Transportation, open space and planned downtown areas are the concern for Potomac Suburban Area residents who attended the suburban area meeting on Saturday.
"All of these things work together to form a smart growth community and a friendlier place to live," said Lowes Island resident Patti Morrissey at the third of four community input meetings on the county's revised comprehensive plan, a planning document that will guide development for the next 20 years.
At the meeting, about 40 Potomac area residents heard a presentation on the plan. They broke into five groups to list their priorities for implementing the plan in the Potomac Suburban Area, located north of Route 7 between Broad Run and the Fairfax County border.
"It's important for citizens to share with us their concerns and what they see for their communities," said Board Chairman Scott York (R-At Large). "It helps us formulate our strategies as we move forward on implementation of the comprehensive plan. ... We're trying to work out a plan that fits all of us."
THE SPEAKERS for the five groups said the residents wanted improved public transportation, walkable communities and increased traffic safety in their neighborhoods; to understand the environmental impact of new businesses and the impact of development on existing communities; and to plan for the protection of the area's green infrastructure, such as open space and cultural and historic resources. Green space in eastern Loudoun could be protected through the Purchase of Development Rights program, one of the speakers said about a county program used to purchase development rights from property owners.
"There are few open spaces left," another speaker said.
The comprehensive plan defines four suburban areas in eastern Loudoun, including Potomac Falls, Dulles, Ashburn and Sterling. The Board of Supervisors plans to develop community plans for each of the suburban areas that are more detailed than the comprehensive plan.
"The board has been getting good data in terms of people's thought about the priority areas," said Dick McCafferey, national consultant from McCafferey Associates who helps conduct the suburban area meetings. "These are things the community would like the board to focus on when it chooses to allocate resources. ... Across the various communities there's commonalties like transportation. It helps the board think about the bigger picture."
THE BIGGER PICTURE for Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) shows eastern Loudoun residents seeking improvements in transportation and service delivery. "This crazy comp plan considers trail systems superior to and more important than road building. People want more roads," he said.
Supervisor Bill Bogard (R-Sugarland Run) said one of the groups he observed mentioned public facilities as a priority. "When the initial planning for the area was done, [there was] not adequate space and facilities planned," he said. "Part of this process is figuring out how we're going to go back and recoup what the public wants."
Bogard mentioned overcrowded libraries and a lack of recreation and community meeting facilities in the Potomac area.
"All of these things cost money, so it becomes an issue what is a reasonable tax load and what are the minimum amount of services required," said Supervisor Chuck Harris (D-Broad Run). "People want a sense of community no matter where they live, and we have to figure out how to do a better job of designing places to live and work and play to provide a better sense of community."
"One of the roles of the Board of Supervisors is to make sure the government is doing what the people want it to do," said Supervisor Mark Herring (D-Leesburg).
The final Sterling Suburban Area meeting was postponed from March 16 to April 27 to address a scheduling conflict. The Board of Supervisors have a budget work session on March 16.
"I think it shows people are really interested in the process to spend a good portion of their Saturday with their neighbors talking about how they see their community," said Supervisor Eleanore Towe (D-Blue Ridge).