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Snow Opposes Multi-County Meeting On Development Plans

By Dusty Smith

(Created: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 11:02 AM EDT)

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Searching for the best way to complete work on proposed policy changes that would allow as many as 33,000 new homes in the Transition Policy Area west of Dulles Airport, the board of supervisors last night began a series of work sessions and agreed among its first actions to extend an invitation to representatives of Fairfax and Prince William counties for a discussion.

Under consideration is a plan to increase residential densities in that part of the transition area where about 4,600 homes are currently allowed by right. The upper limit for homes under the proposal has been a moving target as planning commissioners and supervisors have made adjustments to the proposal, but now appears to be in the range of 26,000 to 33,000.

Supervisor Stephen J. Snow (R-Dulles) and other supporters of the plan change said developers will pay for millions of dollars worth of area road improvements in exchange for increased density. Critics, including VDOT and members of the county's General Assembly delegation, said that even if developers did build new roads in Loudoun, the Rt. 50 corridor and other regional roads would be unable to handle increased traffic.

Supervisor Lori Waters (R-Broad Run) proposed the joint meeting with two of Loudoun's neighbors as part of a list of 14 items she requested the planning staff produce. Some supervisors suggested it would be tough to arrange such a meeting, particularly in advance of the board's Nov. 21 deadline to vote on the Upper Broad Run/Upper Foley Subareas Comprehensive Plan Amendment, also known as the Transition CPAM.

"It may be that we get who we get, but we've at least extended the invitation," Waters said, suggesting anything less would be rude.

Supervisor Stephen J. Snow (R-Dulles) said Fairfax has not been cooperative with him and has not sought meetings with Loudoun representatives when significant land use changes were being considered in the other side of the county border. He said Fairfax has allowed poor development along Rt. 28.

"They didn't ask us. They didn't care. They mucked up that whole corridor and they didn't even let us know what they had going on," he said, adding that he believes Fairfax leaders views Loudoun as a bedroom community to support the county's business growth. "They just want to use us as a resource."

Supervisor Bruce E. Tulloch (R-Potomac) said such a meeting would have to include a discussion about a proposal to increase the density in Tysons Corner.

"I'll be glad to meet with them if they'll meet with us about what they're doing at Tysons Corner," he said, adding that such an increase in homes in Tysons would impact Loudoun commuters.

Waters agreed to put Tysons Corner on the agenda.

The board voted 7-2 to invite the counties for such a meeting with Snow and Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) voting in opposition.

Staff members told the board that the list of requests for information would be difficult to produce before the Nov. 21 deadline.

Art Smith, a senior transportation planner with the county, said the Office of Transportation Services was working on traffic models to determine the impact of various development proposals. While the full range of information will not be available in time for the action deadline, enough would be ready to perform some analysis of the subject area.

Tulloch said he supports the proposed George Mason University campus near Rt. 50, and that allowing additional homes in the area would help pay for the necessary road infrastructure, which the university cannot afford to build. Supervisor Jim Burton (I-Blue Ridge) said he's not sure people would be happy having their homes so close to the new university.

County Chairman Scott K. York (I-At Large) wondered whether a Community Development Authority proposed by developers would still be feasible if the board is not comfortable giving developers all of the residential density they are seeking. Through a CDA, the new homeowners would pay fees to cover the debt service on bonds used to pay for roads, schools and other infrastructure.

The board agreed to hold another work session on Oct. 30.

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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of Leesburg Today.
Total Comments: 10 comment(s)

Mark McConn wrote on Oct 19, 2006 8:48 PM:

" I have lived in Northern Virginia since 1963 and have look at the changing enviroment. The problem is our politicians don't want to work to solve our problems but want to try to blame some one else, they should look in the mirror. The Counties should meet and try to solve all of our problems for once (Tranportation Funds from the State -Meet Air and Water Quility Standards) "

George Hidy wrote on Oct 19, 2006 6:37 PM:

" The Leesburg Today use to not allow personal attacks on the writers of theses comments. But Jack is so far out of the box with his statement "Particularly if it is to do with anyone other than members of his own political party". Jack should remember I was not allowed to join the Loudoun County Republican Party since I did not think like the few building right wing in your face do as we say not as we do, think like us or do not think at all zealots. I speak my mind like any citizen of this country is allowed and has the right to do --- Freedom of Speech --- remember the Bill of Rights? "

Pleasant_Valley wrote on Oct 19, 2006 5:46 PM:

