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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006_11_14_r196 2007 Legislative Program The Town of Leesburg, Virginia PRESENTED November 13.2006 RESOLUTION NO. 2006-196 ADOPTED November 14. 2006 A RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2007 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM WHEREAS, 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 2007 General Assembly. THEREFORE, RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Leesburg in Virginia that the following legislative priorities are hereby established and are to be communicated to the elected officials representing Leesburg: 1. Fund Roads to Alleviate Regional Roadway Congestion. Fund the construction of Battlefield Parkway from Kincaid Boulevard to Route 7 and between Fort Evans Road and Edward Ferry Road, the widening of South King Street from Route 621 to the southern corporate limits, the widening of the Route 7/Route 15 Bypass from four to six lanes and complete the interchange at Route 15 and the Route 7 Bypass and complete the interchange at Route 15 and the Route 7 Bypass, widen the Route 7 Bypass and Route 7 from South King Street to Route 9, construct the interchange at Route Bypass and Edwards Ferry 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 1-17 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. Continued State delegation support for Town applications for Federal and state funds to address these projects is greatly appreciated. Appendix A and the attached maps outline regional traffic patterns and volume relative to Leesburg roadways. 2. Support the Updates to the Leesburg Town Charter. The Town of Leesburg seeks four revisions to the Town Charter to address: workforce housing, form based zoning, and codes of technical regulations. The Town has grown in population and become increasingly more urban. As the Town approaches near build-out of developable land, the ability to leverage redevelopment and in-fill opportunities, address older housing stock, and lack of affordable housing for private and public sector employers, is increasingly important. The Town seeks to enhance its current capabilities to work in the best interest of Leesburg residents and businesses, protecting the safety, health, and welfare of residents, promoting the economic and demographic diversity that has evolved in the Town, while maintaining Lee~burg's historic character of the community. - 2 - A RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2007 LEGIS LA TIVE PROGRAM 3. Support the Town's Downtown Streetscape Effort. The Town is implementing a downtown streetlight replacement program, initially funded using $200,000 in state Transportation Enhancement Grant funds secured in 2006. The Town is providing a funding match of $200,000. While the overall program would include conversion of up to 39 current streetlights to an acorn or other style light fixture that would reflect the historic nature ofthe Old and Historic District, the initial funding secured does not cover the entire project, only 14 streetlights will be replaced. The Town will apply for 2008-11 Transportation Enhancement Grant funds from the Commonwealth to complete this project. Continued support by the Leesburg delegation of this and other applications for Federal and state funds is greatly appreciated. The project 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. 4. 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. Examples of areas of particular concern, but not limited to local government's ability to: a. Impose local property taxes to address local needs without state imposed limits on tax rates; b. Accept proffers to meet community-identified needs using locally developed guidelines; c. 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; d. Retain the authority to regulate the placement of manufactured homes without state intervention; and e. Retain all authority to adopt and inspect using rental inspection programs to protect the health and safety of residents. 5. 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 ofthe region are granted voting memberships. Leesburg as well as Dumfries, Herndon, and Vienna were given advisory board status. Leesburg deserves full voting rights based on its population and level of transportation responsibilities. 6. 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. The Town supports study of the cost-benefits of under grounding utilities and requests the General Assembly require the SCC to consider lifetime costs of both above and under-ground systems. - 3 - A RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2007 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM 7. 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. 8. Support funding for Arts. Enhance funding for the arts including public arts programs, arts in education, artists in residency, cultural facilities and operational support, 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 are key to maintaining quality of life in Leesburg and Virginia. The Town recently established a commission on the arts to help guide such efforts in Leesburg and has established public art and special events among the initial goals of an overall program. 9. 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. 1 O. 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 oflife, 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. 11. 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. 