Today’s Washington Post (A-1, “A Dubious Distinction: The Longest Ride in the U.S.”) reports on Census Bureau data showing that residents of parts of Prince William and Prince George’s Counties have some of the longest average commutes in the nation. Key issues highlighted in the article:
Category: Virginia
Citizens Campaign for a Green and Sustainable Urban Future for Tysons Corner
A group of citizens and conservation groups launched a campaign today in support of a green and sustainable urban future for Tysons Corner. Coordinated by John Byrne, a long-time Fairfax conservation leader, the group has crafted a platform laying out a vision and detailed goals for a sustainable Tysons Corner. The platform is designed to influence the crafting of the new comprehensive plan by the Tysons Corner Task Force, Planning Commission, and Fairfax Board of Supervisors.
Virginia: Draft State Rail Plan
Earlier there was mention of the traffic trying to get to the Fairfax County Government Center for tonight’s hearing. This points out that our transportation problems are more truly land use problems–the result of poor land use planning. I am certain that the current Fairfax Board would not have placed the Government Center where it is today and would have linked it directly to a future Metrorail station.
Call for Fundamental Reevaluation of Virginia Transportation and Land Use
For Immediate Release: June 20, 2008
Contact:
Stewart Schwartz, CSG, 703-599-6437 (c)
Trip Pollard, SELC, 434-977-4090
Lisa Guthrie, VALCV, 804-225-1902
Conservation and Smart Growth Groups Call for Fundamental Reevaluation of Virginia Transportation and Land Use
Energy Challenge is an Opportunity to Design a Different Program Say Groups in Reaction to Transportation Funding Debate
(Richmond, VA) Following Governor Kaine’s release of his transportation funding proposal, Virginia conservation and smart growth groups commended the Governor’s increased focus on transit, freight and passenger rail and the effort to tie some limited funding to urban development areas, but argued that the Governor and legislature need to make more fundamental changes to the state transportation program.
“New money, and existing funding for that matter, must go for new ideas – a new product line,” said Chris Miller, President of the Piedmont Environmental Council. “Virginians need a commitment from the Governor and legislature that a funding package will not be advanced until there is a fundamental reevaluation of VDOT’s long range transportation plans to reflect a world of significantly higher gas prices.”
VDOT’s plans are based on much lower gas prices than are being experienced today. They are also based on an assumption of steadily increasing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) when in just a few short months VMT has already fallen 4.3% nationally in reaction to higher fuel costs. The groups called for a reevaluation of the statewide VTRANS 2025 plan, the Northern Virginia Transact 2030 plan, other metropolitan regional plans, and major project studies.
“Too many Virginia families are facing economic stress because we failed to design our communities and transportation systems to offer alternatives to driving for every trip. More than ever our economic competitiveness and ability to ship goods and attract workers will depend on having lower energy and infrastructure costs. But Virginia’s economy and Virginia’s families will remain vulnerable if the state continues to subsidize scattered, auto-dependent development patterns,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
“The Governor is on the right track with his new Sub-Cabinet on Community Investment, ‘tasked with promoting smart, sustainable growth by ensuring that state funds are invested in projects that reduce suburban sprawl,’” said Lisa Guthrie, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, “but the place to start changing priorities is with the billions of dollars we spend each year on transportation.”
Trip Pollard, director of the Land and Community Program at the Southern Environmental Law Center stated, “With high gas prices we must provide more transportation choices and make revitalization of existing communities, mixed-use, transit-oriented and walkable communities, and transit, passenger and freight rail top priorities. And instead of bypass highways and super-wide arterial roads, we will need better local street networks that more safely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.”
“The energy crisis and climate change make it more important than ever that we buy the right transportation system for the next 50 to 100 years. We have a great opportunity to reconsider legacy projects and to make the fiscally prudent investments for the future. That is why we consider the fundamental reevaluation of VDOT’s program a critical prerequisite to any funding deal,” concluded Guthrie.
Open Letter to Governor Kaine on Land Use, Transportation and Funding
We are encouraged by your initiatives over the past two years to address Virginia’s land use and transportation challenges. Public support for better growth management remains at high levels, making your efforts to better link land use and transportation critically important. Your collective initiatives have included increased support for transit and freight rail, traffic impact studies, urban development areas, land conservation, stronger access management policies and changes to subdivision street standards.
Conservation and Smart Growth Groups Weigh-in on Transportation Funding
Joining the renewed debate over transportation funding, the Virginia conservation and smart growth community released an open letter today to Governor Kaine, Lieutenant Governor Bolling, Attorney General McDonnell and all 140 members of the General Assembly. “The energy crisis and climate change make it more important that ever that we buy the right transportation system for the next 50 to 100 years,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
Arlington: Accessory Dwelling Units
We strongly support the proposed ordinance, which proposes to establish a legal permitting process for accessory apartments. We commend the County for recognizing the potential of accessory units as an important opportunity to address the County’s tremendous housing shortfall–for households at all income levels. Accessory Dwelling unit permissions are recognized as a national best practice for mature, single-family housing neighborhoods like in Arlington.
Depth of Opposition Grows to Massive I-81 Widening
Seven citizens’ organizations – National Trust for Historic Preservation, Scenic Virginia, APVA Preservation Virginia, Virginia Organizing Project, Valley Conservation Council, Rockbridge Area Conservation Council and Sierra Club – Thursday joined a federal lawsuit to block plans to widen I-81 to eight or more lanes throughout most of western Virginia. (Amended Complaint) Meanwhile, the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates passed bills mandating legislative oversight of I-81 and prior approval should tolls be proposed.
Sweetheart Bill for Builders Almost Derailed in Senate
“The significant division in the Senate vote on SB768 today demonstrates the serious problems with this bill,” said Lisa Guthrie, Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters. “Had the bill not been filed at the last minute and had there been even a couple more days for all legislators to realize the damaging fiscal impacts, this bill would not have passed.”
Fairfax County: Zoning Ordinance Amendments for Large Retail Sales Establishments
The Coalition supports the staff and Planning Commission recommendations to amend the zoning ordinance as outlined in the report. Bringing retail store proposals greater than 80,000 square feet under County special exception helps ensure these projects reflect comprehensive planning, transportation and environmental measures, thus better contributing to the public health and welfare. This allows large retailers to better contribute to the community they serve in partnership, while enhancing the economic viability of the stores themselves.