NoVA wins again

[Caladium]

Originally Posted by stpickrell

When I hear folks talk about "stopping sprawl," that's what I hear. How is that any more or less coercive than the often-complained about NIMBYs?

LOL, it isn't. Welcome to the wonderful world of spin! If you don't happen to like a particular project, you call efforts to control it it "progressive" or "smart growth" but if you do happen to like a project then anyone who even dares speak against it is an "evil NIMBY!"

Yet another reason to roll the eyes when I hear all these accusations about "nimbyism in Reston." One guy writes comments in a blog, and that's somehow interpeted as the entire town being full of NIMBY's. Not that I think nimbyism is always a bad thing--but let's be realistic. Reston has been surprisingly pro-development, that's why they keep getting all these agencies and corporations moving in.

The funniest thing about the Reston NIMBY accusation, IMO, is that (as you point out) these alleged Reston NIMBYs are wimps compared to the folks out in Loudoun (the only people who are actually taking concrete action against development). If the people of Reston really wanted to prevent the metro from coming to Reston they would have incorporated.

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by Caladium

Few people live in Loudoun and commute to DC. That's a nasty commute. Most Loudounites work in the Tech Corridor. Most people who work in the Tech Corridor live relatively nearby. That will continue to be the case.

Not true. Check out how the Loudoun Transit Buses have grown. And there are those of us who parked in Reston, hopped on the buses and then to the metro. Or slugged in.

[normie]

Originally Posted by South Jersey Styx

Not true. Check out how the Loudoun Transit Buses have grown. And there are those of us who parked in Reston, hopped on the buses and then to the metro. Or slugged in.

I think you're both right. IMO, most Loudouners work in the Tech Corridor or possibly as far east as McLean, because that's about as far as most people want to drive. OTOH, it's also true that because there is mass transit available, a fair number can live in Loudoun and work in DC.

Tying all this back to RR's worry, I doubt you'd see much mass transit from Clarke County to Loudoun. People would have to drive the distance, which (IMO) would limit the number of people willing to live that far from a job in Loudoun. Will there be some? Probably, but not enough to raise a large concern in my opinion.

You asked what can be done to stop them. The answer is: Nothing. If they want to have a godawful commute, that's their right. Just like you have the right to drive from Winchester to Tysons. It's crazy and I would never try it, but if you want to, I'm not going to do anything to stop you.

[normie]

Originally Posted by Caladium

LOL, it isn't. Welcome to the wonderful world of spin! If you don't happen to like a particular project, you call efforts to control it it "progressive" or "smart growth" but if you do happen to like a project then anyone who even dares speak against it is an "evil NIMBY!"

Yet another reason to roll the eyes when I hear all these accusations about "nimbyism in Reston." One guy writes comments in a blog, and that's somehow interpeted as the entire town being full of NIMBY's. Not that I think nimbyism is always a bad thing--but let's be realistic. Reston has been surprisingly pro-development, that's why they keep getting all these agencies and corporations moving in.

The funniest thing about the Reston NIMBY accusation, IMO, is that (as you point out) these alleged Reston NIMBYs are wimps compared to the folks out in Loudoun (the only people who are actually taking concrete action against development). If the people of Reston really wanted to prevent the metro from coming to Reston they would have incorporated.

Amen, and nicely said!