HomeMy Public PortalAbout2005_11_08_r184 Adopting an Amendment to the 2006 Legislative ProgramThe Town of
Leesburg,
Virginia
PRESENTED
November 8, 2005
RESOLUTION NO.2005-184
ADOPTED
November 8, 2005
A RESOLUTION: ADOPTING AN AMENDEMNT TO THE 2006 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, on October 12th, 2005 the Mayor and Council have identified legislative items that
are in the best interest of the residents of the Town of Leesburg; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council desires to communicate these items to the elected officials
representing Leesburg to be addressed by the 2006 General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, the Town Council seeks to amend the Legislative Agenda that broadens the town's
current authority regarding affordable housing, consistent with the town' current prioritization to retain
current authority regarding affordable housing authority, as well as expand opportunities for infill and
redevelopment opportunities;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia that the
previously established 2006 Legislative Agenda is amended to reflect the following priorities and is to be
communicated to the elected officials representing Leesburg:
Fund Roads to Alleviate Regional Roadway Congestion. Fund Battlefield Parkway, the Route 7/
Route 15 Bypass Widening Project at Sycolin Road including the Sycolin Road flyover, and the
completion of the Route 15 Route 7 Bypass interchange, the widening of South King Street from
Route 621 to the southern corporate limits, the Route 15 Bypass Interchange Improvements at
Edwards Ferry Road and Battlefield Parkway, and the Route 7 Interchange Improvements at River
Creek Parkway, Battlefield Parkway, and west of Leesburg at White Gate Road. These roads are
burdened with major regional traffic from the north, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, and 1-270;
points west, including West Virginia, Western Loudoun and Clark Counties; points east, including
Eastern Loudoun and Fairfax Counties, the Dulles Toll Road and Greenway; and points south,
including Prince William County and I-17 and 1-95. Funding construction of these projects will
substantially improve the transportation system of the region. In addition to funding of these
regional roads, fund local traffic calming projects. These projects would help reduce speeding and
improve safety. Appendix A outlines regional traffic patterns and volume relative to Leesburg
roadways.
Fund Safe Pedestrian Travel and the Townwide Trail System throughout Leesburg. This
includes, but is not limited to, state support such as TEA-21 grants for pedestrian bridge crossings
on the Route 15 Bypass in the vicinity of Fort Evans Road. The town has a year-round pedestrian
safety efforts and invested significant funds to help address the dangerous mix of increased
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A RESOLUTION:ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2006 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
pedestrian crossings of individuals and families attempting to cross the busy highway to access Fort
Evans Road area services and employment.
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Protect Communities from the Negative Impact of Overhead Power and Transmission Lines.
Preclude the location of new, large, overhead transmission lines in populated areas that would
impact community quality of life and property values. Support underground alternatives for large,
overhead transmission lines, as well as powerlines in historic districts, scenic and park areas.
Explore potential state tax or other incentives to help address the cost to utilities as they attempt to
meet the needs of Virginia communities in need of the utility services.
Enact Legislation to Address Undergrounding of Utilities. Leesburg joins the Town of Herndon
in seeking a means to underground overhead utilities (such as distribution lines) in major
transportation corridors and historic neighborhoods. The town supports amending the Code of
Virginia § 15.2-2243.1 to allow both towns to require a developer to pay a pro rata share of the costs
to underground overhead utility lines in a prescribed underground utility area, based on the
proportion that the area of the development bears to the area of the entire underground utility area.
The current pro rata share program used for storm drainage improvements is a model for this effort.
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Protect the Authority of Towns. Oppose any narrowing of local government authority, such as
taxation or land use regulation, and oppose any action to restrict current local revenue sources. The
General Assembly and executive branch (or Governor) should continue to recognize towns as
essential units of local government, with important roles in providing services. Towns should have
clear and full authority to act in a timely manner on matters that protect public health, safety and
welfare. The town is closely monitoring working sessions regarding to local authority of eminent
domain and the balance among long-term economic and community development, quality of life,
and physical infrastructure needs. Examples of areas of particular concern, but not limited to local
government's ability to:
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Impose telecommunications taxes or fees relative to E-911, internet sales, or future
technology that would help support community needs;
Impose local property taxes to address local needs without state imposed limits on
tax rates;
Accept proffers to meet community-identified needs using locally developed
guidelines;
Retain current authority to enter into and monitor telecommunications franchises
to meet the needs of local communities;
Retain current authority to promote affordable housing including enabling
legislation to have the ability to facilitate in-fill development, redevelopment and
mixing of uses in redevelopment projects;
Retain the authority to regulate the placement of manufactured homes without
state intervention; and
Retain all authority to adopt and inspect rental inspection programs to protect the
health and safety of residents.
