We wish to express our support for B25-480, B25-482, and B25-481. We commend Councilmember Frumin and the other co-sponsors for bringing this legislation forward. This legislation advances the immediate goal of clearing obstacles to adding approximately 100 units of affordable housing for households earning 30-80 percent median family income to the Chevy Chase library site. Our affordable housing goals for the site is part of a shared statement with Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) and Ward3Vision.
Author: Ayesha Amsa
Testimony: Opposition to Removing Transportation Planning Authority from MoCo Planning
CSG strongly opposes this bill, in particular the content of section 21-08. Transportation, land use, and housing decisions are intertwined. Decisions about transportation greatly affect our quality of life, shape how we move through our communities, and carry major equity and climate implications.
Helpful Resources
- Fact Sheet (updated Jan 15, 2024)
- Statement of Principles
- Informative briefings to the WMATA Board
- The Value of Transit to Northern Virginia
- Gov Youngkin’s proposed transportation budget urging service cuts at Metro (p. 10)
- Draft Maryland 6-Year Consolidated Transportation Program with $150 million for Metro but a 40% cut to state support for local transit among other cuts
![We passed zoning reforms in Alexandria!](https://smartergrowth.net/wp-content/themes/guten/images/blank_blocks_img.png)
We passed zoning reforms in Alexandria!
On Tuesday night, the Alexandria City Council voted unanimously to adopt the package of eight zoning reforms expected to boost the supply of new homes by 25%. The backing from residents like you and local groups was essential in showing broad support for the measures.
CSG in the News: Montgomery County Council bill would loosen parking requirements for new housing developments
“Removing mandatory parking minimums in locations with great access to transit is a common-sense fix,” said Carrie Kisicki, Montgomery Advocacy Manager for the Coalition for Smarter Growth. “It complements our county’s investments in more frequent transit, protected bike lanes and bike sharing, and safer walking throughout the county.”
CSG in the News: Montgomery County leaders want to change parking rules, reduce driving
“Parking can be a shockingly large expense, and that expense gets passed on to residents in higher rents,” said Carrie Kisicki, the Montgomery advocacy manager for the Coalition for Smarter Growth, an advocacy group that pushes for affordable housing, better public transit and safe streets in the greater Washington region.
CSG comments: Capitol Heights Metro station changes for redevelopment
To transform this station, we support the redevelopment of the 372-space Park & Ride surface parking lot, relocation and reduction of Kiss & Ride spots, and relocation of the bus facilities. We support the urban street layout for bus bays, which necessitates a right in/right out driveway access on East Capitol Street.
Testimony: Proposed rezoning of the U Street police/fire station sites (DC, Support)
We want to again express our support for the proposed rezoning for the U Street police and fire station sites from MU-4 to MU-10. This proposal follows the land use designation change adopted in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan amendments and will make the site’s zoning consistent with the Future Land Use Map (FLUM).
TAKE ACTION: Help Capitol Heights Metro station attract quality, transit-oriented development!
With your help, we can help Capitol Heights Metro station turn into a safer, more walkable, vibrant mix of housing and businesses with great places to catch the bus and Metro.
CSG comments on Ride On Reimagined
A majority of riders also specifically identified more frequent service as a higher priority for them than shorter distances to bus stops: “When given the choice, most prefer shorter waits between buses more than they want shorter walks to the bus stop.”
For this reason and according to Ride On Reimagined’s own survey data we believe that frequent bus service should be a higher priority than on-demand (Flex) service. Plans for future bus service should reflect the fact that a majority of riders have identified frequency as their top priority.