Action Alert: There are two places where we need to focus our energies right now.
The county council is taking public comment on the Planning Board TPR recommendations at public hearings February 12 & 13.
We need your help for the upcoming TPR hearings before the County Council.
They need to see and hear the community support for balanced land use and
transit oriented solutions. This is important, because they make
the final decision on transportation policy. Please mark your calendar
for Tuesday Feb. 12, or Wednesday Feb. 13. Even if you can’t testify
it is crucial that you come with neighbors to show the county council wide
grassroots support. Or email your message to the Council
county.council.mo.co.md.us
We want to send this message to the council:
We want smarter solutions to solve traffic congestion. These
include an expanded transit system that is the backbone of new development;
a balance of jobs and housing across the county; and reinvestment in traditional,
walkable communities, instead of costly, ineffective projects such as the
techway, the ICC, or the Montrose Parkway.
The Maryland State legislature is moving forward on a study of a Regional Transportation Authority.
The Maryland General Assembly passed legislation in the House and Senate last session authorizing a study of a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). An RTA would consist of an appointed board that could have the power of eminent domain and the power to tax. It would essentially take land use decisions out of the hands of local jurisdictions. The last and most dangerous point is that an RTA would allow interests outside of Maryland to dictate transportation and land use planning. It is in the interests of the Virginia developers, the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, and the Washington Board of Trade to have an authority that would override our elected officials. We need to let our state delegates and senators know that we will not support this. Last week Maryland Department of Transportation moved forward with a consultant to begin the study.
Action Items:
1.Show up for the TPR Public Hearings on Feb. 12 & 13 at
7 p.m.
Where: Seventh Floor Hearing Room Montgomery
County Council Office Building
100 Maryland Avenue, 7th floor hearing room
Rockville, Maryland
2. Email the County Council to promote tranist and balanced
land use
county.council.mo.co.md.us
Call your state delegate and Senator, and ask them not to support the
RTA.
Go to this website to find your district and delegation: http://mdelect.net/lookup.asp
For more information call SNS staff person Tina
Brown a 202-588-5570 x1#
or email
tina@smartergrowth.net