6. Enact Legislation to Limit Local Government Authority for Eminent Domain. Support
legislation that will limit the definition of "public use" to exclude economic development.
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A RESOLUTION:ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2006 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
Enact Legislation to Address Design Review. Provide the town authority to review design of
commercial development outside of the Old and Historic District. This is crucial as the town plans
for significant redevelopment efforts, including several upcoming projects. Similar legislation has
enabled Purcellville and Fairfax to address this long-term community need.
Enact Legislation to Address Affordable Housing. Provide the town authority to conduct
affordable housing activities similar to the rights currently afforded certain localities under VA
Code Sec. 15.2-2304. Amend Section 15.2-2304 to include the provision ..... Loudoun "and Towns
located therein ".... This will support Leesburg's current effort to assess, implement, and/or partner
with Loudoun County to promote and implement affordable housing activities in Leesburg and to
allow the Town to accept cash donations in lieu of the provision of the actual housing units.
Enhance Redevelopment Opportunities. Adopt an urban policy for Virginia and implementation
of growth management policies that encourage economic and neighborhood development in urban
areas. Support incentives to help encourage redevelopment opportunities given Leesburg's limited
available developable land for increasing the town tax base, strengthening of neighborhoods, and
enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Examples could include infrastructure, storefront
improvement, job creation, business incubator, and other enhancement programs that might provide
funding and/or in-kind assistance to help Leesburg accomplish such efforts.
10.
Fund Bus Rapid Transit. Fund a Bus Rapid Transit System connecting Leesburg and Western
Loudoun County with the Dulles Corridor. The Town supports establishing BRT service west of
Leesburg with a station in the Route 7/Route 9 corridor and a station in Leesburg adjacent to the
Dulles Greenway.
11.
Designate Leesburg as a voting member of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.
In 2001, the General Assembly approved a new regional transportation authority charged with
planning and developing an "integrated and efficient transportation system". With respect to
regional projects, the authority has been empowered to issue bonds, recommend funding priorities,
and allocate funds. The four counties and five cities of the region are granted voting memberships.
Leesburg as well as Dumfries, Hemdon, and Vienna were given advisory board status. Leesburg
deserves full voting rights based on its population and level of transportation responsibilities.
12. Share Income Tax Revenue with Localities including Towns. Leesburg supports state income tax
revenue sharing with towns according to the Virginia Municipal League "50/40/10" Plan.
13.
Incorporate Protection and Enhancement of the Tree Canopy into Development Regulations
and Funding. Make protection of the tree canopy a priority for the Commonwealth. Provide local
authority to protect the town's canopy from development and maintain the town's quality of life,
environmental and economic health. Strengthen local ability to promote and foster the reforestation
of urban areas like Leesburg. Provide financial and in-kind assistance, whether by state or
developer. The Commonwealth is encouraged to investigate best practices from communities across
the country, particularly neighboring states such as Maryland.
14.
Provide Local Government Authority to Modify Subdivision Street Standards. Support
proactive, quality neighborhoods via local authority to modify standards for street pavement and
right-of-way widths and not jeopardize VDOT payments. The town's various neighborhoods reflect
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A RESOLUTION:ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2006 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
historic, modem, and unique attributes that must be sensibly balanced with good planning,
engineering, and public safety without reducing funding for state street maintenance payments.
15.
