DSA Community Meeting - March 13, 2012
Over 50 people attended today's meeting of Dulles South Alliance. Scott Plein urged those attending to join DSA. The DSA forerunner, the Dulles South Business Alliance, was instrumental in helping advance the schedule for funding and constructing the widening of Route 50, east of Poland Road to the Fairfax County line.
Supervisor Matt Letourneau gave an overview of what the new Loudoun Board of Supervisors has been doing during its initial months. Matt's assistant is Tom Parker. Supervisor Matt Letourneau announced that the BOS has approved funding for completing the Gum Springs library, which is expected to open later this year. He explained that due to last night's lengthy budget hearing, Scott York was unable to attend the Dulles South Alliance meeting today. Matt said that the BOS has made clear to MWAA in a recent letter that Loudoun will not approve its local share of funding if MWAA insists on a Project Labor Agreement preference for Phase 2 contractors.
Supervisor Matt Letourneau mentioned that the commercial and industrial zoning ordinance is being reviewed during the next year. One example of outdated code provisions is that a gas station owner requires a special exception in order to build a convenience mart - which has been normal practice for at least 30 years. Schools would become by right uses whereas today they require a special exception approval. As a result, obtaining approval for ball field lighting and rest room facilities at ball fields takes over one year.
Supervisor Matt Letourneau heads the BOS Economic Development Committee. He said review of the Department of Economic Development work program and mission is underway. Only 3.5 of 18 positions are devoted to sales and marketing efforts. On Thursday, the BOS plans to ask for budget approval for adding $650,000 to increase DED marketing effort. More vacant (office) space exists in Fairfax County today than the total amount of existing (office) development in Loudoun County. A greater focus on retail will occur. He said that Tom Flynn, who was appointed Director of DED in October 2010, has done a good job in turning around the department. He noted that Buddy Rizer, who has led the County's efforts to attract new data centers here, was recently promoted to be Assistant Director of DED.
As to Dulles Rail review, he said that the BOS does not expect to receive operating rail cost forecast data until April. The Board plans to take up Phase 2 review again after completing the budget process. Charles Yudd, Assistant to County Administrator, said that the Loudoun County station parking study by Desman Associates will be completed later this month. They have looked at demand and potential rate structure. Yudd pointed out that, under the Memorandum of Agreement, the garages could be placed back into the Phase 2 cost structure if no private development partner is found. VDOT is studying access to south side of Route 606 for station parking as part of its engineering work for the proposed Route 606 widening.
Theresa Stein, a planner with the County Zoning Administration outlined the process for updating the County's zoning ordinance provisions in commercial and industrial districts. The County is seeking input from stakeholders groups. Subsequent to today's DSA meeting, I noted that a stakeholders meeting has been set for Tuesday March 27 at 9 am in County Government Center, Lovettsville Room.
Patty Nicoson of Dulles Corridor Rail Association claimed (as she did at Loudoun Economic Development Commission meeting 10 days ago) that Loudoun County development for the last 20 years has presumed rail - George Washington University campus (1988?), AOL (1994), MCI/Worldcom (1999?), Howard Hughes Medical Research campus (2001?), Raytheon (2008?). Nicoson was a supporter 12 years ago in approval of the TOD plans around Route 772 rail terminus - Claude Moore Foundation has 400 acres of vacant land remaining. Comstock will develop the north side of the terminus and Dulles Greenway.She said Phase 1 Dulles Rail "saved" $50 million project costs by taking out the Wiehle Avenue garage from baseline costs. Phase 2 local funding options to the current plan for BPOL tax supplemented by General Revenues are to be considered by BOS. These include station tax districts, commercial and industrial tax district as exists in Fairfax County, layered revenue stream. Dulles Rail is needed as no other east west transportation options exist to improve traffic around Dulles Airport.
As to the updated CDM Smith Dulles Toll Road traffic and revenue study prepared for MWAA, Nicoson said the baseline study did not assume a proposed $150 million Phase 2 "investment" by the Commonwealth or the garages removed from former budget under the new "Memorandum of Agreement" Phase 2 cost budget ($2.7 billion).
The issue of the WMATA operating subsidy needed for Loudoun is to be addressed by BOS in next month or so when Northern Virginia Transportation Commission provides operating projections. Before Dulles Corridor Rail Association was formed in 1998, Nicoson worked in DC and Arlington County as a transportation and land use planner. She said that Arlington County pays for Reagan National Airport share of WMATA operating subsidy. While MWAA plans to double DTR tolls in 2013, Nicoson said "tolls will increase to $4.50 in several years." The proposed Dulles Rail Phase 2 Commonwealth "investment" would "allow a toll rate buy down next year to $2.75 for several years." Nicoson claimed that she wants DTR toll increases reduced but did not offer any revenue plan option and projections to support her claim.
Nicoson said that great economic benefits would be gained in Loudoun County from Dulles Rail extension here. Washington Metrorail station areas provide 25% of the land value for only 4% of the land used. In Arlington County, she said 50% of the assessments are provided by 11% of the land area. The advantages of a "one seat" ride to Dulles Airport and connectivity to rest of Washington Metro area would attract new businesses here.
Bob Buchanan, who last year warned a Dulles South Alliance audience that he and other developers had concluded that Loudoun County was too far out from existing population and employment centers for significant near term growth in business and retail tenant demand, said that Loudoun County's image would be forever harmed if the Phase 2 rail funding is rejected by BOS. He talked about the benefits that private developers have brought to Loudoun County during the last twenty years including the Route 28 tax district for widening that route from a 2 lane highway to a 6 lane highway today and the private investment that created the Dulles Greenway. Bob commented that, in contrast to Prince William which has spent hundreds of millions for road improvements in the last two decades, Loudoun has not made significant investments (of taxpayer funds) in improving its road system.
Patty Nicoson and Bob Buchanan did not take questions from the audience.
Delegate David Ramadan said he had actively supported Delegate Comstock's bill HB 33 to oppose mandatory or preferential Project Labor Agreements in Virginia. He also worked with VDOT to resolve recent traffic congestion resulting from a Route 50 widening project scheme which would have kept one lane closed for three years.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50
Other Community Overviews
DSA Community Meeting Overview - Thursday, March 8, 2011
Presentation Slides- March 8, 2011
