The three-part series of meetings recently hosted by Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock) provided at least one tangible outcome: a general consensus about the direction Braddock residents want the area to grow.
Many residents who participated in the dialogue series would rather have the growth stop all together and focus on revitalizing what already exists, but they generally recognized that the county cannot stop growth, it can only try to control it.
“I thought it was a very substantial conversation with the community,” said Bill Lecos, the president and CEO of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce. “I think it demonstrates the extra high level of appreciation we have collectively to our community.”
SPEAKERS AT the first two meetings talked about past growth patterns that have succeeded or failed, and also about statistics and demographic predictions that might help ease future growing pains. At the third and final meeting, people voted on a vision statement.
“I think from a planner’s point of view and a resident’s point of view, the level of discussion was very constructive,” said Bulova.
After listening to experts divulge a lot of discouraging statistics about the region’s population and job growth over the next 20 years, with an estimated population increase of about 2 million, participants remained relatively positive at the second meeting. They broke into groups to discuss the pros and cons of living in each of their Braddock District neighborhoods, and when the large group reconvened, they found that most of their answers were the same.
“I thought [the discussion groups] were very good,” said Shirley DiBartolo, a Burke Centre resident who attended all three meeting with her husband, Sam. “It was interesting to know that people came from all different communities and basically all came up with the same issues.”
Lecos, who attended both the second and third meetings, said he felt the general consensus was that people wanted to preserve their neighborhoods. In order to do that, he said the focus needs to include the surrounding areas, since the region suffers as a whole when there is too much rapid growth.
“What happens on either side of Braddock is going to affect the Braddock District,” said Lecos. “I think we have a shared value and a common ground that really does transcend specific neighborhoods.”
That is why Lecos said it is important for community members to be proactive in planning for future growth. Nothing is wrong with someone from the Braddock District attending and participating in the planning process for Tysons Corner or Springfield.
Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Gerry Connolly (D-At-large) attended the final meeting and provided at least one encouraging fact, said Bulova. He said that Fairfax County has more trees today than in the 1950s, even as growth seems like it’s taking over. He also said the county has one of the lowest crime rates for a jurisdiction of its size, and it’s the lowest it has been in 30 years.
“Gerry Connolly did a wonderful job with setting the stage,” said Bulova.
The county’s Comprehensive Plan cannot be altered for another four years, but in the mean time residents can continue to communicate their wants and needs in the community, said Lecos.
Participating in the future Comprehensive Plan task force is one way to ensure the voice of the community is heard through that process, said Bulova. The vision statement, she said, will be used as a guide for the task force and for future dialogue about growth in the region. It will be used as a measure when the task force decides recommendations for changes to the Comprehensive Plan.
“This is about a lot more than what gets built or what doesn’t get built,” said Lecos. “We have a real interdependency within the county and the region.”
Bulova presented the vision statement at the board of supervisors meeting on Monday, Nov. 13. She said she hopes she can keep the dialogue going, and hopes other supervisors would as well.