Date: Wed, Jul 20, 2011 at 5:58 PM
Subject: Re: Fairways Apartments Public Hearing
To: Marion Stillson <mbs@point0.net>
Marion-
My remark regarding all of Reston as a transit oriented area , as I stated at the meeting, was based on the fact that from its earliest days Reston had transit (Reston Commuter bus and Common Ground service) throughout its neighborhoods. I know that folks like to put their own spin on things, however, I did state that the formal County TOD came nearly four decades after Reston had been using public transit. As anybody who has availed themselves of RIBS, regular and commuter services over the years, Reston has been transit oriented from its earliest days.
Thanks for all your good work on behalf of all of us in Reston.
My remark regarding all of Reston as a transit oriented area , as I stated at the meeting, was based on the fact that from its earliest days Reston had transit (Reston Commuter bus and Common Ground service) throughout its neighborhoods. I know that folks like to put their own spin on things, however, I did state that the formal County TOD came nearly four decades after Reston had been using public transit. As anybody who has availed themselves of RIBS, regular and commuter services over the years, Reston has been transit oriented from its earliest days.
Thanks for all your good work on behalf of all of us in Reston.
Frank de la Fe
Mr. de la Fe continues to miss and/or obfuscate the point. High density residential development outside the half-mile perimeter from Metro stations, such as that the Planning Commission has approved at Fairway Apartments, will generate disproportionately more traffic, congestion, environmental damage, etc., than lower density development in those areas. In contrast, high density development within TOD, especially residential development, leads to greater use of public transit--specifically the Metro--and reduces traffic growth. Moreover, every community and major development in Fairfax County--almost all low density suburban development--has been served by some form of bus service over the last four decades or more.
A bus running through a medium density neighborhood does not make that neighborhood a "transited oriented development". It simply means it's a medium density neighborhood with - in the case of North Shore Drive in Reston - sporadic bus service. In supporting the current proposal for Fairways redevelopment, our Hunter Mill Planning Commissioner is doing a great disservice to his constituents and neighbors in Reston while doing everything he can to provide a big boost to JBG Companies' bottom line.
ReplyDeleteHe is certainly putting his own spin on things.
Diane Blust
President, Fairfax Coalition for Smarter Growth/Sustainable Reston