Pictured: Riverdale Park in Maryland.
Dear friend,
With the heat index exceeding triple digits across the entire region, this week is a reminder of why our mission is so urgent.
Walkable, transit-friendly, housing-rich, mixed-use communities are critical for climate resiliency. By minimizing asphalt, reducing driving, and making it easier to walk, bike, and take transit, smart growth development reduces greenhouse gas emissions and local pollution, and protects the regional forests and farms that absorb carbon and stormwater.
This month offers many opportunities to advance smart growth in your community. While we keep working together for a more resilient future, please prioritize your safety today and during the upcoming weekend. Stay hydrated, skip the driving, check on your vulnerable neighbors, and check out your local government websites for cooling station locations and emergency updates.
Federal and regional
Ask for a better transportation bill (take action)
The Build America 250 Act in the U.S. House of Representatives would reduce funding for transit, rail, walking, and biking, while increasing funding for highways – and all while not adding accountability to ensure state spending addresses safety, maintenance, or climate change.
Let’s connect on Instagram (follow us)
Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions has named CSG a 2026 Sustainability Champion! The award honors individuals and organizations making a difference across NoVA and Rockingham Co. through bold, community-rooted climate action. Join us, other awardees, Rep. Walkinshaw, and FACS at the awards reception.
Washington D.C.
Support proactive autonomous vehicle rules (testify, comment)
The Council Transportation & Environment Committee will hold a hearing on Council Member Charles Allen’s “Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026”. CSG supports the bill’s features to discourage excess traffic, support transit, help travelers with disabilities, and ensure accountability and transparency by AV companies. Learn more.
Webinar: How innovative zoning can create a better DC (7/15 at 6:30 p.m., RSVP)
Join us for a discussion with national experts about how form-based zoning can shape the kinds of places people want to be. This will inform the DC 2050 Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map, which guides growth over the next 25 years.
Maryland
Speak up on Montgomery County master plans (learn more)
Montgomery County has four ongoing master plans in Friendship Heights, Eastern Silver Spring communities, Germantown, and Wheaton. Learn more and find out how you can weigh in with our master plan tracker! Even a simple email to planners to support complete communities with safe places to walk and bike, access to transit, and a variety of housing types makes a difference.
Support fix-it-first for Montgomery infrastructure (take survey)
Help ensure that the county prioritizes existing repair, maintenance, and safety needs for roads, transit, schools, parks, water/sewer, and stormwater facilities. Implementing the county’s Thrive 2050 plan recommendations for more housing in existing neighborhoods would also cut infrastructure costs and support a strong tax base.
Prince George’s Central Avenue Trail Segment 1 is moving! (check it out)
After a long hiatus, the Central Avenue Connector Trail is moving forward. We were excited to support the trail moving forward with Segment 1 – running from Old Central Avenue to Shady Glen Rd. Completion of this segment is planned for 2028.
Virginia
Transit, housing, and a state park in the final Virginia budget
We helped win $153 million for Metro’s annual operating needs and $40 million for the state’s Housing Trust Fund, but failed to win $136 million in new capital funding for Metro or additional operating funding for other transit agencies. Allies won funding for a new state park in Loudoun accessible to millions of residents.
Improve safety on W. Braddock Rd, Howard St in Alexandria (take survey by 7/3)
This stretch of road connects four schools, a shopping center, parks, and major bus stops. City staff have prepared design concepts to address safety issues. Option 1 does a great job – improved crossings, buffered sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and new sidewalk connections.
Support more accessory living units in Fairfax County (7/15 at 12 p.m. or 7/20 at 7 p.m., learn more)
As part of an ongoing initiative to update Fairfax County’s accessory dwelling regulations, county staff will host two virtual meetings to share proposed zoning changes and next steps. We hope you will attend and share your thoughts on this important housing solution!
Affordable housing in Virginia Village moves forward (learn more)
Last week, the Falls Church City Council approved residential zoning changes to move the redevelopment of city-owned parcels on the Virginia Village site forward. Expected to preserve and expand on-site affordable units, proposals for redevelopment plans are now due in August.
Speak up on transportation priorities (take survey by 8/1)
The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is updating its long-range transportation plan. Speak up for more housing near jobs and transit as a key transportation solution, as well as safer arterials, better transit, walking, biking, and innovative demand management programs.
Virginia primaries: Vote early! (vote by 8/4, learn more)
Early voting has started for primary elections for the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and some local offices. Skip the lines on August 4 by taking advantage of early voting, open right now!
Thanks for all you do,
Stewart Schwartz
Executive Director
Coalition for Smarter Growth
Image credits: Riverdale Park by Hugh Kenny; United States Capitol by Hugh Kenny; cell phone screen by Brett Jordan via Unsplash; Waymo on DC streets by Bill Pugh; two DC rowhouses converted to 10- and 6-unit buildings by Cheryl Cort; Montgomery Planning, MNCPPC, VA Assembly by Becca Dedert; Braddock Rd. by Bill Pugh; ADU by R. Morgan Construction; City of Falls Church; bus by Bill Pugh; Element5 Digital via Unsplash; headshot by Hugh Kenny.