INTERSECT
Newsletter of the Washington Regional Network For Livable
Communities
Volume 7 Number 4
June 24, 2003
Support Intersect, join WRN!
Summary:
* Putting the Bus on the Map: July 16 forum at 7 pm
* Regional Plan Unlikely to Improve Air Quality
* Metro Fare Hike Shifts More Costs to Riders, But Continued
Deficits Loom
* Form Based Codes: Arlington Employs New Rules to Revitalize
Columbia Pike
* Maryland Shifts Priorities Away From Transit, Towards
Road Building
* Housing News
* Congress Targets Funds for Safe Walking and Bicycling
* London's Congestion Pricing a Big Success
* Upcoming Events
* Job Listings
* Support Intersect, Join WRN - Thank You's &
Contribution Form
Putting the Bus on the Map
How to get more out of our region's bus system
with
Edward Thomas, Assistant General Manager, Metro
Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County Board and Metro Board member
Dan Tangherlini, Director, DC Department of Transportation
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
7:00-8:30pm (Refreshments at 6:30pm.)
Martin Luther King Library
901 G St NW, Room A-5 (Basement Auditorium)
Metrobus is at a crossroads. The bus system can either remain the poor
stepsister to Metrorail, or transform into a modern, clean, high-tech
foundation of our transportation system. But to do this we need to fix
what's wrong with the current system (including better maps & information
and safe access to bus stops) as well as expedite major improvements
such as signal priority, bus rapid transit, real-time information, and
clean fuel buses, to bring out bus system into the 21st century.
Join us for this discussion on the future of Metrobus, sponsored by
Sierra Club and Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities.
DIRECTIONS: Metrobus Routes: 13A, 32, 34, 35, 36, 42, 54, 66, 68, 70,
80, D6, G8, S2, S4, P6, X2. Metrorail: Gallery Place-Chinatown Station
(use Museum exit on 9th Street).
RSVP to WRN: e-mail: staff@washingtonregion.net, or tel.: 202-667-5445
Regional Plan Unlikely to Improve
Air Quality
By Shannon Brown
On May 28, the region's governments released a draft clean air plan
for public comment. The Plan is an attempt to bring the area's poor
air quality into compliance with federal health-based standards by a
2005 deadline.
According to the Sierra Club and other environmental groups, the new
plan fails to address key problems and will do little to improve the
region's air quality. Even D.C. Councilmember Phil Mendelson, the chair
of the region's official body which produced the plan voted against
it, saying it was too weak.
The plan focuses on reducing VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions
from consumer and industrial products while widely ignoring pollution
from automobiles. If approved, the plan would implement regulations
requiring retailers to offer products such as paints and cleaners that
emit fewer pollutants and create incentives to turn in heavy polluting
lawn equipment.
Critics assert the plan is unlikely to meet air quality goals as it
offers no new strategies on addressing automobile emissions, one of
the region's largest sources of air pollution. While cleaner fuels and
low-emission vehicles have helped reduce exhaust levels, the increasing
number of vehicle miles traveled and the popularity of SUVs have overwhelmed
most of these gains. The only enforceable measures in the plan are those
that have already been implemented.
In March, a coalition of groups including Earthjustice, Environmental
Defense, America Lung Association and WRN proposed a set of transportation
measures to help clean up the air and meet federal standards. The coalition
of groups recommended the adoption of a wide variety of measures, such
as economic incentives for using mass transit or car pools, exclusive
lanes for commuter buses, expanded bike paths, and commitments to boost
the fuel efficiency of government vehicle fleets. The District of Columbia
previously provided many miles of exclusive bus lanes, but opened them
up for general automobile use after Metrorail stations were opened.
The group asked that these dedicated bus lanes, and new ones in other
jurisdictions be instituted. Reclaimed bus lanes could immediately improved
transit service and reduce automobile emissions. The group also asked
Metro to commit funding for expansion of bus and railcar fleets as a
"transportation control measure" which is used to protect
expansions in transit in the case of a lapse in federal transportation
funding due to a failure of the plan to meet clean air requirements.
While planners claim that the region's air is getting cleaner, indicators
point in the opposite direction. After prompting from a lawsuit, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency downgraded the region's air quality
rating from "serious" to "severe" non-attainment
for ozone levels, the worst rating in country, except Los Angeles. Last
summer was the most polluted in over a decade, with 9 code red violations.
Federal requirements will allow only four ozone violations over the
next three years.
