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