Support funding for Land and Historic Site Conservation. Dedicate a stable source of long-term
state funding to assist agencies, public bodies and tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in acquiring,
preserving, developing and maintaining special lands and historic sites. The Town of Leesburg is
committed to help preserve and protect such land, and facilitate enjoyment of our town's open
spaces, parks, natural areas, historic areas, farmlands, and recreational areas. Such areas are key
to quality of life in Leesburg, and provide enjoyment to our visitors from across the region and
around the world. For example, the funding opportunities via Virginia Historic Preservation
Museum Grant Program and Fund within the Department of Historic Resources.
16.
Support funding for Arts. Enhance funding for the arts including public arts programs, arts
in education, artists in residency, cultural facilities and operational suppo)t, and other opportunities
to preserve and promote the diverse cultural offerings of Virginians. Grants, training, and technical
assistance are vital to such efforts. Accessibility to the arts as well as providing service and
assistance to arts organizations and artists is key to maintaining quality of life in Leesburg and
Virginia.
17.
Support the Town's Downtown Streetscape Effort. The town proposes a downtown streetlight
replacement program using TEA-21 funds. This program would include conversion of up to 27
current street lights to an acorn or other style light fixture that would reflect the historic nature of the
Old and Historic District. This will support the beauty and attraction of the Historic District to
tourists, residents, and potential businesses, boosting the town's tax base. The effort would also
respond to concerns regarding the need for improved lighting in the Historic District.
18.
Support the Citizens Tax Commission recommendations regarding Virginia's State and Local
Tax Structure for the 21st Century. Leesburg supports the commission's findings that: (1) state
should increase substantially its support for operational and capital costs for local school divisions;
(2) state should assume full operational cost for provision of state and federal mandated services or
functions, including the Comprehensive Services Act, public health, Community Services Boards,
local and regional jails, and local social services departments; (3) state should return a share of state
income tax to localities to broaden their revenue base and decrease dependence on the real estate
tax; (4) state should participate in the Streamlined Sales Tax Project designed to standardize state
sales and use tax provisions, review all current exemptions to sales and use tax, and extend the tax
to services; (5) taxing authority of counties should be made commensurate to that of cities; (6) state
should review tax exempt status granted to all non-governmental property and the restrictions that
limit the service charges that may be applied to tax-exempt property; (7) localities should retain
authority to impose the merchants' capital and BPOL taxes; and (8) localities should be granted
increased opportunity to collaborate in regional economic development activities.
19.
Maintain Local Control of Cigarette Tax Collections and Enforcement. As a member of the
Northern Virginia Cigarette Tax Board, the town has several concerns regarding a state study
underway regarding state collection and enforcement of local cigarette taxes. These concerns
include local control, efficiency and accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. The town's cigarette tax
generates about $1 million annually.
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A RESOLUTION:ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE 2006 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
20. Reauthorize the Use of Automated Cameras at Traffic Signals. Reauthorize the use of photo red
cameras and extend the use to all local governments.
21.
Support the Effort of Public Safety Associations to adjust the formula for EMS "4 for Life"
Funds. The town generally supports the efforts of the state fire chief's and volunteer emergency
rescue squad associations in their request to adjust "4 for Life" funding via the $4 vehicle
registration fee approved by the 2002 General Assembly to support local emergency medical
services.
22. Support the Legislative Program of the Virginia Municipal League. The town generally
supports the positions adopted by the League.
23.
Fund a Bridge Crossing of the Potomac River. The General Assembly should take a cooperative,
regional, leadership role in establishing a new bridge crossing of the Potomac River east of Goose
Creek for a limited access highway between Goose Creek and the American Legion Bridge, if a far
western bypass is established, without impacting the quality of life in Leesburg area neighborhoods,
without terminating at Route 7, and without negatively impacting traffic flow on Route 15. The
potential north-south route east of Leesburg should relieve traffic pressure, especially from large
trucks, along the Route 15 corridor through Leesburg. The proposed crossing should not draw
additional regional commuter traffic through the town. A complete environmental impact study
should be completed before any roadwork is started. All effort should correspond with the town
endorsed "Hallowed Ground" project, protecting the historic treasures of the Route 15 Corridor.
PASSED this 8th day of November 2005.
Kr~sI'~C. Un{~taitd,
Town of Leesburg
ATTEST:
R05: Legislative Agenda 2006FINALREV 110805