The plan is currently under a 30-day public comment period. Public
hearings are being held in the region on July 8-9. The Council of Governments
is scheduled to adopt the final plan July 23 and will then submit it
to the EPA. For more on the plan and hearings, see: www.mwcog.org/environment/air
Metro Fare Hike Shifts More Costs
to Riders, But Continued Deficits Loom
By Cheryl Cort
The Metro board decided to place more of the burden of paying for transit
service directly on riders by raising $40.2 million in revenues through
fare and parking fee increases, rather than the $24 million originally
proposed to close the gap on the fiscal year (FY) 2004 operating budget
shortfall. Added costs from early morning Metrorail openings and $6
million elevator/escalator program costs will bring net revenues to
$34.2 million.
Despite future increased revenues from higher fares and fees, Metro
faces a budget shortfall of $6.5 million to close out FY 2003, and for
FY 2005, an operating deficit could grow to $67 million, and in FY 2006
$119 million, if member governments do not increase subsidy payments.
The deficits are attributed to ridership growth at lower rates, while
costs continue to increase.
While the Metro board plans to raise fares across the board on rail
and bus riders by 10 cents, parking fees will increase by 75 cents where
current fees are $2.25, and monthly reserved parking will be increased
to a maximum of $95 per month. WRN led a coalition of environmental,
anti-poverty, housing, and smart growth organizations to oppose a fare
hike, and instead proposed closing the budget gap by increasing daily
parking fees by $2 rather than $1 as proposed, and proportionate increases
to monthly and reserved parking. While WRN was unsuccessful in staving
off a fare increase, its $2 parking fee proposal was adopted by Metro
board chairman Jim Graham (D.C. Council, Ward 1). This position helped
support a compromise of a 75 cent increase, a major shift from Maryland's
initial position opposing any parking fee increases.
As part of the changes, Metro will extend Metrorail operating hours
- opening at 7 am, an hour earlier on weekends and closing an hour later,
3 am on Friday and Saturday nights. The $1.8 million cost for 3 am Metrorail
closings on Friday and Saturday nights will be paid separately by the
District of Columbia. Once SmarTrip card readers are installed on all
Metrobuses, Metro will balance discounted transfers between rail and
bus, charging 40 cents in each direction.
The 10 cents fare hike on bus and rail fares amounts to a 9 percent
increase. The daily parking fee increase of 75 cents equals a 33 percent
increase, and reserved parking fees will increase by 46 percent. The
greater increase on parking than transit fares demonstrates Metro's
recognition that parking is underpriced. While parking fees run a slight
deficit in operating costs, capital rehabilitation costs are significantly
subsidized. According to Metro staff reports, existing parking facilities
cost the system nearly $11 million per year. This cost will grow as
more parking garages replace surface lots.
Metro reported that 73 percent of public comments on the fare hike
proposals supported parking fee increases, and 60 percent endorsed WRN's
$2 parking fee increase proposal. For more details on the fare and fee
changes, see: http://www.wmata.com/about/MET_NEWS/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=84
Form-Based Codes: Arlington Employs
New Rules to Revitalize Columbia Pike
by Stephen Wade
On February 26, the Arlington County Board approved the Columbia Pike
form-based code, a decision that has local and national implications.
The approval makes Arlington County one of the few local jurisdictions
to adopt this innovative approach to community design and one of the
first jurisdictions in the nation to apply form-based codes to revitalize
existing, older corridors. It is one of the largest applications in
the country.
The Columbia Pike form-based code is designed to create pedestrian-oriented
development that will foster a vital "Main Street" through
a lively mix of shop fronts, sidewalk cafes, and other commercial uses
at street level, overlooked by street trees and upper story residences
and offices. The design for Columbia Pike includes several new plazas
and civic squares. The parking plan includes a focus on centralized,
shared parking that will create a "park once; then walk" environment.
Virtually all Columbia Pike buildings will have a maximum height of
six stories, tapering down into the surrounding neighborhoods.
Form-based codes work on the basic principle that design is more important
than use. According to Mary Madden of the Congress for the New Urbanism,
with a clear form-based code, business owners and residents can easily
foresee the design possibilities for future development. Form-based
codes achieve this by focusing on the community's design vision. Basic
rules specify a range of acceptable building types and welcome mixed-use
development. Form-based codes highlight a range of heights, sitings,
elements, and uses for the diverse needs of different types of housing
and shop fronts.
The current system for planning land uses is fundamentally about separating
different uses. According to proponents, like Bruce Katz of the Brookings
Institution, healthy neighborhoods, towns, and cities work by integrating
different aspects of daily life. Traditional zoning practices are delaying
and discouraging the current surge of mixed-use developments in the
nation's cities. Form-based codes are particularly relevant to central
cities experiencing infill development that must fit in the context
of existing neighborhoods, though they are also applicable to the suburbs.
