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Metro Rail - Public Outreac 5/24

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by lilpea, May 4, 2012.

  1. dbrow

    dbrow Member

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    I agree with cobymom.
     
  2. Mom8386

    Mom8386 Member

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    Does anyone know if it was discussed at a HOA meeting? If it was, then they can submit a letter based on the discussion. I don't live in Broadlands, and as far as I know our small HOA didn't submit a letter even though I know for a fact, at least one of our officers is opposed to the metro. Probably because he's retired and has no need for it. I personally think most that are opposed are because they don't see any benefit to themselves personally. We can't just look at it that way.

    What I don't get is why anyone is opposed to it as traffic is getting unbearable here and a lot of people do commute to areas where there is metro. It can only benefit the area.
     
  3. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    Cobymom-
    You are correct. If the HOA Board issues an opinion on an issue, it is doing so in the best interests of the corporate association, and does not imply what any individual thinks on an issue.
     
  4. nova_southernwalk

    nova_southernwalk New Member

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    Not necessarily true, I don't want to get into this whole discussion just provide a little perspective...

    Look at the crime that has occurred around metro stops in DC.

    Ask why they did not run it further north in Chicago, up into Evanston and Highland Park (a very nice area). Not that I actually know the answer. But we can take a look at how an area like Skokie has done in terms of benefits. Did traffic magically clear up in Chicago? People still drive their German cars to the burbs.

    Likewise I doubt that we will see it run through the mansions of McLean or Great Falls.

    The developers (as per usual) are heavily invested in this...;) And they are well aware of how to shape public opinion, and no one (mostly) speaks out against them. Follow the money :happygrin:
     
  5. Emerson

    Emerson New Member

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    The "L" does go to Evanston and Skokie. The METRA, a heavy rail line, goes to Highland Park and Beyond (Wisconsin). It did relieve traffic somewhat in the Chicago area (remember, it is many years old). As do many mass transit lines in large metropolitan areas. The Dulles Rail, just like other lilght and heavy rail systems, will provide a much needed alternative mode of transportation to DC, where the jobs are. Don't forget, many of the children that attend and have or will graduate from the local high schools then college, will be back home on our "payroll" until they get on their feet financially. They will probably live at home and need a cost effective transportation alternative to and from Tysons, Arlington, and DC. The Dulles Rail will provide this alternative. :)
     
  6. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    The crime argument is a fallacy I grew up around the Vienna Metro, still have family a mile away. Know the area for over 40 years. The Vienna Metro is fought before building it with the idea it would bring crime. No significant increase in crime due to Metro has occurred. It just doesn't happen that way. Honestly, think about it. I dude wants to rob a house, then decides to haul the take on a train that is only going one way. Ain't gonna happen.

     
  7. nova_southernwalk

    nova_southernwalk New Member

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    I stand corrected on that. I guess my memory is failing me somewhat.

    http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/

    However...

    http://fairfaxcity.patch.com/articles/vienna-metro-no-2-most-dangerous-in-virginia-83d132f3

    And I agree, no one is going to be taking the spoils of a robbery back on the train. Maybe I'm letting my pessimism re developers (and politicians) influence my thoughts too much...
     
  8. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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  9. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    cobymom.... I agree with you. An HOA letter of support seems like something beyond the realm of SOP types of functions - especially for the SWHOA which is very much in existence to "manage" the Openband relationship and associated activities (my opinion).

    I am very much in favor of the Silver Line but would suggest we all go back in look at the articles of incorporation for the SWHOA and why they exist.
     
  10. hornerjo

    hornerjo Senior Member

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    I'm curious to that as well. What did the SWHOA put in their letter?
     
  11. Audrey

    Audrey Member

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    Bethesda's a nice upscale town and the property values on the homes within walking distance are crazy high. I'm sure all the restaurants and businesses downtown benefited from the Metro being there.
     
