Clips which will balance engaging updates with links to in-depth policy essays.

Maryland General Assembly Update

The Maryland General Assembly session started in Annapolis on Wednesday, January 10th with many new faces from November’s election. A coalition of environmental groups, the Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, set three priorities for the 2007 session: (1) toughening standards for automobile emissions, (2) better managing the storm water runoff that accompanies development and (3) promoting a smart growth package of legislation to implement the consensus from the "Reality Check Plus: Imagine Maryland" visioning exercises conducted throughout the state this past year. Get more details.

We are also raising questions about the cost and ineffectiveness of the Intercounty Connector, which is diverting funds needed for transit and local road fixes. Meanwhile, the Partners for Open Space, will continue its coalition effort to protect and expand Maryland's land conservation programs.

Join Marylanders this coming Monday, January 15, 2007 for an Environmental Legislative Summit in Annapolis! Learn more.

Both Governor Kaine and leading Republicans are speaking-out for the need to link land use and transportation. Yet, much of the focus of business community pressure is single-mindedly on raising more money for transportation. The public in contrast, recognizes that poorly planned growth remains the primary cause of growing traffic. Your involvement during the legislative session is critical to ensuring that land use reform and reform of VDOT planning and prioritization are the first priority. Join us for Virginia Conservation Network Citizens' Lobby Day this Monday, January 15, in Richmond. To learn more about conservation priorities, including land use and transportation reforms, visit the Virginia Conservation Network and ask to become a Legislative Contact Team member.

A Call to Action to Address the Affordable Housing Crisis in Fairfax

With rents at an all-time high and housing costs continuing to rise, all Fairfax County residents -- but especially lower income households -- are finding it increasingly difficult to find quality housing options within their budget. The Coalition for Smarter Growth, Tenants and Workers United, and the community will meet to honor Dr. King this Sunday, January 14, 2007, and act in his spirit to discuss how Fairfax can ensure that its lower income residents have access to more housing choices. The public is invited. Learn more.

Conservation Community Challenges ICC in Court

Audubon Naturalist Society, Maryland Native Plant Society, and the Metcalf-Burton family are challenging plans for the Intercounty Connector (ICC) because the agencies violated their responsibility to consider reasonable alternatives that would provide more travel benefits with less harm to the environment, water quality, and parks. In a separate legal challenge, Sierra Club and Environmental Defense argue that the ICC was approved without a proper evaluation of the effects of the ICC on local air pollution and public health. These groups and many partners are focused on alternatives that would cost far less than the proposed $3 billion ICC, such as transit and local road fixes. For more information read the press release and summaries of the legal challenge. The full ANS legal complaint contains an excellent history of the debate and controversy of the proposed ICC.

Share Your Smart Growth Priorities with Dr. Gridlock

Dr. Gridlock, Washington Post columnist Robert Thomson, asked readers what their transportation priorities are for DC, Maryland and Virginia. He's fair and open, so let's communicate our smart growth land use and transportation solutions. Take Action!

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