According to leading practitioner Geoffery Ferrell, form-based codes
can also be used as a successful tool to allay residents' doubts about
new development and concern that increased density will overwhelm streets
and neighborhoods. Developers also benefit from greater certainty about
what the community wants. Specific form-based codes highlight a quality
street environment that makes places alive and vital. Design, not use,
enable people to live, work, and shop in one area. This vision is one
that residents embrace, and form-based codes translates the vision into
rules for building.
The adoption of the Columbia Pike form-based code provides a new opportunity
for residents and planners to realize their vision for a revitalized
pedestrian-oriented, people-friendly main street in an emerging part
of Arlington County.
For more see information: http://www.co.arlington.va.us/forums/columbia/current/
Maryland Shifts Priorities Away
From Transit, Towards Road Building
By Cheryl Cort
Following through on the only apparent transportation priority from
his campaign, Maryland Governor Robert Erhlich won expedited federal
review of the proposed Inter-County Connector (ICC) and requested $800
million in construction funding. The ICC is a proposed highway arc that
would link Interstate 95 in Prince George's County and I-270 in Montgomery
County.
Despite Ehrlich's enthusiasm for the new highway, the Prince George's
County Council expressed its unanimous disapproval in a 9-0 vote opposing
the new road on June 10. Citing study results that showed that the expansion
of I-270 in the 1980s shifted jobs away from Prince George's, Council
Chairman Peter Shapiro called the ICC the "Prince George's Bypass."
County Executive Jack Johnson remains on the fence -- "not opposing"
the ICC.
While Ehrlich works to kick-start the over $1 billion ICC and pledged
$400,000 to study a new Potomac River crossing and freeway, the top
transit project for the Washington inner suburbs, the Purple Line, received
vague support from his administration. New changes to the transit proposal
are considered to be jeopardizing its competitiveness for federal funding.
Until recently, the Purple Line was a planned light rail line between
Bethesda and New Carrollton.
In March, Maryland, along with other states, submitted a funding request
to be considered for this year's reauthorization of the 6-year federal
transportation law. The new Maryland administration requested $15 million
each in planning funds for three new transit projects: the Purple Line
(re-named the "Bi-County Transitway"); the Corridor Cities
Transitway, a transit line that would run up the I-270 corridor to Clarksburg;
and the Baltimore Rail plan. The State plans to request a to-be-determined
amount of construction funds at a later date.
The outgoing Glendening administration was in the process of completing
a Final Environmental Impact Study (FEIS) for the first segment of the
Inner Purple Line and hiker/biker trail, along the Georgetown Branch
rail right-of-way between Bethesda and Silver Spring. Despite the advanced
stage of Inner Purple Line planning, the Ehrlich administration has
decided to study a variety of new alignments and modes, adding back
in an assessment of Bus Rapid Transit. Many observers believe the new
studies hurt chances for federal funding, and have suggested that the
new alternative alignments and modes amount to a delaying tactic.
While the Purple Line's fate is increasingly less certain, existing
transit service also faces cutbacks. The governor has convened a task
force to examine how to fund more highway building and pay for mass
transit operating costs. Maryland has recently indicated it plans to
cut bus routes, and reduce MARC commuter rail services, along with fare
increases. The state also has not showed how it will make up a $3 million
shortfall in funds owed to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority (Metro) for next year's budget. These actions have transit
supporters worried that existing transit operations may suffer severe
losses while the new administration allocates more resources to new
highways.
HOUSING NEWS
D.C. Council Fully Funds Housing Trust Fund
On May 6, despite difficult fiscal times, the D.C. Council voted to
fully fund the city's Housing Production Trust Fund at $21.5 million
in FY 2004, an increase of $9.5 million from Mayor Williams' proposal.
Many Council members stated that they hoped that in the future, the
Trust Fund would be funded through the dedicated revenue established
by the Housing Act of 2002, so that a yearly budget battle can be avoided.
Fairfax County Overcomes Builder Opposition on Expanded Affordable
Housing Requirement
Despite stiff resistance from the building industry, the Fairfax County
Board of Supervisors unanimously supported expansion of the county's
affordable dwelling unit ordinance (ADU) to include mid-rise multifamily
buildings on May 19. The proposed amendment requires 6.25 percent ADUs
in exchange for a 17 percent density bonus. To address builder's parking
cost concerns, a reduced number of ADUs will be allowed where large
amounts of structured parking are provided. WRN testified in favor of
the amendment and recommended a number of alternatives to alleviate
the building industry's concerns regarding parking costs. WRN suggested
that Fairfax County examine parking demand for different user groups
in need of affordable housing, given that low income owners, renters
in general, and senior households all typically own fewer cars. Also,
WRN recommended that Fairfax County follow Arlington County's model
of asking developers to prepare and implement Transportation Management
Plans, for both residential and commercial projects as a way to provide
attractive alternatives to car ownership and reduce vehicle trips.