  12. mdcrim

    mdcrim Member

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    http://loudoun.gov/documents/11/133...int Presentation_Final_201205231012375853.pdf

    This is the a document with the proposed metro funding. Pay close attention to the two mile radius special tax district. From what I can tell, it includes most, if not all, of the Broadlands. My taxes would go up approximately $400 per year from where they are now with all else being equal. This is in addition to the higher tolls. Can't wait...
     
  13. '03 Cavalier

    '03 Cavalier New Member

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    I'd be totally fine with the special tax district. It's really the best compromise and hopefully would placate some of the folks in the western portion of the county, where the most vocal opposition seems to come from. $400 per year in additional taxes really isn't much on an average home. Property value increases alone would more than offset that. If you end up using Metro a decent amount, it doesn't take much savings in gas, oil changes, tire rotations, depreciation and repairs to equal $400.

    I'd almost prefer a two-tiered tax district though. With just one special tax district, you're going to have people in the tax district living right across the street from those out of it. At least if it tapered off, that would be mitigated a bit.
     
  14. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    When you start seeing homes 2 miles away appreciating more than a home 4 miles away - then I'd buy that. But $400 increase is more than most people's assessment jumps.. so add that AND your tax assessment jump and what's your tax rate jump in one year? $800? $1000? $1200? Those numbers are significant.

    I haven't heard anything about parking at said stops. What's the plan for parking?

    I paid a lot of money so I could live CLOSE to work.. I don't look to commute to downtown, the beltway, etc.
     
  15. '03 Cavalier

    '03 Cavalier New Member

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    It's not an insignificant amount of money, but it comes down to a matter of individual opinion. I think it's worth it to have that kind of major infrastructure built here, but of course there are many who don't.

    There will be parking garages at each stop. I think 4,000+ spots at the last stop if I remember correctly, about 1,000 less at the 606 stop.

    I completely agree with trying to live as close to work as possible. I mostly work remotely, so currently commute time isn't an issue for me. But situations change and people change jobs all the time. I'm not interested in Metro for the ability to get downtown (other than weekend trips, etc.). But a lot of people seem to overlook the fact that there is a huge amount of jobs along the rest of the line in Herndon/Reston, Tysons, Arlington, Falls Church, etc. Commuting by rail to any of those locations would be extremely convenient and doable time-wise. I often hear anti-rail arguments about how long the trip is to DC, as if that's all the silver line would be good for.

    It's easy to tell people to live where they work, but unless we all want to become perpetual renters, we can't just keep picking up and moving every time we change jobs. Especially once people have kids settled into schools, friends close by and so on.
     
  16. dbrow

    dbrow Member

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    I've changed my mind. Now I think the HOA should write a letter against the special tax district, regardless of being pro or anti Metro.
     
  17. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    I've worked for the same company for 16 years :) Moved two times to be close to where I work. I work from home or office depending on my need for the day.

    The slides talk about $10 parking. At $10+ ~$5 fares... $15 a day will cost more to take metro than driving... and I'll be paying extra taxes to have it even ifI don't use it. Oh, I guess once they jack the toll rates sky high.. metro will look affordable :(
     
  18. Rhaegar

    Rhaegar Member

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    Alright, I'll say it. I'm against the Metro. I won't use it. I already pay $1000 in tolls. That won't change and I'm in no mood to pay more for everyone else to get to work or encourage more people to come out here to live, make my traffic worse and lessen even further the quality of the people that already live here. No one cuts me any breaks and I don't look for any. I'm tired of paying for everyone else to live more conveniently.
     
  19. hberg

    hberg give me some of your tots

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    I seriously need to work for a company that supports teleworking more. Between myself and spouse we pay a ton in commuting add in one of us has to be home until the peak of rush hour so we can send our kids to school. I won't be able to afford $15 a day - I can't afford to keep paying increasing tolls either. So metro will raise our taxes, the Greedway is going to increase, and the Dulles Toll Road is increasing to pay for metro. Plus today we got an email about $1 per transponder per month as an admin fee. The cost keeps going up and up.
     
  20. MadCat07

    MadCat07 New Member

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    :screwy:
     

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