12. Support funding for VIVA, the Library of Virginia, and Thomas Balch Library. Support VIVA's unique state-wide consortium and the Library of Virginia as both support the Town's records management, historic preservation, and library services activities. In particular, the Town seeks resources for Thomas Balch Library, a Town-owned and operated special collections library that is independent of the County public library system and provides history and genealogy collections and programming in a unique, historic facility. Thomas Balch Library attracts patrons from across the state and from throughout the nation who seek information on Leesburg, Loudoun, and Virginia history and genealogical records. Inclusion of libraries like Thomas Balch in the funding stream for state tax dollars would further support the preservation of these important records. 13. Safe Pedestrian Travel and the Townwide Trail System throughout Leesburg. Support the year-round Town pedestrian safety efforts and investment in funds to address the dangerous mix of increased pedestrian crossings of individuals and families attempting to cross busy highways to - 4 - A RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2007 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM access Ft. Evans Road area services and employment. The Town requests funds for Town trails to continue the attempt to connect all quadrants of Leesburg, particularly the SE and SW quadrants, and provide safe passage across the Route 15 Bypass. This will also support reduced reliance on vehicles, protect air quality, and promote use of parks, recreation, and open space. The delegation's continued support of Leesburg applications for Federal and state funds to support this priority is greatl y appreciated. 14. 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. 15. 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 historic, modern, and unique attributes that must be sensibly balanced with good planning, engineering, and public safety without reducing funding for state street maintenance payments. 16. 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. Securing funds to support the preservation of the Thomas Balch Library building, a structure of historic significance to Leesburg and Loudoun County, is one example. The Town's Veteran's Park, under development near Balls Bluff Battlefield, is another and among parks located in Leesburg. Leesburg is home to General George C. Marshall's Dodona Manor, a former gubernatorial home Morven Park and the adjacent equestrian center, nearby Oatlands Plantation, and farmland such as Paxton. New open space, park and recreation land is proposed in some of the more urban areas planned for redevelopment, including the Crescent District. Such areas are key to quality of life in Leesburg, and provide enjoyment to our visitors from across the region and around the world. 17. 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. - 5 - A RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2007 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM 18. Reauthorize the Use of Automated Cameras at Traffic Signals. Reauthorize the use of photo red cameras and extend the use to all local governments. 19. Support the State Income Tax Credits for Toll Road Users. The Leesburg Town Council fully supports the Herring-Poisson initiative to generate relief from increasing toll rates for toll road users. These credits would be applicable to users of facilities statewide. Facilities such as the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Greenway not only play key roles in our state transportation system, but also are vital to Leesburg and Northern Virginia's quality oflife and economy. 20. Authorize the Use of Automated Cameras to Enforce Speed Limits. Authorize the use of photo cameras to enforce speed limits in the Town of Leesburg. 21. Increased Fines for Seat Belt Violations. Make it a primary offense to not wear a seat belt in a motor vehicle. This violation is currently a secondary offense. 22. Increase Fines for Unsafe Trucks on Roadways. Increase fines for ill-maintained, unsafe, and oversized trucks operating on local roadways. Specific conditions such as failed brakes, poor shock absorbers, and exceeding 65 feet in length, create a safety hazard for motorists and pedestrians. This is particularly dangerous for unsafe trucks operating on US 15, a scenic, two-lane roadway. 23. Streamline Transportation Impact Fees. Address the limited scope and lack of ease of administration of requirements for local governments. 24. Request Future Consideration of a Loudoun County Member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The Town of Leesburg respectfully requests future gubernatorial consideration of a designated Loudoun County representative to the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The Board has been thoughtful of its consideration of Leesburg's needs, including the recent Transportation Enhancement Grant for the Downtown Streetscape Project. Designation of a Loudoun County representative could further enhance efforts to address the issues facing fast- growing Loudoun County, and Leesburg's location as the County seat. 25. Support the Legislative Program of the Virginia Municipal League. The Town generally supports the positions adopted by the League. 26. Support the Legislative Program of the Virginia Government Procurement Association. Generally support efforts to streamline and use the most effective and efficient means of procuring government services and products while supporting diversity, competition, and open government. 27. 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. - 6 - A RESOLUTION: ADOPTING A 2007 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM PASSED this 14th day of November 2006. ATTEST: ~0.~~ Kns . Umstattd, Mayor Town of Leesburg R06: Legislative Agendarevll 1406