Montgomery Council Considers Low Priced Housing Requirement for
Large Lots
On June 17, the Montgomery County Council held a public hearing on
the Planning Commission's Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 03-09 proposal
to extend Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) requirements and density
bonuses to large lot zones that are zoned for sewer. Environmental and
smart growth groups opposed ZTA 03-09, citing that the MPDU requirement
may be used to justify extension of sewer and water into environmentally
sensitive areas without adding many affordable units. The Sierra Club
also suggested that the hidden transportation costs for households in
areas far from transit and stores can offset much of the savings from
subsidized units in inaccessible locations.
WRN opposed expansion of housing in large lot zones citing the need
to correct the MPDU Program's increasing failure to produce affordable
units near transit. Developers have taken advantage of the program's
buy-out provision because of the high costs of development near transit.
The buy-out fees, however, are substantially lower than the resources
needed to provide off-site units. Housing advocates have called for
the County to create more stringent buy-out provisions and find new
ways to ensure that more MPDUs are built on site in urban areas.
Non-profit housing groups at the hearing cited the paramount need for
an even distribution of affordable housing throughout the County as
their reason for supporting the ZTA. The Montgomery County Council is
divided on the issue and will take the Planning Commission's proposal
to a work session.
Congress Targets Funds for
Safe Walking and Bicycling
Last week marked a landmark in the campaign for a dedicated federal
program for Safe Routes to School, when U.S. Representaive Oberstar
announced the Pedestrian and Cyclist Equity Act of 2003 (PACE), with
$250 million proposed annual funding for creating more bikable and walkable
communities. The bill's supporters cited that the need for sidewalks
and ensuring safe conditions for cycling should be a routine part of
any transportation project and that PACE will help gain equal treatment
for the safety of children and all people using America's roadways.
"We want to get kids back into the habit of bicycling and walking
for fun and transportation," said Oberstar. "With this bill
we can change the lifestyle habits for an entire generation." Nearly
70 percent of today's parents bicycled and walked to school, while only
18 percent of their children do today, according to recent survey by
the Surface Transportation Policy Project. Experts point to the lack
of physical activity as one of the reasons that over one-third of American
children are overweight or obese.
The PACE initiative will likely be folded into the reauthorization
of the transportation funding bill which Congress will address this
session. In addition to funding Safe Routes to School initiatives, PACE
proposes spending $25 million a year on active living grants, and $25
million a year for each of 3 demonstration projects.Grants available
through PACE would also help communities encourage more physical activity
through the design of their transportation systems, dedicating $25 million
per year for grants for Active Living projects targeted at increasing
physical activity through changes in transportation and community design.
In addition, $25 million per year would fund non-motorized transportation
demonstration projects in three communities.
For more information visit: http://www.americabikes.org/
London's Congestion Pricing
a Big Success
By Shannon Brown
On February 17, London, England implemented a radical pricing scheme
aimed at reducing congestion in the eight square-mile area of downtown.
A £5 ($8) a day fee was instituted, charging any driver who enters
this congestion hot-spot during weekdays (though some exemptions apply).
Many skeptics claimed the plan would be a disaster; causing traffic
jams on periphery roads and overburden transit.
Instead, the program was launched with relative ease. Predicted massive
traffic jams and overloaded rail and bus lines never materialized. According
to "London Congestion Report: Implications for Other Cities"
by Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, in the three
months that the program has operated, central London has seen a larger
than expected drop in congestion, with a 20 percent overall decline.
Traffic speeds in the city have risen, up from an average of 9.5 mph
to 20 mph. Bus delays caused by congestion are also down by one-half,
according to the report.
The congestion fee program was designed to reduce congestion and raise
revenues for transit improvements. While the program has been successful
at reducing congestion, it has been less so in raising revenues. According
to Litman, because drivers are more responsive to pricing than anticipated,
fewer people are driving in central London resulting in less revenues
from fees. Revenue raised through the program is to be funneled towards
improving the city's bus and underground subway systems. Since revenues
are growing more slowly than anticipated, cost-recovery for the initial
start up expenses will also be slow, meaning transit may not see revenues
for another couple of years.