" I live in Fairfax, right over the county line, but in this case it looks like BOTH county's politicians are to blame for this mess. It is like a game of chicken with two cars hurling towards a head-on collision, with the politicians driving and the residents strapped into the back seats. But no one is going to blink .. and the politicians are going to leap from the cars just before the crash. I do not buy the “we’ll talk transition CPAM .. only if you discuss Tysons development” ruse. Tyson’s won’t affect Loudoun anything like the 34,000+ new homes in Loudoun will affect western Fairfax. That said .. the point about rte 7 and rte 28 development and the general lack of inter-jurisdictional coordination are all dead on correct. Doesn’t everyone get it - if we don’t work together, this whole region will become irrevocably congested and permanently unattractive. How many people do YOU know that in the past few years have moved out of this region solely due to the congestion and stroke-inducing pace of life? "

Paul Martin wrote on Oct 18, 2006 5:46 PM:

" So Snow thinks Fairfax "mucked up" the Route 28 corridor. Hey, they probably did so does that mean Loudoun should go and "muck up" the Route 50 corridor to get back at them? I have said repeatedly as a Fairfax native and long time Loudoun resident that we should NOT repeat Fairfax's myriad mistakes. Yet, here we are, about to try the density for roads plan Fairfax has used so inappropriately over and over again in the past. My prediction, end result, a nice, big university nobody can get to and a Route 50 nightmare commute to end all nightmare commutes. And that is the "good stuff". Taxes, well, this crop of mostly fake Republicans (here I exempt Lori Waters who is a real Republican) appears intent on using every possible taxpayer dollar to support their builder buddies. They even like the double tax CDA scheme! If these folks get reelected then Loudoun has only itself to blame and there had best be no complaints about gridlock, high taxes, crime, pollution, etc. because look east folks, that is the future of this County as well with this current crew in charge. "

Mark Kay wrote on Oct 18, 2006 5:21 PM:

" Since when is being stuck in traffic a partisan issue Jack? Unless you're saying that GOP minions don't work for a living. How did Loudoun's population boom suddenly become Fairfax County's problem? Isn't it enough that they provide jobs for 90+% of us (those who do work)? A big thank you to Loudoun's GOP and the neocon behavior of enriching the rich on the backs of the middle class. Let's show them our appreciation in November! "

Wendy Drury wrote on Oct 18, 2006 4:38 PM:

" All this "tit for tat" with Fairfax shows that some people have the maturity level of a 10 year old. . .or less. "

Dave in Leesburg wrote on Oct 18, 2006 3:41 PM:

" The only thing seemingly able to stunt growth around here is the crumbling housing market. When are people like Snow going to realize they are doing their constituents a disservice by: - Increasing our tax burden for services for all these new residents. - Increasing our traffic astrononmically - Hurting the values of our homes by allowing developers to saturate the market to point where supply has finally surpassed demand. As far as Fairfax is concerned, why should they pay for widening roads like Route 7 to compensate for Loudoun County supervisors' stupidity, Jack? Good for them! I wouldn't pay for it either. BTW, have you seen the Rt. 7 nightmare in Loudoun??? Or the one on Rt. 50? Let's worry solve our own problems before we start complaining about our neighbors'. "

Eric Deaver wrote on Oct 18, 2006 2:03 PM:

" Snow is just dying to hand over our tax dollars to his developer buddies and wil let nothing stand in his way. 20,000+ extra residences over what is allowed by right - each creating thousands of dollars of deficit on the operating budget. Who will suffer tax increases to pay for the 9 figure deficit each and every year? Good old Loudoun County taxpayers. They can't give us enough roads to offset THAT impact. Who makes out like the bandits they are? Snow's developer buddies - you know the one's who put him in office - that it works in Loudoun County these days. "

Jack wrote on Oct 18, 2006 12:32 PM:

" What a laugh! The only things that George Hidy ever says are negative. Particualrly if it is to do with anyone other than members of his own political party. As for meeting with Fairfax and Price William I belive Steve Snow has the right idea. Let them come to Loudoun and bring an solution to the Route 7 nightmare that Fairfax has caused by not widening that road. They have plenty of mojney for their cross-county parkway, but nothing to improve the flow on Route 7. Typical double talk by Fairfax, they want something from Louodun but turn a deaf ear to what we also want! Stick to your guns Steve! "

George Hidy wrote on Oct 18, 2006 11:51 AM:

" Of course Steve Snow does not want Multi-County Meeting on Development Plans. He and Delgaudio do not want to hear that their Builder Friends plans to cram 29,000 more homes and 70,000 more cars on the roads along Rt 50 is ill conceived and poorly planned. Snow never wants to hear anything negative! "



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