Growth Policy Amendment

This Tuesday the Council unanimously passed the Growth Policy amendment, with no discussion of the staff recommendations or of the community concern for a balance between density and infrastructure..

A number of Councilmembers including Councilmember Berliner, Councilmember Leventhal, Councilmember Elrich and Councilmember Tractenberg spoke about the importance of the financial plan and how it is going to insure that the needed infrastructure is funded. Mentioned was how the Financial Plan is a public process and that it requires approval by the Planning Board and the Council. What was missing from the discussion is the fact that infrastructure alone will not provide balance and that there needs to be a clear measure for adequacy.

The Sector Plan provides for CLATR and identification of problems, but not until the end of Phase I or the end of Phase II is there any mention of delaying development until intermediate mode share goals are met. Until then existing communities will be forced to deal with increasing congestion.

If the Council argument is correct and you can buy your way out of congestion via the Financial Plan, then why are they loath to support the APFO and loath to have an adequacy test? The existing communities are the losers on this.

Natalie

Bus Rapid Transit Presentation April 19 7:30Pm

The White Flint Community Coalition is sponsoring a presentation by Councilmember Marc Elrich (D-At Large) on the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).  Please come and speak with Councilmember Elrich on this new proposal for public transit in Montgomery County.  Refreshments will be served.
Paula B.

DATE: April 19

TIME: 7:30 PM

LOCATION: Garrett Park Town Hall

10814 Kenilworth Ave

Growth Policy

Last Thursday I was at the Planning Board for the consideration of the Growth Policy Amendment. There were three speakers: myself, concerned about traffic; the attorney for Federal Realty supporting the amendment and offering a modification to the amendment; and a woman concerned that the Wshington Post picture failed to show the congestion on the Pike. What was most concerning to me was that neither the Planning Board staff, nor any of the three Planning Board members made any mention of Adequate Public Facilities or managing congestion. It was cleary stated by one Planning Board member that this change would make it easier for development to move faster. What a shame that approval of the White Flint Sector Plan has allowed our public officials to forget about managing traffic and about the existing communities who will be so adversely affected by unmanaged growth