Pictured: Staff picnic right outside our office in Franklin Square to celebrate our incredible long-time volunteer, Alex Mendelsohn.
Dear friend,
Making time for summer fun, like lunch picnics, music concerts, or a team outing to Nats Park, has not slowed down our work towards a more inclusive and connected region. In fact, with your support, we secured some major wins for housing and transit-oriented development, including in Fairfax, Virginia, and Montgomery, Maryland. Read on to learn more and see what’s coming up next!
Federal and regional
Save the date for our annual Smart Growth Social (10/21)
Our most popular event of the year is back! Save the date for Smart Growth Social on October 21 at Eastern Market. Stay tuned for more details and early-bird tickets. Hope to see you there!
We’re hiring a Communications Intern (apply by 08/31)
Passionate about positive change and creating better communities? We’re looking for an intern to help drive our social media, visuals, and event publicity as we build a better region. Gain hands-on, real-world experience in non-profit digital strategy!
Attend a regional equitable transit-oriented development convening (9/10, sign up)
Passionate about positive change and creating better communities? We’re looking for an intern to help drive our social media, visuals, and event publicity as we build a better region. Gain hands-on, real-world experience in non-profit digital strategy!
Washington D.C.
Tour: Discover trail-oriented development by biking or Metroing along the Metropolitan Branch Trail (9/9, RSVP)
So much is happening at Bryant Street NE and NOMA/Eckington’s Tanner Park connected by the MBT! Join us to learn more about these reborn places along the trail & Metro. Free e-bikes provided by Veo! Or bring your own bike, or take the Metro one stop.
Walking tour: Explore Cleveland Park’s diversity of housing options (9/27, RSVP)
Join us for a guided tour with Peter Miles, architect and ANC 3C05 commissioner, as we explore the diversity of DC’s housing to meet the needs of a range of households in an early walkable streetcar suburb.
Maryland
Big win! 500+ homes approved on former GEICO campus (read our testimony)
Huge thanks to the 50+ CSG supporters who answered our call and messaged the Montgomery County Planning Board with support in under 24 hours. Your voices made the difference alongside CSG’s testimony to push for more housing, community space, and safe bike-ped connections right near the Metro.
Friendship Heights Sector Plan hearings (9/10 and 9/14, sign up)
The Friendship Heights Sector Plan Update will make recommendations for housing, land use, parks, retail, and more. The Planning Board will hold hearings on the draft plan on Sept. 10 and 14. Click here to learn more and sign up to testify.
MCDOT Seeks Feedback on Sidewalks near Purple Line (feedback by 8/31)
In preparation for the opening of the Purple Line, MCDOT is planning new sidewalks within a half-mile of the Manchester Place station. Sidewalks will enhance accessibility and improve local connections to this exciting new transit option. Residents can submit feedback on the 14 proposed sidewalk segments through August 31.
Virginia
Support accessory living units in Fairfax County (send an email)
County staff just released proposed changes for the ALU zoning update, and we need you to take this final opportunity to let them know what we support and what we still need to see. While we are seeing positive steps, these changes are not enough to make accessory dwellings a real housing solution.
Duke Street Land Use Plan Draft recommendations (virtual meeting on 8/5, feedback by 8/21)
Alexandria is hosting a virtual community meeting to review the newly released draft recommendations and figures for the Duke Street Land Use Plan. You can also offer feedback until August 21 through the city’s Engagement Hub. Don’t miss this chance to share your thoughts on this exciting plan!
Arlington Transportation Future (feedback by 8/23)
The updated Multimodal Transportation Plan (MTP) is here! You have one last chance to provide your input on the draft policies and strategies before they go to the County Board for final consideration. Be sure to share your feedback through the county’s online form or at one of the upcoming events.
BIG WIN near Dunn Loring Metro! (learn more)
In a huge step forward for transit-oriented communities, the Fairfax County Planning Commission approved plans for nearly 3,000 new homes within walking distance of Dunn Loring Metro. CSG is proud to stand at the forefront of this transformation. As we move into the rezoning phase, we are advocating for the maximum number of committed affordable units in the final development.
Thanks for all you do,
Stewart Schwartz
Executive Director
Coalition for Smarter Growth
Image credits: Staff lunch by CSG, LC by Hugh Kenny; SGS by Hugh Kenny; Affordable & Connected Communities 2026 summit by NCSG; MBT by Cheryl Cort; Cleveland Park by Peter Miles; Friendship Commons rendering by EYA; Friendship Heights Station by Montgomery Planning; Manchester Place Station Sidewalk Proposal by MCDOT; ALU by City of Alexandria; Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library by City of Alexandria; ART bus by Chadisia Stadler; Merrifield Plan by Fairfax County; headshot by Hugh Kenny.
Featured image: “Eads Street streetscape and protected bikeway” by BeyondDC, CC BY-NC 4.0