Author: Ayesha Amsa

Testimony: Alexandria Zoning for Housing

We strongly support adoption of all eight Zoning for Housing proposals including the proposed zoning text amendments, housing master plan updates, and city policy updates. The city is to be credited for its extensive public engagement and the staff are to be credited for their detailed analysis of where the zoning code, plans and policies can be modified. In the end this is a modest package but one which will help to address the housing crisis. 

CSG in the News: “Ride On Reimagined” will bring Montgomery County’s buses into the 21st century — if it’s funded

“And this is something that we’ve been working with WMATA on.” Carrie Kisicki, Montgomery Advocacy Manager, at the Coalition for Smarter Growth, mentioned two important routes in the draft plan, 170a from Bethesda to Germantown, and 102a from Silver Spring to Germantown, with connections to White Oak and Aspen Hill. “The Express routes will be run 7 days a week at high enough frequencies to provide truly useful upcounty-downcounty connections,” she explained, providing service to areas with great need.

CSG comments on state DOT draft Carbon Reduction Strategies

The Coalition for Smarter Growth respectfully asks your consideration of these comments as you refine your Carbon Reduction Strategies (CRS) prior to submittal to FHWA next month. These comments build on our October 17 letter to the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. 

Hear updates and speak up for safer streets in Culmore

Our continued safe streets efforts in Culmore have prompted a second public meeting this Wednesday! Fairfax County and VDOT will be providing an update on safety improvement projects that were announced at last year’s packed community meeting where residents rallied for safer streets in the Culmore neighborhood of Bailey’s Crossroads. 

State Carbon Reduction Strategies need to incorporate TPB climate goals, findings & strategies

At the Oct. 18 TPB meeting, state DOT’s will brief you on their draft Carbon Reduction Strategies. The states are required to consult with TPB on these plans before they submit them to the federal government next month. The Coalition for Smarter Growth encourages TPB members to closely review and provide feedback on these strategies. 

Testimony: Annual Permit Allocation – Comments and suggested amendments

We believe we can do this while building more housing in the right places to address the overall need for housing, and to help make housing more affordable. Our land use policies and infrastructure investments need to incentivize and encourage private investment to build more homes that are connected to existing services, transit, employment centers, and other essential destinations. We also need to remove the many barriers that discourage this kind of investment.