Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I'm writing to you about land-use law. There is a common misconception that local government "lets" the developers build, as if the local government could turn down the development applications if there were insufficient infrastructure.
In actuality, government is very limited in how it can restrict the use of property. And no, I'm not a property-rights nut.
All the land in Northern Virginia is in comprehensive plans as available for development; that is, there are no agricultural- or forestry-only use requirements.
Therefore, if a developer submits an application in accord with a comprehensive plan, the local government pretty much has to approve it.
I'm asking that you not support the argument of those who say, "How can those local governments just keep approving development when we don't have the roads for them?" etc. etc. Local governments have to.
Kimberly V. Davis
Manassas
I live in the Occoquan watershed. Development is limited because that watershed is the source of drinking water for many Virginians.
Local governments can limit development. They do so by establishing a comprehensive plan, and they control development through zoning limits. What I'd like to know is this:
When development exceeds the transportation system, as in Gainesville, why can't the county downzone remaining vacant land, like one dwelling per 10 acres?
I don't think county governments are as helpless as you suggest, Ms. Davis.
Vienna High-Rises
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I carpool on Interstate 66 to get to the Orange Line. The prospect of high-rises at the Vienna Metro, just two exits west of the Beltway, can only lead to worse traffic on I-66, worse traffic on the Beltway and the continued degradation of the overcrowded, often-delayed Orange Line.
Despite Fairfax County's best intentions, it can't control all of Metro's chaotic funding, so promises of more rail cars are just words until I see them in operation.
Even if that happens, the fare gates, platforms and escalators are dangerously crowded now. How many more people do high-density advocates think Metro can handle?
It seems that the people who think this is a good idea are not Orange Line riders. They blithely ignore Metro's capacity limits and funding problems, so "anything goes" when building near a Metro.
