D.C. Suburbs Support Transit-Oriented Development

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Monday (12/6) unanimously approved a 56 acre, 2,250 home development near the Vienna Metro Station in Northern Virginia. Fairlee-MetroWest will include offices, retail, and residential development at densities never before acheived in this otherwise sprawling D.C. suburban county. This victory for the smart growth movement comes in the wake of fierce opposition to the project when it was first proposed this past summer. Board Chairman Gerald E. Connolly said, "Smart growth is an orphan when it comes to having a constituency. It's something many people can support" until it comes to their neighborhood. Opponent question whether the developer will be held to one parking space per household that would force many living in the project area to use transit. Stewar Schwartz of the D.C. based Coalition for Smarter Growth applauds the project for its mixed-use focus and goal of reduced vehicular trips.