I’ll begin with expressing deep appreciation for your public service and the service of all staff. I join others in praising your Gateway dashboard. We also appreciate the support some jurisdictions have given to dedicated bike/ped and transit investments.
Author: Ayesha Amsa
$250,000 for 25 years
Help us raise $250,000 for 25 years between now and our big 25th Anniversary event in the spring.
CSG News: We’re hitting the ground running!
Thank you to all who donated to CSG in 2021 and supported our successful campaigns!
TESTIMONY re NoVA Transportation hearing
Testimony from the Coalition for Smarter Growth to the Joint Northern Virginia Transportation Hearing Hosted by VDOT, DRPT, NVTAuthority, NVTC, VRE
TESTIMONY re: TPB Climate and Transportation Study Findings
The findings from your climate and transportation study are clear: The region can achieve necessary levels of greenhouse gas reductions under its adopted 2030 climate plan, We cannot depend solely on electric vehicle adoption and a cleaner grid, the region must reduce per capita vehicle miles traveled by 15 to 20% by 2030.
Our 2021 Year in Review
This year’s annual report is a special edition with some exciting news! Check it out and stay tuned for more.
TESTIMONY: Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan
We support the draft of the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan, although we believe there is room for improvement to think more strategically, creatively, and boldly about certain elements. In general, we are excited that the plan embraces downtown Silver Spring as the right place to grow, and to grow in a way that supports diversity, connectivity, resiliency, and health.
Comments on the I-495 and I-270 Managed Lanes Study Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Coalition for Smarter Growth submits the following comments in response to the Notice of Availability of the I– 495 & I–270 Managed Lanes Study Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) and Updated Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation. We have also signed onto and endorse the comments submitted by the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club and separate comments by the Maryland Transit Opportunities Coalition.
TPB’s 2021 Voices of the Region Survey – Highlights
- Scientific survey of over 2,400 regional residents conducted by TPB that was representative of urban, inner suburban and outer suburban jurisdictions.
- Shows that the region’s residents generally demand more walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly communities and climate action, and prioritize this much more than expanding roads and parking
- Climate Action
- 84% of the region’s residents want elected officials to consider the impacts of climate change when planning transportation.
- For residents under 30 years of age, those most impacted by our long-range planning decisions and by climate change, that percentage rises to 92%.
- Overwhelming majorities of suburban as well as urban residents across the region’s jurisdictions agreed.
- Even in outer suburban jurisdictions, between 72 and 78% of residents wanted climate change considered in transportation planning.
- These percentages are much higher than those expressing congestion to be a significant concern that impacts their lives a lot (44%).
- Support for expanded pedestrian zones, bike lanes, and bus lanes
- Three quarters of survey respondents said they support post-pandemic use of street space for expanded pedestrian access and restaurant seating.
- Strong majorities also support bike lanes (63%) and bus lanes (71%), and a narrow majority (54%) support dedicated bus lanes even in situations that involve removal of on-street parking.
- It’s not only city residents who want dedicated bus lanes, either: the majority of survey respondents live in suburban areas, with a plurality from outer suburbs.
- “What transportation investments should we make today that future generations will thank us for tomorrow?” – only a small minority (134 out of 637) called for more or wider roads:
- 259 responses called for improving transit, walking and biking
- 172 responses called for clean transportation investments
- 134 responses called for more roads and more/wider car lanes
- 72 responses called for improving the condition of existing bridges and roads
- Dissatisfaction with region’s transportation system is by far the highest in the car-dependent outer suburbs
TESTIMONY re: Reversal of BAR Denial of Certificate of Appropriateness for Heritage at Old Town
The Coalition for Smarter Growth reiterates our strong support for the Heritage at Old Town as approved by the City Council under a special use permit and Residential Multifamily Zoning. We face a housing crisis and the Heritage at Old Town is a well-designed development, providing critically needed housing and affordable housing. Our prior testimony is attached.