For more information visit: http://www.vtpi.org/london.pdf
Events
Wednesday, June 25, 12:30-1:30pm. Paving Our Way to Water Shortages.
While experts discuss the link between water shortages, erratic weather
conditions and population growth, there is also evidence that the way
we grow --development patterns -- can exacerbate problems with both
water quality and quantity. John Bailey (Associate Director of Smart
Growth America), Deron Lovaas (Deputy Director of the Smart-Growth and
Transportation Program at Natural Resources Defense Council), and Betsy
Otto (Senior Director of the Watersheds Program at American Rivers),
will discuss how sprawl can make water supply problems worse in many
communities. National Building Museum, 401 F Street N.W, Washington
D.C. (Judiciary Square Metro). The Smart Growth Speaker Series is free.
For more information visit: www.smartgrowth.org/audio/default.asp
Wednesday, June 25, 7:00pm. Walkarlington Pilot Project - Phase
I: Ballston. The Arlington Pedestrian Advisory Committee invites
you to a community forum with Urban Designer Charles Zucker. As part
of the greater WALKArlington initiative, the Ballston-area terrain has
been examined from a strictly "pedestrian" perspective. The
forum will present Zucker's observations and preliminary recommendations
and will invite audience input. Arlington Central Library - Auditorium.
For more information call 703-228-0072, email: JGoldstein@co.arlington.va.us,
or visit http://www.co.arlington.va.us/dpw/planning/ped/walk/walkpress.htm
Thursday, June 26, 5:00pm. Hearing on Purple Line Alternatives.
Montgomery County Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the evaluation
of a busway from Bethesda to Silver Spring on either the Georgetown
Branch right-of-way or a combination of the Georgetown Branch right-of-way
and Jones Bridge Road between Jones Mill Road and MD 355. To testify
to, call 301-495-4600. Written testimony will be accepted until July
1, fax: 301-495-1320, or e-mail mcp-chariman@mncppc-mc.org. For more
information on proposed alternatives visit: http://www.mc-mncppc.org/transportation/jones_bridge_road/index.shtm
Thursday, July 3. The South Capitol Gateway and Corridor Improvement
Study (Draft) Public Comments Due. The report contains proposals
designed to transform South Capitol Street, from Maryland across the
Anacostia River to The Capitol, into a vibrant, mixed-use grand boulevard
that is a fitting gateway to the Nation's Capital, including a new bridge
and tunnel and reestablishing the L'Enfant street grid. To submit comments
see: http://www.publicspace.justicesustainability.com/southcapitol/index.shtml
Tuesday, July 8-9. Draft Clean Air Plan: Regional Public Hearings.
On May 28, the region's governments released the area's draft clean
air plan that attempts to bring the area's poor air quality into compliance
with federal health-based standards by a 2005 deadline. Virginia: July
8, 11:00am VDEQ, Northern Virginia Regional Office, 13901 Crown Court,
Woodbridge, VA. Maryland: July 8, 2:00pm. Maryland National Capitol
Park and Planning Commission, First Floor Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Avenue,
Silver Spring, Maryland. DC: July 9, 6:00pm. One Judiciary Square, 441
4th Street, NW, Washington DC. For more information contact Joan Rohlfs,
jrohlfs@mwcog.org or 202-962-3358 or visit http://www.mwcog.org/calendar/
Job Listings
The Washington Regional Network for Livable Communities seeks a self-motivated
Program Assistant for a part-time position. The Program Assistant will
work closely with the Executive Director to provide substantive program
and administrative support with the potential to focus on program activities
of particular interest. Major qualifications include: commitment to
WRN's mission and purpose, excellent organizational skills, self-motivation,
knowledge of Windows, the MS Office suite, QuickBooks and Macromedia
Dreamweaver, strong writing skills, professional phone manner and familiarity
with transit-oriented development, new urbanism, smart growth/growth
management concepts; bachelor's degree, and course work in land use
or urban planning, or a related field. E-mail a cover letter and resume
to: staff@washingtonregion.net.
Support Intersect, Join WRN
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on these issues important to livable communities; join WRN and support
Intersect. WRN welcomes all donations but a basic membership is $35
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WRN thanks the following individual and organizational donors for their
continued support of WRN's programs advocating for livable communities
in the Washington, D.C. Region: Diane Iniguez, Richard Hoye, and Mary
Nagelhout.
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WRN advocates transportation investments, land use
policies, and community designs that enhance existing communities and the
environment of the National Capital Region.
Comments
and articles welcome.
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Regional Network For Livable Communities
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